Sleep Number i8 mattress review 2025: A smart bed with dual adjustable firmness and integrated sleep tracking
Sleep Number is one of the leading mattress innovators, and has for a long time been offering customers the ability to adjust the firmness level on either side of the mattress. The i8 also has this function, but now users can manage it through an app on their phone. This was one of my favorite aspects of the mattress because it contributed to other things like fantastic motion isolation and the unique ability to adjust the edge support to your needs (for instance, a higher Sleep Number Setting or firmness level results in a more supportive edge).
Type: Foam smart mattressMaterials: Foam, air chambers, Firmness: AdjustableHeight: 12"Trial Period: 100 nightsWarranty: 15 years limitedPrice: From $3,399 MSRP at Sleep Number
As much as I loved the ability to customize the firmness setting and thought it was interesting that the mattress recorded my sleep and biosignals (such as my heart rate) in an app, I was surprised that it took my body an entire month to get somewhat (but not fully) comfortable sleeping on the king-size version of this mattress.
I'm not a "picky" sleeper. I'm a 5'5' woman who weighs 175 lbs. I don't sleep warm or hot and I'm a combination sleeper (I can sleep on my side, back, or stomach), which makes me an ideal mattress reviewer. So I was confused by how much I struggled throughout the testing period. Many mornings I woke up sweating or hot, and sometimes my back ached. Though I don't usually move in my sleep on my normal mattress, most nights I slept restlessly on the Sleep Number i8, waking up often and usually in odd positions. Things improved by the last week, but still not as much as I hoped.
I wanted to love the Sleep Number i8, but I can't say it's for me. While couples will appreciate the mattress for the ability to adjust the firmness and edge support on their own sides of the bed, they will have to use very breathable or cooling sheets, light bedding and nightwear, and lower their air-conditioning considerably. Or else upgrade to the Sleep Number ClimateCool which enables you to lower the temperature of the mattress by 15 degrees. Buyers may also have to be okay with sleeping on the mattress for 30 days or more until their body grows more used to it.
In terms of the mattress recording sleep stats, upon a closer look I discovered that the results were sometimes skewed, limited, incorrect, or didn't quite match with my experience sleeping on the mattress.
I know most people are willing to invest a good chunk of coin in a mattress they like – and I'm all for that. Do I think the price for the Sleep Number i8 is a bit high? Yes, considering that I've slept better on more affordable mattresses with fewer features. I can overlook the pricing, but what concerns me most is how Sleep Number's warranty and return/exchange policy don't make sense considering how expensive this mattresses is. For instance, if you want to return or exchange the Sleep Number i8, you'll be hit with a $250 fee, which is considerably higher than most brands. I know that the Sleep Number brand is beloved by many, and I'm confident that many customers have loved the Sleep Number i8. However, it can't hurt to keep reading and take in a more detailed review, in order to know what to expect from this mattress before you bring it into your home.
We rate the Sleep Number i8 as the best value smart bed on the market right now. It comes in 10 different models with sizes ranging from twin to FlexTop California king. Here's the MSRP for every size:
30% off is one of the biggest discounts we see from Sleep Number, and the brand tends to rotate this deal around its smart mattress suite. When it hits the i8 smart bed, you can save up to $2,019.60.
Although $3,999 for a queen size sounds expensive, costing more than even the best mattresses you can buy online right now, one must remember this is a complete smart mattress without additional subscription fees.
In comparison, the Eight Sleep Pod 4 smart bed ($2,649 for a queen) requires you to purchase an actual mattress separately and pay a subscription fee starting from $17 per month. So, we think you're getting better value for your money with the Sleep Number sleep-tracking, adjustable mattress.
Sleep Number offers a 100-night sleep trial, which is standard in the mattress industry. However, more unusually, you can't return or exchange the bed until after 31 days as the brand wants you to take time to get used to the mattress. If you need to exchange it or want to return the mattress, Sleep Number will charge you a pricey $250 fee.
Although Sleep Number only offers a 15-year limited warranty, which is a touch on the lower end compared to other brands which offer at least a 20-year warranty or a generous lifetime warranties. This suggests that Sleep Number mattresses could last an average of 15 years.
The Sleep Number i8 Smart Mattress is 12 inches tall with an exterior cover that's 99% polyester and 1% elastin. There are three layers inside the mattress – a one-inch base pad, a two-inch support foam layer, and three inches of ceramic chip gel foam, which is foam infused with small ceramic chips of gel designed to release your body heat and contribute to better temperature regulation. All foams in the mattress are CertiPUR-US certified, meaning they have low VOC emissions and are made without formaldehyde, ozone depleters, mercury, heavy metals, lead, and phthalates.
The most notable part of the Sleep Number i8 mattress design is a pair of air chambers located below the foam layers that can be inflated or deflated to adjust the bed's firmness. Hoses extend from the bottom of both sides of the mattress and hook to the base. When the bed is plugged in and connected to the Sleep Number app, users can adjust the firmness between 5 and 100, with 5 being the softest and 100 being the firmest.
There is also a responsive air function that, when turned on, will automatically adjust the firmness with puffs of air when you change position, ensuring that you remain comfortable and undisturbed. When the air chamber is working, it produces a low, unbothersome sound.
Lastly, the mattress is outfitted with sensors that record your sleep from the moment you get in bed. It tracks how long it takes you to fall asleep, the amount of time you're restful or restless through the night, and even when you get out of bed. It also monitors and records your biosignals, including your heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate.
