Choosing the Right Bariatric Air Mattress
Choosing the right bariatric air mattress comes down to the patient's width and weight, the level of skin and moisture care required, and the staff available for repositioning. For that reason, the mattresses below are grouped from budget-friendly alternating pressure to automatic lateral rotation, and they fit a range of bariatric beds. Patients who do not need extra width can use our standard 36-inch alternating pressure mattresses instead, which suit hospital beds for home.
Budget Bariatric Air Mattress: Protekt Aire 8000 Series
The Protekt Aire 8000 from Proactive Medical is the most affordable system in this collection, with the 42" and 48" widths priced at roughly $1,300 to $1,400. It supports up to 750 lb and combines low air loss with alternating pressure, so clinicians can choose cycles of 10, 15, 20, or 25 minutes to fit each patient. Its 10-inch air cells use a cell-on-cell design that keeps the patient supported if power is lost.
In addition, a pillow top limits head and neck movement during alternating mode, a static mode eases transfers, and a lock-out key prevents changes to the settings. Raised side rails are optional, and a 2-year non-prorated warranty covers every size. For more systems with this therapy, browse our bariatric alternating pressure mattresses.
Extra-Wide Coverage: Protekt Aire 8000 in 54" and 60"
When 48 inches is not enough, the Protekt Aire 8000 is also available in 54" and 60" Queen widths, priced at roughly $1,700 to $1,900. Both keep the 750 lb capacity and offer the same alternating pressure and low air loss therapy, including the cell-on-cell design and the lock-out key. Since the extra surface gives larger patients more room to be positioned, these sizes help when standard bariatric widths fall short. The 60" size also fits Queen size home care and hospital beds.
Skin and Moisture Care: Wellell Apex Serene Air
For patients with hypersensitive skin, the Serene Air from Wellell Apex adds true low air loss to alternating pressure therapy. Its blower moves more than 1,300 liters of air per minute, which helps reduce heat and moisture at the skin, and it inflates the mattress fully in under two minutes. Moreover, the pulsation is soft and gentle, a foam pad sits beneath the air cells, and seat inflation helps prevent bottoming out. It comes in 42" and 48" widths, supporting up to 661 lb and 926 lb respectively, and it is priced at roughly $3,900 to $4,700. It is designed for post-acute care.
Bariatric Lateral Rotation Mattress: Prius DUET
The Prius DUET is a bariatric lateral rotation mattress that also provides low air loss and alternating pressure. Its 40-degree rotation therapy can run from 3 to 95 minutes, which reduces the need for manual turning, especially in facilities with limited staffing. The mattress adjusts pressure automatically according to the patient's weight, and its Fowler mode senses changes in the bed frame angle to adapt the support. It supports up to 700 lb, comes in 42" and 48" widths, and costs roughly $5,400 to $5,800. To compare this therapy with other options, see our bariatric lateral rotation mattresses.Prices vary by width and system, so check each product page for current options. Furthermore, all of these mattresses ship free by ground to the lower 48 states, are HSA/FSA eligible, and can be delivered with optional White Glove service and in-home setup.
If you do not need the features of air mattresses, we have foam pressure relief bariatric mattresses for you to choose from.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between bariatric air mattress and bariatric low air loss mattress?
A bariatric air mattress is the broader category: a wide, heavy-duty mattress with air cells that inflate and deflate to redistribute pressure. Low air loss is a function that some of these systems add, in which air flowing through the cover helps manage moisture and heat. The mattresses on this page combine both, and for models focused on low air loss, see our bariatric low air loss mattresses.
Do bariatric air mattresses work on hospital beds?
It depends on the model and the bed frame. The 60" Protekt Aire 8000 fits Queen size home care and hospital beds, while the Prius DUET senses changes in the bed frame angle through its Fowler mode and adapts the support accordingly. For the other sizes, match the mattress width to your frame and check the product page for exact dimensions.
What if my patient is too wide for standard bariatric mattresses?
For patients who need more room, the Protekt Aire 8000 is available in 54" and 60" widths. Both support up to 750 lb, and the extra surface helps with positioning when standard bariatric widths are not enough.
How do I prevent skin breakdown in bariatric patients?
Moisture control and pressure redistribution both matter. The Serene Air uses a blower of more than 1,300 liters per minute for true low air loss, which helps keep heat and moisture away from the skin. In addition, every mattress in this collection uses alternating pressure to redistribute load across the body.
What weight capacity do I need for bariatric air mattresses?
Capacity depends on the system. The Protekt Aire 8000 supports up to 750 lb in all four widths, and the Prius DUET supports up to 700 lb. The Serene Air supports up to 661 lb in the 42" width and 926 lb in the 48" width. Compare those figures with the patient's weight before choosing, and contact our team if you want help matching a mattress to your bed.
Can bariatric patients be turned automatically?
Yes. The Prius DUET provides 40-degree lateral rotation that can run from 3 to 95 minutes, which reduces the need for manual turning. It supports up to 700 lb, so it is a practical option for facilities with limited staffing.
Are these suitable for home care or just hospitals?
Yes. These mattresses work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home care. For home use, optional White Glove delivery includes in-home setup.
What size bariatric air mattress do I need?
The Protekt Aire 8000 comes in 42", 48", 54", and 60" widths, while the Serene Air and the Prius DUET come in 42" and 48". Therefore, the best fit depends on your bed frame and how much room the patient needs, and the 60" size fits Queen size beds.
