The following air beds are PVC-free (polyvinyl chloride-free) and are made of safer plastics that have less odor, less off-gassing, and are better tolerated by the chemically sensitive.
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a PVC-free plastic. Higher grades do not contain plasticizers like phthalates, though it is likely that the Prop 65 warnings are for phthalates here.
It’s abrasion-resistant, light, durable, and less prone to stretching or ballooning than PVC.
Chemically sensitive folks may need to off-gas TPU outside for a number of days, depending on individual sensitivities. Just don’t leave it in the sun for too long as it can degrade.
It’s certainly preferred to PVC (polyvinyl chloride) for sensitive folks (PVC air beds also contain plasticizers like phthalates).
Polyester is laminated onto TPU air beds to give a soft but non-slippery texture to the bed.
Polyester is extremely low in off-gassing and may need to be aired out before use only by extremely sensitive folks.
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1. BeyondHOME Odorless TPU Air Mattress
The BeyondHOME Air Mattress is made of a TPU plastic core and a polyester fabric top layer.
It is PVC-Free and they say it is odorless.
- Proposition 65 warning – Yes
- Features: Vertical coil column structure inside. This mattress is simple to inflate and deflate with a built-in pump.
- Size: Queen
- Thickness: 15, 18 or 22 inches
Reviews: Reviews say it is odorless, firm, and holds air well. Durable material won’t be easily punctured.
The downside is that if the built-in pump stops working you can no longer use it (though the company will replace it if it’s within their warranty time).
2. Lightspeed Outdoors Deluxe 2-Person TPU Air Bed
My first camping air bed since becoming chemically sensitive was the Lightspeed air mattress made of polyester Oxford fabric laminated with TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).
It’s PVC-free and phthalate-free.
Many other chemically sensitive folks have recommended it.
In my opinion, when I was still highly sensitive, it off-gassed quickly (with 2 days in the sun. Though don’t leave it in the sun for too long as it can degrade).
It’s good quality but not the most comfortable air bed for my back.
It’s no longer officially made and sold by Lightspeed but it’s still available through many other sellers.
- Proposition 65 warning – Yes, but they wouldn’t say what for because it’s discontinued.
- Features: Independent connectors between the top and bottom layers help evenly distribute weight. Included a battery-operated pump and built-in Boston valve.
- Size: 79 x 55 inches (close to a Full sized mattress, smaller than a queen)
- Thickness: 7 inches.
Reviews: Lasts a long time before it gives out – many reviewers have used it for years, not smelly, holds air well.
Downside is that this is more of a camping-style airbed and is not as comfortable as some other options.
Alternative: I ended up buying the Therma-Rest Mondo King XXL camping mat which I personally found to be much more comfortable than this air mattress. The Mondo King does have some polyurethane foam in it. It also is air-filled. The outer material is polyester and when I was highly sensitive I had to air it out for a couple of weeks before use.
3. The Alps Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed
The Alps Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed is very similar in style and materials to the Lightspeed option above.
It’s made from TPU coated in polyester fabric and is a camping-style air mattress.
It’s PVC-free.
- Proposition 65 warning – Yes
- Features: Built-in coil system distributes weight. Included battery-operated pump.
- Size: Twin or Queen
- Thickness: 6 inches.
Reviews: Holds air well for long periods of time, is comfortable, doesn’t smell.
Downsides: One person said it was not comfortable.
Similar: The Kelty Kush Queen Air Bed is similar to the above two in materials and style. And it’s the same size as the Alps.
Alternatives?
My article on mattresses for the chemically sensitive goes through all the non-toxic alternatives to air beds (and to conventional mattresses), from camping cots, to hammocks, to eco-friendly foam slabs and more.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
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Glendon Pregler
I Have MCS Worse Than Severely Bad & Chemicals are In Nearly EVERY-Thing!!! Encounters leading To Break downs of Physical, mental, & Emotional!! Past long term Home less & poverty for 30 Plus Years limits my testing Procedures availability! I Just Tried Sleeping on Pole barn clean steel siding which was inert chemically but Already back problems didnt work out. govt Rehab Job poisoning that cant be sued for. I Just Tried card-board last night = not good! I now Know why past sufferers choose self termination as the only cure! Which places have money back guarantees (for other poverty people) is Requested..
sadly With MCS We are damned if We Dont & Damned If We Do (Test End-lessly)
Troy
It’s worth mentioning alternatives to air mattresses, such as cots or tri-fold memory foam mattresses!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
yes! thank you, added a link to where I list out all the alternatives for sensitive people
Kim
memory foam is “non toxic”?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
memory foam would not be a recommendation by me for chemically sensitive folks no. though of course some can use it.
