Last updated on 8 Oct, 2023

Why Do Air Mattresses Have Bumps? 5 Shocking Reasons

– By Eric Smith

Why Do Air Mattresses Have Bumps? If you’ve ever thought about this question, you’re not alone.

One day, when I was lying on my Intex air mattress that had bumps, the same question came into my mind. I was like, what are these holes? Do air mattresses need them? Or it’s just a design, nothing else.

After deep research, I figured out what these bumps were and what value they add to an air mattress. Not kidding, I was pretty amazed when I got to know the reasons behind these bumps. Let me share what I got to know about these air mattress bumps.

Quick Overview

Why Do Air Mattresses Have Bumps? 5 Shocking Reasons

Why Do Air Mattresses Have Bumps?

Inflatable mattresses are filled with air to give you a snug sleep throughout the night, especially when you are at a campsite or expecting guests at your home.

To know the purpose of these bumps, we need to understand the construction of an air mattress.

Nowadays, air mattresses are made of different materials, such as PVC and TPU. They feature a unique design that consists of different chambers and compartments, which are filled with air.

1. Even Weight Distribution

When we talk about air mattresses, these bumps serve a purpose. They are not there by any accident. In fact, bumps are made to give you more comfort and support your body when you lie down. When you sit on a chair that perfectly fits your body, these bumps work similarly in the case of air mattresses.

Just like a good chair that fits your body, the bumps in an air mattress are designed to fit your body, making sure you feel cozy and your back feels okay.

When you lie down on your airbed, these bumps evenly distribute your weight, which gives you comfort. And, when you shift your weight, these bumps let the air mattress stay strong.

2. Spinal Alignment

Spinal alignment means keeping your back in the way it should be. When sleeping on an air mattress, these bumps make sure your back, from your head to bottom, stays in a relaxed and natural position.

These bumps help your spine stay in a nice, straight line. When your spine is well aligned, it helps you wake up feeling refreshed and not achy.

3. Reduced Motion Transfer

The bumps on the air mattress surface help control how much motion splits around. When your friend jumps or moves on their side of the airbed, you won’t feel any motion on your side and sleep without any disturbance, all thanks to these air mattress bumps.

These bumps play a crucial role, especially when you are sharing your inflatable mattress. No matter what the other person is doing on his side, it won’t bother you.

Just because you’re sharing the bed, it doesn’t mean you have to feel every time your partner or friend rolls over or gets up. With such reduced motion transfer, it becomes more peaceful for you to sleep on the bed.

4. Ergonomic Support

In the case of an air mattress, ergonomic support simply means that the bumps on the mattress are placed in a way that they match the curves and shapes of your body.

These bumps act like little assistants that support your back, hips, and other body parts just where you need them. Just think about a soft glove that perfectly fits your hand. The air mattress with bumps kinda plays a similar role.

It’s crucial because when your body is in harmony with the mattress, you’re less likely to wake up in the middle of your sweet dreams. These bumps act like your best friend who makes sure you sleep comfortably while keeping your body in a relaxed position.

5. Proper Blood Circulation

The bumps on the mattress also contribute to proper blood circulation inside your body. When you lie down, these bumps provide mild elevation and support, especially to areas like your legs and hips.

With such enhanced blood circulation, oxygen and nutrients can travel more easily to all parts of your body that make you feel more energetic and alive. It’s like making sure all the deliveries reach their destinations on time.

Moreover, improved blood flow can also help in reducing the chances of waking up with numbness or tingling in your limbs.

5 Benefits Of Air Mattress Bumps

1. Bumps Don't Let Your Sink

Yes, the bumps on an air mattress can help prevent a human body from sinking too deeply into the bed.

Air mattress bumps are designed in a way that they can create raised areas on the surface of the mattress. When someone lies down on the mattress, they provide additional support and keep the body elevated while distributing the overall body weight to the entire air mattress more evenly.

Because of this, you don’t sink into it. And, during this process, your body maintains a more neutral and relaxing sleeping position.

