Air mattresses are usually used on the go as travel beds, so the extra weight can be important if you’ll be carrying them around. The weight of your air mattress depends on many factors, including its size, depth, padding, and pump mechanisms.
An average air mattress weighs around 10 pounds. Twin air mattresses weigh on average 8.5 pounds, full-size air mattresses weigh on average 10.5 pounds, and queen-size air mattresses weigh on average 12.8 pound.
If you’re looking for a lighter-weight air mattress, consider a low-profile one. Air mattresses come in different heights or thicknesses.
- Low-profile air mattresses are typically 4-9 inches tall when you inflate them completely.
- Mid-rise air mattresses are between 9-15 inches tall.
- Raised profile air mattresses can range from 15-24 inches high when you inflate them.
The air mattresses are inflated with an air pump. Some mattresses have a built-in pump that will self-inflate and deflate. For other mattresses, you will need to fill them with air from an external pump. The built-in pumps can add a little extra weight to the mattress, but it doesn’t add a significant amount of weight.
Let’s jump into the details.
How Much Does a Twin Air Mattress Weigh?
| Product | Weight (lb) | Height (inch) | Pump System | Weight Limit (lb) |
| Pittman Outdoor Kids’ Air Mattress | 3.99 | 5” | External | |
| Coleman EasyStay | 2.2 | 6” | External | 300 |
| AirExpect Air Mattress | 8.5 | 9” | External | |
| Coleman Quick Bed | 5.4 | 10” | External | |
| Intex Dura-Beam Standard | 6.8 | 10” | Built-in | 300 |
| EnerPlex Dual Pump | 12.31 | 13” | Built-in | 300 |
| SoundAsleep Dream Series | 13.58 | 18” | Built-in | 300 |
| SoundAsleep CloudNine | 16.7 | 18.5” | Built-in | 300 |
| King Koil Double-Elevated | 6.99 | 20” | Built-in | 350 |
Twin-size mattresses are the most commonly-used air mattress. They are generally 38” wide, 75” long, and weigh about 8.5 pounds on average, with an average weight limit of 308 pounds.
The Coleman EasyStay Single-High Airbed weighs just 2.2 pounds and is the lightest twin air mattress. Although it is thin and doesn’t come with any of the fancy trappings like attached pillows, it is a sturdy and comfortable mattress and rolls up tightly for easy storage. It doesn’t come with a pump, but you can use any universal air pump. As it is relatively thin, it won’t take long to inflate.
How Much Does a Twin XL Air Mattress Weigh
| Product | Weight (lb) | Height (inch) | Pump System | Weight Limit (lb) |
| Twin XL Air Mattress | 18.5 | 18” | Built-in | |
| SoundAsleep Dream Series ComfortCoil | 14.72 | 18.5” | Built-in | 500 |
Twin XL air mattresses are more difficult to find. They have the same 38” width as a standard twin mattress but run a little longer, at 80” long. The average weight of a Twin XL air mattress is 16.61 pounds, with an average weight limit of 500 pounds.
The SoundAsleep Dream Series air mattress is a high-rise mattress and not lightweight, tipping the scales at over 14 pounds. However, the Twin XL is a luxury size and is made higher and heavier. The SoundAsleep air mattress is lighter than other comparable Twin XL choices.
How Much Does a Full-Size Air Mattress Weigh
| Product | Weight (lb) | Height (inch) | Pump System | Weight Limit (lb) |
| Full-Size Air Mattress | 6.78 | 3.43” | External | 450 |
| SoundAsleep Dream Series | 17.51 | 7.64” | Built-in | 500 |
| Intex Classic Downy | 7.22 | 8.66” | External | 600 |
| Intex Dura-Beam Standard | 7.3 | 10” | External | 600 |
| Coleman Quick Bed | 8.1 | 10” | External | 600 |
| Outbound Full Air Mattress | 8.23 | 11’ | Built-in | 500 |
| Sable Mattress | 18.7 | 17” | Built-in | 661 |
Full-sized or double, air mattresses are 54” wide, 74” long, and on average weigh 10.54 pounds with an average weight limit of 558.71 pounds.
