Select Comfort^® Vs SAT Bed^™

Select Comfort® or ANY of the Thousands of Knock off Powered Air Bed companies like Zero gravity and many others have the same things in common. They all use inflatable Bladders, Pumps and Motors. They Blow up like a camping mattress when the Pump kicks on.

What's the main difference between Select Comfort^® and SAT Bed?

The main difference between both these companies is that SAT Bed has the only open-air system in the world. It's patented air valves work off the atmosphere without the need for a pneumatic pump or motor. Every other airbed in the consumer marketplace is a closed system. They are all virtually identical; therefore they are relegated to commodity status.

Why is an open-air system better then a closed air system?

A closed air system is inherently flawed; it is based on the same principle as a waterbed. Pascal's Law - which is how hydraulics works, whereby you push on one side and the other side goes up. This is not in the best interest of the individual lying on the surface since the pocket or bubble of air has nowhere to escape other then to push back up against the body. This creates pressure, which pinches and occludes blood flow on the individual's body, very similar to a waterbed.

Why is an open-air system better for support then a closed air system?

A closed airbed such as Select Comforts system cannot correctly support since their airbeds are one single continuous air bladder. The human body is not a straight line, it is curved, and therefore, ergonomics and biomechanics play a very important role. It is physically impossible to manually figure out how much air to pump into a closed airbed, therefore the individual on the mattress is never in the optimum environment for correct support. SAT Bed's SAT mattress automatically adjusts on its own to the exact physical configuration of the individual. It is a perfect system without any margin of error. Bolyes's Law

Is the SAT mattress re-imbursable for Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurance?

Yes, the SAT mattress is the only air mattress recognized by the U.S. Gov't and Private Insurance in the consumer mattress marketplace. It has its own HCPS Code E0 373 Non Powered Pressure Relieving Mattress. Select Comfort Air Beds are not recognized as Durable Medical Equipment since they are not manufactured for health issues but rather comfort issues in consumer homes. The SAT mattress was medically tested and scientifically evaluated by the U.S. Gov't for 6 years before it was awarded this prestigious recognition.

Why is SAT Beds 18 chamber system better then Select Comforts 2 chamber system?

Two single chamber air beds do not function effectively, it is like lying on two balloons! It is impossible to correctly inflate them and if there is not enough air in the system, they will hammock, which creates stress and fatigue and the back and spine. Eighteen chambers are much more effective in displacing weight since the smaller the cylinder, the more dynamic and the more reactive it is.

Why are urethane cylinders better then vulcanize rubber?

Select Comfort imports their 25 Gauge vulcanized rubber bladders from overseas. These bladders are prone to crack and leak just like a waterbed or raft since their seams are heat-sealed. It is just a matter of time before there is failure. SAT Bed uses thin pliable medical grade urethane with seams that are RF Radio Frequency sealed. These cylinders are virtually indestructible, therefore SAT Bed warrantees them for 20 full years.

Why are Select Comfort's beds prone to mold and mildew?

Select Comfort's airbeds are encapsulated closed systems that are not air permeable. They do not breathe adequately which leads to moisture collecting inside their systems. The mold spurs multiple on the internal components since the environment for fungus is ideal; dark, moist and damp. SAT Bed's SAT mattress is completely air permeable, the entire mattress breathes naturally on its own. Each layer is easy removable for cleaning and each component has a cotton cover.

Why does the SAT mattress use a virgin wool cover compared to Select Comfort's damask cover?

All Select Comfort airbeds use damask covers, which are detriment to performance and functionality. A damask cover is a synthetically woven cloth manufactured from petro chemicals. Therefore, these covers do not adequately breathe but rather deflect all the natural body heat from an individual back up against their bodies creating an environment for perspiration and sweating. Nature's miracle fiber is wool! It is anti-microbial, anti-allergen and absorbs 30% of its weight in moisture before you feel wet or damp! It is easily removable for cleaning in a household washing machine so that there is never any issue with regards to dust mites and allergens.

Why is Select Comfort's warranty only 2 years compared to SAT Bed's 20 year Non Pro-Rated Warranty.

Reliability - Select Comfort cannot warranty their air beds for more then 2 years before it is pro-rated since the integrity, workmanship and construction is compromised. Select Comfort is a direct marketing organization that imports the majority of their parts from overseas. Their facility assembles airbeds for distribution without overseeing the manufacturing and quality control that is necessary in specialty bedding. SAT Bed manufactures all the components in its own plant each step of the way assuring 100 % satisfaction. SAT Bed offers a non pro-rated warranty since the integrity of the mattress is unparalled in the airbed marketplace.

Why has Select Comfort had multiple pump failures and recalls?

Once again - Select Comfort doesn't manufacture the majority of the components inside their airbeds. They are all outsourced overseas to the cheapest supplier so that they are able to sell in the marketplace competitively. The pumps come from foreign countries and are mechanical devices, which are prone to failure at some point since there are multiple moving parts involved. SAT Bed has a competitive advantage over Select Comfort since there are no mechanical or pneumatic components; therefore there is nothing to break down!

Why is there a " Dead Zone " in the Select Comfort Air Bed compared to SAT Beds SAT mattress?

Select Comfort's airbeds are 2 single chamber bladders that are separated by a large foam bolster straight down the middle of the mattress creating an unnatural surface with a noticeable divide. SAT Bed's SAT mattress has 9 horizontal cylinders on each side that butt up against each other creating a seamless divide. There is no noticeable difference between one side and the other.

Why are SAT Bed's prices more competitive then Select Comforts?

