The best air mattresses you can buy

Why you'll love it: With a lower price tag and lower height profile, the Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress is still comfortable, durable, and easy to use.

Insta-Bed’s Raised Air Mattress may be a bit of a misnomer, only because the main downside to the mattress is its lower height profile. It’s only about a foot off the ground when fully inflated, which could make nights difficult for anyone whose priority is accessibility. Other than height, Insta-Bed nails all the expected features of an inflatable air mattress. The built-in Insta III AC pump is billed as 20% quieter than other popular airbed pumps, and it inflates and deflates quickly and easily, again, in about four minutes.

The top layer is made of flocked PVC material just like our top pick, providing water resistance, damage resistance, long-term durability, and a soft, comfortable surface for a good night’s sleep. Construction on Insta-Bed’s Queen-sized bed includes 35 circular air coils, which is only slightly lower than the SoundAsleep’s 40. Beneath the bed, the bottom layer is protected with Sure-Grip texturing so your guests won’t slide around their room in the night.

Insta-Bed’s option is considerably lighter, weighing about 13 pounds and still comes with an easy carrying case. Although the Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress is more than $30 cheaper than our top pick, it is still protected by a one-year warranty and reportedly great customer service. The airbed comes in one color and in two sizes: twin and queen.

Wirecutter has the Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress as its budget pick, and most of Amazon's 3,700+ reviewers give it the thumbs up, too.

Pros: More affordable without compromising comfort and durability, this air mattress is still guarantee-protected and built to last

Cons: The lower height profile means this airbed is harder to get in and out of, especially for grandparents and anyone with injuries

Buy Insta-Bed's Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump for $89.99 to $99.99 (originally $179.95)

Why you'll love it: For a budget option, the Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed doesn’t sacrifice comfort or reliability and even includes a built-in pillow.

The most appealing thing about the Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed is the price tag. For less than $40, it's a great option for budget air mattress shoppers. The queen size mattress measures 60 x 80 inches, and it does stay pretty low to the ground at 16.5 inches high. It offers the same style of flocked top PVC surface as comparable air mattresses at much higher price points.

The integrated electric pump takes the standard four minutes or so to inflate and deflate, and users say that the Intex air mattress stays firm and well-inflated without losing air throughout the night.

A nice and unexpected addition to this affordable air mattress is the built-in pillow, which raises the surface of the mattress just slightly where your guests will rest their heads. Water- and puncture-resistant materials keep the mattress comfortable and clean, and the bed still comes with an easy carrying case despite its serious affordability. Some people find the raised pillow area uncomfortable, including one Wirecutter tester.

Almost 3,000 Amazon reviewers gave it a 3.5/5-star average, which is pretty good considering it's a budget item.

There’s no warranty and no customer satisfaction guarantee with the Intex air mattress, and it's a bit of a gamble, but at $49.99 you can hardly expect it to last a lifetime. If price is a concern, you can check for discounts on our coupons page.

Pros: Built-in pillows and all the comfort and durability of a name brand air mattress, without the high price tag

Cons: Low height profile is less than ideal, and no warranty or customer satisfaction promise mean this air mattress isn’t guaranteed to last

Buy the Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed with Built-in Pillow and Electric Pump at Target for $49.99 (Queen)

Why you'll love it: SoundAsleep's pared-down Camping Series air mattress is designed with the same I-beam Air Coil technology that SoundAsleep uses in its other mattresses, but with a little more portability in mind.

The SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress is similar to our top pick, but sits lower and offers more portability. It also includes an external pump that comes with a rechargeable battery, which is a fantastic feature for the hike-in camper looking to get a little ways away from the car.

It's also made with the rugged outdoors in mind, adding a little extra thickness to help prevent punctures and tears. Meanwhile, the waterproof flocked top adds another layer of comfort while reducing that horrible squeaking that occurs on many air mattresses when you shift sleeping positions in the middle of the night.

SoundAsleep's signature "eco-friendly," or at least non-PVC materials are used in this mattress, so you won't have to deal with any unpleasant plastic smells "off-gassing" while you try to sleep.

At 9 pounds with the external pump, this isn't exactly a trek-worthy bed, and if you're after a mattress pad for your trip into the High Sierra, for example, consider a sleeping pad like Klymit's Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad.

Digital Trends, TripSavvy, and Gear We Are include the SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress as a favorite air mattress and most of Amazon's 800+ reviewers seem to agree. — Owen Burke

Pros: Sturdy, easy to inflate, rechargeable battery for camping (and inflating) away from the car

Cons: Not exactly lightweight, may — according to some reviewers — require some break-in time, so inflate days before you use it

Buy the SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress on Amazon for $79.95 (twin) or $89.95 (queen) Buy the Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad on Amazon for $40 to $60

Why you'll love it: The AeroBed Mattress for Kids comes with a washable fleece covering layer that’s good for kid messes.

Size is the first thing that makes this air mattress perfect for kids: the AeroBed mattress measures 50 by 25 inches. It’s also specifically designed to keep younger children from rolling out of the bed with a 4-inch safety cushion raised around the mattress’ perimeter.

The heavy-duty PVC material is designed to withstand the ups and downs of energetic youngsters, and the thick, washable mattress pad makes kid-sized messes easier to handle without ruining the mattress itself.

The included electric air pump inflates the bed in under a minute, although its much smaller size means that timing shouldn’t be compared with the longer inflation times on queen-sized adult beds. Aerobed includes a handy carrying case, and although the price tag may seem high for a kid-sized mattress, users suggest that their small children and toddlers have slept on the Aerobed Mattress for years without any deflation, damage, or size concerns.

