Tuft & Needle vs Sleep Number Mattress Comparison

Tuft & Needle and Sleep Number produce very different but equally comfortable mattresses. If you’re looking for a new mattress, there are a lot of differences to consider. Tuft & Needle is a relatively new company, specializing in memory foam mattresses and bedding. Sleep Number is a more established mattress brand that specializes in air beds. You can test out Sleep Number beds at one of the hundreds of flagship stores across the country. 

In this comparison, we’ll cover the differences in mattress construction, materials, special features, and cost. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which brand—and which bed—is best for you.

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Tuft & Needle vs Sleep Number Overview

 

	Tuft & Needle	Sleep Number
Best For	Budget buyers All sleeping positions Those with back pain Bed-in-a-box shoppers	Couples Side sleepers Combo sleepers Try-before-you-buy shoppers
Price Range	$645 – $1,095	$699 – $2,499
Special Features	Cooling graphite and gel, T&N Adaptive® foam, breathable open-cell support foam	FLEXFIT™ adjustability, Responsive Air technology, SleepIQ tracking

 

Key Similarities

• Both Sleep Number and Tuft & Needle top their mattresses with foam comfort layers.
• You get a 100-night sleep trial to test both of these mattresses.
• Both companies use cooling technologies in their mattress construction.

Key Differences

• Sleep Number makes adjustable air beds that offer a customized feel. Tuft & Needle beds are either all-foam or hybrid innerspring mattresses. 
• Tuft & Needle mattresses are “one feel fits all,” and Sleep Number mattresses have adjustable air chambers.
• You can test out Sleep Number beds at a Sleep Number store before you buy. Tuft & Needle has only a handful of showrooms, so you’ll likely won’t feel the mattress until it’s in your home.
• Tuft & Needle prioritizes low costs for their customers, while Sleep Number is a luxury mattress brand with higher prices.

Original Tuft & Needle vs Sleep Number Classic Series

Compare Mattress Construction

The T&N Original and Sleep Number Classics are both basic brand models. They’re good fits for average sleepers looking for comfort and support without the added cost of extra bells and whistles. They both have soft, breathable mattress covers and foam comfort layers. 

Comfort Layers

T&N’s top layer is their Adaptive® foam. It has the flexibility and responsiveness of latex and the contouring feel of memory foam. The Adaptive® foam is infused with graphite and ceramic gel beads that draw heat away from your body.

Sleep Number’s top layer on the c2 model is 2” of gel-infused foam. The c4 top layer is 3” thick. Both of these depths are comfy for back sleepers and stomach sleepers, but can also provide enough pressure relief for side sleepers with a softer Sleep Number setting.

Support Layers

T&N purposely formulated their base layer foam with an open-cell structure to improve airflow and reduce heat buildup. 

Sleep Number’s base layer is 1-2 air chambers, depending on the size of the mattress. Queen, King, and California King sized mattresses can be split into 2 sides, each with adjustable firmness levels. If you add the FLEXFIT adjustable base, you can also elevate one or both sides to suit the comfort preference of 2 different sleepers.

Compare Prices

The differences between these mattress models don’t stop at price. You’ll pay considerably more for Sleep Number’s customizable mattresses. The price range for the Classic series covers both c2 and c4 models. Also, Sleep Number notes that their prices are higher in Alaska and Hawaii. On the other hand, T&N’s prices are some of the lowest we’ve seen for the value.

	Tuft & Needle	Classic Series
Twin	$645	$599 – $1,499
Twin XL	$695	$799 – $1,599
Full	$795	$699 – $1,649
Queen	$895	$899 – $1,799
King	$1,095	$1,099 – $2,299
California King	$1,095	$1,599 – $2,299
Split King	N/A	$1,799 – $2,499
FlexTop King	N/A	$1,799 – $2,499
FlexTop California King	N/A	$1,799 – $2,499

Related: Sleep Number C2 Bed Review

Tuft & Needle Hybrid vs Sleep Number Performance Series

Compare Mattress Construction

T&N’s Hybrid mattress and Sleep Number’s Performance models all champion universal coziness with a medium feel. The Hybrid features a quilted pillow top with cooling graphite, and the Performance models add an extra 1”-2” of contouring foam.

Comfort Layers

The Hybrid mattress comfort layer is a 2” Adaptive® foam topper above 1” of microcoils. The combo of responsive foam and coils improves motion isolation on the mattress surface. Additionally, the foam is infused with cooling ceramic gel beads and temperature-regulating graphite.

The Sleep Number p5 and pSE foam layers are both 4” thick, and the pSE foam is infused with cooling ceramic and gel. The p6 is topped with 5” of heat-wicking graphite-infused foam.

Support Layers

The Hybrid’s base layers are 6” of pocketed springs and 1” of dense, durable base foam. The springs form a sturdy perimeter around the mattress that enhances edge support.

Sleep Number’s Performance models have their signature adjustable air chambers. You can opt for a smaller size with one air chamber or a larger size with 2 individually customizable air chambers. 

Compare Prices

The Tuft & Needle Hybrid mattress is significantly higher cost than their original mattress, but it’s still less expensive than the Sleep Number Performance Series. Both companies offer financing on their mattresses.

	Tuft & Needle Hybrid	Performance Series
Twin	$995	$2,149 – $2,399
Twin XL	$1,095	$2,199 – $2,499
Full	$1,395	$2,474 – $2,799
Queen	$1,595	$2,599 – $2,999
King	$1,845	$3,099 – $3,599
California King	$1,845	$3,099 – $3,599
Split King	N/A	$3,499 – $3,999
FlexTop King	N/A	$3,499 – $3,999
FlexTop California King	N/A	$3,499 – $3,999

 

Tuft & Needle Mint vs Sleep Number Memory Foam

Compare Mattress Construction

Both T&N’s Mint mattress and Sleep Number’s m7 mattress get their pressure relief and spinal support from foam top layers.

