The Best Sleep Number Bed Alternatives

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Sleep Number has been a popular mattress brand for decades. The company is best known for its adjustable air beds, which allow sleepers to customize their mattress’s firmness on any given night. The brand produces several lines that feature different materials and are tailored to different types of sleepers. While Sleep Number beds’ customizable features offer a lot of benefits, they also come at a cost. These mattresses may simply be too pricey for many people’s budgets.

If you’re interested in the benefits of a Sleep Number bed but not the cost, have no fear! There are many sound alternatives on the mattress market these days. It’s possible to find a bed that offers many of the same features as a Sleep Number mattress for a budget-friendlier price. That’s exactly what you’ll find in our roundup of the best Sleep Number alternatives, so read on!

Our Verdict: What’s the Best Sleep Number Alternative?

Our expert reviewers chose the Nectar Premier as the best Sleep Number bed alternative for its high-quality materials, slow-moving feel and cooling features.

The Best Sleep Number Mattress Alternatives

Compare the Best Sleep Number Alternatives

Nectar Mattress Saatva Solaire Mattress Leesa Original Mattress Emma Shift
Nectar Mattress Saatva Solaire Mattress Leesa Original Mattress Emma Shift
Rating
Firmness Medium-firm: 6.5/10 Multiple firmness options Medium-firm: 6.5/10 Multiple firmness options
Material Foam Other Foam Other
Cooling -- --
Sleep Position Back & Side Combination Combination --

 

How We Chose Our Top Picks

The Mattress Clarity review team has tested over 150 mattresses. But, the Sleep Number mattresses are very unique, and they come at a higher price point. For this list, we chose mattresses that will still offer some of the adjustability or smart bed technology you find in the Sleep Number mattresses.

Latex mattress testing in our studio
Hands-on mattress testing in our sleep lab

We have paired each mattress with its comparable Sleep Number series of mattresses. If you have your heart set on a particular Sleep Number bed, we may have a worthy alternative for you.

Nectar Premier with Adjustable Base vs Sleep Number P Series

Nectar Premier Mattress

The Nectar Premier is a plush memory foam mattress with some great cooling features.

Clarity Score 4.4/5

Material

Foam

Trial Period

365 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review

Nectar Premier Mattress

The Nectar Premier is a plush memory foam mattress with some great cooling features.

Clarity Score 4.4/5

Material

Foam

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

365 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review

Nectar Premier Mattress

The Nectar Premier is a plush memory foam mattress with some great cooling features.

Clarity Score 4.4/5

Material

Foam

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

Trial Period

365 nights

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review
Pros
Luxurious and cooling
Helps relieve hip pain and other aches and pains
Good for lightweight and average weight back and side sleepers
Cons
Might make you feel a bit stuck
Not built for heavy people
Not the coolest-sleeping mattress

Our Expert’s Take

The Nectar Premier is one of the most popular memory foam mattresses around. True to form, it has the classic feel of memory foam: It slowly conforms to a sleeper’s body, relieving pressure and gradually allowing the sleeper to sink into the mattress. This creates a comfortable sleep surface for several types of sleepers, including light and medium weight side sleepers and light and medium weight back sleepers. Not surprisingly, the Nectar Premier mattress is also a great match for anyone who enjoys the feel of memory foam.

Even though the Nectar Premier offers quite a bit of pressure relief, it’s actually not the softest mattress around. It feels just slightly softer than the industry standard. The balance of comfort and support on the Nectar makes it a good match for folks who are looking to relieve pain (particularly hip pain). In fact, we’ve ranked it as one of the best mattresses for arthritis.

A man sleeps on his side on the Nectar Premier

Because of its attention to comfort, the Nectar is a fitting alternative to the Sleep Number P Series, which is designed to offer loads of pressure relief. The mattresses in this line come with Sleep Number’s standard adjustable firmness settings. But they differ from some other Sleep Number beds thanks to a contouring sleep surface and extra comfort layers to create enhanced pressure relief—much like the Nectar Premier.

What the testers say: “The Nectar Premier is one of my favorite memory foam mattresses on the market due to its comfortable slow-moving feel. And, paired with an adjustable base, it helps relieve almost all pressure on my joints and key areas.” Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the Nectar Premier with Adjustable Base

  • The adjustable base comes in a range of different settings including: Standard, Anti-Snore, Zero Gravity, TV setting, Memory, and Massage. Check out our Nectar adjustable base review to find specs on each setting.
  • The adjustable base is really easy to set up. It comes expanded and with the remote connected, so all you have to do is attach the legs to the base.
  • The adjustable base should last you at least 15 years, making it a very durable product.

