Written by Lisa Bowman, Writer
If you’re confused by the differences between Sleep Number beds, you’re not alone! Sleep Number sells smart luxury air beds in its 360® range, all featuring adjustable firmness, integrated sleep quality tracking, and DualAir technology (in Full size upwards) that allows you to customize each side of the bed.
The company doesn’t offer much detail on its website about the nuances between each bed, but don’t worry – we’re here to do that today with the Sleep Number 360® i8 and Sleep Number 360® iLE. Both 12-inch beds are in the Innovation series, which features the brand’s plushest and most luxurious comfort layers. Let’s see what they’re both about.
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsTrial Period
100 nights
Product
Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsTrial Period
100 nightsSleep Number 360 i8 Smart Mattress
The 360° i8 is one of Sleep Number’s plushest smart air beds, with adjustable firmness and seven-zoned contouring.
Read Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Mattress Review
Save $600
Material
Other
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Flat-rate white glove delivery
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
15-year limited warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Mattress
The 360° i8 is one of Sleep Number’s plushest smart air beds, with adjustable firmness and seven-zoned contouring.
Read Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Mattress Review
Material
Other
Warranty
15-year limited warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Flat-rate white glove delivery
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Mattress
The 360° i8 is one of Sleep Number’s plushest smart air beds, with adjustable firmness and seven-zoned contouring.
Read Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Mattress Review
Material
Other
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
15-year limited warranty
Shipping Method
Flat-rate white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Quick Comparison: Sleep Number 360® i8 vs Sleep Number 360® iLE
Who I’d Recommend the Sleep Number 360® i8 For
- Back sleepers – While both beds are on the plush side due to their thick comfort foams, the i8 offers a little more support as it features slightly denser foam. This may appeal to back sleepers who are seeking pressure relief and a little extra lifting in the lumbar area.
- Those on a smaller budget – The i8 is 3,999 dollars for a Queen, compared to 5,399 dollars for an iLE Queen. This is a considerable price difference, so those who have a little less money to spend may be swayed by the lower cost of the i8.
- People seeking full body contouring – The i8 has seven-zoned contouring, compared to the five-zoned contouring in the iLE. This means you get additional support at the head, neck, and feet.
Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart Mattress
A high-tech smart bed with 20 firmness options that adjusts itself during the night based on your movements.
Read Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart Mattress Review
Material
Other
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Flat-rate white glove delivery
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
15-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$$
Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart Mattress
A high-tech smart bed with 20 firmness options that adjusts itself during the night based on your movements.
Read Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart Mattress Review
Material
Other
Warranty
15-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Flat-rate white glove delivery
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$$
Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart Mattress
A high-tech smart bed with 20 firmness options that adjusts itself during the night based on your movements.
Read Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart Mattress Review
Material
Other
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
15-year warranty
Shipping Method
Flat-rate white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$$
Who I’d Recommend the Sleep Number 360® iLE For
- Hot sleepers – The iLE features an exclusive cooling foam, which is super soft and designed to be breathable, helping to dissipate body heat. The extra spend for the iLE could be worth it for those who tend to sleep hot.
- People looking for a plusher bed – Both beds have pretty plush comfort layers compared to other Sleep Number beds, but Sleep Number has used its softest foam in the iLE, which could attract those who love a squishy, cozy feel.
- Light to average-weight side sleepers with joint pain – We think both beds suit side sleepers, but those with significant pain may prefer the softer foam in the iLE, which should help ease pressure and soothe painful joints.
Comparing Sleep Number 360® i8 vs Sleep Number 360® iLE: Top Similarities
- Adjustable firmness – Both beds offer Sleep Number’s adjustable firmness, with a choice of 20 settings. These can be programmed manually or automatically using the Responsive Air™ feature, which adjusts firmness hourly during the night, depending on your sleeping position.
- Integrated sleep tracking – The SleepIQ® app is offered with both beds. Pressure sensors in the mattress measure biometrics to assess heart rate, breathing rate, and movement. You’ll receive a SleepIQ® score in the morning, letting you know the quality of your sleep.
