Our Review of Sleep Number Mattresses
Sleep Number
Sleep Number
Features
- Our rating: 9.2/10
- Best for: Side sleepers, back sleepers
- Material: Hybrid (rayon and polypropylene)
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Shipping method: $199.99 white glove delivery, including set-up and removal of your old mattress
- Financing: $22/month at 5.99% APR for 60 months
- Warranty: 25-year limited warranty
Sleep Number Pros & Cons
Pros Excellent edge support thanks to the four foam border walls included with purchase. Little bounce or motion transfer across the mattress, making it a strong option for couples who don’t want to be disturbed by their partner’s tossing and turning. Best for side sleepers and back sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress with ample and durable support. Cons Risk for tech issues or air loss associated with Sleep Number’s Firmness Control System. Too firm to support most stomach sleepers, who need increased pressure relief around their hips and shoulders. Sleep Number models more advanced than the c2 can cost several thousand dollars.
Our Expert Opinion
The Sleep Number brand emphasizes personalized comfort and support. The air chambers included on both sides of the Sleep Number c2 smart mattress (for full size and above) allow sleepers to choose their own firmness level, while their partner chooses another. This customization allows couples to sleep at the firmness level they desire. Whether you’re a back, side or combination sleeper, the Sleep Number c2 mattress has a firmness option that should match. You can even have the bed find your personal Sleep Number by lying on the mattress in your preferred sleeping position and pressing a button that makes your bed firmer or softer, depending on your preference. When you get to a firmness that’s ideal for your comfort, that’s your Sleep Number. The Sleep Number settings range from 0 to 100, with lower being softer and higher being firmer.
You can also set your Sleep Number using the Sleep Number app.
The Sleep Number c2 smart mattress is also competitively priced, compared to similar smart beds currently on the market. A queen-size Sleep Number c2 mattress costs $1,099, and there are 10 different sizing options to choose from, all below $2,000. Sleep Number bed prices vary by series, with the Classic series at the low end of the price range and the Climate360 series costing the most.
Because Sleep Number mattresses are constructed mainly around the two air chambers, there is a risk of technological problems or sudden air loss, which can come from changes in external air pressure (differences in temperature or higher altitudes). If you’re not tech-savvy or don’t want to spend time finding the perfect Sleep Number firmness level for you, the Sleep Number c2 might not be your mattress. However, Sleep Number is a great option for couples or solo sleepers who want a personalized sleep experience.
“We tested the four foam border walls included with the Sleep Number c2 smart mattress and found that this bed showed better edge support than memory foam or latex mattresses.”
From our tester
Sleep Number Mattress Firmness Data
Regarding firmness, the Sleep Number c2 is a little different than most mattresses because its firmness can be customized to each sleeper. By setting your Sleep Number at a 10, the firmness will stay around one on the firmness scale. However, if you set your Sleep Number at 100, the firmness will stay around 8.5, making it a very firm mattress.
Because the Sleep Number c2 does not include a comfort foam layer on top of its air chambers, it does have a slightly firmer feel than the majority of mattresses offered by Sleep Number. However, by setting your Sleep Number at around 60, this mattress should take on the feel of a typical medium-firm bed (6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale), which should provide enough support to keep your spine in a neutral alignment while still providing enough pressure relief for the hips, shoulders and lower back.
“We found that the Sleep Number c2 mattress is on the firmer end of the mattress spectrum. If you prefer a softer bed with a plushier feel, opt for an additional mattress pad to add some cushioning.” – From our tester
Sleep Number c2 Mattress Performance Data
The Sleep Number c2 mattress scored highest with our testers for edge support and motion isolation. The minimal motion transfer is also a perk for couples who don’t want to be disturbed by their partner during the night. However, stomach sleepers and higher-weight sleepers might find that the Sleep Number c2 mattress doesn’t provide the pressure relief they need around their hips and shoulders.
People who are highly sensitive to pressure in their hips and shoulders may want to opt for a softer mattress than the Sleep Number c2, despite its customization. However, these sleepers could also purchase an additional foam mattress topper if they want more sinkage and cushioning from the Sleep Number c2 mattress.
Sleeping Positions
The Sleep Number c2 mattress is able to accommodate a wide variety of sleepers because each sleeper can customize its firmness to the number that works best for their body weight, sleeping position and pressure relief needs.
Is the Sleep Number c2 mattress a good mattress for certain sleeping positions?
Back Sleepers
The overall firm feel of this bed can help back sleepers keep their spine in a neutral position as the soft fiberfill layer contours to their lower back.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers should have no problem on the Sleep Number c2 mattress, as long as they are light- to average-weight sleepers. However, higher-weight sleepers may not receive enough pressure relief around their hips and shoulders to prevent soreness in the morning.
