Eight Sleep Pod 4: Review in brief
Endorsed by world class athletes and Silicone Valley billionaires, the Eight Sleep Pod has made quite the name for itself in the sleep tech market. But what is it? Essentially a temperature regulating mattress cover with extra bells and whistles including wearable-free sleep tracking and a vibration alarm.
An electrical blanket was once the techiest thing in sleep. But the Eight Sleep Pod 4, aka the best smart bed we've tested, levels up in-bed climate control, and then some. The soft mattress cover is lined with thin water tubes connected to a bedside hub that heat up and cool down at your demand (you control it via a smartphone app).
Meanwhile, sensors in the pod coupled with an AI algorithm track your body and room temperature through the night and make adjustments accordingly to keep you at the optimal temperature for sleep. Honestly, it's any hot sleepers dream, as I found out testing it through a hot 2025 summer.
Temperature regulation is clearly the selling point of the Eight Sleep Pod 4, but its sleep tracking is top draw too and it's vibration alarm helps wake you up without a startle so you avoid morning grogginess. The only other smart features the pod lacks is adjustable positioning (though you can upgrade to the more pricey Pod 5 Ultra for this luxury) and adjustable firmness (check out Sleep Number mattresses for this pain-alleviating feature).
Our lead tester slept on the Eight Sleep Pod 4 while searching for the best sleep tracker on the market and reckons the pod was a high contender. Its high price just knocked it off our top recommendations list.
Type: Smart mattress cover and hub
Fits: 10"-16" mattresses
Sizes: 4
Trial period: 120 nights
Warranty: 2 years (extends to 5 years with Enhanced Autopilot plan)
Shipping: Free
MSRP: From $2,449 at Eight Sleep
Speaking of cost, you'll pay $2,649 for a queen size at MSRP and crop up to $200 off if you shop Eight Sleep mattress sales at the right time. You'll also need to factor in a subscription fee — starting at $17 a month — to access all features the pod has to offer (AI sleep tracking and automatic temperature adjustments sit behind this paywall.) In short, you need a healthy budget to shop at Eight Sleep.
It's worth repeating that, unlike the best mattresses for your sleep needs, the Pod 4 isn't a complete mattress. Instead, it's a smart mattress cover that fits over your existing mattress like a fitted sheet.
The $2000 question is: is the Eight Sleep Pod 4 worth the investment? Here we go into deeper detail on our Eight Sleep Pod 4 test data, analysing it across key areas such as design, materials, sleep tracking, temperature regulation and dual control to help you decide whether it's right for you.
Eight Sleep Pod 4: Price & Trial
- Eight Sleep sales are rare and conservative, hovering at around $100 off
- The Pod 4 comes with a 30-night trial and standard two year warranty
- Requires a monthly subscription to access all features via Autopilot app
Leading the way in sleep technology, Eight Sleep is the creator of some of the most innovative smart beds on the market. As such, its smart bed systems aren't particularly cheap and generous price drops are rare. Here's the current MSRP of each size in the US and UK:
- US Full / UK Double: $2,449 / £2,249
- US Queen / UK King: $2,649 / £2,349
- US King / UK Super King: $2,849 / £2,549
- US Cali King / UK Emperor: $2,849 / £2,749
Once the middle-model, the Eight Sleep Pod 4 is now the entry-level model in Eight Sleep's smart mattress suite after its recent makeover, which saw the introduction of the AI-powered Pod 5 and Pod 5 Ultra.
Comprising the mattress cover and bedside hub, the Pod 4 is $2,649 for a queen size at MSRP. If you want upgraded technology and an adjustable bed base (which brings snoring mitigation, surround sound and back pressure relief), you will have to buy the Pod 5 Ultra at a $2,250 premium ($4,699 for a queen size at MSRP).
Eight Sleep mattress sales tend to coincide with major mattress sales through the year. So, the next time we expect to see big discounts is around Labour Day in September.
