Sleep Number Classic Series Mattress Review

c2: 2/5, c4: 3/5

The c2’s comfort layer is constructed with 2 inches of polyfoam. This material conforms a bit to your body but it feels fairly responsive, resulting in a light bounce on the surface. The material may absorb some movement from sleepers, but this mattress does not eliminate much transfer.

The c4 provides slightly better motion isolation due to its thicker comfort layer and softer feel, but this mattress will not eliminate much more transfer. Additionally, Sleep Number mattresses can be somewhat loud due to their electrical components. The noise potential and below-average motion isolation means you and your partner may experience some sleep disruptions on either mattress.

The polyfoam used in the c2’s and c4’s comfort layers has some adaptive qualities and conforms to a noticeable extent, but it does not offer the deep body contour of memory foam. This may result in less-than-adequate pressure relief for side sleepers, who often need deep cushioning for the shoulders and hips for even spinal alignment.

That said, the customizable feel of these airbeds can result in less pressure for some individuals. The softer firmness levels of these mattresses – the c4, in particular – will contour more closely, which may alleviate pressure points for people who weigh less than 130 pounds. Firmer feels could potentially mean better reinforcement and less sagging for people who weigh more than 230 pounds, but some people in these weight groups will find the beds too short and lacking in support.

The c2 offers good perimeter support. You’ll notice some sinkage when getting on and off the mattress, and you may not feel comfortable sleeping near the edges – especially if you weigh more than 230 pounds – but the bed’s firmer overall feel prevents excessive sagging. The air chamber support core offers a bit of reinforcement, but not as much as the coil systems or latex found in the base layers of other mattresses.

The c4 has a softer feel and a thicker comfort layer, so you should expect more sinkage when sitting or sleeping along the edges of the mattress. This issue may worsen over time as the foam begins to deteriorate. Due to the low profiles of the c2 and c4, people who weigh more than 230 pounds may not feel comfortable getting in and out of either mattress.

c2: 2/5, c4: 3/5

The c2 offers good perimeter support. You’ll notice some sinkage when getting on and off the mattress, and you may not feel comfortable sleeping near the edges – especially if you weigh more than 230 pounds – but the bed’s firmer overall feel prevents excessive sagging. The air chamber support core offers a bit of reinforcement, but not as much as the coil systems or latex found in the base layers of other mattresses.

The c4 has a softer feel and a thicker comfort layer, so you should expect more sinkage when sitting or sleeping along the edges of the mattress. This issue may worsen over time as the foam begins to deteriorate. Due to the low profiles of the c2 and c4, people who weigh more than 230 pounds may not feel comfortable getting in and out of either mattress.

“Ease of movement” refers to how deeply a mattress sinks when you travel across the surface. If the comfort layer sinks too much, you’ll probably have a harder time getting in and out of bed. Both the c2 and c4 feature polyfoam comfort layers that feel more responsive and bouncy than memory foam. You may notice some sinkage when moving on the surface, but not as much as you would on a bed with a memory foam comfort layer.

That said, ease of movement for either mattress depends on the selected firmness level. The c2 is easier to move across with a firm feel than a medium firm, since the latter will conform more closely and sink more. Overall, the c2 is easier to move across than the c4, which can be set to an even softer feel.

c2: 2/5, c4: 3/5

For most couples, the ideal mattress for sex will pro
vide an even balance of conforming and responsiveness. A closer contour ensures deeper traction, which helps you and your partner maintain a fixed position, while a bouncy surface allows you to move and change positions rather easily.

By these standards, the c2 is better for sex than the c4. The c2 conforms a bit for added traction but won’t sink too deeply, so you and your partner can move freely. This mattress also has stronger edge support, allowing you to use the entire surface of the mattress (though you may feel some instability along the perimeter).

The c4 may not be as suitable for sex. This is especially true for the bed’s medium feel, which sinks more and can restrict movement for you and your partner. Weaker edge support may also confine you to the middle of the mattress. With a medium firm or firm feel, the c4 performs slightly better.

Most mattresses emit some initial odor when new, but models with polyfoam and/or memory foam layers tend to produce the strongest and longest-lasting smells. The c2 and c4 have foam layers, but odor potential is fairly low for these airbeds. This can largely be attributed to their support cores, which generate enough airflow to clear out unwanted odors rather quickly.

Additionally, Sleep Number mattresses are delivered via White Glove couriers and are not compressed into a box. Mattresses that are compressed for shipping often release chemical smells when you unbox them. Since the c2 and c4 have more time to air out, they are less likely to emit strong odor when they arrive at your residence.