Top 11 Best Alternatives to a Sleep Number Bed

Sleep Number has been a leader in the mattress industry. With advances in technology, their mattresses are now smart beds, equipped with

• SleepIQ Technology
• Dual Air Adjustability
• Responsive Air Technology

But Sleep Number isn’t the only company that excels at using technology to enhance sleep. We’ve gathered the best mattress alternatives for the 11 Sleep Number beds that might better suit your needs.

Best Sleep Number Bed Alternatives

Sleep Number c2 Smart Bed vs Saatva Solaire

Feel

The Sleep Number c2 Smart Bed is the entry level Sleep Number mattress. With only 2” of gel-infused foam over the air chamber, it delivers a medium-firm to firm feel with little give at pressure points. 

In comparison, the Saatva Solaire is a luxury adjustable mattress with a plush but supportive feel. Atop its vulcanized air chambers are layers of gel-infused memory foam, zoned support talalay latex, and an organic pillow top. Thanks to its 50 firmness settings and luxurious comfort layers, the Solaire is at once more cloudlike and supportive where you need it the most. 

Related: Best adjustable beds

The Saatva Solaire is a better fit for lightweight sleepers, side sleepers, and those with back pain. With a firmer feel, stomach sleepers may find the Sleep Number more comfortable.  

Cooling

While both mattresses sleep relatively cool, the Saatva Solaire sleeps noticeably cooler than the Sleep Number c2.

Cost

Sleep Number c2 (Queen): $999

Saatva Solaire (Queen): $2,695

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number c4 Smart Bed vs Personal Comfort A2

Feel

Personal Comfort and Sleep Number were the companies that pioneered the adjustable air bed back in the 1980s. They have each remained competitive manufacturers of high quality air mattresses with numerous models to accommodate various needs. 

The Personal Comfort A2 is a budget-friendly model with minimal comfort layers atop customizable air chambers. The A2 model is best for stomach sleepers who like a firm sleep surface. 

The Sleep Number c4 Smart Bed is a bit more forgiving thanks to its 3” of comfort foam. This top layer provides the right amount of cushion for back sleepers. 

Cooling

Personal Comfort’s A2 retains minimal heat thanks to its thin padding, making it one of the coolest air beds around. Sleep Number c4 retains average heat. 

Cost

Sleep Number c4 (Queen): $1,699

Personal Comfort A2 (Queen): $1,317

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number p5 Smart Bed vs Purple Mattress + Power Base

Feel

The Purple Mattress is not an adjustable smart mattress like the Sleep Number p5, but its unique technology deserves consideration. Purple’s mattress has a feel and design unlike any other mattress. Purple’s comfort grid technology performs exceptionally well in both spine alignment and pressure relief.

Purple offers a Power Base that elevates the sleeping experience. With full-body massage and adjustable positions for the upper and lower body, the Purple mattress + Power Base work together to promote a restful night’s sleep.

The Sleep Number p5 Smart Bed is softer than the Purple mattress. Its 4” of comfort layers with PlushFit foam and a pillow top dissipate pressure from the hips and shoulders. With a medium feel and plush comfort layer, the Sleep Number p5 is well-suited for side sleepers of all weights.

Cooling

The Purple mattress is one of the best mattresses for hot sleepers. Thanks to its open-grid comfort layer, body heat readily dissipates. Conversely, Sleep Number p5 is one of the warmest Sleep Number beds. 

Cost

Sleep Number p5 (Queen): $2,399

Purple Mattress (Queen): $1,000

Purple Adjustable Power Base (Queen): $1,499

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number pSE Special Edition Smart Bed vs Beautyrest Hybrid + Advanced Motion Base

Feel

Both the Sleep Number pSE Special Edition Smart Bed and the Beautyrest Hybrid contain 4” of pressure relief foam atop their supportive core. For the Sleep Number pSE, the structure and feel comes primarily from the adjustable air pressure. The Beautyrest Hybrid opts for the traditional innerspring coils. 

With comparable foam layers, each bed offers a similar level of cushion. However, the overall feel of the mattresses differs substantially. 

Thanks to the coils within, the Beautyrest is firmer. It delivers more of a bouncy feeling and superb edge support. With its dual air chambers, the pSE ranges from medium-soft to medium-firm. The pSE is great at motion isolation, but it offers little bounce.  

The Beautyrest is not a smart bed, but when paired with the Beautyrest Advanced Motion Base, users enjoy added convenience and comfort. The Advanced Motion Base bed frame offers under-bed lighting, massage, head and foot positioning, and USB outlets.

Cooling

Both mattresses sleep relatively cool.