Sleep Number encourages buyers to sleep on the mattress for at least 30 days to let their bodies adjust and grow used to the mattress – and this makes a lot of sense after my month-long testing period.
The Sleep Number i8 allows you to adjust the firmness on both sides of the mattress between 5 and 100. As someone who likes to sleep on their back, stomach, and side, I tend to prefer a medium-firm mattress, though I'm not opposed to firm mattresses.
After the delivery drivers left, I played with the firmness level. I discovered that when set on a 5, the mattress was super soft, and I sunk too far in for my comfort. It felt like a 4 out of 10 on a firmness scale. I didn't think I could properly sleep on my back or stomach at that setting. On the opposite end, a 100 setting felt quite firm and bouncy, more like an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale. It was considerably supportive and allowed me to lie on my stomach and back.
I started out my testing period at a 95, but I slept quite restlessly and couldn't find a comfortable position on my back or stomach. I decided to go down to an 85 Sleep Number setting, but was surprised that this did not improve my sleep.
Though 85 was supportive enough to sleep on my back and stomach, I couldn't fall asleep on this mattress without sleeping on my side. (This was the case throughout the entire testing period.) Not only that, but I would wake up often throughout the night and move quite a bit in my sleep. This is not typical for me, and I wasn't sure if it was because I kept growing warm, hot, and sweaty on the mattress, or if it had more to do with comfort.
I used to be a restless sleeper as a kid and teenager, but for the past 12 years, my sleep habits have been consistent – I don't sleep hot, I stay in one place, and I sleep for 8 hours getting up once to go to the bathroom. What surprised me most was that there was an entire week when I'd wake up to soreness along the lower sides of my back. Even when that faded, I didn't feel like my day-to-day body stress or soreness from working out was relieved by sleeping on the mattress. For these reasons, I'd rate the pressure relief a 3 out of 5.
Finally, I decided to lower the firmness rating to a 65. I thought perhaps the mattress would be too soft for me, but I was glad to discover that it offered a more medium feel, like a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale. My sleep started to improve slightly. By that time, I'd figured out that I had to use cotton sheets on the Sleep Number i8 and sleep naked at night with the air-conditioning and two fans on, to alleviate the overheating I had been experiencing. Honestly, I can't tell you if my sleep SleepIQ Score improved because of those changes or because I used a 65 firmness setting.
By the last week, I decided to drop the Sleep Number Setting to a 50 and then 45. This change seemed to alleviate the soreness in my back (or perhaps my body had grown used to the bed after 3 weeks) and contributed to a more restful night of sleep. Sure, I would still wake up in different positions on the mattress than I normally would, but at least I wasn't waking up in the middle of the night as often. My SleepIQ Score improved as well, with the highest SleepIQ Score being 92 on the third-to-last day of testing.
To get a broad picture, I had my parents jump on the bed and test out the feel of the different firmness settings. They liked the lower firmness settings more than the higher ones, preferring levels between 20 and 60. I also placed a 15lb. dumbbell on the mattress to see how far it would sink. At a 100 firmness setting, the dumbbell dipped half an inch, and one inch at a firmness setting of 5.I have to admit that I struggled to test this mattress for a month. In all my testing experience, it's never taken this long for me to grow used to a mattress, (I think the longest it's ever taken was a week) and that meant a month of poor sleep. I'm sure that if I slept on the Sleep Number i8 for a few more weeks my body would grow more used to it and perhaps by the end of the second month, I'd sleep less restlessly. However, when I think about how I haven't have to do that with any of the other mattresses I've tested, I don't know if it's worth it. Score: 3 out of 5
With so many smart features, it makes sense that Sleep Number offers free white glove delivery with the purchase of a Sleep Number i8. I was sent an email that allowed me to schedule my delivery, and on the day of delivery, my drivers provided me updates on when they would arrive.
Sleep Number added a FlexFit 1 Base to my order, so I could test the adjustability features of the mattress. For reference, the FlexFit 1 Base has the capability to lift the head of the mattress so you can sit up in bed and watch TV or read in the evenings. It also provides underbed lighting that can be set on automatic, which means it would turn on and off when I got out and into bed. The base is definitely worth the price.
I wasn't aware that I could place the base inside my bedframe, so when the delivery drivers – William and Enrique – arrived, they helped me to remove the support beam and slats inside my bed frame before fitting the base inside.
The delivery men were not able to adjust the legs so that it was flush with the frame. Instead, William and Enrique had to lift the legs so that the base sat slightly above it. I didn't realize that this would place the bed at about 2.5 feet high. My regular mattress sits at 22 inches off the ground, so the height adjustment was noticeable. I also didn't like that you could see the grey color of the FlexFit 1 Base, since my king size bedding was not large enough to cover both the mattress and the base.
There was no off-gassing smell when Enrique and William removed the wrapping around the mattress and placed it on the frame. The mattress lacks handles, so if you need to move it in the future, this could make things a little tricky. At least the mattress is not that heavy.
The delivery team connected the mattress to the base and plugged it in. By then, I'd already downloaded the Sleep Number app and created an account. William and Enrique helped me to connect the mattress to the app and then proceeded to show me how every feature worked. I appreciated how thorough they were in their instructions because the app is a bit overwhelming at first. Their insight allowed me to start testing right away.
