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King Koil

King Koil Luxury Air Mattress with Built-in Pump: the downsides first

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#3 of 7
$$Raised (built-in pump)Score 3.9/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)56,483 ratings (1-star 9%, 2-star 3%); pools sizes and heights (the twin listing shows the same count).

CNN's best air mattress and Good Housekeeping's best with a built-in pump: the fastest to inflate and deflate, with a raised pillow and a 20-inch height that make it feel like a real bed. But Wirecutter dropped it as uncomfortably bouncy and smaller than a true queen, Good Housekeeping hit customer-service problems, and Amazon owners are split on whether it holds air.

Top complaints

  • Mixed reports on holding air

    Amazon's summary says some owners find it holds air for days while others say it deflates and stops holding air, with leakage mentioned. CNN saw a small amount of deflation over 48 hours, which it put down to stretching.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say), CNN Underscored
  • Bouncy, and smaller than a true queen

    Many Wirecutter testers found it uncomfortably bouncy with little motion isolation; one said it felt like lying 'on a dome.' Wirecutter measured it at 55 by 75 inches, about 5 inches narrower than a standard queen.

    Source: Wirecutter
  • Customer service and durability concerns

    Good Housekeeping ran into customer-service issues, especially by email, and suggests calling instead. Amazon owners are mixed on durability, with some saying it broke after one use.

    Source: Good Housekeeping, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)

What owners love

  • Fastest to inflate and deflate

    It was the fastest in Wirecutter's test (about one minute) and Good Housekeeping's; CNN timed 1 minute 50 seconds each way.

    Source: Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping, CNN Underscored
  • Comfortable, bed-like height and pillow

    CNN found it the most comfortable it tested, with a raised pillow area, edge-to-edge coil support and an easy 20-inch height. Good Housekeeping testers found it comfortable and supportive.

    Source: CNN Underscored, Good Housekeeping
  • Packs away neatly

    The cord tucks into a latched compartment, and it folds into a bag small enough for a closet (CNN, Good Housekeeping).

    Source: CNN Underscored, Good Housekeeping
Good for
  • Fastest setup and pack-up
  • Easy getting in and out (20 in)
  • A built-in pillow area

Scores (tap for why)

What experts say

  • CNN Underscored: Best air mattress (2026): most comfortable of seven, fast pump; minor deflation over 48 hours.
  • Good Housekeeping: Best with built-in pump (2026-08-19): fastest to inflate and deflate; customer-service issues.
  • Popular Mechanics: Best extra-long (updated 2024-07-25): built-in pillow, packs down easily; one-year warranty.
  • Wirecutter: Former pick (updated 2026-07-29): fastest inflation, but uncomfortably bouncy and narrower than a true queen.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked air mattresses whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in air mattressesSoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

One of the most popular air mattresses: Good Housekeeping's and Popular Mechanics' best overall, and CNN's runner-up for its comfortable, bed-like feel and easy auto-shutoff pump. But owners are split on whether it holds air, a Wirecutter staffer's twin leaked on first use, and Wirecutter dropped it after a PVC smell barely faded in 21 days.

Its catch: some owners say it slowly loses air#2 in air mattressesSerta Raised Air Mattress with NeverFlat Pump

Wirecutter's top pick and Good Housekeeping's best for everyday use: a second pump tops up the air all night, it was the only mattress Wirecutter tested that never deflated, and testers rated it the most comfortable. But it's hard to fully deflate and bulky to pack, it smells strongly at first, some testers found the plastic noisy, and Amazon owners still report leaks over time.

Its catch: hard to fully deflate and pack away#4 in air mattressesEnerPlex Air Mattress with Built-in Pump

CNN's fastest-inflating mattress (1 minute 21 seconds), with supportive coil beams, a non-skid bottom and a two-year warranty. But it has only one expert test, the 18-inch height is less easy to get out of than taller rivals, and Amazon owners are split on air retention, with some saying the pump didn't work at all.

Its catch: loses air overnight for some

Head-to-head

See all 7 air mattresses ranked →