Eight Sleep Mattress Review: My Quality of Sleep Has Improved, Thanks to This Cooling Mattress System

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 35% of the world’s population is sleep-deprived—myself included. Night sweats, difficulty falling asleep and frequent wake-ups have long made restful sleep a challenge for me. That’s what initially drew me to Eight Sleep, a company that approaches sleep not just as comfort, but as a measurable, adjustable health metric.

When I first tested Eight Sleep, I used an earlier iteration of the system (the Pod 3) which has since been discontinued. While my hands-on experience is based on that prior model, Eight Sleep has continued to evolve its technology, releasing newer versions that build on the same core concept with more advanced features, smarter automation and broader health insights. Today’s Eight Sleep Pods are best understood not as mattresses alone, but as full smart sleep systems designed to actively adapt to your body throughout the night.

This review takes a closer look at how the Eight Sleep system works today, including what has changed since my original testing, how the latest models compare and which types of sleepers are most likely to benefit. I’ll also break down key features in the current lineup and incorporate expert insight on how smart sleep technology is shaping the way we think about recovery and rest.

I Tried It

Eight Sleep Pod Mattress System

The Eight Sleep Pod is a mattress cover that heats or cools your bed to improve sleep. Adjust the temperature in the Eight Sleep app or have the autopilot mode adjust it automatically.

Shop on Eight Sleep

What is the Eight Sleep mattress system?

The Eight Sleep mattress system is a modular, app-connected sleep platform designed to actively adjust your sleep environment throughout the night. Instead of being just a traditional mattress, the system combines hardware and software components (temperature-regulating cover,  connected hub and optional accessories like an adjustable base) to create a personalized, responsive bed setup.

When shopping Eight Sleep today, you can build a complete system around the Pod, which includes the Cover and Hub as its foundation. Additional components like the Eight Sleep mattress, adjustable base, or blanket, can be added depending on budget and sleep goals. The mattress itself can also be purchased separately, though the system’s defining features come from the smart Cover and Hub working together.

It’s worth noting that my hands-on testing was conducted with the Pod 3, a previous-generation model that has since been discontinued. That version consisted of a thick, elasticized mattress cover with internal water channels and embedded sensors, paired with a separate Hub that circulated heated or cooled water to regulate sleep temperature. While the physical design and performance have evolved since then, the core idea behind Eight Sleep is still the same: actively managing temperature and sleep conditions in real time rather than passively tracking sleep after the fact.

Today’s Eight Sleep lineup—including Pod 4 and Pod 5 systems—builds on that foundation with quieter operation, faster temperature adjustments, expanded biometric tracking, and more advanced automation.

According to Dr. Nicole Moyen, Senior Director of Science and Clinical Research at Eight Sleep, this evolution represents a fundamental change in how sleep technology supports health. “At Eight Sleep, we see smart technology as a shift from simply tracking sleep to actively helping improve it,” Dr. Moyen explains. Rather than analyzing sleep after the fact, newer Pods respond to the body in real time, learning how each user sleeps and adjusting conditions as you go through the night.

At the center of the system is Eight Sleep’s Autopilot software, which continuously analyzes biometric and environmental data to help make these adjustments. Sensors in the Cover monitor metrics like heart rate, breathing patterns, movement and sleep stages, while environmental sensors look at room temperature and humidity. Autopilot also detects whether one or both sides of the bed are being used, allowing each sleeper to receive custom adjustments throughout the night.

Over time, Autopilot builds a personalized sleep profile for each user, factoring in preferred sleep temperature, biological differences, sleep consistency and overnight disruptions. As Dr. Moyen notes, this approach is especially helpful for people dealing with issues like overheating, hot flashes, snoring or fragmented sleep.

The system also does more than just temperature control. Autopilot can give you gentle wake-up alarms using subtle vibrations or thermal cues, allowing partners to wake at different times without disrupting each other. Each morning, you receive detailed sleep and health summaries through the Eight Sleep app, with historical data stored to help identify trends and long-term changes in sleep quality.

