Sleep Number P6 Review

There are certain comfort features that some mattresses have, but others don't. However, there are beds that may cover them all. In this article, I'll be talking about a smart bed with some well-rounded, technology-driven features, and look at some Sleep Number P6 reviews from customers.

Now, Sleep Number is one of the older mattress retailers out there. It has been manufacturing beds for over 30 years with unique air-supported sleep systems.

We'll start off by looking at some of the positive sides of the Sleep Number P6 (Performance Series Collection) smart bed. Then, we’ll obviously check out some lackluster features of the mattress, and compare it to some alternative models.

Finally, I’ll bring you up to speed with prices, delivery, assembly, and give you some of my closing thoughts.

So, let’s see what this mattress is all about. 

TL;DR: The Sleep Number P6 is an all-foam smart bed with auto-adjustable/manual firmness options. It has an external controller, and built-in SleepIQ Technology which shows overall sleep quality on your phone.

According to P6 Sleep Number bed reviews from customers, the mattress has great motion isolation and temperature control. However, it may require maintenance in the future, because it's not very durable. 

Sleep Number P6 Reviews: PROS

In this section of the P6, I’ll focus on its most notable positives: pressure relief via adjustable firmness, temperature control, smart bed features, etc. But, before we begin dissecting the features, let’s look at the structure of the P6 smart bed.

Structure

Now, right off the bat, the P6 is not your usual mattress. The most interesting feature is that it is built on air chambers. You’ll get to know all about them a bit later. 

Firstly, the whole mattress is topped with a European cover, which is a plush material, made out of rayon and polypropylene. Right under it, we have Sleep Numbers’ very own Coolgenex polyfoam layer, infused with cooling gel.

As the name suggests, it helps with temperature control and, since it’s polyfoam, the cover has some pressure relief capabilities. 

Going further, or should I say under, we have a support layer known as Ergonomex which also has some comfort features, but it's mainly there to separate the top layers from the air chambers.

Finally, this brings us to the air chamber base which enables the P6 to adjust its firmness and comfort on each side of the mattress. In fact, you can control this feature, and track sleep quality on your phone. We’ll get into more specifics a bit further down the line.

So, now, let’s see what types of positives we get from such a mattress structure. We’ll begin with the most important one - pressure relief.

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Pressure Relief 

Having aches and pains in the back or neck is a common occurrence. And it usually happens because your mattress is either not fit for your sleeping position, or there may be some underlying health problems. Therefore, pressure alleviating mattresses may help with that.

As we’ve established previously, the Sleep Number 360 P6 is topped with Coolgenex and Ergonomex layers, made out of polyfoam. This gives the mattress some body-contouring features, which obviously come hand in hand with pressure relief.

Likewise, let’s not forget the air chambers. This mobile-controlled feature called Responsive Air Technology makes the mattress adapt to your body movement and weight. In fact, based on some Sleep Number P6 reviews, customers were satisfied with its pressure relief capabilities via auto-adjusting firmness features.

Therefore, you won’t need to keep switching between firmness manually, and the app will choose the optimal surface based on your sleep quality stats. 

Sleeps Pretty Cool

Now, when we speak about layers and temperature control, I can assure you that more isn’t always better. There are multiple instances where manufacturers overfill their mattresses with additional layers. 

It may provide slightly more comfort, but having a dozen layers of foam stacked beneath you - I’m not sure you’ll be able to even fall asleep. That’s because foam mattresses are prone to trap heat, so even perforated surfaces won’t be able to air it out. 

Where am I going with this?

Well, in this Sleep Number 360 P6 reviews' beginning, I’ve mentioned that the mattress has very few layers: the Ergonomex and Coolgenex which are both infused with cooling gel. So, they will automatically absorb less heat, because, you know, there's a lot less foam.

In fact, the Coolgenex polyfoam layer has some graphite added to it. The graphite essentially works like a magnet, only that it attracts heat and pulls it away from your body. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt. So, rest assured, sleeping cool on a P6 shouldn’t be an issue.

Motion Isolation 

Motion transfer tends to annoy a lot of folks, especially when you’re napping with an active sleeper who just decides to go for a jog, in bed, at 3 AM. Well, it’s usually not the case with foam mattresses, because they tend to keep motion isolated on each side.

In terms of the Sleep Number Bed P6, it actually works a bit differently. You see, the Twin Long has a single air chamber, so it adjusts the firmness for the whole bed. However, larger sizes like the Queen have two air chambers that work individually.  

In fact, based on multiple Sleep Number P6 reviews, customers felt like there was little to no motion transfer when moving around.

This means that if you’re sleeping with somebody else, both of you will essentially be lying on a separate surface. Not only that, both sides of the bed can have their own firmness, so there won’t be any arguments on which firmness to choose for the night. 