Cost

Sleep Number pSE Special Edition (Queen): $2,799

Beautyrest Hybrid (Queen): $1,299

Beautyrest Advanced Motion Base (Queen): $849

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed vs Saatva Solaire

Feel

The Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed was designed for sleepers who love a cloudlike feel. With 5” of cooling pressure relief foam, it readily cradles curves for an enveloping feel. 

The Saatva Solaire adjustable bed offers a more supportive plush feel, with 5-zoned talalay latex providing incredible lumbar support. With an organic pillow top and gel-infused memory foam, the Solaire hugs the body and relieves pain points. 

The Sleep Number p6 ranges from medium-soft to medium-firm, while the Saatva achieves a wider range of comfort levels thanks to its greater firmness control. For those looking for lavish comfort and ample give, the Sleep Number p6 is a good fit. But for those who need greater back support, the Solaire is the best mattress. 

Cooling

When it comes to temperature, the Saatva Solaire achieves slightly greater cooling properties than the Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed. 

Cost

Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed (Queen): $2,899

Saatva Solaire (Queen): $2,695

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed vs TempurPedic ProAdapt Mattress

Feel

TempurPedic ProAdapt is not a smart mattress, but it does come equipped with TempurPedic’s highest performing pressure relief memory foam. And with TempurPedic’s reputation for high-quality contouring foam, you can expect exceptional cushioning when you lie down on their ProAdapt mattress.

The ProAdapt comes in soft, medium, medium hybrid, and firm. Every firmness option except for medium hybrid are all-foam. The medium hybrid has more bounce for sleepers who desire responsiveness. 

Much like the TempurPedic ProAdapt, the Sleep Number i8 offers outstanding pressure relief. But the foam comfort layers of the i8 are more responsive than those of the TempurPedic ProAdapt.

Related: TempurPedic Alternatives

Cooling

TempurPedic’s ProAdapt sleeps cool for a memory foam bed, but it does not achieve the same temperature balance as the Sleep Number i8. 

Cost

Sleep Number i8 (Queen): $3,599

TempurPedic ProAdapt (Queen): $2,999

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number iLE Limited Edition Smart Bed vs The Pod by Eight Sleep

Feel

Sleep Number iLE Limited Edition Smart Bed is one of Sleep Number’s most luxurious mattresses. Some of its perks include ultra-soft foam along the sleeping surface, comfort foam with zoned support, and temperature-balancing comfort layers

The iLE’s thick comfort layers are best suited for average to heavy sleepers of all sleeping positions. By adjusting the air pressure, the feel ranges from medium to a sturdy medium-firm. 

The Pod by Eight Sleep is another deluxe air mattress. It is well suited for most light to average weight sleepers. With four layers of premium foam and noteworthy smart mattress capabilities, this medium mattress best accommodates side and back sleepers. Plus, their smartphone app is pretty neat—it’s one of our favorite smart beds for sleep tracking.   

Cooling

The Sleep Number iLE is part of the Innovation Series, whose designs center around cooling capabilities. Yet, the Pod by Eight Sleep (a top pick for temperature regulation) has built-in cooling and heating. You can choose a temperature between 55 and 110°F.

Cost

Sleep Number iLE (Queen): $4,999

The Pod by Eight Sleep (Queen): $2,495

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number i10 Smart Bed vs Molecule1 Mattress + Adjustable Base

Feel

The Molecule 1 Mattress is an all-foam mattress. With zoned support and cradling memory foam, the Molecule 1 delivers a medium feel with reliable lumbar support. Molecule 1 is good for side and back sleepers as well as people with back pain.

When you pair the Molecule 1 with their adjustable base, you gain full-body massage and a zero-gravity setting. Molecule uses safe foams that are CertiPUR-US certified.

The Sleep Number i10 is Sleep Number’s most extravagant mattress. It boasts 7” of foam over a 6” air chamber. Its foam is noticeably firmer than that of the Molecule 1. Thanks to its ample foam layers, the i10 feels almost like an all-foam mattress, just one that you can make a bit softer or firmer with varying air pressure. 

With a medium to medium-firm feel, the i10 is a nice fit for heavy people, couples, and back sleepers

Cooling

The Molecule 1 Mattress is one of the coolest memory foam mattresses. Its ability to sleep cool is thanks to its polymer mattress cover and gel beads. But with their leading temperature regulating technology, the Sleep Number i10 sleeps very slightly cooler than the Molecule 1. 

Cost

Sleep Number i10 (Queen): $5,099

Molecule 1 (Queen): $949

Molecule Adjustable (Queen): $1,499

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number m7 Smart Bed vs Leggett and Platt Prodigy 2.0

Feel

The Sleep Number m7 Smart Bed is Sleep Number’s only memory foam mattress. Their 4” of gel memory foam conforms to the body’s curves. With the adjustable air chamber, the mattress delivers between a medium and sturdy medium-firm feel. 

