September 2, 2026 — A serious safety concern has emerged regarding the Sleep Number Flextop King i8 SmartBed, following an incident where a structural gap at the top of the mattress widened to the point of trapping a toddler. The manufacturer, Sleep Number Corporation, initially addressed the issue under warranty but later stated that a gap of up to six inches is “expected behavior” for the discontinued model, despite never disclosing this information at the point of sale.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The incident report details how a Sleep Number Flextop King i8 SmartBed, paired with a FlexFit 2 Smart Adjustable Base, developed a significant structural gap at the top of the mattress where it flexes and splits. This issue arose within the first year of normal use, with no reported misuse or abuse. The consumer first noticed the gap in November 2025 and reported it to Sleep Number. Initially, the company denied any issue, but after receiving photographic evidence, a specialist confirmed the problem, leading to a warranty repair with parts replacement. The issue was marked as resolved.
However, a few months later, the gap reappeared and continued to widen. Upon re-reporting, Sleep Number reversed its previous stance, refusing further action and claiming that a widening gap is “normal behavior” for this type of mattress. The consumer vehemently disputes this, highlighting the extreme danger posed by such a gap. Alarmingly, the consumer discovered their toddler with their face trapped inside this gap, narrowly avoiding suffocation. Sleep Number has since discontinued this mattress model. In a later response to a billing dispute, the manufacturer admitted that a gap reaching up to 6 inches is expected behavior under normal use, a fact never disclosed to the consumer at the time of purchase or in the product’s terms and conditions. The gap in question currently measures approximately 3 to 4 inches and is still widening, consistent with Sleep Number’s own admission.
Safety Concerns
The structural gap reported in the Sleep Number Flextop King i8 SmartBed presents critical safety hazards, particularly for vulnerable individuals.
- Immediate Dangers: The most pressing concern is the risk of entrapment and suffocation. As demonstrated by the incident involving a trapped toddler, a gap of several inches can easily ensnare a small child’s head or body, obstructing airways and leading to suffocation. This risk extends to infants, young children, and even small pets who may inadvertently fall into or become wedged within the gap. People with limited mobility or those who may not be able to easily extract themselves could also be at risk.
- Long-Term Risks: A widening structural gap indicates a potential design or manufacturing defect that could compromise the overall integrity and stability of the mattress and adjustable base system. This could lead to other structural failures over time, posing further risks to users.
- Who Might Be Affected: Children, especially infants and toddlers, are at extreme risk due to their smaller size and inability to self-rescue from entrapment. Small pets could also be at risk. Individuals with certain disabilities or medical conditions that impair movement could also face increased danger if they become trapped.
- Property Damage Potential: While the primary concern highlighted by the incident is personal safety, a significant structural defect could, in extreme cases, contribute to accelerated wear or damage to associated bedding or bed frames. However, the immediate and most severe risk remains personal injury and death due to entrapment and suffocation.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own a Sleep Number Flextop King i8 SmartBed with a FlexFit 2 Smart Adjustable Base should take immediate precautions to ensure safety:
- Immediate Steps: If you observe any gap at the top of your mattress where it flexes, particularly if you have children or small pets in the home, cease using the bed immediately or take steps to prevent access. Do not allow children or pets unsupervised on the bed if a gap is present.
- How to Check for the Affected Product: Visually inspect the top of your Sleep Number Flextop King i8 SmartBed, especially in the area where the mattress is designed to flex or split. Measure any observed gaps to determine their width.
- Prevention Measures: Until the issue is resolved or the bed is deemed safe, consider placing barriers to prevent children or pets from accessing the bed, or discontinue its use entirely.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar issue or have concerns about the structural integrity of your Sleep Number Flextop King i8 SmartBed, contact Sleep Number directly. Additionally, it is crucial to report such incidents to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov to help prevent future harm and inform regulatory action.
Manufacturer’s Response
Sleep Number Corporation’s response to this incident has evolved. Initially, in November 2025, they denied any issue. Following photographic evidence from the consumer, they reversed their position, confirmed the gap was a problem, and provided a warranty repair. However, when the gap reappeared and widened again, Sleep Number subsequently refused further action, claiming that a widening gap is “normal behavior” for this type of mattress. In a written response to a billing dispute, they further stated that a gap reaching up to 6 inches is “expected behavior” under normal use, a fact the consumer states was never disclosed at the point of sale or in the product’s terms and conditions. Sleep Number has since discontinued the Flextop King i8 SmartBed model entirely.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.