Sleep Number Bed Review

Overall Rating

Summary

Sleep Number mattress, famous for their air beds,  has always been focusing on offering adjustable comforts on each side of the bed which are perfect for couples. Two sleepers are given the control to find their ideal level of firmness and support at the touch of a button.

Sleep Number beds are priced from $500-$5,700 and use air for support. Comfort can be adjusted by adding or removing air from the bed using an electric pump. On the whole, the sleep number mattresses are worth trying since there are plenty of models covering a wide price range. Still, there are several aspects that we need to pay attention to before making a purchase, and hopefully, our review will help you with that.

Detailed Evaluation

Basic information of Sleep Number

Sleep Number mattress offers lots of models for users to choose from and all of these models are categorized into two major series: Sleep Number® Core Line mattresses and Sleep Number 360™ Smart Bed.

Sleep Number 360™ smart bed uses Responsive Air™ technology to sense your movements then automatically adjusts firmness, comfort, and support to keep you both sleeping blissfully, all night long.

Size & Price

Construction & Composition

The cover is made of a soft polyester blend. It’s thick and able to snap back into place quickly, which means it won’t bunch up when you move around at night. You should also note that it’s removable by zipper, so you’ll be able to clean it with the rest of your bedding.

Air loss is the most common problem that all airbeds have to deal with. As to Sleep Number beds, there are about 12% of its owners report the disturbing issue of air loss caused by faulty air pumps, loose connections, air bladder leaks and malfunctioning controllers.

Lifespan / Durability / Longevity

Sleep Number mattress has long service life partly because many problems that the beds develop can be repaired with a replacement part. Sleep Number bed can function well for at least nine years, while the average mattress lifespan is about six years.

Adjustable Firmness

Airbeds, including Sleep Number beds, are the only type of bed that provides instant firmness adjustment. The adjustable firmness feature allows two people on both sides to find a level of firmness that best suits their individual needs, resulting in better comfort.  

It's a couple-friendly mattress especially when two people vary greatly concerning weight and sleep positions.

Sleep Positions

Back sleepers will feel their weight evenly distributed and their lumbar region supported. The polymer grid collapses under the weight of the hips to redistribute pressure and keep the spine aligned.

For Back sleepers, we recommended: All the models

Stomach sleepers should not experience any uncomfortable curvature in their backs. Hips stay supported instead of sinking into the bed and there is neutral spinal alignment.

For Stomach sleepers, we recommended: All the models except m7, i10

Side sleepers will see the biggest advantage of the grid’s ability to release and redistribute pressure to other cells. This happens specifically in their hips and shoulders because they have the most weight in condensed areas.

For side sleepers, we recommended: p6, i8, i10, iLE, x12

Edge Support

Edge support can be important for people who like to sit on the edge, or when two people share a bed.

Motion Isolation

A mattress with very good motion isolation absorbs movement and does not transfer motions across the bed.

Pain Reduction

C2 and C4 appear to have somewhat higher pain relief potential – especially for back pain – than the more expensive Sleep Number models. This is likely due to their thin or non-existent comfort layer which allows the sleeper to benefit fully from the conforming-to-the-body ability and supportiveness of the air chamber.

Middle Area

The adjustability of two sides, a significant feature that Sleep Number provides, has its pros and cons. Since two sides are set differently, the middle area becomes uncomfortable to lie on and also awkward for intimate activities like cuddle and sex. About 20 % of its owners describe the middle area as a “valley”, “trench” or “hump”.

Heat Retention

Heat retention varies by different models and seasons. Some owners report disturbing heat retention mostly in summer.

Odor & Noise

Sleep Number bed has a significant odor when it's new. It is often described as a rubber-like or chemical-like smell. The problem tends to diminish within two weeks for most owners but can last longer.

Airbeds in general, including Sleep Number beds, can make some noise due mainly to the fact they use electric air pumps to adjust their firmness/support level.

The need of A Topper

Given the fact that mattresses of a higher price have some extra comfort layers than the cheaper ones, it’s easy to understand that C2 owners have the highest need of toppers usage.

Maintenance and care

All Air beds as a group cost more than regular beds on maintenance fees for some evident reasons.

• First of all, the fact that Sleep Number beds can be dismantled into components increases the need for occasional adjustments by professionals whenever the bed is moved to a different place.
• Secondly, air beds are in an inevitable requirement of constantly inflating to keep a flat appearance and firmest setting.

Customer Service

Warranty

With every Sleep Number mattress comes a 25-year warranty. The 25-year limited warranty makes owners pay just after the second year of ownership. Moreover, the warranty doesn’t cover flattening and comfort layer deterioration. Many customers feel misled or tricked because Sleep Number doesn’t indicate the rule clearly.

Trial Period

Sleep Number offers a 100-day trial period with all of its mattresses.

Return Policy

The company allows customers to return the bed after 30 days for an exchange or a full refund. But customers need to pay for shipping fees, setup fees and also disassemble the product into shippable components.

Refunds

Sleep Number is not explicit, but based on the terms of their “Love it or Exchange It” policy it sounds like money back refunds are not permitted (except perhaps in the case where the mattress is unopened). If the mattress has been opened you may exchange it for a different mattress per the trial period, but there seem to be no refunds.

Shipping

Comfort Service Home Delivery is available for some products in selected areas. Shipping and delivery fees are non-refundable and do not include any return delivery service which can be provided with an additional charge. Comfort Service Home Delivery outside the delivery areas may be available for an additional charge. Assembly services provided with the purchase of Comfort Service Home Delivery Only.

Our Recommendations

We Recommend Sleep Number Mattress If You Are:

• 1. Couples who vary greatly in weight and sleep position, so they can adjust the firmness of their bed separately
• 2. People who like to control their beds via smartphones

We Do Not  Recommend Sleep Number Mattress If You Are:

• 1. Couples who share their bed with their kids because there will be a gap in the middle area when they adjust different firmness level on two sides
• 2. People who don’t want to spend much money on maintenance fees
• 3. People who find the air pump noise disturbing

Series & Models Comparison

Sleep Number® Core Line mattresses

Sleep Number 360™ Smart Bed

Specific Models Information