World News

We tested the best air mattresses on the market and found one that was easy to inflate, easy to store and just as comfortable as a regular bed.

Although you may not use an inflatable mattress very often, it’s a good option for those times when you do. It shouldn’t be difficult to set up. You also need it to be supportive enough for a good night’s sleep.

We set out to find and test the best air mattresses. We tested seven models, and evaluated their comfort, usability, and ease of use when it came to inflating, deflating, setting up, and storage. You’ll be amazed at how convenient and comfortable air mattresses are these days. However, even among this impressive selection, we found an exceptional choice that will make you and your guests happy.

King Koil Luxury Air Mattress

The Best Air Mattress Overall

The King Koil Luxury Air Mattress not only provides the best night’s sleep, but also features a built-in pump that allows for quick and easy inflation. It also has a raised pillow that mimics the feel of a real mattress.

$169.95
Amazon: $149.95

Amazon: $169.95 $149.95

Although many air mattresses were similar in design, dimensions, pump operation and dimensions, the King Koil Luxury Air Mattress won my heart with its overall comfort. It features a soft, velvety feathered top and a raised area for a pillow at one end. This pillow area provides just enough support for the head and neck to imitate a headboard. It makes it feel more like a bed than any other.

King Koil Luxury Air Mattress offered a comfortable level of full-body support. Although the coil-beam construction sounded a little slick, the internal, air-filled coils worked as advertised. They provided me with the perfect amount of support, and mimicked a real mattress better than any other mattresses we tried. These coils are evenly spaced from edge to edge throughout the mattress. I never felt that the sides would give way or cause me to roll out as is sometimes the case with less supportive mattresses. I did experience some deflation during my 48-hour testing, but it was not enough to be attributed to the normal stretching of the new material. I found myself lying down on the material throughout the day, not only for the two nights of sleep, but also for the comfort and support.

The King Koil Luxury Air Mattress measures 20 inches high. It is easy to climb into at night and, more importantly, it is easy to roll out of in morning. Lower-to-the-ground air mattresses were more difficult to access and more difficult to remove. This was in addition to the fact that it required more effort to move around the bed and more bending and grunting than we were ready to do first thing in morning. The King Koil was certainly not like this.

The pump was easy to use and quick, inflating the mattress fully in less than 50 seconds. Simply twist the valve that you want to use, either inflate/deflate, and press the power switch. The power cord can also be stored in a small storage cubby with a latching opening, which makes it easy to store the mattress away.

Storage is a problem for the King Koil, despite its high internal structure and luxurious height, it packs very neatly into a small storage bag that can be tucked into a closet’s back. Some competitors were difficult to fold and some were too heavy to be folded into their stuff bags.

The mattress and pump are made of high-quality materials. I didn’t feel any components or elements were fragile, loose or weak. It took only 1 minute and 50 seconds to go completely empty to full. I found it took me less than 5 minutes to fold it up and then slide it back into the storage bag.

Although the King Koil Luxury Air Mattress may not be as affordable as the competition, the overall comfort, build quality, and quick inflation make it well worth the investment.

How do you care for an air mattress?

Even the best quality air mattresses won’t last forever. However, there are ways to prolong their life expectancy. Avoid punctures by keeping pets away from the mattress. Even small dogs can have sharp nails that can puncture an air mattress. Also, avoid excessive pressure by not allowing rambunctious children to jump or walk on it. This extra pressure can cause cracks and splits in the seams. Insta-bed recommends that you avoid placing the mattress against a wall to prevent hidden carpet tacks.

After each use, you should vacuum your mattress. You should also vacuum your mattress after every use to remove any crumbs or other small particles.

It is important to remember that cold temperatures can cause vinyl to stiffen. If your air mattress is being stored in a cool place, such as a basement, attic, or other enclosed area, allow it to reach room temperature before inflating. Vinyl may not be flexible enough to expand safely. This can lead to cracks and splits in the material. The Insta-bed manual recommends warming up your bed after it is delivered to you. It could have been outside for longer than you think.

It’s not impossible to repair a bed that has been damaged. Each mattress I tested had a leak repair kit that could be applied correctly to fix the problem. Some mattresses also allow you to manually fill them if the pump fails.

You can take an inflatable mattress camping. They are a great option if you want to be comfortable and away from the ground. You should be aware of their limitations as well as the possible effects they could have on your trip.

