With a wide range of options available, high-tech designs, great motion isolation, and excellent company ratings from the Better Business Bureau, what’s not to love about a Sleep Number bed? Other than the price, that is. While prices vary for Sleep Number airbeds, a Performance or Innovation collection Queen size Sleep Number bed costs between $2,099 and $4,999.
Not to mention, Sleep Number almost always charges delivery and in-home setup fees. If you’re interested in a bed with adjustable firmness settings but aren’t sure you want to shell out the cash for a Sleep Number, or are even just curious about similar alternatives on the market, this article is for you. Below is a roundup of some of the most popular Sleep Number mattresses and our top picks for alternatives.
Read our full Sleep Number mattress review to learn more.
Check out our video review for Sleep Number below to know more about what we’re talking about. We list our alternatives in the description box, but feel free to read on for more detailed descriptions of why we chose them!
The i8 is one of three mattresses in Sleep Number’s Innovation line, which has above-average pricing and is the most luxurious of the three Sleep Number lines. The Nectar Premier is a luxurious model that still offers some impressive features, but at a fraction of the price. While the Nectar Premier doesn’t have adjustable air chambers, it does offer a medium feel (5.5 out of 10) that appeals to most back and side sleepers, encompassing a wide range of shoppers out there. Qualities the mattresses share include a considerably tall height (12″ for Sleep Number and 13″ for the Nectar Premier), deep pressure relief, and a high price point. The i8 and the Nectar Premier can accommodate a wide range of sleepers, have high-quality constructions, and have great durability ratings.
What our testers say: “The Nectar Premier cover feels cool-to-the-touch, and the top layer of foam is soft and doughy. We feel deeply cushioned with we lie down on the mattress. There’s lots of sinkage around our shoulders and hips, but our curves still feel well supported. That’s probably due to the firmer support layers of foam below.” –Rachael Harris, Writer
Check out our full Nectar Premier review for more!
Rounding off our list, the Sleep Number Performance Series p6 is an upgraded version of the Classic series, boasting 5″ of foam with extra cooling capabilities. The Saatva Solaire is another adjustable air bed with dual chambers. Saatva is a well-established luxury brand, and the Solaire is their flagship smart bed. Great for couples, this bed is the perfect medley of responsiveness, motion isolation, and cooling technology. With 6″ of comfort materials for added support, it’s up there with the higher-end options of Sleep Number series.
What our testers say: “Back sleepers of every body size are a good fit for the Saatva Solaire. The five-zoned latex layer facilitates spinal alignment and offers proper support for the shoulders, hips, legs, and feet. Because the memory foam layer helps cradle the back, you can find pressure relief with every firmness setting.” –Ashton Boiar, Staff Writer
Check out our full Saatva Solaire review for more!
The Sleep Number Classic series are the most affordable line at Sleep Number, including all three of their classic technologies: adjustable air chambers, ResponsiveAir, and SleepIQ. Though as a smart bed, it still drives a hard bargain. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we can’t recommend Helix mattresses enough. Though we’ve featured the Helix Midnight, Helix has a ton of options catering to specific firmness and sleeping position needs. If you want to spend a little extra, you can upgrade to their Luxe series for more mattress height and advanced cooling tech. And you can top it off with an affordable Helix Adjustable Base to give that uniquely-tailored feeling of luxury brands like Sleep Number.
What our testers say: “When Helix Sleep says they have mattresses designed for every body, they literally mean every body. Helix sells a wide range of beds, more than a half dozen versions from soft to firm, designed for every sleep position.” –Loren Bullock, Editor & Mattress Tester
Check out our full Helix Midnight review for more!
The Sleep Number c4 is another variation of their Classic Series, with added thickness on top of the adjustable air bed. Nolah Signature mattresses are certainly different from the Sleep Number c4, but the Signature is still fantastic for those looking for that classic memory foam hug. While it may not have the degree of luxury features, the Signature comes at a much more manageable price. And with comparable responsiveness, and effectiveness for back sleepers, the Nolah Signature 12″ all-foam mattress is a great alternative to a luxury smart bed. Like the Helix series, you can also add on a Nolah Adjustable Base for added adjustability.
What our testers say: “The surface of the Nolah Signature is initially soft and cushioning, but quickly transitions into firm support. We compare the feel to sleeping “on” the mattress rather than “in” it. This firmness level is best for stomach and back sleepers.” –Meghan Hunter, Editor
Check out our full Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress review for more!
Sleep Number has earned clout and recognition for its memorable commercials, slogans, wide availability, and hundreds of brick-and-mortar locations nationwide. But these beds aren’t cheap, so making sure you’re comfortable with the investment is essential before you pull the trigger on a new mattress.
Here are few considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to invest in a Sleep Number mattress or one of the Sleep Number alternative mattresses we listed above.
Related: Addressing Sleep Number Bed Problems and Complaints
Sleep Number mattresses can cost less than $1,000, but this is rare to see unless you’re opting for a small size (Twin or Full) and choose a model from the Classic series. Prices vary widely based on the collection you choose. In general, Sleep Number mattresses are much more expensive than other beds on the market.
If you’re excited about and have planned financially for a luxury purchase, you may feel just fine investing in a Sleep Number mattress. If you plan to use the bed temporarily or don’t have a large budget, you’ll be better off looking into more affordable airbed brands or another mattress type altogether.
