Written by Dan Caffrey, Senior Performance Editor
Sleep Number really is one of the most unique mattress brands around. For decades, the company has been known for its adjustable air beds, which allow you to adjust the mattress’s firmness with the simple click of a remote control. The customization allows a single mattress to accommodate many different types of sleepers. Sleep Number mattresses also have something called SleepIQ, technology that measures factors such as heart rate and temperature while you sleep so it can adjust the bed on its own. This makes for an optimal sleeping experience.
One of the downsides, however, is that Sleep Number mattresses can be quite expensive, especially for air beds. That’s why we’ve put together this list, where we provide what we’re calling a Sleep Number alternative for nine of their mattresses. Read on to see which less expensive Sleep Number alternative might be the best fit for you and your specific needs.
Our Top Pick for a Sleep Number Alternative
We think the best example of a Sleep Number alternative would be the Nectar Premier paired with Adjustable Base. It still pressure-relieving and contouring like the Sleep Number P Series Alternative, but between Nectar’s year-round discounts and holiday deals, it’s set at a more affordable price.
Best Sleep Number Alternatives
- Nectar Premier with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number P Series Alternative
- Helix Sunset Luxe with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number c4 Alternative
- Nolah Signature with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number iLE Limited Edition Alternative
- Bear Star Hybrid with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number pSE Alternative
- Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number i8 Alternative
- Saatva Solaire – Best Sleep Number C Series Alternative
- Titan Plus with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number m7 Alternative
Sleep Number Alternatives Video Review
Compare the Sleep Number Alternatives
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| Nectar Premier Mattress | Helix Sunset Luxe Mattress | Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress | Bear Star Hybrid Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress | Saatva Solaire Mattress | Titan Plus | |
| Rating | |||||||
| Firmness | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 |
| Material | Foam | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Other | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | |||
| Best For |
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers
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Joint Pain,
Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers |
Side Sleepers,
Back Pain |
Joint Pain, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers,
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Hot Sleepers,
Back Pain, Side Sleepers |
Couples, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers
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Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors
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Nectar Premier with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number P Series Alternative
Product
Firmness
Score
Nectar Premier with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number P Series Alternative
Product
Nectar Premier MattressFirmness
Medium-soft: 6/10Score
Product
Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Expert Opinion
The mattresses in the Sleep Number P Series are known for being more pressure relieving and contouring than the brand’s other beds. While the Nectar Premier isn’t adjustable, we think it’s an excellent alternative due to its cushy layers of memory foam and soft foam. And if you do want to give the mattress some additional customization, you can add on the Nectar Adjustable Base, which has a laundry list of differently angled settings and additional bells and whistles such as a massage function and USB chargers.
Helix Sunset Luxe with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number c4 Alternative
Product
Firmness
Score
Helix Sunset Luxe with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number c4 Alternative
Product
Helix Sunset Luxe MattressFirmness
Soft: 5.5/10Score
Product
Sleep Number 360 c4 Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Expert Opinion
While we already provided an alternative to Sleep Number’s overall C Series, what if you want an alternative to one of its individual beds, such as the c4? In addition to being adjustable, this mattress is known for containing foam that contours to your body for greater pressure relief. We think a good (and more affordable) alternative good be the Helix Sunset Luxe. Helix’s Luxe line is essentially the upgraded lineup of its original line of hybrid mattresses, and the Sunset is the softest of these beds. Its layer of Memory Plus foam should give you a lot of contouring, similar to the foam in the c4. When we lie down on the Sunset Luxe, we can feel the material hugging our shoulders and hips.
Nolah Signature with Smart Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number iLE Limited Edition Alternative
Product
Firmness
Score
Nolah Signature with Smart Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number iLE Limited Edition Alternative
Product
Nolah Signature 12" MattressFirmness
Soft: 5.5/10Score
Product
Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Expert Opinion
With the iLE Limited Edition, Sleep Number created a mattress that treated sleepers to soft foam and a number of cooling features. The Nolah Signature has these same traits, built with a proprietary called AirFoam that’s designed to be a more breathable alternative to memory foam. And as far as firmness goes, we clocked this all-foam mattress at an ultra-plush 5.5 out 10 on our mattress firmness scale, meaning that, like the iLE, it offers plenty of contouring and deep pressure relief.
