The 7 Best Sleep Number Alternatives: Picked by Sleep Science Coaches

Sleep Number’s c4 is an adjustable mattress, and its foam comfort layer contours to your body for greater pressure relief. After testing hundreds of mattresses, our product experts and certified sleep science coaches landed on the Helix Sunset Luxe as the best alternative for Sleep Number c4. The Sunset Luxe scored a whopping 4.7 in pressure relief for back sleepers. Our testers also found it to be soft yet buoyant, giving it a score 4 out of 5 for responsiveness.

Since the amount of pressure relief felt on a mattress is largely dependent on the sleeper’s weight and preferred sleeping position, we have three mattress experts from three different weight categories — lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight — test the mattress on their side and back to provide detailed evaluations about the pressure they are feeling. We also have them use a specialized mat that provides color-coded thermal images of the amount of pressure being felt in different areas of the body. 

My colleague, Riley Otis, served as the lightweight tester, and I represented the average weight. She and I both gave the Sunset Luxe a perfect score for back pressure relief. Riley said, “This bed feels fantastic on my back. It has a nice balance of cushioning and stability, and I like that I can tell how the coils are supporting the softer top layer to provide an enjoyable overall experience.” 

Although I think that this is an excellent budget-friendly alternative to the Sleep Number c4 mattress, it’s not ideal for all types of sleepers. Before you add it to your cart, you should know that larger-bodied side sleepers won’t experience the same kind of pressure relief as those who sleep on their backs. My colleague, Caine Wilkes, was our tester over 230 pounds, and he said, “I think this bed is too soft for me to be on my side. The longer I lie here, the more I sink. I can feel my shoulder dipping into the mattress, and that is causing some pressure buildup.”

Ready to try out the Helix Sunset Luxe? Click here to get the best deal on the mattress and here for the best deal on the base. You can also learn more in our full Helix Sunset Luxe mattress review and Helix Adjustable Base review.

The Sleep Number m7 is ideal for sleepers who prefer the plush cushioning and contouring of memory foam mattresses with exceptional cooling and expanded adjustability. The Leesa Original mattress is not adjustable on its own; however, it is available in a split king size and fully compatible with an adjustable base.

We chose the Leesa Original and adjustable base combination as the best alternative to the m7 because the Leesa is a malleable memory foam mattress that scored high across every category during testing. We were particularly impressed with its performance in edge support and cooling, scoring it 4 out of 5 or higher in both categories.

When evaluating the edge support of the Leesa Original, our in-house testing team found that they felt highly secure around the perimeter of the bed. Robust edge support is especially critical when getting in and out of bed, and for couples who prefer to use the entire bed surface.

“I did not feel like I was going to roll off the bed when switching positions,” said one of our product testers. “The edge support felt firm and supportive. I noticed that it was firm enough to hold me and not have my body rock off the bed.”

Couples and memory foam lovers alike should also appreciate the Leesa Original’s exceptional cooling performance. During testing, one of our testers used a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature of the Leesa before and after lying on it for 5 minutes. After a few minutes of uninterrupted rest, she found that its temperature only increased by 3.8 degrees, placing it in the upper echelon of temperature regulation.

“When I lay down, it was initially crisp and cool to the touch,” our tester said. “I could feel it slowly rising in temperature as I lay there. However, it never became too hot or uncomfortable.”

When a mattress performs this well across the board, it can be difficult to find flaws with it. That said, the Leesa Original is not the perfect fit for everyone. At only 10 inches tall, the Leesa might not be the best option for sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or more. These sleepers often benefit from a thicker mattress that offers them more supportive layers to sink into.

Additionally, we were not blown away by Leesa’s limited 100-night sleep trial. We would have preferred to see a more generous trial accompany a mattress of this caliber. Still, the Leesa Original comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which should give shoppers peace of mind when purchasing it.

To learn more about this model and gain insights from our chief medical product tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, head over to our full Leesa Original mattress review. For a more supportive memory foam option, consider the Plank Firm mattress instead.

