You’ve probably heard the term “smartphone” or “smart car,” but have you heard of a “smart mattress”? Eight Sleep is an innovative brand and one of the first to introduce the world to a “smart bed.” Their original mattress, The Pod, can track sleep cycles, monitor vital signs during the night, automatically control the mattress temperature, and connect to your phone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Since launching The Pod, they have released two other mattresses, the Pod Pro and the Pod Pro Max, which now offer sleepers ever more ways to monitor their sleep and overall health. While smart beds are considered a luxury purchase, they are great for those who want to monitor their sleep health and find areas for improvement. After all, understanding our sleep habits is the first step toward better quality rest.
Throughout this article, we outline the various technological components of Eight Sleep’s mattresses. We also explain the differences between each model and how to determine which style is the best mattress for you.
The Good
- Sleep tracking sensors allow users to monitor sleep patterns and health biometrics.
- Dual zoned heating and cooling lets couples set the temperature on each side of the mattress.
- Smartphone application and Wi-Fi connectivity for easy temperature adjustments.
The Not-So-Good
- Eight Sleep mattresses come with a higher price point. However, for those looking to track their sleep habits, the extra cost may be worth it.
- Eight Sleep only offers their mattresses with a medium firmness. This comfort level may be too soft for back and stomach sleepers and too firm for lightweight and side sleepers.
- Eight Sleep’s warranty only covers technological components for up to two years, while the foam layers are covered for 10 years.
Eight Sleep Mattress Similarities
Although all three of Eight Sleep’s mattresses are slightly different, they each have the same technology and similar foam layers. They also offer the same warranty coverage and sleep trial period with each model. Below, we explain the various features you will find when shopping with Eight Sleep and what makes their mattresses so unique.
Dual-Zone Cooling and Heating – All three Eight Sleep mattresses have a dual-zone cooling and heating system that allows users to set the temperature on each side of the bed. The technology that controls the mattress temperature is made up of two different high tech components, the Active Grid and the Hub.
The Hub is a hydro-powered motor that holds 3.2 liters of water. Thermo-electric cooling and heating elements inside the Hub change the temperature of the water. Then, water flows from the Hub to the Active Grid to change the feel of the mattress. Sleepers can set the bed’s temperature using Eight Sleep’s iOS or Android app or any smart device.
The Active Grid™ is paired with a soft, thin layer of foam called the Comfort Blend™ for added contouring and pressure relief.
Advanced Sleep Tracking – On the mattress’s surface, just beneath the cover, Eight Sleep’s proprietary Sensing Technology monitors sleepers throughout the night. These sensors are 0.01 inches wide and are sensitive enough to detect respiratory and heartbeat patterns, temperature, and sleep stages, including deep sleep and REM. The data gathered from the sensors is sent to the smartphone application so users can monitor their habits. The technology in the mattress also uses this data to adjust the bed’s temperature to preset specifications.
Free iOS/Android App and Wi-Fi Connectivity – Users can connect their mattress to their smartphone using the Eight Sleep app and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. The app delivers a sleep score and biometric information to the user’s phone each morning. Sleepers can even connect any of the Eight Sleep mattresses to the Amazon Alexa to control the mattress via voice commands.
Room Climate and Weather Response – The Pod Pro and Pod Pro Max both feature ambient sensors on the surface of the bed to measure the temperature and humidity of the room and local weather conditions. This information allows the Hub and the Active Grid to respond more accurately to temperature fluctuations, so users always stay cozy and comfortable.
Daily Health Check and HRV Monitoring – The Pod Pro and Pod Pro Max provide analysis of sleeper’s resting heart rate, respiratory rate, and heart rate variability. This information is especially useful for those with health concerns. Plus, this data is easily accessed from the smartphone application, where users can review it and discuss the results with their doctor.
GentleRise™ Wake Up Technology – The Pod Pro and Pod Pro Max come with Eight Sleep’s GentleRise™ alarm clock. This smart alarm delivers a gentle vibration to the head of the bed to wake sleepers without sound. This alarm can also be set to gradually increase or decrease the temperature of the bed at a set time. This feature helps sleepers wake more naturally.
The Basics – All Eight Sleep mattresses come with the following services and certifications.