Bear Star Hybrid with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number pSE Alternative
Product
Firmness
Score
Bear Star Hybrid with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number pSE Alternative
Product
Bear Star Hybrid MattressFirmness
Medium-soft: 6/10Score
Expert Opinion
On the Sleep Number pSE, you can adjust each side of the mattress to be a different level of firmness, which is designed for couples with different preferences. While the Bear Star Hybrid isn’t adjustable on its own, it does have a medium-firm feel that should still appeal to a wide variety of folks. That’s why we chose it as a more budget-friendly alternative to the pSE.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe with Ascension Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number i8 Alternative
Product
Firmness
Score
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe with Ascension Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number i8 Alternative
Product
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Product
Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Expert Opinion
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 has a cooling feature in every layer, from springs that allow for airflow to a cooling cover and infusion of thermoregulating copper in the top layer of foam.
Saatva Solaire – Best Sleep Number C Series Alternative
Product
Firmness
Score
Saatva Solaire – Best Sleep Number C Series Alternative
Product
Saatva Solaire MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Product
Sleep Number 360 c4 Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsScore
Expert Opinion
Like all of Sleep Number’s mattresses, the C Series uses a network of flexible air chambers to adjust the firmness of the bed. But unlike, say, the P Series, the C Series is fairly responsive, even at its softest setting. We think a good alternative to it is the Saatva Solaire, a high-tech adjustable air bed with 50 different firmness settings (1 being the softest and 50 being the firmest).
Titan Plus with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number m7 Alternative
Product
Firmness
Score
Titan Plus with Adjustable Base – Best Sleep Number m7 Alternative
Expert Opinion
As a memory foam mattress, the Sleep Number m7 would probably be a lot softer than the hybrid Titan Plus (created by Brooklyn Bedding), even if it didn’t have customizable settings. However, the two mattresses are similar in that they don’t have pillow tops, which gives them a more responsive feel. If you pair the Titan Plus with Brooklyn Bedding’s Ascension Adjustable Base, you get a little bit of customization and a suitable comparison to the m7 on its firmer settings. It comes equipped with several presets, including zero gravity, as well as a USB charging port.
What is a Smart Bed?
A smart bed is more than surface sleep on – it’s a mattress that adjusts to your personal sleep needs, gathers health data, and includes various degrees of technology. These beds are the “choose your own adventure” option of the mattress world, as you can adjust the settings to create the perfect sleeping sanctuary.
Smart beds are able to gather data about the sleeper, such as their heart rate, body temperature, and movement. When the mattress senses something abnormal, such as the sleeper overheating, it can automatically activate cooling technology without waking the sleeper up. In addition, these beds often allow users to adjust their head and leg elevation, so you can raise or lower yourself until you find the perfect angle. If the bed detects snoring, it might automatically raise the head and place the sleeper in a more optimal breathing position. This is a great feature for anyone with sleep apnea.
While most mattresses fall somewhere between 1 to 10 on our mattress firmness scale (where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest), some smart beds allow you to adjust the firmness to whatever your heart – and sleep preference – desires. You may want to preset the mattress’s firmness and stick with that or set it so that the smart bed adjusts its firmness based on the data it’s collecting.
Some couples looking for a smart bed choose to purchase a split mattress. This lets each person independently control their side of the bed without affecting their partner. This is an appealing choice for couples with different sleeping positions, firmness preferences, or general sleep habits.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Sleep Number Alternative
There are a number of things to keep in mind when deciding between a Sleep Number bed and something from another brand. Let’s go over a few of them.
Firmness
A Sleep Number mattress is going to offer you adjustable firmness, thanks to its complex network of air chambers that inflate and deflate depending on user preference and the data being read. While some alternatives — such as the Saatva Solaire and Emma Shift — have adjustable firmness, most of them don’t. So if you decide not to go with Sleep Number, consider which set firmness will be best for you.
Here at Sleepopolis, we always have multiple Certified Sleep Science Coaches lay on the mattress and score it from 1 to 10 on our mattress firmness scale. 1 represents the softest mattress, and 10 represents the firmest. We consider a score of 6.5 to be the standard for a true medium-firm mattress. We generally recommend soft mattresses for side sleepers, medium-firm mattresses for back sleepers, and firm mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Budget
You might have guessed that smart beds are generally more expensive than classic or even luxury mattresses. Because these beds contain so much technology, they won’t be great options for shoppers trying to stay within a strict budget. Most smart beds go for thousands of dollars. However, pairing one of the mattresses on this list with an adjustable base is a cheaper way to get the smart bed experience.