Stomach Sleepers
While this bed should provide enough firmness to keep these stomach sleepers’ hips in line with their shoulders, it does not provide enough pressure relief in these same areas.
Weight of Sleepers
The personalization of the Sleep Number c2 mattress should allow it to work for a wide range of weight categories.
Is the Sleep Number 360 c2 mattress a good mattress for certain weight ranges?
Light Sleepers (up to 130 Pounds)
Because of its overall firm feel, this mattress should provide enough support for lighter-weight back and stomach sleepers. Lighter-weight side sleepers looking for a softer surface may want to add a foam mattress pad to add some cushioning on top.
Average-Weight Sleepers (130 to 250 Pounds)
Average-weight back and side sleepers are the group most likely to benefit from the balanced feel of support and pressure relief offered by the Sleep Number c2 mattress.
Higher-Weight Sleepers (250+ Pounds)
Despite the Sleep Number c2’s adjustable firmness, most higher-weight sleepers probably won’t stay comfortable on this mattress. Without the two-inch Comfort Layer that comes standard with other Sleep Number mattresses, the c2 will not likely provide larger bodies with adequate cushioning.
Sleep Number 360 c2 mattress Pain Relief and Pressure Points
The Sleep Number c2 shows promise as a mattress for back pain, especially for back and side sleepers. The overall firm feel of this mattress, coupled with the fact that sleepers can choose their own Sleep Number that works best for their body type and sleep position, should help many sleepers maintain a neutral spinal alignment and comfortable weight distribution. When weight is evenly distributed, sleepers shouldn’t feel pressure buildup in key pressure point areas like the back, shoulders and hips. However, it is important to note that higher-weight sleepers might feel some pressure in those areas.
Bottom Line: Sleep Number Mattress
We recommend the Sleep Number c2 mattress for a variety of different sleepers. We believe that the Sleep Number c2 is best for side and back sleepers, especially those who are light- or average-weight.
The Sleep Number c2 impressed us with its ability to maintain air pressure through its air chambers, allowing sleepers to pick which Sleep Number works best for them. In our experience, most sleepers will want to pick a Sleep Number between 40 and 60 for a medium-firm mattress feel (similar to a 6.5 on the firmness scale). However, sleepers who value neutral spine alignment and want to relieve back pain might prefer a higher setting to ensure their back doesn’t sink too far into the mattress.
We were also impressed with the Sleep Number c2’s ability to reduce motion transfer and its strong edge support. The four foam border walls included with the Sleep Number c2 allow couples to sleep close to the edge of the mattress without excessive sinking or sagging. Plus, the low motion transfer helps ensure that one partner isn’t disturbed by the tossing and turning of the other. The Sleep Number c2 mattress is also a great choice for couples because it includes a separate air chamber on each side of the bed (for full size and larger). Dual firmness means that each partner can pick their own Sleep Number without compromising.
It’s important to note that because the Sleep Number c2 mattress uses air chambers, it has technical factors that don’t apply to non-smart beds. A 4-foot hose is inserted inside the bed to pump air into the chambers, and the bed needs to be near an electric power source to operate the Firmness Control System. If you’re uncomfortable with advanced technology, the Sleep Number c2 Smart bed might not be the mattress for you.
However, if you’re looking for a highly customizable mattress at a lower price than many other smart beds, this Sleep Number bed might have your number.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sleep Number website offers five categories of beds. The Classic series is the best-selling Sleep Number series, most likely because of its affordable price: A queen bed starts at $1,099. However, all Sleep Number series include adjustable air chambers designed to help you customize the mattress’s feel.
If you want a technologically advanced bed that can track your sleep statistics and adapt to your preferences as you sleep, a Sleep Number mattress might be for you. The mattresses are also designed to detect weak points in the body during the night and adjust the amount of air in the air chambers to increase stability or allow for more pressure relief. Hot sleepers may find that the cooling technology included in more advanced Sleep Number beds could help them avoid night sweats.
Possibly. Sleep Number designs its mattresses to address nightly back pain. The air chambers let sleepers pick a firmness level that keeps their back stable and their spine in a neutral alignment throughout the night. The Sleep Number app includes resources to help reduce back pain before sleeping, like nightly yoga and stretching.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team ateditors@marketwatchguides.com.
Lizzie MacAdamContributor
Lizzie MacAdam is a writer based in Michigan. She earned her B.A. in English from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and previously worked at Sleepopolis where she wrote/edited mattress reviews and roundups.
Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/LMedical Reviewer
Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L is a board-certified, licensed occupational therapist with experience in geriatric and pediatric care along with telehealth. As an occupational therapist, Brittany is committed to helping patients achieve healthier body movement — whether that’s during vigorous activity or sleeping.
She has published a range of content in the healthcare industry, including books, blog articles, e-books, continuing education courses, and more. She has experience as an adjunct professor and also serves as a consultant for a range of health tech companies.
