Comparison Intex 67998 vs Bestway 43109

The type of mattress determines its general purpose and design features. Nowadays, you can find both leisure products and mattresses originally designed for swimming — including such specific varieties as inflatable rafts(often of an unusual shape: round, in the form of animals, or even in a more original design) and water hammocks. In turn, mattress chairs are most often also suitable for swimming, but there are exceptions. Here is a more detailed description of these varieties:

— Mattress for rest. Mattresses intended for use as bedding. With the help of such a mattress, you can, for example, provide comfort in a tent during a trip to nature, or organize an extra bed on the floor with an abundance of guests in the house (although full-fledged air beds are better suited for permanent home use). Products of this type are exclusively rectangular in shape, and, in the vast majority of cases, are complemented by a flocked coating (see "Functions and options"). We emphasize that the use of such mattresses on water is definitely not recommended: most of them are not designed for such use, frequent contact with water (especially salty) and exposure to ultraviolet radiat...ion increase wear and reduce service life, and can also adversely affect the condition of the velor coating (and , respectively, on comfort when used for its main purpose). In addition, some models are equipped with built-in electric pumps (see "Complete set"), and such devices are strictly contraindicated for exposure to water.

— Bathing mattress. Traditional bathing mattresses — in other words, models for use on the water that do not belong to any of the more specific categories (chairs, rafts, hammocks — see below). The design options for such products can be very diverse, but they all have a classic rectangular shape and a large length — at least 175 cm in adult models, in children — somewhat less. Anyway, mattresses from this category are created with the expectation that you can not only swim on them, but also lie comfortably — on water or on land. This allows you to use the mattress, for example, as a beach bedding (although such products are still poorly suitable for a long stay).

— Chair-mattress. Armchairs are called air mattresses, equipped with at least a backrest for seating comfort, and often also with armrests. Most of these products are designed for use on water (there are exceptions, but extremely rarely); and the specific design may be different. So, some "armchairs" resemble ordinary flat bathing mattresses, complemented by supports for the back and arms; others have a curved work surface, like a deck chair; others are made in the form of a ring (for 1 person) or figure eight (for 2 people); etc. Anyway, the design of mattress chairs provides additional convenience for users, however, such models are somewhat more expensive than traditional swimming mattresses.

— Inflatable raft. A variation of the bathing mattresses described above that differs from traditional models in shape and/or size and is not classified as an armchair (see above) or hammocks (see below; although some models may have small backs). Most of these products have a non-rectangular shape in one of these options:

• Round. Rather large rafts, designed for an adult audience and often capable of accommodating more than 1 person.
• In the form of an animal. This category conditionally includes all rafts of non-standard design, designed for children. Many of them are really made in the form of animals — turtles, flamingos, crocodiles, dolphins, etc.; however, there are other design options — for example, in the form of a jet ski, cars or even a spaceship
• Unusual design. The rafts are predominantly for adults, having a non-standard appearance. One of the most popular motifs in such models is food: nowadays you can find rafts in the form of a berry, an ice cream cone, a pack of popcorn, etc. Other, even more original products are also produced. At the same time, in some of them, an unusual design performs not only a decorative, but also a completely practical function. Examples include models in the form of a ring or a six-pointed star with three seats facing the centre and a hole for the legs in the middle of the structure.

Rafts also include products of a rectangular or similar shape, in which the length of the space for one person is less than 175 cm. This can be either the length of the mattress itself or the size of individual seats in multi-seat models.
Anyway, inflatable rafts are not designed to be able to substantively rest lying on them — their main and, often, only purpose is swimming (hence the name).

— Water hammock. A special kind of inflatable devices for "water" purposes. According to the specifics of application, they are similar to the swimming mattresses described above — they allow you to confidently float on the water, while you can lie on such a product completely or almost completely. The key difference is that when swimming in a hammock, a person is partially submerged in water — this provides additional comfort and protection from overheating in hot weather. The specific design of such devices may be different. So, some models resemble boats and consist of an inflatable frame and a mesh bottom that can pass water; others look like a pair of rollers (under the head and under the legs), connected by a strong synthetic film; others are similar to traditional mattresses, but noticeably thinner and do not have stiffeners, which is why such a product sags noticeably in water under the weight of the human body; etc.

The number of air chambers — separate compartments filled with air — is provided in the mattress design.

The simplest option in this case is one common compartment for the entire shell; however, nowadays, you can also find multi-chamber products. Most often, this arrangement is associated more with the specifics of production than with practical utility. For example, in a mattress chair (see "Type"), it is more convenient to make the main shell and backrest in the form of two separate chambers; an inflatable raft in the form of an animal (see ibid.) may have wings or fins in separate compartments, etc. However, sometimes several chambers provide quite practical advantages. So, in traditional mattresses, a separate compartment is often provided for a headrest (see "Functions and Capabilities"); this, among other things, allows you to adjust the degree of inflation and stiffness of the headrest separately, independently of the rest of the surface of the product. And in the same inflatable rafts, in addition to the main shell, an inflatable bottom can be provided — it gives the product additional rigidity.