Although it is the most affordable model, where the Eight Sleep Pod 4 gets expensive is with extra costs you incur. This smart mattress cover require you to separately purchase a new (or use your existing) mattress and bed base. Plus you'll need to budget for a monthly subscription fee starting at $17 per month, and going up to $33 per month, to access sleep analytics and controls through the compatible app. To make the pod worth the investment, you'll need this subscription. Without it you can't experience the full smart functionality on offer.
Where does Eight Sleep Pod 4 sit in terms of price in the wider smart bed market? While the brand's smart mattress covers are more pricey than other climate control mattress covers like the Chilipad by Sleepme (a great, cheaper alternative, if that's what you're after), the Eight Sleep Pod 4 are not as expensive as others (Tempur-ActiveBreeze, we're looking at you). After testing, we think the Pod 4 is particularly worth the money if you're struggling with night sweats.
Eight Sleep Pod 4: Materials & Design
- A water-based cooling system includes mattress cover and bedside control hub
- Smart mattress cover made with contouring, soft black material
- Touch-sensitive controls on the side of the mattress cover
The Eight Sleep Pod 4 is a water-based smart cooling system comprised of a smart mattress cover and a control Hub. The cover, which fits over your mattress like a thick fitted sheet, is made from a soft black material that provides a dynamic contouring surface and adds extra cushioning to your mattress. It is compatible with any 10" to 16" mattress of the corresponding size. You can add Eight Sleep's 11" 5-layer medium-firm mattress to your order for an extra $1,899 (was $1,999) or use an existing one. Meanwhile, the Hub dimensions are 16" (L) x 7" (W) x 17" (H) and must fit alongside your bed — be sure there's space.
Water pipes run through the mattress cover and are connected to the Hub to heat and cool as needed. Working on customer feedback on the Pod 3, Eight Sleep redesigned the tubing system for the Pod 4. The newer system allows double the cooling power and prevents leaking issues. Thermal sensors track your temperature throughout the night to make sure you don't break a sweat or get the chills. Meanwhile other sensors installed throughout the cover track your sleep and health.
The Eight Sleep Pod 4 is also fitted with tappable zones on each side of the mattress that allow you to adjust settings and knock off the built-in vibration alarm without using your phone.
You can upgrade to Eight Sleep's Pod 5 Ultra if you want an adjustable bed base included. This base fits between your mattress and bedframe and allows you to elevate your feet or head to reach your desired comfort.
Eight Sleep Pod 4: Delivery & Setup
- Smooth set up, but you'll need to allow about an hour
- WiFi and Bluetooth required to connect to Autopilot app
- Need a bedside space for the control hub and water tube
We recommend setting about an hour aside to unbox and set up the Eight Sleep Pod 4. It is delivered in two boxes, with one containing the smart mattress cover and the other the control hub. The cover comes vacuum-packed in a bag with two handles for easy manoeuvring and, although a little bulky, the hub isn't too heavy for an average adult to carry upstairs. Although I drafted the help of a family member, the Pod 4 would be easily set up by one person.
Once the cover is unpacked, you simply fit it over your mattress. Handily, there is a sticker indicating the top left corner, so you can't mistake which way the cover fits over your mattress. You must then feed the water tube down the top end of your bed making sure it isn't twisted. This tube is attached to the Hub, which fitted neatly between the bedframe and our other bedroom furniture. However, it is quite a bulky bedroom accessory I would rather do without.
Once fitted snug over your mattress, you can turn on the Hub. There is a QR on the outside of the box which takes you to the Eight Sleep app where you can complete set up. The pod must be connected to WiFi and Bluetooth. We didn't have any issues connecting it to either, but it is worth making sure you have strong internet connection in your bedroom for a smooth-sailing setup.
The Eight Sleep app takes you through setting up and connecting your pod step by step. It measures your room temperature to find an ideal sleep temperature for you and allows you to set a bedtime and wake-up routine. You can also sign up to the Autopilot subscription through the app.