How much you’re willing to spend on a mattress is entirely up to you, and we can’t make that decision for you. But, we can provide you with our general rule of thumb for how mattresses are priced and how much common mattress materials typically cost.
| Price Category | Price Range (Queen Size) |
| Cheap | Less than $1,000 |
| Budget | $1,000 to $1,500 |
| Average | $1,500 to $2,000 |
| Luxury | More than $2,000 |
| Type of Mattress Construction | Average Cost |
| Foam | $500 to $1,200 |
| Latex | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Innerspring | $700 to $1,500 |
| Hybrid | $1,200 to $2,500 |
If you’re trying to stay within a specific budget, there are ways to get these mattresses for a bit cheaper. Check out our guide to the best time to buy a mattress for some tips on when mattresses are usually on sale. We also have a page of Sleepopolis mattress coupons and promo codes to help you get the best deal. You can also check out our roundups for the best cheap mattresses and the best mattresses for the money.
Sleep-Tracking
One of the most unique traits about Sleep Number is that their mattresses track your sleeping patterns, and then adjust themselves based on the data. Some of the sleep number alternatives on this list allow you to adjust the firmness, and you can customize your sleeping angle when you pair them with an adjustable base. However, Sleep Number is currently dominating the game when it comes to mattresses that collect sleep data. If having a mattress that can collect sleep data is important to you, then you should opt for Sleep Number.
Keep in mind that a smart bed is not the only way to track your sleep data. There are a variety of gadgets on the market that are designed to track your sleep and report back to you in the morning. Some trackers are designed to be worn to bed, such as the WHOOP 4.0 bracelet and the Oura Ring. There are also specialized sleep tracking mats you can place under your mattress, like the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat, and apps you can download on your phone, like the RISE App. With devices like these, you can track your sleep without purchasing a smart bed.
Cooling
Even though it’s easy to find a cooling mattress that’s not a smart bed, a Sleep Number mattress actually has the ability to alter its temperature based on how hot and cold you are. Once again, it comes down to what level of technology if you want. If you want something that just sleeps cool on its own, a standard cooling mattress is probably fine. But if you want something that can adapt to your ever-changing needs, go for Sleep Number.
When our Certified Sleep Science Coaches assess cooling, they first take a look at the bed’s materials and construction. All-foam beds have a reputation for trapping heat, but the inclusion of cooling materials (such as gel-infused foam) can help keep the bed cool. Coil layers also help with cooling, as they’re breathable and allow air to flow through the mattress. Our testers also assess cooling using a thermal gun that measures a mattress’s surface temperature. We first use the thermal gun to record the initial temperature of the mattress and then record the temperature again after laying on the mattress for five minutes. A temperature change of less than 8 degrees indicates good cooling, and a change of less than 5 degrees indicates excellent cooling.
Edge Support
Edge support refers to the ability of a mattress to maintain its shape and provide stability when sitting or lying near the edges, preventing sagging and offering a larger usable surface area. Sleep Number mattresses typically feature reinforced edges, which enhance support and prevent roll-off, making it easier for sleepers to get in and out of bed. This design allows users to maximize their sleeping space without feeling like they might fall off the side. We test edge support by using a yard stick to measure the amount of sink experienced when sitting or laying on the edge of the bed.
Device Compatibility
Sleep Number mattresses all have the ability to connect to your smartphone or other device. Still, you’ll want to verify that the technology you’re using is compatible, so be sure to check Sleep Number’s website and the product specs before purchasing.
Trial Period
Even a non-smart bed is a big investment, so it’s important to check out a mattress’s trial period before purchasing. You may want something that you can test out for at least 100 nights (or maybe even a year), just so you can make sure it’s the right purchase for you. Most beds have this info listed right on their site.
Motion Isolation
If you’re sharing the bed with a partner, pet, or child, you may be familiar with sleep disturbances from their tossing and turning. A bed with low motion transfer is able to isolate a sleeper’s motion and prevent the sleeper on the other side from feeling it. We test motion isolation in mattresses using a red wine test and a seismometer test.
When conducting the red wine test, we place a full glass on one side of the mattress and then toss and turn on the other side. We then observe the liquid in the glass and how much it moves. If the liquid barely moves, then it’s a safe bet that the mattress is keeping the motion isolated. If the liquid is sloshing around or spills onto the mattress, then the bed has high motion transfer and poor motion isolation.
Our seismometer test involves dropping a 10-pound steel ball onto the mattress from gradually increasing heights and using a seismometer to measure the disturbance. The larger the spikes on the seismometer graph, the poorer the motion isolation, and the more likely you are to feel a partner’s movement at night.