On the Sleep Number pSE, you can adjust each side of the mattress to a different level of firmness, making it ideal for couples with different preferences. While the Bear Elite Hybrid is not adjustable on its own, it is available in a split king size and comes in different firmness options, allowing couples to choose their preferred firmness level.

That versatility is a huge reason why I chose the Elite Hybrid as a more budget-friendly alternative to the pSE. However, the Bear doesn’t rest on its easy-on-the-wallet laurels. My testing process revealed that the Medium version of this mattress is incredibly responsive, offers top-notch edge support, and maintains a cool temperature, earning a rating of 4 out of 5 or higher in each of these categories.

After testing its responsiveness, I thought it would be a solid choice for combination sleepers. Since these sleepers change positions throughout the night, their mattress should be easy to maneuver on. 

The soft upper layer may make it a little challenging for those with mobility issues, but overall, it shouldn’t. I awarded the Bear Elite Hybrid a 4 out of 5 in this category.

I also evaluated how well the Bear Elite Hybrid’s edges provide support and found that sleepers should feel very secure around the perimeter of this mattress. I felt very minimal sinkage while lying along the sides of the Bear mattress. Secure edges are essential for sleepers with mobility concerns and couples who prefer to sleep toward the side of the bed.

Unfortunately, the Bear Elite Hybrid is not the ideal mattress for everyone. I found that its pressure relief for side-sleeping was only about average during testing, and awarded it a 3.7 out of 5 in this category.

That said, the Soft version of this mattress might be a better fit for these sleepers, as they typically require more cushioning along their hips, shoulders, and other pressure-prone areas.

For more information about this model and testing insights from a licensed physical therapist, check out our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review. If you prefer a softer hybrid mattress with better contouring, consider the Helix Midnight Luxe instead.

The Sleep Number P Series mattresses feature Sleep Number’s DualAirTM adjustability. This allows for a separate firmness setting for each side of the bed; no matter which you choose, P Series models are known for being more pressure-relieving and contouring than other Sleep Number options. Although you can’t adjust the DreamCloud Classic’s firmness, we think it’s an excellent alternative because its universally appealing medium firmness makes it a solid fit for an array of sleepers. This mattress is also far more affordable than the P Series while scoring a 4 out of 5 or higher in back pressure relief, cooling, edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness.

If you want to customize the feel and function of this mattress further, you can add the DreamCloud Adjustable Base, which has a laundry list of angle settings and extra bells and whistles, such as a massage function and USB chargers.

Back sleepers seeking pressure relief will be drawn to the DreamCloud’s cushiony yet supportive nature. To see if sleepers feel any pressure buildup on this mattress, we perform both objective and subjective tests to provide a comprehensive breakdown of this performance category. In our objective test, sleepers lie on a specialized mat that provides color-coded images highlighting the amount of pressure felt in different body areas. 

My fellow mattress tester and certified sleep science coach Riley Otis, who represented sleepers under 130 pounds, and I, classified as an average-weight sleeper, gave this mattress perfect scores for back pressure relief for our respective weight classes. Riley said, “It is doing a nice job keeping my hips in line with my shoulders. My spine feels straight. I am feeling a lot of cushioning from the quilted cover, and I love how it is filling in the space of my lower back. If you are a lightweight sleeper, this is an excellent option.”   

If you’re a combination sleeper like me, you’ll also appreciate how easy it is to move from one position to another. “I found it very easy to move from back to side to stomach, and even though the bed had some plush cushioning, it didn’t inhibit my mobility or prevent me from easily rolling,” Riley said. “I think combination sleepers would be able to move around with no issues.”

Although the bed had near-perfect scores, I would like to see it provide more support for side sleepers. When I tested it in this position, I didn’t get enough support around my hips, causing them to dip too far down into the mattress and leaving me awkwardly aligned. Riley didn’t mind this mattress on her side, but she noted that she wished it had better edge support. Despite her petite stature, this bed sank noticeably when she sat on the side. We both think that this could cause bigger issues for larger-bodied folks.

