Sleep Number P-6 VS. M-7- Do You Need A Mattress With Memory Foam?

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At first glance, it is easy to tell there are quite a few differences between Sleep Number’s P-6 Performance Series mattress and their M-7 Memory Series mattress. Each mattress is made with specifically designed foam and noticeably different mattress tops. Luckily, they both offer qualities that will help keep you cool at night.

So, which one should you pick? Check out our handy guide that breaks down what you need to know about each mattress.

Sleep Number P-6 vs. M-7

Compare the Sleep Number P-6 and M-7 mattresses below to see which may be best for you!
Product
Firmness
Score
Product Image
Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart Mattress
Multiple firmness options
3.7/5
Sleep Number 360 m7 Smart Mattress
Multiple firmness options
3.9/5

Sleep Number P-6 vs. M-7

Compare the Sleep Number P-6 and M-7 mattresses below to see which may be best for you!
Product Image
Product
Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart Mattress
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Score
3.7/5
Product
Sleep Number 360 m7 Smart Mattress
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Score
3.9/5

Key Similarities

  • 12″ mattress profile
  • A variety of standard sizes – including FlexTop
  • Individual or dual air chamber option with DualAir™ adjustability

Both come with these optional feature:

  • FlexFit™ Adjustable Bases

Key Differences

P-6

  • Traditional plush-style design mattress top
  • 3” of proprietary PlushFit foam
  • Mattress fabric is made with a breathable rayon/polyester knit blend with moisture-wicking technology for a cool sleep surface
  • 5 zones specifically designed to contour to your head/neck, shoulders, lower back, hips, and feet
    $3199.00 for a Queen

Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart Mattress

Product Image

The Sleep Number P-6 is the nicest model in the Performance Series set of Sleep Number beds. It not only offers** **3? of comfort foam to help relieve pressure along the body, but its knit blend will keep people cool by wicking moisture away.

Clarity Score 3.7/5

Material

Other

Trial Period

100 nights

Shipping Method

Flat-rate white glove delivery

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

15-year limited warranty

Price Range

$3199 - $4399

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.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5

Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart Mattress

Product Image

The Sleep Number P-6 is the nicest model in the Performance Series set of Sleep Number beds. It not only offers** **3? of comfort foam to help relieve pressure along the body, but its knit blend will keep people cool by wicking moisture away.

Clarity Score 3.7/5

Material

Other

Warranty

15-year limited warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Flat-rate white glove delivery

Trial Period

100 nights

Price Range

$3199 - $4399

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.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Product Image

Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart Mattress

The Sleep Number P-6 is the nicest model in the Performance Series set of Sleep Number beds. It not only offers** **3? of comfort foam to help relieve pressure along the body, but its knit blend will keep people cool by wicking moisture away.

Clarity Score 3.7/5

Material

Other

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

100 nights

Warranty

15-year limited warranty

Shipping Method

Flat-rate white glove delivery

Price Range

$3199 - $4399

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.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5

P6construction

M-7

  • Unique soft flat cover in a grey color – no pillow top (mattress top)
  • 2” foam layer underneath air chamber(s)
  • 4” gel memory foam layer with CoolFit technology above air chamber(s)
  • Mattress fabric is made with a rayon/polyester blend fabric that is designed to be soft and breathable
  • Sleep IQ Technology included
    $3999.00 for a Queen

Sleep Number 360 m7 Smart Mattress

The M-7 Sleep Number bed offers a unique blend of customizable firmness and soft cushion with its 4” layer of gel memory foam.  

Clarity Score 3.9/5

Material

Foam

Trial Period

100 nights

Shipping Method

Flat-rate white glove delivery

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

15-year limited warranty

Price Range

$3999 - $5799

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.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5

Sleep Number 360 m7 Smart Mattress

The M-7 Sleep Number bed offers a unique blend of customizable firmness and soft cushion with its 4” layer of gel memory foam.  

Clarity Score 3.9/5

Material

Foam

Warranty

15-year limited warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Flat-rate white glove delivery

Trial Period

100 nights

Price Range

$3999 - $5799

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.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5

Sleep Number 360 m7 Smart Mattress

The M-7 Sleep Number bed offers a unique blend of customizable firmness and soft cushion with its 4” layer of gel memory foam.  

Clarity Score 3.9/5

Material

Foam

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

100 nights

Warranty

15-year limited warranty

Shipping Method

Flat-rate white glove delivery

Price Range

$3999 - $5799

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.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5


What I Found From Several Live Chat Sessions

After speaking with Sleep Number Customer Service representatives, I learned about a few extra details and clarifications that may help you decide between a P-6 or a M-7 mattress.

  • Mattress Top: Because of the memory foam layer in the M-7 mattress, the mattress tops will feel significantly different in these mattresses. The P-6 is a traditional plush mattress top and the M-7 is softer and flatter (and also grey in color!).
  • Firmness: The P-6 will be a firmer mattress than the M-7. This is because the M-7 has 4” of gel memory foam, which is less dense than the 3” of PlushFit foam used in the P-6 mattress. There is an additional 2” layer of foam underneath the air chambers in the M-7 to increase sturdiness, but you will mostly be feeling the memory foam in that mattress.

RELATED: Best Mattresses Overall

Which Should People Pick?

P-6 if…

  • People Want a Traditional Mattress Top. The P-6 has a rayon/polyester knit blend with built-in moisture-wicking technology. Not only will this will help keep you cool at night but it has more of a pillow top feel than the memory foam of an M-7 mattress.
  • People Want To Spend Less. There is a $900 price difference between Queen size P-6 and M-7 mattresses. Those who are 100% sure they want a memory foam mattress should consider the M-7 otherwise it’s worth taking a hard look at the P-6 as a way to save costs.

RELATED: Sleep Number Mattress Alternatives

M-7 if…

  • People Like Memory Foam. There is 4” of gel memory foam above the air chamber(s) in the M-7 mattress. One Customer Service representative told me that the M-7 is usually only recommended for people who sleep on memory foam and who are looking to make it adjustable – by adding one of Sleep Number’s FlexFit adjustable bases.

Both if…

  • Someone Is A Hot Sleeper. The P-6 is made with moisture-wicking fabric that will pull heat away from the sleeper and keep them cool at night. The M-7 gel memory foam is made with CoolFit technology to keep the foam cooler. Both will keep you cool, but a Sleep Number team member told me that since memory foam tends to feel warmer, the cooling technology will help balance it out and prevent people from sleeping hot.

Personal Opinion

There is a staggering $900 difference in price between a Queen P-6 mattress ($3199.00) and a Queen M-7 mattress ($3999.00).

As a person who does not rely heavily on memory foam for a good night’s sleep, I would definitely go with the P-6 mattress over the M-7. In my opinion, there is still plenty of cushioning to balance out the firmness of the air chambers.

Almost every Customer Service person I talked to recommended the P-6 over the M-7, simply because the M-7 is really best suited for those who love memory foam and don’t want anything else.

The P-6 is a great option for everyone who feels like they can get over not sleeping on memory foam. It’s also a good choice for those who sleep hot and want a little cushion (it has 3” of contoured comfort foam built in).

Check out our full Sleep Number analysis

Katie Golde

Katie previously managed the day to day operations of the Mattress Clarity news site and reviews sleep products in addition to writing and editing sleep news. She hails from Austin, where she lives with her growing family. She is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and has a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and has a background in health and science content. Her work can be found in print and online publications like Discover Magazine, USA Today and The Huffington Post.