How to Save Hundreds on a Sleep Number Bed
Have you seen the infomercials proclaiming the benefits and exciting innovation of the sleep number bed, only to be disappointed by the high price tag? Well what you may not realize is that there are many other brands of air mattresses like sleep number beds available online for a fraction of the price. Many of these beds posses features comparable to if not better than the major brand and can be located by a doing a little online research.
Before you start shopping, you should be familiar with the basic components and functions of air mattresses. These are much more sophisticated than your average blow up air mattress used for guests and camping. The adjustable nature of the mattresses comes from the ability to adjust the air pressure of a chamber beneath the sleeper. This is done using a hand control attached to an electronic pump, which is placed behind or underneath the bed. Keep in mind that your bed will need to have an outlet nearby for the pump to connect to.
As for the mattress itself, most will have a similar design. Usually, the top part of the mattress will zip off to reveal the air chambers below. There should be some type of moisture barrier between the top of the mattress and the chambers to prevent mold and mildew from forming. Atop the chambers, there may be a sheet of foam for added protection as well. The air chambers themselves should be about six inches or so in height and should be composed of at least 24 gauge rubber for optimal safety. Galvanized rubber will typically prove to be the most durable material. Look for air chambers which have a baffled design. This will keep the air flow even and provide a more comfortable surface.
Each air mattress manufacturer will use their own type of barrier system to keep the air chambers in place. Sleep number beds use design which places a foam bar in the center when two chambers are used. There are many reports of this feeling like a bar down the center of the bed, so if you are looking for a dual chamber air mattress, you may want to avoid designs like this. Other companies utilize a design in which two slings keep the chambers in place and side by side for a more seamless feel.
Other features you should check for include hand controls and safety. Any decent air mattress will include hand controls which can be either hardwired or wireless. While wireless remotes may seem more convenient, keep in mind that if you lose or cannot find your remote, than you cannot adjust your bed. The control should have a digital, backlit design so that it can be easily adjusted at night. Make sure the air pump is listed with UL and/or ETL for safety. Quality mattresses will also be equipped with a feature which allows the bed to retain its air if the power goes out. Also, remember that with platform beds and adjustable beds, you will not need a foundation or boxspring.
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