Sleep Number does offer a memory foam topper model that I didn't try because we don't like memory foam feeling, so if the plush feeling is important to you, keep this in mind. Even at the less firm settings I don't get that same sinking in and cradling that you get with memory foam. I also will add that I don't get a plush, memory foam feel from this mattress. I'm probably not using the best description, but just be aware that it may feel different than you are expecting from past mattresses. Its almost like you are buoyant, pushed up with the top layer foam supporting you rather than sinking in. The feeling of the sleep number mattress is different and hard to explain. If you're really struggling I expect you call their customer service, they also may offer some good suggestions and coaching. I think this is also Sleep Number's recommendation too. My suggestion to you and anyone else reading this is to not be afraid to go to a setting far from where you think is comfortable, especially on the firm side and spend a few nights at each setting and slowly work your way down the scale and see how it goes. I think this is one source of the internet complaints in that some people have a mismatch between what feels comfortable when they immediately lie down and what feels comfortable for an entire night of sleep and they get frustrated trying to find the best setting. Also in my experience, small changes in the setting can have noticeable changes in comfort so you really shouldn't do the massive changes from firm to soft and expect to learn anything. That said, finding your best firmness setting can be slow and tedious as it requires to actually sleep in the setting. What I've found is I am actually most comfortable sleeping in a more firm mattress than I would have thought as a firmer setting has helped me the most with some hip pain. At the time I was only thinking of the selection between sides of the bed but what I did not appreciate is how little we understand of what is personally comfortable for actually sleeping.

What brought me to sleep number is the adjustability. I'm surprised I wrote as much as I did below, but I guess this is what happens with a quiet morning and absolutely nothing else to do. I found this subreddit during my shopping experience and continue to lurk because I find the mattress shopping experience to be fascinating for some reason. For context, I'm just a customer and not a sales person or some other shill. The internet can be a strange beast sometimes. Like you I was concerned about the volume and extreme opinions against sleep number, but nothing like these have been my experience and I've been satisfied with all aspects of the product and experience. I would have gone for the i10, but it wasn't on sale and the price difference between this and the i8 just didn't make sense to me. I spent time with the p5, i8 and i10 and selected the i8 based on best feel for the price. I'm in my 4th month with an i8/Flex3 and both my spouse and I are very happy with no regrets.

Sleep number p5 review