Air mattresses are very susceptible to punctures. You should not lay them directly on the ground. Also, keep it away from any campfire embers or other heat sources that could melt vinyl. Although patching holes can be a solution, it is not something you want to do out in the wild. You can also puncture your mattress if it’s folded up. Don’t pack it with sharp objects. Air mattresses can also be quite heavy. Depending on how long you plan to carry them to your destination, this extra weight could prove costly.

Most importantly, you will need to have a reliable method to inflate your mattress. You will need a power source to inflate your air mattress. This could be a car cigarette lighter or campsite power hookup. You will need a mattress with a battery-powered pump such as the Intex Dura-Beam Standard Single-High-Air Mattress or a mattress with an automatic foot pump if you aren’t able to get electricity. These limitations may not work for you and your trip. A camping pad is a better option.

We ran each mattress through a series of real-world tests to better understand the advantages and drawbacks.

Air mattresses are often placed in areas that aren’t normally used for a bed and can be set up at the last minute so it’s important to make them easy to use. It’s not fun to have to fiddle with an air pump or search for an instruction manual, when all you want is to go to sleep. I was attentive to the ease or complexity of each mattress’s operation, from unboxing, setup, inflation, deflation and storage. I was particularly interested in any issues with the pump operation controls and the usefulness of the instructions manuals for each mattress.

To accurately evaluate each mattress’ performance on the most important measure of comfort and support, I slept on each model two nights. I noted how soft their topper felt, as well as their overall stability. I also watched out for any deflation issues over the night. Minor deflation is normal with new air mattresses, as the vinyl material stretches. However, I did my best to spot any significant deflation that could indicate potential problems down the line. I also compared the pumps of each mattress pump, assessing their ease of setup, noise differences, and how long it took to inflate the mattress fully.

After testing each mattress, deflated and rolled it (or folded it) and then stored it, along with any pumps, in the storage bag. I was impressed by how simple the whole process was. I paid attention to how quickly the pump deflated each mattress and if there were instructions that made it easier for me to fold the mattress correctly.

I was able to keep track of any issues that I noticed during the testing process regarding build quality. I was able to evaluate a mattress against another by looking for flaws in the valve openings or switches, as well as any seam or molding issues with vinyl or soft toppers.

These are just some of the metrics I compared. I also compared specific metrics such as overall weight, dimensions when folded up and warranty lengths.

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

Amazon: $169.95 $119.95

The SoundAsleep mattress was a solid choice. It provided a restful, comfortable night’s sleep and was easy to set up and inflate. Once the mattress is unfolded, plug in the power cord to the control dial and press the “inflate” button. That’s it. The velvet topper was very cozy and I could tell it had some structural support that helped it keep its shape. Although I experienced some deflation after two nights sleep, it wasn’t apparent to be related to a leak and could be attributed to normal stretching of the material. The only problem I had was with the storage of the power cord. This mattress does not have a small latch door that can keep the folded cord in place, unlike other mattresses. Instead, it has an open space that you can just cram the cord into. This model does not include instructions for folding or rolling up the mattress for storage. It was an easy process so it isn’t a problem. However, a diagram could be very useful if you forget how the mattress was folded when it was unpacked. This mattress is also only 18 inches high, compared to the King Koil’s 20 inches. That was the main reason it didn’t win my top spot.

Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress and Never Flat Pump

Amazon: $149.99 $114.99

This bed is for you if you are sensitive to changes in air mattress inflation or prefer a particular level of firmness. The “never-flat” pump will turn on automatically if the bed begins to deflate. It will pump it back up to the desired setting. The pump will maintain the desired setting at all times, with three settings available: plush, medium, or firm. You shouldn’t be concerned about the pump’s noise interrupting your sleep. I am a light sleeper, and have never been awakened during the night. The mattress was full all night. The mattress was kept next to my desk throughout the day to monitor the pump. I was pleasantly surprised by the low noise level when it turned on for a few seconds. This mattress was a favorite because of its supportive structure and velvet topper. To take full advantage of the never-flat feature, you will need to keep it plugged into at all times. This may limit where it can be placed in your room. This model, unlike the King Koil which covers the sides with a soft, black velvet, has exposed vinyl all over. This gives it a more “air mattress” feel than the King Koil. However, it is still very comfortable.

