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Let me start off by asking this: if you can sleep better, why don’t you?
That’s the question my husband asked me when we first started dating. See, I always thought I was a fine sleeper. I never had a tough time falling asleep could sleep all night, and wake up feeling A-OK. Sleep was always an afterthought. Of course, that was until we moved in together.
He works in tech, which means he’s always on the pulse of the latest innovations in the health tech space (thanks, Twitter). Over the last seven years, he’s turned me into a sleep fanatic too. So, when he suggested we finally invest in the Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover he’s been hinting about for months, I said “twist my arm.”
Editor’s Note: Eight Sleep’s biggest sale of the year is here! For a limited time, you can save up to $250 on Eight Sleep’s Pod technology. Treat yourself to the gift of better sleep with $0 down now, then pay over time in installments with Affirm (0% APR). Pricing starts at under $3 a day!
Two months later, I can say that I’ve officially been converted into an Eight Sleep believer. Here’s why…
Trusted By Experts
Whether it’s for brain function, behavioral studies, physical health, or athletic performance, scientists have been studying sleep for ages. Eight Sleep combines all of that scientific data with new technology designed to actually improve your sleep quality (and track how well it’s working).
Given the huge role that deep sleep plays in both brain function and physical recovery, it’s not surprising that professional athletes, neuroscientists, and doctors count themselves as users of Eight Sleep. See, according to this study, Eight Sleep has been shown to improve users’ sleep quality by an average of 32%.
While I don’t have a high-stress job that requires optimal brain function and peak physical form at all times, anything that helps me wake up rested, get 30 minutes of exercise, and make it through my work day with a smile is an emphatic YES in my book. If a cool, high-tech mattress can help with that, I’m in.
Choosing the Right Pod
Eight Sleep has two different offerings: the Pod Mattress and the Pod Cover.
Both utilize Eight Sleep’s temperature-regulating and sleep-monitoring technology. The only major differences are that the Pod Mattress provides pressure-relieving spinal support, while the Pod Cover can be used on top of any existing mattress.
Plus, they both require minimal setup. All you have to do is hook your Pod up to the wifi-enabled hub, fill the cooling tank up with purified water, and connect to the app. We decided to go for the cover because we already have a mattress we love!
We also chose the option to enjoy now and pay later using Affirm—which brought the grand total to $67 a month for a king-sized Pod Pro 3 Cover with PerfectFit. That’s roughly $1 a day for each of us, which made it feel like much less of a splurge.
So, how does Eight Sleep actually improve your sleep? Great question.
Cutting-Edge Cooling Tech
If you’ve ever cranked your AC before going to bed, you’ve probably noticed how much of a difference just a few degrees has on your sleep quality. Decades of scientific data have established that temperature—specifically sleeping cooler—is one of the most significant factors in your body’s ability to remain in deep REM sleep.
Eight Sleep’s “temperature autopilot” technology has sensors that monitor both the ambient temperature of your room and your body temperature throughout the night. They use that data to adjust the mattress temperature and gently cool you down when you show signs of waking up (i.e. when you start to toss and turn).
Even better, it collects that data over time and anticipates your sleep cycles, adjusting the Pod’s temperature proactively before your sleep is interrupted. It took about 2 weeks for my Pod to identify that my sleep quality was the weakest between 3 and 4 am every night—and it made the necessary adjustments by cooling down slightly at around 2:45 am.
The Pod is app-connected, so you can see the data when you wake up and literally watch (and feel) the quality of your sleep improve over time. The app also provides insights on key health indicators like heart rate variance and respiratory rate—which my husband nerds out about. I’m more interested in the digital coaching element, which helps me build better sleep habits over time.
Our Personalized Sleep Routine
Comfort is subjective, but sleep quality is not. With Eight Sleep’s technology, it’s easy for both me and my husband to hit our sweet spot. The Pod has two separate temperature zones, which means each side of the mattress adjusts to our sleep cycles and body temperatures (anywhere between 55° and 110°).
Our Pod Cover also maps out the pressure points of our bodies, adjusting to provide spinal support as needed throughout the night. He’s a side sleeper who prefers a firmer mattress, while I’ve always liked cushy memory foam—and the Pod is like the Goldilocks of mattresses for both of us (if Goldilocks were training to be an astronaut).
Effortless Mornings = Better Days
When I read about the Pod’s wake-up function I didn’t think I’d appreciate it as much as I do now. The mattress warms up and gently vibrates at chest level to wake you up slowly—which means I’m not jolted awake by my husband’s blaring iPhone ringtone every day.
His side of the bed wakes him up for his morning CrossFit class, while mine wakes me up two hours later. Let me just say, 5 am is waaay different than 7 am in terms of how my mood is that day.
Better yet, we’re both clocking (around) 8 hours a night, and the effects of our Eight Sleep Pod Cover are tangible. Not only are we both happy and energetic in the mornings, but that well-rested feeling lasts all day with minimal caffeine.
You Spend 1/3 of Your Life in Bed
Was the Pod 3 Cover a splurge for us? Definitely, but after two months, my husband and I can both say that the benefits are more than worth it. Think about it like this: you spend nearly one-third of your life in bed…so why skimp on your sleep?
We justified the price because it’s an investment in both our day-to-day and long-term health—and because there’s a 10-year warranty. Plus, Eight Sleep offers the ability to pay in installments, and the monthly payments are a fraction of what our car payments are. I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot more time in my bed than my car.
You don’t have to take my (or thousands of well-rested customers‘) word for it though. Head to Eight Sleep’s website to start sleeping smarter.
