Lugging, maneuvering, and unrolling the ultra-ungainly Insta-Flex2 may wreak havoc on your back, but there’s really no better place to rest a strained lumbar than this luxurious air mattress. Comfortable enough to supplant a Sealy, this inflatable sports such accruements as adjustable incline and recline settings for both the back and legs. We were pleasantly surprised at how supportive the various positions were, and loved dictating our elevation (and the firmness) via the dedicated controls on the remote. There are faults though; the motor is noisy and takes quite a bit of time to fully inflate the mattress. But what we really found ourselves missing was a convenient Aero-Bed-style quick release valve, an oversight that makes deflation a tedious 6-minute chore — unless you go the Mick Dundee route and just permanently decompress the Insta-Flex2 with a bowie knife. —Roger Thomasson
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WIRED__ Impressively designed leg and back incline/recline system provides ample support for reading or watching TV. Provides good range of firmness options. Flocked-top keeps sheets in place. Convenient cubby keeps remote control from getting crushed.
TIRED Very, very bulky. Bland mud-grey coloring. No quick release valve means deflation wastes both time and electricity. Thin storage sack feels ready to burst from the hulking masses of mattress. Motor sounds like a miniature jet.
$200 (Queen), insta-bed.com