Best for Back Sleepers

I’m sure most of us had some sort of discomfort when lying on our backs. That usually happens because there’s no proper support for the spine and hips. So, having more cushioning around these areas may alleviate some pressure. 

Now, in the introductory Sleep Number P6 reviews section, I've mentioned that this is actually a smart bed which not only lets you choose the firmness, but also adjusts accordingly based on how well you’ve slept the night before.

As a matter of fact, research suggests that similar smart bed technologies tend to accurately evaluate body movement, and precisely adjust the right firmness options for multiple sleeping positions.^[1]

Now, why do I say that it’s best for back sleepers?

Well, it has plenty of pressure-relieving capabilities, and is just firm enough to keep your spine aligned with the rest of your body. If it’s too firm, well, you can always adjust it on the app, or the bed will do it for you.

Likewise, back sleepers are more prone to spinal problems if they don’t have a proper surface to lie on. So, it goes without saying that taking care of your back in the earliest stages of discomfort will reward you in the long run. 

So, what about other sleeping positions? Won’t it be comfortable for, let’s say, stomach sleepers?

I mean, it should be pretty comfortable for other sleepers, but not as rewarding per se as for back sleepers. The adjustable firmness of the P6 will get the bed as firm as you want it to be, which is crucial for stomach sleepers that need to keep their midsection aligned with the rest of the body. 

However, if you decide to get, let’s say, the P6 King Size for you and your partner, then you might have trouble sleeping in the middle of the bed. Especially if the two of you don’t sleep together that often. Why is that?

Well, if you’d have a regular P6 Twin Long, which only has a single air chamber, then this won’t be an issue, because the firmness adjustments would just go throughout the whole bed. However, all the other sizes that are bigger than the Twin Long have dual chambers that adjust separately on both sides.

So, this would essentially trap you on one side of the bed, because if you were to lie in the middle, then it would feel like you're sleeping on two separate surfaces. 

In this case, I’d advise getting an innerspring bed like the Saatva HD which should be perfect for stomach sleepers of any weight. Also, the HD is in a similar price range, so it’s really up to your preference, and what types of features you're actually looking for.

Likewise, side sleepers will probably enjoy lying on this bed too. The P6 will surely provide some pressure relief for the shoulders and hips, and the air chamber is gonna auto-adjust the firmness if there’s a decrease in your sleep quality (which you will be able to see in the SleepIQ app). 

Now, some Sleep Number P6 reviews from customers showed that even though the bed needed some getting used to, people experienced significant back and hip pain relief, because of the adjustable firmness options.

All in all, if we take into account these Sleep Number 360 P6 smart bed reviews, I believe it should be okay for all types of sleepers, but back sleepers will probably get the most out of it, because of the adjustable firmness, and body contouring features.

Additional Smart Features

At this point, we’ve already touched on some of the core smart features of the P6. Now, we’ll go a bit more in-depth about the SleepIQ app, and what other functions it has in store for us.

So, what is this SleepIQ app? Well, it’s Sleep Numbers' own mobile application which measures your heartbeat, breathing rate, and examines your movement during the night. This helps the app to set the right firmness and comfort for your mattress, so it matches your sleeping needs.

In fact, one research paper suggested that the monitoring systems built into smart beds are quite accurate. The study results concluded that monitored heart activity was 95% accurate when compared to manual methods.^[2]

Now, there are multiple stats that you can check in this app. 

The first one shows you how long you’ve slept, and if you’ve reached your sleep duration goal. Then, we have the efficiency tab that shows how well you’ve slept, and determines your performance during the day.

Finally, the timing tab will get you familiar with your heart rate at night, and how long you’ve been exposed to light before bed. 

More than that, the app puts together an optimal sleep/wake schedule based on your stats. This lets you know when is the best time to do some physical activities and relax before going to bed.

Last but not least, during the night, your heart rate variability gets measured which gives insight into how to improve your sleeping schedule for optimal results. In fact, you’ll get a monthly report on your sleep quality with additional tips for improvement.

But, what do people think about these features? Well, Sleep Number P6 reviews showed that the integration of the SleepIQ app turned out to be quite an experience - in a positive way! Especially, the automatically adjusting firmness.

So, in general, the P6 doesn’t sound bad at all, right? Well, there are always two sides to a coin. 

Sleep Number P6 Reviews: CONS

In this section, we’ll take a look at some less positive features of the mattress. As always, some of them may not be complete deal breakers, but should definitely be considered.

On top of that, I'll look at a couple of Sleep Number P6 reviews from customers, and give you my general impressions about some particular features.

Not That Durable

Usually, mattress builds are not that complex. I mean, they’re pretty much a stack of foam layers, with the occasional spring base. So, there’s pretty much no room for failure. 

