Sleep Number Mattress Review 2024: Expert Reviewed and Tested

Like all Sleep Number smart beds, the Classic Series mattresses include the SleepIQ feature. SleepIQ  uses mattress sensors to measure sleep quality by tracking heart rate, breath rate, and movement throughout the night. This data is then recorded in the SleepIQ app. All other mattresses in our review also include this feature.

The Classic Series smart beds have the lowest prices, starting at $1,099 for the c2 or $1,899 for the c4 queen-size mattress. This is still a higher price compared to our top affordable mattresses. The c2 and c4 smart beds are considered very firm compared to other Sleep Number mattresses. A general rule for Sleep Number mattresses: the lower the model number, the firmer the mattress.

Classic Series smart bed mattresses are compatible with the Sleep Number integrated base, integrated base and frame, and smart adjustable bases.

• Price range (queen): $1,099 (c2) or $1,899 (c4)
• Material: Air chambers and rayon/polypropylene foam blend
• Mattress height: 8 inches (c2) or 9 inches (c4)
• Warranty: 15 years
• Sizes (c2 smart bed): Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, FlexTop king, California king, split California king, FlexTop California king
• Sizes (c4 smart bed): Queen, king, split king, FlexTop king, California king, split California king, FlexTop California king

Like

• Lower price compared to other Sleep Number mattresses
• Strong edge support
• Firm mattress options for stomach sleepers
• Adjustable air chambers on both sides with larger mattress sizes

Dislike

• Minimal cooling materials
• The c4 smart bed has limited sizes

The c2 smart bed is the lowest-priced mattress in this review but still has the adjustable air chambers Sleep Number mattresses are known for. This mattress has a firmer feel since it doesn’t have a foam layer above its air chambers, which makes the c2 mattress a great option if you’re looking for a firm surface that responds to your movement.

Because the mattress is firm, the edges are very supportive and stable. The c2 has excellent edge support, meaning the edge of the bed is stable to sit on without sinking. A strong, firm mattress edge also offers extra support to help you get out of bed.

The c4 smart bed is slightly softer than the c2, but not by much. It has a 1.5-inch foam layer above the air chambers, giving the mattress a slightly more cushioned feel. The foam layer offers a more cushioned surface compared to the c2. The c4 is still on the firmer side since the foam layer is so thin, with similar strong edge support like the c2. The foam layer also contains gel foamⓘ Memory foam with small gel pods designed for cooling. designed to keep the mattress cool.

Who may love it

• Sleepers who prefer a firmer, more responsive mattress
• Stomach sleepers and higher-weight sleepers may get more support with these firmer mattresses
• Shoppers on a budget

Who may want to avoid it

• Sleepers looking for a softer, plush mattress
• Sleepers who are easily disturbed by a partner’s or pet’s movements in bed
• Shoppers who want a Sleep Number bed with more technological features without paying extra

The Classic smart beds had the hardest, firmest surfaces out of any smart bed series. The sales representative said they generally recommend the c2 or c4 mattress to older adults since the mattress has a more supportive bounce. The responsive bounce makes it easier to sit on the mattress’s edge and get in and out of the bed. The firm, bouncy mattress may help sleepers who need a mattress with more stability and support, but it may not be the right fit for others.

Christopher Norman, a geriatric nurse practitioner based in Central New York, pointed out that a firmer mattress may help some sleepers living with back pain.

“It really depends on how you sleep. Stomach sleepers tend not to benefit from a firm mattress for back pain relief, but side and back sleepers reportedly do. Mattress firmness can make a difference, but anyone with back pain should also consider their pillow and body positioning when they sleep.”

Norman explained that the best sleep position is technically on your back, with knees slightly bent by placing a pillow or two under the knees to release the lower back, and the head supported in line with the rest of the spine.

We recommend trying the c2 and c4 mattresses in person. Both mattresses are significantly firmer compared to any other Sleep Number mattress, so while they have great responsiveness, they may not offer the contoured, cradled surface that can help relieve pressure and pain.

The p5 and p6 mattresses may sound like arbitrary letters and numbers, but the names tell you about the product. The “p” stands for “performance,” and the numbers indicate how many special targeted areas the mattress has. Performance Series mattresses have thicker foam layers than the Classic Series, and SleepIQ is included with your purchase. Both Performance mattresses contain ceramic gel designed to pull heat away from your body and keep you cool while you sleep.

