The Holiday Blow-Up Bed
For Overnight Guests

The holiday season's here, and with it comes that annual dilemma: As we throw open our home to out-of-towners, can we find a comfortable bed for every guest?

The companies that design blowup mattresses seem to be making it their yearly project to come up with new answers. During the past few years, they've introduced mattresses that rise to real-bed height. This year, the makers are pushing beds with memory-foam padding, temperature settings and dual-zone comfort controls.

The stakes in this high-tech race are high enough that industry leader Aero Products International has gone to court, arguing that rival Intex Recreation is violating Aero's patented quick inflation and comfort-control technology. At last count, Aero had won more than $10 million in judgments; Intex is appealing.

Despite all the new-and-improved activity, we were skeptical. After all, how much comfort can you get out of something that resembles a pool toy? To find out whether we could really wish these beds on our kith and kin, we bought five queen-size models and gave them the truest test. We slept one night on each -- or tried to. (We can't, however, vouch for the beds' long-term performance.)

High Bounce

Even before we attempted to catch some shut-eye on Cabela's Folding Airbed Frame with Queen Airbed ($89.99), we ran into difficulties. The promised "fast setup" wasn't. We had to attach the electric pump (this was the only bed among our five without an internal pump), blow up the mattress, then join it to the frame. Once assembled, the Cabela still didn't deliver. It was a traditional air mattress -- bouncy and unsupportive.

With Frontgate's EZ Bed Plus ($299), "EZ" was right on target. We just turned a dial, and the bed ingeniously assembled, all by itself, in two to three minutes. As the mattress expanded, the attached legs and frame fell spider-like into place. Plus, it deflated and collapsed just as easily into its own case. (By contrast, our other models, once deflated, tended to resist being stuffed back into their carry bags.) The only problem with EZ? It wasn't comfortable -- too hard when fully inflated; not much better when we let a little air out.

Mattress Noise

We got closer to the somnolent ideal with Camping Station's Wenzel Insta-Flex Raised Airbed ($142). Inflation was easy (if slow, at five minutes) and led to a mostly restful sleep. The bed also has a recline function, which allows you to elevate your head for reading or watching TV. But our slumber was disturbed by the noise factor: Whenever we changed sleeping positions, the mattress let out a "whoosh!" like a leaf-blower springing into action.

These insomniac moments faded into memory when we discovered the memory-foam difference. The Memory-Foam AeroBed ($299.99) from the Improvements catalog, and Intex's Raised Air Bed with Memory Foam and Back Rest ($189.95) from Coolinflatables.com, offered the highest level of comfort. The layer of padding gives the bed's surface a plush feel and more even shape -- you don't feel the air chambers. While Improvements' AeroBed seemed slightly better constructed (and inflated fast -- just one minute), the fact that it wasn't raised worked against it. We're not much for sleeping at ground level -- or scrambling up from it when we rise.

The more affordable Intex model posed no such problems -- and it still inflated relatively quickly (about three minutes). It got bonus points for having an inflatable head board. And though its remote-control inflation device didn't work -- we just used the built-in controls -- the bed seemed more than worthy of offering to beloved (and not-so-beloved) guests. It's our Best Overall and Best Value.

Quality: Best Overall and Best Value. Memory foam makes all the difference in comfort. Inflated headboard is a nice extra. But remote control for pumping device didn't work.

Shipping Cost/Time: We paid $102.62 for rush shipping in four business days; our order arrived in two.

Return Policy: Within 30 days in "original" condition. You pay 20% restocking fee and shipping. Call for authorization first.

Phone/Web Experience: Bare-bones site (just air mattresses, bubble furniture and other inflatables), but ordering went smoothly.

Comment: When we called about the remote control that didn't work, the retailer referred us to Intex, saying it was a warranty issue. Intex promised to send a replacement.

Quality: Memory foam helps make surface plush. And inflation is fast -- about one minute. But the bed is too low to the floor.

Shipping Cost/Time: It cost $38.79 for two-day shipping; ours arrived on time.

Return Policy: Full guarantee. Within 60 days for refund or replacement; you pay shipping.

Phone/Web Experience: We ordered by phone because we had a question about rush shipping; Web site, however, is thorough.

Comment: Site sells other AeroBed styles. This model available in twin and full ($199.99, $259.99).

Quality: Offered a decent night's sleep, save for the "whoosh" sound accompanying your every move. Bonus: recline feature.

Shipping Cost/Time: $81.80 for delivery within three business days; our order arrived late because of Hurricane Wilma.

Return Policy: Within 20 days, in original condition. You pay shipping. Ask for authorization first.

Phone/Web Experience: Straightforward but basic site. Geared for camping enthusiasts; categories such as hunting, binoculars.

Comment: Company says that the product is popular and that customers aren't bothered by any sounds.

Quality: Most difficult of all to assemble, and the only bed in our test to use an external pump. Not that comfortable, either.

Shipping Cost/Time: We spent $77.75 for rush delivery in two business days; our order arrived on time.

Return Policy: Full guarantee. Return for refund or exchange. You pay shipping, unless company erred.

Phone/Web Experience: Clear, organized site.

Comment: Despite our concerns, company said the product is a hit with customers.

Quality: Ingenious design means quick assembly, easy storage. But the bed was on the hard side, even after following catalog's suggestion of letting some air out.

Shipping Cost/Time: It cost $65.52 for shipping within three business days; order slightly delayed by Hurricane Wilma.

Return Policy: Within 90 days; you pay shipping. But catalog will also replace or repair if product breaks within one year.

Phone/Web Experience: Very customer-friendly site. Shipping options spelled out clearly.

Comment: The company says that the bed will be comfortable once adjusted. Available in full, twin and basic portable versions.

Email your comments to rjeditor@dowjones.com.