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SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress vs Serta Raised Air Mattress with NeverFlat Pump
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 7) and scores better on quiet (no squeaks). Serta Raised Air Mattress with NeverFlat Pump wins on holds air overnight, comfort & support.
The biggest complaint about the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress is some owners say it slowly loses air; for the Serta Raised Air Mattress with NeverFlat Pump it's hard to fully deflate and pack away. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress | Serta Raised Air Mattress with NeverFlat Pump | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in air mattresses | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Type | Raised (built-in pump) | Raised (built-in pump) |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 11% | 19% |
| Overall score | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| Holds air overnight | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Comfort & support | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Pump & setup | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Quiet (no squeaks) | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Durability | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $60 · $$ $60–150 · $$$ over $150. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress
- 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.
- 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
Serta Raised Air Mattress with NeverFlat Pump
- Hard to fully deflate and pack away
Wirecutter's testers found air still trapped after deflating and had to hold the knob on Deflate for an extra 30 seconds or so; it's heavier than other built-in-pump models. A Good Housekeeping tester called folding it into the bag a bit of a two-person job.
Source: Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping - Some owners still report leaks
Amazon's summary says durability is mixed, with some saying it doesn't last, and several customers mention leakage.
- Strong smell at first, and noisy plastic for some
Wirecutter noted a harsh off-gassing smell on unboxing that faded to a slight odor by the second or third use. Some Good Housekeeping consumer testers found the bed noisy, especially when sharing it.
Source: Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping
Who should pick which
Pick the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress if
A comfortable, bed-like guest bed
Lots of size choices (toddler to Cal king)
Good customer service
Skip it if: You're sensitive to plastic smells; You need it to stay perfectly firm for many nights; You want the fastest pack-up
Pick the Serta Raised Air Mattress with NeverFlat Pump if
Guests who must not wake up on the floor
Comfort closest to a real bed
Choosing a firmness (three presets)
Skip it if: You can't keep it plugged in all night; You want a light, easy-to-pack bed; You're bothered by plastic smells
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