Additionally, air mattresses manufactured without the use of materials that may release VOCs or other toxic compounds from the manufacturing process (which can exacerbate allergies in children or other sensitive individuals) are available. Higher quality air chambers use vulcanized rubber, covered in canvas or of polyurethane with a cloth shell or tick(ing). Air mattresses are sometimes used to protect bedridden people from pressure sores, which can create life-threatening ulcers.

Sleeping pads are lightweight, reduced-size and reduced-thickness air mattresses intended for camping and backpacking, and may feature a layer of foam insulation under the air chambers. Select Comfort announced on March 30, 2017, that they were ceasing all third party retail sales, of the Comfortaire Line of products, essentially shutting down the Comfortaire Brand. Having the ability to adjust the firmness of a mattress to accommodate different body shapes, sizes, and weights, can be a factor in the healing process.

California King (or Western King) sheets and bedding may be more difficult to find as this size was originally conceived for the waterbed industry. Air mattresses are used for camping, temporary or full-time home use, and may be optimized to combine several uses (e. Less expensive airbeds used for camping or guests include the Aerobed, sold by Jarden subsidiary The Coleman Company.

An inflatable air mattress for recreational use was advertised as one of the Li-Lo brand of products at the British Industries Fair in London 1949. The European Union has made similar efforts to prevent the use of vinyl materials in toys and bedding. Larger, more elaborate air mattresses (known as "air beds" in British English speaking locations) [5] have come on the market in recent years that are intended for guest use or as permanent beds in the bedroom. Air mattresses may have customized shapes, such as wheel cutouts for use in the cargo area of a pickup truck or SUV. Air mattresses can also improve the quality of life (and potentially provide some measure of relief) for people who suffer with back pain.

Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; systematic review of controlled trials". A USA government safety agency has warned against letting infants sleep on air mattresses, because they can be too soft and suffocate smaller children (especially those below the age of 8 months) within folds or while entrapped between the mattress and the bed base.

Additionally there have been several recent governmental studies and regulations enacted due to the poisonous nature of the phthalate plasticizers contained within most PVC vinyl air beds and other soft vinyl products. Permanent use adjustable-firmness "airbeds" became popular particularly after market leader Select Comfort began a major marketing campaign around 2001. An air mattress, also known as an airbed or a blow-up bed, [2] is an inflatable mattress made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or textile-reinforced urethane plastic or rubber.Indoor Chemicals Linked to Respiratory and Allergic Effects in Children" Archived 2017-02-22 at the Wayback Machine, California EPA, 2008. Bed sizes for temporary air beds range from twin to king size, but few guest bed manufacturers offer king size as most guest air beds are sold outside the United States where king-size mattresses are not standard.