Eight Sleep mattress system features

Pod cover and hub

The core of the Eight Sleep system is the Pod Cover and Hub. While my hands-on testing was conducted with the now-discontinued Pod 3, the current Pod 4 and Pod 5 systems build on the same foundation with faster temperature changes, quieter performance and expanded automation.

The Cover fits over most mattresses and uses internal water channels and sensors to deliver precise cooling and heating to each side of the bed. The Hub connects to the Cover and manages temperature control, biometric sensing and system automation, allowing each sleeper to be adjusted independently.

Autopilot

Autopilot is Eight Sleep’s software platform that powers temperature regulation, sleep tracking, and personalization. It uses biometric and environmental data to automatically adjust bed temperature throughout the night, aligning conditions with different sleep stages.

Autopilot tracks sleep duration, sleep stages, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate, movement and snoring. It supports two sleepers per bed with fully independent temperature settings and alarms—something I’ve found especially useful since my partner and I sleep at different temperatures and wake at different times. The system also enables vibration- and thermal-based alarms and delivers nightly sleep reports and long-term sleep trends through the Eight Sleep app.

Autopilot is available in three subscription tiers:

• Standard ($17/month, billed at $199 annually): Automatic temperature adjustments, sleep and health reports, vibration and thermal alarms, snoring detection and mitigation, and a 2-year warranty.
• Enhanced ($25/month, billed at $299 annually): Everything in Standard, plus a 5-year warranty.
• Elite ($33/month, billed at $399 annually): Everything in Enhanced, plus Health Check, which adds advanced wellbeing insights, including cardiovascular and respiratory monitoring.

Mattress

Eight Sleep’s mattress is optional and designed to pair with the Pod Cover. It features a medium-firm, multi-layer foam construction intended to support airflow and consistent contact with the Cover. While I tested the system with Eight Sleep’s mattress, the Pod Cover and Hub provide the system’s defining features, and the platform is compatible with many third-party mattresses.

Hot flash mode

Hot Flash Mode is a newer feature introduced with Eight Sleep’s Pod 5 lineup and was not available on the Pod 3 system I tested. It’s designed for sleepers who experience sudden nighttime overheating, including many women navigating menopause.

According to Dr. Moyen, the feature was developed in response to strong member demand and a lack of women-focused sleep research. Hot Flash Mode gives you faster, targeted cooling when rapid temperature spikes occur and provides insights to help users better understand recurring sleep disruptions.

The feature works alongside Eight Sleep’s Autopilot system, using real-time data to respond automatically, rather than relying on manual adjustments or post-sleep analysis. While I didn’t test Hot Flash Mode firsthand, it’s a meaningful addition for shoppers considering the latest Pod models and looking for more personalized, condition-specific sleep support.

How I tested it

I selected the queen-size Eight Sleep cover and hub and a five-layer mattress with an enhanced Autopilot plan. The cover and hub arrived in two separate boxes, and a third containing the mattress. Over the past two months, I’ve slept 480 hours on the Eight Sleep mattress system.

The Pod 3 cover zips around the Eight Sleep mattress. The bottom part of the cover lies under the mattress, and the upper piece lies on top of it. Once all the tubes were situated at the head of the bed, I zipped the upper cover onto the lower cover all the way around.

Keep in mind that the hub must be placed near an outlet. The water tubes attach to the hub, and the USB plugs in. Connecting the Eight Sleep app to Wi-Fi takes five minutes, as the app guides you through the process step by step. When first setting up, the Pod 3 must be filled with water, a process called priming, in which water fills the mat and pushes out any air bubbles to ensure the pod runs smoothly. I filled it with filtered water and a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. A plastic cylinder rests inside the hub with a clear fill line, and it must be filled a few times and takes 90 minutes each cycle. I recommend beginning the setup and installation a few hours before bedtime.

