Most air beds disappoint in the same ways: they sag in the middle, squeak every time you move, and feel significantly flatter by 3am than they did at 10pm. If you’ve ever woken up practically on the floor at a friend’s house, you’ll know exactly what I mean. The Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed sets out to fix all of that — and after a few nights sleeping on it with my partner, I can say it largely does.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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At a Glance
Rating: 4.4/5
Best For: Guests, camping trips with power access, festivals, and emergency spare bedding
Price Range: £100
The Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed is a raised double air mattress with a built-in mains electric pump, I-beam internal support, and a flocked top surface. It inflates in around two and a half minutes (quicker than the box claims) and sits 36.5cm off the ground — high enough to feel like a proper bed rather than something you’re climbing up from the floor to reach.
Tested over multiple nights with two adults in a home setting.
Top Features of the Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed
An air bed at this price point lives or dies by a handful of things: how it inflates, how it holds up overnight, and whether it lets you actually sleep rather than fight it. These are the features that matter most with this one.
Raised Height for Easy Access
At 36.5cm inflated, this is a raised air bed rather than a low-profile camping mat. Getting in and out of it feels natural — no rolling out of something that sits three inches off the ground. That height also means it’s a more comfortable option for older guests or anyone with mobility issues.
Built-In Electric Pump with Dual Valve Option
The integrated 220–240V, 150W pump handles inflation and deflation from a single set of controls: inflate, deflate, off. What makes this genuinely useful is that there’s also a traditional valve alongside the electric one. That means you can inflate it manually if you’re somewhere without a power socket — making it a viable camping option, not just a guest bed.
Power Cord Storage Compartment
Once inflated, the 137cm power cord tucks into a small built-in compartment on the mattress. It sounds like a minor detail until you’ve tripped over a trailing cable in the dark on the way to the toilet. Someone thought about that.
I-Beam Internal Support Structure
Rather than a hollow air chamber, the inside uses an I-beam structure — a series of internal beams that distribute weight more evenly across the surface. In practice, this is what stops the mattress from dipping in the middle and keeps two people on their own sides of the bed. It makes a noticeable difference compared to cheaper designs that have you rolling into each other throughout the night.
Integrated Raised Pillow Section
There’s a built-in raised section at the head end that provides extra support without needing separate pillows. It’s not a replacement for a proper pillow, but it’s a useful detail if you’re setting this up for guests or camping without much kit.
Carry Bag Included
The mattress packs down to 42 x 17 x 32 cm and comes with a carry bag. It fits back in without a fight — which genuinely can’t be said for all air beds at this size.
Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | AE-ABD02-UK |
| Size | Double |
| Inflated Dimensions | 193 x 137 x 36.5 cm |
| Packed Dimensions | 42 x 17 x 32 cm |
| Weight | 7.14 kg |
| Inflation Time | 180 seconds (official) — fully inflated in 150 seconds in real use, faster than stated |
| Deflation Time | 180 seconds (official) — approx. 160 in real use |
| Internal Structure | I-beam |
| Built-In Electric Pump | Yes — 220–240V, 50Hz, 150W |
| Power Cord Length | 137 cm |
| Materials | Side PVC 0.4mm / Top flocked PVC 0.6mm |
| Integrated Raised Pillow | Yes |
| Maximum Weight Capacity | 275 kg |
| Carry Bag | Included |
| Colourway | Navy & White |
For context, most double air beds in this price bracket sit at around 30–35cm inflated — the 36.5cm here puts it at the taller end of the category, without quite reaching the 40cm+ you’d get from some premium options. The 275kg weight capacity is also on the higher side, comfortably accommodating two adults of average size.
My Personal Experience with the Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed
I’ll be honest — I wasn’t expecting much. An air mattress is an air mattress, right? After actually using this one, I’d say that’s definitely not the case.
First impressions out of the box were better than expected. The navy and white colourway gives it a noticeably more considered look than the all-black or bright blue beds you often see, and it comes neatly packaged in the carry bag rather than stuffed into a random bit of plastic. It doesn’t feel cheap to handle.
Inflation was done in two minutes thirty seconds — actually quicker than the figure stated on the box. The pump is loud (it’s an electric pump — they all are), but it’s over quickly. The result was a firm, fully structured bed that felt solid and stable. Deflation the next morning took about two minutes forty seconds — barely any longer, and you’re done before you’ve finished packing anything else away.
One detail I particularly appreciated: once inflated, the power cable tucks away into the little compartment on the side. It’s such a simple thing, but it meant no cable trailing across the floor during the night.
Two adults slept on it overnight, and this is where I was genuinely impressed. There was no sagging in the centre, no loss of air by morning, and no rolling into each other during the night. We each stayed on our own side — which sounds basic, but is actually the thing that cheaper air beds consistently fail at. The I-beam structure clearly does what it’s supposed to.
Noise was noticeably less than typical PVC air beds. There was some minimal sound when shifting position, but nothing like the constant squeaking and rubber-shifting that tends to plague budget options. Sleep quality was genuinely better for it.
