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Written by
Daniel Noyed
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Eight Sleep is an online “bed-in-a-box” mattress brand. The company specializes in products that incorporate smart technology and sleep-tracking functionality. This review will focus on Eight Sleep’s newest high-tech mattress model, the Eight Sleep Pod (also known simply as The Pod).
The Pod is a mixed-foam mattress constructed with comfort layers of polyfoam and memory foam, followed by transitional and support layers of dense polyfoam. The Eight Sleep Pod offers a medium feel, which corresponds to a 5 on the 1-10 firmness scale. This ensures noticeable contouring for the body, but not too much sinkage and decent support for people who weigh up to 230 pounds.
The Pod’s cover contains rows of sensors that span the surface area of the mattress. These sensors track sleep patterns, breathing and heart rates, and other data from anyone who uses the mattress, and awards a nightly score based on sleep quality and duration. You can access data using the Eight Sleep smart app. The app also allows you to adjust the Pod’s temperature settings. An external water container called The Hub connects to small tubes built into the cover. Simply program the app for your desired temperature setting, then wait a few minutes for the Hub to heat or cool the water before sending it through the tubes. The Hub’s temperature range is 55 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 to 46.1 degrees Celsius). Additionally, the app can be used as a white noise machine and an alarm.
Eight Sleep has recently released an upgraded model known as the Eight Sleep Pod Pro. The Pod Pro is a slightly thicker mattress that shares much of the Pod’s construction as well as many of its smart features. The bed expands on the original Pod with added foam, room climate and weather sensors, a daily health check function, and a gradual wake-up function that makes use of vibrations and changes to the bed’s temperature.
This review will focus solely on the Eight Sleep Pod. Read on to learn more about the mattress in terms of construction, pricing, and performance, as well as Eight Sleep’s shipping, return, and warranty policies.
The Pod is a mixed-foam smart mattress. The top 2-inch comfort layer is made of polyfoam, and the second 2-inch comfort layer is made of memory foam. The polyfoam is a little responsive, creating some bounce on the surface with light conforming, while the memory foam offers additional contouring. A 2-inch transitional layer of dense polyfoam sits beneath the memory foam to prevent you from sinking too deeply into the mattress. The Pod’s support core is composed of 5 inches of high-density polyfoam.
The Pod’s defining features are associated with its sleep-tracking and temperature control functions. The Pod’s cover is equipped with small sensors on both sides of the mattress. Along with nighttime movements and sleep positions, these sensors can track heart rate, breathing patterns, and how much time you spend awake and asleep. You can access your personal data using the Eight Sleep app, which is compatible with iOS and Android phones and smart devices. The app is free to download.
The Pod also offers adjustable temperature controls. Water is stored in an external component known as The Hub, which connects to a network of small tubes that run throughout a lightweight water mat built into the cover. You can use the app to set your preferred temperature. The Hub will then heat or cool the water before distributing it throughout the mattress. You can program the mattress for temperature settings anywhere between 55 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 to 46.1 degrees Celsius).
The Eight Sleep app has other functions, as well. These include daily fitness reports and sleep coaching tutorials, white noise and meditative sounds, and a temperature-based smart alarm. Many of these features are exclusively available to subscribers of 8+, Eight Sleep’s membership service. If you purchase the Pod directly from Eight Sleep, you’ll receive a lifetime 8+ membership at no extra charge.
The Eight Sleep Pod consists of its smart technology layers along with multiple different foams, all encased in a polyester and cotton cover. A full breakdown of individual mattress layers is found below.
Polyester and cotton fabric blend
‘Active Grid’ consists of sleep-tracking biometric sensors and a water mat for temperature controls
2″ polyfoam
2″ memory foam
2″ transitional polyfoam
5″ high-density polyfoam
The Eight Sleep Pod’s price-points are very high for an all-foam mattress, which can be attributed to the Pod’s advanced sleep-tracking system and temperature controls.
