The 10 Best Inflatable Sofas
Special Honors
Blofield Those looking for an inflatable sofa that combines the look, comfort, and quality of a traditional sofa, will do well to consider Blofield's Blo range. They are inspired by the authentic Chesterfield, and made from robust UV-proof PVC with additional bottom vinyl protection, which makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. blofield.com
Editor's Notes
October 27, 2020:
In this most recent update, we removed several of the lounger styled options, and included more choices that would truly be considered a sofa. We did, however, leave the Chillbo Shwaggins and the Wekapo Air Hammock on the list due to their versatile nature and ease of inflation. Some of the new items, such as the PH Artistic 5-in-1 and the QDH SUV Double Sided can also be converted into a sofa bed. The latter has a unique design that allows different segments to be inflated separately, which makes it practical for use in the back of a car or SUV. The Intex Corner Sofa, unfortunately, isn't available as a set with two seats anymore, but this has brought the price down, and it is still a solid choice for those looking for an indoor option to match their furnishings and decor. The Milliard Air Sofa, the KingCamp Folding, and the Bestway Fortech are all suitable for indoor and outdoor use, with the latter two featuring soft outer shells for comfort and added durability. Finally, the Swim Central Lounge Raft is a dedicated outdoor model that is large enough to seat two people comfortably and has been designed for use in a pool.
May 21, 2019:
While inflatable sofas may never match traditional models for comfort, we found the best of the bunch for enjoyable relaxation. They also offer a number of benefits over regular couches. They are more affordable, convenient for people who move often, and can be used outdoors. Our top pick, the Intex Khaki Accent, is a full set that includes an extra-long couch that can easily accommodate five or six people for cocktail hour or movie night, as well as two seats in case you need to entertain even more friends. Meanwhile, both the iRegro Air Lounger and the Hybag Lounger have headrests, providing your neck and back plenty of support while you peruse magazines, or simply people watch at the lake or beach. A few other features can really enhance the full-relaxation experience, like the cupholders in the chairs that come with the Intex 68566E and the Intex Khaki Accent, or the pockets on the Wekapo Air Hammock, iRegro Air Lounger, and Chillbo Shwaggins 2.0, for keeping essentials like sunscreen and snacks nearby.
Smart Uses For An Inflatable Sofa
For those who like to be outdoors but don't venture far from home, inflatable sofas make great outdoor furniture for those times you throw an impromptu backyard BBQ.
There are many instances when an inflatable sofa is superior to a standard, stationary one. Parents who are setting up a kid's playroom or nursery should never even consider purchasing a traditional sofa over an inflatable model. Children love to draw on everything, including the furniture. You want to give your children a place to sit and relax in their room, but you don't want them destroying an expensive couch. Fortunately, inflatable sofas tend to be very easy to clean. You can remove stains with simple soap and water from many, so it's okay if your little one decides to use the sofa as a canvas for his sunset drawing.
Inflatable sofas are wonderful additions to outdoor movie nights, too. You don't want to drag your regular sofa outdoors every time you want to seat friends for movie night. Not only is this a pain to do, it's also bad for your regular sofa. You also don't want to relegate you and your guests to hard plastic chairs. With an inflatable couch, a quality outdoor projector and a popcorn maker, you'll have a real theater experience and you won't have to do any heavy lifting. If a little dirt or grime from your backyard gets on the sofa, it's okay because, as stated before, these are very easy to clean.
Avid campers will find that inflatable sofas change their outdoor adventure experience entirely. Rather than packing clunky foldable chairs, simply deflate your sofa and put it in your backpack. Many can pack down to about the size of a folded sheet and are lightweight, so they won't weigh down your already stuffed backpack. Inflatable sofas can double as beds, too. Many are much more comfortable to sleep on than a sleeping pad and elevate you far off the rocks and twigs on the ground. For those who like to be outdoors but don't venture far from home, inflatable sofas make great outdoor furniture for those times you throw an impromptu backyard BBQ.
Important Moments And People In Inflatable Furniture History
Many designers and companies have tried their hand at inflatable furniture over the years. At times, the public saw the product as belonging to the pop art family, since it can be just as attractive as it is useful. At other times, it's been mostly marketed as a practical item. There are photos of individuals who, out of necessity, created inflatable furniture from items they had at home in the 1950s. Later, L&M Cigarettes sold inflatable pillows featuring pop art from the late 1960s that were more decorative than comfortable.
Famous furniture company IKEA also attempted a line of inflatable furniture — twice.
The first full line of inflatable furniture available for purchase didn't come until the late 1960s. We can thank Quasar Khanh, a Vietnamese inventor who thrived in the 1960s and 1970s, for that. Khanh named his line of inflatable furniture Aerospace. It included inflatable chairs, sofas, lounges, and even lamps, and was manufactured out of a beach toy factory in Paris, France. The products were made out of PVC and had a reputation as haute couture items, rather than utilitarian ones. Khanh's wife, a prominent designer at the time named Emmanuelle Khanh, most likely influenced the aesthetic of Aerospace, as well.
Famous furniture company IKEA also attempted a line of inflatable furniture — twice. Their first attempt was in the 1980s when designer Jan Dranger presented the company with the idea of inflatable furniture one would fill with a hair dryer, and cover with fabric to make it look like real furniture. Unfortunately, this first round of furniture collected too much dust and was so light that it would move around all on its own. Ikea tried its hand at this playful item one more time through a line of children's furniture, but this product faced many of the same problems as its original.
What To Look For In An Inflatable Sofa
At first glance, you may think you're sacrificing something by choosing an inflatable sofa over a traditional one, but you'll quickly see that's not true. In fact, you may want to replace all of your furniture with inflatable varieties because they are often just as well-designed as their stationary competitors. If you have a lot of house guests, you can find inflatable sofas that fold out into beds and even come with inflatable pillows. These allow you to set up a mini guest room in your living room, and take the entire thing down when your friends go home.
These allow you to set up a mini guest room in your living room, and take the entire thing down when your friends go home.
Beach dwellers will love a model that can float on water, giving them a comfy place to sunbathe while relaxing in the ocean. If you do plan on using your inflatable sofa outdoors, look for one with storage pockets so you have somewhere to put your sunglasses, books, and other relaxation essentials. If your main concern with this product is the time it takes to inflate or deflate it, many have Boston valves that make the process quick and easy. If you plan on traveling with your sofa, make sure it is lightweight when deflated. For those wanting to pack as little as possible, some inflatable sofas require nothing but a quick wave through the air to inflate, so you can leave your pump at home.
If you'll be adding your inflatable sofa to your entertainment area, look for a model with cup holders so you can have your beverage securely in place next to you during the big game or movie nights. Some can even recline into different positions to give you that perfect viewing angle. Households with children might want to consider a sofa made from puncture-resistant vinyl. You don't want your little one crawling around the sofa with his pencil collection and poking holes in it.