If you want to learn more about the DreamCloud Classic, read our full review.

The Aurora Luxe is Brooklyn Bedding’s most luxurious and most cooling model, so it’s a natural alternative to a Sleep Number bed, specifically the i8 mattress. Where the i8 is outfitted with ceramic gel to combat heat, the Aurora Luxe features a cooling system in every layer, from springs that allow for airflow, to a cooling cover and the infusion of thermoregulating copper in the foam comfort layer.

Like many of Brooklyn Bedding’s mattresses, the Aurora Luxe is also available in three different firmness levels — Soft, Medium, and Firm — so it does give you some level of customization (though not as much as a Sleep Number mattress). You can always pair it with the brand’s Ascension Adjustable Base for added adjustability. 

I tested the Medium version of the Aurora Luxe and was blown away with how it performed across the board. Although it earned high marks in the categories we tested, it earned a perfect 5 out of 5 in cooling and responsiveness. Combining these scores with a 4.4 or higher in back pressure relief, edge support, and motion isolation rocketed the Aurora Luxe to a 4.6 overall. 

My husband heats up like bacon sizzling in a pan when he sleeps. Therefore, I am always on the lookout for the best cooling mattresses. The Aurora Luxe is one of the best I have tested for hot sleepers. I used a thermal temperature gun to get an initial surface temperature of 68.5 degrees. After lying on it for 5 minutes, I took another reading. The mattress only heated up 4 degrees, showing that it has excellent temperature regulation. I loved how the bed stayed cool to the touch the whole time I was on it.

My colleague and Olympic weightlifting champion, Caine Wilkes, helped me test the Aurora Luxe’s pressure-relieving capabilities for folks weighing over 230 pounds. He gave it a 5 out 5 in pressure relief. “I feel supportive and aligned and I like how there is no extra pressure around my lower back or hips,” he said. “Overall, I feel very balanced.”

I was the average-weight tester for pressure relief, and I also gave this mattress a perfect score in this category. I used a specialized mat on top of the Aurora Luxe to capture color-coded thermal images of the parts of my body that were feeling the most pressure. When I was on my back my body was covered in blue, indicating that there was little pressure. I was particularly fond of how it filled in the space around my lower back. It felt like it was actively drawing tension away from that area.

However, the Aurora Luxe wasn’t as great at relieving pressure for those who sleep on their sides. This is something that you will want to be mindful of, especially if you are a petite side sleeper who sleeps strictly on your side. Also, those who like softer beds that cradle and contour will likely find this bed to be too firm. 

Ready to try out the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe? Click here to get the best deal on the mattress and here for the best deal on the base. You can also learn more in our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review and our Brooklyn Bedding Ascension Luxe Adjustable Power Base Review.

Like all of Sleep Number’s mattresses, the C Series uses a network of flexible air chambers to adjust the bed’s firmness. But unlike the P Series, the C Series is fairly responsive, even at its softest setting. We think a good alternative is the Saatva Solaire, a high-tech adjustable air bed with 50 different firmness settings, ranging from 1 (softest) to 50 (firmest). 

We tested out each of these settings and found the Saatva Solaire to be a good fit for a wide variety of sleepers. In terms of firmness, we found that it had a considerable range depending on the setting, spanning from a soft 6 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale to a very firm 7.5.

Many of our testers found that level 25 was their sweet spot for the Solaire. On 25, our lightweight tester, Asha Birjah, gave it a 5 out of 5 for side pressure relief, while Erin Chiles, who falls in our average-weight classification, gave it a perfect score for back pressure relief. It also received a 4 for its edge support performance, and the Solaire earned an overall rating of 3.4. 