Also note that the presence of several air chambers provides a certain degree of additional safety when used on the water: in the event of damage, the air escapes only from the damaged compartment, and the mattress remains afloat.

Additional functions and equipment elements provided in the mattress design. These range from universal features found on all types of mattresses, such as a headrest or carrying handles, to specialized accessories such as flocking, leg openings, cup holders, or perimeter ropes. Here is a more detailed description of the different options:

— Flocked coating(velor). A special velvety coating applied to the surface of the mattress. It is a characteristic feature of models for relaxation (see "Type"): thanks to this coating, the sheet does not slip off the mattress, and if desired, you can rest on such a product without a sheet — the velvety surface is quite pleasant to the touch and comfortable even when you stay on it for a long time. But for mattresses used on the water, such an addition will definitely be redundant — especially since velor does not tolerate prolonged exposure to moisture.

— Headrest. A special device for the head of a person lying on a mattress. The specific design and purpose of the headrest may be different, depending on the type of product (see above) and some other features. So, in models for rest, it looks like a thickening in the head of the mattress and is intended mainly to complement the pillow; however, there is another optio...n — a folding non-removable pillow, which in this case is also considered to be a headrest. In swimming mattresses, the head support is often made in the form of a separate compartment and can also be used as a pillow. Among other things, by changing the degree of pumping, it is possible to adjust the rigidity of such a compartment, regardless of the main part of the product; in addition, in many models, the headrest is connected to the rest of the mattress by a flexible bridge and can deviate to a certain angle — this allows you to change the height of the “pillow” by placing various objects under it. And in some mattress chairs, the function of the headrest is actually performed by the back (although another option is more common — the back, supplemented by a clearly defined additional support for the head). Anyway, this design feature can provide additional comfort, but sometimes it can be unnecessary — for example, for those who are used to sleeping on low pillows, a headrest in a relaxation mattress can create inconvenience.

— Hole for legs. A feature found exclusively in "water" mattresses. Such a hole allows a person sitting or lying on a mattress to lower their legs into the water; this not only provides comfort in hot weather, but also allows you to control the movement of the inflatable "watercraft" to a certain extent.

— Cup holder. A special recess (or several recesses) where you can securely place a glass or a bottle / can of a drink. Such equipment is most popular in mattress chairs, and some models of inflatable rafts are also equipped with cup holders (see "Type"). But in more traditional products designed for the recumbent position of the user, this feature is practically not found — primarily because it is simply inconvenient to drink lying down.

— Carrying handles. Special handles that make it easier to carry the product in the inflated position. They are found mainly among mattress chairs and inflatable rafts (see "Type") — the rest of the types of "water" mattresses are for the most part quite convenient to carry and without handles, and recreational models are supposed to be transported deflated and inflated directly at the place of use .

— Rope around the perimeter. Relatively thin, but strong rope, fixed around the perimeter (circumference) of the product. It is found exclusively in models for water — mainly among mattress chairs and inflatable rafts (see "Type"). The rope in such cases performs several functions at once. Firstly, it allows a person in the water to securely hold on to a floating structure. Secondly, such equipment makes it possible to easily fix the product near the shore, the side of the boat, etc. Thirdly, the rope can be useful when catching a “runaway” mattress — for example, if it has been blown away from the shore by the wind.

Additional items and accessories included with the product. This may be, in particular, a pillow, a mechanical or electric pump(both varieties are also built-in ; there are also models without a pump), repair kit and bag-case. Here is a more detailed description of each option:

— Pillow. Separately made inflatable pillow (or two pillows — in double models). Such equipment is found mainly in mattresses for rest (see "Type") and is intended primarily for field conditions. Using an inflatable pillow in such conditions is more convenient than an impromptu support like a folded jacket; and when deflated, such a product takes up much less space than a traditional pillow. Also note that in some products, complete pillows are attached to the mattress and can recline, but not be removed; such attachments count as both cushions and head restraints (see "Features").

— Pump. The presence of a pump (in the delivery set or design) eliminates the need to look for it separately; and using such a device for pumping is much more convenient than inflating a mattress with the power of your own lungs — especially with large sizes and a large volume of the product. Types of complete pumps can be as follows:

