Are you thinking about buying a Sleep Number bed? Reviews are certainly a good source of information, but articles that can summarize those reviews into a concise list of advantages and disadvantages might be better. With all the reviews summarized in one place, you can get an idea of the advantages and disadvantages with just a quick read.
In another article, we already summarized the Advantages of a Sleep Number Bed. So, to keep it fair and balanced, we read a variety of more negative reviews and extracted the most common disadvantages of the sleep number bed.
Disadvantage #1: The Initial cost
The most common complaint with people considering the purchase of a sleep number bed is the initial cost. Even a fair number of people that did buy the bed still harbor
complaints that the sleep number bed is too pricy. With basic models in the $1500 range, and their high-end “Ultimate Edition” pricing out at over $5,000…it’s easy to
understand why this is such a common observation.
Disadvantage #2: Heat and Sweating
One basic disadvantage of the sleep number bed is that air chambers, for good reason, do not “breathe.” Because these components must be air-tight, they can create issues with the heat getting trapped between the sleeping owner and the mattress itself. The owner’s body heat can also create issues with night sweats because there’s no porous material underneath them. There may also be a relationship to the models that feature memory foam covers, as this material is also known to retain heat. Owners might consider using a different type of mattress cover, along with high-quality sheets, to help alleviate the excess heat.
Disadvantage #3: The Seam in the Middle
Many Sleep Number Bed owners complain about the seam in the middle of the bed. It is, of course, a necessary evil in a system where each side of the bed can be adjusted separately, but creates some notable issues. The middle area of the bed can be uncomfortable, because of the stiffer joint between the two air chambers.
Diagram showing the seam area
If you happen to shift in your sleep and have this seam underneath your body, it can reduce some of the benefits of the bed. It’s also potentially a mood breaker for couples activities like spooning together, giving backrubs, as er, well…you know…more intimate activities…
Disadvantage #4: Figuring out the right “Sleep Number”
Owners of the Sleep Number Bed report that it can be difficult to settle on what the right level of firmness is for you. This issue is sometimes compounded with variations in the actual firmness of the bed due to temperature or humidity changes. The level of firmness for a set of say, 50, might actually vary over time. A small number of owners also report issues where the bed’s settings stray over time due to small leaks or wear and tear of the material that comprises the air chambers.
Disadvantage #5: The Bed is Noisy
It is well known to the buyers that air pumps are used to adjust the firmness, but they may not have noticed the noise level if they tested the bed in a fairly busy retail store. Adjusting the bed causes either the pump to start up, or the bleeder valve to let off the air.
The sometimes “noisy” pump
Either activity creates a bit of noise that doesn’t promote restful sleep. The pump or bleed valve can also be triggered by movement in the bed, or accidental pressing of the controls, leading to you unintentionally waking your partner.
Disadvantage #6: Issues with Sagging or Wear
Some parts of the sleep number bed, notably the foam supports, are subject to wear and tear and end up being less comfortable after more than a year of use. While the foam supports can be replaced, the cost is fairly significant if your warranty period has expired.