Erin said, “Overall, I thought this mattress had great pressure relief for the back and side sleeping positions. At the 25 setting, my lower back feels great, and my shoulders are aligned with my hips.” After lying on our specialized mat, which provides color-coded thermal images of pressure points, Asha reflected that her results showed primarily blue, indicating little to no pressure buildup. She said, “When the Solaire is on the 25 setting, I feel a perfect amount of alignment. I feel aligned, and the bed feels plush and comfortable. I don’t feel any specific pressure in any area. I could fall asleep on this very easily.”

As thorough as our testing criteria are, they can’t replace long-term, real-world experience. One of my colleagues, Tyler Moyer, has been sleeping on the Solaire for more than three years. Tyler told me that he and his partner noticed an improvement in their sleep quality once they started using the Solaire. He said, “Since we can adjust each side to our preferred firmness levels, it’s the first time my spouse and I were both happy with that aspect of our mattress.  For me, it allowed me to adjust it to a softer surface, which helped relieve back strain.”

Although I’m glad that Tyler and his wife found a bed that worked for them, my fellow testers and I did have a couple of issues to point out. The first being the somewhat antiquated hard-wired remotes. Although this is a relatively minor issue, it would be nice if they were less clunky. Also, Saatva states that the Solaire has 50 different settings. However, I don’t think you can tell that big of a difference from one setting to another. You need to make larger adjustments to feel any significant differences. 

Ready to try out the Saatva Solaire? Click here to get the best deal. You can also learn more in our full Saatva Solaire mattress review.

With the iLE Limited Edition, Sleep Number created a mattress that treats sleepers to soft foam and several cooling features. The Nolah Evolution shares many of the iLE traits. It combines Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam, designed to be a more breathable alternative to memory foam, with innerspring coils that help air move freely. The Evolution’s construction and materials make it a soft, yet supportive cooling mattress that works well for hot sleepers.  

Of course, being a Sleep Number bed, the iLe is highly customizable. While you don’t have as many choices with the Evolution, you can pick from three firmness options: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. Also, when paired with the brand’s adjustable base, you get a range of height options, along with other features like under-bed lighting, a massage function, and USB chargers.

I sleep on the older version of the Nolah Evolution. It appealed to my husband and me because it has excellent pressure relief for side sleepers and it has exemplary cooling capabilities. Therefore, I, the side sleeper, and my husband, the heat-seeking missile, could both be happy on a bed. However, after I tested the new Evolution model, I thought it was even better than the one we have.

Sleeping in the mattress with my restless husband can sometimes feel like I am going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. For this reason, I always pay special attention to how well a bed isolates motion, and the Evolution knocks this out of the park. When I performed the ripple test, in which I place a large container of water on one side of the bed and then made as much commotion as possible on the other to see how much it splashes, the water gave only the slightest ripple. It was like the water glass scene in Jurassic Park, but without all of the foreboding. 

The Evolution’s pressure relief also got high marks and praise from Caine Wilkes, our larger-bodied tester, Asha Birjah, our lightweight tester, and me, the tester for those in our average-weight category. “I really like this!” Asha said. “I think it has a really good balance between firm and contouring, and I feel no pressure or pain.”

Another reason I got the evolution is because I have a nagging hip injury, and Dr. Tedesco recommends this mattress for back and side sleepers with hip pain. “You get some great weightlessness and a slight posterior tilt with this mattress, which is ideal to alleviate hip and back pain if you sleep on your back,” he said. “Even on your side, you may experience a bit of a weightless feeling throughout your midline.”

However, he feels those with shoulder pain may not get the same relief because over time their shoulder may drive deeper into the bed, which can exacerbate their discomfort. Also, although Nolah’s 120-night sleep trial should provide ample time to make a final decision, I wish that it gave consumers a full year to try it out like other mattresses on this list.

Ready to try out the Nolah Evolution? Click here to get the best deal on the mattress and here to get the best deal on the Adjustable Base. You can also learn more in our full Nolah Evolution mattress review and our full Nolah Adjustable Base review.