Upon closer look at the warranty, you receive one year of full coverage, and then after that, you'll be charged for a replacement parts and technical service. While some things are prorated each year of the warranty, you could still end up paying quite a bit if one of the hoses should break or if a sensor stops working, which is always a possibility. Score: 5 out of 5
As briefly mentioned in the design section, the Sleep Number i8 comes with air chambers and sensors that measure your sleep. Both the chambers and the sensors are connected to the Sleep Number app.
Overall, the Sleep Number app is intuitively designed and easy to use. Under the Smart Bed tab, you're able to adjust the Sleep Number Setting (firmness level) on either side of the mattress between 5 and 100. While some mattress brands allow you to choose a medium-firm or firm mattress upon ordering, Sleep Number i8 is one of the few smart mattresses that lets you adjust the firmness whenever you wish through the app, making this a standout feature. In the same tab, you can also turn on the Responsive Air function which senses the movement of a sleeper and adjusts the firmness in small increments to keep you asleep.
If your Sleep Number i8 is connected to a base, you can adjust the head or feet of the base and set the underbed lighting to on, off, or automatic (turns on when you get out of bed).The Sleep Number i8 monitors your sleep at night with sensors, noting when you get in and out of bed, how restless you are (or are not), and the time it takes for you to fall asleep. This information is recorded in a chart under the Sleep tab on the app. Here, you'll also notice a record of your nightly biosignals – heart rate, breath rate, and heart rate variability – too.
Sleep Number takes your biosignals, how often you woke up, how long it took you to fall asleep, and creates a nightly SleepIQ score between 1-100. Next to that score is your 30-day average and all-time best sleep score. This SleepIQ score is meant to encourage sleepers to get a higher score, whether that's by finding a better Sleep Number Setting for a less restless sleep, improving your sleep hygiene, or minimizing stress during the day through exercise or meditation.
All this information is recorded in a calendar. Sleep Number also offers suggestions for reducing stress and improving your circadian rhythm for a better night of sleep. Sleep Sessions can be deleted or edited, though there are limits. For instance, you can only delete and edit within four days, and you can only adjust your sleep start and end times one way – a shorter length rather than longer length of time. What I appreciate most about the app is how thorough Sleep Number is in providing an explanation of each reading and how it impacts your sleep. For instance, I was not aware that heart rate variability was important but within the app, Sleep Number explains that a high HRV 'means high energy, good recovery, enhanced cognitive performance, and balance of heart and mind.' Without such descriptions of each of the features, I would have been very confused. I should also add that within the app you can get support from the Sleep Number team and search support articles.
Now, the real question remains: how useful are these sleep readings? Overall, I'd say they're interesting and helpful in some ways, but they are not as accurate as you might think.
For instance, over the course of a month, there were four times when I thought that the Sleep Number i8 glitched and did not record my full night of sleep, instead recording that I slept for only a handful of hours, even though I know I had seven to eight hours' of sleep that night. This resulted in low SleepIQ scores which then affected my 30-day average. Yes, I could have deleted these nights, but I didn't for the sake of testing.
I ended up learning that the app might record your sleep for fewer hours if you end up moving to the other side of the mattress. See – I set up the Sleep Number i8 to only record the right side of the mattress. However, I was sleeping so restlessly and moving so much in my sleep that sometimes I'd wake up the next day on the other side of the mattress, or even diagonally on the bed, covering both the left and right sides of the mattress. This is why the Sleep Number i8 didn't always record me as sleeping a full night on the bed – because its sensors measure each side of the bed separately.
There were a few other odd quirks too. The Sleep Number i8 couldn't tell when I was relaxing on my bed and not actually asleep. One evening I was reading a book on the mattress from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and it noted me as having fallen asleep during that time and sleeping restlessly. Other times, the app recorded that it took me zero minutes to fall asleep which is not accurate.
Even when the Sleep Number i8 accurately recorded my sleep, I was a little hesitant to believe the readings. There were times where I felt like I slept quite restlessly for hours, and yet, the app recorded that I was only restless for 30 minutes the entire night. One morning I got up at 5:43 a.m. for a bathroom run and returned to my bed a few minutes later, but the app recorded that as my 'wake up time,' even though I slept until 8:45 a.m.
Another night, my SleepIQ Score was 90, which is incredibly high. Such a score surprised me because it took me one and a half hours to fall asleep (which the app recorded accurately) and I was restless much of the night due to growing warm (it recorded my restless time as 38 minutes). Plus, I woke up with a sore back that morning. So, why was my SleepIQ score so high?
With all of this in mind, I'm a little skeptical about my nightly biosignal readings too. Unfortunately, I did not have any equipment on hand that allowed me to compare the mattress' recordings of my biosignal readings.
All in all, the smart features are interesting, but there were so many instances when they weren't accurate. While they may help some sleepers make certain adjustments, it's best to analyze them thoroughly each day to see what you can and cannot glean from them.
Score: 3.5 out of 5
I ordered a king-size Sleep Number i8 and tested it for a month between April and May in Texas. In this time, I used my own judgement and expertise as a mattress tester to review the edge support, temperature regulation, and motion isolation, but I also employed a few standardized tests to provide as much insight into the mattress' performance as possible.
A mattress' motion isolation capabilities can determine whether you have an uninterrupted night of sleep, especially if you have a partner, kids, or pets that change positions or jump in and out of bed at night. Thankfully, the Sleep Number i8 excels in motion isolation. Part of this has to do with the fact that the mattress is 'split' (not literally) in half by way of a design that lets you adjust the firmness settings on either side of the mattress.
