Why Am I So Cold Sleeping On An Air Mattress? (5 Reasons)

(Last Updated On: February 19, 2023)

If you’re one of the many people who ponder the question ‘why am I so cold sleeping on an air mattress?’, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves shivering at night while sleeping on an air mattress.

Air mattresses are notorious for being drafty and leaving people feeling cold. While there are a few things you can do to help make your air mattress more comfortable and keep you warmer, unfortunately, there is no perfect solution.

ALSO READ: How To Stay Warm On an Air Mattress? (9 Ways)

Why Am I So Cold Sleeping On An Air Mattress? 

There are a few reasons why someone would feel cold sleeping on an air mattress. In this article, we will briefly touch upon some of the leading causes of feeling cold on an air mattress.

Insulation

The first reason is that the air mattress is not insulated.

This means that the cold floor will pass the coldness (lack of heat) to the mattress.

And since there is no insulation, the upper side of the mattress where you lie will also feel cold. 

Air mattresses are often less insulated than traditional mattresses because they are not made from dense materials like foam or memory foam.

This can cause people to feel colder at night, especially if they are used to sleeping on a traditional mattress.

At the same time, the heat being produced by your body is not enough to make the air mattress warm.

When you sleep, your body produces heat, and this heat is absorbed by the mattress.

If a person sleeps on an air mattress, this heat will escape more quickly than if they were sleeping on a traditional mattress.

Many people think that the air inside the mattress is what keeps them warm, but it’s actually your body heat that does most of the work.

ALSO READ: How to Insulate an Air Mattress? (And How Not to)

Thickness

The second reason is that the air mattress is not as thick as a regular mattress.

This means that there is less material to trap in heat, making the person sleeping on it feel colder. 

Since the air mattresses are not thick, they do a bad job of retaining body heat.

So, on top of air mattresses not having enough insulation, they are also not thick enough.

This kind of makes it 2x harder for someone to stay warm on an air mattress. 

Air Circulation

The third reason why someone would feel cold sleeping on an air mattress is that the air inside the mattress is not circulated.

This means that the cold air will stay inside the mattress and make the person sleeping on it feel cold. 

The only heat source for the air inside the mattress to warm it up is your body heat.

But while the body heat tries to warm the air inside of the mattress, the rate at which your body heat will warm up the air will nearly not be enough compared to the rate at which it will be cooling down because of the surrounding cold environment. 

So, the air inside of the mattress will remain cold.

And you can imagine that sleeping on an air mattress filled with cold air is only going to make you feel cold. 

Material Of The Air Mattress Does Not Retain Heat

The fourth reason why someone would feel cold sleeping on an air mattress is that the air mattress is not made of materials that are good at retaining heat.

This means that the cold air will escape from the mattress and make the person sleeping on it feel cold.

Unlike traditional mattresses, air mattresses have little foam, if any. It is mostly made up of rubber and PVC which is a form of plastic. It is not good at retaining heat. 

Keeping Warm On An Air Mattress

There are a few things you can do to stay warm on an air mattress. 

First, make sure the mattress is inflated properly. If it’s not, your body will be closer to the cold floor. 

Second, use a sleeping bag designed for camping. These usually have an insulated bottom that will help keep the cold out. 

Third, consider using a heated blanket or pad. These can be placed underneath you or on top of the sleeping bag. 

Finally, if you have access to electricity, you can use a space heater to keep the area around the bed warm.

Conclusion

In conclusion, air mattresses are a great option for camping and other outdoor activities, but they may not be the best choice for a primary sleeping surface if you are concerned about the cold.

If you’re looking for a comfortable and warm sleeping experience, an air mattress may work for you if you use it in conjunction with other ways to stay warm.

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