When it comes time to buy a new mattress, two big names often come to mind – Sleep Number and Mattress Firm. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which is right for you?
Here we’ll compare the pros, cons, features, and other key differences between Sleep Number and Mattress Firm to help you make the best decision.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Sleep Number | Mattress Firm |
| Sells only Sleep Number brand mattresses | Sells mattresses from many top brands |
| Specializes in air chamber mattresses | Offers foam, hybrid, latex, etc. |
| Adjustable firmness on each side | Fixed firmness |
| Sleep tracking capabilities | No high-tech features |
| Average price above $2,000 | Range from under $500 to over $5,000 |
| Contours closely to relieve pressure | Many brands provide pressure relief |
| 15-25 year limited warranty | 10-25 year limited warranties |
| 100-night risk free trial | 120-night average in-home trial |
| Can adjust instantly to body movements and positions | Most react slower to movement/position changes |
| Require electricity | Don’t require power |
Overview of Sleep Number
Sleep Number is a mattress brand that manufactures beds with adjustable air chambers that allow you to customize the firmness and support on each side. Their flagship product is the Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed, which offers sleep tracking and adjustable firmness.
Pros of Sleep Number Beds
- Adjustable firmness: Sleep Number beds allow you to customize the firmness level on each side, making it easy to accommodate different comfort preferences.
- Pressure relief: The air chambers contour to your body and relieve pressure points. This makes Sleep Number a good option for those with back pain.
- Sleep tracking technology: Higher-end Sleep Number beds have sensors to monitor your sleep and integrate with the SleepIQ app to provide customized suggestions to improve sleep quality.
- Responsive air technology: Air chambers in Sleep Number beds quickly adjust to your movements and provide continuous support.
- 100-night trial: Sleep Number offers a risk-free 100-night trial period to test out the bed.
Cons of Sleep Number Beds
- Price: Sleep Number beds are more expensive than a typical innerspring or foam mattress, with queen sizes starting around $1,000 or more.
- Mixed reviews on durability: Some customers report issues with air chamber leaks over time. But Sleep Number offers a 20-year limited warranty.
- Can feel like sleeping on an air mattress: The air chamber design may not suit sleepers who prefer the contouring feel of memory foam.
- Some noise: You may hear slight noise from the air pumps that inflate the chambers.
- Requires electricity: Sleep Number beds must be plugged in to power the air pumps and digital features. Loss of power means you lose the adjustable firmness.
Overview of Mattress Firm
Mattress Firm is one of the largest mattress retailers in the U.S. They carry a wide selection of brand name and private label mattresses across various styles, materials, firmness levels, and price points. Mattress Firm showrooms allow you to test out beds in person before buying.
Pros of Mattress Firm
- Wide selection: With thousands of stores nationwide, Mattress Firm allows you to test and compare many top mattress brands and models in one place.
- Competitive prices: Large buying power means Mattress Firm can offer discounted prices on top brands. They frequently run sales promotions as well.
- In-home trial periods: Most mattresses bought through Mattress Firm come with a 100-night in-home trial so you can test out the bed.
- Warranties: Mattress Firm partners with brands that offer at least 10 years of warranty coverage, protecting against defects. Many provide 20-25 years of coverage.
- Numerous customization options: Based on the specific mattress, you may be able to choose the firmness, thickness, materials, cooling options, and other customizations.
Cons of Mattress Firm
- Inconsistent sales experience: Customer service can vary greatly depending on the salesperson. Some employ high pressure sales tactics.
- Limited brand selection: While Mattress Firm offers many top brands, there are some newer direct-to-consumer mattress brands they don’t carry.
- Difficult returns: Returning a mattress bought through Mattress Firm tends to be more hassle compared to brands with free returns.
- Hard to compare: With so many models on display, it can get overwhelming trying to directly compare specific mattresses at a store.
- Frequent sales: Mattress Firm runs sales almost weekly, so you may not be getting the best deal unless the mattress is discounted.
Also Read: Choose Between American Mattress And Mattress Firm
Key Differences Between Sleep Number and Mattress Firm
Now that we’ve looked at the pros and cons of Sleep Number beds and Mattress Firm, let’s summarize the main differences:
- Sleep Number sells only their brand of proprietary air chamber beds while Mattress Firm sells beds from a multitude of different brands.
- Sleep Number beds can adjust firmness levels on each side, but most Mattress Firm mattresses have a fixed firmness.
- The average Sleep Number costs over $2,000 while you can get a Mattress Firm mattress for under $500.
- Sleep Number utilizes air chambers while Mattress Firm carries various technologies like innerspring, memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses.
- Sleep Number provides sleep tracking capabilities on some models while Mattress Firm mattresses do not have tech integration.
- Sleep Number has 20 years of warranty coverage compared to 10-25 years from Mattress Firm mattresses.
So in summary, Sleep Number offers a specialized product focused on adjustable firmness and pressure relief while Mattress Firm gives you options to find an ideal mattress across more traditional categories and popular brands.
Sleep Number Bed Models
Sleep Number offers four main smart bed collections: the Sleep Number 360, the Sleep Number 360 c2, the Sleep Number 360 c4, and the Sleep Number 360 m7.