Performance Series smart bed mattresses are compatible with the Sleep Number integrated base, integrated base and frame, and smart adjustable bases.

• Price range (queen): $2,699 (p5 Performance Series) or $3,199 (p6 Performance Series)
• Material: Air chambers and rayon/polypropylene fabric blend
• Mattress height: 10″ (p5) or 11″ (p6)
• Warranty: 15 years
• Sizes (p5 smart bed): Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, FlexTop king, California king, split California king, FlexTop California king
• Sizes (p6 smart bed): Queen, king, split king, FlexTop king, California king, split California king, FlexTop California king

Like

• Includes SleepIQ tracking
• Contains ceramic gel designed for cooling
• Targeted comfort areas to help relieve pressure
• Adjustable air chambers on both sides with larger mattress sizes

Dislike

• The p6 smart bed has limited sizes
• The p5 may be too firm for some sleepers

The p5 smart bed is a great balance of a supportive mattress with a plush, cradled feel without being too soft. This mattress has a 4-inch foam layer above the air chambers, making it softer than the Classic Series smart beds. Our Reviews Team rated the p5 smart bed a medium-firm mattress with the right support to help relieve back pain.

The p6 smart bed is slightly more cushioned than the p5 mattress since it has an extra inch of foam. It also targets six areas: your head, neck, shoulders, lower back, hips, and knees. Besides being softer, the p6 mattress is also designed to keep you cooler. The mattress cover has moisture-wicking material designed to pull moisture and heat away from your body, and the comfort foam layer has more cooling ceramic gel than the p5. The 5 inches of foam also absorb movement, offering excellent motion isolation.

Unfortunately, the p6 doesn’t offer twin, twin XL, or full mattress sizes.

Who may love it

• Back sleepers and side sleepers may feel supported
• Hot sleepers may find the p6 mattress cooler due to its unique design and material

Who may want to avoid it

• Sleepers looking for a more traditional cushioned memory foam mattress
• Stomach sleepers and higher-weight sleepers may need an even firmer mattress

A sales representative told us the p5 mattress is the standard model they start shoppers with at the Sleep Number showroom. Our Reviews Team tester received a pressure map reading and tested multiple Sleep Number settings on the p5. This helped the salesperson understand the feel and firmness level our tester was looking for.

The letter “i” in both models stands for “innovation,” which refers to the temperature-balancing feature in the i8 and i10 mattresses. Both mattresses have more ceramic gel foam designed to keep the mattress cooler than other models. The higher the mattress model number, the more cushioned and soft the mattress. This makes the i8 and i10 smart beds two of the plushest Sleep Number mattresses. Both have poor edge support at a lower Sleep Number setting since there is more sinkageⓘ Good contouring sinkage can give sleepers the feeling of being “hugged” by their mattress, but too much sink can result in misalignment of the spine, especially for stomach and back sleepers. and less bounce with thicker foam. If you want a stable, more responsive mattress edge, we suggest considering a firmer option than the i8 and i10 mattresses, like the Classic Series.

Innovation Series smart bed mattresses are compatible with the Sleep Number integrated base, integrated base and frame, and smart adjustable bases.

• Price range (queen): $3,999 (i8) or $5,499 (i10)
• Material: Air chambers and rayon/polypropylene foam blend
• Mattress height:12″ (i8) or 13″ (i10)
• Warranty: 15 years
• Sizes (i8 smart bed): Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split skin, FlexTop king, California King, split California king, FlexTop California king
• Sizes (i10 smart bed): Queen, king, split king, FlexTop king, California king, split California king, FlexTop California king

Like

• Includes SleepIQ feature
• Contains cooling materials
• Both mattresses have a soft, cushioning feel
• Adjustable air chambers on both sides with larger mattress sizes

Dislike

• May not support sleepers with mobility issues
• The i10 smart bed has limited sizes
• Poor edge support
• High price

The i8 smart bed has two upper layers that create a cushioned, plush foam surface. The mattress has a duvet pillow top with 2 inches of quilting foam, followed by a 6-inch foam layer. This combination offers a softer and more cradled feel than other Sleep Number mattresses. We’d still rate the i8 smart bed a medium-firm mattress, though, since it offers a supportive surface and cushioning pressure relief. Remember, you can adjust the overall firmness by choosing a higher Sleep Number setting.

