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Founded in 2014, Eight Sleep is a mattress and bedding accessory brand specializing in products integrated with smart features and sleep-tracking technology. The Eight Sleep Pod smart memory foam mattress, released in 2019, was a game-changer for sleep-tracking technology and adjustable temperature controls. The Pod Pro by Eight Sleep – the company’s newest smart mattress model – builds on the Pod’s innovative design with even more features and functionality.
First, the basics: the Pod Pro is an all-foam mattress constructed with comfort layers of polyfoam and memory foam, a polyfoam transitional layer, and a high-density polyfoam base. Like the original Pod, the Pod Pro has a cover known as the “Active Grid,” which is equipped with sensors to track sleep cycles and movements, breathing, heart rate, and other physical data; you can track sleep data for each night using the Eight Sleep app.
The mattress also includes an external water reservoir known as the “Hub,” which connects to a network of narrow tubes integrated into the cover. This component controls the bed’s active heating and cooling functions. You can program a temperature on each side of the bed between 55 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 to 46.1 degrees Celsius); this is the same range offered by the original Pod.
The Pod Pro includes some extra components not found on its predecessor. These include a layer of foam padding attached to the cover, resulting in a plush pillow-top feel – as well as adding an extra inch to the bed’s overall profile. The mattress offers additional high-tech features, as well. Built-in ambient sensors automatically adjust the bed’s heating and cooling settings based on room temperature and humidity levels. In addition to nightly sleep scores based on tracking data, the app now provides health and wellness reports based on respiratory rates, heart rates, and other personal factors.
Lastly, the mattress can be programmed to deliver a gentle vibration each morning to help you wake up, which some may prefer to a blaring alarm.
Both the Pod and Pod Pro have fairly high price-points due to their cutting-edge designs and features. That said, the original Pod is more affordable and may be more suitable if you don’t require the Pod Pro’s additional components.
Read our Eight Sleep Pod Pro review to learn all about the mattress. Below, you’ll find detailed construction specs, prices for each available size, and performance ratings based on our own product testing. We’ll also see how the Pod Pro compares to the original Pod, and take a look at Eight Sleep’s shipping, return, and warranty policies.
On its own, the Pod Pro has a fairly standard design for a mixed-foam mattress. The top polyfoam comfort layer conforms a bit but is also somewhat responsive, creating a light bounce on the surface as you settle into the mattress. A second comfort layer made of memory foam conforms evenly to distribute your weight, support the spine, and alleviate pressure. On the whole, this mattress rates as a medium, or 5 on the 1-10 firmness scale, though the extra cover padding adds plushness to the surface. The Pod Pro measures 12 inches thick, making it a high-profile model.
The Pod Pro retains many of the technology features found in the original Pro, including:
The Pod Pro builds on the original Pod by adding these extra components and functions:
Despite notable technology improvements and an extra comfort layer, the Pod Pro’s core construction is fairly similar to the Pro’s. Full specs for the Pod Pro are listed below.
Active Grid cotton cover integrated with biometric sensors, temperature control components, and ambient climate sensors.
1″ Polyfoam Padding
2″ AirFlow Polyfoam
1″ Memory Foam
4″ FlexSpring Transitional Polyfoam
4″ HD Polyfoam
Before discounts that may apply, the Pod Pro currently costs $3,095 in a queen size; the original Pod costs $2,595 in the same size. Both models are fairly expensive compared to the average all-foam model, but this is not surprising given their advanced technology and special features. Additionally, all customers qualify for free ground shipping and full refunds with returns within the 100-night sleep trial. A lifetime membership to the 8+ subscription service is also included, and the Eight Sleep app is free to download.
The Pod Pro – like the original Pod – is offered in full, queen, king, and California king sizes; other size options, including twin and twin XL, are not available. Dimensions and current prices for all sizes are listed below, along with how much the technology components will weigh when shipped.
| Sizes | Dimensions | Height | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 54" x 75" | 12" | N/A. | $2795 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | 12" | 90 lbs.. | $3095 |
| King | 76" x 80" | 12" | 100 lbs.. | $3495 |
| California King | 72" x 84" | 12" | 100 lbs.. | $3495 |
The Pod Pro offers very good motion isolation thanks to its all-foam design. The top polyfoam layer has a bit of responsiveness, resulting in a subtle yet noticeable bounce on the surface, but the material is also adaptive. The plush foam padding in the cover and underlying memory foam layer also help the mattress absorb motion and eliminate transfer across the surface, which can curb nighttime disruptions for you and your sleep partner.
