Buying Guide for the Best Temporary Bed For Guest
Choosing a temporary bed for guests is all about balancing comfort, convenience, and storage. Since this bed won’t be in use all the time, you should think about where you’ll store it when not needed, how easy it is to set up, and whether it provides your guest with a good night’s sleep. Consider the space available in your home, who is likely to use the bed, and how often you expect guests. Understanding these factors will help you find a temporary bed that makes both you and your guests happy.Type (Air Mattress, Folding Cot, Futon, Rollaway Bed, Floor Mattress)The type of temporary bed determines how it’s used, stored, and how comfortable it is. Air mattresses are quick to inflate and store in a closet, folding cots and rollaway beds have built-in frames for a bed-like feel, futons convert between a couch and bed, and floor mattresses are simply placed on the floor. For example, if you want the easiest to store, an air mattress is light and compact. If you want a more traditional sleep surface, a rollaway bed offers better support. Think about who will sleep on it and how often—kids might be fine with a floor mattress, but older adults might need a raised bed for comfort and ease of getting up.
Size (Twin, Full, Queen, etc.)Bed size matters for both available space and guest comfort. The main options are twin (best for one person or tight spaces), full (for one adult who likes space, or two smaller people), and queen (fits two adults most comfortably). Measure your space to ensure the set-up bed will fit, and consider who your typical guest is: single visitors are fine with a twin, couples may need a full or queen. Also think about storage size when folded or deflated.
Comfort (Mattress Thickness & Support)Comfort depends on mattress thickness and the quality of support. Thicker air mattresses or rollaway beds with real mattresses will give more support and keep guests off the hard floor. Basic air mattresses or floor mats may work for a night or two, but offering a thicker mattress improves sleep quality for longer stays. If your guests are older or have back issues, go for a thicker and firmer option. If the bed is for kids or very occasional use, thinner options may be fine.
Ease of Setup & StorageThis describes how quickly you can prepare the bed and how much space and effort the packed bed takes up. Air mattresses usually use a pump (manual or electric) and can be ready in minutes, but need to be inflated and deflated each time. Folding cots and rollaway beds are usually mechanical and set up in seconds, but take more closet or storage space. Choose what fits your lifestyle—if you want to be ready in case of a surprise guest, a quick setup is key; if you have limited storage, compactness matters most.
Weight LimitEvery temporary bed has a maximum load it can support safely. Air mattresses and cots will indicate a maximum user weight—exceeding this reduces comfort and may break the bed. Check the specs to ensure the bed will support the heaviest expected guest, especially for two-person beds. If you expect to host adults of varying sizes, this spec is worth attention.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy the bed is to move—including its weight, whether it comes with a carrying bag, and how compactly it stores. If you need to move it around the house or even take it to another place, lighter and more compact models are best. If it will be set up and stay in one room, portability is less of an issue.