Air Bed Features
Foam
An air bed mattress usually also has a layer of foam on the top. This is normally a few inches thick and serves both to protect the air chambers from puncturing and also to increase the comfort level. Good foam can make a huge difference to the quality of the mattress. Some of the air beds on the market come with a memory foam layer on top, the ideal combination for some people. There are a many other materials, for example the Aero DuraSuede with Microsuede top surface.Built-In Pump
Rather than needing hand pumping, higher end permanent air beds will often come with a built-in pump, usually electrical, that will do the work for you. A self-inflating mattress saves a lot of work.Comfort Zones
A big advantage of airbeds for many people has always ben the ability to adjust mattress firmness to the best level for you. Some of the more advanced air bed models on sale today go further and have several separate "zones" that are adjustable more or less independently. This is most often a tri-zone system.There is a drawback to a sophisticated multi-chamber self-inflating airbed: it's a mechanical system complete with pump, compressor, controller, etc. Even the best mechanical system can fail, so it's even more important than usual to buy quality and ensure that you get a good warranty.