What to Keep in Mind About the Nectar with Adjustable Base

  • Since there are motors that run in the adjustable base to help it move, you may hear some noise from it. The noise shouldn’t be too disturbing though, and it’s one of the quieter bases that we’ve tested.
  • Though the base should last you about 15 years, your warranty only lasts for three years.
  • The Nectar Premier is too soft for most stomach sleepers. If you fall in this category, you may want to consider getting one of the best firm mattresses.

Other user reviews

The Nectar Adjustable Base was ranked 4.7 out of 5 stars by over 1,000 users, and the Nectar Premier mattress was ranked 4.7 out of 5 stars by over 55,000 users. Reviewers who paired the two together raved about how they were relieved from chronic conditions such as back pain, arthritis and acid reflux. Others complained that the Nectar Premier mattress was too soft for their liking.

Read the full Nectar adjustable base review here.

Saatva Solaire vs Sleep Number C Series

Saatva Solaire Mattress

The Saatva Solaire is a very comfortable mattress with adjustable firmness. It is a great fit for light- and medium-weight people of any sleeping position.

Clarity Score 4.4/5

Material

Other

Trial Period

365 nights

Shipping Method

Free white glove delivery

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.9/5
Watch Our Video Review

Saatva Solaire Mattress

The Saatva Solaire is a very comfortable mattress with adjustable firmness. It is a great fit for light- and medium-weight people of any sleeping position.

Clarity Score 4.4/5

Material

Other

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Free white glove delivery

Trial Period

365 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.9/5
Watch Our Video Review

Saatva Solaire Mattress

The Saatva Solaire is a very comfortable mattress with adjustable firmness. It is a great fit for light- and medium-weight people of any sleeping position.

Clarity Score 4.4/5

Material

Other

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

365 nights

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Shipping Method

Free white glove delivery

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.9/5
Watch Our Video Review
Pros
Luxury mattress model that should stand the test of time
Upper-Flex model work with an adjustable base
Each side’s firmness can be adjusted
Cons
May not support heavy people
Not the most breathable mattress
Still a pricier mattress

Our Expert’s Take

The Saatva Solaire mattress is an air bed with adjustable firmness. Sleepers use a remote control to inflate or deflate the mattress, which allows them to tailor the bed’s firmness and comfort levels—for a total of 50 different firmness options. The bed comes in two versions: Standard and Upper-Flex. The Upper-Flex uses an adjustable base so sleepers can raise and lower the head and/or foot. This makes the mattress exceptionally customizable.

The Solaire is made by the Saatva brand, an online mattress retailer with a reputation for making very high-quality mattresses. The Solaire is no exception. It’s the Saatva brand’s most luxurious mattress, and it’s made with high-quality and durable materials. This high-end bed is a great match for people who want a mattress with adjustable firmness, lightweight and medium-weight sleepers, people who want a mattress that works on an adjustable base, and those who want an adjustable mattress for couples.

Saatva Solaire mattress without cover
The Saatva Solaire in our mattress testing lab

Why is the Saatva Solaire a sound alternative to the Sleep Number C Series? Like the Saatva Solaire, the beds in the Sleep Number C (or “Classic”) Series use adjustable air chambers that allow sleepers to customize the firmness of their sleep surface. They have thin comfort layers between the air chambers and the top of the mattress, so they don’t offer a tremendous amount of pressure relief and they’re fairly responsive. The same is true for the Solaire mattress: It’s a responsive bed that should prevent sleepers from feeling stuck.

What the testers say: “When I reviewed the Saatva Solaire, it was very easy to use. I adjusted the firmness of the mattress using the attached remote and got just the right amount of support and comfort for all three sleeping positions.” Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the Saatva Solaire

  • The Saatva Solaire is very durable, it should last you about 10 years. This could be in part to the mattress’ amazing edge support. We sat on the edge of this mattress on its firmest setting and felt very supported.
  • The Saatva Solaire is made with eco-friendly materials which not only makes it great for environmentally-conscious shoppers, but it also keeps the mattress from having an off-gassing smell when it first arrives.
  • Couples should love this mattress. It’s bouncy and responsive, making it a great mattress for sex, but it also has great motion isolation, meaning that you shouldn’t be disturbed if your partner moves around at night.

What to Keep in Mind About the Saatva Solaire

  • Since you can adjust the Solaire, it should be fitting for a wide range of sleepers, however, some heavier sleepers might only find comfort on the highest settings of the mattress.
  • Hot sleepers might overheat on the Saatva Solaire. Though it is made with gel-infused foam and cooling Talalay latex, it’s not necessarily built to keep you cool at night.