Sheri
I am very sensitive having multiple. Chemical sensitivity illness for Thirty years
Where can I find a safe non outgassing vinyl pvc free no outgassing mattress encasement for my mattress ?
It seems since natural latex bothers me and wool I can not find a bed
I tried a new saatva mattress they said they use thistle as their flame retardant
The entire new mattress was outgassing so strong it made all of us sick overnite we removed it out of the house
we had fans running and windows open for ten days trying to outgas it
Would I be best to buy a mattress and Just enclose it totally in a toxic free
Plastic enclosed plastic or pvc free vinyl?
Where can I buy one for chemical sensitive people
And which mattress in a firm or extra firm queen do you recommend under $1,800 dollars?
I need to find a way to sleep soon
Having multiple chemical sensitivity illness .
One last question
Will a new mattress deteriorate if enclosed in heavy vinyl for years sealed up and be then begin to break down and outgas into the bedroom?
Thanks sheri
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
see the articles on affordable non-toxic mattresses and on sequestering VOCs
Sheri
Please post that link again for me on here
Thank you
Sheri
David Bassendine
Hello – thanks so much!
The listing on Lowes for the Intex DuraBeam Comfort Plush, which appears to be the same as that on Amazon, does list PVC as the material in the specifications section.
See https://www.lowes.com/pd/Intex-Intex-18-inch-Inflatable-Elevated-Premium-Comfort-Airbed-with-Built-In-Pump-King/5013525725
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
thank you, yes i finally got a hold of the company and they did say it’s PVC
Vincenzo
hello, i have some questions about some things written here and there and that i might not understand maybe cause english Is not my main language…
– at a certain point, talking about a mattress, you write that yes, It has a prop 65 “but they wouldn’t say what for”… What does It mean? Are there many different prop 65 warnings for different stuff doing different things? Would you please make an example?
– in another point of the article, talking about another mattress, you write that “does have some polyurethane foam in it”… Is there any reason to fear polyurethane in your or anyone else’s experience? i have mold and chemical sensitivities…
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
polyurethane off-gasses a little bit.
Prop 65 warning is a warning for thousands of chemicals, it is now a law that they have to say at least one of the chemicals that they are warning about but many are still not doing this. When we know what chemical they are warning about it makes it easier to make an assessment on if it’s a real risk. For most people with chemical sensitivities, they do not pay too much attention to the prop 65 warning because they are not always relevant,
Vincenzo
So, if I understand correctly:
1. the absence of a prop 65 warning on a product could mean either the absence of toxic materials or that the company is failing to declare their presence, right?
2. So the presence of a prop 65 warning is not a good sign as it clearly indicates that the product contains something toxic?
3. back to polyurethane, I don’t understand if the problem is polyurethane foam or all types of polyurethane in general… I’m confused as the article indicates TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) as a material to be preferred in case of multiple chemical sensitivity…
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
not necessarily a bad sign since companies are often slapping the warning on all of their product with no assessment of the real risk. Polyurethane foam has offgassing. TPU plastic is better, just a slight odor at first, like all plastics.
Vincenzo
ok, thank you very much…
i forgot to ask what do you mean by “higher grades” when you write “TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a PVC-free plastic. Higher grades do not contain plasticizers like phthalates, though it is possible that the Prop 65 warnings are for phthalates here.”?
Plus, what do you think about ntural latex?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I don’t know that the precise definition is for higher grades, that is just what the literature says. I think potentially a Prop warning could be for phthalates. natural latex I talk about in the article on mattresses.
Wendy
Looking at the Intex Dura-beam comfort series on Amazon and the materials listed for every one i can find, all sizes, are all vynil w “fiber-tech” (polyester fibers, assuming encapsulated by vynil).
Do you know if they changed it or it was always vynil w polyester fibers?
Thank you!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I don’t see vinyl or PVC on any of their listings, where did you see it say vinyl?
Mark Gordon
Here is the ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed (as opposed to Velocity). It comes in twin size:
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
thank you
Mark Gordon
Hi Corinne,
It appears the title of item 4 is “Velocity,” but then the link provided is for the Vertex mattress, making it unclear whether the copy you’ve written applies to the Velocity or the Vertex. Hope I don’t seem like your editor, or anything, and have gotten so incredibly much off of this site. Thanks!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
copy is for Vertex, it’s almost the same air bed as the velocity, I reviewed the materials, changed the size options, looked at reviews, and checked for the prop warning which is still have
Sarah
This topic along with the massive amount of research and data base you so generously share is really valued. Not sure where to say THANK YOU! so putting it here. It’s amazing to see how your site has expanded!!!! What an extraordinary resource. I cannot even imagine the amount of time you invest to continually update information, add new topics, respond to people’s questions, and so on. What a gift!!!
Corinne Segura
thank you