To make sure we always provide the latest information, this page was last updated on 1 May 2022.
Folding mattresses are a great item to have in your house. They’re great for guests or carers staying over, camping trips, and kids’ sleepovers. The foldable design makes them easy to store away, so they don’t impact on your living space unnecessarily.
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A folding mattress is usually trifold in design, made for temporary use on your floor or for a camping trip. They are more comfortable than your conventional air bed, and can fold up either into a chair or into a small pile for easy storage. They also come in a variety of thicknesses.
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Folding mattresses can be used by anyone and everyone. They’re available in a range of sizes, so they’re suitable for adults, couples and children. Conventionally, they’re used temporarily. It may be for your child’s sleepover, a grandchild staying the night, an unexpected guest, an overnight carer or they can be used by those who love to travel.
Being able to accommodate a guest without the need for a bulky bed frame or spare room is great news for your friends looking to save money on expensive hotels!
Though folding mattresses usually share a similar, basic design, it’s important for you to know the distinguishing differences between different mattress models.
Mattress covers can be made from a huge range of materials, although the most common types are cotton or polyester.
It’s important you look for a mattress material that’s breathable, hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant. Some materials are even designed to regulate your body temperature, dramatically improving your sleep quality in the cold winter nights or hot summer months.
Additionally, if you’re planning to use your fold up mattress for camping trips, you should look for a water-resistant mattress cover so that it isn’t affected by the damp from the ground.
Foldable mattresses come in as many sizes as regular mattresses. If you want a mattress that can accommodate more than one person, you need a double (or larger!). If you intend to use the mattresses for grandchildren or children’s sleepovers then a twin size mattress will likely suffice.
Ensure you have the floor space to accommodate the size of mattress that you are purchasing!
It’s important to consider the age and condition of your guests. Do they suffer with back pain or a condition which affects the joints? If so, you need to search for folding mattresses with at least medium firmness, and ideally one which explicitly states that it provides orthopaedic support.
Portable mattresses may have different core materials, though memory foam is generally the most common. A memory foam or polyurethane foam core will likely provide the best comfort to your guest.
Folding mattresses vary significantly in thickness. Generally, the thicker the mattress, the more comfortable it will be. However, thicker mattresses can often be more expensive, and frequently incur an additional cost.
You may be influenced by the colour of your folding mattress. Many portable mattresses come in beautiful patterns and bold colours, and can be used to brighten up your home. This is especially important if you plan to use your fold up mattress as a futon or sofa bed.
Some mattresses can also be used as a seat or sofa. This can be a great addition to your home, but may also take up too much space. It’s therefore worth considering whether you want a mattress that can fit in a cupboard or one that functions as a sofa on display.
Some folding mattresses can come with bed frames. This can be a nice touch so that your guest is on the same level as you. However, even with a folding bed frame, this is generally a bulkier and heavier item that is more difficult to store.
A cheap foldable mattress can cost as little as £12. For example, the PP&DD Folding bed Mattress on our list costs just £11.82. But it’s still great quality! https://www.amazon.co.uk/PP-DD-Dormitory-Mattresses-35x75inch/dp/B088WX29TG/ref=sr_1_31?dchild=1&keywords=folding+mattress&qid=1599246258&s=kitchen&sr=1-31
The Milliard Foldable Mattress for Guests is the best mattress on our list. At £92.48 it’s one of the more expensive foldable mattresses on the market, but it doubles up as a great piece of furniture, and the quality and comfort is fantastic. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Milliard-11-5cm-Tri-Fold-Folding-Mattress/dp/B077TD45VF/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=folding+mattress&qid=1599246258&s=kitchen&sr=1-15
Want to learn more? Well here is a useful video that provides you with more useful information when looking to make a purchase.
Jane is one of our primary content writers and specialises in elder care. She has a degree in English language and literature from Manchester University and has been writing and reviewing products for a number of years.