On the other hand, the P6 is built with multiple moving parts, especially if it’s larger than the Twin Long. 

For instance, the P6 Queen has two air chambers (rubber hoses) that inflate and deflate for firmness adjustments. Also, there are some electronics that measure sleep stats, and respond to controls. So, what's wrong with that?

Well, mechanical or electrical parts tend to wear off over time, or even malfunction. So, in order to avoid that, the P6 will need some extra maintenance and care. But you’re not gonna just pry open the mattress by yourself. Therefore, you’ll obviously need to get it fixed somewhere.

Although the warranty covers all the manufacturing defect costs for the first year, sadly, the SleepIQ services are not included. So, if there are any problems with the software, you’ll need to contact SleepIQ directly.

Likewise, multiple Sleep Number P6 reviews have shown that there was trouble with the controller that regulates the firmness, and some even experienced faulty air chambers that would start leaking. 

So, this could potentially impact your sleep quality, and you may need to pay some extra cash after the first year, assuming that some of these issues would actually occur.

Edge Support

If you’ve never heard of this term before, then I’ll bring you up to speed. Edge support is basically how well the mattress can handle weight at the sides without losing its form. For example, all-foam mattresses are built from just soft materials, so there’s literally nothing that can hold you on the edges.

Why is this important? Well, if you’re a side sleeper, or just like being active during the night, then you may simply roll off the bed. And, obviously, nobody wants to faceplant on the floor at 3 AM. 

So, how is it in this mattress? To be honest, the feedback on this particular feature is very mixed. Some Sleep Number P6 reviews held the edge support in high regard, because the sides have reinforced foam. 

However, other customers felt quite dissatisfied with the edges, because of the exact opposite - they felt that the edges were rather soft, and became worse over time. 

Therefore, if you want a safe pick regarding edge support, then you should definitely check out an innerspring mattress like a Saatva Classic. A mattress like this has a durable spring base that gives superb edge support on every side.

Now, the last drawback that we’ll touch on is off-gassing. 

Off-Gassing

So, off-gassing is inherently negative as it literally serves no purpose. It's essentially the smell that comes off after unpacking your mattress, or pretty much any product that has been stuffed in a box.

Now, the P6 will come in separate packages, so you’ll definitely notice the smell, especially from the one with the mattress. But that goes with the majority of beds in a box, because they’re all made of foam, so a lot of that smell gets absorbed.

Now, some Sleep Number P6 reviews showed that the smell took a while to disappear, and it was quite unpleasant to lay on a bed with a rubber-type odor. Therefore, I’d recommend airing it out before actually starting to use it.

However, if you don’t want to deal with off-gassing, then I’d suggest going with a mattress that doesn’t come in a box. Innersprings beds, like Saatva, come without any packaging and are brought straight to your doorstep.

Anyways, that’s basically it with the con part. Now, I’ll be comparing the P6 with other Sleep Number mattresses, so we can see how well they match up against each other.

Sleep Number P6 vs I8

So, right off the bat, I’ll say that the P6 and I8 are not that different in terms of structure. First of all, they both have PlushFit foam layers which provide some body-contouring features, and have DualAir chambers present in the larger mattress sizes.

However, there are some things that will certainly be better for some people than others. The P6 has zoned support in 6 areas of the mattress, while the I8 has 7. Therefore, this makes the I8 much softer, and the P6 slightly firmer. 

Another key part would be the price. The I8 is at least $600 more expensive than the P6 which makes a pretty big difference if you’re on a budget. 

So, if you’re, let’s say, a stomach sleeper, then the P6 will probably suit you better, because your midsection requires a firmer surface to prevent sinkage. On the other hand, back sleepers would probably enjoy the I8 a little more, because it covers a lot more ground in terms of zoned support.

Sleep Number P5 vs P6

So, how does the P6 match up against its predecessor? Well, to put it briefly - the two are pretty much alike. However, there are still some technicalities that may turn out to be crucial for your sleep quality.

The key difference is that the P5 is slightly more firm, because it has a less dense foam layer, while the P6 has an extra inch of PlushFit foam. Other than that, the P6 is a bit more expensive; costs about $400 more than the P5. 

Now, which one is best for you? I mean, if you’re not really concerned about having a slightly firmer surface, then the P5 is definitely the way to go. Especially if you’re a stomach sleeper, because you’ll require something firm to prevent sinkage. Not only that, it’s considerably cheaper than the P6.

However, if you’d like something more soft that molds a little bit better to your body, then I’d suggest trying the P6. This is quite important for back and side sleepers, because they require some cushioning around the hip, shoulder, and spine areas.

Price and Additional Information

So, now, let’s talk prices. While the Sleep Number P6 has a high price, it comes with some nifty features that may positively impact your sleep quality. 