• Mechanical pump. A separat...ely made pump driven by the muscular power of the user. To pump up a mattress with such a device, you will have to spend a certain amount of effort — sometimes quite a lot. On the other hand, even such a procedure is less tedious than inflation without a pump; at the same time, mechanical devices do not depend on power supplies and can be used even in complete “separation from civilization”. In addition, they are generally not afraid of moisture (although there is still no need to “bath” such a device once again).
• Mechanical built-in pump. A pump driven by the user's muscle power, built right into the mattress shell. For more on mechanical pumps in general, see above; the built-in device usually has the form of a special compartment with a set of valves hidden in the depths of the shell. Such a compartment is made of elastic materials and is compressed and unclenched during use, usually by pressing with the foot; when compressed, the air from the compartment is released into the shell, and when expanded, another portion of outside air enters the tank. The main advantage of built-in pumps is obvious: they are always at hand, you can only lose such a device together with the mattress. On the other hand, such equipment complicates the design, increases its cost and somewhat reduces reliability: a broken pump can disable the entire product, and, usually, it cannot be replaced — the entire mattress will have to be changed.
• Electric pump. Separately made pump, powered by an electric motor; as a power source, usually, an ordinary socket is used. The main advantage of this option is that no physical effort is required for pumping at all — just connect and turn on the pump; this is especially convenient when it comes to a large mattress. On the other hand, such units cost much more than mechanical ones; at the same time, without sockets, they become useless, and water ingress can disable the electric pump and even lead to electric shock. Therefore, this option is found exclusively in certain models intended for recreation (see "Type").
• Electric built-in pump. An electric type pump built directly into the mattress — usually in a shell from one of the ends. The general features of such units are described above; here we note that the built-in electric pumps of the type are also used in mattresses for rest, and they are found in them even somewhat more often than separately made ones. This is primarily due to the general ease of use: when pumping, you don’t need to mess with the connection, it’s enough to “plug the mattress into a socket” and start the process; you can lose such a pump only together with the product itself; in addition, many models provide the possibility of the pump operation not only for pumping the shell, but also for venting air from it. The main disadvantage of embedded devices compared to external ones is the relatively high cost; in addition, in the event of a breakdown, such equipment cannot be replaced separately. However, in this case, the shell usually provides a valve for an external pump, so that the mattress remains usable.
  — No pump. The absence of a pump in the delivery set (or design) is typical for two types of mattresses. The first is small-sized products that can be easily inflated without a pump; most of these products have a "water" specialization. The second variety is large mattresses (mainly for relaxation) that require pumps, but are sold without them. This configuration is convenient primarily because the pump can be selected at your discretion, without relying on the manufacturer's decision; in addition, it can be useful if a suitable device for pumping is already available on the farm and there is no need to overpay for it once again.
  
  — Repair kit. A set of accessories for minor repair of the shell. Such a kit is unlikely to cope with serious damage, but with its help it is quite possible to “heal” a small puncture or cut without having special tools and equipment at hand — even in the field. Such an opportunity is useful even for home use; and for field trips, a repair kit is highly desirable. As for the composition, almost any such kit includes patches (sometimes self-adhesive); in addition to them, the kit may include adhesives for patches, sealants for sealing seams, simple tools, etc. Note that mattress repair kits are also sold separately; however, the "native" repair kit, usually, is optimally suited for the corresponding product, while such compatibility is not guaranteed with third-party solutions.
  
  — Bag-case. A device for storing and transporting a mattress; usually comes in the form of a soft case with handles to make it easier to carry. Most often, such an accessory is found in leisure models (see "Type"). Products of this type usually have a fairly thick shell and take up a lot of space even when deflated; the case, on the other hand, provides a very compact package; for this, compression straps can even be provided in its design. Another function of bags is to protect the product from dirt and various adverse factors (primarily ultraviolet radiation). Impromptu packaging can also be used for similar purposes; however, complete accessories are usually more convenient and functional.

Dimensions of the mattress in the working (inflated) position.

Features of the choice according to these parameters depend on the type of product (see above); the length is usually the most important. So, a mattress for rest should ideally be somewhat longer than the user's height (at least 20 cm); so most of these models are made in length 180 – 200 cm, or even more. Bathing mattresses can be comfortably used even with a relatively short length — it can even be slightly less than the user's height; therefore, such models are generally shorter. In chair mattresses, this size often does not exceed 180 cm — in the expectation that a person's legs may well protrude beyond the limits of such a product; and inflatable rafts are mostly made short (although there are exceptions here and there).

In turn, the width is primarily related to the number of seats. So, a width of 80 – 100 cm or less is only suitable for single models. Among products where this size is 100 – 120 cm, there are also double solutions — however very specific, namely, mattress chairs in the shape of a figure eight. A width of 120 – 140 cm can already have double mattresses in a classic format (including models for relaxation), but they are mainly suitable...for people of a thin build. For larger users, larger sizes of 140 – 160 cm or more are recommended.

As for the thickness, this is generally an auxiliary parameter — it is extremely rarely necessary both for selection and for use. We only note that in mattress chairs (see "Type") this size often means exactly the thickness of the main surface, and not the size of the structure in height (the height is noticeably larger, since it takes into account the presence of a backrest, headrest and/or bending of the main surface. It is also worth mentioning that thick home mattresses are already classified in another category of goods — inflatable furniture (such products are called air beds).

The total weight of the mattress The lighter the product, the more convenient it is to carry; at the same time, thinner materials are often used to reduce weight than in similar models, which accordingly affects both the maximum load (see above) and overall reliability.