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Sleep Number Bed (Select Comfort) Reviews and Ratings → Based on Data From 1,245 Actual
Owners
Page last updated Feb 12, 2010.
What You Need To Know
According to our research, the clear majority of Sleep Number
/ Select Comfort owners (79%) find the bed comfortable. Durability / longevity is likely good to excellent when compared to the lifespan of other mattresses.
Sleep Number / Select Comfort uses air for primary support.
Air can be added or removed to adjust the firmness. Each side of the bed can have its own air chamber to allow for indepenent firmness settings.
The bed has several advantages and disadvantages, according to owners, as detailed below.
Less expensive models tend to have somewhat lower owner satisfaction than mid- and high-priced models.
See how the Sleep Number Bed compares to other mattresses in the airbed reviews / ratings summary and the mattress comparison.
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About Our Research
Sleep Like The Dead gathered reviews / comments on the Sleep Number bed from 1,245 owners of various models including 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 9000, Classic (c2,c3,c4), Performance (p5, p6, p7) and Innovation series (i8, i9, i10).
The sources for this data are over 400 online message boards / discussion groups. For more information on our research methodology and why it is credible, click here.
Read more mattress reviews and ratings based on data from over 8,000 actual owners. You can also search our research findings.
This page consists of four sections: Overview; Comfort; Durability / longevity; Warranty & Return Policy; Negatives; and Positives.
Research Findings Overview: Sleep Number Bed (Select Comfort)
The ratings below are based on at least 1,245 actual owner experiences.
79% |
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Good-Excellent |
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Fair |
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Good |
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Yes |
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Yes |
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Fair |
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Good |
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Fair-Good |
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Fair-Good |
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Fair |
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Good-Excellent |
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Poor-Fair |
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No |
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| Customer service | Fair-Good | |
| More Information | ||
| Price (queen) | $700-$4000 | |
| BBB rating | B | |
| Return policy | 45 days, you pay original & return shipping | |
| Warranty | 20-yr ltd |
Comfort
Out of the 1,245 Sleep Number / Select Comfort bed owners included in the data, 984 say the bed is comfortable and 261 say it is uncomfortable. In other words, 79% of the owners say the bed is comfortable, and 21% do not.
Comfortable |
984 Owners | ||
Uncomfortable |
261 Owners | ||
For perspective, the percentage of Sleep Number bed owners who find the bed comfortable (79%) is higher than the top-selling innerspring mattress brands, similar to latex beds, waterbeds and memory foam mattresses, such as Tempur-pedic®, according to our related research.
Durability / Longevity Ratings
Our collected owner data shows the bed to be one of the longest-lasting beds with an average length of
ownership of over eight years.
A significant number of owners report, however, the need to replace at least one part of the bed over its life, such as the air pump, often at some cost to the owner. (See warranty information below.)
The ability to replace virtually any part of the Sleep Number Bed is a main reason it often has a longer life span than most other mattresses. With other types of beds, such as innerspring or memory foam, if something goes wrong with the mattress it usually needs to be entirely replaced. By contrast, if an issue arises with a Sleep Number Bed, the problem can be fixed with a replacement part(s).
Perhaps more important is that having an air chamber(s) instead of mostly foam or springs makes the Sleep Number less likely to sag, develop body impressions or become excessively soft over time.
Warranty & Return Policy Ratings
Owners generally give the Sleep Number Bed fair ratings for its warranty. It provides non-prorated coverage for the first two years, followed by prorated coverage for the next 18 years. Transportation costs for warranty servicing of the mattress are the responsibility of the owner. Sleep Number's "B" Better Business Bureau rating suggests that they generally stand behind their warranty.
| Warranty Terms | |
| Years After Original Purchase Date | Original Purchaser's Cost |
| Up to 2 yrs | No cost |
| 2-20 yrs | 20% plus 4% of price for each year from original purchase date. |
Other airbed brands often provide at least a somewhat longer non prorated period.
Sleep Number's return policy gets poor ratings overall from owners. It consists of a 45-day trial period in which if you do not like the product you can send it back for an exchange or refund. Owners like this trial period aspect but do not like that they must pay return and original shipping if they send it back. Competitor brands usually have less costly return policies.
Complaints / Problems of the Sleep Number Bed (Select Comfort)
This section lists and describes negatives of the Sleep Number bed, according to actual owners. See glossary below.
| Intrusion in middle | 15% of owners |
| Loses or adds air | 11% of owners |
| Slopes toward middle | 9% of owners |
| Dislike other beds as result | 9% of owners |
| Poor investment | 8% of owners |
| Causes pain | 7% of owners |
| Difficult to find sleep # | 6% of owners |
| Poor quality | 6% of owners |
| Noisy | 6% of owners |
| Foam or pillow top sags | 5% of owners |
| Takes getting used to | 4% of owners |
| Sleeps hot | 3% of owners |
| Mold | 3% of owners |
| Back sleepers only | 2% of owners |
| Off gassing | 2% of owners |
| Too firm | 2% of owners |
| Too light weight | 2% of owners |
| Cold | 1% of owners |
| Looks uneven | 1% of owners |
| Poor warranty | 1% of owners |
Glossary
Intrusion in middle of bed
The foam strip that separates the two air chambers is uncomfortable
or impossible to lie on.
