Sleep Number I-10 Review: Best Mattress in the Line?

The I-10 mattress is Sleep Number’s most luxurious model. Its innovative reverse comfort foam layer allows couples to customize their side of the bed exactly how they like it – PlushFit foam or memory foam. Oh, and it’ll keep people sleeping cool all night. This unbiased review will go over the construction of the mattress and highlight the key takeaways consumers should know about before purchasing the product.

Sleep Number I-10 Review: Construction Overview

The I-10 is one of three mattresses in Sleep Number’s Innovation Series line of beds. The series also includes the I-8 model and I-LE mattresses.

The I-10 mattress has a 15” profile, which is measured from the base to the highest loft of the mattress.

I-10 mattresses are good mattresses for couples because they are made with two air chambers. This means that each I-10 mattress will come with Sleep Number’s “DualAir™ adjustability” feature that allows people to adjust firmness and support on each side of the bed to their Sleep Number setting. The hoses to pump air into the chamber are 4ft in length.

Directly below the air chamber(s) is a 2” foam base pad.

What sets the I-10 apart from its other Innovation Series mattresses is the 4” reverse foam layer that sits directly above the air chambers.

This foam comfort layer is separated into two pieces for each side of the bed. It is made with memory foam on one side and PlushFit foam on the opposite side. Here is how Sleep Number describes this comfort layer:

Their ergonomic, reversible design lets people individualize their comfort. Conforming memory foam reverses to PlushFit foam featuring seven zones for superior pressure relief and gentle support where people need it most: head, shoulders, lower back, hips, knees, lower legs, and feet.

The foam layer comes in two separate pieces (no matter what size people get) so that each person can flip it to their preferred foam side – PlushFit or memory foam.

The I-10 mattress is made with a polyester/polypropylene blend fabric that is designed to be soft and breathable (same fabric as the I-8 model).

The mattress top also matches the I-8 model. It is a duvet pillow top that includes 2” of Hypersoft Quilting Foam for a plush surface and Outlast temperature balancing technology to minimize temperature swings.

It’s worth noting that the Sleep Number Sleep IQ Technology, which will track someone’s sleep and help them find their optimal Sleep Number setting, is included in the price of the I-10 mattress.

Optional: People can add a FlexFit Adjustable Base for their bed that will allow them to raise the head and foot of the bed.

To sum it up, here are the layers of the I-8 mattress starting from the base:

• Base
• 2” foam base bad
• Dual air chambers (with DualAir Adjustability)
• 4” reverse memory foam/PlushFit foam layer
• 2” of Hypersoft Quilting Foam
• Plush surface with Outlast temperature control technology
• Polyester/polypropylene blend fabric overall

Sleep IQ Technology is included and FlexFit Adjustable Bases are an option at an additional cost.

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Overall Rating

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in categories such as materials, comfort, cooling, and support. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.

Mattress Performance Ratings

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3.9

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Note: Motion transfer is beneficial for those who share the bed and don’t want to be woken up by another’s movements. Looking for a mattress that better absorbs motion? Check out our Best Mattresses for Couples.

Firmness Level

When it comes to firmness, there are several factors in a Sleep Number bed that will affect how firm someone’s bed is.

• Sleep Number: The dual air chambers in the mattress will inflate/deflate according to the Sleep Number. The higher the Sleep Number, the more air will fill the air chambers and the firmer the mattress will be.
• Comfort Layer: There are several types and thicknesses of foam comfort layers in Sleep Number beds. Denser and thicker comfort layers (like memory foam layers) will provide more support and increase the firmness of a mattress.
• Mattress Top: Sleep Number offers a variety of mattress tops. Plusher pillow top style mattress tops will be less firm than a flatter mattress top.

The I-10 is an interesting mattress because it has a comfort layer made up of both memory foam and PlushFit foam. The PlushFit foam is lighter than the memory foam, which tends to be denser and firmer.

The Customer Service representative I talked to told me that the memory foam layer in the I-10 makes it a firmer mattress than a popular model like the P-5, which contains only PlushFit foam.

RELATED: What Do the Numbers Mean? 

Who Might Want to Consider This Mattress:

People Who Have a Sleep Partner.

