Air mattress frames offer a big breakthrough in comfort. Whether you use your air mattress for camping, an extra bed in motels when traveling, or just for the occasional overnight guest, putting your air mattress on a frame will make the sleeper more comfortable and raise the mattress a foot or more above the ground. This makes it easier for most people to get on and off the bed. When you use a frame for your air mattress, you also gain storage space underneath the bed.
When you're camping, having a mattress frame will eliminate the problem of sleeping on the cold, uneven stone covered ground. This makes for a much better night's sleep. It also keeps the sleeper dry when the ground is wet or the tent floor leaks. One rainy night outdoors and you'll be glad you made the investment in a frame.
Mattress frames come in the standard sizes - twin and queen - to support the air mattress you already own. It's important that you do compare measurements, however, if you already own one, so that the frame will fit properly. The mattress needs to fit not just the width and length of the frame, but the height as well. Check the weight ratings for the frame. Most frames are designed to support 300 lbs for a twin, and 600 lbs for a queen sized mattress.
When not is use, many frames will fold into a size not much larger than a folding camping chair, and most come with a duffel bag for easy storage. Obviously, the frame will be considerably heavier than a folding chair. Nonetheless, both the mattress and the frame can be stored in the trunk of your car or in a closet at home.
Some frames have a zippered mattress enclosure so that the air mattress won't move around while you sleep. This is a great feature if you or your partner move around a lot while you are sleeping. Again, make sure to compare dimensions to be sure the mattress will fit the enclosure.
Mattress frames take an air mattress and transform the sleeping experience into one much more like a typical bed, making getting on and off much easier. This is especially important if seniors are going to be using the bed. After a certain age, somewhere around 5, no one likes sleeping on the floor.
Air mattresses are also sold packaged together with frames.
One thing to keep in mind: with most frames, the bed needs to be fully inflated when putting it on the frame, and you will need some extra space to maneuver. Make sure you have that extra room. One way around this is to partially inflate the air mattress, insert it into the mattress holder, and then finish pumping it up to the desired firmness.
Some people use the frame with a regular mattress. This is okay - just make sure that the total weight - sleeper plus the mattress - doesn't exceed the weight rating of the frame.