Air Beds vs Camping Beds – Difference and Comparison

What are Air Beds? 

Campers prefer air beds over other beds because of their easy accessibility and low prices. Air beds come at very budget-friendly rates. Also, they are very easy to pack in a bag before and after use by deflating. Air beds are also called air mattresses because they resemble sleeping on air.

Air beds need the continuous support of an air pump, which can also be considered a drawback. But this air pressure is the critical reason, which the customizability, comfort, and all other properties exist. A person can quickly get a comfortable sleep with the correct air pressure. This makes it different from other coils, springs, or foam-based beds.

Air beds are available in various sizes. They are available in King size, double-bed, and single-bed sizes. This makes these beds very efficient for traveling with family, friends, or maybe alone. Air beds can be customized for soft, harsh, tight, plush surfaces. This bed also comes with an air pillow and blankets, allowing the campers to be tension-free for the trip.

But there are some loopholes in the air beds too. Air beds are very prone to little scratches, damages, and punctures during camps. These damages decrease the air pressure during the nighttime while you are sleeping. But due to low prices, this drawback is not so big that campers can easily avoid such damage by taking some precautions.

What are Camping Beds? 

Camping beds are just like stretchers but without wheels. Therefore they are called camping stretchers too. They are designed in a foldable structure. The frame is mainly made of metal, specifically aluminum. The metal frame gives it a strong and sturdy construction.

Camping beds are not so popular for good and sound sleep. Due to the solid and rigid body, these beds are not suitable for providing sound sleep. They are mainly used for table-like purposes. Campers prefer these beds primarily for luggage and bag management.

Durable fabrics like canvas are stretched on the frame of the bed. These fabrics also provide properties like soundproofing. This makes it challenging to carry them on trips. Thus, the popularity of these beds has decreased.

Difference Between Air Beds and Camping Beds  

  1. Air beds are light in weight and compact in size, which makes it easy to carry them on camping trips.
  2. On the other hand, camping beds are heavy and have bulky bodies, which makes it difficult to carry them on trips.
  3. Air beds and camping beds, both are kept at a height from the ground but camping beds are kept a little higher than air beds. 
  4. Air beds have customizable designs and textures, like soft, firm, tight, etc., whereas camping beds have only one design.
  5. Air beds are cheaper than camping beds.
  6. Air beds are based on air pressure, providing a soft and comfortable body. On the other hand, camping beds are very similar to stretchers.
  7. Air beds are prone to have small holes and punctures, whereas camping beds do not have such limitations.
  8. Air beds sleep well, whereas camping beds are not so comfortable.

Comparison Between Air Beds and Camping Beds

Parameters of comparison Air BedsCamping Beds
WeightAir beds are very light in weight.In terms of weight, camping beds are heavy.
CustomizabilityAir beds can have customized shapes, softness or hardness, and size.Camping beds are not customizable.
ComfortAir beds are very comfortable and give a night of sound sleep.Camping beds are not very comfortable to sleep on.
CostAir beds are also very light on the budget.Camping beds are expensive relative to air beds.
VarietyAir beds come in quite a few varieties.Camping beds come only in one design.
Chances of damageAir beds are prone to be scratched or damaged due to excess friction.Camping beds are less prone to damage due to firm bodies.

References

  1. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/pdf/10.12968/jowc.1995.4.9.409
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003682X20308124