Why this basket
- The airbed plan follows Intex's own advice: a new airbed stretches at first, so it needs two or three fills before anyone sleeps on it.
- Duvet size and warmth follow Silentnight's buying guide, and every bedding item is double to match the airbed.
- It is a spare set, kept apart from your own bedding and towels, so it can go back in the cupboard between visits.
The day before
Blow up the airbed early so it has stretched by bedtime.
A double airbed
Intex Classic Downy airbed, full size
4.2 on Amazon · 41,287 ratings · 900+ bought last month · #1 in Inflatable Beds · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Intex's support team says a new airbed stretches to its shape at first, which feels like a leak, and recommends filling it two or three times and resting it a few hours each time before first use. This full-size Intex has a flocked top and Dura-Beam inner structure, per the listing, and needs a separate pump.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Comfortable enough for a proper night's sleep(7 of 13 reviews)
- Holds its air well over several nights(3 of 13 reviews)
- Quick to blow up with an electric pump(3 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Some develop a slow leak or a split seam within weeks(3 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Weight
- 2.2 kg
- Material
- PVC
- Capacity
- 272 kg
- In the box
- As Listed
- Care
- Hand Wash Only
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
An electric pump for the airbed
Intex QuickFill AC400 electric pump
4.4 on Amazon · 150 ratings · #9 in Inflatable Bed Pumps · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Two or three fills before the first night is a lot of air to push by foot. This Intex mains pump runs on 220 to 240 volts, per the listing, and is made by the same brand as the airbed.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Blows up airbeds and pool inflatables without fuss(4 of 6 reviews)
- Good value for what it does(2 of 6 reviews)
Our summary of the 6 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 14 x 8 x 8 cm
- Weight
- 500 g
- Material
- Polyvinyl Chloride
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
A spare double duvet
GG Gonzalo Gracia double duvet, 10.5 tog
4.2 on Amazon · 4,128 ratings · 4K+ bought last month · #3 in Duvets · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Limited time deal
Silentnight's size guide gives a double duvet as 200 x 200 cm, wide enough for two on a double airbed. At 10.5 tog this one starts Silentnight's winter band, useful when the spare room is the cold one. The listing says it is UK made with a hollowfibre filling.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Good value, and fine for a spare bed used now and then(6 of 8 reviews)
Watch out for
- Basic, cheap-feeling fabric rather than a soft cover(3 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- Polyester
- Care
- Do not Wash, Tumble Dry on Low Heat
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 23 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 16 of them, including today.
Two pillows
4.3 on Amazon · 31,392 ratings · 7K+ bought last month · #1 in Standard Pillows · recorded 27 Sept 2026
One pillow each for two guests. The listing describes a quilted cover and a down-alternative filling meant for back, side and stomach sleepers, which helps when you do not know how a guest sleeps.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Soft but still supportive, not rock hard(8 of 13 reviews)
- Plump and full when new, so many sleepers need only one(6 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Lose their bounce after several months of nightly use(3 of 13 reviews)
- Bigger than standard, so a normal pillowcase feels tight(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Pack
- pack of 2
- Care
- Machine Wash
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 24 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 16 of them, including today.
A double cover, fitted sheet and pillowcases
Utopia Bedding double 4-piece set
4.6 on Amazon · 9,866 ratings · 900+ bought last month · #5 in Duvet Sets · recorded 27 Sept 2026
One set dresses the airbed and the spare duvet: a double duvet cover, fitted sheet and two pillowcases in brushed microfibre, per the listing. Check the fitted sheet against the airbed's size before ordering.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Surprisingly soft, smooth fabric for the price(9 of 13 reviews)
- Deep fitted sheet with elastic all round that stays put(4 of 13 reviews)
- Washes well and keeps its colour(3 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- The fitted sheet is deep, so it can sit loose on a thin mattress(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- Polyester
- Pack
- pack of 4
- In the box
- Fitted Sheet, Pillowcase
- Care
- Machine Wash
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Bathroom shelf
A large bath towel for each of two guests
4.5 on Amazon · 42,616 ratings · 2K+ bought last month · #1 in Bath Towels · recorded 27 Sept 2026
One bath sheet each for two guests. These are 90 x 180 cm in 100% cotton, per the listing, a size up from a standard bath towel, so a guest can wrap up after a shower. Keep them apart from your own so they come out clean when someone arrives.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Big enough to wrap right round an adult, even a larger one(5 of 13 reviews)
- Feel thick and soft for what they cost(6 of 13 reviews)
- Come through the wash well without fading(4 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- Cotton
- Pack
- pack of 2
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 24 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 0 of them.
Spare toothbrushes, still wrapped
Colgate Extra Clean toothbrushes (3)
4.6 on Amazon · 15,349 ratings · 10K+ bought last month · #1 in Manual Toothbrushes · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Worth waitingon offer 8 of 19 days, not today
A spare toothbrush saves a guest a late walk to the shop. Colgate's Extra Clean comes as a pack of three medium brushes, per the listing.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Good value for a pack of three(8 of 13 reviews)
- Handy to keep as spares or in a travel bag(3 of 13 reviews)
- Medium bristles clean well and the handle is comfortable(3 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- The bristles can feel too firm for some(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 19 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 8 of them.
Can wait
- A folding bed. It costs more than an airbed and needs somewhere to stand folded; buy one only if guests stay often.
- A mattress topper for the airbed. Try the airbed with the bedding set first; a topper is an extra layer to store between visits.
Skip it
- SkipBulk hotel toiletry packsThey come in dozens for hotels; a spare toothbrush and your own shower gel cover a night or two.
Quick questions
Why does a new airbed go soft overnight?
Often it is stretching, not a leak. Intex's support team says the material stretches to its correct shape at first, and recommends inflating a new airbed two or three times, resting it for a few hours each time, before first use. Blow it up a day or two before guests arrive.
What tog duvet should a guest bed have?
Silentnight's guide puts 1.5 to 4.5 tog in the summer band, 7 to 10 tog as suitable all year, and 10.5 to 15 tog as winter weight. Choose by the season and by how warm the spare room runs.
What size duvet goes on a double airbed?
A double. Silentnight gives a double duvet as 200 x 200 cm and a single as 135 x 200 cm. Buy the cover and fitted sheet in the same size as the duvet and bed.
How often should a spare duvet be washed?
At least once a year, says Silentnight. It recommends a gentle 40°C cycle with a mild detergent for synthetic fillings, and a delicate 30°C cycle with a down-friendly detergent for natural ones.
Sources: Intex Support: Relax, the airbed is not leaking air (checked 26 September 2026); Silentnight: Duvet buying guide (checked 26 September 2026).