Delivery and set up score: 3 out of 5
Eight Sleep Pod 4: Features
- Sensors lining the cover track your sleep metrics, from sleep cycles to heart rate
- Dual climate control keeps you at optimal sleep temperature all night long
- A smart alarm feature wakes you up with vibrations and temperature adjustments
As a smart bed system the Eight Sleep Pod 4, offers high-tech sleep features even some of the best luxury mattresses fail to offer. These include nightly sleep reports, automatic climate control and a vibration alarm.
The mattress cover is laced with sleep sensors that read metrics like heart rate, sleep cycles and snoring. These sensors are in contact with every area of your body when you lay on it, promising to give much more accurate data than you can get from a wearable sleep tracker that is in contact with just one body part. These sensors are independent on each side of the bed to give each partner a separate sleep report.
With the Autopilot feature enabled in the Eight Sleep app, the pod will automatically cool and warm throughout the night to make sure you don't get cold or clammy. Studies show the optimal sleep temperature for quality sleep is between 20 and 25 °C (68 and 77 F). You can set a specific bedtime on the app and your pod will reach this temperature at that time to help you fall asleep faster. Other research indicates that overheating is one of the biggest instigators of poor sleep. With the Pod 4 your bed's surface temperature will adjust through the night to keep your core body temperature optimized.
Throughout the night, the pod measures each sleeper's body temperature, room temperature and takes into account your local climate to keep you at an ideal temperature. In short, hot sleepers are in the best hands with the Eight Sleep Pod 4 but, for the best temperature regulation, we recommend they pair the smart bed system with one of this year's best cooling mattresses to get the most comfortable sleep. Plus, the thermal alarm function means the pod warms up come morning to help you wake up as a rise in temperature signals to the circadian rhythm that it's time to wake, helping you create a consistent sleep routine.
What's more, you can wave goodbye to phone alarm, as the Eight Sleep Pod 4 has a vibration and thermal alarm function that wakes you up silently. The mattress cover will gradually heat up as morning approaches. This is because a rise in temperature naturally signals to the body that it is time to wake up. Simultaneously, in place of an alarming ringing tone, the mattress cover vibrates to pull you from sleep at your desired wake-up time.
Eight Sleep Pod 4: Performance
- Temperature regulation is exceptional, keeping hot sleepers cool and comfortable
- Sleep tracking is detailed and accurate
- The vibration alarm helps wake you up in a more positive mood
Our main tester has now slept on Eight Sleep Pod 4 for over six months, putting it through its paces through chilly winter nights and British heatwaves. Plus they've invited other adults with various sleep needs to try it out to get a wider view of how the smart bed system performs.
As well as recording our own personal experiences, we also carried out a number of tests to gauge sleep tracking functionality, dual control and temperature regulation.
Dual control
With personalized temperature control and independent sleep tracking for each sleeper on each side of the bed, the Eight Sleep pod is perfect for couples whose sleep needs and preferences don't align.
You can adjust the temperature on each side of the bed between 13 and 43°C (55 and 110 F) via the app. Our tester found the dual temperature control effectively warms one side of the bed while keeping the other cool.
The improved dual sleep tracking sensors also mean your partner's sleep score won't affect your own, and that you each get a detailed and accurate sleep report.
Temperature regulation
Temperature regulation is the Eight Sleep Pod 4's main selling point and the area where it truly excels.
Back in November, our tester used the manual climate controls to warm the pod when they first got into bed. However, as a typically hot sleeper, they liked how it cools down on cue before they drifted off to sleep.
By the time summer (and heatwaves) rolled around, they were blown away by how well the pod regulated their temperature each night. The Pod 4 measures room temperature and lowers your bedtime temperature (alerting you via the app about any adjustments made), so by the time you wind down at the end of sweaty days, your bed's surface is comfortably chilled.
Our main tester's bedroom temperature is typically 20 °C. While sleeping on the pod our hot-sleeping tester didn't wake up sweaty or stuffy during the night and instead slept comfortably all night long. As your pod gets to know you better, the Autopilot uses your past temperature preferences and sleep history to determine your optimal sleep temperature.