Other user reviews

Customers raved about the comfort of this mattress and ranked it at 4.8 out of 5 stars. Moreover, most customers raved about how great customer service was while purchasing their mattresses but complained about the $99 pickup fee charged if they wanted to return the mattress.

Read the full Saatva Solaire mattress review.

Leesa with Adjustable Base vs Sleep Number M Line

Leesa Original Mattress

Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.9/5

Material

Foam

Trial Period

100 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Warranty

10-year warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review

Leesa Original Mattress

Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.9/5

Material

Foam

Warranty

10-year warranty

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

100 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review

Leesa Original Mattress

Made with responsive foam, the Leesa Original mattress works well for side sleepers and hot sleepers.

Clarity Score 3.9/5

Material

Foam

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Trial Period

100 nights

Warranty

10-year warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review
Pros
Has a balanced foam feel that is soft and responsive
Can be paired with an adjustable base
Great for side sleepers, back sleepers, and hot sleepers
Cons
Too soft for stomach sleepers
Not for fans of firm mattresses
Doesn’t offer a typical memory foam feel

Our Expert’s Take

The Leesa is a comfortable and very popular all-foam mattress. It offers an excellent balance of comfort and support, which makes it a versatile mattress that could suit several types of sleepers. Even though the Leesa is all-foam, it does a good job of sleeping cool. We found this mattress to be ideal for back sleepers, side sleepers, and hot sleepers who want an all-foam mattress that won’t make them overheat. It’s also worth noting that the Leesa can be used with an adjustable base, which makes this a fairly customizable mattress.

How does the Leesa achieve its versatile feel? For starters, it uses a proprietary LSA200 foam in its top comfort layer. This material is simultaneously soft, bouncy, breathable, and responsive. Beneath the LSA200 foam, there’s a layer of slower-moving memory foam that offers more body contouring. These comfort layers help create a balanced foam feel that is both soft and responsive, so sleepers enjoy pressure relief without feeling stuck in the mattress. For this reason, we’ve ranked the Leesa as one of the best soft mattresses.

man sleeping on his side on a Leesa mattress

We’ve suggested the Leesa as an alternative to the Sleep Number M line because of the similarities between these two beds. The “M” in this Sleep Number line stands for “Memory Foam.” Not surprisingly, the beds in this line are all made with memory foam layers that offer body contouring and pressure relief—much like the Leesa. The beds in this lineup are also equipped with cooling design features so the foam doesn’t cause sleepers to overheat. Again, this also holds true for the Leesa. And when you pair the Leesa with an adjustable base, it offers some of the same customization options as the M line.

What the testers say: “I enjoyed sleeping on the Leesa mattress, especially when I was on my back. It offered just the balance of comfort and support I needed. And, it worked well with an adjustable base for when I wanted to sit up to read or watch TV.” Marten, Lead Reviewer

What We Love About the Leesa

  • The Leesa is made with high-density LSA200 foam. This makes it a very durable mattress, and because of that it should last between 7 and 10 years.
  • The Leesa is a soft mattress that’s great for back sleepers, side sleepers, and sleepers who are in need of pressure relief but don’t want to feel like they’re sinking into their mattress.
  • Couples should love the fact that this mattress has some pretty good motion isolation. Though the top layer of the mattress is bouncy, the layers beneath are more supportive and offer some motion isolation and an overall balanced feel.

What to Keep in Mind About the Leesa

  • The Leesa doesn’t have the best edge support. If you’re sleeping near the edge of the mattress, you may get the feeling that you’re going to roll off.
  • Stomach sleepers need a firm mattress to support their hips and keep their spine from sinking into the mattress, and since the Leesa is on the softer side, it may not be the best fit for stomach sleepers.

Other user reviews

The Leesa mattress was reviewed by over 19,000 reviewers on the Leesa site and has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewers loved the balance of comfort and support within the mattress, however, some users thought that the mattress was too soft.

Compare the Sleep Number vs Leesa mattress here.

Emma Shift vs Sleep Number I Series

Emma Shift

The Emma Shift is an affordable alternative to the standard adjustable bed. Plus, its firmness can be modified without the use of electricity.

Material

Other

Trial Period

365 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

10-year warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5

Emma Shift

The Emma Shift is an affordable alternative to the standard adjustable bed. Plus, its firmness can be modified without the use of electricity.

Material

Other

Warranty

10-year warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

365 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5

Emma Shift

The Emma Shift is an affordable alternative to the standard adjustable bed. Plus, its firmness can be modified without the use of electricity.