The Leggett and Platt Prodigy 2.0 is considered one of the best luxury adjustable bed bases on the market. Whether you have a mattress at home that you already love or one that you have your eye on, all mattresses that are compatible with adjustable foundations will work. 

Some of the features that set the Leggett and Platt Prodigy 2.0 apart include:

• WallhuggerTM technology: This feature keeps you in line with your nightstand as you adjust. 
• Smartphone app or remote: This smart frame can be controlled by either their remote control or app.
• Snoring preset: Press one button to fade away partner snoring. 
• Adjustable legs
• Full-body massage
• Pillow tilt

Cooling

The Sleep Number m7 sleeps exceptionally cool for a memory foam mattress. The Leggett and Platt Prodigy 2.0 nighttime temperature will depend on the mattress that you use. 

Cost

Sleep Number m7 (Queen): $3,599

Leggett and Platt Prodigy 2.0 (Queen): $1,544

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number s1 Bed vs Boyd Sleep Zero Clearance Bed

Feel

The Sleep Number s1 Bed is a Sleep Number Value Bed, great for budget shoppers. Back and stomach sleepers will enjoy solid lumbar support and spine alignment. And with the adjustable air chamber, you can still alter the firmness for your needs. 

The Boyd Sleep Zero Clearance Bed is an affordable motorized bed frame. It works well when paired with any mattress that works with an adjustable frame. It is sleek and minimal, providing head up, foot up, zero gravity, and stored position preferences. With removable legs, you can place it directly on a box spring, platform bed, or foundation base. 

Cooling

The Sleep Number s1 does sleep cool thanks to minimal comfort layers. The Boyd Sleep Zero Clearance Bed nighttime temperature depends on the mattress that you use. 

Cost

Sleep Number s1 (Queen): $999

Boyd Sleep Zero Clearance Bed (Queen): $599

Trial Period & Warranty

Sleep Number s3 Smart Bed vs InnoMax Mystique Mattress

Feel

The Sleep Number s3 is one of Sleep Number’s value beds. Unlike the non-s models, the s3 doesn’t automatically adjust as you move. But with 7-zoned support foam and a plush Euro top, it feels luxurious. 

The InnoMax Mystique Mattress is an affordable air mattress that feels similar to the Sleep Number s3. Its zoned foam succeeds at supporting the lumbar region, and its plush Euro top offers a cloud-like feel. With multiple foam layers, the Mystique achieves exceptional weight distribution and cushion. 

Cooling

The Sleep Number s3 and the InnoMax Mystique feel about as cool as a traditional pillow top innerspring mattress.

Cost

Sleep Number s3 (Queen): $1,499

InnoMax (Queen): $967

Trial Period & Warranty

What is a Smart Bed?

Smart mattresses are any bed equipped with technology that tracks sleep or sensors that improve your sleep experience. Some potential smart bed capabilities include

• Automatic firmness adjustments: Air beds have come a long way. Rather than simply choosing your select comfort level and leaving it at that, smart air pumps monitor and adjust mattress firmness to encourage uninterrupted sleep. 
• Sleep tracking
• Climate control
• Connection to smart devices

Adjustable bases are smart bed frames. Most adjustable bases allow you to raise the head or foot of the bed. You can pair adjustable bed frames with smart mattresses or most traditional mattresses. If you’re interested in smart bases, check out our top picks for the best adjustable beds. 

Sleep Number Mattress vs Alternative Mattresses

Sleep Number Mattresses are a popular choice for shoppers looking for customized comfort. With firmness adjustability and 11 mattress models, there is a fit for every person and sleep position. 

But there are reasons that some consumers are looking elsewhere, such as

• Cost savings: Sleep number mattresses range in price from $999-$5,099 for a queen-size mattress. There are many less expensive alternatives, especially for couples who don’t need different firmness levels on each side of the bed. 
• Features: While Sleep Number Beds come with many useful features, there are features out there that they do not have. For instance, couples might want a bed with dual temperature control.   
• Trial period & return policy: Sleep Number offers a 100-night sleep trial. If you decide to return your mattress, you will be charged an additional fee. Some mattress companies have longer trial periods and free returns. 
• Shipping cost: Sleep Number charges $199 in shipping. Many companies ship for free.   

Conclusion

Sleep Number has long been an industry leader. Its high-quality mattresses and exceptional customer service have kept people coming back time and again. 

But today there are many more options than there were just five or ten years ago. You may want more smart features, a lower price tag, or a different feel. We hope that you found your perfect fit in our Sleep Number alternatives guide.