All in all, the entire setup took around three to four hours. At the time of testing, maintenance required refilling the hub every two to three months, filling it with water and 3% hydrogen peroxide every two to three months. If you don’t keep up with maintenance, the hub may stop working or grow bacteria in the pod’s water tubes. I wish Eight Sleep stated this more explicitly on its website.

I can’t get over the Eight Sleep mattress system, which allows my partner and me to sleep in the same bed at different temperatures. The cover has two distinct sides, and we both have the Eight Sleep app installed on our phones. I had difficulty falling asleep on the first night, as I’m used to a soft, cushiony mattress that I “sink” into. The Eight Sleep mattress is medium-firm, and I can feel the cover upon attempting a good night’s sleep. Over time, I’ve adjusted to the mattress, and my sleep score has drastically improved from the first night. However, I wish the Eight Sleep mattress were softer.

I placed my 2-inch-thick Nolah plush mattress topper on top of my 11-inch-thick Eight Sleep mattress inside the Pod 3 cover. The Pod 3 cover fits mattresses ranging from 10 to 16 inches thick. I’m in the clear since the mattress and topper stack to 13 inches thick. This made my Eight Sleep mattress less firm and increased comfort. Paired with my Cozy Earth comforter, I sleep in cool luxury.

Eight Sleep’s Autopilot service features vibration and thermal alarms. I always have difficulty waking up to my phone alarm and consistently snooze it, with alarms set at 15-minute intervals. However, I wake up immediately with the alarms triggered by thermal and vibration cues. Alarms can only be snoozed on your phone in the app.

Initially, my sleep scores fluctuated after each night, but the Autopilot software learns your sleep habits over time. Autopilot recommends temperatures for different sleep phases, but they can be adjusted manually in the app. By automatically changing the mattress system temperature based on your body temperature and room temperature, the Pod 3 cover makes it easier to sleep through the night.

My Eight Sleep mattress system is set to cool each night before I get in bed. It kicks on about half an hour before my scheduled bedtime, and it’s set to a schedule based on my bedtime and morning wake-up alarm. I’ve also adjusted my mattress system temperature on the go while driving home from a workout. The Eight Sleep pod runs even when you’re away from home. However, you can turn it off in the app while traveling. If a morning alarm isn’t set, the hub must be turned off manually in the app.

Eight Sleep claims you can save up to $20 monthly on your energy bills by using your AC and heat less with the pod’s Autopilot automatic temperature adjustment feature. Last night, my AC went out in the summer heat, and the Eight Sleep mattress system saved the day. I cranked my mattress system to -10. Otherwise, I would’ve booked a hotel room or stayed with a friend. Far too many times, I wake up feeling unrested from my night’s sleep. Eight Sleep’s tailored health and sleep reports detect if I slept right after a workout or consumed alcohol the night before.

The Eight Sleep hub resembles a clunky PC desktop and is difficult to hide. As someone who appreciates a nice aesthetic, I don’t love this. During my testing, I received notifications to refill the hub water tank about every three to four weeks. This process takes 90 minutes. The hub operates with considerable noise, no louder than white noise. However, I sleep with a rainstorm from Spotify, so I don’t mind. I personally had a seamless experience with the iPhone app. One last thing to consider is that the Autopilot subscription is required and expensive.

Pros

• Automatically regulates temperature
• Accurately tracks sleep and health
• Tracks time slept, wake-ups, time in REM sleep and time in deep sleep
• Tracks heart rate, HRV and breathing rate
• Dual climate control for two sleep partners
• Silent alarm triggered by vibration and thermal cues
• In-app sleep and health reports with detailed data
• Deep pockets on the Pod cover fit mattresses 10 to 16 inches thick
• 30-night risk-free trial
• Free shipping and free returns

Cons

• Not ideal for sleepers who prefer a very plush mattress feel
• Hub design is bulky on older models and can be difficult to hide
• Hub produces low-level white noise, which may not suit all sleepers

What other reviewers had to say

As I mentioned, this mattress system has a large following, including doctors and celebrities. But here’s what other real people have to say in their Eight Sleep mattress system reviews:

Jamie from Florida, a reviewer on Eight Sleep’s website, says, “A few months ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and experienced symptoms from treatment (hot flashes and night sweats). This product is a game changer for me, and this should be considered a device for durable medical equipment.”

