Saatva Solaire vs. Sleep Number i8 360 (2024)

Written by Olivera Jancikin, Content Writer

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In This Article

Saatva Solaire vs. Sleep Number i8 360: which high-tech bed is better for you? Find out now.

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High-tech features go head to head with luxurious comfort in our comparison between the Saatva Solaire and Sleep Number mattresses. Sleep Number is known for producing innovative adjustable beds, and the 360 i8 Smart Bed is one of the brand’s most popular models. The Saatva Solaire features the same high-end feel as many of the other Saatva models, with the added benefit of adjustable firmness.

Stay tuned as we compare their firmness, cooling, materials, and overall performance. Does the smart technology of the Sleep Number or the superior comfort of the Saatva Solaire best fit your needs?

Comparing Firmness, Support & Feel

Firmness

We rate mattresses on a firmness scale from one to ten, but these beds come with a variety of firmness levels, which makes it difficult to score them.

The Saatva Solaire has 50 firmness levels, so the general feel ranges anywhere from a 4 out of 10 (soft) to a 7 out of 10 (firm), although the exact feel may vary depending on your weight. The Sleep Number 360 i8 offers 20 firmness levels, but the mattress picks the best level for you based on your weight and sleeping position (although you can still adjust this level manually if needed).

Support

Both the Saatva Solaire and the Sleep Number are adjustable air beds that feature several comfort layers. Additionally, both mattresses offer adjustable firmness, so you can choose the level of pressure relief and support that best fits your needs.

This allows you to target the areas where you need the most support, such as the lower back or shoulders. For those who need support, we recommend using a higher firmness level while those looking for more pressure relief are better off with a lower firmness setting.

If you like firm beds, explore our picks for the Best Firm Mattresses.

Feel

You should notice that both beds feel luxurious and well-made. Depending on whether you want a softer or firmer mattress, you can adjust the exact feel by adjusting the bed’s firmness level.

The Saatva Solaire takes its luxurious feel up a notch with its plush Euro top, which offers a soft surface to sink into. While the Sleep Number 360 i8 doesn’t have quite as plush of a surface, it offers six inches of foam for a similar level of contouring.

Comparing Sinkage and Bounce

The Saatva Solaire mattress contains Talalay latex in its transition layer. Latex is a bouncy material, so you may notice this bed feels bouncier than the Sleep Number’s smart bed. Although the Sleep Number mattress doesn’t have latex, it can still offer bounce depending on the firmness level you choose.

Firmness plays a significant role in how much sinkage you’ll experience, regardless of which one of these beds you choose. If you set your mattress to a lower firmness setting, you’ll notice more sinkage, as opposed to the more supportive feel a higher firmness level offers.

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Comparing Motion Transfer

Motion transfer is a major concern for couples and people who share their beds with kids or pets. Some people wake up easily (aka light sleepers), so any movement may disturb their sleep. Luckily, both beds are made entirely out of foam which is an excellent material for isolating motion. Although the Saatva may feel slightly bouncier, you’re unlikely to notice a major difference in motion isolation. This is thanks to the memory foam comfort layer that rests above the latex material.

Both beds should excel at motion isolation, although their capacity to limit motion transfer may vary slightly as you adjust the firmness level.

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Comparing Cooling

Although both mattresses are made from foam, overheating shouldn’t be an issue. Both beds incorporate cooling tech into their designs so hot sleepers should be happy with either.
The Sleep Number 360 i8 mattress has a cooling cover made from Smart 3D fabric. The material’s designed to balance the bed’s temperature by absorbing body heat and drawing it away from the mattress.

On the other hand, the Solaire has a gel-infused memory foam that prevents the bed from overheating. In addition to this layer, the Solaire’s Talalay latex layer also works to promote cooling. Latex is known for its breathability, so this adjustable mattress isn’t likely to retain heat.

Comparing Construction (Materials & Quality)

Saatva Solaire Construction

The Saatva Solaire mattress is 13 inches tall, featuring a 3-inch Euro top with Lumbar Zone® quilting. Beneath this Euro top are four more layers which include gel-infused memory foam and latex. For added edge support, a firm enclosure works with a box-baffle design to create a stable base.

The Solaire also features a hypoallergenic organic cotton cover that’s been treated with Saatva’s proprietary Guardin™ botanical antimicrobial treatment.

• Below the top is a 1-inch layer of Talalay latex. The material is bouncy and responsive, which should make repositioning easy.
• Next is the transition layer made from 2 inches of gel-infused memory foam. This layer should prevent overheating by pulling heat away from your body.
• Further down is a 1-inch moisture barrier that helps support a healthier sleep environment by preventing bacteria growth.
• The air chambers come next. This layer is 6 inches tall and made from vulcanized latex, acting as the main support system.
• The base layer is an inch of convoluted poly foam.

Sleep Number 360 i8 Construction

The Sleep Number 360 i8 mattress is a smart bed with adjustable firmness. The construction measures 12 inches tall, and starts with a unique cover made from Smart 3D fabric – a temperature-balancing material designed to cool the surface of the bed. The fabric absorbs your body heat and pulls it away from the surface to prevent build-up.

Two more layers lie under the cover.

• The comfort layer is 6 inches thick. It’s made up of two types of foam that should provide a comfortable amount of pressure relief and cushioning.
• The support layer is where the magic happens. The air chambers connect to the hose and pump, allowing you to adjust the firmness manually, although the bed can also do this automatically. Keep in mind that a Full-size mattress (and any size larger) has two air chambers and, with that, the brand’s DualAir technology. This technology enables couples to adjust each side to their individual preferences without impacting their partner’s settings.

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Comparing Company Policies & Price

• Warranty – Saatva offers a lifetime warranty with their Solaire mattress, while Sleep Number offers a 15-year warranty.
• Shipping – Saatva ships the Solaire mattress for free within the contiguous US and also offers free White Glove Delivery. Sleep Number requires you to purchase their professional delivery service when you buy any Sleep Number 360 bed. This service is similar to Saatva’s White Glove Delivery, but costs an additional 249 dollars.
• Trial Period – Sleep Number gives you 100 nights to test the 360 i8, while you have 365 nights to try the Solaire bed.
• Returns – Saatva will take the mattress back if you’re not happy with it and will offer you a full refund, as long as you return it within the trial period. However, there is a $99 processing fee. Sleep Number operates in a similar way, allowing you to return its smart bed for a 29.99-dollar fee.
• Price – The 360 i8 mattress is noticeably more expensive than the Solaire, regardless of which size you choose. The price difference is likely because the 360 i8 is a smart bed.

Size	Saatva Price (w/o discount)	Sleep Number Price (w/o discount)
Twin	N/A	N/A
Twin XL	$2,525	$3,449
Full	$3,395	$3,724
Queen	$3,595	$3,899
King	$4,145	$4,599
Cali King	$4,145	$4,599
Split King	$5,050	$5,699
Split Cali King	$5,050	$5,699
FlexTop King	N/A	$5,699
FlexTop Cali King	N/A	$5,699