Sleep Number® mattresses use air and supportive materials to help you find your ideal comfort. Because air responds to weight, sleep position, room temperature, weather and movement, your mattress may feel slightly different from night to night — even when your Sleep Number® setting has not changed.
Use this guide to understand what is normal, when to adjust your setting and when to troubleshoot a possible air loss issue.
Quick answer: Why does my mattress feel different?
- Your sleep position changed, such as moving from your back to your side.
- Your body weight, pet, child or sleep partner changed how pressure is distributed on the bed.
- The room temperature, sunlight, heating, air conditioning or weather changed.
- Your mattress is on an uneven surface or unsupported slats.
- Responsive Air® technology made a normal adjustment while you were in bed.
Adjust your Sleep Number® setting when comfort changes
- If your mattress feels too firm or too soft, adjust your Sleep Number® setting by 5 or 10 points.
- Try the new setting for 3 to 5 nights so your body has time to adjust.
- You may need a new setting after weight changes, pregnancy, surgery, injury, intense exercise or a change in sleep position.
- A higher Sleep Number® setting adds firmness. A lower Sleep Number® setting makes the mattress softer.
How sleep position and weight affect mattress pressure
- Your body weight and sleep position add pressure to the air inside your mattress.
- The same setting may feel different when you sleep on your back, side or stomach because your weight is distributed differently.
- If you sleep close to the edge, move partly onto your partner’s side or sleep in the middle of the bed, the air chambers may feel different.
- Pets, children or a sleep partner can also change how firm or soft the mattress feels.
- If extra weight was on the bed when Responsive Air® made an adjustment, the mattress may feel softer or flatter than expected.
How temperature and weather affect air pressure
- Air expands and contracts with temperature and barometric pressure, similar to the air in your tires.
- Your bed may feel firmer when the room is warmer and softer when the room is cooler.
- Heating vents, air conditioning, open windows, direct sunlight, heated bedding and seasonal weather changes can affect how your mattress feels.
- Your remote or Sleep Number® app shows the last setting you chose. The feel of the bed may still change if the air pressure changes after that setting was selected.
- If the feel of the mattress does not match your setting, adjust the bed back to your preferred comfort level.
How mattress materials and support affect comfort
- All Sleep Number® mattresses include DualAir™ adjustability, so each side of the bed can be adjusted independently.
- Mattress materials, foam layers and overall height vary by model.
- A higher-profile mattress generally includes more foam support.
- Your mattress needs a firm, even surface. If you are not using a Sleep Number base, use a firm platform or slats no more than 2 inches apart.
- Slats that are too far apart can create an uneven sleep surface and may affect comfort.
What Responsive Air® technology does
- Responsive Air® technology automatically adjusts when you first get in bed.
- It can also make small adjustments overnight as you move, change positions or shift weight.
- It is normal to hear or feel a brief adjustment. This means your bed is responding to changes in pressure.
- Only Sleep Number smart beds have Responsive Air® technology. If your bed has this feature, you’ll see Responsive Air® in your bed control options in the Sleep Number® app.
- If you do not see Responsive Air® in the app or on your remote, your bed may not include this feature.
When to troubleshoot air loss
Gradual comfort changes are usually normal. If your mattress continually feels flat, loses air overnight or will not hold your preferred setting, follow the bed losing air troubleshooting steps to identify the cause.
Frequently asked questions
Do I raise or lower my Sleep Number® setting to make the bed firmer?
Raise your Sleep Number® setting for a firmer feel. Lower your setting for a softer feel.
Why does my bed adjust or make noise at night?
If Responsive Air is on, your bed may make a brief adjustment when you get in bed or change positions. This is normal and helps maintain your selected comfort.
How do I know if my bed has Responsive Air?
Check the bed control options in the Sleep Number® app or remote. If your bed has Responsive Air, it will appear in the list of available controls.