Anyhow, here’s a quick rundown of prices that were at the moment of writing this article, so they’re subject to change:

• Twin Long - $2199
• Queen - $2699
• King - $3299
• Cal King - $3299
• FlexTop King - $3699
• FlexTop Cal King - $3699
• Split King - $3699
• Split Cal King - $3699

As a side note, if you’d like to get a discount on your purchase, then I’d suggest scrolling through our coupon page. Get yourself a promo code that offers up to 50% on Sleep Number products.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I'm sure you're wondering if there are any benefits that come with the Sleep Number P6.

Certainly. First of all, Sleep Number offers a 100-Night Trial during which you can test the mattress, and get a refund if you’re not satisfied with it.

More than that, there is a 15-Year Limited Warranty which covers all the manufacturing defects for the first year, and offers maintenance discounts for the years that follow.

Finally, you may choose the Premium Delivery and Set Up option which allows you to choose the date and time for your mattress to arrive. On top of that, the technicians will fully assemble the bed for you. 

Speaking about the assembly of the mattress, let’s see how you can set up your Sleep Number P6.

Sleep Number P6 Assembly

Like any other smart bed, the P6 requires some assembling to do. According to some Sleep Number P6 reviews, the assembly of the mattress took about an hour or so. So, if you take it upon yourself, be sure to do everything carefully, because the mattress might not function properly if you do something wrong.

For your convenience, I’ll give you the full Sleep Number P6 manual on how to assemble the P6 from start to finish.

Now, the P6 should essentially come in two separate packages. The first one should have the mattress cover and a couple of foam walls, while the other will come with a foam comfort layer, air chambers (depending on the size of the mattress), corner locks, and the Firmness Control System.

So, where do we start? Firstly, make sure to have some sort of a mattress base or platform on the ground. Put the mattress cover on top of it (the side with openings/zippers need to be at the head of the bed), and unzip it. Put the cover top aside. 

At this point, you should start placing the long foam walls inside the mattress cover, with the notches pointing at the center of the bed. Then you can start putting the small locks in each corner of the cover, but make sure that they’re placed under the border wrap, and the foam walls connect with the corner locks.

Now, you may start putting the shorter foam walls at the top and bottom of the cover. Make sure that everything is sealed tightly.  

Here’s the part that’s a bit more delicate, so be careful. Start off by grabbing the air chambers and placing them at the bottom. The hose connectors should be facing the top of the bed. Find the left Firmness Control hose, which will be marked with a white strap, and put it through the hole at the bottom left side.

After that, connect the left Firmness Control hose to the left air chamber by pushing them against each other until you hear a click. 

So, now, you’re done with one side! Repeat the same steps with the right Firmness Control hose which will be marked with a blue strap. 

P.S. if you have a Sleep Number P6 with a single air chamber, then the opening will be at the bottom of the mattress cover. On this occasion, just repeat the earlier mentioned process once, because, obviously, you only have one system hose.

Congrats, you’ve finished the first, and the most difficult part. Now then, let’s get your mattress working. 

First, plug in the Firmness Control, and insert two double-A batteries (included in the package) into the remote. You can turn on your remote by simply picking it up or pressing a button. You’ll need to wait a bit for your mattress to inflate. 

In fact, the system will notify you when it’s ready to be assembled.

After that, place the foam comfort layer(smooth side down) on top of the air chambers.

Last but not least, grab the cover top that you’ve put aside at the beginning, and place it on the mattress. Make sure to fully insert the zipper pin inside the zipper box and close the mattress cover.

That’s it, you’re all finished! If you need some extra information on using the controller itself, try reading the manual on the official site. 

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Conclusions

So, given that it has all these smart features, mainly the auto-adjusting firmness option - what do I think about it? Is it a must-buy? I mean, personally, if I had some money lying around, then I’d definitely give this mattress a go. I mean, come on, a bed that adjusts based on your sleeping position? Sound's awesome!

But, then again, more features may cause more problems, so it might be a hassle keeping the mattress maintained properly. Especially considering the Sleep Number P6 reviews that mentioned leaking and controller malfunctions.

All in all, the Sleep Number P6 smart bed (or airbed) is definitely a unique mattress with an unconventional build. However, it is on the expensive side, so be sure that the P6 has all the right features for you. 

Table: Information on Sleep Number

However, if you want something less complicated, or just a durable surface to sleep on at a similar price, then you may check some of the best mattresses out there by Saatva, Puffy, or Layla. 

Scientific References

1. Zhang Z, Jin X, Wan Z, et. al.: 'A Feasibility Study on Smart Mattresses to Improve Sleep Quality'

2. Kim Y, Yoo S, Han C, et. al.: 'Evaluation of unconstrained monitoring technology used in the smart bed for u-health environment'