On the Best Buy Q&A page for the Fanttik X8 APEX, one of the most common questions is whether a tire inflator can actually fill an air mattress for camping or guest-night duty. High-pressure pumps and low-pressure inflatables are usually built around opposite priorities, so the real question is fill time and adapter fit, not pressure.
The Quick Answer
Yes, a Fanttik X8 APEX can inflate an air mattress, but it is a stop-gap rather than a purpose-built bed pump. A queen-size air bed takes about 8–12 minutes with the cone adapter. For a quick weekend camp, it works; for a party rental with six mattresses, a dedicated high-volume bed pump is a better fit.
Why This Question Matters
People who already carry an X8 APEX in the trunk for tires want to squeeze weekend camping value out of it. The alternative is storing yet another single-use pump. The X8's 150 PSI head-room is unused on an air bed — what matters is whether it can push enough air, fast enough, to be worth the effort.
The Specs You Need to Know
| Parameter | Typical Air Mattress | Fanttik X8 APEX | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target pressure | < 1 PSI (soft fill) | Custom PSI mode, lowest setting | Pass |
| Volume requirement | Ideal high-volume pump | high-pressure / low-volume design | Slower than dedicated pump |
| Valve | Wide rubber port | Cone adapter (included) | Pass |
| Run time | 8–12 min continuous | 40 min per charge | Pass |
| Noise | Bed pump ~80 dB | ~70 dB at idle load | Quieter than most bed pumps |
Step-by-Step: How to Inflate an Air Mattress with the X8 APEX
- Lay the mattress flat on a clean floor and unroll completely. A creased mattress fills unevenly.
- Attach the cone adapter from the X8 APEX accessory pouch onto the Schrader chuck.
- Set the X8 APEX to low-pressure inflation mode. Select the ball/custom preset and target 1 PSI so the pump will not over-work.
- Seat the cone firmly into the mattress valve and press start. Most queen-size beds finish in 8–12 minutes.
- When the bed feels firm but still slightly yielding, press stop. The mattress valve cap should close immediately to lock the air in.
Owner Reports and Real-World Context
Camping subreddits and the r/Coleman community keep a running log on what makes a portable pump practical for multi-night air-bed use. The common theme: the first fill is fast and fun, but ambient temperature pulls the mattress soft overnight, and a 3-minute morning top-up is where a cordless pump earns its space in the tent vestibule. The X8 APEX's 1 PSI target setting makes morning top-ups a 30-second job without waking the whole tent with a loud bed pump.
For REI-style double-height beds (often 78" × 60" × 22" deep), owners note that the bed actually reaches firm pressure in about 11–13 minutes on the X8 APEX — slightly longer than the 8 minutes quoted by Coleman's proprietary bed pump, but the trade-off is that the same X8 covers the trailer tires on the drive in. Single-height beds from Intex finish in 7–9 minutes.
Coil-beam air beds (common in Coleman and SoundAsleep lines) need extra care: weld lines between beams can separate if the bed is overfilled. The X8 APEX's low-PSI cut-off prevents this automatically, but only if you set the target to 1 PSI, not the default sports ball preset. Home guest-bedroom use also works well — the pump is quieter than most dedicated bed pumps and does not wake a sleeping household.
What to Watch Out For
- Do not run the car-tire preset on an air mattress — the X8 APEX will try to chase 35 PSI on a bed that's rated for less than 1 PSI and may bulge a seam.
- For coil-beam air beds, stop short of maximum firmness. Coil welds can separate above the stated fill mark.
- On very cold nights the bed softens. Top off with the X8 APEX for 30 seconds the next morning.
- The X8 APEX is an inflator only. If you need to deflate a mattress, roll it manually — there is no suction mode.
FAQ
Q: How long does the X8 APEX take to inflate a queen air mattress?
A: Between 8 and 12 minutes from flat, depending on the bed volume and whether the cone adapter seats cleanly.
Q: Will it work on a double-height air mattress?
A: Yes. Plan for 12–15 minutes of fill time and keep the X8 APEX on a solid surface so the motor sits level.
Q: Can the X8 APEX also deflate the mattress?
A: No. It is a one-way inflator. For deflation use the mattress's own open-valve design and kneel across the bed to expel air.
Verdict
The Fanttik X8 APEX is a workable "one-pump" solution for campers and road-trippers who already carry it for tires. It is not as fast as a dedicated high-volume bed pump, but it saves the space a second pump would cost. If you fill air beds more than tires, see also the pool float test and our low-pressure pump comparison.
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