Can You Put an Air Mattress on Top of a Regular Mattress?

I find air mattresses are a great option for those looking for a quick and easy way to add extra sleeping space to a room. 

Whether you need to add a place to sleep during a house guest’s visit or want a simple solution to sleeping with a partner, air mattresses are a great option. But what if you already own a mattress and want to use it in addition to an air mattress? 

Can you put an air mattress on top of a regular mattress? The answer is yes, but make sure the air mattress is of the right size for an even sleeping surface.

There are certain pieces of furniture that can be combined to create a whole new look. 

Slide out shelves combined with a desk to create more storage, or you can add a new headboard to update your bed. 

Now, you might be wondering why the same is true of mattresses. 

Table of content:

Benefits to putting an air mattress on top of a regular mattress

A standard air mattress works by ensuring air circulation underneath your body, and the choice of whether to use an air mattress is usually determined by budget and whether you’re prepared to pump up an air mattress every night. 

But if I want the best of both worlds, I can always put an air mattress on top of a regular mattress. 

On the plus side, this gives me the comfort of a regular mattress while still taking advantage of the added height of an air mattress.

The best way to sleep is on a comfortable and firm mattress. 

However, when you live in a place where your bed is not good enough, you will need to do something about it. 

The best solution is to purchase a mattress topper for your bed. 

This will make your mattress softer and it will give you an additional layer of comfort

If you have to put a mattress topper on top of your existing mattress, you can use an air mattress.

You can also use a regular mattress as an underlay for the air mattress if you have a slippery floor to ensure it does not slide and give that extra insulation if the floor is too cold

What you only need to keep in mind is to have the right kind of floor.

Raising your mattress will help you avoid a situation where the air mattress gets punctured due to being directly on the floor.

Before you consider getting your air mattress on top

Air mattresses were once thought of as nothing more than a cheap alternative to a regular mattress. 

But air beds have come a long way since then, and now provide a viable option for people who are looking for a comfortable night’s sleep without breaking the bank. 

If you’re looking for a new mattress and not sure if air beds are for you, consider the following before making a decision. 

An air mattress is a good temporary choice if your current mattress is too firm. 

An air bed is never a good long-term solution for a bed; it eventually will lose its firmness and comfort and will require to be inflated more often.

It is also vulnerable to leaks due to punctures.

Now that you are kind of familiar with air mattresses, let’s jump to how you can set it up on top of another mattress.

How to put an air mattress on top of a regular mattress

Sleeping on an air mattress is an inexpensive way to make your bed more comfortable and save money. 

But if it’s a good idea to put an air mattress on top of a regular mattress, how are you going to ensure you avoid common mistakes? 

Most experts say it’s totally doable, but with a few important caveats to look out for. 

First, the air mattress must be the same size as your regular mattress to avoid creating an uneven sleeping surface. 

Secondly, you must use the air mattress without a top sheet, blanket, or comforter, in between the mattresses to prevent the air mattress from slipping off the regular mattress.

This will also ensure that the air mattress gets proper air circulation with the extra insulation not hindering it.

If you have a carpet or have the ability to put the mattress on top of a frame or box spring then that will work just fine. 

On the other hand, the idea of placing an object on top of another object might seem to violate the basic tenets of physics.

Many of the top-rated air mattresses have a height of 18 to 20 inches.

You want to be careful that the overall height is not too much when you combine a regular mattress that it becomes difficult to get on top if you have toddlers.

An air mattress can be a great sleeping alternative for guests or for the times you don’t want to spring for a night at a hotel. 

The difference between innerspring mattresses and air mattresses

Mattresses can be made out of many different materials, including foam, innerspring coils, air, wood and even water. 

In the past, mattresses were made out of straw, but that isn’t very comfortable. 

The most common type of mattress material is an innerspring coil system.

There are several significant differences between innerspring mattresses and air mattresses. 

One of the most obvious, of course, is that innerspring mattresses are made of springs, while air mattresses have air and internal supports inside them. 

Innerspring mattresses are generally more expensive than air mattresses, but the cost depends on the type of innerspring mattress you buy.

Both innerspring mattresses and air mattresses are available in a wide range of comfort levels, and are considered a good choice for a variety of sleeping positions.

How much does an air mattress cost

An air mattress is the best alternative to your regular bed mattress. 

These mattresses are made of air and are very comfortable to sleep on. 

Air mattresses are so useful for home guests: they are lightweight, easy to move and store, and take up very little space. 

They are often marketed as “camping mattresses.”

These mattresses are available in different sizes and shapes and vary in prices. 

It should also be noted that they are incredibly cheap, especially considering their value.

The cost of an air mattress is generally in between $20 to $250.

Other ways to raise an air mattress

Raising an air mattress is a simple task that can be accomplished in just a couple of minutes, but it’s an important one. 

Air mattresses are designed to be filled with air, which is the only thing that keeps them from collapsing. 

If the air leaks out, however, the mattress will lose its shape and become unusable. 

And, since air mattresses are typically inflatable, it’s easy for them to lose air. 

Make sure the surface you’re working on is flat and secure. This will help you avoid any slips that could send the air mattress crashing to the floor.

Without a regular mattress support underneath, you can use some simple ideas to get the job done.

  1. Stack two air mattresses on top of each other and strap them together so that they stay put
  1. Box spring can be the perfect tool to prevent sag, add comfort, height, and offer support when used with a protective layer to avoid poking the air mattress
  1. Plywood is one of the most versatile materials you can use to suspend the mattress. To do so, you will need a few sheets of plywood
  1. Frames (wooden or metallic) can help with both of raising the air mattress and preventing sheets from falling if the frames are folded

Final words

An air mattress is a great temporary solution to a guest bedroom lacking a bed. 

It’s true that you can put an air mattress on top of another standard mattress, but you need to know the right way to do so and not to end up with leaks. 

Apart from achieving the height you want, an underlay mattress will provide the extra support the air mattress needs from slipping on the floor if you don’t have a carpet.

When using an air mattress on a regular mattress, there are many important safety factors you need to take into consideration, such as the height, size, and weight of the air mattress itself as well as the number of people sleeping on it. 

If you are seeking ways to raise an air mattress, it is best to place it on top of a box spring rather than directly on the mattress to prevent sagging.

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