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Mattress Ratings >> Airbed Reviews > Sleep Number Bed Reviews
Sleep Number Bed (Select Comfort Mattress)
Review, Ratings, Comparisons & Complaints Based on 1,639 Consumer Experiences
What You Need To Know
THE GOOD. The Sleep Number bed offers adjustable firmness / comfort for each side. The bed also provides above average pain-relief potential and has above average longevity. Owners who approve of the bed tend to highly approve.
THE BAD. An uncomfortable middle area, air loss, noise from air pumps, breakdowns / malfunctions, price, and below-average warranty coverage are the main owner complaints. Owners who disapprove of the bed tend to highly disapprove.
THE COMPANY: Sleep Number / Select Comfort makes entry- to luxury-level permanent-use air beds ranging in price from $1000-$4700 (queen). The company – in business since 1987 and headquartered in Minneapolis, MN – largely dominates the permanent-use air bed market.
THE COMPETITION. Among airbeds, Comfortaire is likely Sleep Number's main competition, but other airbed brands compete as well. Sleep Number also often competes against non-airbed brands, such as Tempur-Pedic. See the airbed reviews – summary and the mattress reviews – summary to learn how other brands compare to Sleep Number based on thousands of consumer experiences.
Contents
Sleep Number Bed Ratings – Overview
Owner Satisfaction
Longevity / Durability Ratings
Complaints / Problems
- middle area
- price and value
- air loss
- pain / discomfort
- compression / flattening of top
- noise
Advantages / Benefits
- adjustable firmness
- sleep quality
- pain reduction
- motion isolation
- pregnant friendly
Love Making Suitability
Assembly
Mold
Weight
Warranty Ratings
Trial Offer / Return Policy Ratings
Better Business Bureau Rating
Model Prices, Specifications and Comparison
About Our Sleep Number Bed Research
Our research findings are based on 1,630 Sleep Number (Select Comfort) bed owner reviews and comments collected from hundreds of online message boards and other credible sources. We receive NO COMPENSATION in any form from any company, organization or individual to affect in any way or degree the content or findings of our mattress research. Learn more about our unbiased and accurate research methodology.
Sleep Number Bed Ratings: Overview
The ratings below are based on 1,630+ consumer reviews for various Sleep Number models including Classic (c2, c3, c4), Performance (p5, p6), Memory Foam (m7, m9), and Innovation series (i8, i10) as well as discontinued models, including 3000, 4000, 5000, 7000 and 9000.
| Classic (c2, c3, c4) |
Performance (p5, p6) |
Memory Foam (m7, m9)* |
Innovation (i8, i10, ILE) |
|
| Sample size | 454 | 697 | 20 | 470 |
| Owner satisfaction | B- | b- | b- | b |
| Durability | c- | c- | c | c- |
| Longevity | B+ | b+ | b+ | b+ |
| Affordability | c+ | c- | d | d |
| Less pain | B | b+ | b+ | b+ |
| Side sleep friendly | c- | b- | b | b+ |
| Back sleep friendly | b+ | b+ | b+ | b |
| Stomach sleep friendly | b- | b | b | b |
| Easy to move on | b+ | b | c+ | b- |
| No initial odor | b | b- | c- | b- |
| No sleeping hot | b | c+ | c- | c |
| Motion isolation | b- | b- | b | b- |
| Good for sex | C- | c | c | c+ |
| No noise | d | d | d | d |
| No need to rotate/flip | B+ | b+ | b+ | b+ |
| Lightweight | a- | b+ | c+ | b |
| Warranty | d+ | d+ | d+ | d+ |
| Firmness** | firm- medium |
medium- firm |
medium- firm |
medium- soft |
* The Memory Foam series models currently have a small, statistically insignificant sample size due mainly to the fact that they are fairly new to the market. Ratings are based on this limited sample size as well as the educated estimate of the Sleep Like The Dead editor.