The Intex Dura-Beam is the lightest air mattress, at only 7.3 pounds. It’s easy to inflate, but the quality may not be as good as some of the heavier and thicker mattresses on our list.
How Much Does a Queen-Size Air Mattress Weigh
| Product | Weight (lb) | Height (inch) | Pump System | Weight Limit (lb) |
| Coleman QuickBed | 8.9 | 6” | External | |
| SoundAsleep Dream Series | 19.5 | 7” | Built-in | 500 |
| Etekcity Upgraded Camping Air Mattress | 17 | 7.1” | External | 650 |
| EnerPlex Never-Leak | 11.2 | 9” | Built-in | 600 |
| AirExpect Air Mattress | 9.35 | 9” | External | 660 |
| Intex Pillow Dura-Beam | 10.45 | 16.5” | Built-in | 600 |
| EnerPlex Never-Leak | 18.88 | 16” | Built-in | 600 |
| Bedsure Raised Mattress | 19.18 | 18” | Built-in | 650 |
| King Koil Quilt Top | 17 | 20” | Built-in | 600 |
Queen-sized air mattresses are 60” wide, 80” long, and weigh 12.79 pounds on average, with an average weight limit of 607.50 pounds. They are heavier than the other mattresses as they are larger.
If you need to take a Queen air mattress with you and are concerned about the extra baggage weight, the Coleman QuickBed is the lightest option. It weighs just 8.9 pounds and inflates quickly and easily. It’s not as sturdy or comfortable as some of the bigger and heavier mattresses, though.
Air Mattresses Vs. Sleeping Pads
The decision of whether to use a sleeping pad or air mattress boils down to the question of weight over comfort. Sleeping pads are much thinner and lighter than air mattresses but not as comfortable – even with a sleeping bag on top. Sleeping pads are insulated, though, and can be warmer than an air mattress, especially when camping outdoors.
If you’re camping outdoors, you may feel the ground – and roots and rocks – beneath a sleeping pad. Air mattresses are higher off the ground – and pumped with air – which makes even the lower profile ones more comfortable than a pad.
Sleeping pads generally weigh between one to five pounds, are easily compressed, and are the best option for backpacking when every pound you carry makes a difference.
An air mattress, even deflated and compressed into a carrying bag, is still heavier and bulkier than a sleeping pad, and it is difficult to carry one around when hiking. The Sleepingo sleeping pad weighs less than a pound, is two inches thick, and can be rolled and folded to the size of a water bottle.
Air mattresses are bulkier and heavier, weigh on average between five to twenty pounds, but are more comfortable than sleeping pads. Air mattresses are an excellent choice for traveling in the car or going camping when the extra weight isn’t a factor.
Traveling With an Air Mattress
While air mattresses are not as lightweight as sleeping pads, it’s easier to transport them than a standard bed mattress!
To avoid wear and tear, you’ll want to inspect your surroundings before folding your air mattress for storage. Air mattresses puncture easily, so any spare thumb tacks or sharp objects can create a leak. If you are outdoors, you will also want to avoid twigs or branches that can damage your mattress.
If your air mattress has been exposed to water, make sure it is completely dry before storage to avoid any mold from developing. Once you are ready to store it, you should carefully fold it and place it inside of a hard plastic container so that it is protected from outside elements.
Be sure to keep your air mattress in a cool and dry place as you transport it, as excessive heat, cold, or moisture can damage the mattress.
When you’re ready to inflate the air mattress, inspect it for any damage, mildew, or weak seams, and patch up areas that may have leaks. You can clean it with a vacuum or gentle cloth and a mixture of warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Try to avoid coarse brushes or abrasive chemicals such as bleach or ammonia.
If your mattress doesn’t have a built-in pump, remember to take along the air pump to inflate the mattress when you reach your destination.
