, ( or call (559) 733-3984. Only at Sleep Number®.Fresno, (559) 221-0185 Store DetailsGet DirectionsFor those who have trouble sleeping, having a few options available can help you count a few more sheep. The futon in the den might work for a night or two, or a maybe a radio that plays ocean sounds and helps you doze off faster. Yet, what most of us want is a way to sleep better in the bed we use every night. The Sleep Number i8 is a smart way to solve the problem. It’s expensive for what you get, but the controls are easy for anyone to use, and the results were undeniable. I had a team of three people set up and install the i8 mattress, which came with a base on legs, extra pillowcases, a mattress cover, and even a plush bedspread (items not included in the price of the mattress). Apart from all of the tech features that I’ll explain more fully in a moment, it’s important to point out that the mattress itself is designed to send you to la-la land quickly. Even reading the specs makes me sleepy.
There’s three inches of foam padding in a 13-inch fabric top cover that uses antimicrobial agents and woven material to keep you from getting too hot or too cold. Seven “zones” in the foam are designed to accommodate common pressure points (think elbows and knees). It’s a queen-sized bed meant for a king (or queen). The tech is interesting because it really encourages trial and error. Sleep Number, as we all know from the commercials, lets you dial-in a firmness using the included remote control. After each night, you get a Sleep Number rating that’s usually somewhere between 50 and 90. It’s essentially a measure of how well you slept, how much you moved around, and how often you got out of bed. The remote control lets you adjust the firmness of the two sides of the mattress independently, and that's about it. If you dial in a Sleep Number setting of 50, for example, and then get a rating of 70 for the night, you can try a higher or lower setting to see if your score improves.
Call it the gamification of sleep, but few people score higher than 90. The mattress uses two air chambers—on each side of the bed—to increase or reduce its firmness to accommodate you and your bedfellow’s preferences. The company also provides printed materials, web info, and even tech-support folks who can explain how your diet, when you go to bed, how often you exercise, and other factors can affect your sleep patterns. I started at setting that were too high—between 80 and 85—and for about a month, my nightly scores were between 70 and 75. An iPad app (there’s a version for Android and a browser-based app, too) tracked my settings and reported the resulting scores for the day, week, and month. I liked the experimentation, especially when I started seeing results. I cranked down my number to 50 after hearing that most people use a setting of between 35 and 50, and I started sleeping better immediately. My week scores ranged up as high as 85 and even 90. I felt better, and so did my wife, who used a much firmer setting of about 75.
The data speaks volumes. If you’re going to spend almost $3,000 on a bed, it had better perform. One reason I’m a fan of this tech is that, after consistently scoring above 80, I noticed how I worked faster during the day and those around me said I wasn’t as cranky. I felt more energized and even started biking more often during the day. The whole process is different from the Kingsdown Sleep Smart Intuitive mattress, which does all of these adjustments for you but for three times the price. The Sleep Number i8 is a barebones “tech” mattress that connects to your existing Wi-Fi network, so you can monitor your sleep from anywhere—not just on your home network. Sleep Number's Sleep IQ app is available for Android and iOS. AS shown here, there's also a browser-based version for Macs and PCs. The Kingsdown mattress I tested offered more data about how often I tossed around each night, let me adjust the base (raising the head or foot), and it even had a vibration/massage mode.
Sleep Number also offers higher-end beds with adjustable bases and vibration options, but the basic tech features are the same. The Sleep Number i8 remote control is also bare bones. You can adjust the firmness of the left and right sides independently, and you can see your sleep score, but that’s about it. An added feature that let me see my history for the week would have been handy; once I found the ideal setting, I mostly forgot all about the remote. I’m a big fan of both high-tech beds, but I wouldn’t recommend buying either the Sleep Number i8 or the more-expensive Kingsdown if you have no trouble sleeping on a more conventional mattress. No mattress will last forever, so bear in mind that replacing it with an equivalent model will set you back another three—or 10-plus—grand in eight to 10 years. On the other hand, it’s remarkably helpful to make adjustments to your mattress as your sleep patterns change, so you can maintain the quality of your sleep. The Sleep Number i8 is an exceptional product that helped me enjoy my waking hours even more.
To comment on this article and other TechHive content, visit our Facebook page or our Twitter feed.Nothing is more relaxing than snuggling into bed after a long day. But buying a mattress? That event is almost ZERO parts zen. There's much to consider when hunting for the centerpiece of your bedroom -- but the mattress-buying process doesn't have to be a nightmare. Here's a quick briefing that will ensure your shopping trip is as smooth as a midday nap. There is indeed a "cheapest" time to buy. Most experts recommend purchasing a mattress near a holiday -- like Presidents Day, Labor Day, the Fourth of July, and Memorial Day -- or in the month of May, when mattresses are usually marked down in showrooms. In January, you can start prepping for your mattress purchase at "white sales," which are deeply discounted sales for bedding. Higher prices does not mean better sleep. One of the biggest complaints when buying a mattress is price, and figuring out why they cost so damn much.
This is usually attributed to large markups, which depends on the brand. We recommend staying in the $500 to $1200 range, as anything over that price doesn't necessarily indicate better quality or better sleep, and probably has the same amount of cushioning and support as more expensive mattresses. You can negotiate your price. Though it may surprise most people, it is possible to negotiate the price at most of the bigger mattress chains. Robin Wilson, an eco-friendly interior design expert, says that if you bargain "at a department store, you might be able to get tax taken off the mattress price, or delivery for free." You'll also have a better chance of getting a discount or redeeming a coupon if you go to the store to purchase a mattress, rather than buying online. "Firm" mattresses are not the same "firmness" everywhere. Yes, labels may tout a mattress's level of firmness, but one brand's "firm" may be another brand's "soft," according to Consumer Reports Expert Shopper Tod Marks.
"The only way to determine if the cushiness and the firmness is right for you is to lie down on the bed and try it for yourself," he says. It's harder to return a mattress than you think. Most mattress retailers (from IKEA to Tempur-Pedic) will allow you to try out your mattress for up to 90 days, but they differ on the amount of money you'll get back if you return it. Other stores require an exchange fee or disposal fee, which can cost hundreds of dollars. There are organic options. The squishy foam on mattresses is often made from petroleum oil, which (not surprisingly) can cause health problems for some. Organic mattress brands like Keesa use their own foams that put plant oils into the mix. While they may be more costly, all-natural mattresses are worth it, says Wilson. "We spend one third of our lives sleeping," she explains. "Consider your mattress a health investment." You can order a mattress online as easily as you can order a pair of shoes. Yup, you'll find mattresses right in the Amazon store, many listed with free shipping.