The mattress is also completely silent when bearing weight. You won’t notice any noise when adjusting temperature settings. The low noise potential and strong motion isolation makes this mattress a great choice for anyone who tends to wake up when their partner changes positions or gets in and out of bed.
Sleepers tend to feel pressure when their mattress either doesn’t conform closely enough and feels excessively stiff, or contours and sinks too much beneath their body. For this reason, the best mattress for pressure relief depends a lot on your weight and sleep position.
Given the Pod Pro’s medium feel and adaptive foam layers, we expect side and back sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds to feel very comfortable on this mattress. The foams offer generous cushioning and lower back support to improve spinal alignment for side sleepers and reduce their pressure points, while the robust support layers maintain an even surface for back sleepers without sagging too much.
Stomach sleepers may also feel less pressure on the Pod Pro, but they are more likely to sink more and experience discomfort from uneven support. Side and back sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds may face a similar issue. These individuals may require a firmer mattress.
If you’re a hot or cold sleeper, you won’t find a more adjustable mattress on the market today (other than the original Pod). Thanks to the temperature control functions of the Active Grid, you’ll be able to customize both sides of the Pod Pro between 55 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 to 46.1 degrees Celsius). The dual-surface options make the mattress particularly well-suited to couples with differing temperature preferences. App-based controls also ensure easy controls, while the bed’s ambient climate sensors will automatically adjust the bed’s settings based on room temperature, humidity, and other external factors.
As long as you replace the Hub’s water supply every two to three months, the heating and cooling controls should perform as intended for the bed’s entire lifespan. That said, the Active Grid is covered under a separate warranty that spans two years in length, so you may need to purchase more technology components if the cover develops a defect after two years of use.
Edge support is one area where the Pod Pro tends to falter. You won’t notice too much sinkage if you weigh less than 130 pounds, but folks who weigh more may notice some instability when sitting along or lying near the edges. This can make getting on and off the mattress somewhat difficult. You may not feel comfortable sleeping close to the edge of the mattress either, especially if you weigh more than 230 pounds. You may feel confined to the middle of the mattress, leading to cramped conditions if you sleep with a partner.
Edge support is often lacking in all-foam beds because their base polyfoam – while quite dense – does not withstand long-term compression very well. Over time, the material will lose shape and begin to sink more. A softer surface feel can compound this issue, especially in models like the Pod Pro with foam-padded covers.
The Eight Sleep Pod Pro can be somewhat difficult to move across, as is typical for softer foam mattresses with pillow-top layers. Many people sink a bit when they get in and out of bed. This can lead to feelings of being trapped in the mattress.
On the other hand, those weighing less than 130 pounds should have an easy time moving on the Pod Pro. While the mattress is fairly soft, it won’t sink excessively for people in this weight group. Anyone who weighs 130 pounds or more will probably struggle to change positions a bit more.
The Pod Pro offers pros and cons for couples. One strength is a deep body contour that promotes decent traction during sex. This allows you and your partner to remain in one position for prolonged periods. The temperature controls can also be an asset, as other all-foam beds tend to become excessively warm. Additionally, the mattress is totally silent and discreet if you’re looking for privacy.
Minimal edge support and deep sinkage are two major drawbacks for couples. Using the entire surface of the mattress may be somewhat difficult, and you’ll feel some instability along the perimeter that can confine you to the middle. If you and your partner prefer firmer and more responsive mattresses for sex, then the Pod Pro will probably be too soft.
Off-gassing is a common occurrence for new mattresses. After they are unboxed, the beds release tiny particles known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that carry a chemical smell many people find unpleasant. Polyfoam is associated with the strongest off-gassing, and all-foam beds are often the biggest culprits for bothersome initial odor. With the Pod Pro, you’ll probably notice the smells for at least a few days, but expect them to dissipate completely in less than a week. Comparatively, some all-foam beds retain their odor for long after the mattress is removed from its box.
If the smells persist after a few days, try leaving the mattress in a well-ventilated room. This can help flush out initial odors and leave the mattress much fresher.
