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.

The c2 and c4 mattresses are exclusively sold through Sleep Number. Previously, both were sold on Amazon.com, but both of their Amazon.com pages have been discontinued. You may purchase your mattress online using Sleep Number’s website, or at one of the company’s 611 brick-and-mortar locations across the U.S.

Sleep Number ships mattresses to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

All mattresses are shipped via White Glove delivery. This service includes scheduled delivery date and time, in-home assembly, and old mattress removal upon request. Delivery costs $199 for all customers, but those outside the contiguous U.S. pay an additional $200 for the mattress itself. Sleep Number does not offer standard ground shipping.

Since White Glove couriers deliver the mattresses, they will not be compressed for shipping. Once the delivery personnel are finished assembling the mattress, you will be able to sleep on it. Delivery also includes a brief tutorial about changing the firmness and addressing potential maintenance issues.

Sleep Number offers a 90-night sleep trial for the c2 and c4. This trial includes a mandatory break-in period of 30 nights. You won’t be able to return the mattress for a refund or exchange it for another model until after testing it out for at least 30 nights.

Sleep Number provides a full product refund for all returns within 90 nights, but the shipping charges are non-refundable.

The c2 and c4 each come with a 25-year warranty. These warranties are partially prorated, and divided into the following schedule:

• Years 1-2: Coverage is completely non-prorated. Sleep Number covers all costs related to repairing or replacing a mattress that develops a defect during this time.
• Years 3-19: Coverage is prorated. You’ll pay 20 percent of the bed’s sticker price for a replacement, plus an additional 4 percent for each year of ownership. For year 3, this amounts to 32 percent (20 percent + 4 percent x3); for year 4, this increases to 36 percent; and so on.
• Years 20-25: Coverage is still prorated, and you’ll pay a flat replacement fee that equates to 96 percent of the original product price.

The SleepIQ sensors and Firmness Control System remote are each covered under a separate two-year warranty. If you believe your mattress, SleepIQ sensors, or remote control have a defect, contact Sleep Number to initiate a warranty claim.