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SoundAsleep

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress: the downsides first

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#1 of 7
$$Raised (built-in pump)Score 3.9/5
11%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)66,857 ratings (1-star 8%, 2-star 3%); listing may pool sizes and colors.

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.

Top complaints

  • Some owners say it slowly loses air

    Good Housekeeping lists 'deflates a bit over time, according to some online reviewers' as its con. Amazon's summary is mixed on air retention, with some saying it keeps losing air, and several mention a slight leak. A Wirecutter staffer's twin sprang a leak on its first use.

    Source: Good Housekeeping, Amazon.com product page (Customers say), Wirecutter
  • Strong PVC smell

    Wirecutter found it had the strongest off-gassing smell of all the mattresses it tested, and the eye-watering odor barely faded over 21 days.

    Source: Wirecutter
  • Slow to pack, fiddly cord storage

    It took Wirecutter nearly five minutes to break down versus about three for its picks. CNN notes the cord goes in an open hole rather than a latched compartment and there are no folding instructions.

    Source: Wirecutter, CNN Underscored

What owners love

  • Comfortable and supportive

    Good Housekeeping's lab and consumer testers rated it highly for comfort, with fewer felt grooves than others; CNN calls it a comfortable, supportive night's sleep. Amazon owners call it comfortable.

    Source: Good Housekeeping, CNN Underscored, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Easy auto-shutoff pump

    The built-in pump shuts off when full and inflates a queen in under four minutes (Good Housekeeping); Popular Mechanics calls it quiet.

    Source: Good Housekeeping, Popular Mechanics
  • Grippy flocked top and many sizes

    The thick flocked top keeps sheets in place, and it comes in sizes from toddler to California king (Good Housekeeping). Wirecutter staffers like the company's customer service.

    Source: Good Housekeeping, Wirecutter
Good for
  • A comfortable, bed-like guest bed
  • Lots of size choices (toddler to Cal king)
  • Good customer service

Scores (tap for why)

What experts say

  • Good Housekeeping: Best overall (2026-08-19): comfortable and supportive, auto-shutoff pump; some online reviewers say it deflates a bit over time.
  • CNN Underscored: Runner-up: easy setup and a cozy top; some deflation after two nights, which CNN put down to material stretching.
  • Popular Mechanics: Best overall (updated 2024-07-25): maintains air and support overnight, quiet pump.
  • Wirecutter: Former pick (updated 2026-07-29): dropped for the strongest PVC smell tested and slow pack-up; mixed long-term staff experiences.
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If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked air mattresses whose biggest complaint is something else.

#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#3 in air mattressesKing Koil Luxury Air Mattress with Built-in Pump

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.

Its catch: mixed reports on holding air#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 →