What Is a Sleep Number Mattress Made Of? Materials, Layers, and FAQs

If you’re asking “What Is a Sleep Number Mattress Made Of”, you’re likely trying to understand what’s inside these adjustable beds and how they differ from traditional mattresses. This FAQ-style guide breaks down the main components, materials, and common questions in clear, neutral terms.

What Is a Sleep Number Mattress Made Of at Its Core?

While designs vary by model, most adjustable air mattresses of this style share a similar basic structure. Instead of a solid foam or spring core, they rely on:

  • Air chambers as the main support system
  • Foam comfort layers above the air chambers
  • A fabric cover encasing the whole mattress
  • Edge support and internal framing to maintain shape
  • A hose and pump system (usually external to the main sleep surface)

These elements work together to allow firmness adjustments by adding or releasing air, rather than changing the foam or springs inside.

What Are the Air Chambers Made Of?

The air chambers are the heart of what people are asking about when they search “What Is a Sleep Number Mattress Made Of”.

Material of the air chambers

Typically, air chambers in this category of mattress are made from:

  • Durable polymer or rubber-like materials, often similar to vinyl or urethane-based materials
  • Heat-sealed seams to keep the chambers airtight
  • Internal baffling (internal walls) to keep the air from shifting too much

These materials are chosen to be flexible yet strong, able to expand and contract repeatedly as the firmness is adjusted.

Single vs. dual air chambers

In many queen and larger sizes:

  • Single chamber designs use one large air chamber across the width.
  • Dual chamber designs use two separate air chambers, one for each side, allowing each sleeper to pick a different firmness level.

The material of the chambers is usually similar; the main difference is how they are divided and controlled.

What Types of Foam Are Used in the Comfort Layers?

On top of the air chambers, you’ll typically find foam comfort layers that influence feel and pressure distribution.

Common types of foam used include:

  • Standard polyurethane foam for basic cushioning and support
  • Memory foam-style materials designed to contour more closely to the body
  • Polyfoam with different firmness zones to create softer and firmer regions
  • In some models, gel-infused foams or other specialty foams aimed at changing the feel or temperature response of the surface

The thickness and type of foam can vary widely between models. Some have thinner comfort layers for a firmer, more responsive feel; others use thicker foam stacks for more cushioning.

What About the Mattress Cover and Outer Fabric?

The outer cover is what you see and touch every night, and it plays a role in comfort and durability.

Common cover materials

Mattress covers in this category often include:

  • Knitted polyester or polyester blends for stretch and softness
  • Quilted patterns with light fiberfill for a slightly plush surface
  • Side panels made from more durable woven or mesh fabrics

Some designs may incorporate moisture-wicking or breathable knit patterns, but the exact features vary by model. The cover is usually not removable for full washing, but may allow for spot cleaning, depending on manufacturer care instructions.

Is There Any Metal or Frame Inside the Mattress?

Inside the mattress itself, you usually will not find traditional metal springs. However, there may be:

  • Internal foam or polymer rails around the edges for shape and edge support
  • Plastic or composite framing elements to hold the air chambers in place
  • Hose connections that link the air chambers to the external pump

Any metal components are more likely to be part of the external base, frame, or pump unit, not the mattress core itself.

Are There Any Chemicals or Off-Gassing Concerns?

Many new mattresses, especially those with foam, can have a temporary “new mattress smell.” This often comes from:

  • Foam manufacturing byproducts
  • Adhesives used to bond layers
  • Packaging materials

The intensity and duration of this smell vary by product and by individual sensitivity. Many people find it fades over a short period as the mattress airs out. If you are sensitive to odors or certain materials, it can help to:

  • Let the mattress air out in a well-ventilated room
  • Review any available material or certification information from the manufacturer before purchase

How Does This Construction Compare to a Traditional Mattress?

Compared to typical innerspring or all-foam mattresses:

  • Support system

    • Adjustable air mattresses: air chambers
    • Innerspring mattresses: metal coils
    • Foam mattresses: dense foam core

  • Feel adjustments

    • Adjustable air mattresses: firmness changed by air pressure
    • Others: firmness fixed at the time of manufacture

  • Materials

    • All contain some combination of foam, fabric, and support core materials, but arranged differently.

For people asking “What Is a Sleep Number Mattress Made Of”, the key distinction is that air replaces coils or a solid foam core, while foam and fabric still play major roles in comfort.

✔️ Quick Mattress Takeaways

Key points consumers should understand about “What Is a Sleep Number Mattress Made Of”

  • Core support comes from air chambers, usually made from durable, flexible polymer or rubber-like materials.
  • Comfort layers on top are foam-based, often including standard polyurethane foam and sometimes memory-foam-style or specialty foams.
  • The outer cover is typically a knitted polyester or polyester-blend fabric, sometimes quilted for extra softness.
  • Edge support and structure are often provided by foam or composite rails rather than metal springs.
  • An external pump and hose system adjusts firmness by changing air pressure inside the chambers.
  • Material makeup can vary by model, but the overall concept—air for support, foam for comfort, fabric for the finish—remains consistent.

Understanding what a Sleep Number–style mattress is made of can help you decide if this type of adjustable air bed matches your comfort preferences, expectations about feel, and priorities around materials and construction.