I had a few people test the motion isolation by getting in and out of bed and moving positions, and no matter if the Sleep Number firmness setting was the same or different, I barely felt their movements.
To verify my personal experience, I ran a test by placing an empty wine glass in the center of the mattress and dropped a 15-lb. weight 8, 12, and 25 inches away. The wine glass wobbled slightly at 8 inches but stood firm at distances of 12 and 25 inches. It never toppled over. I feel confident in saying that the mattress' motion isolation is one of its best features.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Foam mattresses are not the most breathable mattress type on the market, though I've tested plenty that have been breathable or result in a cool night's sleep. Unfortunately, the Sleep Number i8 mattress was not one such mattress.
I don't typically sleep warm or sweat at night, even during Texas' hot summers. Of all the mattresses I've tested (over 25), I've only gotten warm on three mattresses, including the Sleep Number i8. When I first started testing the Sleep Number i8, I'd wake up in the middle of the night either warm, hot, and/or sweating. I quickly realized that I couldn't sleep with pajamas on and that if I didn't want to sweat through my sheets, I'd have to use my most breathable cotton sheets, turn on two fans, and utilize my air-conditioning.
On my usual mattress (a PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress), I can sleep under a big comforter with the air-conditioning set at 78 degrees, one fan turned on, while wearing pajamas and sleep comfortably. I can't do that with the Sleep Number i8. I tested the mattress over the course of a month in springtime in Texas when the days and nights fluctuated between cool and warm temperatures. However, I never slept on the mattress when the temperature inside my house was over 78 degrees. I attribute a lot of my restless sleep and waking up often in the middle of the night to the poor breathability and heat retention of this mattress. Score: 3 out of 5
Edge support impacts a mattress in more ways than one. A supportive edge guarantees you can get in and out of bed easily or sit on the side of the bed and get dressed. It also contributes to the mattress' overall stability and long-term life span. For most mattresses, it's easy to provide feedback on edge support, but things are a bit different with the Sleep Number i8.
This mattress does not have reinforced edges around the perimeter, so the edge support is entirely dependent on the firmness setting you choose. A lower firmness setting results in poorer edge support. The higher the firmness setting, the more supportive the edge.
I tested this out by setting the firmness on one side of the mattress at 5 and the other side of the mattress at 100. The side with the 100 firmness setting was incredibly supportive. I barely sunk down, so much so that my feet couldn't lie flat on the ground. Not only that, but when I placed a 15lb. weight on the edge, it only dipped half an inch.
The opposite was true on the other side of the mattress. When I sat on the side with a 5 firmness level, I nearly sunk to the base, and actually had to set my feet firmly flat on the ground to prevent myself from slipping off. The 15-lb. weight dipped a full inch on that side of the mattress.
I should mention that the results were the same at the foot of the bed as they were on the side of the mattress. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the corners of the mattress. No matter the firmness level on that side of the bed, the corners of the mattress dipped considerably, and I had to take care not to slip and fall.
If you have difficulty getting in and out of bed, you should probably increase the firmness setting on your side of the mattress before moving off or on the mattress. This can be a hassle, but it's the only workaround I can imagine.
Score: 3 out of 5
When I examined the Sleep Number i8 customer reviews, I was impressed. It has a 4.8 out of 5-star rating with over 61,900 reviews. However, the number of reviews made me pause. The Sleep Number i8 launched in 2023. Could there possibly be 61,900 reviews written in less than two years?
After a little digging, I realized that the reviews on the Sleep Number i8 page go back 11 years, when Sleep Number first launched an i8 model in 2009. That first model had a lot of similarities in terms of air chambers and the ability to adjust the firmness setting. However, the materials in that mattress differed, as did the set up. Furthermore, the first i8 model was not a smart bed.
If all that wasn't enough, I'm not even positive that all the reviews on the page are for i8 models. When searching through them, I noticed that some reviews were in relation to other mattress types like the Sleep Number Flex Top ILE 360 and the Climate360. This skews the star rating, too.
The reviews cannot be broken down by years or mattress types so I can't provide a more accurate star rating for the Sleep Number i8 Smart Mattress that I tested in April-May 2025. That's not to say that a 4.8-star rating from 10 years' worth of reviews is not impressive – it is. Only that I would prefer a more accurate star rating for the model that I'm reviewing which has only been out since 2023.
While you can't search through the reviews by keyword, you can break them down by the most recent reviews, by star ratings (1-5), the lowest to highest star rating, and the highest to lowest star rating. In looking through the lower star ratings, it's clear that a lot of the complaints center around air valves, warranty, and discomfort leading to pain. (Again, I can't tell if all these reviews are for the Sleep Number i8 Smart Mattress, though I tried to limit my search to the past two years to ensure a higher probability of that).
Among the lower star ratings, customers noted that the air valves became faulty causing the mattress to lose air. Typically, this occurred after their one-year full warranty coverage ended. They were not enthused by the high costs for technicians and replacement parts under the 14-year limited warranty. Quite a few pointed out the cost to exchange or refund the mattress. Others shared that the mattress, no matter the firmness, caused them to wake up in pain.
That said, there are plenty of reviews praising the mattress for its comfort and ability to adjust the firmness level on either side, resulting in a better night's sleep. Many point out the benefit of buying a base with the mattress, such as how a base can elevate their head at night, resulting in a better sleep.
Again – I can't be entirely positive that all the praise or complaints are in relation to the Sleep Number i8 since I found plenty of reviews on the i8 page where customers notated that they were sharing feedback for a different mattress.