Material

Other

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

365 nights

Warranty

10-year warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Pros
Cooling benefits
Firmness is adjustable
Good for couples
Cons
Expensive
Not a classic foam feel

Our Expert’s Take

The Emma Shift is a high-tech adjustable bed that’s all about comfort and cooling. When we say “high-tech,” we mean it! This bed features a Smart Valve air chamber that allows you to change the firmness of your bed without using energy or electricity. As for cooling features, the Smart Valve chamber is sandwiched between layers of foam, with the top two layers being infused with graphite and titanium visco-elastic foams and a breathable, moisture-wicking cover to help keep you cool while you sleep. 

While the technical specs of this mattress are very noteworthy, it’s also important to consider its fundamentals. The Emma Shift is an all-foam, bed-in-a-box mattress. It offers an adjustable sleep surface that combines some pressure relief with support. Even though it’s an all-foam mattress, it’s fairly responsive, so it’s easy to move around on this bed. The third layer of foam also features Emma’s Shift Core technology, which is large pore foam that gets softer or firmer depending on a person’s body weight.

Why did we pit the Emma Shift against the Sleep Number I Series? Much like the Emma Shift, the beds in the Sleep Number I (or “Innovation”) Series are designed with temperature regulation in mind. They incorporate materials that are meant to absorb excess heat (so the sleeper doesn’t overheat) and then release some of that heat back to the sleeper if the mattress gets too cold. The Innovation Series is Sleep Numbers’ most luxurious line. In addition to temperature regulation, the beds also feature adjustable air chambers and enhanced pressure relief.

Stay tuned for our full review of the Emma Shift!

What We Love About the Emma Shift

  • Couples who are looking for the best mattress for sex may want a mattress that’s bouncy, responsive, and easy to move around on, meaning the Emma Shift may be a great fit.
  • The Emma shift has cooling benefits such as a moisture-wicking cover, and graphite- and titanium-infused visco-elastic foam.
  • The air chambers allow sleepers to change the firmness of the Shift, meaning that most sleepers should be able to find a comfortable setting, regardless of sleeping position.

What to Keep in Mind About the Emma Shift

  • The Emma Shift is a foam mattress, however, it lacks the typical slow-moving foam feel of a foam mattress.
  • The Emma Shift is a luxury mattress with a luxury price tag, so it may not be great for shoppers looking for low-budget Sleep Number alternatives.

Other user reviews

Customers ranked the Emma Shift 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Emma site. So far, there are only 6 customer ratings for this mattress, mostly praising its cooling features and how versatile it is since it has customizable firmness options.

Stay tuned for our full review of the Emma Shift!

What Is a Smart Bed?

A smart bed is not unlike a smartwatch or a smartphone: It’s a useful product that is technologically equipped to gather and share data (often through the use of sensors) and to enhance the user’s experience in a variety of ways. Smart bed functionalities range from tracking your sleep patterns to customizing the bed’s firmness, changing the position of the mattress, adjusting the bed’s temperature, offering a built-in alarm or TV, or syncing with a smartphone app or smart home devices.

Smart beds can be useful to a variety of sleepers. For instance, people who are struggling to obtain quality sleep might benefit from using a smart bed to track their sleep habits so they can adjust those patterns for the better. People with mobility issues might appreciate a smart bed that easily changes positions. People who are managing pain might want a smart bed that allows them to customize its firmness depending on how they’re feeling each night. And some people just like smart beds because they’re fun and innovative!

6 Things to Consider When Buying a Smart Bed

Before purchasing any smart bed, it’s important to consider several factors.

Firmness

Many smart beds allow you to customize their firmness so you can tailor the bed’s firmness to your chosen sleep position and other preferences on a nightly basis. If customization is important to you, be sure to look for a smart bed that enables you to adjust its firmness level.

Sleep Tracking

Do you want a bed that will monitor your sleep habits so you can track the quantity and quality of your sleep on a nightly basis? This can be useful if you tend to struggle with getting high-quality sleep, as you’ll be able to identify patterns and troubleshoot accordingly. On the other hand, some people find the idea of a bed that monitors their sleep to be stressful or invasive. There’s no right choice here; it comes down to what best suits your needs and feelings.

RELATED: Guide to Sleep Trackers & Apps

Cooling

Overheating at night is a quick way to ruin your chances at quality sleep. For this reason, it’s a good idea to consider whether the smart bed in question offers cooling components. Common cooling design features include gel or graphite infusions in foam layers, ventilated foams, and cooling cover materials such as Tencel, Celliant, and/or Phase Change Material.