- Warranty – Eight Sleep offers a 10-year limited warranty to cover defects in the foam layers. This includes sagging and indentations. A 2-year warranty covers all technology in the mattress, including the Hub, sensors, and Active Grid.
- Sleep Trial – Customers can take advantage of Eight Sleep’s 100-night risk-free sleep trial period to make sure the mattress is right for them.
- Free refunds and exchanges – Within the first 100 nights of use, Eight Sleep offers free returns and exchanges if sleepers are not happy with the mattress.
- Certifications – All foam layers used by Eight Sleep are certified by CertiPUR-US® to be free of harmful additives and low in VOCs.
- Shipping – Each Eight Sleep mattress comes with free shipping to anywhere in the continental United States.
Eight Sleep Mattress Comparison
The chart below outlines the specifics of each Eight Sleep mattress. This chart will help you better understand the features and layers that come with each version of the Pod.
The Pod
The Pod is Eight Sleep’s original model. This mattress is 11 inches thick and features three foam layers. Beneath the soft, breathable cover and the Active Grid with Comfort Blend™, a 2-inch comfort layer cradles the joints and relieves pressure points. The 4-inch transition layer provides spinal alignment by gently lifting the hips. This layer also reduces motion transfer, which is perfect for couples with different sleep schedules. The Pod base features a 4-inch layer of their durable support foam to prevent premature sagging and indentations.
Back
Like all Eight Sleep mattresses, the Pod has a medium comfort level that works well for most back sleepers. However, some heavier individuals may find the Pod too soft. If these sleepers experience too much sinkage, the spine may be forced out of alignment, causing tension to build up in the back muscles. Lightweight back sleepers may find the Pod too firm. If this is the case, pressure points may form near the hip joints.
Side
The best mattresses for side sleepers are those with a soft to medium comfort level. So, most side sleepers will find the Pod comfortable and supportive. Medium mattresses contour to the body to prevent pressure points and keep the hips from sinking too far into the mattress and causing the spine to bow.
Stomach
Stomach sleepers will likely find the Pod to be too soft. The best mattresses for stomach sleeping are extra-firm. A firm support system will keep the torso lifted on the mattress and lessen the curvature of the spine to alleviate pressure.
The Pod Pro
The Pod Pro is similar to the original model but with a few added features and benefits. The Pod Pro is 12 inches thick, rather than 11. It also comes with room climate and weather response, daily health and heart rate checks, and the GentleRise™ Wake Up Technology.
The Pod Pro has the same cover and Active Grid with Comfort Blend™ as the original Pod. However, this mattress has a 2-inch comfort layer made with their Airflow foam to cradle and cushion the joints. Beneath this layer is a 1-inch support layer with a latex-like bounce to lift and align the body.
The mattress base is 4 inches of their FlexSpring foam, which provides further protection against spinal misalignment. Plus, a 4-inch layer of their durable support foam sits in the base of the mattress to prevent sagging and indentations.
Back
The Pod Pro is perfect for average weight back sleepers because it has enough firmness to support the lumbar spine. Plus, it is soft enough to cushion and protect the joints from pressure points.
Side
A mattress with a medium firmness, like the Pod Pro, is great for side sleepers because it provides the perfect balance of support and comfort. The soft top layer cushions the joints, while the responsive support layers in the middle and base of the mattress promote a healthy spinal position.
Stomach
The Pod Pro may be too soft for stomach sleepers. If the hips sink too far into the bed, it could force the spine to bow and lead to tension and pain in the back muscles.
The Pod Pro Max
The Pod Pro Max is Eight Sleep’s newest model. It is 12 inches thick and has five layers of foam. Beneath the cover and Active Grid with Comfort Blend™ is a 1-inch layer of their Airflow foam. This layer is designed to contour to the joints while promoting a healthy spinal position.
Next is their unique cooling layer called the Max Chill™. This is a 1-inch layer of response foam infused with graphite, copper, and silver to dissipate body heat and moisture. These minerals also have antimicrobial properties to prevent the build-up of germs within the mattress.
