I know from experience that lots of people fret about the type of pump that comes with their air bed. After all, this is the most important mechanical part of a mattress like this, and you need something that’s going to be reliable and won’t break down on you when you need it most.
So, for that reason I’ve decided to add a few of my best picks if you’re looking for an external pump to suit your needs. None of the models I’ve decided to share with you will break the bank, so hopefully you will find something that “floats your boat”. Of course, you can buy air mattresses that already have the pump built into them so if you’re not sure which is best for you, take a look at this information page.
So, let’s get on to the brands of external pump you can buy and how they can make life easier when you’re ready to inflate your air bed.
Best Electric Budget Pump
If you haven’t got a lot of money to spare but really want an external pump that will make inflating your air bed a breeze, the Intex 120V AC Quickfill Pump is definitely worth considering. What I like most about this one is that it has a number of different sized nozzles so it doesn’t really matter what you want to inflate. I also like the design. It’s compact enough to fit into the palm of your hand, but doesn’t disappoint on power.
Do bear in mind though you will need an electrical outlet that’s 110-120v which shouldn’t be a problem because this is the standard voltage in pretty much all households. You should also remember it won’t tell you when your air mattress is full (we don’t want any accidents)!
Best Battery Air Pump
I did think about putting the Texsport Battery Air Pump into the best budget pump category because this external pump is also very easy on your wallet. As the sub-heading suggests, this pump runs off batteries – 4 “D” Cell to be precise – and is a really good option when you’re in the great outdoors. Mother Nature never really thought about electrical outlets.
Because this pump is likely to be used when you’re on a trip, the manufacturer has used a highly durable plastic in the design so it will withstand being bumped around in your vehicle. This model has 3 different adaptors, so again you’re not limited to the model of airbed you use it with. It’s also pretty powerful so if you have a larger bed, this pump will have it inflated in no time!
Best Electric Pump
Now we start to go up the scale in price, but not by much. I have included the AIRHEAD AHP-120 Air Pump because of its versatility, and it will deflate as well as inflate a good number of airbeds on the market (no matter what size they are). Like the two models mentioned above this external pump comes with 3 different nozzles which makes it perfect for any type of inflatable bed you might have.
In fact, it can be used for boats and pools as well. Just remember it’s not wise to use this pump in or near the water. Having frizzy hair is one thing, but being taken to ER because you’ve received a shock won’t do you any favors.
Best Rechargeable Pump
My best pick for a rechargeable external pump is the Smart Air Beds Rechargeable which is somewhere in between the prices of the models already mentioned. As with all the others, you have 3 separate nozzles that will allow you to inflate most brands of airbed, and it’s especially compatible with Coleman and Intex.
It can be recharged from a standard AC outlet, and gives you more freedom if you want to inflate your air bed when there isn’t any electrical power available. The manufacturer has also made this pump really lightweight so you won’t feel like you’re lugging an extra bag of luggage around. I mustn’t forget to mention that the AC power cord is included in the price so there are no additional hikes in price to worry about.
Best Foot Pump
Yes, people do still prefer a foot pump! In fact, I get asked about them a lot, and in almost all cases I will recommend the AIRHEAD AHP-F1 Bellow. One main reason for this is that it’s pretty powerful. With each stroke of your foot, you can expect to pump just over 3.5 pints of air into your air bed which means less hard work for you.
You also benefit from a 54 inch hose so it’s possible to place your air mattress where you will be sleeping before you inflate it. 3 different valves are also included with this model so there’s no need to worry about what brand of air mattress you have.