If you have ever found yourself car camping or find that sleeping bags are hard on your back, you are on the same boat with people at home who suddenly find themselves with overnight guests in need of a sleeping solution. Full-sized mattresses would be ideal, but impractical in such situations. Enter the foldable mattress.
Imagine this:
You are in one of a similar situation to the above. You think that you have yourself covered because you have an air-bed tucked somewhere. You take it out, pump it up, and find leaks. This is not an ideal situation to be in. In this case, your only other solution is to prepare for the next time because either you or your guest will have to sleep in less than perfect conditions for the night.
Do not wait for such a situation to arise, though. It is best to be prepared and to be prepared well. It is a good thing to read up on what a folding mattress has to offer, as this is already a step in the right direction.
The niche
Like we have mentioned, the typical bedroom in an average house would have a full-sized mattress as a centerpiece. For camping in the outdoors, tents and sleeping bags are standard. However, the increasing popularity of alternative living arrangements has given rise to the need for sleeping solutions in minimalist one-room apartments, RVs, car campers, overlanders, and others.
On one end, full-sized mattresses are just too bulky for small spaces or mobile arrangements. Moreover, their cost could just be as prohibitive to serve as an option for the occasional house guest. On the other end, air-beds, which could be flattened out and rolled up, used to be a popular option. However, their vulnerability to punctures and leaks have since allowed innovations like the still bulky folding bed mattress to enter the market.
Such innovations have paved the way for newer technology like the foldable memory foam mattress to become the more popular option. Although not as packable as a sleeping bag, a foldable foam mattress doesn’t have the design weakness that an air mattress has either. Instead, tri-folding foam mattress designs have made storage more manageable while providing the relative cushioning of full-sized mattresses without the bulk which is lacking in sleeping bags.
The works
A fold up mattress is similar to modern full-sized mattresses in that it has a covering and a foam layer. Unlike a bed mattress, however, it doesn’t have the hundreds of support springs that account for the bulky weight and size. Manufacturers split the foam and stitch-up the covers to allow it to fold easier. Soon enough, tri-folding mat designs became the norm.
To compensate for the loss of coil springs, tri-fold mats have made use of a combination of a memory foam layer and a polyurethane support layer. Older designs used only a polyfoam layer, but users complained that it sagged under their weight. The newer dual-layered design allows sleepers of average weight to sleep without feeling the cold, hard floor on their backs.
Potential buyers are advised that since memory foams generally sleep hot, it would be best to choose a folding memory foam mattress with a breathable, or naturally cool sleeping cover material such as fabrics made of bamboo, eucalyptus, cotton, or linen. A desirable feature will be if the cover material is removable and machine-washable. Even newer designs incorporate a non-slip bottom that helps keep the tri-fold foam beds from sliding all over the floor when used.
For added convenience, try to look for a product with built-in carry handles, or those which come with a soft case for ease of storage.
Some quick Frequently Asked Questions
There is a trade-off between a physical store and an online store. Physical stores allow you to personally see, handle, and test a trifold mattress prior to purchasing. However, you would have to leave the relative safety and comfort of your home. In the context of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, a safer and more convenient way would be to buy on the internet. Make sure to check return policies if in case you aren't satisfied with your first choice and need to test another manufacturer's product.
Although covers come standard in most trifold mattress products, many buyers prefer to use another fabric layer as a covering. But why make one when many manufacturers already sell their own? Moreover, OEM foldable mattress covers tend to fit their tri-fold mattress better, too.
Don’t be confused by its many names. A foldable mattress is also known as a folding mattress, folding bed mattress, or fold up mattress. A product that uses memory foam is sold as folding memory foam mattress, or a foldable memory foam mattress. A product that uses only a polyurethane foam layer is generally categorized as a foldable foam mattress, or a tri-fold foam bed if it has three sections.
Once bought, you only need to remove the packaging and unfold. If it comes with a non-slip side, put that side on the floor. Alternately, for folding memory foam mattresses, feel both sides to find out which one is firmer. Sleep on the memory foam side, which is the firmer side compared to the polyfoam layer.
You may opt to put on an added layer of sheets or sleep on it right away. For any dirt, those can be spot cleaned. Still, if the folding bed mattress cover is removable and machine washable, you may do so according to manufacturer instructions.
For storage, you can easily fold back the sections on each other and place it inside the soft cover if it comes with one. Others have a zipper mechanism or velcro strap to keep the sections together.
Ten Best Folding Mattresses
American Furniture Alliance Hide A’ Mat
This junior twin trifold mattress (3.5 inches x 30 inches x 75 inches) weighs only 8 pounds. For added portability, it folds easily into a 10.5 inches x 30 inches x 25 inches package, locks with a velcro strip, comes with a carry strap and soft case. The cover protects against dust, pet fur, and dirt. It is easily spot cleaned with a damp cloth, while the sides and bottom are made of non-slip material. The sleeping surface is a soft polyfoam, while the bottom is a breathable fiber filling.