- The ‘trench effect’ – In both beds, Full size and larger models feature DualAir technology, which means they have two air chambers that can be customized individually. While this is great for partners who have different firmness preferences, it often means a gap appears between the two chambers, which can make sleeping together in the middle of the bed uncomfortable.
Comparing Sleep Number 360® i8 vs Sleep Number 360® iLE: Key Differences
- Cooling – The i8 features Smart3D fabric in the cover, which is designed to feel cool to the touch and be 50 percent more breathable than other fabrics. However, if you’re looking for extra cooling, the iLE has a breathable cooling foam in the comfort layer, which should prevent excess body heat from being trapped in the bed.
- Contouring – Targeted contouring offers cushioning and support where you need it most. The i8 offers seven-zoned targeting at the head and neck, shoulders, lumbar, hips, knees, lower legs, and feet, while the iLE has five-zoned support.
- Price – Both beds are quite similar, with 12-inch profiles, 6-inch comfort layers, and the same smart technology, but the iLE is more expensive, at 5,399 dollars for an iLE Queen compared to 3,999 dollars for the same size in the i8. The cooling foam in the iLE increases the price, so if you’re not bothered by that, the i8 may offer better value.
Comparing Firmness, Support & Feel
Firmness
We rate mattress firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. It’s hard to give a definitive rating for either bed as they both feature adjustable firmness.
Each bed offers 20 firmness levels – or Sleep Numbers – which range from 1 to 100. The air chambers inflate/deflate accordingly, and this can be controlled manually via the supplied remote or the SleepIQ® app. You can also turn on the Responsive Air™ feature, which adjusts firmness automatically, depending on your movements.
Support
Overall, both beds feel quite plush and are two of Sleep Number’s softest beds due to the foams used. The i8 offers full-body seven-zoned contouring in its PlushFit foam, which allows for even weight distribution, while the iLE has five-zoned contouring and features Sleep Number’s softest foam.
Despite their plushness, the targeted support foams make both suitable for light to average-weight stomach sleepers. We think back sleepers might feel more supported on the i8 with its extra contouring.
Feel
The i8 feels cool to the touch with its Smart 3D fabric cover, while the Hypersoft quilted pillow top eases you down to experience a gentle cradle from the seven-zoned comfort foam.
The iLE feels a little more plush, with its fluffy pillow top offering a super cozy feel that sinks you into the five-zoned breathable foam, which helps keep you cool while contouring the body.
Comparing Sinkage and Bounce
The i8 feels cool to the touch with its Smart 3D fabric cover, while the Hypersoft quilted pillow top eases you down to experience a gentle cradle from the seven-zoned comfort foam.
The iLE feels a little more plush, with its fluffy pillow top offering a super cozy feel that sinks you into the five-zoned breathable foam, which helps keep you cool while contouring the body.
Comparing Motion Transfer
The i8 and iLE both offer great motion isolation, thanks to their 6-inch comfort layers and dual air chambers (in beds designed for two people).
The comfort layers help to absorb motion, and having two air chambers means that any movement your partner (or pet) makes on their side of the bed should stay there. This is essential for light sleepers who share with restless partners, as it means you won’t be disturbed by their tossing and turning. Plus, the air chambers aren’t particularly bouncy.
We’d recommend both beds for shoppers who value motion isolation.
Comparing Cooling
Both of these products are air beds, which are known for sleeping cooler than regular beds. However, the addition of foam can ramp up the heat factor. This is combated in the Sleep Number 360® i8 with a breathable Smart 3D fabric cover, which is designed to be 50 percent more breathable than other fabrics, helping to dissipate body heat and staying cool to the touch.
The iLE has a breathable poly-blend cover but also features an exclusive breathable cooling foam in the comfort layer. Both beds sleep fairly cool, but the iLE may be a better choice for hot sleepers due to its cooling foam.
