Sleep Number vs GhostBed: Which Should You Choose?

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Sleep Number and GhostBed’s producer, Nature’s Sleep, have been in the bed business for many years. They both produce many mattresses and have affordable options for most budgets. Still, there is a lot of differences between Sleep Number and GhostBed, especially when it comes to their construction. Check out our latest Sleep Number vs GhostBed comparison to learn more!

Product
Firmness
Score
Sleep Number 360 p5 Smart Mattress
Multiple firmness options
3.9/5
GhostBed Mattress
Firm: 8/10
4.1/5
Product
Sleep Number 360 p5 Smart Mattress
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Score
3.9/5
Product
GhostBed Mattress
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Score
4.1/5

Sleep Number vs. GhostBed: What They’re All About

Sleep Number

Sleep Number may be best known for its adjustable air beds, which allow you to change the firmness and support of the bed to meet your needs via a remote.

There are four different types/series of beds, starting with the Classic Series and ending with the 360 Smart Beds. There are numerous models that offer different comfort options within each series.

The beds tend to be popular with couples because they can be made with dual air chambers, so each person can adjust to their preferred setting without compromising. Make sure to check out our best mattresses for couples.

Prices range depending on the series and model of each bed. The most basic model (c-2) retails for $1099.00 for a Queen while the i-10 360 SmartBed will run you $5299.00 for a Queen.

Sleep Number mattresses come with a 100-night sleep trial (read the fine print for exclusions).

Sleep Number’s popular p-5 model

Sleep Number 360 p5 Smart Mattress

The Sleep Number 360 p5 is part of the company's Performance Series and is comfortable, supportive, and adjustable.

Clarity Score 3.9/5

Material

Other

Trial Period

100 nights

Shipping Method

Flat-rate white glove delivery

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

15-year limited warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5

Sleep Number 360 p5 Smart Mattress

The Sleep Number 360 p5 is part of the company's Performance Series and is comfortable, supportive, and adjustable.

Clarity Score 3.9/5

Material

Other

Warranty

15-year limited warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Flat-rate white glove delivery

Trial Period

100 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5

Sleep Number 360 p5 Smart Mattress

The Sleep Number 360 p5 is part of the company's Performance Series and is comfortable, supportive, and adjustable.

Clarity Score 3.9/5

Material

Other

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

100 nights

Warranty

15-year limited warranty

Shipping Method

Flat-rate white glove delivery

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5

GhostBed

The Ghostbed mattress is 11” and made with all foam, including a 1.5” top layer of latex foam and a 2” layer of gel memory foam. GhostBed rates their mattress a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale and we consider it around a 7 out of 10 on the same scale. This medium-firm to slightly firm mattress feel tends to be a sweet spot for the average sleeper.

The bed comes in a box shipped directly to your house. Although it is comparable in design to other bed-in-a-box retailers, because it’s from a company that has such large scale, the price is competitive, often lower than other brands like Casper. A Queen size mattress is $1395.00.

GhostBed is a product of Nature’s Sleep, a company that makes a lot of different mattresses and other bedding products, including foundations and mattress toppers. The mattress is designed and manufactured in the US and comes with a 101 night trial period.

GhostBed Mattress Reviews

GhostBed Mattress

The GhostBed is a supportive bed-in-a-box mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and those looking for a value mattress.

Clarity Score 4.1/5

Material

Foam

Trial Period

101 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Warranty

20-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.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

GhostBed Mattress

The GhostBed is a supportive bed-in-a-box mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and those looking for a value mattress.

Clarity Score 4.1/5

Material

Foam

Warranty

20-year warranty

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

Trial Period

101 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.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

GhostBed Mattress

The GhostBed is a supportive bed-in-a-box mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and those looking for a value mattress.

Clarity Score 4.1/5

Material

Foam

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Trial Period

101 nights

Warranty

20-year warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

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.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Construction Differences

Sleep Number

Sleep Number offers several models organized into four categories: Classic Series, Performance Series, Innovation Series and 360 Smart Beds.

The air chamber/dual air chamber option with adjustable settings and your personalized Sleep Number will be incorporated into all beds and make up the base of the Sleep Number bed.

Each series essentially builds from the other. The Classic Series beds, the c-2, c-4 and cse, offer the most standard options with minimal layers between the air chamber(s) and the mattress top.

The Innovation Series and 360 Smart Beds will have the largest, thickest layers and most added features.

Some of the additional features that come with the higher-end models like those in the Innovation Series and 360 Smart Bed series include:

  • Additional comfort layers (Plush Fit, Exclusive Fit and Dual Gel Memory Foam)
  • Temperature balancing sleep surface
  • 5-7 zones of contouring support
  • SleepIQ Technology included
  • Beds that automatically and effortlessly adjusts to you (Smart Beds)

C2MattressConstruction_SLSleep Number c-2 model

To see a breakdown of the most basic Sleep Number bed, the c-2, click here.