New York Magazine liked the AeroBed Mattress for Kids best, too, and nearly 1,500 Amazon reviews average out to an encouraging 4/5 stars.

Pros: Safety cushion protects younger kids, and durability and comfort last for years, even as kids grow

Cons: Kids will grow out of the smaller size eventually, so it’s not the best option unless you start young

Buy the AeroBed Mattress for Kids on Amazon for $59.89 (originally $79.99)

The best tents you can buy

With a good tent, you can always feel at home, even when you're actually miles from civilization and a few thousand feet up in the mountains. The Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 Person tent is our top choice for best tent, thanks to its great price, ease of setup, and ability to keep you warm and dry even in bad weather.

You should also consider the Flytop Outdoor Backpacking 2 Person Tent, the ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 3 Person Tent, the Coleman Evanston Screened 6 Person Tent, and the Luxe Tempo Breeze 1 Single Person Tent. One of these options will surely suit you and your fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

The best sleeping bags you can buy

A sleeping bag is more than a matter of comfort. In extreme circumstances, having the right sleeping bag can be a matter of life and death. But that's no reason not to find one that's nice and cozy, too. The Hyke & Byke Quandary 15 Degree sleeping bag is warm and comfortable, lightweight and compactable, and it won't break the bank.

You should also consider the Mountain Hardware Lamina Z Bonfire, the Coleman North Rim Extreme Weather, the Teton Sports Fahrenheit, and the Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag.

The best pillows you can buy for your bed

A good pillow means a good night's sleep. We reviewed dozens of pillows to narrow down the choices to the ones you’ll love best. The Premium Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow from Coop Home Goods is our top pick. You’ll enjoy sweet dreams on this supremely comfortable pillow.

Here are our top picks for the best pillows:

• Best overall: Coop Home Goods Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
• Best hybrid pillow: Leesa Hybrid Pillow
• Best down pillow: Royal Hotel Goose Down Pillow
• Best buckwheat hull pillow: Zen Chi Buckwheat Hull Pillow
• Best budget pillow: Smart Home Bedding Super Plush Pillow
• Best memory foam pillow: Sleep Innovations Cool Contour Memory Foam Pillow
• Best bolster pillow: Half-Moon Bolster Pillow
• Best latex pillow: Beautyrest Latex Foam Pillow
• Best gel pillow: Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
• Best body pillow: Moonlight Slumber's Comfort-U Total Body Support Pillow

The best sheets you can buy

After reviewing dozens of contenders, our top pick for bed sheets are the 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets from L.L. Bean. Crisp, cool, and comfortable against your skin, these sheets make bedtime a treat.

Here are our top picks for the best sheets:

• Best sheets overall: L.L. Bean 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets
• Best sateen cotton sheets: Brooklinen Luxe Sheets
• Best sheets with patterns and colors: Crane & Canopy Sheet Sets
• Best flannel sheets: Pinzon Velvet Flannel Sheets
• Best organic cotton sheets: Boll & Branch Signature Soft Hemmed Sheet Set
• Best modal sheets: Pure Beech Modal Sateen Sheets
• Best microfiber sheets: Brooklyn Bedding Microfiber Sheets

The best mattresses you can buy

A great mattress can be the difference between a good night's sleep that results in a productive day or a horrible night that makes you feel like you didn't sleep at all.

Here are our top picks for the best mattress you can buy

• Best overall: Sapira Mattress by Leesa and Leesa Mattress
• Best for hot sleepers: Bear Mattress
• Best for neutral firmness: Casper Mattress or the Casper Wave
• Best customizable mattress: Helix Mattress
• Best affordable mattress: Lucid Memory Foam Mattress
• Best smart mattress: Eight Smart Mattress
• Best soft mattress with good support: Purple Mattress

The best mattresses for side sleepers

Finding the perfect mattress is tough for side sleepers. We've done the research and some testing to find the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Regardless of which one you choose from our favorites, though, we're confident that you'll get a good night's sleep. And if you find that these mattresses don't work for you, rest assured that they come with a sleep trial so you can take these beds for a test run before making a long-term commitment.

Here are the best mattresses for side sleepers:

• Best overall: Helix mattress
• Best for athletes: Bear mattress
• Best contour: Nectar mattress
• Best for spinal adjustment: Casper Wave mattress
• Best design: Leesa mattress

The best mattresses for back pain

If you've suffered long enough with back pain, it's time to wake up to the advantages of a supportive, quality mattress.

Choosing a new mattress can be a chore, however, there's no doubt about it. There are a lot of brands on the market, and a good mattress can be quite expensive. Luckily, we're here to help. We've done the research for you and rounded up the best mattresses to help relieve back pain.

Here are the best mattresses for back pain:

• Best overall: Amerisleep AS2
• Best air mattress: Sleep Number c4 mattress
• Best spring mattress: Saatva innerspring mattress
• Best under $1,000: Bear mattress

The best mattress toppers

Although a mattress topper isn't a must-have for your bed, it's one of the easiest ways to up your sleep quality and comfort. We researched dozens of mattress toppers and determined that these are our favorites:

• Best overall: DreamFoam Bedding Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress Topper
• Best featherbed: Super Snooze Baffled Featherbed Set
• Best wool: Overstock's Lambswool Mattress Pad
• Best affordable: Pinzon Overfilled Microplush Mattress Topper
• Best luxury: Sleep Innovations Dual Layer Mattress Topper Set