Beneath the Max Chill™ layer is 1 inch of Eight Sleep’s Tranquility Transition Foam and 4 inches of their FlexSpring foam. Both layers have a slight bounce to prevent over-sinking, so the spine always remains in alignment. Lastly, a 4-inch layer of durable support foam sits in the base to prevent structural damage, such as indentations and impressions.
Back
The best mattresses for back sleepers are those with a medium to medium-firm comfort level. Therefore, back sleepers with average body weight, between 130 and 230 pounds, will get a good night’s sleep with the Pod Pro Max.
Side
Side sleepers will enjoy the medium comfort level of the Pod Pro Max. This firmness will ensure the hips and shoulders remain aligned to alleviate tension build-up in the back muscles.
Stomach
We recommend stomach sleepers rest on a firm mattress to lessen the curve of the spine and prevent pressure build-up. Therefore, the Pod Pro Max may be too soft for stomach sleepers; this is especially true for those over 230 pounds.
Eight Sleep vs. The Competition
Kingsdown
- Kingsdown’s Sleep Smart® Air mattress features tracking sensors similar to Eight Sleep. However, Kingdown sensors optimize support. When sleepers rest on the mattress, sensors automatically adjust the bed to the right firmness level for each person. Sleepers can also change the firmness based on their personal preferences. In contrast, Eight Sleep’s mattresses use sensors to monitor sleep biometrics, vital signs, and temperature.
- Using the attached air pump, sleepers can change the firmness of the Kingsdown Sleep Smart® Air. However, Eight Sleep mattresses have a medium firmness that can’t be adjusted.
- The Kingsdown Smart Sleep® Air is a hybrid. Hybrid mattresses have a layer of comfort foam on the top of the mattress and a base of pocketed spring coils for support. Eight Sleep does not make a hybrid model; all of their mattresses are made with various foam layers. Instead of a spring coil base, each Pod model has a durable layer of foam for support.
- Kingsdown and Eight Sleep have similar price points, and both come with a 10-year warranty that covers the layers of the mattress but not the technology.
Is Eight Sleep Right For You?
Shopping with Eight Sleep comes with several benefits. If you are still on the fence, we outline the pros and cons of this brand below.
Pros
- Sleep tracking sensors allow sleepers to track their sleep habits and find areas for improvement.
- Dual-zoned heating and cooling systems offer temperature control on each side of the mattress.
- Supportive and comfortable foam layers are breathable and will not trap body heat and moisture.
Cons
- Eight Sleep mattresses have a higher price point due to their high tech components and sleep tracking sensors.
- All Eight Sleep mattresses have a medium firmness, which may be too soft for stomach sleepers and heavier individuals, and too firm for lightweight side sleepers. However, a medium firmness is considered to be one of the best mattresses for combination sleepers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a smart bed?
A smart bed can connect to your smartphone or other devices via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Most smart mattresses have the ability to track your sleep habits and other vital signs. The technology in the mattress may also allow users to change the temperature or firmness of the mattress.
How do you fix your sleep schedule?
The best way to fix your sleep schedule is by maintaining a set bedtime and wake time. A consistent sleep-wake cycle will regulate your internal clock and make it easy for you to fall asleep each night. It is also important to practice good sleep hygiene by avoiding electronic devices, heavy meals, caffeine, and exercise at least two hours before bedtime.
Who owns Eight Sleep?
Eight Slep was founded in 2014 by Matteo Franceschetti, Massimo Andreasi Bassi, Andrea Ballarini, and Alexandra Zatarain. They started the company with crowdfunding campaigns that sold sleep trackers. They later raised $14 million in 2018.
How much is an Eight Sleep mattress?
The original Eight Sleep Pod mattress costs between $2295 and $2745. The Pod Pro, which comes with more features and is 1 inch thicker, costs between $2795 and $3495. The Pod Pro Max costs between $3595 and $4095.
How often should you replace your mattress?
How long a mattress lasts will vary depending on the type of materials used for construction. Those made with high-quality foam, such as memory foam, will last between 8 and 10 years. Latex foam mattresses typically last between 10 and 12 years. Innerspring mattresses tend to have the shortest lifespan, about 6 to 8 years.
Once the mattress begins to feel unsupportive or if you frequently wake with morning stiffness and pain, it may be time to replace your mattress.
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