The most common styles on the market are hybrid, all-foam, latex, and innerspring mattresses. Each style brings something unique to the table, and it’s important to understand the pros and cons of the mattress types before deciding that an airbed is right for you. Although some of the best bed in a box are top of the line, it’s not quite like a customizable airbed.
For example, if you’re interested in the plush comfort that you think an airbed can offer, you might be surprised to find that both hybrid and all-foam mattresses are among the best styles for pressure point relief and close conforming. Similarly, if a custom bed is of interest, you may want to consider all your options for customization, which can include everything from custom firmness levels and mattress heights to adjustable bases and, of course, airbeds.
If you decide to go with a Sleep Number bed as your new bed, congratulations! They’re one of the most highly-rated airbeds on the market, and we think you’ll be happy with your purchase. While you’re already well on your way by deciding on the brand that’s right for you, it’s important to take some time to consider which Sleep Number airbed you want to invest in.
Sleep Number offers three lines, the Classic, Performance, and Innovation collections, for a total of eight mattresses. The Classic line is best for airbed shoppers on a budget, and these models also tend to be the most firm, which may make them most appropriate for heavyweight individuals and couples.
The Performance line is best for those who enjoy sleep surfaces that range from moderately soft to medium-firm, and they cost a bit more than the Classic line models. The Innovation airbed line is ideal for shoppers who have a large budget and enjoy very soft sleeping surfaces.
Here are a few other points to consider when selecting the right Sleep Number bed for your home:
Here’s an overview of Sleep Number shipping, delivery, and warranty policies to see if they’re right for you.
With the exception of Sleep Number s1 and s3 beds, delivery or shipping is paid by the customer. For their Premium Delivery option, it’s essentially white glove delivery. Sleep Number workers will help you move your old mattress and set up your new bed in your bedroom.
Warrantees vary from mattress to mattress. Some even require that you register yourself through the website. So, be sure to check out the specifics on the Sleep Number website before making a purchase.
A Sleep Number bed comes with a 100-night sleep trial period. Sleep Number doesn’t accept returns until the 31st day after purchasing because of the typical month-long adjustment period for a new mattress.
If you decide to return the bed, you can schedule a return with Sleep Number, but you may have to pay for shipping.
If you’re in the market for a smart bed then you likely already know some things about them. Generally speaking, they optimize your sleep experience through the use of technology. Here is a list of some of the features you can expect to come across while shopping for a smart bed.
Possibly the biggest selling point for smart beds is the ability to adjust the firmness of your mattress with the push of a button. See, mattress firmness can make or break your sleeping situation, as it needs to be perfectly coordinated to accommodate your sleeping style and body type.
With an adjustable-firmness smart bed, you don’t have to hope that you make the right choice the first time. Instead, you can test different firmnesses from night to night until you find the perfect one. Some smart beds even let you adjust the firmness on either side of the mattress, so if you sleep with a partner you don’t have to compromise.
Is staying cool at night one of your top priorities? Then you’ll want to keep an eye out for a smart bed with built-in temperature regulating technology. Beds like the Eight Sleep Pod Pro utilize a thermostat and cooling tech to measure the climate and adjust the temperature of the mattress as necessary.
If you have other devices in your home that can be controlled using your phone, then there’s a chance you’ll be able to control them through your smart bed as well. Some of these beds allow you to adjust thermostats, turn on coffee makers, dim lights, turn off the television, or modify the angle of your adjustable base all without getting up or reaching for your phone.
Keeping an eye on the amount of REM cycle sleep you get can give you a better understanding of how much you’re recovering each night and what changes you might be able to make to improve your sleep quality. Some smart beds on the market will track this information for you, making it easier to stay on top of.
If you want something that’s like a Sleep Number but isn’t a Sleep Number, it probably has to do with price. So, naturally lower cost should be the first thing you look for in a Sleep Number alternative. Keep in mind, the cheaper the smart bed the fewer features it is likely to come with. You might need to find a nice middle ground between the most affordable bed and the expensive Sleep Number so that you can save some money while still getting everything you want out of the product.
It depends. Sleep Number beds boast some of the most impressive technology, comfort, and support that we’ve come across, but we do not suggest you stretch your budget to purchase one. You can find a smart bed that offers much of what a Smart Bed does at a more affordable price point.
Yep! Make sure you have an outlet available within 5 feet, so your bed can remain inflated all night.
Sleep Number beds claim to be more than just your “typical” adjustable air bed mattress. “Sleep Number” refers to the setting you can set your bed at, from 1-100, with firmness increasing as you go closer to 100. They also offer unique features like SleepIQ technology, which can tell you everything from how long you’ve been sleeping to whether or not you might have sleep apnea.
It’s wise to consider alternatives to Sleep Number mattresses considering these mattresses can be among the most expensive options on the market. Not to mention, when you’re investing in customization, you want to ensure that the bed you purchase is perfect for you.
There are many lines of airbeds on the market and other mattress styles with comparable features in adjustability and comfort. We hope this overview of Sleep Number alternatives has given you a high-level view of other alternatives and substitutes that are available to you today.
The Sleep Number True Temp pillow is made from memory foam with patented cooling technology. It comes in three shapes: Classic, Contour, and Ultimate, to accommodate all different body types and sleeping positions.
