Last updated on 1 Oct, 2023

Can You Fill an Air Mattress With Water? 7 Reasons To Avoid

– By Eric Smith

An air mattress is a soft and inflatable bed that people often use for camping or as a temporary sleeping system when they lack a regular mattress to sleep on.

It’s typically filled with air to make it bouncy and comfortable, which can be taken out easily according to the user’s firmness needs.

However, some of you might wonder, can you fill an air mattress with water or not? Let’s answer this interesting question in this guide.

Here, we’ll answer all your questions related to this query and also conclude whether it is possible to fill it with water and what are the potential consequences and risks if so. Let’s jump into this guide.

Quick Overview

Can You Fill an Air Mattress With Water? 7 Reasons To Avoid

Can You Fill An Air Mattress With Water?

No, You shouldn’t. Filling an air mattress with water is not a good idea. Air mattresses are designed to hold air, and adding water can cause many problems, which we’ll be discussing further in this guide.

Water is heavy, and the air mattress isn’t built to support its weight like it does with air. Plus, it won’t stay as comfortable as it should or work the way it should.

The inflatable bed might even get damaged because of the excess weight and pressure from the water, and that’s not a big surprise. Even though no one is lying on the airbed now, Oh, Sorry, it’s a water bed now.

Furthermore, the materials used in the construction of an air mattress are not designed to hold water, so there’s a possibility of an air mattress leak or make a big, soggy mess.

Additionally, resting or sleeping on an air mattress that is now filled with water can cause back pain and can’t offer you the level of comfort that you expect from an airbed, which is why it’s not good for your back.

7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Fill Air Mattress With Water

1. Weight and Pressure

Weight and pressure are the two most important things to consider when considering an air mattress. When we talk about weight or its weight-carrying limit, we mean how heavy something is.

If you fill an air mattress with water, it becomes very heavy. The mattress is designed to handle the weight of a person lying on it, but adding water can make it too heavy and eventually apply extra stress to the materials.

Pressure is the force applied over an area, just simple Science. Putting water into an air mattress creates a lot of pressure on the sides and seams, and air mattresses generally can’t handle that pressure.

Your expensive inflatable bed may start to leak or even burst, all thanks to water. This is why, it’s best to use an air mattress with just air to keep it working well and lasting for a longer time.

2. Comfort and Support

An air mattress provides you with comfort and support with the help of air. When you lie down on an air mattress, the air inside distributes evenly that, gives you a cushioned as well as comfortable experience.

On the flip side, if you fill it with water, you lose this comfort. Water doesn’t adjust like air. It just stays in one place and doesn’t contour to your body.

This means you can’t get the relaxing feel you wish for from a bed. Additionally, an air mattress’s support is due to the air inside, which adapts to the shape of your body.

In the case of water, it doesn’t provide the right kind of support and may even cause discomfort that can lead to back pain and stiffness.

3. Potential Damage

If you try to fill an air mattress with water, you are putting your air mattress at high risk. Water can easily damage the materials and seams of your inflatable bed.

The additional weight and pressure of the water can weaken its build, form unexpected leaks and tears, and even burst completely in the worst-case scenario.

Repairing or replacing a damaged air mattress can cost money and cause inconvenience. The damage caused by water may sometimes be unrepairable, and you might even need to invest in a new puncture-proof air mattress.

And, if in case you find a way to repair it, it won’t last for too long unless you are lucky.

4. Risk Of Mold or Mildew Growth

Air mattresses filled with water are more prone to mold or mildew build-up, all thanks to the dampness and moisture inside of the air mattress.

Moisture forms an atmosphere where mold can grow smoothly, and mold is not only unpleasant but can also be dangerous to health. It can be responsible for allergies and respiratory issues.

Furthermore, water can become fixed inside the mattress, which can create a bad smell that’s not that easy to get rid of. Plus, it can attract bacteria and other unwelcomed microorganisms.

Drying the inflatable bed properly after taking the water out is still a challenging task. And, without drying it properly, you can’t think of storing it.

5. Structural integrity

When we put water into an air mattress, it gets stressed because it’s not designed for the weight and pressure of water. The airbed’s PVC materials and design are not suitable for holding water, so it might start to leak or even burst(which has been found in many cases). Check out this video below.

Just think about a balloon that is filled with too much water. It won’t be able to hold that much air, Right? As a result, it bursts.

The same applies to an air mattress with water, too. To keep the inflatable bed in good shape and avoid any problems, it’s important to use only the needed amount of air. This way, it will stay strong and function properly and give you the comfort you need.

6. Unsuitability of materials

Air mattresses are carefully crafted with materials that are capable of holding air properly and providing you with comfort. On the other hand, these materials can’t hold water as effectively as they hold air.

The fabrics, seams, and layers of an air mattress are created to be airtight and fight the pressure and weight of air, but when it comes to water, they aren’t built to handle the weight and properties of water.

It’s worth mentioning that there are high chances of malfunctioning air mattress components. And, if you have an air mattress with a built-in electric pump, just drop the idea of filling the air mattress with water.

7. Setup and Using Difficulties

Air mattresses are simple to set up and use when filled with air because all you need to do is pump in the air, and you’re ready to rest.

However, it becomes a challenging task if you attempt to fill it with water. Water is heavy, and filling it into the inflatable bed can be chaotic and complex.

First, you’ll need a way to fill it with water without messing up your floor, which is typically tough to achieve. You can move the air mattress once it is filled with water, which is just the opposite of when it’s filled with air.

Plus, an air mattress filled with water is very uncomfortable compared to any other bed out there.

About Eric Smith

With 4+ years of experience dealing with air mattresses, Eric has gotten really good at making useful and interesting stuff for you to read. He loves helping people find the right air mattresses and fix any air mattress-related issues.

Can You Fill an Air Mattress With Water? 7 Reasons To Avoid

Can You Fill An Air Mattress With Water?