This might sound a bit weird, but I feel like traditional mattresses are unnecessary, especially if you're a student only staying in a place for 1–2 years. When you move out, it becomes a massive headache to deal with the mattress. The apartment I live in charges $150 for bulk trash. Unless I sell it secondhand, I honestly don't know what else I'm supposed to do with it.
I used to sleep on a regular mattress, but I bought an air mattress once when a friend was coming to visit. Then I realized that this is actually way too convenient. That first one was cheap and leaked. I’d wake up every morning with my butt touching the floor lol. But then I bought a second-hand electric air mattress. I spent about $60, and I feel it's really good. I'd recommend laying a blanket on top, otherwise your back might get a little cold. Other than that, everything's been fine.
I slept on it for over a month, and everything is great. But I'm a little nervous about whether sleeping on an air mattress long-term could cause any issues for your spine or health. But honestly, the convenience factor is just too good for me. Even if I'm planning to move next year, I won't have to drag a heavy mattress around again. When you graduate, you could just deflate it, and it packs down into a tiny box.
What do you guys think about the air mattress?
Why don't people buy an air mattress instead of a real mattress?
byu/ConversationMurky453 inFrugal
Posted by ConversationMurky453
26 Comments
They have horrible back support and frequently deflate.
I feel like a futon (like, the kind that you roll out on the floor) would be a more practical solution but if the air mattress life is really calling to your heart…. Live your dream
Something else to consider: do you bring date/s home with you for bed activities? Would you want to do such activities on an air mattress?
Because the initial savings will be canceled out by future medical expenses. Cheap mattresses and shoes are almost always a no-go.
Absolutely not worth it. A mattress and box spring is MUCH cheaper than back surgery. Long term air mattress use will muck up your back and hips. It’s fine for a few nights or even a few weeks but time will take its toll eventually.
I prefer to not have to worry about my mattress having an issue. It’s not hard to move it once a year or so
Please oh PLEASE tell us where you bought this amazing air mattress! Surely it won’t be an Amazon affiliate link! Surely you aren’t an LLM here to promote some bullshit with this dumbass post!
There cheap enough foam mattresses on Amazon that are better long term for your back.
I did this once. It popped with me on it.. they are not made for daily use.
I am hypermobile and air mattresses have seriously fucked me up. I slept on one that leaked one night and I was in debilitating sacrum and hip pain for the better part of a week. Good sleep is worth investing in.
I got my mattress for $50 on Craigslist. If it’s clean and in decent condition someone would probably take yours for free? I just don’t think it’s worth the physical pain and poor sleep risks to go the air mattress route. I can rent a U-Haul truck for like $30 if I want to move it.
I have an aunt who prefers an air mattress. Def wouldn’t work for me simply because of how much I move would deflate every night but if it works for you that’s cool
I have cats and a big dog, next question lol.
I find that even good air mattresses develop holes eventually if used every day. my favorite has been Sienna memory foam mattress, at about $150 for a twin size, it will last many many years and will be way more cost effective not to mention very comfortable. after you’re done school, you can probably sell it online to get some of your money back.
Next post in the series: “i dont understand why people buy cars instead of skateboards”
Because they always end up leaking air
When you start sacrificing quality of life and physical health it’s time to stop. You’re signing in for chronic back pain and related issues.
I guess it works since you’re a single person without a permanent spot yet.
You spend 1/3 if not more of your whole life in bed, so I personally think a good mattress is something to spend money on.
Pre kids we camped alot. After 3 days in an air mattress I couldn’t inagine sleeping on one long term.
A roll up pad/mattress on the floor is better for your back and just as convenient
Why spend money on shoes if you can walk on your socks all day?
Why buy nutritious food if you can survive on crackers and water?
I did for about a year before when I didn’t have enough money for even the cheapest mattress. It was not as bad as some people here make it seem. The worst part was the temperature, if your floor is cold or hot, the mattress is cold or hot underneath you.
If the air mattress works for you, go with God, I say.
But I have had back issues since pretty much birth. There was no point in my life where having anything short of a top-of-the-line mattress was an option for me. I’m from the futon generation and even that was never an option I considered very long.
I’d sooner sleep on the floor, quite frankly. Less hassle.
I have never enjoyed sleeping on an air mattress for more than one night and I dont think I’ve ever met anyone else who has enjoyed sleeping on one long term. They are just not comfortable and deflate so easily.
Air mattresses will cost you more in the long run. So it’s $150 to throw it away, you’ll spend that much or more on replacing the thing as they are not made to withstand daily wear and tear. Also, if you are ever planning to have sex, an air mattresses is not advisable. There is no support and sinking to the floor as you are attempting to engage in adult activities is rather mood killing.
If you aren’t going to move it with you, sell it with your bed frame when you are ready to move on. I guarantee you that another broke college kid will buy a mattress and bed frame off you and find a way to transport it.
Lastly, a good rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t skimp on things that are between you and the ground: shoes (foot problems are never worth it), mattresses (you may be young now but your back will thank you later), and tires (cars are too expensive)
We try to keep an air mattress available for guests, but I swear we only get a handful of uses out of it before it gets a hole in it from some mystery object on or in the floor. They also sleep like crap be they the cheap ones or the nice ones. Have tried both. Both randomly get holes in them that you can’t explain and are hard to find to patch. Don’t currently have space for a proper guest bed or futon. They’re better than the floor, but given any other option, I’ll take it.
Owned several for extra guests, and even the nice, expensive ones end up leaking. Good for very short term scenario, but if you’re looking at 1-2 years, it’s probably cheaper to get a real mattress.