fbpx
This site is supported by our readers. We earn a commission through some of our links. Learn more.

Sleep Number Mattress Review

About Sleep Number

Sleep Number has been the major name in air beds for years. Today, they make a total of nine mattresses across three different collections–Classic, Performance and Innovation series–which range from somewhat affordable to very pricey.

Like many competing air beds, Sleep Number mattresses have separate air chambers on each side of the bed which makes them great for people who may prefer a different level of firmness than their partner. This also makes them very good at motion isolation.

Sleep Number beds have up to 20 firmness setting on some models. The firmness can either be manually adjusted via remote control or will automatically adjust themselves throughout the night in the case of 360 Smart Bed models.

We took a look at the Sleep Number i8 360 Smart Bed. Read on for more about this model and Sleep Number mattresses in general.

Highlights
  • Adjustable firmness/comfort (20 settings)
  • Adjustable head and foot positions (w/adjustable base)
  • 25-year warranty (2 years of full coverage)
  • 100-night free sleep trial
Pros

Separate air chambers on each side of bed make for great motion isolation.
Good for back pain.
Sleep Tracking Technology.
Many different mattress options.

Cons

Firmness adjustment may require a period of experimentation to find the right setting for you.
Bed may sleep too cool for some.
High in price.
Only 2 years of full coverage on warranty.
Additional delivery costs.

METRICSRATINGDETAILS
Motion Isolation GREATWith two different air chambers for each side of the bed, Sleep Number mattresses are very good at isolating motion.
Odor GREATThere is limited off-gassing with Sleep Number innovation series. Any new-bed smells will dissipate quickly.
Huggability GOODThe range of 20 firmness settings allows for a level of conforming that suits most sleep types. The i8 has a thicker foam comfort layer than the classic and performance series mattresses, which makes for more of a hugging feel.
Temperature GOODSleep Number beds do a good job of not retaining heat, which can be great for anyone who tends to sleep hot. Some sleepers have found that the Sleep Number sleeps too cool for them.
Durability AVERAGEWith air beds, there’s always the risk that parts wear down or break. Parts can be replaced (Sleep Number comes with a 25-year warranty, but only 2 years of full coverage). Sleep Number mattresses have also been reported to have sub-par air retention in some cases.
Edge Support AVERAGEEdge Support on Sleep Number is good, especially with firmer settings.
Sex AVERAGEAir beds are not known for their responsiveness, but increasing the amount of air inside can increase their bounce. The gap in the middle, between the air chambers, can also be a hindrance.
Noise AVERAGEAdjusting the firmness settings can be quite noisy, but once you’re locked in the bed is quiet.

Is the Sleep Number i8 the right mattress for me?

Judging the characteristics of a mattress is a subjective process – everyone has a different sleeping experience on different mattresses and their own interpretation of firmness, support, etc. Your own comfort and support are perhaps the most critical things you need to consider when choosing the right mattress for you.

The major plus with air beds is that you can adjust the firmness of the mattress to fit your personal ideal firmness and support. That ability to customize the sleep experience makes Sleep Number good for a variety of different sleep types. Heavyweight sleepers may find that the 20 firmness settings of Sleep Number’s innovation series beds don’t reach the level of firmness they require. Couples will enjoy having separate air chambers on each side of the bed.

You’ll enjoy Sleep Number if…
Yous sleep in different positions and want to be able to vary the firmness and support of your bed.
You or your partner tends to move a lot while sleeping and you want to limit that disturbance.
You tend to sleep hot.
If you sleep with a partner and want a mattress that can be customized to fit each of your personal needs and sleep styles.

Layers & Construction

1. Top cover layer made of polyester and polypropylene
2. Polyfoam comfort layer (6 inches on i8 smart bed)
3. Dual air chambers (for Queen size and above)

Firmness

Each series of Sleep Number gives you a different firmness range. The innovation series (which includes the i8) can range from about a 3 on the firmness scale (from 1 to 10), to about a 6, when you adjust between the 20 firmness settings.

Sizing & Pricing

The Sleep Number i8 comes in Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King at the prices below. The remote control costs an additional $39.

Sleep Number mattresses that are Queen size and up have two air chambers (one for each side of the bed).

If you opt for an adjustable base, you have three different “Flexfit” options to choose from, which give you different head and foot position capabilities.

SIZEDIMENSIONS PRICES
(*without adjustable base)
HEIGHT
Twin XL38” x 80”$2,74912 inches
Full54” x 75”$3,02412 inches
Queen60” x 80”$3,19912 inches
King76” x 80”$3,89912 inches
California King72” x 84”$3,89912 inches
Trial & Warranty

Sleep Number offers a 100-night free sleep trial, but requires a 30-night break-in period. Sleep Number beds also come with a 25-year warranty and two years of full coverage.

Delivery and Customer Service

You can order a Sleep Number online or over the phone, or visit a retail location, but one downside is the added charge of $199 for home delivery and setup of the bed. There are competing air bed brands that will do that for free.

Bottom Line

Air beds are really great for the ability they give you to adjust firmness and support to fit your exact needs. What’s more, partners can adjust their side individually. Quality air beds, like the Sleep Number i8 are also very expensive. There are comparable air beds on the market that are less expensive, give you a wider range of firmness settings, and don’t charge extra for delivery, setup and the remote control. If you think an air bed is the right choice for you, here are our recommendations.

See Best Adjustable Air Beds

Top 5 Best Mattresses
Saatva Mattress
Saatva

Unanimous Winner

Helix Mattress
Helix

Best Bed-in-a-Box

Loom & Leaf Mattress
Loom & Leaf

Best for Back Pain

Layla Mattress
Layla

Infused Copper

Disclosure - Consumer Mattress Report takes pride in thoroughly testing all mattresses. In order to fund the testing process, we receive compensation from some, but not all of the companies we recommend.