The i10 smart bed has an even thicker foam layer than the i8 mattress at 7 inches. As you can guess, thicker foam means a more cushioned, softer surface that cradles and hugs your body. We recommend this mattress for sleepers looking for a plush, cushioned feel without the major sinkage of a memory foam mattress. The mattress isn’t available in twin, twin XL, or full sizes.

Who may love it

• Sleepers living with back pain or other chronic pain
• Hot sleepers may find the Innovation mattresses cooler due to their design and material
• Sleepers who are easily disturbed by a partner’s or pet’s movements in bed

Who may want to avoid it

• Primarily stomach sleepers or higher-weight sleepers
• Sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress
• Shoppers on a budget might want to look for less expensive options

The i8 smart bed was our favorite Sleep Number mattress we tested. The 6-inch foam layer offered the right amount of cushion and cradling comfort without feeling too sunken in. Our sales representative told us it was one of the most popular mattresses the store sells, and we can see why.

The m7 smart bed is the only memory foam mattress offered by Sleep Number. While the 5-inch foam layer is thinner than the i8 and i10 mattresses, this model is more cushiony and less responsive since it contains traditional, slow-moving memory foam. The m7 mattress also has ceramic gel foam designed to keep the mattress cool.

The m7 smart bed mattress is compatible with the Sleep Number integrated base, integrated base and frame, and smart adjustable bases.

• Price range (queen): $3,999
• Material: Air chambers and memory foam
• Mattress height: 11”
• Warranty: 15 years
• Sizes: Queen, king, California king, split king, split California king, FlexTop king, FlexTop California king

Like 

• Memory foam mattress with custom firmness settings
• Excellent motion isolation
• Adjustable air chambers on both sides with larger mattress sizes

Dislike

• May be too soft for stomach sleepers
• High price

The m7 smart bed offers plush, cushioned support for sleepers looking for a more traditional memory foam mattress with the customization and sleep tracking perks of Sleep Number. We like that the mattress is soft enough to gently contour your body without you sinking in too deeply. The cradling support of the memory foam helps relieve pressure areas, like the hips and shoulders, by allowing you to sink into the mattress while evenly distributing your body weight.

Like most memory foam mattresses, the m7 doesn’t have much bounce. The softer, plush surface may make it harder to change positions or get out of bed. If you have mobility issues or need a more responsive mattress, setting the m7 to a higher Sleep Number setting may help, but we recommend choosing a firmer mattress.

Who may love it

• People living with pain may feel relief with the softer memory foam mattress
• Sleepers who are easily disturbed by a partner’s or pet’s movements in bed
• Side sleepers will enjoy the supportive, cradled feel that helps relieve pressure

Who may want to avoid it

• Sleepers who change positions throughout the night
• Stomach or higher-weight sleepers
• Sleepers looking for a firm mattress

Our Reviews Team immediately felt the difference between the denser memory foam in the m7 and the comfort foam in the other smart beds. Like most memory foam mattresses, the m7 took a second or two to bounce back after we pressed down on the surface.

While this plush mattress contours more easily to your body to help relieve pressure, the softer surface also has some drawbacks. The memory foam material may make it more challenging for sleepers to switch positions, get out of bed, or offer enough support for stomach or higher-weight sleepers.

Adjusting the m7 mattress to a higher Sleep Number helped our tester move around the bed more easily, but this may not be the case for everyone.

• Starting price, without mattress: $1,099
• Warranty: Full one-year limited warranty; 15-year warranty on parts
• Shipping costs: $249 (in-home setup included)
• Trial period and returns: No

The FlexFit 1 Smart Base is the most basic Sleep Number adjustable base model available and is listed at the lowest starting price. Only the head of the bed is adjustable, and if you have a split or FlexTop model, each side adjusts independently. Split bases divide the entire base in half, while the FlexTop base only splits the head of the bed. Take into account, the FlexTop base requires a FlexTop mattress and bed sheet, which are also split at the head and whole at the feet, and can only be found at a Sleep Number store or on its website.