Dimensions and prices for the Eight Sleep Pod are listed below. Please note that the Pod is not available in twin or twin XL sizes; the smallest option will be a full.
| Sizes | Dimensions | Height | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | N/A | N/A | N/A | $N/A |
| Twin XL | N/A | N/A | N/A | $N/A |
| Full | 54" x 75" | 11" | 80 lbs. | $2295 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | 11" | 90 lb. | $2595 |
| King | 76" x 80" | 11" | 100 lbs. | $2995 |
| California King | 72" x 84" | 11" | 100 lbs. | $2995 |
The Pod offers good motion isolation. The top polyfoam layer is somewhat responsive and you’ll feel a light bounce on the surface when getting on and off the bed, but the material also absorbs movement to a noticeable degree. You and your sleep partner will notice minimal transfer across the surface. The Pod is also completely silent when bearing weight. If you tend to wake up when your co-sleeper moves around in bed, then the Pod may help reduce nighttime disruptions.
Mattresses with one to two memory foam comfort layers tend to provide the best motion isolation. Mixed-foam models like the Pod are less effective due to their polyfoam comfort components, but these mattresses still eliminate motion transfer better than most latex, hybrid, and innerspring models.
Many people feel pressure in the shoulders, lower back, hips, and other areas. This may be due to sleeping on a mattress that does not provide enough support to these areas, which in turn can interfere with spinal alignment and cause pressure to build up. For this reason, how well (or poorly) a mattress alleviates pressure depends on how much support is needed for your body type.
The 11-inch Pod has a medium feel, resulting in a strong, pressure-relieving balance of body-contouring and support. This makes the mattress suitable for many side and back sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds. They’ll feel some noticeable body-contouring, but shouldn’t sink too much beneath the surface.
The Pod is one of the only mattress models on the market today that offers active heating and cooling. The external Hub connects to tubes embedded into the cover. Using the Eight Sleep app, you can program the mattress for a temperature anywhere between 55 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 to 46.1 degrees Celsius).
The Pod’s top foam layers do absorb a bit of heat, as is often the case with all-foam models, but this should not affect the customized temperature settings unless you’re an exceptionally hot sleeper. Almost anyone should be able to find a comfortable setting for their Pod given its wide temperature range.
Edge support is a common issue for all-foam mattresses. Even with a high density, polyfoam cannot withstand compression as well as the coils or latex layers used in other mattress types. As a result, you’ll probably notice a fair amount of sinkage along the perimeter when getting on and off an all-foam bed, and you may not feel comfortable lying too close to the edges.
The Pod’s edge support is above average for an all-foam model. Featuring 7 inches of high-density polyfoam, the mattress feels fairly stable along the perimeter. You’ll feel some sinkage, but not enough to make getting in and out of bed too difficult, provided you weigh less than 230 pounds. If your weight exceeds 230 pounds, then you may not feel as comfortable on the Pod’s edges.
The Eight Sleep Pod is fairly easy to move across, which can be attributed to its mixed-foam designs. Mattresses with only memory foam layers often sink deeply, making you feel as though you’re stuck in the surface when getting in and out of bed. The Pod doesn’t sink nearly as much thanks to its semi-responsive top polyfoam layer.
That said, people who weigh more than 230 pounds will probably struggle a bit more with this mattress. If you are in this weight group, you may want to consider a mattress with a stronger support system (such as a hybrid or innerspring).
Preferences for sex certainly differ from couple to couple, but most would rather use a responsive mattress for amorous activities. Beds that respond slowly and sink deeply can make you and your partner feel like you are fighting the mattress, and this may restrict movement.
The Pod’s top polyfoam layer is fairly responsive, and most people don’t sink too deeply. The conforming layers also provide decent traction. You and your partner can remain in one part of the bed when needed and won’t slip across the surface, but you shouldn’t have trouble changing positions or moving to a different area of the mattress.
Additionally, the Pod’s above-average edge support ensures you can use most of the bed’s surface. However, if you and/or your partner weigh more than 230 pounds, you’ll probably feel more secure in the center of the mattress.
When new, mattresses with foam layers release tiny particles known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These particles are mostly harmless but they often carry an unpleasant chemical smell many liken to plastic. The Pod is no exception when it comes to these off-gassing smells. After unboxing the mattress, you’ll likely detect some strong odor that will gradually dissipate over the days to come.
The Pod’s initial smells should dissipate within one week or less. You may be able to expedite this process by placing the mattress in a well-ventilated room for at least one day before sleeping on it.
Side Sleepers: Generally, side sleepers prefer mattresses with softer surface feels. This position requires extra cushioning for the shoulders and hips in order to align the spine properly, so firmer mattresses may not provide enough padding for side sleepers. The Pod is very well suited to side sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds. This model’s medium feel and close conforming ensures ample padding for the shoulders and hips.
