Having an air mattress is a major convenience for when you have guests over. Some are so comfortable that you can even use them yourself to get a good night’s sleep.
But pets can make this convenience tough. They’re drawn to anything that looks cozy, and once they give it a try, they’re sure to knead the bed into something even more comfortable. With an air mattress, this kneading leads to disaster!
The Englander Queen Size Air Mattress is the best overall cat proof air mattress because it’s made from microfiber. In addition to the puncture-proof surface, it’s softer even before you put on the sheets.
This mattress also has a built-in pump that inflates in mere minutes. It also deflates easily and comes with its own carrying bag so you can take it on trips.
While it’s clear that this is a top-of-the-line, puncture-proof air mattress, that doesn’t mean it’s your only option. There are other choices including best for easy setup, best for the value, and best puncture-resistant air mattress.
If you’re looking for a cat-proof air mattress, read on to see what options are best for your money.
Product Mini-Reviews
These five air mattresses are the best of the best. I tested mattresses according to different criteria, with the most important feature being cat-proof material.
Englander Queen Size Air Mattress – Best Overall
As my top pick, I can’t recommend the Englander Queen Size Air Mattress enough. It weighs only 12.8 pounds, making it easy for one person to put out, fold up, and carry around for travel.
There’s a built-in pump that inflates in half the time of other air mattresses. The queen size, for example, is fully inflated in two minutes. Their queen bed is four inches wider than the standard queens, giving you more space to spread out.
The microfiber material is more puncture-resistant than traditional PVC air mattresses. It also offers more tensile strength than PVC, which adds to the comfort of this bed. Microfiber keeps the surface cooler than other plastic materials.
My favorite thing about this mattress is that it’s raised 20 inches from the ground. So many air mattresses offer only the standard height, making it difficult to get on and off of them. But the Englander Queen Size Air Mattress makes you feel like you’re on any other bed with a box spring or raised platform.
As far as price goes, this is neithern’t the most expensive mattress on the list, but nor is it the cheapest. What you get for the money is definitely worth the price, though.
King Koil Air Mattress – Best for Easy Setup
I don’t like mattresses that don’t come with an air pump, so almost all of them have a pretty easy setup. King Koil blew my expectations out of the water, though.
Not only does this air mattress come with a built-in pump, but it also has a flocked layer for comfort and—get this—built-in pillows! Talk about an easy setup. All you need to pack for a trip is your King Koil, and you’re all set.
Beyond that astonishing perk, King Koil mattresses have an extra-thick quilted top layer. This comes in handy with cat claws because it makes a great puncture-proof air mattress. The quilting also helps keep your bedding in place, so you stay comfortable all night.
Within the mattress are air-filled coils that provide support for your spine. If you’ve ever slept on an air mattress and could hardly move the next day, then you’ll want to try a King Koil.
Intex Comfort Dura-Beam Airbed – Best for the Value
The Intex Comfort Dura-Beam Airbed is the most affordable option on the list. That doesn’t mean it’s cheap—you get a lot for the value.
Dura-Beam is a feature unique to Intex beds. Internal beams made of polyester fibers provide support while you’re sleeping but also make the mattress more durable.
This mattress can support up to 600 pounds and is so stable that you won’t feel the person next to you moving in the night. You can choose between mattress heights as well, including 13 inches, 18 inches, and 22 inches.
Like the other mattresses on the list, this one includes a built-in air pump, though it takes a bit longer. The total inflation time was about three minutes.
The vinyl construction will stretch over time, especially if you overinflate it. Make sure to keep an eye on your Intex Comfort Dura-Beam Airbed while you’re filling it, and stop as soon as the sides start bulging. This will help your bed last longer.
EnerPlex Queen Air Mattress – Best for Puncture Proof Material
The EnerPlex Queen Air Mattress uses a puncture-proof PVC for the foundation of the mattress. On the top, they added flocking to add comfort and keep your bedding from pulling off as you sleep. The bottom has a slip-resistant coating to provide stability.
There’s a built-in air pump on this mattress that fills up the air coils inside. You can inflate or deflate it with the touch of a button to get the perfect firmness. Separate inflation and deflation valves make it a breeze to adjust the bed even when you’re already on it.
The bed is 16 inches high, so you won’t have trouble getting on and off the puncture-resistant air mattress. While I tested the queen size, they offer twin and king mattresses also, in a variety of heights.
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress – Best for Coil Construction
A few of the mattresses on this list have air coils, but the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress wins for best coil construction. On the inside of this mattress are 40 coils that inflate along with the bed itself. They provide support all around the mattress, keeping your spine aligned while you sleep.
It takes a bit longer to use the built-in air pump with this mattress. Due to the air coils, it takes closer to four minutes to fully inflate. However, since it’s 19 inches high, it’s understandable that it will take a bit longer.
The SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress is similar to but more expensive than the EnerPlex Queen Air Mattress. You can attribute some of the price increase to the company using environmentally-friendly PVC and flocking. If you’re a fan of decreasing your carbon footprint, this is the mattress for you.
Buying Guide
Hopefully, you found an air mattress you like from this list. Just in case you’re still looking, consider these features that make an air mattress a good investment.
Mattress Material
Most air mattresses use PVC, which is pretty durable. Every mattress on this list is puncture-proof, so you know you’re getting something that can tolerate your cat. But I loved that the Englander Queen Size Air Mattress uses microfiber. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and is holding up great around my cats.
Height
Everyone has a different height preference for their mattresses. I hate the low ones that feel like a stack of blankets on the floor. Thirteen inches is my minimum, but anything closer to 20 feels luxurious.
It’s a personal choice, though. Thankfully many of the mattresses on this list come in not only different sizes but also various heights.
Built-In Pump
As I previously mentioned, I prefer air mattresses with built-in pumps. It’s pretty common these days, but you want to read the packaging carefully and make sure you won’t be stuck without a way to inflate your mattress. Buying a mattress with a built-in pump also saves you about 20 bucks when you consider the cost of buying one yourself.
Puncture Protection
When it comes to cat claws puncturing your mattress, it’s nice to know there’s a little protection. Many air mattress companies have warranties, if even for just one year. They also come with patches that can at least help you get a few more uses out of your mattress before it bites the dust.
If you’re wondering how to puncture-proof an air mattress, you can take steps to protect it. Deflate it and store it away anytime you’re not using it. When you have it out, put a high-quality mattress cover on it. These covers also help protect against stains.
Give your cat a separate comfy bed for naps, and make sure they have a scratching post located in a prime position. If your cat can’t seem to leave your air mattress alone, use a spray deterrent to keep them away.
Final Notes
The five cat-proof air mattresses on this list give you a good idea of what you can get for your needs, but I can’t recommend the Englander Queen Size Air Mattress enough. It offers the comfort of a traditional mattress, but you can deflate it and take it on trips thanks to the convenient tote bag.
The microfiber design puts it heads above any PVC mattress I’ve tried. It inflates quickly and completely and doesn’t deflate even after several nights of use. Buy it yourself through Amazon, and you’ll immediately notice the difference in how you sleep.