EnerPlex Air mattress with built-in pump

Amazon: $134.99

This high-quality EnerPlex mattress with its built-in pump is ideal for those who want a quick inflation time. The mattress took only 1 minute 21 seconds to fully inflate. This was the fastest mattress we tested. The pump was easy to use. Simply plug it in, turn the inflation valve to open and press the power button. The mattress scored high in comfort during my sleep test. Its coil beam construction provided excellent support throughout the night. The non-skid bottom was a nice touch, and kept it in place when I got in and out. It has a 2-year warranty that is twice as long than any other mattress I tested. This makes it a great choice for people who plan to use it often. It was not as easy to get in and out than the King Koil’s 20-inch height. This mattress is a great substitute for King Koil if it is not available.

Intex Durabeam Standard Single-High Air mattress

Amazon: $29.95 $26.95

This Intex mattress is a great choice for campers and those on a tight budget because of its small size and low price. I was surprised by how comfortable the mattress felt over the night. The inner support system provided more structure for the price than I expected. It was still more difficult to get in and out than the taller models I tested. The battery-powered pump took 4 minutes to inflate, but it was the quietest of the three we tested. Apartment dwellers should take note. The intake valve could have been a bit more snug. I had to press the adapter into the port every time the pump was in use. Intex does not include the six “C” batteries that are required to power the Dura-Beam pump. These batteries were purchased separately by me, so if you don’t have them, be aware.

Intex Durabeam Deluxe

Amazon: $85.96

The subtle “bumpers”, which are located at the edges of the mattress, made it a comfortable, secure, and safe sleeping surface. They also gave me the assurance that I wouldn’t roll out if there was overnight deflation. It was 22 inches tall, making it easy to get out of in morning. It was very comfortable to sleep on, thanks to its internal horizontal support beams. The pump was easy to use, with a simple dial that rotates from side to side. The only problem with this mattress was the slow inflation. It took 4 minutes and 10 seconds to fill the mattress, which is why it’s not recommended if you want fast inflation. It is 21 pounds heavier than the rest of my pool, but not significantly so.

Coleman GuestRest with External pump

Target: $89.99

The Coleman GuestRest mattress uses an external pump which is a departure from the rest of the market. I found it less convenient than the built in units. Although the pump can be used for other purposes, such as if you have pool toys or inflatable kayaks, it was louder than the built-in units. The adapter, which was ill-fitted, required you to keep the adapter in place during inflation. This mattress is not for you if you plan on filling your mattress at night. I appreciated that the instructions for filling the mattress with the pump and inflating it were included in the instruction manual. They are also printed on the side of your mattress, which is handy in case you lose the manual. The pump did fill the mattress quickly and took only 3 minutes and 37 seconds. It is also compact and easy to store, so it can be stored when not in use.

World News

Ukraine war: Kyiv secures a bridgehead across the key Dnipro River, reports

But military experts warn that advancing from positions across the Dnipro could be very difficult.

Ukrainian troops have set up positions on the east bank of the Dnipro River in southern Kherson region, reports say.The region is partially Russian-held and crossing the river could be significant in future offensives.The US-based Institute for the Study of War says Russian military bloggers have posted “enough geolocated footage and text reports to confirm” the advance.BBC Ukraine says its military sources have reported a “certain movement across [the] Dnipro” near Kherson city.

Ukraine’s military has not confirmed the movement, while Russia has denied the reports.But if the reports that Ukraine has secured a bridgehead on the east bank are correct, it could be significant in helping Kyiv drive Russian troops back.A Ukrainian advance in the area could, in the future, even cut the land corridor to Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.However, military experts say any Ukrainian troop movements in the bridgehead area – which is crisscrossed by floodplains, irrigation canals and other water obstacles – would be a tough task.And Ukrainian advances would be further complicated by Russia’s significant advantage in the air.

Ukraine’s military has for some time publicly spoken about preparations for a major counter-offensive, without specifying where and when it could be launched.Until now, all of the Kherson region on the east bank of the Dnipro has been under Russian control, with the wide river serving as a natural barrier.The regional capital – sitting on the west bank – was liberated by Ukrainian forces last November.Celebrations as Ukraine takes back key city KhersonPutin visits occupied Kherson region in UkraineIn Sunday’s report, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said “geolocated footage published on 23 April indicates that Ukrainian forces are operating in areas north-west of Oleshky on the east” bank of Dnipro.

The ISW added there was not enough information to analyse the scale of the reported Ukrainian advance – or the further intentions of the Ukrainian military.On Monday, Russia’s WarGonzo military blogger reported that Ukrainian troops were “trying to gain a foothold on Bolshoi Potemkin [Velykyi Potyomkin – Ukrainian] island”, which is located between the new and old channels of the Dnipro.

