Sleep Number Mattress Review: An Honest Assessment

Sleep Number c1

The 8-inch Sleep Number c1 is the company’s entry-level offering. This mattress is part of the Classic Series, which includes the c1, c2, and c4 beds, all of which feature a single layer of polyfoam atop the company’s signature air-chamber inflation system. The top layer of the c1 contains a 1-inch quilted cover and a mere 1.25 inches of polyfoam, with the 6.75-inch-tall layer of air chambers below.

Sleep Number wouldn’t share specific foam densities for any of its mattresses, so we are unable to make estimations of their durability over time. But considering the meager foam layer and the overall thinness of this mattress, we doubt that it would be suitable for people who weigh over 200 pounds. And based on our experience with an older version of the c2, which had a slightly thicker layer of foam, we don’t think this mattress would be very comfortable.

The mattress comes in sizes twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. Sleep Number produces most of its mattresses with dual air chambers to accommodate two sleepers, but the c1 bed is also available for purchase with just one air chamber in sizes full and queen; you have to visit a store in person or call the company to choose that option. (Twin and twin XL mattresses are sold only with a single air chamber due to their smaller sizes.)

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 8 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number c2

The 8-inch Sleep Number c2 is similar to the Sleep Number c1 but lacks a quilted cover. It has a 2-inch foam layer (compared with 1.25 inches in the Sleep Number c1). The Sleep Number c2 also contains gel polyfoams, which the company claims gives the mattress added breathability and cooling properties.

Despite those slight upgrades, we don’t think the c2 mattress would feel substantially better than the c1 mattress. Editor Joanne Chen previously tested an older version and said the mattress reminded her of a “dormitory bed.” For the price, you’re better off with one of our mattress picks, such as the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, a reliable favorite among testers over multiple rounds of testing that is well constructed with sturdy, high-density foams and a generous number of support coils.

The c2 is available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes. As with the Sleep Number c1, you have the option of selecting either a single or dual air chamber when you purchase a full- or queen-size c2 mattress, but you have to visit a store in person or call the company to select the single-chamber option.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 8 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number c4

The 9-inch Sleep Number c4 is the most luxe mattress in the company’s Classic Series and features the same basic construction as the c2 mattress, consisting of a gel-foam layer atop the air-chamber inflation system below. The Sleep Number c4 includes 3 inches of gel polyfoam in the top layer, versus 2 inches in the c2 and 1.25 inches in the c1 mattress.

Editor Joanne Chen tested an earlier version of the c4 mattress alongside the c2 and remarked that even with an additional inch of foam on top, the c4 “feels only slightly less institutional.” She said she wouldn’t recommend either model “unless you’re used to sleeping on a mat or you plan on springing for a good mattress topper.”

Unlike other models in the Classic Series, the Sleep Number c4 is not sold in twin, twin XL, or full sizes, and it is available for purchase with dual air chambers only. The mattress comes in queen, king, and California king sizes.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 9 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number p5

The 10-inch Sleep Number p5 is the most basic bed in the company’s Performance Series, which offers two layers of foam in its upper comfort section, in contrast to the single layer in the Classic series.

The two foam sections include a 1-inch layer of ceramic-infused gel polyfoam and a 2-inch layer of gel polyfoam. According to the company, the additional layer of ceramic-infused foam is designed to regulate heat transfer and help with cooling, though we haven’t yet tested those claims ourselves.

Performance Series beds also add a 1-inch polyfoam base pad below for added support. None of the beds in the Classic Series include a base pad.

The Sleep Number p5 is available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes. As with other models, the twin sizes come with one air chamber, and the rest come with dual air chambers, though you can instead get a single air chamber in the full or queen size if you call the company or visit a store in person.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 10 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number pSE

The 10-inch Sleep Number pSE is a limited-edition mattress in the company’s Performance Series with specifications similar to those of the Sleep Number p5.

The top comfort layers in the Sleep Number p5 and pSE both feature 3 inches of polyfoam, but there are slight variations in the types of foams in each mattress. Sleep Number wouldn’t share foam densities or details on the types of foams (only their proprietary names), so we can’t be sure on the exact differences. But we do know that the pSE includes a 1.5-inch layer of a ceramic-infused gel polyfoam that differs from the one in the p5 mattress.

The pSE is available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king sizes. As with other models, the twin and twin XL sizes have a single air chamber, while the rest have two. You can purchase a full or queen size with a single air chamber, but you have to call the company or buy in-store for that.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 10 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number p6

The 11-inch Sleep Number p6 has the same basic build as the Sleep Number p5 but with an additional inch of foam in the top comfort layers, for 4 inches total. We think the difference in comfort is likely to be minimal, especially since the types of polyfoams are the same in the two beds, and the company declined to share further details about the foam.

The p6 also features a 1-inch base pad below the company’s signature air-chamber inflation system. But when editor Joanne Chen previously tested an older version of this mattress (which had 6 inches of comfort foams instead of the updated 5 inches) she said she “couldn’t shake the feeling that I was sleeping on a rubber raft.”

Unlike the p5 and pSE models, the Sleep Number p6 is not manufactured in twin, twin XL, or full size; this bed is sold only in queen, king, and California king. Although you have the option of selecting a single air chamber for certain queen-size Sleep Number beds, the Sleep Number p6 is available for purchase only with a dual air-chamber system in all sizes.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 11 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number m7

The 11-inch Sleep Number m7 is the only Sleep Number model that has memory foam in its upper comfort layers.