“The ability to actively monitor your sleep metrics and correlate those to periods of overtraining or even sickness has helped me identify when to give my body rest. Eight Sleep has been one of the best investments I’ve made for my well-being,” writes Justin from Texas.

“Seven to eight hours usually. Really dialed in my sleep with Eight Sleep,” Mark Zuckerberg tweeted regarding his sleep schedule.

Product Comparison: Pod 4 vs. Pod 5 Core vs. Pod 5 Ultra

While the Eight Sleep mattress system is fairly unique, the brand has continued to evolve its lineup since my original testing of the now-discontinued Pod 3. Today, you will be choosing between Pod 4, Pod 5 Core, and Pod 5 Ultra, which build on the same bed cooling foundation with added automation, comfort and health features.

The Pod 4 is a significant step forward from earlier generations. Its redesigned cover is thinner and more flexible, so it can contour better to the mattress and feel less noticeable under sheets. The updated hub gives you faster heating and cooling with quieter performance, and the system introduces tap-based controls that allow you to adjust temperature or silence alarms directly from the bed without reaching for your phone.

The Pod 5 Core expands on this platform with more advanced automation and deeper sleep insights. In addition to dynamic temperature adjustments and dual-zone climate control, it introduces enhanced biometric tracking and smarter Autopilot behavior that adapts more quickly to changes in sleep patterns. For many users, Pod 5 Core is a good balance between advanced sleep technology and streamlined setup.

At the top of the lineup, the Pod 5 Ultra includes everything in Pod 5 Core, plus an integrated adjustable base. This allows you to customize elevation for sleeping, reading and relaxing, and unlocks additional features like snoring detection and mitigation through gentle positional adjustments. Pod 5 Ultra is also the most comprehensive option for users interested in advanced health monitoring and hands-free operation.

In short, Pod 4 offers a more refined and comfortable entry point into Eight Sleep’s ecosystem, while Pod 5 Core and Pod 5 Ultra give you increasingly advanced personalization, automation and wellness insights. The right choice depends on how much control and health data you want from your sleep system, and whether features like an adjustable base or advanced health monitoring matter to you.

Eight Sleep vs. Sleep Number Climate360

Eight Sleep Pods and Sleep Number’s Climate360 mainly differ in their designs: The Pods are mattress covers while the Climate360 is a smart bed. Specifically, the Pod contains a CPU and uses smart Autopilot software, while the Climate360 can be controlled via an app on your smartphone. Like other Sleep Number beds, you can adjust your “sleep number,” AKA the softness and firmness of your side of the bed. With the Climate360, you can also change the temperature, allowing you to sleep up to 15 degrees warmer or cooler. It comes with the brand’s smart adjustable base and also tracks your sleep stats, which you can see on the app.

The Pod is more intuitive than the Climate360 since it can function via Autopilot, and it also has an accompanying app that lets you change each side’s temperatures. When it comes to service, the Climate360’s sleep trial is longer (100 nights) than the Pod 3 (30 nights). The Pod’s warranty is two years long, while the Climate360’s is 15 years. That being said, these differences make sense since the Climate360 is a mattress and the Pod is a cover.

Final verdict

My sleep quality improved noticeably during my time testing the Eight Sleep Pod 3. Over the course of several months, my sleep scores steadily increased, and I found it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep through deeper stages of rest. The Eight Sleep app made it easy to track changes in my sleep routine, breaking down sleep stages, sleep duration and recovery-related metrics like heart rate variability in a way that felt both accessible and actionable.

