Sleep Number Adjustable Beds Review: An Honest User and Shopper Perspective

• Starting from $1,099–$2,399, Sleep Number offers three adjustable base models.
• Sleep Number doesn’t have a trial period for adjustable bases, but most customers are satisfied with their purchase, according to our survey and online reviews.
• You’ll need to purchase a Sleep Number mattress with your adjustable base to access all the available features the brand has to offer, like the SleepIQ app and sleep-tracking insights.

Sleep Number is well-known for its air-chamber mattresses, which inflate or deflate to your preferred firmness. But if you’re looking to customize your sleeping position by elevating your head and feet, consider one of its three adjustable base models.

Our Reviews Team visited a Sleep Number store and surveyed nearly 200 Sleep Number users about their experiences with the brand’s adjustable bases. We also asked a Reviews Team member to share their experience sleeping on a Sleep Number adjustable base for the past seven months. We hope the following review helps you make an informed decision as you shop.

Our Reviews Team recommends products and services we believe provide value in the lives of our readers. We’ve spent more than 550 hours carrying out in-depth research on adjustable beds to give you the most accurate review. To make our selections, we:

• Surveyed 1,000 adjustable bed users for first-person insights
• Interviewed two industry experts
• Researched 30 different models across the category
• Read real reviews from verified customers on trusted third-party sites, including the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

Our Reviews Team shopped at a local Sleep Number store for this review.

*Smartphone application and foot-warming feature are only available when you also buy a Sleep Number mattress

Starting price: $1,099 (without mattress)

Warranty: Full one-year limited warranty, 15-year warranty on parts

Free shipping: No, $249 shipping and in-home setup

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 are most conveniently found at a Sleep Number store or on its website.

The FlexTop models divide the head of the bed into two separate adjustable sides.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

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 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 snore or have acid reflux when lying flat on their backs. ^[1] Albarqouni, Loai, et al. Head of Bed Elevation to Relieve Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms: A Systematic Review. BMC Family Practice. Jan. 19, 2021. Found on the internet at https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-021-01369-0 But if you want to fully customize your sleeping position with foot adjustability, this isn’t the base for you.

Starting price: $1,799 (without mattress)

Warranty: Full one-year limited warranty, 15-year warranty on parts

Free shipping: No, $249 shipping and in-home setup

Trial period and returns: No

The FlexFit 2 Smart Base is a more advanced model, priced $700 higher than the FlexFit 1. It offers more adjustability, allowing you to independently control both the head and the feet. 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: $2,399 (without mattress)

Warranty: Full one-year limited warranty, 15-year warranty on parts

Free shipping: No, $249 shipping and in-home setup

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 warm feet help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, so this feature is a nice perk. ^[2] Ko, Yelin and Lee, Joo-Young. Effects of Feet Warming Using Bed Socks On Sleep Quality and Thermoregulatory Responses in a Cool Environment. Journal of Physiological Anthropology. April 24, 2018. Found on the internet at https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-018-0172-z 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 pad you heat in the microwave, 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.

Every Sleep Number bed uses a smartphone application (app) called SleepIQ as its primary remote control. The app is available for iPhone and Android through the App Store and Google Play store. According to customer support, every delivery comes with an in-home setup to connect your phone to your base and teach you how to use the app. If you prefer a physical wireless remote control separate from your phone, you’ll need to order it with your base for $49.

The app connects directly to the mattress to control the mattress and base together, so if you purchase the FlexFit 1 or FlexFit 2 adjustable base without the Sleep Number mattress, you won’t have access to the app. Those buying the FlexFit 1 or Flexfit 2 adjustable bases alone would also need to purchase the physical remote to control the base positions. The FlexFit 3 base can’t be purchased without also purchasing a Sleep Number mattress.

Control your Sleep Number bed using the SleepIQ app. Note that the app is only available if you purchase the mattress.

If you don’t have access to the app, you won’t be able to access sleep-tracking functionality. Sleep Number mattresses have sensors that detect movement and vibrations, including your heart rate, breathing rate, and snoring patterns. You can see the quality, quantity, and timing of your sleep in different reports to help identify areas of improvement.

Our Reviews Team picked the Sleep Number Climate 360 as the “Best Adjustable Bed and Mattress Combination” in our Best Adjustable Bases review because it takes advantage of the app’s sleep-tracking features. This combination uses the Climate 360 mattress and the FlexFit 3 Smart Base, which provide plenty of temperature control and adjustable positions to help you sleep better.

Sleep Number smart base prices start between $1,099–$2,399 without a mattress, depending on the model. An extra charge of $249 will be added at checkout for delivery and setup. We asked if this was an optional charge and whether we could set the bed up ourselves and were told that we could not have the charge removed, since the bed needs to be set-up properly by company technicians. If you have an old mattress and box spring, Sleep Number technicians will remove them for an additional $49.