The Sleep Number i8 is a big investment, so it's important to know what to expect before you buy. Like me, you might be drawn to the smart features and the ability to adjust the firmness levels on both sides of the mattress. I can say without a doubt that being able to adjust the firmness setting is a big pro. It allows couples to sleep more comfortably and find the sleep setting that works for them. No wonder the mattress' motion isolation capabilities are among the best on the market. Plus, you have control over the edge support. The firmer the mattress, the more supportive the edge.
Managing the firmness level goes hand-in-hand with the Sleep Number app, which records everything from how quickly you fall asleep to how restfully (or restlessly) you sleep. It even records your biosignals. While this is quite a cool feature, it's not as accurate as you might think. I received skewed results, as well as some that were limited, inaccurate, or didn't match my personal experience sleeping on the mattress.
Perhaps the biggest drawbacks to this mattress were the comfort and temperature regulation. It took me nearly a month to figure out that a softer firmness setting would benefit me more, even though I usually sleep better on firmer mattresses. I was also limited to sleeping on my side and even suffered some back pain. This isn't to say that you shouldn't buy the mattress, only that you should be prepared for about a 30-day adjustment period (which for me was not enjoyable but may be less severe for you).
As someone who doesn't sleep hot or warm, I often woke up sweaty or hot on this mattress and it affected my sleep most nights. I had to make big adjustments that I haven't had to make with other mattresses like cooling sheets, no sleepwear, two fans, and lowering the air-conditioning considerably. If you don't have A/C or typically sleep hot, you might consider Sleep Number's other smart mattresses, like the ClimateCool and Climat360, which let you control the temperature.
If you decide to move forward with the Sleep Number i8, be mindful that the warranty and return/exchange policy are not the greatest. The 15-year limited warranty is lower than most warranties and you'll have to pay for parts and technical service after one year. Sadly, there's a $250 return/exchange fee too. This mattress has a lot of attractive qualities, but it doesn't hurt to look through the Sleep Number catalogue to make sure you're investing in the right option for you.
While the i8 lacks temperature regulation, the Eight Sleep Pod 4 smart mattress cover is a great smart bed alternative to the Sleep Number i8 for hot sleepers. Built with an active water-based climate control system, it helps keep you cool through the night while tracking your sleep metrics with in-bed sensors similar to Sleep Number's. At $2,649 for a queen size, it's cheaper than the i8, but you will have to budget for a separate mattress and subscription fee.
From the brand behind our #1 bed of the year, the Saatva Classic mattress, the Saatva Solaire adjustable firmness mattress is a high-end luxury alternative to the i8. It's built with natural latex and organic cotton and has 50 firmness options, and it's great for less tech-savvy sleepers who want to control their bed from a remote control rather than a mobile app and aren't bothered about tracking their slumber. At $4,599 for a queen size at MSRP it's an investment purchase, but regular Saatva mattress sales tend to knock between $300 and $500 off. To help you decide which one to buy, check out our Saatva vs Sleep Number mattress head-to-head.
Like the Sleep Number and Saatva beds, the Bryte Balance Signature comes with adjustable firmness levels, allowing you to customize the feel of your side of the bed. What's more, it's lined with sleep tracking sensors and an immersive relaxation feature. This means head-to-toe in-bed motion to help you relax at bedtime. Unfortunately, there's not always money off at Bryte, so a queen tends to stand at MSRP of $3,999, but we think that's good value for a smart mattress of this quality — you'd pay a lot more for a nightly massage.
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Eight Sleep and Sleep Number are two of the biggest names in the smart bed market. They've both integrated innovative technology into beds to help customers get the best quality, most comfortable sleep possible. In fact, they're the makers of some of the best smart beds and mattresses you can buy online today. We rate the Eight Sleep Pod 4 smart mattress cover as the best smart bed overall and consider the Sleep Number i8 to be the best value option. Each brand has its own specialty targeting different sleep needs. For example, Eight Sleep excels at temperature regulation while Sleep Number is the place to go for adjustable firmness. Plus, while the Eight Sleep Pod 4 is generally sold at MSRP, there's 25% off the i8 smart bed at Sleep Number, in the early Labor Day mattress sales. Because of the advanced tech involved, not to mention price points well above most of the best mattresses, there's a lot to wrap your head around when deciding which smart bed is the right choice for you and your sleep needs. So, here we'll dive into how the Eight Sleep Pod 4 compares to the Sleep Number i8 in terms of smart functionality, design, support, comfort and price. Eight Sleep Pod 4 Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed Type: Smart cooling mattress cover Smart adjustable firmness all-foam mattress Trial period: 30 nights 100 nights Warranty: 2 years (Standard), 5 years (Enhanced) 15 years Price: From $2,449 (MSRP) From $3,399 (MSRP) Both Eight Sleep and Sleep number are sleep tech innovators, so it shouldn't be any surprise that there prices are well above what you'll pay for most mattresses. Comprising a smart mattress cover and bedside control hub packing the brand's "previous generation technology", the Pod 4 is now the entry-level model at Eight Sleep. That's not to say it isn't incredibly smart; it's just cheaper (and slightly less advanced) than the newly launched Pod 5 and Pod 5 Ultra. At MSRP, where it currently sits as Eight Sleep mattress sales are not as persistent as other mattress sales, a queen size Pod 4 will set you back $2,649 and you'll have to budget for a monthly subscription fee to access all smart features the bed has to offer. Prices are tiered at $17/month for a standard plan, $25/month for an enhanced plan or $33/month for the elite plan. The main difference with the first two plans is warranty length (it extends from two year to five years with enhanced); you'll also get an advanced Health Check feature with the elite option. Note: each plan covers two users. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. On the other hand, the Sleep Number i8 is a one-and-done purchase without any payment ties for nightly sleep tracking. A queen size is $3,999 at MSRP, but Sleep Number rotates discounts around its smart mattress range. Luckily, there's currently 25% off the i8 bringing a queen to $2,999.25, which is a great price for a bed that you can literally fine-tune to your ideal firmness feel while it tracks your sleep metrics. This isn't the lowest price we've seen on this smart bed (we saw 30% off during President's Day sales this year), but it's a cracking deal nonetheless. But the $3,000 question is: are Sleep Number beds worth it? Compared to other smart bed systems, you can rest assured you're getting good value for money at Sleep Number considering you get a complete mattress with smart functionality. Plus the benefits you get (we're talking a 15-year warranty and 100-night trial) knock Eight Sleep out the park. That said, hot sleepers should note Sleep Number fall short in terms of climate control. Eight Sleep Pod 4 smart mattress cover: from $2,449 at Eight SleepNow the entry model in Eight Sleep's smart mattress cover catalogue, the Pod 4 will set you back $2,649 in a queen size right now. Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed: was $3,399 now from $2,549.25 at Sleep Number There's currently 25% off all sizes of the i8 smart bed in Sleep Number's early Labor Day sale, which translates to savings of up to $1,499.75. The Eight Sleep Pod 4 is a smart cooling mattress cover (not a mattress). The system consists of two parts: the mattress cover, designed to fit over your existing bed, and the control hub, which sits next to your bed. The smart cooling mattress cover is fitted with a series of sensors. As well as helping the cover to cool or warm up your bed as needed, these sensors record health and sleep data, which can be accessed via the connected Eight Sleep Autopilot app. The Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed is a 12-inch tall mattress consisting of multiple foam layers and air chambers. The air chambers are used to adjust the firmness of the mattress, while the layers of foam provide the comfortable cushioning. Both Eight Sleep and Sleep Number are companies focused on innovation, so of course it's not quite that simple. There are plenty of additions you can make to the Eight Sleep Pod 4 and the Sleep Number i8 to make your bed smarter and, possibly, better. The Eight Sleep Pod 4 can be upgraded to the Pod 4 Ultra. Featuring the temperature control smart mattress cover of the Pod 4, the Pod 4 Ultra adds a smart adjustable base that sits between your mattress and the bed frame. You can also add a foam mattress and an optional leg kit, to transform your Pod 4 into a full bed. Learn more with our guide to the Eight Sleep Pod 4 Ultra. Sleep Number also gives you the option of adding an integrated base. You can keep things basic or you can upgrade to an adjustable base featuring head and foot elevation. And for the ultimate comfort, consider the adjustable bed base with integrated foot warmer. The Sleep Number i8 looks like an obvious winner here, for the simple fact that it contains an actual mattress. Even better, it's a mattress with adjustable firmness, which means it can be altered to suit your needs (even if those needs change every night). However, the Eight Sleep Pod 4 does have its own comfort benefits. Ultra-thin and made using dynamic materials, the Pod 4 should hardly disrupt the feel of your bed. So if you place it on the best luxury mattress, you can still feel that premium bed beneath. In addition, reviews indicate that the Sleep Number i8 lacks bounce, which might be an issue if you like to move around in the night. The Eight Sleep Pod 4, which can be used with the most responsive of the best hybrid mattresses, might be a better choice for combination sleepers. But the Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed does have an ace up its sleeve in the form of its automatic firmness adjustment. This allows the mattress to respond to your needs, feeling softer or firmer depending on your mood, your sleep position that night, and any aches and pains you need to consider. And dual zoning allows you to alter the feel on each side of the bed – so you can call off that sleep divorce. Climate control is where the Eight Sleep Pod 4 excels. With the mattress cover you can pick the temperature you fall asleep at, whether you like things icy cold or comfortably cool. The bed adjusts between 55 and 110°F (13 and 43°C), which is why we rate it as one of the best cooling mattresses of the year. Dual zones allow you to change the temperature on each side of the bed, while smart sensors detect heat fluctuations through the night to maintain optimal sleep temperature. The pod will heat up come morning to suppress melatonin production so you feel less groggy upon waking. While there are layers of ceramic gel infused throughout the Sleep Number i8 which are meant to draw heat away during the night to keep you sleeping comfortably, our reviewer says the mattress has "poor breathability and heat retention". She found it stifling to sleep on during springtime in Texas, when the days fluctuated between cool and warm temperatures. Temperature regulation is at the heart of the Eight Sleep system, but Sleep Number does have a comparable options in its range. The Sleep Number ClimateCool and Sleep Number Climate360 offer adjustable firmness and temperature control, so you can completely fine tune the feel of your bed. But they are expensive upgrades: queen sizes have MSRPs of $6,999 and $10,249 respectively. Sleep tracking sensors line both the surface of these smart bed options, and connect to the beds' respective apps where you can access nightly sleep reports and scores. Sleep Number sensors monitor when you get in and out of bed, how restless you are (or are not), and the time it takes for you to fall asleep and records your nightly biometrics – heart rate, breath rate, and heart rate variability. The app collates this data to give you a daily SleepIQ Score, reflecting how restorative your rest has been. We found that it wasn't entirely reliable, however. Our i8 smart bed tester writes: "Over the course of a month, there were four times when I thought that the Sleep Number i8 glitched and did not record my full night of sleep, instead recording that I slept for only a handful of hours, even though I know I had seven to eight hours' of sleep that night." Eight Sleep sensors collect similar metrics including time in bed vs time asleep, time spent in each