A surprise overnight visit, a spontaneous trip by car to go camping or simply as a cosy support, folding mattresses are practical and versatile. Inform yourself about the material of the mattress so that the purchase is worthwhile for you and your needs.
In our large folding mattress test 2023 you will find the best folding mattresses that perfectly suit your wishes and needs. It doesn’t matter whether your budget is small or large, whether the mattress should be suitable for travelling or rather as an alternative sleeping place for guests. There is a folding mattress for everyone. Choose between high-quality cold foam mattresses or standard foam mattresses
The most important facts
- A folding mattress is ideal for visits from friends and relatives and is a cost-effective alternative to a conventional mattress.
- Folding mattresses are divided into mattresses made of standard foam and mattresses made of cold foam.
- Folding mattresses made of standard foam are not too expensive. A mattress made of cold foam is somewhat higher quality and ideal for allergy sufferers.
The best folding mattress: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a folding mattress
What is a folding mattress?
This is especially practical when guests are visiting, as they don’t take up much space and still offer a good night’s sleep. You can unfold folding mattresses anywhere and enjoy a nap.
How much does a folding mattress cost?
Which folding mattress for children?
Is there an alternative to the folding mattress?
Such beds can be used especially well as guest beds or the like.
If you want to use your airbed for the pool, for example, there are special air mattresses that are also suitable as guest beds. Keep in mind, however, that such models have a somewhat shorter lifespan than conventional air beds.
Decision: What types of folding mattresses are there and which is the right one for you?
Basically, you can distinguish between three different types of folding mattresses:
- Cold foam mattress
- Latex mattress
- Viscose mattress
All types offer different advantages and disadvantages, which are mainly determined by the place of use and the intended purpose. When choosing a suitable mattress, you should consider very carefully in advance which characteristics the desired mattress should have. In order to guarantee the highest level of sleeping comfort for guests or oneself, factors such as material, weight or material properties, as well as lying position, sleep duration or temperature sensitivity should be taken into account.
In addition, it should always be considered that the ideal mattress can be completely different from person to person. To help you make a good purchase decision, in the following section we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of the individual mattress types and show you which folding mattress is best for you.
How is a cold foam mattress constructed and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
As the name suggests, the core of a cold foam mattress consists of cold foam, which is the result of polyurethane foaming. This process takes place at low temperature or cold, whereby the raw mass is foamed in a mould and then hardens.
Then cuts are made in certain places to create different lying zones. The cold foam mattress shines with its low weight, high flexibility and good thermal insulation. Disadvantages are the formation of odours due to the chemical processes of the material and the rapid absorption of liquids.
How is a latex mattress constructed and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Latex mattresses are made of either natural or synthetic rubber. In particular, mattresses made of natural latex are both environmentally friendly and hygienic. During production, the latex mixture is heated in a steel mould and holes are made in it, which are responsible for the flexibility and point elasticity of the mattress. Due to the material, latex mattresses are ideally suited for allergy sufferers, as they prevent dust and thus mites, while offering ideal adaptability for one’s own lying position.
A major disadvantage is the high weight of the mattress compared to mattresses made of cold foam or viscose. In addition, latex is not breathable and is therefore less suitable for people who sweat a lot.
How is a viscose mattress constructed and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Viscose mattresses are made of two layers, the bottom layer of cold foam and the top layer of memory foam. This foam adapts to one’s lying position while sleeping, even after changing position.
This makes it easier to relieve heavier parts of the body. The mattress always adapts perfectly to your own lying position. Due to its structure, however, the viscose mattress can only be used on one side and is not suitable for people who sweat a lot.
Buying criteria: You can use these factors to compare and evaluate folding mattresses
In the following text, we inform you about the most important criteria and categories you should look for when you want to buy a folding mattress. These are the points in question:
- Material
- Cover material
- Size
- Load capacity
In the following text you can read about the above-mentioned purchase criteria.
Material
Folding mattresses are almost always made of foam. It can be divided into two different types:
Standard foam
Foam is characterised by the fact that such a guest bed is mouldable. It always returns to its original position after deformation.
The higher the so-called volume weight, the more stable and elastic the foam is. For folding mattresses, however, this volume weight is rarely specified by the manufacturer. In general, the volume weight means how many kilograms of raw material have been processed into one cubic metre of foam.
Cold foam
Compared to normal standard foam, cold foam has even better material qualities. The reason is that the material has a coarser pore structure. This leads to good air permeability. The cold foam mattress therefore attracts significantly fewer mites than conventional mattresses.
In addition, the elasticity is much higher than with a folding mattress made of standard foam. This means that the mattress only gives way where the body exerts direct pressure. Cold foam is therefore particularly recommended for guest mattresses. After all, your visitors should be as comfortable as possible.
Cover material
The cover of a folding mattress is usually made of polyester or a polyester-cotton mixture.
Did you know that it is unhealthy to make your bed in the morning? When you lie in bed, you generate heat that is transferred to the sheets and mattress. This heat favours the life of mites. If you spread your blanket over the warm spot, it will stay longer. So wait until the residual heat has dissipated before you make your bed.
Inexpensive models have a polyester cover. If the folding mattress is of high quality, the cover is usually made of cotton.
| Cover of the folding mattress | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | absorbs moisture better | can shrink when washed |
| Polyester | cheap | worse when sweating |
A mattress topper or mattress protector should not be confused with a cover; these must be purchased separately.
Size
When buying a folding mattress, you must always make sure that the dimensions in width and length are correct. Who likes to sleep on a folding mattress on which the head or feet overhang? Therefore, the folding mattress should be at least 75 cm wide and 180 cm, preferably 190 cm, long. In most cases, a folding mattress is not suitable for a long-lasting sleep because it is thin and you quickly sag. Heavy people therefore often get back pain.
| person | minimum core height |
|---|---|
| small children | 2 to 4 cm |
| older children | min. 6 cm |
| adults under 60 kg | 5 to 8 cm |
| heavier adults | more than 10 cm |
However, there are also higher folding mattresses. Therefore, when buying, pay attention to the thickness and dimensions of the mattress. The thickness should be at least 8 cm, otherwise the night will be rather sleepless and your guest may wake up with back pain.
Load capacity
As folding mattresses are often only designed for one person, the maximum load capacity is usually 90 kg. This rather low value is mainly due to the low height of the mattress.
Facts worth knowing about folding mattresses
Finally, we would like to give you a few facts about folding mattresses. That’s why we’ve included some interesting information below.
What else can you use a folding mattress for besides sleeping?
Especially nowadays, when innovative furniture is very expensive, a folding mattress is the eye-catcher par excellence! Especially in small flats or caravans, it is practical and comfortable if you can also use the folding mattress as stylish seating furniture.
As soon as you have folded the mattress, it becomes a seating cube with an ideal height and good stability. Some manufacturers offer matching covers as a stylish cover for such a seat cube.
How do I care for a folding mattress?
If you use your folding mattress as a guest bed, it is important that you wash the cover regularly. In most cases, this is possible at 30 °C in the washing machine. A dust cover or bed pad can also be very useful. It protects the beds from dust and dirt and thus preserves their longevity. To keep your folding mattress smelling good, we recommend that you treat it with a good-smelling upholstery spray from time to time. However, such a spray is no substitute for cleaning. It should only be used to freshen up the mattress.
Image source: 123rf.com / Sabuhi Novruzov
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