Step1
First, understand that the Sleep Number bed is just one brand of adjustable air-filled beds.
There are other brands available that compare to the Sleep Number in design and performance, but are not as costly.
Step2
Next, understand that choosing the right mattress or bed is as individual as choosing what color socks to wear, so your experience will very likely differ!
I will tell of our personal experience; then you can judge accordingly.
Step3
Then, understand the purpose for your search for an air-filled mattress or bed.
In our case, we needed a new mattress, since the one we had (an aging, basic, traditional inner-spring/box-spring combo) was sagging quite noticeably.
In addition, my wife's back was giving her trouble, which she pretty much blamed on the mattress.
We shopped, we researched, we tested, and we finally purchased a Sealy Posturepedic for about $750 and it came a few days later.
After using it for a couple months, my wife was convinced that we had received a defective or perhaps even an already-used mattress, as she pointed out there was a significant sag in it already.
And, her back was not getting any better!
Step4
Next, realize that some experiences we must go through are for our own learning, and exercise patience if you may have made an error in judgment already.
For us, we ultimately received a replacement mattress from the store under their warranty terms (though not without some deliberating).
After using the new mattress for another several weeks, my wife said her back still was not getting any better, and she was still convinced it was related to her inability to sleep comfortably, even in the new bed.
Since we had already used up our mattress-replacement credit, we decided not to bother the mattress store again, and decided to look into air-filled mattresses, including the Sleep Number.
Step5
Then, understand that some people can and do learn from the mistakes of others, thereby saving themselves valuable time, not to mention the mental stresses.
In our case, we shopped and researched again, and finally settled on a Comfortaire adjustable air-filled mattress we found in the J.C. Penney catalog.
All indications by the description, warranty information, etc. pointed to this mattress being very similar to (some models of) the Sleep Number bed, but was priced under $1000.
We ordered one and picked it up at the catalog store a few days later.
We already had a good box spring foundation, so we didn't need to purchase another for the new mattress.
When we got the mattress home, we took it all out of the box, assembled it, set up the blower unit under the box-spring, plugged it in, blew up the dual bladders, and observed what looked like any other quality mattress, complete with the quilted, zipped, pillow-top cover!
Step6
Finally, reward yourself for getting through your selection of an air-filled mattress or bed, with your sanity still intact!
I must say, now that we have been using the Comfortaire mattress for several months, my wife's back has improved significantly, which also means her sleep has improved!
She can adjust the air pressure to whatever is comfortable for her.
She truly loves this mattress, as it has made a world of difference in her quality of sleep and a clear improvement in her back problems.
Step7
And finally, finally, remember the experience for the positive benefits.
For us,it became clear that the design concept of the Sleep Number is definitely worth paying for, if the need is similar to what ours was.
I cannot specifically endorse the Sleep Number brand, as I've seen they tend to be more costly, and I'm not sure the quality is any better than the less costly brands.
The air-filled mattress/bed we purchased from J.C. Penney came with a 20 year limited warranty, and appears to be well made with quality workmanship and materials.
However, I cannot make direct quality comparisons between the Sleep Number and the one we chose, as I have not seen the Sleep Number broken down to its component parts the way I have seen ours.
Enjoy your selection!
Authority 