Sleep Number runs regular promotions to reduce the overall cost. At the time our Reviews Team wrote this review, a promotion for complimentary delivery and setup was included with the cost of a new Sleep Number bed.

When we visited our local Sleep Number store, the representative told us Sleep Number offers many seasonal promotions. Labor Day discounts tend to be the most generous across all stores. We also learned about the Sleep Number educator discount, which gives you 20% off your purchase if you’re part of a school faculty. Sleep Number uses a third-party site called SheerID to verify your identity, and once you’re approved, you’re given a promotional code to use during your checkout process. Unfortunately, your educator discount can’t be combined with other promotions, such as seasonal and holiday discounts, and isn’t valid for the Climate 360 Smart Bed, so it would be a good idea to compare the final cost after a promotion with the final cost after the educator discount and choose the best one.

These discounts and promotions often apply to mattresses and other Sleep Number products. If you’re looking to purchase a mattress with an adjustable base, take a look at the options below.

Sleep Number accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards. Financing is available using the Sleep Number credit card, and you can apply through the website, at checkout, or by calling 877-309-9320.

You can also consider purchasing your adjustable base or mattress using your health savings account (HSA) or flexible savings account (FSA), which are types of savings accounts where you can allot pre-tax income for health expenditures. If you have an HSA or FSA, call your plan to see if they allow the purchase, and find out what you need to qualify. In most cases, you’ll need a letter of medical necessity from your doctor, clearly stating your need for a Sleep Number adjustable base. Your plan may require you to purchase the base yourself. Once they receive your letter of medical necessity, they may approve your purchase.

Unfortunately, Sleep Number does not offer free shipping. The $249 shipping and setup fee is applied to every adjustable base (and mattress) order, and you cannot waive the fee to set up the items yourself. Sleep Number representatives told us that in-home setup is necessary to sync your new bed with the SleepIQ app and to teach you how to use it properly.

Sleep Number technicians will remove your old mattress and box spring for an extra $49, but be sure to specify your need for removal services at checkout. If you’re shopping online, you need to notify a live-chat representative to add the service before you place your order because it’s not given as an option during the checkout process.

Shipping usually takes about two to three weeks from your purchase date, depending on your location, but you can specify the day of delivery. A technician will call 48 hours prior to your selected day to confirm a timeframe. They’ll also call about an hour before arrival to make sure you’re home.

Sleep Number does not allow returns on adjustable bases, and there is no trial period. Mattresses have a 100-night trial period, but if you purchase a mattress and adjustable base together, the trial period will not apply to the base. While it’s standard practice for adjustable bed brands not to offer a trial period, some do, like Puffy or Nectar.

Every Sleep Number adjustable base (and mattress) comes with a 15-year manufacturer warranty, although there are limitations. For the first year, you’re fully covered against defects. Sleep Number will cover all repairs and replacement parts, including labor. For the following 14 years of the warranty, you’ll have limited coverage as follows:

• After the first year, you’ll be responsible for paying 30% of the cost for any repairs or replacements. After the second year, and up to the 11th year, you’ll be responsible for paying 35% of the cost.
• After the 11th anniversary of purchase, you’ll pay 85% of the cost for any repairs or replacement. This expires on your 15th anniversary of purchase.

All replacement parts have a full one-year warranty. Note the warranty will be voided if you use a third-party repair service or attempt repairs yourself. Fortunately, 72.8% of our survey respondents who bought a Sleep Number adjustable base didn’t need to claim a repair or replacement under their warranty period. ^[3] NCOA Adviser Adjustable Beds Survey. 1000 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched June 2023.

When we called Sleep Number customer service, the automated recording told us wait times were more than an hour, but we were connected with an agent in less than a minute. You also have the option to enter the callback waitlist, and you’ll receive a call from customer support within three hours. You can also use the website’s live chat feature, which we found helpful for clarifying small questions about the products.

Our Reviews Team visited a local Sleep Number store to interact with representatives in person and ask questions about the products. A representative greeted us kindly once we stepped in the door and attended to us for the entire visit. He helped us discover our Sleep Number setting by pressure-mapping our body and adjusting the mattress to reduce pressure points. Then he showed us what our Sleep Number setting would feel like on an adjustable base.

A representative uses a Sleep Number mattress with a built-in pressure-mapping system to help you find your Sleep Number setting. Then they apply your setting as you test adjustable base movements.

Our Reviews Team member’s ideal pressure-eliminating Sleep Number setting (right) compared to the firmest setting (left).

Our overall experience interacting with customer service was informative, and 83% of survey respondents with a Sleep Number base also reported a positive customer service experience. ^[3] NCOA Adviser Adjustable Beds Survey. 1000 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched June 2023.

You can reach a Sleep Number customer service agent in the following ways:

• Phone: 888-411-2188, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT
• Live chat: Available 24/7 on the bottom right corner of the website
• In-store: Multiple locations across the United States

At the time this article was updated, Sleep Number was rated 3.9 out of 5 stars by Trustpilot based on more than 300 reviews. On BBB, the company was rated 4.58 out of 5, with more than 3,800 reviews. It’s accredited with an A+ rating on BBB to reflect the brand’s consistent and timely interactions with customers.