essential sleep stage, sleep latency, heart rate, HRV and breath rate. The Pod 4 also records how much you snore, though it can't mitigate it without the adjustable base add-on. In the app, you can makes notes about your sleep hygiene habits too to keep track of how things like alcohol, caffeine, late meals and sickness affect your sleep quality. Our Eight Sleep Pod 4 reviewer found her Eight Sleep score mostly married up to scores on other trackers like the trusty Oura Ring 4 and how well rested she felt. Evidently, both Eight Sleep and Sleep Number offer detailed sleep analysis through their respective apps. But, as per reviews online and judging by our own testing, Eight Sleep's sensors are generally considered more accurate and its app more feature-rich and user-friendly, but remember that they come at a price, in the form of a monthly subscription. ✅ You prioritize cooling: Incredible temperature regulation is the focus of the Eight Sleep Pod 4, with a water-based temperature regulation system giving you total control over the climate of the bed. ✅ You like the feel of your current mattress: The Eight Sleep Pod 4 promises to slip onto your current mattress, with a thin and dynamic build that means you hardly know it's there. Ideal if you like everything about your bed — apart from the temperature regulation. ✅ You want reliable sleep data: After testing, we believe the Eight Sleep Pod offers more accurate, thorough sleep tracking and didn't experience as many glitches with sleep data. ✅ Your support needs change regularly: A twinge in the elbow requires some softer cushioning? Or maybe an aching knee could benefit from a firmer support? We don't all have the same sleep needs night after night, and the dynamic firmness adjustment of the Sleep Number i8 reflects that. ✅ You and your partner have different sleep styles: If you lie on your stomach and your partner curls up on their side, it can be hard to find a bed that suits you both. The Sleep Number i8 uses dual zone adjustments to keep the firmness level just right for you and your fussy partner. ✅ You need a whole new bed: Unlike the Eight Sleep Pod 4, the Sleep Number i8 is an actual mattress. So if you want a brand new bed and you only want to make the one purchase, this is your best choice.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Forbes
The 4 Best Smart Beds That Offer Personalized Comfort And Premium Rest
A smart bed offers premium features that can help you rest more comfortably and offer insights into your sleep patterns so you're more conscious of your habits and can make necessary adjustments. The best smart beds are not only comfortable, but come with high-tech upgrades like cooling, AI, sleep tracking, anti-snore assistance and more. Our top recommendation is the Sleep Number I8, which lets you customize the firmness on each side, automatically adjusts according to your movements and tracks your sleep for a personalized sleep score. The best smart beds, like the Tempur-Pedic ActiveBreeze, let you customize comfort and help you get ... More a better night's rest. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER Some smart beds are packed with more features, like temperature control and massage settings. Others are more like a traditional pillow-top mattress with smart capabilities. Below, our editors highlight top-quality beds they have firsthand experience with, as well as smart mattresses that check boxes for a variety of other sleepers and have glowing customer reviews. Type: Air chambers and gel foam | Firmness: Adjustable | Delivery: Multiple options and services | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 15 years Best for: Couples Value shoppers Those interested in sleep tracking People with a platform bed frame Skip if: You don't have reliable Wi-Fi to use tracking You weigh over 250 pounds and prefer a more supportive bed It's important that your mattress properly accommodates your individual needs and sleep posture, which often leads to co-sleepers compromising if one is a back sleeper and the other sleeps on their side. The Sleep Number i8 Mattress removes all need for compromise and lets you customize the firmness of each side of the mattress. It can even adjust firmness according to your sleep posture if you switch from one position to another. It's also covered in undetectable sensors that track your sleep, so you wake up to a personalized sleep score that considers data like disturbances, movements, breathing, heart rate and more. On the inside are gel-infused foams to help regulate temperature and contour to the curves of your body. You don't need a Sleep Number base for this model–although the brand recommends one, you can use a regular platform base as well. Just don't use a box spring. Value wise, it's hard to beat the i8 unless you're looking for a higher level of upgraded features. Type: Air chambers with foam | Firmness: Adjustable | Delivery: White glove | Trial: 90 nights | Warranty: 10 years Best for: Those who like a contouring, memory foam feel People who sleep with a partner Hot and cold sleepers Sleepers who want to track their rest patterns Those who want massage abilities Skip if: You don't want to purchase a new adjustable base You want warming abilities through the whole night The ActiveBreeze Mattress from Tempur-Pedic has everything you need in a mattress, and then some. It's comparable to the Climate360 Mattress in that it has advanced temperature controls that let you heat or cool the bed depending on your needs, in addition to firmness customization, sleep tracking and bundling with an adjustable base. However, this bed contains the brand's dense, contouring Tempur-Material that offers doughy comfort, whereas the Climate360 is more light and airy. The adjustable base, the Tempur-Ergo ProSmart AirBase, features a unique Soundscape Mode which lets you pair your device to the bed and play white-noise sounds or relaxing audio, and a Wind Down Program that alternates between positions and massage modes to promote relaxation. Type: Air chambers with foam | Firmness: Adjustable | Delivery: White glove | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 15 years Best for: Co-sleepers Those who sleep hot or cold (active warming all night) People who desire sleep tracking Those with poor circulation or narcolepsy (foot warming) Skip if: You don't want a brand new base (comes with the bed) You prefer a coil mattress Complete with a smart mattress and integrated adjustable base, the Sleep Number Climate360 setup has all the same features as the i8 mattress, like adjustable firmness and sleep tracking. But it also comes with temperature controls