Comfort Layers

The Mint mattress has a medium firmness level thanks to a thick layer of Adaptive® foam. This proprietary foam has the flexibility and responsiveness of latex and the contouring feel of memory foam.

The m7 is topped with 5” of memory foam. You can expect the snug feel and slow sink of memory foam, but with the added comfort of cooling gel.

Support Layers

T&N packs extra ceramic gel beads into their foam transition layer, which they say absorb 5x the heat of traditional gel. The base layer of foam is durable and supportive.

Sleep Number’s m7 model is outfitted with 1-2 adjustable air chambers. You can use it on a bed frame or the FLEXFIT adjustable base.

Compare Prices

This price comparison highlights the biggest difference in cost between these 2 brands. Sleep Number asks for 3-4x more than T&N. You’ll need to decide if the customizable perks in the m7 are worth the higher price point. 

	Tuft & Needle Mint	Memory Foam
Twin	$695	N/A
Twin XL	$745	$3,349
Full	$945	$3,624
Queen	$1,095	$3,799
King	$1,245	$4,499
California King	$1,245	$4,499
Split King	N/A	$5,299
FlexTop King	N/A	$5,299
Split California King	N/A	$5,299
FlexTop California King	N/A	$5,299

Nod by Tuft & Needle vs Sleep Number Value Beds

Compare Mattress Construction

The T&N Nod and Sleep Number Value models both have a simple construction. The Nod is composed of 2 high-quality, open-cell foam layers wrapped in a breathable knit cover. The same Adaptive® foam used in all T&N mattresses is again used here. It’s flexible, soft, and supportive. You may notice a little off-gassing after opening, but it’s non-toxic and evaporates quickly. Buyers can choose between a 6″ and 8″ foam option.

The Value Beds are both topped with a plush European-style pillow top. The comfort layer on the s1 is 1.5” thick and features 5 zones targeting support for each region of the body. The s3 precisely supports your body with 7 targeted support zones and 2” of foam. The s1 and s3 base layer are 1-2 adjustable air chambers, although these models do not have Responsive Air tech.

Compare Prices

These are the lowest cost models for both brands. You’ll still pay more for the Sleep Number Value Beds, but you can finance your purchase.

	Nod by Tuft & Needle	Value Beds
Twin	$195 – $349	$599 – $1,099
Twin XL	$220 – 369	$699 – $1,199
Full	$260 – 429	$799 – $1,299
Queen	$290 – 499	$999 – $1,499
King	$365 – 599	$1,499 – $2,099
California King	$365 – 539	N/A

Compare Tuft & Needle vs Sleep Number Sizes

The sizing for these brands is pretty similar. Take a look in the comparison chart below.

	Tuft & Needle	Sleep Number
Thickness	6” – 8”	8” – 11”
Twin	39” x 75”	38″ x 75″
Twin XL	39” x 80”	38″ x 80″
Full	54” x 75”	54″ x 75″
Queen	60” x 80”	60″ x 80″
King	76” x 80”	76″ x 80″
California King	72” x 84”	72″ x 84″

Learn more about mattress sizes.

Trial Period

For both Tuft & Needle and Sleep Number, you get a 100-Night Sleep Trial, free shipping, a generous return policy. Also, Sleep Number Classic, Performance, and Memory Foam models are eligible for in-home delivery. 

Warranty

Tuft & Needle mattress customers are covered by a 10-Year Limited Warranty. T&N will repair or replace your mattress if there are body impressions deeper than 0.75”, cracks or splits in the foam, and tears in the cover fabric or stitching.

Sleep Number customers are eligible for a 15-Year Prorated Warranty. Sleep Number will repair or replace your mattress for all 15 years, although you’ll pay a fraction of the original cost during years 1-15. Here’s the cost breakdown:

• Years 0-1: Get a full refund or replacement mattress.
• Years 1-11: Receive a new mattress for 30% of the original cost, plus 5% for each additional year since your purchase.
• Years 11-15: Receive a new mattress for 85% of the original cost.

Read More: Sleep Number Bed Warranty

Which Is the Best Mattress Brand?

The good news is that there is a mattress here for every kind of sleeper. If you still need a little help determining the best fit for your sleep needs, here are our recommendations.

By Budget

Tuft & Needle is the better brand for budget shoppers. Even with financing options, you’ll pay significantly more for a Sleep Number bed. T&N customers can get a high-quality memory foam or hybrid mattress without paying luxury prices associated with brands like Tempur-Pedic.

By Comfort Preference

Sleep Number is the better choice for those who want a customizable mattress. It’s also ideal for shoppers who want to try their mattress in a showroom before buying. With Sleep Number adjustable air chambers, you can have a firm mattress on one side and a soft mattress on the other. Plus, Responsive Air Tech learns your sleep patterns and adjusts for greatest comfort.

By Sleep Position

If sleep position is your top concern, rest assured that you will fare well with either brand. We recommend the T&N Original mattress and Sleep Number Classic models for back sleepers and stomach sleepers. The T&N Mint mattress and Sleep Number Performance series provide comfort for all sleeping positions. T&N’s Hybrid mattress is the best for side sleepers since it scored so high in pressure relief. The Nod and Value Beds are best for lightweight sleepers.

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