Durability
Mattress durability refers to how well a mattress maintains its structural integrity and comfort over time, typically measured by its resistance to sagging, wear, and deterioration. Sleep Number mattresses are known for their durable construction, featuring high-quality materials that can withstand years of use while retaining their adjustable support features. When shopping for a sleep number alternative, look for mattresses made from high-density foams, strong innerspring systems, or robust hybrid designs, as these tend to offer better longevity. Additionally, checking for warranties and customer reviews can provide insight into the mattress’s long-term performance.
Types of mattresses
When searching for a new mattress, there are many different materials to consider. Innerspring mattresses contain a thin layer of foam at the top but use steel coils as the main material. These beds are typically very supportive, have a bit of bounce, and are breathable. All-foam mattresses contain no coils and are constructed with layers of foam. These beds usually provide a decent amount of sinkage and pressure relief depending on the foam’s firmness. Hybrid mattresses combine layers of foam with coils to create a balance between pressure relief and support. Latex mattresses are naturally cooling, hypoallergenic, and bouncy. The best material for you is largely dependent on your sleeping position, body type, and individual feel preferences. For more information on mattress construction, check out our complete guide to the different types of mattresses.
Why are Sleep Number Mattresses so Popular?
Sleep Number mattresses are popular because they offer luxury, high tech customizable firmness levels, and allow both partners on the mattress to adjust their preferences, support level, temperature to their ultimate comfort. This is a major selling point for many who have different sleeping preferences. Sleep Number also uses an app called SleepIQ which you can install on your smartphone to easily allow you to set your personalized settings. Their sleep app also allows you to collect data points about your sleep helping you find patterns and solutions to sleep better at night.
Sleep Number has also gotten a lot of their popularity from being affiliated with the NFL since 2011. The brand became the official sleep and wellness partner of the league, providing players like Travis Kelce with Sleep Number beds to help optimize their sleep. Since these beds tend to be very expensive, Sleep Number alternatives are great options to have a comparable high quality bed at a more affordable price.
Smart Beds vs Adjustable Base
It’s important to know that smart beds are different from adjustable bases, although you can definitely pair an adjustable base with a non-adjustable mattress to give yourself more customization. The biggest difference is that a smart bed changes its firmness, angle, and other features depending on how you’re sleeping. With an adjustable base, you can usually just change the angle of the mattress, and that often has to be done manually with a remote control.
That said, adjustable bases are still luxurious accessories. They sometimes even have posh features such as a massage function, soothing LED lights underneath, and ports for charging your devices.
Pros of Sleep Number Alternatives
- The technology is truly impressive, and many sleepers can really benefit from a bed that adapts to them.
- Sleepers struggling with chronic pain may appreciate the mattress’s ability to adjust itself depending on their preferences and health stats.
- Hot sleepers and sleepers with mobility issues should also appreciate the customizability of Sleep Number and how quickly the bed can change to fit their needs.
Cons of Sleep Number Alternatives
- In general, Sleep Number mattresses are a lot more expensive than most other beds.
- Not everyone is going to want to deal with all that technology. If you prefer to keep it simple, we recommend going with a Sleep Number bed alternative.
- A Sleep Number bed is going to be more complicated to set up. You’ll also have to sync it with your devices, plus there’s always a chance that you’ll encounter technical issues and have to troubleshoot.
Who Should Buy a Sleep Number Alternative?
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Sleep Number beds are often more expensive due to their adjustable technology. If you’re looking for a more affordable option that still provides good comfort and support, you might prefer high-quality memory foam or hybrid mattresses from brands like Helix, Bear, or Nectar. These options can offer significant cost savings while still meeting your comfort needs.
- Sleepers Who Prefer Memory Foam or Hybrid Mattresses: If you enjoy the contouring and pressure relief that memory foam or hybrid beds provide, a mattress from brands like Bear, Saatva, or Helix might be more to your liking. These alternatives can offer excellent support and comfort without the need for adjustability.
- Sleepers Wanting Simplicity and No Tech: If you want a straightforward, no-fuss mattress without the need for adjusting firmness settings, a traditional innerspring mattress or a bed-in-a-box option can be ideal. These mattresses are typically easier to set up and maintain, and they offer a range of comfort levels to suit different preferences. Brands like Saatva for innerspring and Casper for bed-in-a-box options are popular choices.