If you’re a side sleeper who weighs more than 230 pounds, the bed still provides good support, but there’s a chance the Pod will feel too soft and sink excessively beneath your shoulders and/or hips.
Back Sleepers: Back sleepers usually prefer firmer mattresses than side sleepers. This position promotes spinal alignment on its own, so enhanced support is needed to prevent the torso and waist from sinking too deeply beneath the surface.
We recommend the Pod for back sleepers of all sizes. This model conforms to a noticeable extent, but it won’t sink too much for back sleepers and should keep their bodies on an even plane. However, the Pod’s medium firmness may be a bit too soft for some back sleepers, who may want to opt for a firmer mattress instead.
Stomach Sleepers: Stomach sleepers – like back sleepers – typically prefer more supportive mattresses that offer some conforming but won’t sink too much. The stomach sleeping position is tricky because it is associated with more aches and pains than side or back sleeping. Most of us carry a disproportionate amount of weight in our stomach, so sleeping face-down can cause excessive sinkage unless the mattress has a strong support system.
The Pod’s transitional and base polyfoam layers are fairly sturdy, providing some support for stomach sleepers. The bed’s all-foam construction and medium feel, however, will be too soft for some stomach sleepers over 130 pounds, leading to excess sink around the midsection.
| Under 130 lbs. | 130-230 lbs. | Above 230 lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side Sleepers | Good | Good | Good |
| Back Sleepers | Good | Good | Good |
| Stomach Sleepers | Good | Fair | Fair |
Eight Sleep features a dedicated customer reviews page on its official website. Reviews for all mattresses and sleep products from the company are found on this page; you can select filter words to narrow down the results.
Eight Sleep’s reviews are a bit confusing to navigate. Selecting the “Pod” filter currently yields 14 individual reviews, all of which carry a perfect five-star rating. Many of these reviews focus on the bed’s adjustable temperature controls and/or sleep-tracking technology. Some also tout the bed’s medium feel as a good balance between soft and firm, as well as praising the excellent customer service from Eight Sleep.
Removing the Pod filter, you’ll see a total of over 100 reviews. These include some less favorable ratings for the Pod. The chief complaint among these reviewers appears to be malfunctioning technology components, leading to issues like being unable to heat/cool the entire bed.
| Website | Reviews |
|---|---|
| Eight Sleep | 4.7/5 (100+ reviews) |
The Pod must be directly purchased from Eight Sleep, as this model is not available through third-party retailers or online marketplaces. You can buy the mattress on Eight Sleep’s website. You can also purchase a Pod at one of the company’s brick-and-mortar spaces at Showfields in New York City or b8ta in San Francisco.
Eight Sleep ships the mattress exclusively within the contiguous 48 states. Ground shipping is free of charge for all orders. You’ll receive a tracking number for the delivery after completing your order. Most customers receive their Pod within one business week of making their purchase.
The Pod will be compressed, wrapped in plastic, and vacuum-sealed for shipping. The Hub and cover are shipped in a separate box. After both boxes arrive, carry them to the room where you plan to use the mattress. First, unbox the mattress and remove the plastic wrapping. As the mattress expands, you may unbox the Hub and cover.
Detailed instructions that explain how to connect the Hub and cover are included in the boxes. If you experience any difficulties, reach out to Eight Sleep’s customer support department.
Eight Sleep does not offer expedited shipping, White Glove delivery, or old mattress removal with any orders.
Eight Sleep’s trial period for the Pod spans 100 nights in length. There is not a mandatory break-in period, so you’ll be able to return the Pod at any point of the 100-night trial. Eight Sleep issues full refunds for all returns within the 100-night window. The company will also arrange for couriers to pick up the mattress from your residence, then transport it for recycling or donation.
The Pod comes with a 10-year mattress warranty, as well as a two-year warranty for The Hub and sleep-tracking cover. These warranties are non-prorated. This means you won’t pay to have the mattress or technology components repaired or replaced if a defect occurs, though you will be responsible for to-and-from shipping charges.
Defects under this warranty include body impressions in the surface that measure 1 inch or deeper, physical flaws in the mattress that cause materials to deteriorate prematurely despite proper use and handling, and defects associated with the cover assembly and technology. Other issues may not be covered under warranty.