This base comes with two preset position buttons: snore and flat. The snore preset elevates your head slightly, opening the airway for better breathing. The flat preset returns your position to a regular flat bed surface. Sleep Number also offers a unique feature called Partner Snore in its split and FlexTop adjustable bases. This feature allows you to raise your partner’s head without waking them.

You also get one custom button, allowing you to program your favorite position as a preset. If you’re sleeping with a partner in a split or FlexTop base, you each get one custom preset.

According to Amanda Weeks, an occupational therapist specializing in older adults at B. Well Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, people who have trouble getting out of bed also benefit from head adjustability. “The ability to raise the head of the bed assists individuals with weakness or pain in transitioning to a sitting position with less effort,” she said.

It may also be helpful for people who have acid reflux when lying flat on their backs. But if you want to fully customize your sleeping position with foot adjustability, this isn’t the base for you. ^[2] Albarqouni, L., et al. Head of Bed Elevation to Relieve Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms: A Systematic Review. BMC Family Practice. Jan. 19, 2021.

Every FlexFit Smart Base comes with under-bed lighting, which you can set through the SleepIQ app to turn on automatically when you get up. You can turn on the under-bed lighting with the remote, too, but you can’t set the lights to turn on automatically unless you use the app.

Our Reviews Team likes this feature because it illuminates tripping hazards to prevent falls, especially if you have low mobility or trouble seeing in low light. We also like that this feature is available in a basic model for a relatively low price compared to other brands, like Saatva or Casper, which only offer under-bed lighting in advanced models.

• Starting price, without mattress: $1,799
• Warranty: Full one-year limited warranty; 15-year warranty on parts
• Shipping costs: $249 (in-home setup included)
• Trial period and returns: No

The FlexFit 2 Smart Base is a more advanced model and is priced at $700 more than the FlexFit 1. It offers more adjustability, allowing you to independently control both the head and the foot of the bed. Because the FlexFit 2 offers foot elevation, it has an additional zero-gravity presetⓘ The zero-gravity preset was developed by NASA to mimic a state of weightlessness, which is achieved by creating a 120-degree angle between the torso and knees. .

This base offers the same under-bed lighting and Partner Snore technology as the FlexFit 1, but the FlexFit 2 may be the better option if you want foot adjustability for a more customized lounging or sleeping position.

Some people (but not all) may find this model takes some pressure off the lower back by elevating the legs and cradling the spine, providing pressure and pain relief. But Weeks warned an adjustable bed may not offer long-term relief. “Pain is often complex in nature and bed positioning is only a small piece of the puzzle,” she said.

• Starting price, without mattress: $2,399
• Warranty: Full one-year limited warranty; 15-year warranty on parts
• Shipping costs: $249 (in-home setup included)
• Trial period and returns: No

The most advanced Sleep Number adjustable base is the FlexFit 3 Smart Base. The FlexFit 3 offers the same adjustability as the FlexFit 2 but with additional features and an additional read/TV preset position, which raises the user to a near-seated position in bed. According to Sleep Number representatives, to purchase this base, you must also purchase a Sleep Number mattress.

This base supports a unique foot-warming function to help people relax as they fall asleep, but you will need a Sleep Number mattress for it to work. Research shows that warm feet help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, so this feature is a nice perk. ^[3] Ko, Y. and Lee, J. Effects of Feet Warming Using Bed Socks On Sleep Quality and Thermoregulatory Responses in a Cool Environment. Journal of Physiological Anthropology. April 24, 2018. You can choose a low-, medium-, or high-heat setting, depending on your preference. And if you choose a split or FlexTop base, each side has its own warmer, so you and your sleeping partner can choose your own setting.

Weeks warned that people with conditions affecting their sensation should be wary of this feature. “People with conditions like poor circulation or neuropathy often experience reduced sensitivity to temperature and pain in their feet, which makes it difficult for them to detect excessive heat or burns caused by foot warmers,” she said. “As a result, they might not notice right away if a foot warmer becomes too hot, leading to the risk of burns or tissue damage.” Instead, Weeks suggested using a microwavable heat pad, which gradually loses heat over time to protect the skin from prolonged exposure.

The FlexFit 3 Smart Base is the only Sleep Number adjustable base without a Twin XL size, so its smallest size is a full. If you’re a solo sleeper looking for a compact adjustable bed, you’ll need to choose one of the other models and substitute the built-in foot warming with another option, like a warming blanket.