Side Sleepers: The Pod Pro is well-suited to side sleepers thanks to its plush surface feel and close body contour. Side sleepers often feel most comfortable with extra padding around the shoulders and hips, which helps to support the lower back, align the spine, and reduce pressure. The responsive polyfoam combined with the memory foam’s close conforming delivers a good balance of pressure relief and support for side sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds.
However, the mattress is not as suitable for side sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds. As their shoulders and hips sink deeply into the foam, they may notice more pressure building up around the spine due to uneven alignment. Softer mattresses are often too soft for sleepers in this weight bracket. A slightly firmer bed is recommended instead.
Back Sleepers: For most back sleepers, the ideal mattress will conform closely enough to alleviate pressure in sensitive areas without losing support and sinking excessively beneath the torso and waist. Added firmness and support are often needed for this sleep position. The Pod Pro delivers a medium feel and a fairly close contour, and isn’t particularly supportive. This means back sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds will probably feel most comfortable. Their bodies won’t sink too much but they can still enjoy the pressure-relieving effects of adaptive comfort foam.
Back sleepers who weigh 130 pounds or more may also find the mattress comfortable, but they’re more likely to notice uneven support between their shoulders and hips. As the middle of the body dips into the mattress while the head, neck, and legs remain at surface-level, this can leave sleepers vulnerable to aches and pains throughout the body.
Stomach Sleepers: As we’ve seen, the Pod Pro is particularly well-suited to side and back sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds. The same is true of stomach sleepers. This position – like back sleeping – often requires more stability and support to keep the entire body on an even plane without sinking around the heavier areas. The Pod Pro’s plush feel should be reasonably comfortable for stomach sleepers in this weight group. They should also feel less pressure in the shoulders and lumbar region.
The Pod Pro may not provide enough support for stomach sleepers weighing more than 130 pounds to sleep comfortably. Body type is especially crucial for side sleeping because many people carry a disproportionate amount of weight in their midsection, so sleeping face-down can cause the entire body to sink beneath the surface – possibly to an uncomfortable extent.
| Under 130 lbs. | 130-230 lbs. | Above 230 lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side Sleepers | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Back Sleepers | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Stomach Sleepers | Excellent | Good | Fair |
The Eight Sleep Pod Pro was released in May 2020. At this time, the mattress has not received any reviews from owners or customers on its official product page. We will update this section once we have collected enough review data. In the meantime, be sure to check back on the Pod Pro’s product page over the next few months as customers complete their sleep trials.
The Pod Pro is exclusively available through Eight Sleep. You can purchase the mattress online or at one of the company’s dedicated spaces at Showfields in New York City or b8ta in San Francisco. Sleep Sherpa in Minneapolis also displays Pod Pod models for in-person testing, but not mattress purchasing.
Eight Sleep offers free ground delivery within the contiguous U.S., but deliveries elsewhere – including Alaska and Hawaii – are not available. After completing your purchase, Eight Sleep will email you a tracking number to monitor the delivery. You should receive your Pod Pro within a week of placing your order.
The Pod Pro is compressed and vacuum-sealed in plastic for shipping. This process, known as “roll-packing,” allows the mattress to fit inside a standard shipping box. The Hub and Active Grid cover are shipped at the same time in a separate box, but you may receive the packages on a different date. The boxes will be delivered curbside. You won’t need to be at home on the delivery date.
When the boxes arrive, carry them to the room where you plan to use the mattress. Unbox the bed, remove the plastic with a knife, and watch the plastic expand. The Hub and Active Grid come with detailed installation instructions. If you run into troubleshooting issues, call Eight Sleep’s customer support team.
Eight Sleep does not offer expedited ground shipping, White Glove delivery or old mattress removal.
The Pod Pro comes with a 100-night sleep trial. Eight Sleep doesn’t require a break-in period, so you can return the mattress at any point of the trial. Return the mattress within 100 nights and you’ll receive a full refund. Eight Sleep will also send couriers to retrieve the house from your residence and transport it for donation or recycling.
The Pod Pro is backed by a 10-year warranty, while the Hub and Active Grid layer are covered under a separate two-year warranty. Both warranties are completely non-prorated, so you won’t pay anything apart from shipping expenses if your mattress or technology components need to be repaired or replaced due to defect.
Body impressions in the surface of the mattress that measure 1 inch or deeper are considered defects under this warranty, as are physical flaws with the mattress that cause materials to deteriorate prematurely. Other issues, such as physical damage from misuse or poor foundational support, will not be covered.