By preventing your body from this unnecessary sinking, the bumps can assist in maintaining proper spinal alignment and reduce pressure on specific points of the body.

2. They Keep Air Mattress In Place

Air mattresses losing their position when someone is sleeping on them is not a new thing to talk about.

But air mattress bumps help them keep their position, or we can say, stop them from sliding unnecessarily.

Bumps create friction and grip between the mattress and the surface it’s placed on. The raised portions or bumps on the mattress surface provide a textured area that resists movement and helps to anchor the mattress in place.

When the bed is inflated, these bumps create contact points with the surface beneath, such as a floor or a mattress pad. The uneven surface of the bumps grips the fabric or material of the surface, generating friction that prevents the mattress from easily shifting or sliding around.

Moreover, the design of the bumps ensures that they interlock with the fibers of the surface they are placed on. This enhances overall stability and reduces unwanted movement.

3. They Gives You Comfortable Sleep

The bumps on an air mattress are designed to help distribute and balance the human weight more evenly across the mattress surface. When a person lies down, the raised areas (bumps) create additional support points.

These support points help distribute the body weight, which reduces the concentration of pressure on specific areas.

Here, the goal is to stop any part of the body from bearing too much weight, no matter what air mattress capacity your air mattress comes with. In the worst-case scenario, uneven weight distribution can even lead to an air mattress burst, which is not easy to fix.

4. Increases Air Mattress Durability

Believe it or not, air mattress bumps contribute to an air mattress’s durability. These bumps make an air mattress stronger, that helps them stay with you for a longer period of time.

Your body pushes on the air mattress when you lie down on it. If the surface is flat, it might get weak in some areas. But with bumps, the weight is spread out. These bumps support your inflatable bed, so no part wears out too fast.

So, when you see bumps on an air mattress, remember they’re there to make it tough and last a long time.

5. Portability and Storage

Air mattress bumps are like the folds in a backpack. They help make the heavy airbed easy to carry and put away. Let me explain how.

When you want to carry your air mattress somewhere, the bumps help it fold nicely. It’s like folding a blanket neatly for storage. These bumps create little spaces, so the air mattress becomes compact and can be stored snugly, even in tight places.

Just because of these air mattress bumps, it won’t roll around like a ball, it stays in one place. So, whenever you go out camping or plan to go camping, just remember bumps are there to make your air mattress compact.

Disadvantages of Air Mattress Bumps

While air mattress bumps can be really helpful in most of the cases, they do have a dark side.

First, some people may not like the feeling of the bumps. It’s like having a bumpy road instead of a smooth one. For those who prefer a super flat surface, the bumps might be uncomfortable.

Second, these bumps can make it harder to clean the mattress. Dirt, pee and crumbs can get stuck in the little spaces between the bumps, which makes cleaning a tough task.

Third, the bumps can be a hassle if you need to use fitted sheets. Regular sheets might not fit well because of the bumps. It’s like trying to wear shoes that are too tight; it just doesn’t work well.

Fourth, some air mattresses with bumps can be a bit more expensive. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, these bumps often make the mattress pricier.

Fifth, if the bumps are not well-made or if the mattress is of low quality, they can wear out or get damaged quickly. This means even your expensive, bumpy air mattress can become a mess in seconds.

Wrapping Up:

Now you have a detailed answer to the question: “Why do air mattresses have bumps?” You see, air mattress bumps are helpful for both you and your air mattress.

They offer good spinal alignment, better pressure distribution, and improved blood circulation. These bumps increase durability and aid in portability and storage.

Nevertheless, like any other good thing, they have their downsides, such as potential discomfort for those who look for a flat surface and challenges in cleaning and sheet fitting.

Despite these drawbacks, the presence of bumps serves a vital purpose, significantly improves air mattress quality, and gives you a cozy sleep throughout the night.

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.

Why Do Air Mattresses Have Bumps? 5 Shocking Reasons