The Sleep Number bed, produced by Select Comfort, was introduced in 1987. Furniture/Today has ranked it as the number-one bedding retailer in America for six consecutive years. The company's net sales in 2005 totaled $691 million.

A Sleep Number mattress uses air chamber technology rather than metal innersprings. It is adjustable to personal preferences, and the two sides of the bed can be adjusted separately if you choose a double chamber. Your Sleep Number can be between zero and 100, with the firmness of the mattress increasing as the numbers rise. It is based on your height, weight, body shape, sleep position and personal preferences.

Sleep Number mattresses come in eight sizes: twin, twin extra long, full, queen, expanded queen, king, California king and grand king. The expanded queen is ten percent larger than a traditional queen. At 80 x 98 inches, the grand king offers 30 percent more space than a traditional king.

The best-selling model is the Sleep Number 5000. This mattress comes in traditional or pillow-top styles, with a thickness up to 12-1/2 inches. You can choose two wired or one wireless remote. The top-of-the-line Sleep Number 9000 has a dual foam layering system, is 16 inches thick, and is covered with a double-sided duvet-style pillow top. One side is silk and rayon for a cool feel in warmer months, and the other side is woven-knit for warmth in cold seasons.