The flocked top surface behaves well with a fitted sheet — bedding stayed in place and the surface didn’t feel slippery or plasticky. It’s not the same as sleeping on foam, but it’s comfortable enough that it doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Packing away was straightforward: switch to deflate, let it collapse fully, fold in the sides, roll it up. It went back in the carry bag without the usual battle that often comes with trying to re-pack air mattresses.
The manual valve alongside the built-in pump is worth mentioning for anyone considering this for camping — it means you’re not restricted to mains-only use. You can inflate it with a separate pump if you’re at a campsite without hookup, though you’d want a decent foot pump to get it properly firm. For camping with electrical hookup, a festival, or a trip where power is available, it works well. For true wild camping, you’d want something lighter and more packable — it’s 7.14kg and needs either mains power or a separate pump.
For guests, temporary setups, and situations where comfort actually matters, this one performs well above what I’d expect in this category.
If you’re looking for more sleep setup ideas for camping, take a look at my wild camping equipment kit list for a broader look at what’s worth packing.
Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed Pros and Cons
Pros
- Holds air overnight without sagging — both sides stayed firm with two adults
- Much quieter than budget PVC air beds — makes a real difference to sleep quality
- Fast inflation and deflation — inflated in 2:30, deflated in around 2:40, both faster than the box claims
- Dual valve means you’re not mains-only — adds genuine versatility for camping
- Fits back in the carry bag easily — not always a given at this size
Cons
- Mains pump requires access to power — built-in pump is 220–240V only, so you’ll need a separate pump for camping without hookup
- 7.14kg is not lightweight — fine for car camping or home use, but not something you’d carry any distance on foot
- Some PVC noise still present — it’s quieter than most, but not completely silent when moving around
Top Alternatives to the Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed
Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Double
The Intex Dura-Beam uses Fiber-Tech construction — thousands of polyester fibres rather than I-beams — and sits at a taller 45cm height than the Active Era. It’s widely available on Amazon UK and generally sits in a similar price bracket. The larger inflated dimensions (203 x 152 x 45cm) suit taller sleepers better, though the packed size is bigger and it can feel less firm than the I-beam design. A solid choice if height and width are the priority.
Best for: Taller sleepers or anyone who specifically wants the added height.
Active Era Comfort Double (Standard)
The entry-level version from the same brand — available in grey/navy and at a lower price point. It shares the same brand quality and general design language but has a lower profile (around 30cm) and a lower maximum weight capacity. If budget is the key factor and you’re using it as a solo bed or for lighter use, it’s worth considering before stepping up to the Comfort Plus.
Best for: Solo use or occasional guest beds where budget matters more than the raised height.
Bestway AlwayzAire Fortech Double
One of the more affordable raised double options available in the UK, with a built-in pump and Coil Beam construction. Inflation speed is slower than the Active Era at around 5 minutes, and customer reviews are more mixed on long-term air retention. It’s a step down in quality, but it’s widely stocked and priced lower. Worth considering as a first air bed if you’re not sure how often you’ll use it.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want a raised option without spending over £60.
| Active Era Comfort Plus | Intex Dura-Beam | Bestway AlwayzAire | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflated Height | 36.5 cm | ~45 cm | ~38 cm |
| Internal Structure | I-beam | Fiber-Tech | Coil Beam |
| Built-In Pump | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Valve | Yes | No | No |
| Max Weight | 275 kg | ~272 kg | ~200 kg |
| Approximate Price | £100 | £70–£110 | £50–£70 |
Final Thoughts
The Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed is one of the more thoughtfully designed options in its category — and it shows in overnight use.
It’s best suited to guest bedrooms, car camping with power access, festivals, and emergency spare bedding situations where you want something that genuinely supports two adults through the night rather than just technically doing the job. The dual valve adds real flexibility, the noise levels are significantly reduced compared to budget alternatives, and the carry bag solution is practical rather than just decorative.
It’s not a wild camping mattress — the weight and mains-only built-in pump rule that out for most people. And if you’re completely weight-conscious, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But for everything else, this delivers where most air beds don’t.
Rating: 4.4/5
If you’re putting together a camping or outdoor sleep setup, you might also find my guide to the best bivvy bags useful — and for those weighing up shelter options for camping trips, tarp vs tent covers that decision in detail.
Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed FAQ
Learn More
Like this review? Well, you’re in luck as I’ve got a bunch of other great resources for you to explore here…
- UK Camping Guide: Wild Camping, Gear & Safety Tips
- Best Tents For Wild Camping
- Best Hammocks + Best Bivvy Bags
- Best Portable Camping Fire Pits
- Best Places for Wild Camping Wales, Scotland and The Lake District
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I was kindly gifted the Active Era Comfort Plus Double Air Bed to test and review. My review is independent of the supplier and reflects my own unbiased opinions.
About the Author
Steve Cleverdon is an outdoor adventure specialist with 15+ years of hiking, camping, and paddle boarding experience. He has conquered Europe’s toughest trails including the GR20 in Corsica, walked 3,000km solo across New Zealand, and worked professionally in the outdoors industry. Steve’s gear reviews and recommendations are based on real-world testing across four continents, from coastal waters to mountain peaks. Learn more about Steve or get in touch.