GhostBed

GhostBed is made by Nature’s Sleep, a mattress company that has been around for several years. The construction consists of:

  • Viscose and Polyester cover: This blended cover is soft and has a bit of stretch. Although you will more likely put a sheet over the cover, we did notice that the feel of this cover is much better than most. It also unzips and can be removed for cleaning.
  • 1.5 inches of latex: The latex comfort layer is popular with many bed-in-a-box mattresses because it offers slightly more spring and response than a memory foam mattress. It also keeps the mattress from sleeping hot.
  • 2 inches of gel memory foam: The gel memory foam layer in this mattress is a proprietary formula with larger cells that GhostBed says makes it more reactive to the body for cooler nights.
  • 7.5 inches of core foam: Providing a base layer of support for the mattress and increase longevity.

GhostBed Mattress Spinal Alignment

For more information regarding how these mattresses stack up to other brands, make sure to also check out our mattress comparisons page for more Sleep Number and GhostBed comparisons like Sleep Number vs Casper and GhostBed vs Lull.

You Will Love Sleep Number If…

You want a firm mattress one day and a plush one the next.

All Sleep Number beds come with their Dual Adjustability feature. It allows you to adjust firmness, comfort, and support on each side of the bed to your individual Sleep Number setting. If you don’t like your current setting, it’s easy to change the comfort level with the remote that comes with the bed.

You’ve got money to spend on a luxurious bed.

Sleep Number beds really run the full scope of basic to luxurious. The most basic Sleep Number bed starts at $899 for a Queen and can go much higher with their 360 Smart Bed series. Sleep Number also has other accessories, like FlexFit Adjustable Bases or sheets, that you can buy to complement your mattress.

If you have the means, you can go all out on both the air bed and on their adjustable bases and other extras.

You want to try it in person.

Sleep Number has been around for a long time and has showrooms across the country where you can go and test out different mattresses. They’ll even walk you through finding your personal Sleep Number and make suggestions on the type of mattress that could work for you.

RELATED: Best Sleep Number Bed Alternatives

You Will Love GhostBed If…

You’re looking for great value.

Even compared to other popular online mattress companies like Casper, we think GhostBed offers great value. GhostBed is made by a larger company that produces high volumes of mattresses. This scale allows them to sell an equally good quality bed at a better price (plus other online-only business advantages).

You sleep in multiple positions.

While we had the best experience with the mattress, it offers good support and is comfortable in any position, whether you’re on your side, stomach, or back

You like foam but hate sleeping hot.

The top layer of the mattress is latex, which aims to help you sleep cool. In addition, the gel memory foam layer is also made with a proprietary formula that promotes breathability as well.

Firmness Comparison

Sleep Number

One reason why people tend to like Sleep Number beds is that you can adjust the firmness and support of your mattress (or your side of the mattress) at any given time using a remote that comes with the bed.

Your Sleep Number number (also called your Sleep Number setting) corresponds to your ideal firmness and support. Numbers range from 0 to 100 and the higher your number, the more air/firmer your Sleep Number bed will be.

Sleep Numbers are personal to you and can change when your sleep needs change. The model you choose will also affect your firmness and support. Picking a model with plush layers between the mattress top and the air chamber will feel different than a more standard model.

Sleep Number i-10 360 Smart Bed

GhostBed

For a foam mattress, the GhostBed bounces back fairly quickly due to the top layer of latex. The extra spring is enough to make sure you avoid that “stuck” feeling that is common with memory foam mattresses. The firmness is about a 7 out of 10 (GhostBed rates it as 6.5/10), which is right in the sweet spot for the average sleeper.

Based on our experience, we think that the firmness allows the mattress to be comfortable to sleep in any position. It felt the best on our back, but also worked for side and stomach sleeping as well. This makes it a good option for people that sleep in multiple positions throughout the night, or for couples with different sleeping positions.

For more details on the firmness of the mattress, check out our video below:

Bottom Line

Those on a budget may be able to find options with both Sleep Number and GhostBed, so it may come down to whether you prefer air beds or foam mattresses. Sleep Number’s adjustability makes it ideal for couples who have different sleep preferences. Meanwhile, those who like slightly firmer mattresses and want to keep things simple may enjoy GhostBed.

Fortunately, both come with at least 100 nights to try the beds and mattress out.

Katie Golde

Katie Golde

Katie manages the day to day operations of the Mattress Clarity news site and reviews sleep products in addition to writing and editing sleep news. She hails from Austin, where she lives with her growing family. She is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and has a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and has a background in health and science content. Her work can be found in print and online publications like Discover Magazine, USA Today and The Huffington Post.