The system was also especially effective for shared beds. My sleep profile looks very different from my partner’s, yet the Pod’s dual-zone temperature control allowed both of us to sleep comfortably. Automatic temperature adjustments and the gentle vibration-based alarm were standout features for me, and after getting used to sleeping on a consistently cool surface, I found myself missing it whenever I traveled.

That said, my experience with the Pod 3 wasn’t without drawbacks. The hub was louder than I’d prefer, and the mattress felt firmer than my ideal comfort level. Those concerns are worth considering, but they’re also areas where Eight Sleep has continued to improve on. Newer systems, including Pod 4 and Pod 5, emphasize quieter performance, thinner covers and improved comfort, making them especially appealing for sleepers who want the benefits I experienced without the compromises.

If temperature regulation, personalized sleep insights and dual-zone comfort matter to you, Eight Sleep’s latest Pods are a compelling and refined take on smart sleep technology, and based on my experience with earlier models, they’re well worth considering.

Where to buy the Eight Sleep mattress system

I Tried It

Eight Sleep Pod Mattress System

The Eight Sleep Pod is a mattress cover that heats or cools your bed to improve sleep. Adjust the temperature in the Eight Sleep app or have the autopilot mode adjust it automatically.

Shop on Eight Sleep

The Eight Sleep mattress system is sold directly through Eight Sleep, which is currently the only authorized retailer for its Pod systems. While I tested the now-discontinued Pod 3, shoppers today will be choosing from newer models in the Eight Sleep lineup, including Pod 4 and Pod 5 systems.

Pricing varies based on the model and mattress size selected:

• Pod 4 Cover and Hub: $2,449 to $2,849
• Pod 5 Core Cover and Hub: $2,849 to $3,249
• Pod 5 Ultra (Cover, Hub, and Adjustable Base): $5,049 to $5,249

Eight Sleep’s mattress is sold separately and typically falls in the upper-midrange mattress price category (from $1,899 for a Full-size, up to $2,099 for a Cali King).

All Eight Sleep Pods require an Autopilot subscription, which is billed annually and varies by tier. Subscription levels range from standard temperature automation and sleep tracking to advanced health monitoring and extended warranty coverage. Notably, existing customers do not need to purchase a new Autopilot subscription when upgrading to a newer Pod—you can manage upgrades directly through the Eight Sleep app or by contacting customer support.

Eight Sleep comes with a 30-night risk-free trial, along with free shipping and free returns, which helps offset the system’s premium price point. Shipping timelines vary based on demand and can take several weeks. If you decide the system isn’t right for you, you can return it within the trial window for a full refund on both the hardware and Autopilot membership.

Warranty coverage depends on the Autopilot tier selected and requires an active membership, with longer protection periods available on higher-tier plans.

FAQ

How much is an Eight Sleep mattress?

Eight Sleep pricing depends on the Pod model and mattress size. Current pricing breaks down as follows:

• Pod 4 Cover and Hub: $2,449 to $2,849
• Pod 5 Core Cover and Hub: $2,849 to $3,249
• Pod 5 Ultra (Cover, Hub, and Adjustable Base): $5,049 to $5,249

Eight Sleep’s mattress is optional and sold separately, typically priced in the upper-midrange mattress category. All Pods also require an annual Autopilot subscription, with pricing based on the tier selected.

Is Eight Sleep Pod 3 cover noisy?

During my testing with the earlier Pod 3, the system produced a low, consistent sound comparable to white noise. I personally found it easy to sleep with. Newer models emphasize quieter operation, which may be better suited for sleepers who are especially sensitive to background noise.

What does an Eight Sleep mattress come with?

An Eight Sleep Pod includes a temperature-regulating Cover and a connected Hub, which work together to manage cooling, heating, and sleep tracking. An Autopilot subscription is required and billed annually. Optional add-ons—such as Eight Sleep’s mattress, adjustable base, or additional accessories—can be purchased separately depending on the model.