|
Best Sleep System Here’s the “hard” truth: even the most expensive coil spring mattresses can’t guarantee a good night’s sleep. That’s because a few seconds after you lie down, air pressure forces the springs to push back to its original position—forcing you to adjust to the bed’s shape, rather than the other way around.
Air beds, on the other hand, conform to your body’s shape, providing even support and minimizing the muscle pains and cricks in the neck from sleeping in an unnatural position. It’s this reason why the air sleep system was first developed for hospitals, where bed-ridden patients (who most needed the rest in order to recover from their illnesses) suffered from uncomfortable bedsores and restless sleep because of the limitations of the coil spring mattresses.
|
How to Pick the Best Sleep System for You There are numerous sleep system brands that all offer quality air beds at various price points: Select Comfort, Comfortaire, Sleep Comfort, Luxury Air Beds, Sleep Better Store, and the Tempur Pedic Memory Foam Sleep System.
Many Sleep Systems offer a variety of additional features and controls: digital controls, slow pumps, topper material, and adjustable chambers. These can all add to a better sleep experience, but if you’re watching your budget or really just want a no-frills air sleep system, the most basic essentials are the air bladders, quality and positioning of the foam on top of the air bed, and the quality of the pump system (and how easy it is to use it).
The air bladders are easily the most important aspect of an air Sleep System. Different brands will claim to have an i-beam construction to enhance structural integrity; others use different materials (such as PVC or cloth backed rubber). PVC (the same material used in your plumbing) is proven to last for more than a hundred years; so don’t worry if you can’t afford to get urethane. As for whether or not you need I-Beam support, it depends on how far you’ll be inflating the air sleep system and how much abuse you anticipate it will go through. In general, the support will come from the air and not from the structural additions—not that an i-beam isn’t nice to have, but don’t feel compelled to believe that it’s a necessity.
|
|
The Benefits of a Sleep System Better, deeper sleep. Studies show that using a Sleep System reduces tossing and turning by 80%. This is because you are cradled in a natural sleeping position—the bed adjusts to your contour, not the other way around.
Relief from muscle pain. ASleep System provides equal support to all parts of the body, including the vulnerable neck, shoulder and back areas. This is especially important for those suffering from arthritis or chronic pain, but can also help any individual achieve the deep, restful sleep needed to recharge for the next day.
Good spinal support. Some people think that because A Sleep System feels soft, it doesn’t support the spine. Actually the opposite is true: it provides better support, because it alleviates pressure points across the body and aligns the spine in a natural position.
“Customized” support. Two people can have two different needs or preferences for how soft or firm they want their beds to be. Some Sleep Systems contain two chambers, so you can each sleep at different pressures while still sharing the same bed.
Durability. An air bed doesn’t contain coils, springs or any individual parts that can wear out. Air beds make an excellent sleep system
|
The air bladder in a sleep system should also have last little seams and individual parts as possible, as glues can dissolve over time. It should also be a minimum of 6 to 7 inches thick. Any Sleep System that is any thinner than that can bottom out—plus, it won’t give that cushioned, luxurious feel.
Another thing you really can’t skimp on is the memory foam used by the air sleep system. A memory foam mattress provides that perfect customized fit, adjusting to, and supporting, the shape of your body to prevent muscle pains and promote a deeper sleep. It is this, more than anything else, that separates the standard air sleep systems from the more expensive ones.
|
|
|