The I-10 model is only made with dual air chambers – that means that each individual can control his/her side of the bed with their own air chamber customized to their individual Sleep Number setting.

Those Who Want the Option to Switch Things Up.

Customization is the name of the game with the I-10 mattress. In addition to adjusting the support with the own air chamber, the reverse comfort layer is separated into two pieces. This way, people can decide if they want to sleep on PlushFit foam or memory foam, and their partner can do the same.

People Who Sleep Hot.

There is temperature regulating technology built into the mattress top of the I-10 mattress. Outlast Technology (the same kind found in Slumber Cloud’s Dry Line Protector and the I-8 mattress surface) is designed to pull heat away from the body and re-distribute it during the night so people sleep comfortably.

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Mattress Clarity Score

3.90 / 5.0

Who Might Not Want to Consider This Mattress:

Those Who Want a Firm Mattress.

The I-10 is made up of several layers, including a 2” foam base pad, 4” of PlushFit foam and memory foam and 2” of Hypersoft Quilting Foam sewn into the duvet style mattress top. While memory foam is a denser foam, so many layers in between the top of the mattress and the air chamber make the mattress naturally less firm than more standard models like the C-2 or C-4.

People Who Are on a Budget.

The I-10 mattress is the most expensive Sleep Number bed available. The mattress just under $5,000 for a Queen size. It does include many features, including Sleep IQ Technology. Sleep Number does sell one Queen mattress for less than $1,000 (the C-2 model) and several for under $3,000, including the bestselling P-5 mattress.

Most Common Pieces of Praise

The I-10 mattress truly is designed with couples in mind. The mattress only comes with dual air chambers, which means that each individual can control the firmness and support of his/her side of the bed. With the reverse comfort foam layer, the individual can also decide if he/she wants to sleep on memory foam or PlushFit foam.

In other reviews I read, many customers purchased the I-10 because they were suffering from pain related to injuries or aging. They liked having the ability to not only adjust their firmness and support, but also the benefits of having an Adjustable Base – raising and lowering the head/feet of the bed in addition to other spa-like features.

Most Common Complaints

The biggest complaint about the I-10 mattress is the price. The price of a Queen size mattress alone is nearly $5,000. If people decide to go with a bigger mattress like a Split King, and add a FlexFit adjustable base, they could spend significantly more.

The most complaints came from the Split King size bed. This sie actually comes as two individual mattresses (as opposed to one mattress with two separate comfort foam layers). People had an especially difficult time getting sheets on/off the Split King because of these two separate mattresses.

Mattresses like the FlexTop King or Split King – also makes it difficult to find comfort in the center of the mattress. Customers struggled with being able to have more intimate moments with their partner or even just feeling “stuck” in the valley created between the two mattresses.

Those who also purchased an Adjustable Base with their Split King said that their mattresses would slide down and bunch at the bottom of the bed when they raised the head of their bed. This was a frequently reported complaint.

Why Would Someone Pick This Model Over Other Sleep Number Mattresses?

Those who choose the I-10 mattress over other Sleep Number models are couples (most likely) who want all of the comfort features that Sleep Number offers.

The I-10 lets people adjust their level of support and comfort with their Sleep Number setting with its reverse foam comfort layer. They also get the benefits of cooling technology and a soft and breathable duvet-style mattress top.

Those who can afford the $5,000+ price tag would pick this mattress over others. Of all the Sleep Number models, the I-10 is the ultimate mattress for customized comfort.

Before making a final purchase decision, you should review our mattress comparisons page to compare Sleep Number to other mattress brands like Helix and Saatva.

RELATED: Best Sleep Number Bed Alternatives

The I-10 is a luxurious mattress option for the right couple. This mattress could be a great fit if someone prefers memory foam and another prefers regular foam mattresses. It also helps both people stay cool.

However, there was feedback from some customers that a valley created in the center of the bed between the two air chambers – especially in the Split King – is uncomfortable for couples trying to cuddle (and difficult to change the sheets).

Customers who also purchased the adjustable bed felt that the separate mattresses – especially in the Split King-  tended to slide forward and bunch at the foot of the bed.

Click here for our all-encompassing Sleep Number review.