Many positive reviews praised Sleep Number customer service, reporting a pressure-free shopping experience. Negative reviews referenced poor installation and difficulty claiming repairs under warranty. We noticed many complaints were related to the brand’s warranty and return policy, so make sure you fully understand and agree with all of the terms before purchasing your base.

“Nobody was pushy and they gave us plenty of time to leave the store and talk about whether we wanted to purchase a Sleep Number bed or not. Very smooth process from start to finish.” — Angie (Trustpilot)

“Probably would not purchase again. We like the bed but had an issue with the adjustable base not being installed properly (five screws were not put in) and the bed was never right.” — Trish Z. (Trustpilot)

“The staff was very courteous and very knowledgeable and we received our bed in the timeframe they told us. The delivery guys brought it in and set it up in about 20 minutes! We love our Sleep Number. We have had it for almost a year and have had better sleep for sure.” — Stacey T. (BBB)

One of our Reviews Team members, Cathy Habas, has owned a Sleep Number FlexTop King Climate 360 Smart Bed (mattress) and FlexFit 2 Smart Base for the past seven months.

Originally, she was only shopping for a mattress and wanted to visit a showroom to try it out herself. After shopping around and discussing her options with a Sleep Expert, she decided to purchase both a mattress and an adjustable base together. “Basically, I bought [the adjustable base] because I didn’t want to regret not buying it. I knew if I didn’t buy it right then, I was probably never going to,” said Habas, “It was an upsell. I was already spending a nice chunk of change on the mattress and didn’t want to be like, ‘Oh, it’s still not enough to help me get good sleep.’”

Habas isn’t the only buyer who decided to purchase a Sleep Number mattress with the adjustable base. Nearly 80% of respondents in our survey who purchased a Sleep Number adjustable base also bought one of the brand’s mattresses, sacrificing cost for the additional features. ^[3] NCOA Adviser Adjustable Beds Survey. 1000 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched June 2023.

So far, Habas feels her decision was a good one. “I like it! No complaints. It fit inside my sleigh bed frame, so I was happy about that. I use the zero-gravity setting sometimes when I’m just chilling in bed, like reading or watching a show on my laptop. Other than that, I’ve mostly adjusted the head when I’m not feeling well to prop my head, like if I have a cold or a headache. I sometimes get sore legs and it feels good to have them elevated, which is one reason I was attracted to the adjustable base,” she said. Habas also liked the under-bed lighting, stating how it conveniently turns on when she gets out of bed, so she can see where she’s walking at night.

She even discovered a fun hack unique to adjustable beds: “I don’t bust my back trying to get the sheets under the corner of the mattress while squeezing between the mattress and the bed frame. I just put it in zero-gravity mode, and the corners become super accessible!”

Our Reviews Team extensively scrutinizes adjustable beds to make sure we only recommend those we believe will make a difference to our readers. Together, we’ve researched prominent brands by mystery shopping adjustable beds, understanding the experiences of real customers, and consulting with independent sleep experts to better understand why people seek out adjustable beds. Our method includes testing adjustable beds for ourselves, considering comfort, price, delivery, warranty, brand reputation, and more to gauge whether the adjustable bed is appropriate for NCOA readers’ needs.

Sleep Number adjustable beds are available in three models with a wide price range, depending on the size and features you need. The FlexFit 1 Smart Base is the best choice for those who want head adjustability, while the FlexFit 2 provides full head-and-foot adjustability. If you’re looking to maximize comfort, the FlexFit 3 offers foot warming to promote relaxation.

Sleep Number adjustable bases don’t have as many perks as other bases when purchased alone. For example, they are missing massage, USB ports, and wall-alignment ⓘAn adjustable base feature that keeps your upper body in place as the base adjusts. This keeps you within reach of your nightstand. features offered by other brands. But when you purchase a Sleep Number mattress with your base, you unlock the SleepIQ app and its sleep insights to help track and manage your sleep patterns.

Sleep Number is a great option if you’re looking for a mattress and adjustable base combination, especially if your goal is to track and improve your sleep. But if you’re only shopping for an adjustable base and want a relatively affordable option with more functionality, check out the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus.

Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

1. Albarqouni, Loai, et al. Head of Bed Elevation to Relieve Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms: A Systematic Review. BMC Family Practice. Jan. 19, 2021. Found on the internet at https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-021-01369-0
2. Ko, Yelin and Lee, Joo-Young. Effects of Feet Warming Using Bed Socks On Sleep Quality and Thermoregulatory Responses in a Cool Environment. Journal of Physiological Anthropology. April 24, 2018. Found on the internet at https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-018-0172-z
3. NCOA Adviser Adjustable Beds Survey. 1000 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched June 2023.