A great extra guest bed or a permanent bed!!!
Written: Jun 26 '04 (Updated Jun 26 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Super extra guest bed...lots of room for one person or two young children. Stores well.
Cons: Older style doesn't have the recessed pump & can't be butted up against a wall.
The Bottom Line: This is a super deal. Although it's expensive it's close to perfect as guest accomodations. Stores well and is compact when deflated. A great invention...well made, too.
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| califtonjgirl's Full Review: Full Raised AeroBed |
I bought the full-sized Raised Aero Bed over a month ago. A guest was flying in from out of town and the sofa with a queen sleeper we had ordered wasn't going to arrive in time for her visit. In addition, our guest room is also the family room, so a regular bed and frame wouldn't have worked out for us.
Although we already own the Deluxe Aero Bed (it's about the same size as one full mattress), I thought it would be a poor guest sleeper (but it's GREAT for camping). Reason being is that our guest has a history of chronic shoulder, back and knee problems and it would have been difficult for her to get in and out of bed. I also don't think it's nice for guests to sleep too close to the floor...besides, it's drafty down there! The same went for our existing couch...it's just not the same as a guest bed, plus the room it's is in a heavy foot traffic area. Also, the bed we had requires mouth or foot-pump inflation.
I looked into folding cots and sleepers that collapsed into a footrest, but they didn't look comfortable. Some of the mattresses in these units were a paltry 2 1/2-3" thick and the foundations shook. Also, the mattresses on these units would force the guest to have to sleep like King Tut because there was no extra room on all sides...just enough to accomodate their resting weight and that was it. In my search, I gauged my decision by thinking, "Would I want to sleep on this?" My guest was also going to be at our house for a week and was flying 3,000 miles to see us, so it had to be a special set up.
I did a little more research and discovered that Aero Product International, Inc. sold a bed that was of average bed height. It also had the claim of being instantly inflatable and could be adjusted to whatever firmness the occupant desired. The sizes available are twin (74"L x 39"W x 27"H), full (74"L x 54"W x 27"H) and queen (78"L x 60"W x 27"H). The beds support anywhere from 450 lbs. to 600 lbs. and weigh 30-45 lbs. so I felt confident that these weren't cheaply made. I was so intrigued by this idea that I began searching for it immediately and based on the measurements, I decided on the full bed. Reason being for that particular size is that our friends and family are of average size and weight, and it would give them plenty of room if they shifted in their sleep. It's also a good size for any type of room. The full Raised Aero Bed would also be perfect for 2 small children (think sleepovers!).
As time was running out quickly (our guest was to arrive within a few days) and the unit retailed at around $250, I wanted to get the best price and the quickest delivery. To my delight, I found a local store (actually a nationwide chain) carried the Raised Aero Bed in all sizes. In addition, I had a coupon for that store that entitled me to 20% off the regular price. The store was playing a looped video by Aero Products that advertised how the bed worked. I bought it the day that I saw it for $200 before tax, which was two days before my friend arrived. After carefully reading the instructions and checking everything out, I decided to set up the bed the night before her flight came in. Since the Raised Aero Bed comes with a white fabric quilted mattress pad and a white bed skirt, I was pretty much set. All I had to provide was the pillows, comforter, pillowcases and fitted/flat sheets. The nice thing about the Raised Aero Bed is that it will take standard sheets so I didn't need to buy those from the company for a perfect fit. I machine washed and dried the included bed coverings as directed, plugged the Raised Aero Bed's included cord into the wall and depressed the power supply switch, which is touch-sensitive (you take your finger off the switch and the motor stops). It began filling immediately with air. The motor sounds like a vacuum machine and is about half the size & diameter of a Quaker Oats canister. It's affixed to the head area of the bed (held in place with a wide vinyl strap that snaps shut), definately in view but doesn't get in the way of the guest. As instructed, when the bed was about 1/2 full, I put the bedskirt and the top mattress pad onto the bed, and continued inflation once they were on (elastic made this part extremely simple). When the bed inflates, a couple of "stability bars" that are 3-4" wide each and almost the length of the bed also inflate on each side. The bars provide a extra stability, which is nice. When the bedskirt is put onto the bed, they aren't at all visible. The full sized mattress and bottom chambers completely inflated within three minutes or so and I had a bed. I couldn't believe my eyes. I put the fitted sheet on and the top sheet, a couple of pillows and a comforter and I had a real guest bed! It was so cool.
By the way, the bed is pretty much ready to go from the box...some plastic bag and shipping material unwrapping may be required but nothing major. There is one part that may need to be attached to the motor, but that's pretty much it. Believe me, it's easy!!!
This style Raised Aero Bed really can't be completely butted up against a wall, which would serve as a headboard because of the air pump (again, it looks like a half-sized Quaker Oats canister attached to the outside of the bed). But it comes close enough that it will work that way and will allow the guest to sit up in bed and read, watch TV, etc. provided that I provide another pillow or two to make up for the 6" gap between the bed and the wall. Very recently, Aero Products introduced a newer style of this type of bed called the "Pillowtop Raised Aero". It has a built-in recessed pump (as well as an attached 22-gauge heavy-duty flocked PVC pillowtop). If you decide to shop for this bed, I would definately recommend buying the newer model, unless you find a super deal on the older style. The cost is about the same for both models.
The comfort level of the bed can be adjusted through the inflation control to make the bed firmer or by depressing a rubber valve on the mattress to allow a small flow of air to gradually escape.
My friend slept on it the entire time of her visit and said it was extremely comfortable. She said her mattress at home is also an air type. She truly enjoyed that part of her stay, which made me feel like I did a great job as hostess.