The foam layers in this mattress include a 2.5-inch layer of memory foam and a 1.5-inch layer of polyfoam above the air chambers, as well as a 1-inch foam base pad below. Although we haven’t tested the Sleep Number m7 ourselves, we expect that the addition of memory foam in this mattress would introduce some added comfort and cradling support, since memory foam is typically denser and less springy.

The Sleep Number m7 is not available in twin, twin XL, or full size and is sold with dual air-chamber systems only.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, memory foam, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 11 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number i8

The 12-inch Sleep Number i8 is part of the company’s Innovation Series, a step up from its Performance Series. These mattresses employ thicker gel foams, which Sleep Number says are infused with more ceramic gel than mattresses in other series for superior cooling. We haven’t tested those claims ourselves, though, so we can’t say how much of a difference the ceramic gel makes.

The i8, the most basic option in the Innovation Series, provides 5 inches of polyfoam in its upper comfort section, plus a 1-inch polyfoam base pad for additional support underneath the company’s signature air-chamber inflation system.

The Sleep Number i8 is available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes. The twin sizes have a single air chamber. You have the option of selecting either a single or dual air-chamber system in the full and queen sizes, but the king and California king sizes are available for purchase only with a dual air-chamber system.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 12 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number i10

The 13-inch Sleep Number i10, another model in the company’s Innovation Series, is advertised as a step above the Sleep Number i8. Although the Sleep Number i10 includes the same 5-inch ceramic-infused comfort foams as the Sleep Number i8, this mattress is supported by a 2-inch base pad, which gives the i10 an added inch of height over the i8 (which has a 1-inch base pad) and contributes to extra foundational support.

The Sleep Number i10 is available for purchase only in queen, king, and California king sizes with dual air chambers. This model is not sold in twin, twin XL, or full size.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 13 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number iLE

The Sleep Number iLE, another model in the company’s Innovation Series, is constructed with 5 inches of ceramic-infused polyfoam in the upper comfort layers and a 1-inch base pad below the air-chamber system. Sleep Number wouldn’t specify foam densities or the exact types of foams that it uses for each mattress, sharing only their proprietary names. Based on that information, we know that the 12-inch Sleep Number iLE uses different versions of polyfoam than other beds in the Innovation Series, which also feature 5 inches of polyfoams in their top layer.

According to the company, the types of foam it uses in the Sleep Number iLE are designed to provide additional pressure relief and limit heat transfer, but we don’t have information on the exact differences in foam composition, nor have we tested those claims ourselves.

The Sleep Number iLE is not available in twin size, but you can purchase it in twin XL. The full and queen versions of this mattress are offered for purchase with either a single or dual air-chamber system, but you have to visit a store in person or call the company for the single-chamber option. All king and California king beds are made with a dual air-chamber system.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester cover
• Thickness: 12 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number ClimateCool

Sleep Number’s Climate Series combines the company’s signature air-inflation system with temperature-regulating features. The 12-inch Sleep Number ClimateCool mattress features a “cooling module,” which is essentially a fan that circulates fresh air from your room into the bed. You can control the amount of airflow into the bed with the Sleep Number app. It also has a “thermal insert” made of polyolefin elastomer inside the upper comfort layers that is supposed to work alongside the cooling module to modulate temperatures.

But we can’t say how well those features work. We haven’t tested them in person, and when we contacted Sleep Number to learn more about them, we were told that the information is proprietary.

The cover on the Sleep Number ClimateCool is composed of a polyester, rayon, and viscose blend, which should offer more breathability than the polyester cover on most other Sleep Number mattresses.

Like the Innovation Series mattresses, the ClimateCool has a 5-inch comfort layer with ceramic-infused gel foams, which Sleep Number says provides even more cooling, though the company didn’t share details on how. We haven’t yet tested those claims ourselves.

Every Sleep Number ClimateCool mattress comes with a basic integrated base (smart bases, including the FlexFit 1, FlexFit 2, and FlexFit 3 are available for purchase separately). ClimateCool mattresses come only in queen, king, and California king sizes, and you can get them only with a dual air-chamber system.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester, rayon, and viscose cover
• Thickness: 12 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Sleep Number Climate360

The 13-inch Sleep Number Climate360 is currently the most high-tech and feature-rich mattress in Sleep Number’s catalog. This mattress has a mechanism that can either cool or warm the bed, which you control with the Sleep Number app. The mechanism works similarly to the cooling module that’s inside the Sleep Number ClimateCool mattress, with a fan nestled in the upper comfort layers that draws in air. But unlike the ClimateCool, this model can optionally warm the air as it draws the air through.

The Sleep Number Climate360’s upper comfort section consists of two layers of proprietary foams, called Thermalux and Ergonomex foam, totaling 5 inches. The foundation is supported by a 2-inch polyfoam base pad, which sits below the mattress’s signature air-chamber inflation system.

Every purchase of a Sleep Number Climate360 bed comes with the company’s FlexFit 3 smart base, which includes head and foot adjustability, automatic under-the-bed lighting, “zero gravity” (a preset option that raises the head about halfway and raises the foot most of the way for added pressure relief), and foot warming. The Climate360 bed is made only with a dual air-chamber system and only in queen, king, and California king sizes.

Key specs

• Materials: air chamber, polyfoam; polyester and rayon cover
• Thickness: 13 inches
• Trial: 100-night home trial
• Warranty: 15-year limited warranty

Joanne Chen wrote a previous version of this article. This article was edited by Christina Colizza and Marguerite Preston.