Connecting to Devices

Some smart beds connect to a range of smart devices, including smartphones, smart alarms, smart TVs, and/or smart lighting systems. If you want a bed to connect to an app on your phone or integrate with your smart home devices, make sure the smart bed you’re considering is compatible with your existing tech.

Budget

No matter what kind of mattress you’re shopping for, it’s always important to consider your budget. Define your budget before you start shopping so you don’t have to go through the heartbreak of falling in love with a bed only to discover that it’s far too expensive. Establishing budgetary constraints will also enable you to narrow down your options so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Trial Periods

Purchasing a bed online can feel daunting, because you never know for certain whether a bed will suit your needs until you’ve had a chance to test it out in person. That’s where trial periods come in! Trial periods, or “sleep trials,” allow you to test a mattress in the comfort of your own home for a certain period of time. In most cases, brands will offer free refunds if you decide to return the mattress before the end of the trial period. Of course, every brand is different, so it’s important to research trial period policies before you buy.

Adjustable Bases vs. Smart Beds

As we noted above, smart beds appeal to many people because they offer customizations and extra functions beyond a standard mattress. But buying a smart bed isn’t the only way to make your sleep setup more customizable. You might also consider an adjustable base, which lets you lift the head and/or foot of the mattress to elevate certain parts of your body and tailor the support to your activities and preferences. Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of adjustable bases.

3 Pros of Adjustable Bases

  • They’re budget-friendly. Adjustable bases generally cost less than high-tech smart mattresses. So you can obtain some of the functionality of a smart bed without having to pay full price.
  • They offer unique features. Many adjustable bases come with thoughtful design features such as extra outlets for your phone or even massage capabilities. These touches can make spending time in bed much more pleasant.
  • They’re useful for many health conditions. For instance, elevating your head can help minimize snoring and acid reflux, while minimizing your legs might be useful after an injury.

3 Cons of Adjustable Bases

  • They’re more technologically limited. Many smart beds have built-in features that allow you to do so much more than adjust their position. These extra features could include the ability to adjust the bed’s temperature, firmness level, and feel. An adjustable base won’t necessarily allow for this level of customization.
  • Some people don’t like the aesthetic. Many people do not like the way adjustable bases look from a design perspective, and they prefer the look of a more traditional bed frame.
  • Their set-up can be cumbersome. Setting up an adjustable base often takes a good deal of time and effort, which is a turn-off for some folks. It’s also worth keeping this in mind if you have mobility issues.

Summary

Best Sleep Number AlternativeSleep Number Bed
Nectar Premier with Adjustable BaseSleep Number P Series
Saatva SolaireSleep Number C Series
Leesa with Adjustable BaseSleep Number M Series
Emma ShiftSleep Number I Series

If you think a Sleep Number bed is the best option for you, we recommend checking out some of our Sleep Number coupons to save a bit of money!

FAQs

What is comparable to a Sleep Number bed?

Sleep Number offers several mattress lines, and they’re each designed a bit differently. So the best alternatives to Sleep Number vary depending on the line in question. For instance, the Saatva Solaire is a good alternative to the Sleep Number C Series, the Emma Shift is comparable to the Sleep Number I Series, the Leesa with an adjustable base is similar to the Sleep Number M Line, and the Nectar mattress with an adjustable base is comparable to the Sleep Number P Series.

Is Sleep Number really worth it?

Sleep Number has been a popular mattress brand for longer than many brands have been in existence. The company offers quality mattresses with a wide range of materials and customizable features. Whether these beds are worth the price really comes down to personal preference. In general, these beds will really appeal to couples who want to personalize both sides of the bed, people with health conditions that require them to sit up or adjust the bed’s firmness on a regular basis, and people who are looking for a long-term investment.

What are the problems with Sleep Number beds?

No mattress is perfect. As with any mattress brand, Sleep Number receives its share of complaints. For instance, some people simply don’t feel comfortable on Sleep Number mattresses. Another common complaint is that there might be some slight sagging between the air chambers, which could mean the mattress doesn’t offer even support and could also make it harder for couples to cuddle near the center of the bed. Finally, some people aren’t satisfied with the terms of Sleep Number’s warranty. It’s definitely worth familiarizing yourself with that warranty before making a purchase.

Marten Carlson

Marten Carlson

Marten is the Lead Reviewer at Mattress Clarity. He is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and covers the mattress industry as well as sleep science news. He is specifically interested in the connection between sleep and overall health. Marten has written for media publications like Consequence of Sound and received a master’s degree in Film Studies from Emory University. He comes from Franklin, Indiana, and spends all the time he can writing, directing, and acting in films.