** While firmness / comfort can be adjusted by adding or removing air, the general firmness of the bed is largely determined by the thickness of the comfort layer which varies by model.
Owner Satisfaction
Sleep Number beds as a group have 78% owner satisfaction (). The Innovation series models tend to rate slightly higher than the Classic, Performance and Memory Foam series models.
By comparison, all mattresses overall as a group (innerspring, air, memory foam, latex, water, futon) have 72% owner satisfaction.
Durability and Longevity
With most mattresses, durability and longevity mean basically the same thing. But with the Sleep Number bed (and permanent-use air beds in general), durability and longevity can and should be evaluated separately.
Durability
Mattress durability refers to how well a bed will hold up to regular use without something breaking or deteriorating. On this issue, the Sleep Number bed performs about average or worse compared to all mattresses overall. This is largely because the bed, unlike other mattress types, is mechanical in some ways and, as a result, more can conceivably go wrong with it.
At least 20% of Sleep Number bed owners report having over the span of ownership at least one durability problem of some kind – such as a leaking air chamber, broken pump, or malfunctioning controller.
Longevity
Longevity refers to the lifespan of a mattress. The Sleep Number bed has better longevity than most mattresses in part because any problem the bed develops can be repaired with a replacement part sent to the owner from Sleep Number / Select Comfort. Replacement parts can be not only mechanical parts, such as pumps and controllers, but also non-mechanical parts such as support foam and comfort layers.
By contrast, with other types of beds, such as innerspring mattresses, if something stops working properly or deteriorates, such as the spring system or comfort layer, the bed usually needs to be entirely replaced.
Another reason the Sleep Number bed has above average longevity is due to the fact that it uses air to support the sleeper. Air, unlike springs or foam, cannot compress and breakdown with age and wear.
Ownership length
The ability to replace any part of the Sleep Number bed, and the relative ease by which it can be done, can result in significant length of ownership. Owner experience data, in fact, shows the bed to have one of the longest life spans of any mattress.
The graph below shows that owners on average report keeping their Sleep Number bed for about ten years. Some owners keep the bed for a considerably longer time than ten years and some for a considerably shorter time.
Sleep Number Bed Complaints / Problems
Below are the main disadvantages and problems of the Sleep Number bed as reported by actual owners.
Percent of owners reporting problem
Complaint #1: The Middle
About 20% of Sleep Number bed owners report a problem with the middle of the bed where the two air chambers meet.
Some owners say there is a "valley" or "trench" in the middle, while others report a "hump." There also can be a problem with one or both sides of the bed sloping toward the middle which can cause a sleeper to roll or slide in that direction.
The middle area may be uncomfortable to lie on, and it can be less than friendly for intimate activities, including cuddling, spooning and sex.
It should be noted that Sleep Number customer service may have solutions to problems with the middle, such as a "lift" which is a piece of foam that is placed under the air chambers to raise the middle.
Problems with the middle of the Sleep Number bed tend to be reported mainly by owners who use very different firmness settings for each side of the bed, such as 80-20. By contrast, owners who use more similar settings for each side tend to not report the middle as a significant problem.
Complaint #2: Price and Value
At least 20% of owners, especially owners of the Innovation series models, complain that the price of the bed is high. Indeed, prices for the Innovation series models are about twice the price of the average mattress.
Most mattresses priced similar to Sleep Number are heavy in weight and are made with at least somewhat exotic materials. Sleep Number beds, by contrast, are lightweight and are made with relatively simple materials. This causes a significant number of owners to question the high price and resulting value of their bed; the term "glorified air mattress" is often used by these owners to describe the bed. In fact, Sleep Number bed owners question the value of their bed more often than owners of any other mattress including similarly priced beds such as Tempur-Pedic.
