The AeroBed Smart Settings 20" Raised Air Mattress is an older twin airbed built for quick guest-room setups. In our testing, its strongest points were easy firmness tuning and a higher, easier-entry profile. Its weakest points were the usual airbed trade-offs: bounce, weaker edges, and a feel that works best for solo sleepers and short stays rather than steady nightly use.
Table of Contents
Product Overview
| Mattress | Overall Score | Pros | Cons | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AeroBed Smart Settings 20" Raised Air Mattress (Twin) | 3.8/5.0 | Easy firmness tuning, raised profile, quick setup | Bouncy feel, weaker edges, twin-only sleep space | Solo guests, dorm overflow, short stays |
Final Verdict
Our testing showed that control is the main reason to like this bed. Once we dialed in the firmness, it felt more usable than a basic single-high air mattress, and the 20-inch height made getting in and out easier. The trade-off is that it still behaves like an airbed: springier than foam, less steady at the edge, and better suited to short-term guest use than long stretches of nightly sleep.
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Who It’s For
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Solo sleepers who want easy firmness tuning
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Guest-room hosts who need fast setup and takedown
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People who like a higher, easier-to-enter bed height
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Who It’s Not For
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Couples, because the twin width and bounce are limiting
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Anyone who needs stable edges for sitting or getting dressed
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Light sleepers who wake up easily from movement
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How We Tested It
We set it up in a small guest room and rotated nights between me, Marcus, Carlos, and Mia to capture different body types and sleep positions. We scored support, cooling, pressure relief, motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, and durability using repeatable checks such as alignment photos, timed inflation and deflation, partner-movement drills, edge-sit tests, and week-to-week firmness checks. We also tracked how it behaved during normal routines like reading in bed, laptop use, getting in and out, and turning over at night.
Our Testing Experience
On the first night, the raised height immediately made the setup feel less like sleeping on the floor and more like a proper backup bed. I started near the middle settings, then went a little firmer when my lower back asked for a flatter line. Carlos had the same reaction: when the bed felt too soft, his mid-back had to work harder to stay level, but one step firmer cleaned that up.
Mia preferred more give at the surface, because the firmer settings pushed back too much at her shoulder. Marcus, who sleeps hot, said it felt less stuffy than some flocked airbeds, but he still noticed the top held more warmth than a standard mattress. Across the team, the pattern stayed consistent: it was easy to adjust, easy to move on, and never quite as calm or planted as a regular mattress.
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What we liked
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Quick firmness changes without much trial and error
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20-inch profile that feels easier to get in and out of
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Easy repositioning without a stuck-in-place feel
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Who it is best for
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Back sleepers who want adjustable support
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Combination sleepers who change positions often
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Hosts who need a quick guest-bed setup
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Where it falls short
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More bounce than foam or hybrid beds
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Edges compress when you sit or lie near the perimeter
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Twin width limits it to solo comfort
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Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Seven custom comfort settings are easy to adjust | Springy surface makes movement easy to notice |
| 20" raised profile feels easier to enter and exit | Edge support is only fair |
| Built-in pump and quick setup are convenient | Twin size is limiting for shared sleep |
| Whoosh® valve speeds deflation and storage | Best for temporary use, not steady long-term sleep |
Details
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Mattress type: Raised air mattress
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Size tested: Twin
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Height: 20"
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Dimensions: 74" L × 39" W × 20" H
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Weight capacity: up to 300 lbs
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Firmness control: seven custom comfort settings with automatic shutoff
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Pump: built-in electric pump with control wand
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Deflation feature: Whoosh® valve for quick deflation
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Construction notes: horizontal channels and edge ring
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Included: carry bag
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Warranty: 2 years on pump and valve; 1 year on mattress
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Country of origin: Made in China
Review Score
| Metric | Score (/5) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 4.1/5 | Adjustable firmness helped us keep a flatter line once we found the right setting. |
| Cooling | 3.8/5 | Comfortable enough, but the top still held some warmth. |
| Pressure Relief | 4.0/5 | Best at the shoulder and hip when kept near the middle settings. |
| Motion Isolation | 3.2/5 | Airbed bounce made movement easier to feel than on foam. |
| Responsiveness | 4.4/5 | Very easy to turn, shift, and change positions. |
| Edge Support | 3.3/5 | Fine in the middle, but the perimeter compressed under sitting and side-lying. |
| Durability | 3.6/5 | Good enough for occasional use, but airbeds still need more care than standard mattresses. |
| Overall Score | 3.8/5 | A good temporary twin guest bed if easy adjustment matters more than stability. |
Choosing Guide
In our testing, this bed made the most sense for solo guests who wanted a raised twin airbed with quick firmness control. Back sleepers and combination sleepers got the best results, especially when the bed was set a little firmer than neutral. Side sleepers could do well too, but only when the setting left enough give at the shoulder. If you are highly sensitive to bounce, foam will feel steadier.
If your priority is overnight pressure maintenance, a neverFLAT-style airbed is the closer comparison. If you want a simpler short-term guest or travel option, Coleman SupportRest and SoundAsleep Dream Series are more useful comparison points than older AeroBed variants.
Limitations
At heart, this is still an air mattress: it is bouncier than foam, and the perimeter compresses when you sit or lie near the edge. The twin width limits it to solo use. Over longer stretches, we would still expect occasional top-offs as the material relaxes. If you need a stable everyday sleep surface or stronger edge security for mobility reasons, a traditional mattress is a better fit.
Vs. Alternatives
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Why choose these models
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You want adjustable firmness control in a raised twin guest bed
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You prefer easier entry than a single-high airbed
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You need a temporary bed that packs away fast
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Alternatives to consider
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A neverFLAT-style airbed: better if keeping pressure steadier through the night matters most.
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Coleman SupportRest: a simpler option for occasional use and travel.
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SoundAsleep Dream Series: a built-in-pump option if you want a more current airbed comparison.
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Pro Tips
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Inflate it first, then wait a few minutes before making the bed so the material can settle.
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Start a little firmer than you expect, then back off if your shoulder or hip feels pushed up.
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Put a thin rug or mat underneath to reduce slipping and floor chill.
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Keep it away from pet claws, zippers, and bed-frame corners that can nick the PVC.
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Use deep-pocket twin sheets and tuck them tightly to limit bunching.
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If you sleep near the edge, scoot a few inches inward to reduce perimeter collapse.
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Pack it only when fully deflated so the folds put less stress on the seams.
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Store it indoors in a dry space to avoid musty smells and material wear.
FAQs
Does it feel like a real mattress?
Closer than a basic airbed, yes, mainly because of the raised height and easier setup. But it still has the springy, air-chamber feel of an air mattress.
Which firmness setting worked best for back pain?
For me and Carlos, the middle-to-firmer settings kept the lower back flatter. When the bed was too soft, it developed a mild hammock feel.
Is it noisy when you move?
Surface noise was modest, but the bounce made motion easier to notice than it would be on foam.
Can I leave it set up for a week?
You can, but we would still expect the occasional top-off over several days as the material settles.