World News

India’s population will surpass China this week, according to UN

Last week, a different UN body said the milestone would be passed later in 2023.

India is expected to overtake China as the world’s most populous nation by the end this week. A different UN body predicted last week that India would surpass China by the middle this year. The Asian nations have accounted more than a quarter of the global population since over 70 years. The UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs said in a press release that “China will soon relinquish its long-held position as the world’s largest country”.

The UN Population Fund said last week that India would have 2.9 million more people than China by the middle of 2023. China’s birthrate has dropped recently, and its population shrank last year for first time since 1961. India’s population will continue to grow for several decades, it said. However, fertility rates in India are also dropping – from 5.7 babies per woman in 1950, to 2.2 today. In November, the world population reached 8 billion. Experts say that the growth rate is slower than it used to be, and is now at its lowest level since 1950.

World News

Scientists are concerned about recent rapid ocean warming.

There’s growing concern that the oceans are heating up quickly – and scientists are unsure of the implications.

It has never warmed up this much, so quickly. Scientists don’t fully understand why. But they worry that, combined with other weather events, the world’s temperature could reach a worrying new level by the end of next year. Scientists do not fully understand why it has happened. But they are concerned that combined with other weather conditions, the temperature of the planet could reach a new alarming level by the end next year. They are less efficient in absorbing planet-warming gases.

In the last 15 years, Earth’s heat has increased by 50 percent, with the majority of that extra heat going into the oceans. This has real world implications – not only was the temperature of the oceans a record in April, but in some areas the difference over the long term is enormous. Image source: Getty ImagesIn march, sea surface temperatures along the east coast of North America reached 13.8C above the 1981-2011 average. Karina Von Schuckmann, lead author of the study and oceanographer with the research group Mercator Ocean International, said: “It is not yet clear why such a rapid and huge change is occurring.”

“We have doubled heat in the climate system over the last 15 years. I don’t think this is climate variability, but it could be. We do see the change. “An interesting factor that could influence the level of heat entering the oceans is a reduction in shipping pollution. In 2020, the International Maritime Organisation implemented a regulation to lower the sulphur in fuel burned by ships. This has had an immediate impact on reducing the amount aerosol particles released in the atmosphere. Aerosols that pollute the air also reflect heat back into the space, so removing them could have caused more heat to reach the oceans.

The average surface temperature of the oceans has risen by 0.9C since pre-industrial times, with 0.6C of that increase occurring in the last 40. This is less than the rise in air temperatures on land which have increased by 1.5C. Oceans absorb heat much deeper than land and require more energy to heat. This has real-world implications. It is especially damaging to coral reefs. Extreme weather will increase as heat from the upper ocean surface increases hurricanes and cyclones. This means they become more intense and longer-lasting.Sea-level rise: warmer waters take up more space – known as thermal expansion – and can greatly accelerate the melting of glaciers from Greenland and Antarctica that flow into the oceans.

This increases global sea levels and increases the risk of coastal flooding. Warmer water has a lower ability to absorb CO2. The oceans will absorb less CO2 if they continue to warm. This will lead to more CO2 accumulating in the atmosphere, further warming the air. “The Australian Bureau model strongly suggests a strong El Nino.” Hugh McDowell, from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, said that the trend has been in that direction and that all climate models have been trending towards a stronger event. Mr McDowell warned that predictions are less reliable at this time of the year.

Other researchers are more optimistic. Experts believe that a fully-formed event will follow. “If we have a new El Nino on top of that, it will probably cause an additional global warming of 0.2-0.25C,” Dr Josef Ludescher from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research said. “The impact of El Nino is reduced a few months following the peak. This is why 2024 is likely to be the warmest year on record. “Image source, Anadolu Agency.” And we may, we’ll be close to 1.5C and perhaps we’ll temporarily go over. El Nino is likely to disrupt weather patterns in Australia and around the world. It will also weaken the monsoon. There are also more fundamental concerns that as heat is absorbed by the oceans, they may be less able store excess energy.

One scientist described being “extremely stressed and worried”. Karina von Schuckmann says that some research has shown the world warming in jumps. Little changes over years are followed by sudden leaps upwards. After El Nino subsides, temperatures may drop again. She told BBC News that “we still have a window of opportunity to act and we should take advantage of this to reduce the effects.” Graphics by Erwan RIVALL.

World News

Wagner in Sudan: what have Russian mercenaries done?