Complaint #3: Air Loss (Or Gain)
At least 12% of Sleep Number bed owners report that their bed loses air, sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly. Faulty air pumps, loose connections, malfunctioning controllers and air bladder leaks are the most common causes of air loss. Air loss can result in reduced comfort and support and may even cause pain, including back pain. It can also result in less than restful sleep due to the owner needing to readjust the firmness throughout the night.
In addition, firmness settings can automatically fluctuate significantly in either
direction, depending on temperature, barometric pressure, weight and sleeping position.
Complaint #4: Causes Discomfort / Pain
At least 10% of Sleep Number bed owners say that the bed causes discomfort or pain or makes preexisting pain worse, particularly back, shoulder, hip and joint pain. The chart below shows the top reasons owners give for experiencing pain on a Sleep Number bed.
The main cause of discomfort and pain is excessive firmness as Sleep Number beds in general are considered to be more firm than soft. The less expensive Classic Series models are firmest due to their minimal padding.
About 10% of Sleep Number bed owners, especially owners of the Classic Series models, report adding a topper to their bed, usually a memory foam topper, to improve comfort. Most of these owners report success.
Complaint #5: Compression & Flattening of Top
Around 10% of Sleep Number bed owners report that the foam around the edges of the bed and or the pillow top sags, compresses or develops body impressions. This can cause discomfort and undermine sleep quality, say owners.
Some methods can be effective in rejuvenating a Sleep Number bed pillow top such as using a vacuum hose to puff it up, taking the top off the bed and shaking it, or putting the top in a large dryer.
If such methods are ineffective, however, the pillow top will need to be replaced. Some owners purchase a new top from Sleep Number, while others replace their top with a mattress topper purchased from an independent retailer, often at a lower price.
The Innovation Series models with their thick pillow tops have the most complaints regarding compression / body impression development; the Performance series models with their moderately thick tops have fewer complaints; and the no-pillow top Classic Series models have the fewest complaints.
Complaint #6: Noise
While most mattresses are generally silent, air beds in general, including Sleep Number beds, can make significant noise because they use electric air pumps to adjust the firmness level.
Even though the air pumps are touted to be "whisper quiet," as many as 10% of owners report that the pumps are loud enough that they cannot be used during the night without the risk of waking a sleeping partner. Pumps that are defective in some way may be especially loud.
Sleep Number Bed Advantages / Benefits
Below are the main advantages and benefits of the Sleep Number bed according to owners.
Percent of owners reporting advantage / benefit
Advantage / Benefit #1: Adjustable Firmness
Permanent-use air beds, such as the Sleep Number bed, are the only type of bed that provides instant firmness adjustability. At least 30% of Sleep Number bed owners praise the bed for this feature.
Adjustable firmness is well-liked by owners primarily for the following reasons:
- It often allows them to find a level of firmness and support that best suits their individual needs, resulting in better comfort and reduced pain.
- Each side of the bed often has its own independent air chamber which allows two people with different firmness preferences to sleep comfortably on the same bed – making the bed couple friendly in this respect.
- Setting the firmness high can make getting up off the bed easier – a benefit especially for people who are weak, heavy or injured.
It should be noted that about 10% of owners do not agree that a Sleep Number bed truly has adjustable firmness, that is, the ability to change from soft to firm or firm to soft. Instead, they say the bed has adjustable support, meaning that adjustment affects spinal alignment, not firmness levels. These owners say that a lower number does not feel softer, just flatter.
Advantage / Benefit #2: Improves Restful Sleep
At least 20% of owners say their Sleep Number bed allows them to sleep better with less tossing, turning and restlessness. They often say that a lack of significant pressure points is the main reason for their improved sleep. Some owners also say they sleep more efficiently on the bed, that is, they sleep more soundly and can spend less time in bed as a result.
Advantage / Benefit #3: Pain Reduction
For at least 20% of owners, a Sleep Number bed relieves or even eliminates pain that one may feel both in and out of bed. Relief of back, shoulder, hip and joint pain are commonly noted.