Comparing Construction (Materials & Quality)
Sleep Number 360® i8 Construction
The 12-inch Sleep Number 360® i8 is a smart air bed with a 6-inch comfort layer. The cover is made from Smart 3D fabric that’s cool to the touch and designed to be 50 percent more breathable than other fabrics.
- The duvet-style pillow top is quilted to the cover and made from Hypersoft Foam, to provide gentle cushioning.
- The rest of the comfort layer is made from PlushFit Foam, which has seven-zoned contouring for pressure relief.
- The air support system is made of 24-gauge vulcanized rubber air chambers, covered with cotton. Twin XL size has one air chamber, while Full size and up has two. Firmness is adjusted by inflating/deflating the air chambers via a hose and pump, which are concealed in the mattress. This is done using a remote control or the SleepIQ® app. Foam perimeter walls provide edge support.
- The base pad features one inch of high-density foam, giving the air chambers something to bounce off of.
Sleep Number 360® iLE Construction
The Sleep Number 360® iLE is a 12-inch smart air bed with a 6-inch comfort layer. It features a breathable, sweat-wicking poly-blend cover.
- The 3-inch pillow top is super fluffy and designed to make you feel like you’re sleeping on a cozy cloud.
- The rest of the comfort layer is 3 inches thick, made with a breathable, cooling foam that’s exclusive to this model. Five-zoned support offers gentle contouring for the body.
- The air support system is made from 24-gauge vulcanized rubber air chambers – Twin XL size features one chamber, while Full size and larger has two. Firmness is adjusted using the supplied remote control or the SleepIQ® app, which inflates or deflates the mattress via a concealed hose and pump. Edge support is provided by a high-density foam wall.
- The base layer is made from a 1-inch thick pad of high-density foam that cushions the air chamber(s).
Comparing Company Policies & Price
- Warranty – Both beds come with Sleep Number’s 15-year limited warranty. This covers the full cost of repair in the first year. In the second year, you’ll have to pay 30 percent of the cost, and this rises incrementally, maxing out at 85 percent in the fifteenth and final year.
- Shipping – Customers must purchase mandatory premium delivery for both the i8 and iLE, which costs 249 dollars, and is available in selected areas of all 50 states. (Other areas may be possible, but these will incur an additional fee.) This includes the removal of your old mattress to another room in your house, installation of your new bed, and a demonstration of how to use it. Your old mattress can be taken away and recycled for an extra 49 dollars.
- Trial Period – You’ll have 100 nights to test out the i8 and iLE.
- Returns – Sleep Number will refund you in full should you decide to return either bed. Beds can be returned within the 100-night trial, so long as you’ve tried them for at least 30 nights. However, you’ll have to pay the cost of the return, which can be organized by Sleep Number for 249 dollars plus tax.
- Price – The Sleep Number 360® iLE is considerably more expensive than the i8 due to its breathable cooling foam layer, which is exclusive to this model.
Sleep Number 360® i8 vs. Sleep Number 360® iLE Compared Side-by-Side
[table “1119nbsp” not found /]Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing between the i8 and the iLE, there are two key factors at play – price and cooling. If budget’s your main concern, the i8 is a considerably cheaper option that still offers the plushness of a Sleep Number Innovation bed with all the Sleep Number smart technology. If sleeping cool is what you want, the iLE comes out on top with its breathable cover and exclusive cooling foam.
We recommend both beds for light to average-weight stomach and side sleepers, as most should be able to find a firmness setting that offers pressure relief and support – back sleepers may prefer the seven-zoned contouring on the i8.
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsTrial Period
100 nights
Product
Sleep Number 360 iLE Smart MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsTrial Period
100 nightsMore Sleep Number 360® Comparisons:
Lisa Bowman
Writer
About Author
Lisa is a content writer for Sleep Advisor, which combines two of her greatest passions – writing and sleeping. She can also be found writing about fitness, sustainability and vegan food.
Combination Sleeper