The app also tells you how many temperature adjustments were made each night and at what time and sleep stage they occurred to help you understand more about your health and track how external factors like the weather or illness impact your body temperature at night. Additionally, users of the Eight Sleep Pod 4 who experience night sweats due to hormonal fluctuations caused by the menopause, or are just particularly hot sleepers, report enjoying blissful, sweat-free sleep on the pod.
Temperature regulation score: 5 out of 5
Sleep tracking
The mattress cover is laced with sleep sensors that read metrics like heart rate, sleep cycles and snoring, providing more accurate data than you can get from a wearable sleep tracker. These sensors, which come into contact with every part of your body, are independent on each side of the bed to give each partner a separate sleep report.
Unlike a smart watch, which monitors just one part of the body, the benefit of the Eight Sleep pod is the extra metrics it measures, including body temperature, snore detection, as well as overall sleep duration. The Pod 4 also measures your sleep latency (the time it takes you to fall asleep.) This is not often offered by other sleep trackers, giving a unique insight into your sleep health.
You can also click through and read more about what each sleep stage means, as well as learning more about your average sleep latency and sleep routine consistency. We especially like how you can record any alcohol consumption, illnesses or if you've taken any sleep supplements on the app to keep tabs on how lifestyle choices directly affect your sleep.
Sleep tracking score: 4.5 out of 5
- Read more: I hate wearing a watch to bed but want to track my sleep — the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor is the wearable I've been waiting for
- I tested the Withings Sleep Analyzer to see if it really is the gold standard for sleep tracking
Vibration and thermal alarm
Increasingly irritated by a typical iPhone alarm sound, our tester has been searching for tech that helps you wake up naturally, and quite frankly more humanely. As such, they've tested trying out countless sunrise alarm clocks and was impressed with the thermal, vibration alarm innovation offered by the Pod 4. They like how the vibration feels like a more subtle wake up call and it helped them wake up feeling less groggy than they would when woken by a loud alarm. You can tap the alarm off via the touch pad on the side of the bed.
Eight Sleep Pod 4: Ease of use
- The compatible app is organised and easy to navigate
- Reviews from everyday sleepers and high-performers are positive
- Eight Sleep has solved issues of earlier models and added a tap control panel
Once you get to grips with the Eight Sleep app, operating the pod is seamless. You can manually adjust the temperature and your bed routine timings via the app, which has different sections for temperature control, your alarm routine and nightly sleep reports organised in a digital calendar.
The mattress-side tap control panel is also a valuable addition to the Pod 4. Scientists suggest keeping technical devices out of bed is key to getting quality sleep. Being able to control the temperature via this feature means you avoid the wake up cue of brightly lit screens in bed, helping you get better sleep.
As well as sleeping on a mattress ourselves, we also always look at customer reviews to get a broader picture of the brand. Reviews for Eight Sleep, from top-performing celebrities, everyday sleepers and social media users, are mainly extremely positive. Many people commend it for immensely improving their sleep quality and enjoy the dual control element. They are also impressed with how the manufacturer has solved the leaking issue associated with the earlier Pod 2.
Ease of use score: 4.5 out of 5
Should I buy the Eight Sleep Pod 4 mattress cover?
The first thing to consider when deciding whether to buy the Eight Sleep Pod 4 is what sleep problems are you looking to tackle? While it excels at temperature regulation, making it a worthy investment for people whose sleep is ruined by night sweats and hot flushes, it is a mattress cover and therefore doesn't have a major influence over the comfort and support offered by your bed. Hence, people looking to tackle back pain at night, would be better off investing in a smart bed with adjustable firmness and positioning to help them achieve the most comfortable, weightless sleep position possible, or investing in one of the best mattresses for back pain.
If tracking and learning more about your sleep quality is what you want from a smart bed, then you're at the right place with Eight Sleep. Employing state-of-the-art technology to analyse and score your sleep night after night, it helps you understand what happens to your body overnight, gives a reflection of your general health and helps you keep track of how things like substances like caffeine and alcohol intake affect your sleep quality.