As the charts below show, Sleep Number beds perform better than the average mattress in regard to pain relief. Other mattresses, such as Tempur-Pedic, may equal a Sleep Number bed's ability to reduce pain, but none exceed it.
Chart 1. Portion of Sleep Number bed owners reporting pain decrease, pain increase or no significant difference either way.
Chart 2. Portion of owners of the average mattress reporting pain decrease, pain increase or no significant difference either way.
Advantage / Benefit #4: Motion Isolation
For most owners, especially those who previously owned an innerspring mattress, the Sleep Number bed does a fair to good job in localizing motion. In other words, movement made by a person on one side of the bed does not fully transfer across the bed to disturb another person on the bed.
About 5% of owners, however, say their Sleep Number bed has poor motion isolation. These owners are almost always people who previously owned memory foam mattresses which have superior motion isolation. Consistent with this fact, the Memory Foam series models likely have somewhat better motion isolation than the other Sleep Number bed models.
In addition, Sleep Number has made the following statement about motion isolation.
"Under certain circumstances, there might be motion detected (up/down) on one side of the bed if someone gets out. There is some lateral pressure exerted on the air chambers against each other where they meet. If someone gets out of bed, the occupied chamber now has more 'room' and will slightly expand to the center and cause a 'drop' for the sleeper. When the other person gets back in bed, it may cause that chamber to expand and press back against the other, causing a 'rise'." |
Advantage / Benefit #5: Pregnant Friendly
Pregnant women as a group rate Sleep Number beds higher than other beds. They say the beds' adjustable firmness and good supportiveness generally help to relieve some of the difficulties that come with pregnancy.
Love Making Suitability
About half of the owners included in our research who commented on the issue say their Sleep Number bed is suitable for sex, or at least no less suitable than other beds. The other half say the Sleep Number bed is not good for sex overall because the beds have a trench or intrusion in the middle where the two air chambers meet.
This, they say, makes being in the middle of the bed uncomfortable and causes them to have sex on one side of the bed or the other which does not leave enough room. However, owner experience data suggests that the trench / intrusion in the middle can be minimized by having each side of the bed set with the same firmness level.
Owners also report that the trench / intrusion in the middle may not allow them to spoon or cuddle with their partner comfortably.
For more information see the mattress and sex comparison.
Assembly
Sleep Number beds, unlike most other beds, require assembly. Most owners, but not all, say that assembly is easy and takes about 40-90 minutes depending on whether one or two people are involved.
Care should be taken with assembly as owner experience data suggests that poor assembly can cause the bed to not function properly and be uncomfortable. In fact, poor assembly may be a significant cause of owner dissatisfaction.
Upon delivery, for an additional fee, the bed can be assembled by professionals.
Mold
No more than 3% of owners report finding mold in their Sleep Number bed, usually between the foam and air chambers. A small number of these owners report feeling ill because of the mold. Mold / mildew problems in a Sleep Number bed is a widely publicized and discussed issue. However, the number of owners who have a mold problem, or at least are aware of having such a problem, is small based on our collected data involving over 1,600 owners.
Weight
Sleep Number beds largely consist of air making them significantly lighter than conventional mattresses. On the plus side, the low weight makes the beds easy to move, transport and handle. The low weight also can mean that making the bed or changing linens is easier.
On the negative side, the low weight of Sleep Number beds causes some people, namely those who associate low weight with low cost, to question the above-average price of the beds and their value. The low weight may also allow the beds to move and slide around fairly easily as opposed to being solidly in place.
Warranty
Sleep Number beds have a 25-year limited warranty.
Sleep Number bed owners overall give the warranty a below-average rating mainly because non-prorated coverage ends after just the second year of ownership. (Non-prorated coverage means the customer pays nothing for repairs / replacement, while prorated means the customer pays partial cost.) Owners also tend to be disappointed that the warranty does not cover comfort layer compression and flattening – a somewhat common problem.