My Mother-In-Law also used it for two nights during her visit and stated several times how comfortable it was, and most of us know how hard it can be to keep mom happy ;) She's also almost 80 years old...I can't imagine her attempting to rise from a floor mattress. On one of the nights she stayed over, I didn't set up the bed right away largely due to my oversight. She, my husband and I all went out for the evening and returned hours later. She watched in complete fascination as I quickly inflated her accomodations (LOL) and had her guest bed dressed and ready in less than 5 minutes!!!
The Raised Aero Bed is made with a heavy duty 18-gauge puncture-resistant PVC (poly-vinyl chloride) that can be wipe-cleaned if needed. Even with two cats around it hasn't needed any patching. It's a good idea to take whatever preventative measures to ensure it will stay that way however, such as putting it onto a flat surface free of any sharp objects and removing any like objects before sleeping on it. Always keep the Aero away from heat and flame (no smoking either). On a related note, the material is non-allergenic and is electronically welded at the seams for strength.
It does make a poor sitting bed because structurally, the edges and corners are less supportive. A neighbor got the surprise of their life when they casually sat on one of the corners of the Raised Aero Bed which immediately (and comically, because nobody got hurt of course) depressed under their weight before I could warn them...they didn't fall off, though...they just had to right themself quickly (fell backwards towards the center of the bed). There is a warning about this in the manual, by the way.
I've heard that this is sometimes used as a permanent bed, and can definately see why that would be so. Even if someone used this as a permanent bed in a small studio apartment, it would be great to put the bed away when visitors come over!
To collapse the bed, it needs to be unplugged. Then a large air escape valve (it's about the diameter of a Campbell's Soup can lid) is opened at the foot of the bed. This is easily done, by the way...just pop it open as it's held with a tongue-in-groove latch. Air immediately escapes and the entire bed is deflated within minutes. I don't even have to roll around on it with my person because it lets it's own air out in time...sometimes I throw toss pillows on the head area and work downward as air escapes, gradually ending up at the foot area. But the bed does a fine job on it's own as it collapses under its own weight within a short period of time.
The cord is rolled up (I put mine into an old clean sock after it's wrapped so it doesn't somehow puncture the bed in storage) and the bed is folded lengthwise into thirds. Then it's rolled towards the escape valve, pump and all. The rolling action also presses out any remaining air, which makes it easier to store. When it's fully rolled, it measures about 1 1/2'D x 2'H or so. The quick release valve is snapped shut and it's pretty much ready to go. As the bed comes with it's own fabric storage duffel with two attached nylon handles/shoulder straps, it just slips right in and the bag is cinched shut. I keep the owner's manual and the puncture repair kit in there and put the whole thing in the guest room closet. After I machine wash and dry the guest bed linens (including the zippered pillow covers), I just put them, the comforter and two guest pillows in a few of those storage "Space Bags" that air is forced out of and keep everything together in the closet for the next visit.
I'm serious when I say that this couldn't be more convenient for everyone!!!
Although our household now has a sofabed, I dislike using it as a primary sleeper for three reasons: 1) our two cats love going underneath it when it's being used (makes me nervous), 2) the bar that's used when putting the sofabed away can suddenly snap shut on fingers if it's not correctly handled (safety reasons), and 3) the mattress is only 4 1/2" thick and requires a folding plastic "board" between the springs and the mattress so the occupant doesn't feel them, plus a 3" thick mattress pad on top of it for further sleeping comfort. So it actually ends up being a pain to set up the non-air bed...go figure! Therefore, we will continue to use the full-sized Raised Aero when 1 guest visits and will use the sofabed only when an additional sleeper (besides the Aero) is needed or two people share a bed. We're all set for entertaining and it couldn't get any easier!!!
I never had any luck sharing an Aero Bed...they just don't seem stable enough for more than one person, especially for one or more "active" sleepers (kickers, tossers, frequent bathroom users, etc). I'm fairly sure that two younger kids or one teen would be OK using them for sleepovers, as long as they didn't use them as a trampoline or a diving board and you're sure they won't fall off of it. There's an Aero Bed model called the "Sleep Away" specifically made for younger kids that has a high wall around the sides to prevent them from rolling out. It's not as high as this one, but the cost is much less and it's also great when traveling.
There's a little joke I've heard about a man and wife going to a mattress dealer and asking the clerk to sell them the least comfortable set-up for their guest room. This is NOT that kind of bed, so get ready for lots of return visitors!!!
Just remember what Benjamin Franklin once said: Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days ;)
The bed is packed in two boxes, one outer with all the advertising and pictures that practically needs a crowbar to open (it's cardboard, but the box flaps are glued with what feels like industrial-strength epoxy) and a plain inner box with cut handles. There was a flyer insert that stated that if there were any problems with the unit that the buyer should return it to the factory. If you buy from a chain that has a good return policy (VERY important) and there's something wrong with the bed or it is not to your liking, take it back to the store as is in it's original packaging. If something had been wrong with this bed (there isn't), I would have taken it right back to the store for an exchange and I'm absolutely sure they would have done so without a word of complaint.
On a separate but related note, I've seen these beds being sold on auction sites. Most of these beds are a super deal, but remember to include shipping charges if you decide to buy online. Also, some of these beds are "refurbished" to factory specs and may not be covered by any factory guarantees or have a shorter limited warranty. I decided to buy mine brand new out of convenience, the limited 1 year warranty from the date of purchase and also due to the retail store's excellent reputation for standing behind all of the products they sell. In addition, I also procured it for $50 less because of the coupon I had, so save $$$ when you shop!!! It's a lot more fun that way!!!
For additional info, visit http://www.thinkaero.com/
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
califtonjgirl
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Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Reviews written: 39
Trusted by: 13 members
About Me:
I am a married female in her mid-thirties.
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