A thousand customers have rated it an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Cozzzi Trifold Foam Folding Mattress
This 4 inches x 31 inches x 78 inches trifold foam mattress weighs only 12.2 pounds. It is made of high-density foam, with a zippered cover that is removable and machine washable. Folded up, it becomes a 12 inches x 31 inches x 26 inches package, which is easily stowed underneath a bed or inside a closet.
It has since earned an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 450 customers.
Milliard Tri-Fold Pack N’ Play Mattress Topper
This 1.5 inches x 38 inches x 26 inches tri-folding mattress is for the babies and toddlers. Weighing in at only 4.5 pounds, it is light enough for parents to pack and lug around. It meets CertiPUR-US standards for worry-free use with your children. A waterproof and washable polyester cover keeps the high-density foam layer from getting soiled. At the same time, a bonus carry bag allows for easy storage and portability.
Customers have given it an average of 4.6 stars out of 5 in over 1,700 reviews.
Milliard Tri Folding Memory Foam Mattress
Also a Milliard product, this 6 inches x 38 inches x 78 inches twin xl-sized tri-folding memory foam mattress weighs 28 pounds. Itself also CertiPUR-US certified, very minimal, if any off-gassing is expected from the dual-layer 1.5-inch memory foam on top of a 4.5-inch support foam. The bamboo fabric cover with an anti-slip bottom is removable for ease of cleaning. Once folded, it becomes a more manageable 18 inches x 38 inches x 26 inches.
Earning an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 1600 customers is a testament to its quality.
LUCID 4 inch Folding Sofa and Play Mat
This 4 inches x 53 inches x 75 inches full-sized folding sofa and play mat weighs in at a still manageable 19 pounds. Once folded, it measures 12 inches x 26.5 inches x 53 inches for easy storage. A carry handle is included for portability, while a removable and washable cover is convenient for clean-ups. The first of three sections further folds in half, with this section serving as a backrest when in sofa configuration.
With over 1,400 customer reviews with an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
LUCID 3 inch Folding Gel Memory Foam Mattress
Another LUCID product, this time a 3 inches x 38 inches x 75 inches twin-sized trifolding mattress which weighs only 2 pounds, is unbelievably light. Folded up, it becomes a 9 inches x 25 inches x 38 inches package with double-stitched carry handles for portability. A washable fabric covers a dual-layer of 1-inch thick gel-infused memory foam and a 2-inch thick support foam. The gel infusion allows the usually warm sleeping memory foam to regulate temperature much better.
With a three year warranty, more than 200 customers have given it an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Olee Sleep Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress Topper
This 4 inches x 38 inches x 78 inches twin-sized tri-folding memory foam mattress weighs 17.75 pounds. The product is CertiPUR-US certified, and has a removable and washable cover which is stain resistant for ease of maintenance.
More than 60 buyers have given it an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
Inofia Memory Foam Tri-fold Mattress
This 6 inches x 38 inches x 78 inches twin-sized tri-folding memory mattress weighs in at 28 pounds, and is among the thickest from our selection. The outer cover consists of a bamboo-based fabric top for temperature regulation, mesh sides for breathability, and a non-slip bottom. The foam is a dual layer of 1.5-inch memory foam on top of a 4.5-inch support foam.
With a 100-nights trial and 10-year warranty period, more than 420 customers have given it an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Best Price Mattress 4 inch Trifold Mattress
This 4 inches x 33 inches x 75 inches small-sized trifold mattress weighs 11 pounds. It has a poly-Jacquard cover with a non-slip base which should only be spot-cleaned and not machine washed. The dual-layer of 1.5-inch memory foam and 2.5-inch high-density foam base is CertiPUR-US certified, and folds into a 12 inches x 33 inches x 25 package.
Nearly 900 customers have given it an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Magshion Futon Furniture Sleeper Chair Folding Foam Bed
This 5 inches x 46 inches x 74 inches full-sized folding foam bed converts to a couch and weighs 16 pounds. Its cover is polyester and should only be spot cleaned. The cushioning is provided by a single layer polyfoam. Converted to a couch, it measures 10 inches x 46 inches x 42 inches and has a broad selection of colors to choose from.
More than 250 customers have given it an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Conclusion
This 5 inches x 46 inches x 74 inches full-sized folding foam bed converts to a couch and weighs 16 pounds. Its cover is polyester and should only be spot cleaned. The cushioning is provided by a single layer polyfoam. Converted to a couch, it measures 10 inches x 46 inches x 42 inches and has a broad selection of colors to choose from.
More than 250 customers have given it an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