By comparison, other air bed brands often provide at least a slightly longer non-prorated period. And the brands of most other mattress types, such as innerspring and memory foam, often provide non-prorated warranty coverage for 10 years.
For more information, see mattress warranties: what you should know.
Sleep Number Bed Warranty Terms
| 0-2 years after purchase | No cost to owner for repair |
|---|---|
| 3-20 years after purchase | Owner pays 20% of repair costs plus 4% of repair cost for each year from original purchase date |
| 21-25 years after purchase | Owner pays 96% of repair cost. |
For the 3-20 year portion of the warranty, here is an example. You have a problem that costs $200 to repair and you've had the Sleep Number Bed for 10 years. You will pay 20% of the cost ($200 x 20% = $40) plus 4% of the cost times 10 years (4% x $200 x 10 = $80). So you will owe $120 ($40+$80) of the $200 repair cost and Sleep Number will pay the rest.
Return Policy and Trial Period
Sleep Number's return policy consists of a 100-day trial period in which if you do not like the product you can send it back for an exchange or 100% refund minus initial shipping and any setup fees. (There are no returns or exchanges for adjustable bases, closeout or demo bed models.)
Sleep Number bed owners overall give the return policy fair-to-poor ratings. Owners like the trial period but do not like that they must pay return shipping if they send it back. Competitor air bed brands usually have less costly return policies. (For more information, see returning a mattress: what you should know.)
Better Business Bureau Rating
Select Comfort Corporation, the manufacturer of Sleep Number beds, is currently accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has an "A+" rating. The company's rating historically has been mostly stable. Learn more about BBB ratings and what they mean.
Model Specifications
The chart below provides current pricing as of May 15, 2013 (not including temporary sale prices) as well as specifications for the various Sleep Number bed models. Sizes other than what are listed below may be available.
| Price Twin | Price Full | Price Queen | Price King | Overall Thick- ness |
Style Type | Comfort Layer Thick- ness |
Remote | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic c2 | $650 | $900 | $1000 | $1500 | 8" | plush | -- | wireless digital | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Classic c3 | $1000 | $1300 | $1400 | $2000 | 9" | plush | 1" | wireless digital | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Classic c4 | $1280 | $1600 | $1700 | $2350 | 10" | plush | 1.5" | wireless digital | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Classic cSE | $800 | $1200 | $1300 | $1900 | 10" | plush | 1.5" | wireless digital | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Performance p5 | $1500 | $2000 | $2100 | $2700 | 11" | pillow top | 2" | wireless digital w/ memory | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Performance p6 | $2100 | -- | $2600 | $3300 | 12" | pillow top | 3" | wireless digital w/ memory | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Memory Foam m7 | $2850 | $3150 | $3300 | $4100 | 12" | memory foam | 3" | wireless digital w/ full fill & memory | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Memory Foam m9 | $4200 | $4550 | $4700 | $5500 | 13" | memory foam | 5" | wireless digital w/ full fill & memory | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Innovation i8 | $2850 | $3150 | $3300 | $4100 | 13" | pillow top | 3" | wireless digital w/ full fill & memory | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Innovation iLE | $3800 | $4150 | $4300 | $5100 | 14" | pillow top | 3" | wireless digital w/ full fill & memory | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
| Innovation i10 | $4200 | -- | $4700 | $5500 | 15" | pillow top | 5" | wireless digital w/ full fill & memory | 25 yrs, 2 yrs non- prorated |
Sleep Like The Dead Editor Discusses Sleep Number Bed Research
About our unbiased Sleep Number Bed / Select Comfort review & research
Our ratings are based on 1,600+ Sleep Number (Select Comfort) bed owner experiences, including reviews for Classic, Performance, Memory Foam and Innovation series. The data was collected from hundreds of diverse online message boards. Get the details of our bed research methodology and sources.
We receive NO compensation of any kind from any company, organization or individual to affect in any way or degree the content of our mattress research.
Our mattress research findings have appeared in such publications as –
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