This strip also makes intimate activities, such as cuddling,
spooning or sex, more difficult. This strip does not exist on single air chamber models.
Loses or adds air
Firmness settings can fluctuate up to 15 points in either
direction, depending on atmospheric conditions, room temperature,
weight on mattress, etc. More extreme fluctuations are possible
with mechanical / pump malfunction. Some owners find this fluctuation annoying.
Slopes toward middle
The sleeper rolls toward the middle of the bed and needs to
sleep on the edge to stay in place. This is especially true
when the air chambers have very different settings.
Dislike other beds as a result of Sleep Number bed
After becoming used to the Sleep Number bed, the sleeper has difficulty
finding comfort and attaining good sleep on a different type
of bed, such as one used when traveling.
Poor investment
The product is viewed as pricey and a questionable or poor value, especially considering the benefits or lack thereof received.
Causes pain
The bed causes or increases pain, particularly back, shoulder
and hip pain. This is especially true if the mattress loses
air.
Difficult to find comfortable "sleep number"
A "sleep number" / firmness level that is consistently comfortable
is difficult to find.
Poor quality
The product is not up to quality expectations and seems to
be merely a "glorified air mattress."
Noisy
The pump is loud enough that it cannot be used during the
night without waking someone else in the bed. The structure of the bed may also make noise when sleeper moves or gets up.
Foam or pillow top sags
The foam around the edges or the pillow top prematurely sags
(less than three years).
Takes getting used to
Finding comfort and the right sleep "number" can
take a few days or longer.
Sleeps hot
The bed makes the sleeper uncomfortably warm or at least warmer
than normal. Models with memory foam tend to have more complaints than other models.
Mold / mildew
Mold is present between the foam and air chambers. Mold / mildew problems in a Sleep Number Bed is a widely publicized and discussed issue. However, the number of owners who have a mold problem, or at least are aware of such a problem, is small based on our collected data.
Good for back sleepers only
Sleeping on one's side or stomach is not comfortable. The models with less upholstery / padding tend to have more complaints on this issue.
Off gassing
The mattress gives off a chemical-like odor for a few days
to weeks after delivery.
Too firm
The mattress is not soft enough, specifically because it lacks
adequate padding.
Too lightweight
The bed is too lightweight causing sheets to not stay tucked
in.
Cold
The mattress surface is uncomfortably cold. This is usually an issue only with less expensive models with minimal padding.
Looks uneven
A lumpy or uneven appearance exists, especially if the air
chambers have significantly different settings. This is not an issue with models that have the "full fill with memory" feature.
Poor warranty
After two years, owners must pay 20% of repair cost plus 4% for each year from original purchase date.
Positives
of Sleep Number / Select Comfort Bed
This section lists and describes the positive aspects of the bed, according
to owners. See glossary below.
Adjustable
firmness |
24% of owners |
| Durability / longevity | 19% of owners |
| Reduces pain | 19% of owners |
| Good investment | 13% of owners |
| No problems | 7% of owners |
| Little motion transfer | 5% of owners |
| Light weight | 5% of owners |
| Less tossing/turning | 4% of owners |
| Pillow top good | 3% of owners |
| Good for pregnant | 3% of owners |
| Easy to set up | 3% of owners |
| Quality | 3% of owners |
| No flipping required | 2% of owners |
| Any sleeping position | 2% of owners |
| Less snoring | 1% of owners |
| Easy to get up off | 1% of owners |
| Heavy people friendly | 1% of owners |
| Good warranty | >1% of owners |
Glossary
Adjustable
The bed provides adjustable firmness by adding or reducing
air to suit one's personal firmness preference. Two chambers allow for independent firmness adjustability for
each side.
Durability / longevity
The bed is five years old or more and still seems reasonably
new with good comfort. (A 10-year old or older Select Comfort / Sleep Number Bed is
not uncommon.)
Relieves pain
The owner experiences less or no pain, particularly back, shoulder
and hip discomfort.
Good investment
The product is viewed as money well spent or a good value considering the benefits received.
No problems
No problems at all with the bed have been experienced, and it works as it is designed to.
Little or no motion transfer
The mattress localizes or absorbs motion. In other words, each
air chamber absorbs the movement of one sleeper on the bed so
that the other sleeper does not notice the movement much or at all.
Lightweight
The product does not weigh much, at least compared to other mattress types. As a result, the bed is relatively easy to move and
make up.
Less tossing and turning
More restful, quality sleep is attained with less moving around.
Pillow top good
Models with a pillow top provide good comfort and padding.
Good
for pregnant women
The bed is good for expecting mothers, mainly because its firmness
can be easily adjusted.
Easy to set up
It is easy and quick to put together -- and take apart if necessary.
Quality
The Sleep Number Bed at least seems to be constructed with care and quality materials.
No flipping required
The Sleep Number bed does not need
to be flipped or turned to maintain proper comfort and support.
Good for any sleeping position
The mattress is suitable and comfortable for back, side and stomach sleeping positions.
Helps reduce snoring
The sleeper's snoring is lessened or eliminated since sleeping on the Select
Comfort bed.
Easy to get up off
A high firmness setting can make getting out of bed easy.
Suitable for heavy people
The bed holds up impressively even if the sleeper(s) is heavy (250lbs+).
Good warranty
The 20-year limited warranty is viewed as peace of mind.