that let you make either side hot or cold, in addition to foot warmers to help improve circulation. The base is also adjustable and lets you raise the head and foot, and features add-ons like under-bed lighting and zero-gravity mode. I have personally slept on the bed for over a month and my favorite feature is its cooling mode. When it's all the way on high, I end up feeling cold to the touch in the middle of the night, a stark contrast to my regular hot-sleeping habits. It's one of the only beds that actively works to cool you down (or warm you up), which is a major benefit when temperature disrupts your sleep. See more on this bed in our tested Sleep Number Climate360 mattress review . Type: Air chambers, latex and memory foam | Firmness: Adjustable | Delivery: Free white-glove delivery | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Back, stomach and combination sleepers Those who want a high-end pillow top mattress Couples who share a bed (good edge support) Skip if: You're a petite side sleeper who needs a soft mattress With 50 firmness settings to choose from on each side, a blend of different foams and a comfortable pillow top, the Saatva Solaire feels more like a hybrid with enhanced support than the others on our list. The memory foam helps nestle the body while the latex helps provide responsiveness and lift. Although there are no coils inside, it maintains a firmness level between 5 to 7 depending on its setting, according to our testers, and has 'stellar edge support' with 'minimal sinkage' when it's set to firm. If you suffer from back pain, experts recommend keeping the setting on medium-firm or higher to best promote spinal alignment and relieve pressure. When I tried the mattress myself, I thought it provided the lumbar support and pressure relief of one of our favorites, the Saatva Classic , with greater versatility that makes it more accommodating for a larger number of sleeper types. However, side sleepers and those who prefer a more cushioned mattress should consider a Sleep Number or Tempur-Pedic choice. The Forbes Vetted team is committed to helping you find sleep products that provide the best night's sleep possible and, over the years, we've extensively researched and written dozens of stories about sleep, mattresses and other bedding. McKenzie Dillon is the mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted and also has a sleep science coach certification. She has over six years of writing, research and testing experience under her belt and has personally tried some of the models listed in our roundup. In all, she has tested over 100 different beds. is the mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted and also has a sleep science coach certification. She has over six years of writing, research and testing experience under her belt and has personally tried some of the models listed in our roundup. In all, she has tested over 100 different beds. Bridget Chapman is the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted who oversees content. She also has years of experience as an editor in the sleep industry and also has a sleep science coach certification. Collectively, she and Dillon have tested over 200 beds. is the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted who oversees content. She also has years of experience as an editor in the sleep industry and also has a sleep science coach certification. Collectively, she and Dillon have tested over 200 beds. We strive to ensure our content is accurate and relevant. This article was first published in August 2025. Our editors and writers rely on a combination of their own testing experience, expert advice, thorough research and verified customer reviews to determine the recommendations in each roundup. We looked back on smart beds we've tested ourselves, then considered top options from reputable brands in the industry we have experience with. We took important features like adjustability, price, temperature, sleep tracking and other upgrades into consideration and offered choices that address a variety of needs. We sifted through hundreds of customer reviews to determine which were vetted by real-life customers. We only selected mattresses that had a minimum of a 4-star rating. A smart bed can be a substantial investment, so here are a few factors to keep in mind before purchasing. Sleeping Position The mattresses on our list have customizable firmness levels that let you change their profiles from soft to firm, according to your needs. However, the right firmness level should be primarily dependent on your favorite sleep posture, because it's important for your body to maintain healthy alignment. Side sleepers should keep their number on a lower setting for a softer feel that has more give more underneath the hips and shoulders. Back and stomach sleepers, on the other hand, should stick with a firm setting that keeps the back from sagging into the bed. Preferred Features The main benefits of a smart bed are its enhanced features and high-tech construction. But some of the best smart beds are more feature-rich than others and cater to different needs. The i8 Mattress from Sleep Number has sleep tracking and firmness adjustability. The Tempur-Pedic ActiveBreeze and Climate360 Mattress have those same features in addition to temperature controls for each side of the bed and an included adjustable base. Note that the ActiveBreeze also has a massage setting. App And User Interface Smart beds like the Sleep Number i8 and Tempur-Pedic's ActiveBreeze connect to your home's Wi-Fi, allowing you to control their settings through the brand's smartphone app. These smartphone-connected models are great for tracking your sleep data, but you do need a strong Wi-Fi signal in your bedroom for them to work properly. Other models, such as the Saatva Solaire, operate via a remote control. These beds don't need Wi-Fi to operate, but they also don't collect quite as much data as more high-tech models. What Is The Best Adjustable Smart Bed? The Sleep Number i8 is our top choice if you want to be able to adjust the firmness and comfort level of your bed. Through the product's associated app, you can make the bed firmer or plusher and, on larger mattress sizes, each side of the bed can be controlled individually. How Long Do Smart Beds Last? The lifespan of your smart bed depends on the product you choose, but in general, you can expect it to last for around 10 to 12 years. Are Smart Beds Worth The Price? Yes, if you have the budget to invest in a high-end mattress. Their upgraded features address issues like overheating, pain and snoring, and help contribute to a better night's sleep.