Advertising dollars! Select Comfort has done a wonderful job over the last 10 years advertising via TV, Print Media and Infomercials. They have spent over 100 million dollars educating a consumer marketplace tired of inner spring mattresses. Unfortunately, Select Comfort has no patents on functionality; therefore there are hundreds of competitors selling virtually the identical airbeds. Ultimately, the consumer benefits by increased competition, lowering cost considerably. The whole industry has benefited from Select Comfort's national advertising. SAT Bed is obviously able to offer more value for the consumer's dollar since there is no advertising. The savings are passed along to the customer.

Why is the Select Comfort airbed relegated to commodity status?

No patents that protect this air mattress from being copied or duplicated. The majority of airbeds in the consumer marketplace are constructed from components from overseas countries that have been outsourced to provide the cheapest quality in order to be competitive at the retail level. SAT Bed has worldwide patents that protect the functionality and integrity of the SAT mattress. Our mattresses are factory direct; all components are hand made of the highest quality medical grade material assuring unparallel workmanship and craftsmanship.

Why is the science (Boyle's Law) so much better on the SAT mattress compared to the science behind the Select Comfort airbed (Pascal's Law)?

Very simple, the Select Comfort airbed is inherently flawed. It is based on the same principle as a waterbed. A fixed volume of gas that is in a closed bladder that is non- dynamic. Airbeds that use a pump or motor are restricted in their ability to provide the optimum sleep environment. The Select Comfort airbed is static compared to SAT Beds dynamic SAT mattress. The SAT mattress is always dynamically adjusting the internal pressures to always maximize weight displacement. It achieves this by the patented intake and outtake valves working off the atmosphere. The displacement of weight is perfect without any flaws regardless of body weight, type or elevation.

Why does a closed air system create pressure against the body compared to an open-air system?

All airbeds other then the SAT mattress are nothing more then 2 glorified Aero beds side by side inside a pillow top encasement. The air bladder is a big balloon that pushes back up against the body similar to a waterbed. This pressure pinches and occludes blood flow. This is not what's best for optimum sleep since the pressure against the body is sending signals to the brain to toss and turn. The average person tosses and turns over a hundred times each night preventing the individual from achieving deep restorative sleep. The SAT mattress being an open system, displaces weight so efficiently that pressure is relieved from body tissue and skin, thereby, eliminating the need to toss and turn, subsequently allowing for deep restorative sleep on a consistent nightly basis.

Why is it so important to have uninterrupted blood flow in our bodies and how is the SAT mattress able to achieve this environment while other airbeds cannot?

Circulation of blood is paramount to overall health and wellness since blood carries nutrients and oxygen. The more oxygen in your blood flowing freely results in a stronger healthier immune system. The SAT mattress was originally designed for the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcers (Bedsores) which is a traumatic condition that is life threatening. This condition and diagnosis occurs due to pressure against the body depriving healthy skin and tissue of oxygen. The SAT mattress eliminates pressure against the body below what is clinically recognized as capillary closure 32 mmHg. Regular airbeds like Select Comfort aren't physically capable to provide an environment, which places the individual below what is clinically recognized as the optimum environment since they are all closed systems that are inherently flawed.

Why isn't the Sleep Number hand pendant accurate?

Because air expands as it warms! When you set the selected number for your comfort, the actual setting is very different in the morning from your original setting. The average room temperature is 78 degrees when sleeping while the temperature of the human body is 98 degrees. So, a closed air system like Select Comfort actually gets firmer throughout the night as the air gets warmer and expands! The Self Adjusting Mattress is always accurate with no margin of error since it is the only open-air system in the world! Your body is always correctly supported while achieving accurate displacement of body weight!

How does wool create an optimum environment to help lower your heart rate while sleeping?

Wool creates a microclimate that assists in regulating body temperature and humidity. The degree to which body temperature and humidity is regulated is know as thermo physical comfort, that is, a state in which the individual is free from thermal stress. Freedom from thermo stress is directly related to degree of rest. A person with a slow and regular heartbeat is far more relaxed then a person with a fast pace and/or irregular heart beat. Two factors, which will be reflected in the heart rate, are the temperature and the humidity of the bed microclimate. This property ensures that a damp, clammy feeling will never be experienced with wool. In this way, instead of the body regulating the microclimate, the wool bedding acclimatizes the body, ensuring a healthier rest with an even heart rate and blood pressure.

Why does sleeping on a Damask topper cause thermo imbalance?

Inner Spring mattresses are covered with damask covers, which are synthetic and polyester fibers. The damask cover deflects the heat and energy your body produces back up against it. It accounts for those times you wake up and with a pounding heart rate, feeling clammy and sweaty, or hot or cold. During the night, the body's metabolism keeps working. An average of one ounce of perspiration an hour is released, in the form of water vapor, which is trapped under the covers around the body and eventually absorbed by your mattress. Synthetic bedding traps and holds moisture, causing high humidity. The heart rate increases, by as much as ten more beats per minute. Because synthetics take a long time to dry out, they also provide the perfect climate for mold and dust mites to thrive.

Why doesn't Select Comfort's air mattress function adequately on an adjustable bed frame where the 18 chamber SAT mattress does?

One single closed air chamber cannot bend adequately while inflated. Just imagine trying to bend a camping mattress fully inflated. The SAT mattress was designed to bend on an adjustable frame; it has 18 individual cylinders that bend as the bed bends. The body is always optimally displaced and correctly supported.

Select Comfort ® is a registered trademark and SAT Bed does not sell Select Comfort ® brand mattresses. The information provided on this website is for comparison purposes only.