FLOATING ON AIR

Graeme Green gets comfy with the top-rated blow-up beds

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Getting a decent night's sleep can have a major impact on a family camping holiday or short break - it can be the difference between energised, happy campers and bleary-eyed zombies.

Gone are the days when campers had to attempt to sleep on a wafer-thin mat, though. Now, outdoor adventurers are spoilt for choice, with everything from lightweight air beds (perfect for backpackers) to massive self-inflating options that look more like a bed you'd use at home.

With so many models to choose from, there are a few things to consider when it comes to selecting the best air bed for your needs. Inflatable beds that are blown up using lung power or a manual or electric pump are simple to use but can be a little unstable, moving around at night if you or your partner shifts about.

Meanwhile, a self-inflating bed feels like a mini miracle: open up the valves and the mattress does most (if not all) of the work, leaving you to just add a few breaths to finish the job. They are generally more expensive, heavier and bulkier than standard air beds, though. They're also often more difficult to deflate and pack back down into carry bags. Plus, it's worth noting that, on their first use, self-inflating mats can take a long time (up to 24 hours) to fully inflate, so it's better to give them their first "spin" at home.

You can also find self-inflating beds that plug into a mains power source. These look and feel almost like a normal bed at home, and are more suited to glampers than hardcore campers. With all that in mind, we set out to find the best air beds for a range of campers and budgets.

How we tested