Sleep Number 360
This is Sleep Number’s premium adjustable air bed line, available in queen through California king sizes. Key features:
- SleepIQ technology tracks sleep and integrates with the app.
- Responsive air technology adjusts firmness and support instantly.
- DualAir technology allows independent firmness control on each side.
- Temperature balancing and breathable fabric.
- Gentle partner snore technology helps reduce sleep disruptions.
- 25-year limited warranty.
Sleep Number 360 c2
A more affordable take on the 360 model line with slightly scaled back features.
- DualAir technology for adjustable firmness on each side.
- SleepIQ sleep tracking.
- Responsive air technology reacts to movements.
- 15-year limited warranty.
Sleep Number 360 c4
The cheapest 360 model targeted at younger shoppers, available in full through twin XL sizes.
- DualAir adjustable firmness.
- Breathable fabric for temperature regulation.
- 10-year limited warranty.
Sleep Number 360 m7
Top-of-the-line model featuring micro foam padding and luxurious fabrics.
- Patented Micro Diamond Infused Memory Foam adds pressure relief.
- Plush materials like cashmere-infused quilting and silk-like covers.
- 25-year limited warranty.
Also Read: Is SoundAsleep Cloud Nine Better Than Dream Series?
Popular Mattress Brands at Mattress Firm
Some of the top mattress brands you can find at Mattress Firm include:
Tempur-Pedic
Known for their proprietary memory foam that adapts to your body. Tempur-Pedic mattresses contour closely and relieve pressure points. They also offer models with advanced cooling technology and come with a 25-year warranty.
Serta
One of the largest mattress manufacturers, Serta offers both classic innerspring designs and innovative hybrid models like the Serta iComfort, which combines memory foam and coils. Serta mattresses come with a 10 or 15-year warranty.
Beautyrest
Simmons Beautyrest mattresses feature pocketed coil support systems and pressure relieving memory foams. Many collections include cooling components in the cover and comfort layers. They come with 25-year limited warranties.
Sealy
Another large manufacturer, Sealy provides all types of mattresses including innerspring, latex, gel memory foam, and hybrid options. Most Sealy models come with a 10-year warranty.
Stearns & Foster
High-end brand owned by Tempur Sealy offering luxurious handcrafted hybrid designs made with quality fabrics, memory foams, and pocketed support coils. They have a 10-year limited warranty.
No matter what mattress brand you choose, Mattress Firm allows you to test beds to find the right comfort and support.
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Sleep Number vs Mattress Firm: Which is Better for You?
So when considering Sleep Number vs Mattress Firm, which is the better choice? Here are a few factors to help guide your decision:
Consider your budget
Sleep Number beds come at a premium price, while Mattress Firm has ultra-budget options under $250 and premium choices over $5,000. Determine how much you can reasonably spend.
Desired materials
Do you want air chambers or foams? Memory, latex, hybrid? Mattress Firm has way more material options while Sleep Number specializes in air beds.
Adjustable firmness
For couples with different firmness preferences, Sleep Number allows customization on each side. Mattress Firm mattresses have fixed firmness.
Health factors
The adjustability of Sleep Number can aid certain pain issues. Mattress Firm has pressure relieving memory foam beds as another option for aches and pains.
Smart technology
Sleep Number 360 smart beds track sleep metrics. Mattress Firm mattresses don’t contain tech.
Trial period
Both offer 100+ night risk-free trials to test the mattress at home so you can easily return if unsatisfied.
Warranty
Sleep Number offers 15-25 year coverage while Mattress Firm mattress warranties range from 10-25 years.
Also Read: Comparison Between Mattress Firm And Denver Mattress
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Sleep Number beds are unique because instead of foam or springs, they utilize air chambers that can be adjusted to your ideal firmness and support level. The air chambers also contour to your body.
Whether a mattress is “better” than a Sleep Number comes down to personal preference. But some alternatives with high owner satisfaction include Tempur-Pedic, Leesa Hybrid, and Casper Wave Hybrid. These provide strong contouring and pressure relief.
Sleep Number is specifically a brand that manufactures mattresses featuring adjustable air chambers inside. So Sleep Number refers to both the brand and their proprietary mattresses.
There is no universally healthier firmness level. The healthiest option is a mattress that keeps your spine neutrally aligned in its natural curve while relieving pressure points. This often falls around a medium firmness, but can vary based on your weight and sleep position.
The Bottom Line
When weighing Sleep Number vs Mattress Firm, the biggest differences come down to adjustable firmness vs wide selection. Sleep Number offers innovative air beds with customized firmness while Mattress Firm provides all the major brands.
Key factors that may steer you towards Sleep Number are wanting:
- Adjustable firmness on each side of the bed
- Targeted pressure relief
- Sleep tracking capabilities
Reasons to consider Mattress Firm over Sleep Number are:
- Testing many brands and models in their stores
- Being able to find a mattress matching your ideal firmness, material, and price point
- Taking advantage of frequent sales promotions and discounts
Either option allows you to find a mattress tailored to your sleeping needs. Testing out beds firsthand at a local store can make the decision process much easier. With enough time researching and trying out mattresses, you’ll zero in on the right one to provide great sleep for years to come.