Light water beds
The term light water beds is used to summarize water-based sleeping systems or sleeping pads which, due to their construction and the resulting lying and comfort properties, cannot be equated with regular water beds. It is quasi “waterbeds light” or “slimmed down” water-based sleep solutions.
In the case of light water beds, a distinction is made between hose systems or hose water mattresses and low-volume water mattresses or low-filling systems. We will briefly introduce both variants to you below.
Hose systems
The hose systems or hose water mattresses are not full-fledged water beds. Several narrow, side by side arranged water hoses, which are usually stored between two foam pads, form a sleeping pad. The hose water mattress can also be used in conjunction with most conventional slatted frames because it is not very heavy due to the small amount of water it contains.
Hose systems or hose water mattresses are not to be seen as an alternative to the water bed, as they cannot offer many of the special advantages and features due to their design. However, they are quite suitable as an alternative to conventional mattresses with a spring core or foam core.
Filling systems
The low-filling systems or low-volume water mattresses are also referred to as light water mattresses. In contrast to a real water mattress, low-filling systems are only about 12 to 15 centimeters high. Light water mattresses are intended for use in regular bed frames, whereby they are used in combination with a classic slatted frame. Since a filled light water mattress weighs around 120 kg up to 210 kg, the slatted frame should have a certain stability. It may be advisable to attach additional support feet for improved weight distribution.
Light water mattresses are framed with a foam frame similar to the water mattresses in the softside bed, although this is much thinner. To protect against possible leaking water, a foil is used as a safety tub even when using a low-volume water mattress. Similar to the top plate on the waterbed, a cover covers the entire low-filling system.
Such light water beds are usually only recommended for users with a body weight of up to 60 kg, which is not least due to the low mattress height. For this reason, they are primarily suitable for children.
Uno systems and dual systems
Basically, water beds in double bed size (usually from 160 cm width, both hard-side and soft-side) can be equipped with one or two water mattresses. If the sleeping system has a mattress, it is called an Uno system. If there are two water mattresses in the bed, this is referred to as a dual system or duo system.
In principle, the choice of a dual system or two separate water mattresses always makes sense when different requirements are placed on the sleeping pad. This is the case, for example, if there is a large difference in weight between the two users of the bed or if one person prefers a warmer night and the other person a cooler night. In this context, it is incidentally also when equipping conventional bed systems with slatted frames or box springs and mattresses that it usually makes more sense for each user to put together a bed according to their needs. If you opt for a waterbed with a dual system, you can usually decide for yourself which mattress is placed on the left and which mattress on the right, just like with a normal bed. The usual lounging habits with regard to the bed side can therefore be maintained without any problems even when choosing a waterbed with a dual system. The question “Where is the left and right on the waterbed?” Is therefore superfluous. By the way, well over two thirds of buyers of water double beds choose a dual system.
With a dual system, both water mattresses or water cores in the bed have the same width. The waterbed is accordingly divided fairly between both users, as is the case with conventional beds. Under certain circumstances, however, it can make sense to divide the lying area in the bed unevenly. With the waterbeds, there are corresponding special solutions that are offered as twin systems, for example. The distinguishing feature of a twin system is the presence of two water mattresses, one of which is (considerably) wider than the other.
Anyone who nevertheless opts for a Uno system should be aware that this can only work really well if the body weight of both users does not differ by more than 20 kg and the bed is usually shared. The filling amount for the water mattress in the Uno system is calculated based on the sum of the body weights of both users divided by two. If only one person is lying in bed – e.g. due to shift work or the other person’s absence from assembly – there is always too little water in the mattress, which can have a negative effect on lying comfort and sleep quality.
