TL;DR
The Sleep Number P6 pairs air-chamber firmness control with in-bed sensors that log breathing, heart rate and sleep metrics and auto-adjust pressure zones. In a three-week test, the P6 delivered customizable pressure relief but showed inconsistencies in sleep scoring and depends on app, Wi‑Fi and power to function.
What happened
A reviewer tested Sleep Number’s P6 from the Performance Series alongside the FlexFit 3 adjustable base to evaluate pressure relief, automated adjustments and biometric tracking. The P6 is an 11-inch air mattress that adds an inch of ceramic gel foam and uses dual air chambers plus five smaller comfort zones to tune support; hoses connect those chambers to an under‑bed engine that inflates or deflates each side. The mattress offers 100 firmness settings through the Sleep Number app, but the reviewer found perceptible differences primarily in increments of about 10 and settled in the 40–50 range while a partner preferred the upper 60s. The bed’s Responsive Air mode automatically redistributes pressure in real time, which the reviewer felt working on shoulder pressure but sometimes found jarring when the engine ran at night. Sensors located beneath the mattress supply SleepIQ analytics—time to fall asleep, restlessness, sleep time, leaving the bed, breathing rate, heart rate and HRV—and produced an average Sleep Score of 74 over the test period. The P6 requires an account and Wi‑Fi to operate; a separate adjustable base unlocks incline/decline features and includes timed foot warming.
Why it matters
- Fine-grain firmness and zoned air chambers let each side of the bed be tuned for different sleepers, which can help couples find personalized support.
- Built‑in sensors and SleepIQ aim to replace wearables for nightly biometrics, consolidating sleep tracking into the mattress itself.
- Dependence on the app, Wi‑Fi and an under‑bed motor creates failure modes—power outages or connectivity issues can render adjustments and tracking inoperative.
- Data collection is significant: Sleep Number offers an opt‑in research pool and says it doesn’t sell data, so buyers should review privacy settings before sharing.
- Some users may find the motorized adjustments disruptive overnight, so responsiveness can be both a benefit and a nuisance.
Key facts
- Reviewer score from source outlet: 7/10.
- P6 mattress height: 11 inches, with an extra inch of ceramic gel foam versus other Performance Series models.
- Offers 100 firmness levels via dual air chambers; each side has its own air system.
- Responsive Air uses five zoned comfort chambers and sensors to auto‑adjust pressure in real time; this can be toggled off in the app.
- SleepIQ tracks sleep metrics including time to fall asleep, restlessness, actual sleep time, leaving the bed, breathing rate, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV).
- Sensors for biometrics are located at the bottom of the bed and perform a ballistocardiograph‑style measurement according to Sleep Number.
- Operational requirements: Sleep Number app, a user account and home Wi‑Fi; under‑bed engine plugs into wall power.
- Shipping fees reported between $150–$350; 100‑night sleep trial and a 15‑year limited warranty; memory foam is CertiPUR‑certified.
- About 610 Sleep Number retail locations in the United States according to the source.
- Approximately 550,000 customers have opted into Sleep Number’s data sharing for research, per company comments in the review.
What to watch next
- How closely SleepIQ scores and biometric readings align with skin‑contact wearables over longer timeframes — the reviewer noted nightly score variance of up to 10 points compared with a wrist tracker.
- Reliability during power outages and whether owners add backup power to prevent the bed from deflating or going offline.
- Privacy settings and consent choices for data sharing; Sleep Number says it doesn’t sell data and users can withdraw consent, but buyers should review the policy themselves.
- Whether motorized Responsive Air adjustments continue to be disruptive for sleepers over longer use (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Air chamber mattress: A mattress construction that uses inflatable chambers to change firmness by adding or releasing air.
- Responsive Air: Sleep Number’s feature that detects pressure changes and automatically adjusts zoned air chambers to redistribute support.
- SleepIQ: Sleep Number’s analytics system that aggregates sensor data into sleep metrics and a nightly sleep score.
- Heart rate variability (HRV): A measure of the variation in time intervals between heartbeats, used as an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity.
- Adjustable base: A powered bed frame that changes head and foot incline independently, often adding features like timed foot warming.
Reader FAQ
How many firmness settings does the P6 offer?
The mattress supports 100 numbered firmness levels, controlled through air chambers and the Sleep Number app.
Does the P6 track biometrics and sleep metrics?
Yes. Built‑in sensors feed SleepIQ analytics that include sleep time, restlessness, time to fall asleep, leaving the bed, breathing rate, heart rate and HRV.
Do I need an adjustable base to use the mattress?
A base is not required to use the mattress, but a separate adjustable base is needed to independently change head and foot angles and access some features.
What happens if Wi‑Fi or power fails?
The mattress requires the app and a plugged‑in engine to manage firmness; the source notes that power disruptions can cause the bed to go offline or deflate.
Is the Sleep Number data sold to third parties?
Sleep Number’s policy, as described in the source, states it does not sell customer information; sharing for research is opt‑in and users can withdraw consent.
JULIA FORBES GEAR DEC 26, 2025 6:32 AM Review: Sleep Number P6 Smart Bed Odds are you've heard of this nearly 40-year-old adjustable mattress company. Are its contemporary models worth…
Sources
- Sleep Number P6 Smart Bed Review: Advanced and Adaptive
- P6 Smart Bed – Mattresses
- Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed Review: Is It Right for You?
- Sleep Number p6 smart bed Mattress Review
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