DH and I need a new bed. Our current queen-size box spring and mattress is about ten years old and, frankly, I’ve never liked it. I’ve gotten used to it but I don’t like it. I like a very firm mattress (absolutely hate memory foam, quilted mattress toppers, etc) and DH likes not quite so firm, so a Sleep Number bed seems to be the logical answer. Who’s got one and likes or hates it? We are larger people, and I’ve heard that over time, the mechanism inside the mattress that allows you to increase the firmness can stop working as well. I don’t want to buy a mattress that costs as much as my first car if it’s not going to last at least ten years. Experiences?
I have one - basically its an air mattress (they call it a bladder) on each side with foam between sides and around the outside, then a pillow top, zipping the whole thing together. We’ve had this one for prob 20 years. Inflating, deflating - never had a problem with the motor but basically it is just that - an air mattress with fluff around it.
One caveat - they’ve improved the microbial-ness of the material on the foam and bladders because maybe 10 yrs ago they had a lawsuit because black mold could form in the components. They never advised customers at all but if someone complained of mold or allergies - they replaced the parts lickity split. Well about 3 yrs ago, my husband unzipped the bed and looked at the parts - low and behold lots of mold. Certainly explained why I always had allergies in that room. So - yes they replaced everything. So - good company? Hmm I don’t know.
It’s nice the first few years. But then it starts to sink. Ours has some dips. Can’t really turn it or flip it.
We tried a few out, but it really did feel like an air mattress and I don’t like sleeping on those unless I’m camping.
We currently have a memory foam that broke down. We will never buy another one. We are getting close to buying another bed(s). I love a very firm mattress and DH a bit softer. We also like king size. There is a company in town that specializes in mattresses and you can flip theirs… We are going to get 2 twin xl and pull them together with a mattress belt so they don’t drift apart. Put a king mattress pad over the whole thing and there we go! I have my mattress, he has this, but we are still in one bed. Plus, we can flip them as needed!
@conmama - You have described our current set-up. Love it! I’m the one who likes a softer mattress and I have a pillowtop on top of a “low-profile” boxspring. My husband has the firm mattress on a regular boxspring. Once the bed is made, no one would be able to tell. The bonus is no more bouncing when my husband rolls over!
We’ve had one for 2 years and just bought another for our second home. We like it so far. I hope we don’t start to sink.
We did not cheap out on imitators and bought the real, proven and tested by time memory foam tech - Tempur. Mr. B loves to come home from fancy Marriotts and Westins to luxuriate in our bed. 
Thanks @ohmomof2boys …I don’t know anyone who has this set up, so I’m glad to hear it works well. I’m the one who moves around more, so I think DH will like it. And then we can say…the line is right here, stay over in your side!! Ha!
Sounds like a much better setup than buying an air-impermeable pouch that can develop mold problems.
Is there a drop-off in the space between the side-by-side mattresses?
There is a foam piece between the two air mattresses and a cover over the top. It is my understanding that you can order replacement pieces if there is a problem. @yourmomma Maybe the foam is “dipping”.
I had a Sleep Number bed, which was great for a while. Then it seemed like I had to keep inflating to get it to stay at the selected number. When I moved two years ago, it was somehow damaged. It wouldn’t inflate, so the bladders must have popped. I replaced it with a high end firm mattress.
@scorekeeper1, can you share what high end firm mattress you got? And are you happy with it? I’m in desperate need of a new mattress and am completely overwhelmed. Thinking about a sleep number solely because I don’t know what else to get. Definitely prefer firm.
I have one. A queen size, dual chamber. I liked it at first but now I’m not a fan.
Mr R & I have a significant weight difference and it causes the bed’s walls to collapse. We had to get foam from the company to prop his side up so that my additional weight didn’t cause issues.
I’d advise going for something else. It’s too expensive and just not worth it IMO.
Our bed is a full-size from Costco. We are very happy. We had to get nephews to help us get it from store into our bedroom. Bigger beds are heavier but still if you can hire someone to help deliver, cheaper than many other places. Our bed is nice and firm.
@collage1 You may want to check Stearns & Foster Ultra Firm Mattress. It did not sag at all over several years, and we are very happy with it. More expensive than other brand, but worth the price. We got ours from sleepy’s
https://www.us-mattress.com/comparison-charts.html
https://www.us-mattress.com/stearns-and-foster-estate-bella-claire-ultra-firm-queen-size-mattress.html
http://www.sleepys.com/stearns-and-foster/stearns-and-foster-estate-bridle-iii-13.5%22-ultra-firm-mattress/MFRM-SAF55827-QN.html
Thank you, @mycupoftea. We have a Sterns and Foster now and it’s been pretty good. I think we’ve had it about 10 years and, over the past year, my back has been hurting and I finally figured out that it’s our mattress. The one we have can’t be flipped which I won’t choose in the future. There are big divets where dh and I lie. I’d prefer to be able to flip it regularly so that doesn’t happen. I don’t know why but was thinking I wanted something different but I’ll see if I can find their extra firm model.
Our firm Tempur from Costco is approaching 3 years and still feel the same as the day we bought it. IMO, you get what you paid for when it comes to memory foam. The prior Tempur was 16 when we decided to retire it. It now lives in the guest bedroom.
Most of you are confirming my thoughts that the Sleep Number beds have “issues.” Will look for a more traditional set-up like the Sterns and Foster.