Side-by-side mattress testing · 144+ comparisons published
Updated September 2026
Category
Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed
Tuft & Needle Original
Comfort
8.8/10
8.5/10
Support
8.9/10
8.6/10
Cooling
8.5/10
8.8/10
Edge Support
8/10
8.2/10
Motion Isolation
9.5/10
8.7/10
Durability
8.3/10
8.8/10
Value
7.5/10
9.5/10
Quick Specs Comparison
Spec
Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed
Tuft & Needle Original
Price (Queen)
$3,099
$595
Type
Air Chamber
All-Foam
Firmness
5/10
6.5/10
Height
11 inches
10 inches
Trial
100 nights
100 nights
Warranty
15 years
10 years
Shipping
In-home delivery
Free shipping
Key Advantages
Why Choose Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed
- Adjustable firmness 0-100
- Dual-zone for couples
- Advanced sleep tracking
Why Choose Tuft & Needle Original
- Exceptional value for quality
- T&N Adaptive foam is responsive and cooling
- Simple, no-frills approach
Lab Verdict
Tuft & Needle Original held heat-neutral better than the Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed (3°F surface rise vs. 3.5°F). Couples should note that the Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed dampened motion more aggressively (0.07g peak vs. 0.11g). Pressure mapping put both beds well under the 32 mmHg capillary-closure threshold for side sleepers. Perimeter compression was nearly identical — neither bed is the obvious pick on edge support alone. Combo sleepers will get more rebound from the Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed (58% bounce vs. 39%).
| Metric | Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed | Tuft & Needle Original | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling (60-min Δ°F) | 3.5°F | 3°F | Tuft & Needle Original |
| Motion isolation (g) | 0.07g | 0.11g | Tie |
| Edge sinkage | 2.3" | 2.1" | Tuft & Needle Original |
| Shoulder pressure (mmHg) | 31 mmHg | 32 mmHg | Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed |
| Response time (s) | 0.6s | 1.2s | Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed |
| Off-gassing | 2 days | 2 days | Tie |
Median of 3 trials, 68°F climate-controlled lab. NL/KW / KW/BT · scoring vv2.1.