The Wagner group denies involvement in the current conflict, but there’s evidence it has previously been active in Sudan.

Russian Wagner mercenary forces are accused of having commercial and military ties with Sudan. However, the group denies involvement in the current conflict. Yevgeny Praighozin, who has close ties to President Vladimir Putin, has stated that “not one Wagner PMC [private company] fighter has ever been present in Sudan”. We have found no evidence of Russian mercenaries currently inside the country. There is evidence of Wagner’s previous activities in Sudan. Mr Prighozin’s operations in the nation have been targeted by US and EU sanctions. Gold-mining DealsIn 2017, Sudan’s former President Omar al-Bashir, during a trip to Moscow, signed a number of deals.

These included an agreement to establish a Russian naval base at Port Sudan along the Red Sea as well as “concessions on gold mining” between Russian company M Invest, and the Sudanese Ministry of Minerals. The According to a CNN investigation, gold was transported overland into Central African Republic where Wagner operates – exports that were not recorded in Sudanese trade data.

The BBC has not independently confirmed these images. In 2021, a Wagner linked Telegram channel published photos of an unnamed top Wagner leader awarding Sudanese soldier memorabilia during a ceremony that took place two years earlier. TelegramAnd, in July 2022 this channel distributed a clip allegedly showing Wagner’s mercenaries performing par The same source linked the Instagram profile of a Russian mercenary who called himself a “freelancer”. He shared stories of his exploits on Sudan in posts dating from August and Oct 2021. How influential is Wagner? The US Treasury claims that the Wagner Group has been involved in “paramilitary activities, support for maintaining authoritarian regimes and exploitation natural resources”. The relationship between the Royal United Services Institute and the UK-based Royal United Services Institute has grown since then.

“In 2018, they had around 100 men actively training Sudanese forces,” says Dr Joana De Deus Pereira from the UK. Sudanese media reported that the number grew to 500 and that they were mainly based in the south-west, near Um Dafuq and close to Sudan’s borders with the Central African Republic. According to Dr Samuel Ramani who wrote a book on Russia’s activities throughout Africa, the Wagner Group created its own media campaigns in order to keep President Bashir in power. Image source: AFP. This caused friction with the president’s security forces and Wagner switched its support to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who overthrew him.

Dr Ramani says that while the Foreign Ministry in Moscow opposed the coup, Prigozhin, and the Wagner Group, welcomed al-Burhan’s takeover. According to Dr Ramani it was between 2021 and 2022 when the Wagner Group increased their connections with the Rapid Support Forces, which is currently fighting Sudan’s regular army led by Gen Burhan. Mr Pri “Wagner had links with both General al-Burhan and Mr Hemedti in different degrees and ways,” she says. Wagner’s presence in AfricaWagner fighters are widely reported to be in the Central African Republic for several years, guarding diamond mines in the country, as well in Libya and Mali.

World News

Sudan fighting: Foreign nationals and diplomats evacuated

Several countries are helping their citizens leave the capital, Khartoum, following a week of fighting.

Several other countries have also started organising evacuations, starting on Sunday. France, Germany Italy and Spain have also started organising evacuations. A vicious power struggle has caused violence throughout the country. The UK government was able to airlift British diplomatic staff and their families out in a “complex” and “rapid” operation. Foreign Minister James Cleverly stated that options to evacuate remaining British nationals were “severely restricted”.

The German army reported that the first of three flights had left Sudan bound for Jordan with 101 people aboard. Italy and Spain evacuated citizens – the Spanish mission included citizens of Argentina, Colombia, Ireland Portugal, Poland Mexico, Venezuela, and Sudan. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his government had evacuated diplomatic staff. More than 150 people were evacuated to the Saudi Arabian port Jeddah by sea, including citizens from Egypt, Pakistan, and Gulf countries. Many foreign students from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East have also been trapped in Khartoum. They have made desperate calls for assistance.

The US announced on Sunday that a disaster response team will be sent to the region to “coordinate humanitarian response to those in need, both within and outside Sudan.” “Samantha Power, from the US Agency for International Development(USAID), said that the team would initially work out of Kenya and give priority to getting “life-saving humanitarian assistance to those in need.” The World Health Organization reports that the fighting has injured thousands and killed more than 400.

The death toll may be higher than 400, because people are unable to access healthcare due to the closure of most hospitals in the city. The fighting has also affected the western region of Darfur where the RSF was first formed. The UN has warned that 20,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled Sudan in search of safety in Chad across the border.