Orthopedic Bed Benefits
Orthopedic beds offer several benefits, including:
- Spinal Alignment: Orthopedic beds provide targeted support that helps maintain proper spinal alignment, reducing the risk of back pain and promoting healthier sleep posture.
- Pressure Relief: Orthopedic mattresses are designed to alleviate pressure points, which can enhance comfort and reduce discomfort for those with joint or muscle issues.
- Improved Sleep Quality: By offering a supportive and comfortable sleeping surface, these beds can contribute to deeper, more restorative sleep, helping to reduce insomnia and improve overall well-being.
FAQs
Is a Sleep Number mattress worth it?
It really depends on your budget and your comfort with technology. Sleep Number beds are extremely expensive, but if you can afford it, they really do offer a wide range of customization that allows you to choose from a near endless amount of firmness levels. Having the ability to change your mattress’s firmness can also help out with issues such as back pain and getting more contouring when you need it.
However, these mattresses are not going to be within everyone’s price range. They’re also made with complex technology that isn’t going to come naturally to everybody. There may be a bit of a learning curve after purchasing.
What is a less expensive Sleep Number alternative?
A Sleep Number alternative offers some of the benefits of a Sleep Number bed, but without all of the bells and whistles and high price point. For instance, Brooklyn Bedding offers several different firmness levels for many of their mattresses. Although that’s not the same level of customization as Sleep Number, it still gives you some options. All of the mattresses on this list are going to be less expensive than most Sleep Number beds, although some may get to around the same price if you add an adjustable base for further flexibility.
We’ve also chosen a few options that do offers the same adjustability of a Sleep Number bed, such as the Emma Shift and Saatva Solaire. Although these mattresses are still expensive, they’re not as pricey as many of the Sleep Number options.
What should you look for in a Sleep Number alternative?
First, consider your sleeping position and firmness preference, then select a mattress that fulfills both of those parameters. From there, hone in on more specific factors such as price, warranty, sleep trial, etc.
How We Chose These Mattresses
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 300 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, motion isolation, support, and more. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
Because side sleepers put the most pressure on their shoulders and hips, we paid special attention to our pressure map test. None of the products included here are likely to put added pressure on these areas. Click here to learn more about our methodology. And if you’re still not sure of the right mattress, you can take our mattress quiz to be shown a selection of mattresses curated to your sleep preferences.
A Look Into the Sleepopolis Testing Lab
In order to ensure that we’re recommending the best mattresses to sleepers everywhere, we test each one individually in our mattress lab in Raleigh, North Carolina. Here, our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 300 beds, putting each one through a rigorous testing process that includes measuring a mattress’s motion transfer with a seismometer, tracking its cooling capabilities with a thermal gun, and visualizing its ability to relieve pain with a pressure map.
From there, we give every bed an overall score based on its materials, comfort, support, cooling, edge support, and more. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
We know that sleep is an integral part of your health, which is why we’ve developed such a detailed methodology when testing mattresses and writing our reviews. We also know that every sleeper is different when it comes to body type, sleeping position, and mattress preference. With so many factors at play, we want to give you an informed opinion so you can make an informed purchase.
Best Sleep Number Alternatives 2024
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen Size) | Coupon | Review |
| Nectar Premier | Sleep Number P Series Alternative | $1,499 | Nectar Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Helix Sunset Luxe | Sleep Number c4 Alternative | $2,373 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nolah Signature | Sleep Number iLE Limited Edition Alternative | $1,799 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Bear Star Hybrid | Sleep Number pSE Alternative | $1,998 | Bear Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe | Sleep Number i8 Alternative | $2,265 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Saatva Solaire | Sleep Number C Series Alternative | $3,745 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Titan Plus | Sleep Number m7 Alternative | $1,249 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
Dan Caffrey
Senior Performance Editor
About Author
Dan is a Performance Editor and Certified Sleep Coach at Sleepopolis, where he writes and edits mattress roundups to give readers the most up-to-date information on sleep products. In 2020, Dan earned his MFA In Playwriting from UT Austin, and his plays have been seen around the country in Chicago, Austin, Washington D.C., and elsewhere. He’s also a pop-culture fanatic, having written for publications such as The A.V. Club, Consequence, Pitchfork, and Vox. He co-hosts two popular horror podcasts on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network — The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast. When he’s not catching up on the latest King novel, you can find Dan in and around Brooklyn walking his dog Hank, seeing a play with his wife, and going to way too many concerts.
Combination Sleeper