Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed Review (Updated 2025)

How Did The Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed Perform?

Based on user reviews and trusted review sites.

Performance Score:

7.5/10

1. Comfort & Overall Support (Score: 8.0/10)

he i8’s dual air chambers offer 20 firmness settings per side, ensuring good spinal alignment for varied preferences. Its 6-inch foam comfort layer feels plush, complementing the adjustable support. The optional FlexFit base ($1,499-$2,399) adds elevation but raises costs, frustrating budget-conscious buyers. Initial setup and adjustments may take time, with mixed feedback on long-term comfort consistency.

2. Firmness & Pressure Relief (Score: 7.5/10)

The firmness range (5-100) provides decent pressure relief for shoulders, hips, and back, with a 7-zone foam layer targeting key areas. Side and back sleepers benefit most, but heavier users find softer settings lack support, requiring frequent adjustments. The trial-and-error process to find an ideal setting can be frustrating, and responsiveness feels inconsistent for some over time.

3. Sleeping Position Compatibility (Score: 8.0/10)

Adjustable firmness suits back, side, and stomach sleepers, with softer settings cushioning side sleepers and firmer ones supporting stomach sleepers. Split King and FlexFit options cater to couples with differing needs. However, stomach sleepers note insufficient lumbar support at softer settings, and transitioning positions can feel uneven due to firmness variations.

4. Edge Support (Score: 6.5/10)

The foam perimeter offers mediocre edge support, with noticeable sinking when sitting or lying near the sides. Users frequently mention difficulty getting in and out of bed, and the edge feels less stable than traditional mattresses. This is a notable drawback compared to competitors with reinforced perimeters, impacting practicality for some.

5. Cooling (Score: 8.0/10)

Ceramic gel-infused foam and the Smart 3D fabric cover promote airflow, keeping most sleepers cool. Hot sleepers praise its performance in warmer climates, but cooling diminishes with thick bedding or prolonged use. Some users report warmth buildup after several hours, suggesting limitations in sustained temperature regulation compared to top-tier rivals.

6. Eco-Friendly & Off-Gassing (Score: 7.0/10)

CertiPUR-US certified foams ensure low chemical content, appealing to eco-conscious buyers. Most report minimal off-gassing, dissipating within days, but a notable minority describe a persistent chemical odor lasting up to a week, which may bother sensitive users. The bed’s environmental credentials are solid but not exceptional in the category.

7. Motion Transfer & Motion Isolation (Score: 7.5/10)

Dual air chambers and foam layers minimize motion transfer, benefiting couples with restless partners. Light sleepers experience little disturbance, but the “trench effect”-a gap when sides have significantly different firmness settings-disrupts comfort in the bed’s center. Occasional pump noise during adjustments also bothers some users.

8. Warranty (Score: 7.5/10)

The 15-year limited warranty (1 year full, pro-rated thereafter) covers defects but is shorter than competitors’ offering 20-25 years. Users generally find Sleep Number’s service responsive, but pro-rated costs after year one concern long-term buyers. Rare reports of denied claims for air chamber issues raise durability questions.

9. Sleep Trial (Score: 7.0/10)

The 100-night trial with a 30-day minimum adjustment period allows time to test settings but feels restrictive compared to 120- or 365-night trials from rivals. Coordinating returns is cumbersome, with users noting logistical challenges and additional costs for delivery ($249).

10. Customer & Trusted Ratings (Score: 7.5/10)

With thousands of reviews on Sleep Number’s site and a 4.1/5 Trustpilot score, the i8 is praised for customization and pain relief. However, negative feedback focuses on premium pricing, setup challenges, and rare durability issues, such as air leaks or pump failures, though most warranty claims are resolved.

A Closer Look at The Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed Materials

The Sleep Number 360 i8 is a 12” adjustable airbed with split options, blending comfort and technology with some limitations.

Top Cover
The Smart 3D fabric cover, a polyester/elastin blend, enhances breathability but isn’t removable, frustrating users wanting easy cleaning. It maintains a soft, cool feel but wears over time with heavy use.

Comfort Layer
The 6” ceramic gel-infused foam layer offers plush contouring and cooling, targeting seven zones for pressure relief. It performs well for lighter sleepers but feels too soft for heavier users at lower settings, requiring higher firmness.

Air Chambers
Dual polyurethane air chambers (5-100 settings) enable customization and reduce motion transfer. The SleepIQ app simplifies adjustments, but rare air leaks reported by users raise durability concerns, though typically fixed under warranty.

Support Layer
Polyurethane foam layers stabilize the bed but add little to the overall feel. They ensure durability but don’t address edge support weaknesses, as users note sagging near the sides.

Base Layer
The bottom of the i8 is a 1” foam pad. Bases themselves are sold separately.

Our Analysis

Sleep Number’s 360 i8 Smart Bed ($3,399-$5,999) appeals to couples and tech enthusiasts with adjustable support and SleepIQ tracking, but its 20 firmness settings trail rivals like Personal Comfort’s 45. Cooling performs well, though not consistently, and dual chambers reduce motion transfer, yet the “trench effect” impedes shared comfort. With a 4.1/5 Trustpilot rating, it earns praise for pain relief but draws criticism for setup complexity and rare durability concerns, like air leaks. Lacking smart home integration, its premium pricing and mandatory delivery fees challenge value. Edge support lags competitors, and the 15-year warranty and 100-night trial are less generous than some. The i8 suits customization-focused sleepers but must improve reliability and ease of setup to match emerging brands.

Customer Insights

Users praise the Sleep Number 360 i8 for its customizable firmness, allowing couples to adjust each side, improving sleep quality and reducing pain. A difference in weight will require revising settings, but once found, they should last for some time. The SleepIQ app’s tracking of heart rate and breathing offers helpful insights, though some report inaccuracies. Cooling, driven by ceramic gel foam and Smart 3D fabric, satisfies hot sleepers, but heavy bedding can reduce effectiveness.

However, the middle gap, emphasized by a large difference in settings, frustrates couples sharing the center, potentially disrupting intimacy or comfort. Setup is complex, often taking 45-60 minutes even with professional installation ($249), and fine-tuning settings can take weeks. Other customers note durability issues like air leaks or pump failures, resolved via warranty, but customer service varies, with occasional delays or unhelpful responses. The high cost ($3,399-$5,999, plus add-ons) draws criticism for value given these challenges, bringing into question whether or not this bed is a “gimmick.”

Final Verdict: 3.9/5

A Customizable but Flawed Smart Bed

The Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed offers compelling customization for couples and tech-savvy sleepers, with 20 firmness settings per side and SleepIQ tracking delivering personalized comfort and sleep insights. Its cooling technology performs well for most, reducing heat buildup, and the dual air chambers minimize motion transfer, benefiting light sleepers.

However, the ditch in between different settings disrupts shared comfort for couples, and setup complexity—requiring professional installation and weeks of adjustments—frustrates many. Durability concerns, like air leaks or pump issues, and mediocre edge support further restrict its appeal, especially at its high price point ($3,399-$5,999, plus add-ons). The 15-year warranty and 100-night trial are solid but lag behind competitors with longer terms.

While ideal for those prioritizing adjustability and willing to navigate setup challenges, the i8 falls short of newer rivals in reliability and practicality, making it a pricey investment that demands careful consideration. An in-store trial is strongly recommended before making a purchase.