EIGHT SLEEP POD 5 REVIEW
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 is the latest generation (as of 2025) of Eight Sleep’s smart sleep systems. It is not a mattress by itself, but a smart cover + hub + optional base + optional blanket that work with your existing mattress (10 to 16 inches deep). The system provides dual-sided active temperature regulation (cooling & heating), elevation (when adding the base), sleep tracking, alarms (thermal/vibration/sound), and more.
If you already own an Eight Sleep Pod 4 and are wondering what changes in the Eight Sleep Pod 5 and whether the upgrade is worth here, skip to that section by clicking here.
Now let’s take a closer look at everything we thought of the Pod 5, to help you decide whether this is the right cooling device for your bedroom.
Company Policies & Recommendations
Eight Sleep Pod 5 - Composition
Let’s take a look at what the Pod 5 is made of, and how the parts work together. When ordering the Eight Sleep Pod 5, you will receive the Cover and Hub only. The Base is added when you upgrade to the Pod 5 Ultra, and the Blanket can be purchased independently:
Cover: The main component. It is a hydro-powered “Active Grid” cover that wraps over your mattress (fits mattresses between 10 and 16″ thick). It has water tubes running through so that water heated or cooled in the hub circulates underneath the sleepers, adjusting the temperature of the surface. The part of the Cover you lay on, is made of 100% polyester.
Hub: The power/control unit, measuring 16″H x 16″L x 6″W, narrow enough to fit between your bed and bedside table, or even behind your bed. It heats or cools the water, pumps it through the grid into the cover, connects to the app/cloud, and receives sensor data.
Base (included only with Pod 5 Ultra model): A slim adjustable base (≈3” height) that fits under your existing mattress and allows elevation (head / sometimes foot), has speaker integration, snore mitigation (via elevation), surround-sound features. Easy to install on top of your slats, or purchase feet to fit directly inside your bed frame.
Blanket (optional upgrade for Pod 5 owners): A hydro-powered blanket that syncs with the cover to give temperature control above and around your body, not just from underneath. Useful for immersive temperature experience. The Blanket is made of 48% bamboo / 52% woven polyester.
Sensors: Embedded in the cover underneath you, are sensors for sleep phases, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), breathing, skin/body temperature, and snoring detection (especially useful with you purchased the Pod 5 Ultra with the Base). These feed into the Eight Sleep app / Autopilot.
We love that the Pod 5 works with your existing mattress (10 to 16 inches thick) — the Cover fits around your mattress like a fitted sheet and you don’t have to replace your mattress unless you want to. This means comfort and support is dependent on your current / preferred mattress.
Eight Sleep Pod 5 Sleep Tests
Everything we felt in one box
| Firmness | Temperature | Maintenance | Sleeping Style | Bed Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 Cover is about 1 inch thick with thin water tubes inside of it. While the Cover is virtually undetectable, we do personally find that it adds a pleasant tiny layer of cozy softness to your existing mattress. |
With active cooling and heating technology, powered by AI to adapt during the night based on your body’s feedback, the Eight Sleep Pod 5 maintains the ideal sleep temperature for your specific needs, throughout the night. Hot and cold sleepers benefit from its precise temperature control between 55 and 100°F. |
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 requires simple upkeep every 6 to 7 months, such as refilling the water reservoir and occasionally cleaning the cover. Overall, maintenance is minimal compared to its advanced functionality and we love the convenience of receiving reminders from the app, as well as being guided through the maintenance by the app. |
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 is only a cover. Your mattress underneath, dictates the sleeping style. A firmer mattress will support the needs for stomach and back sleepers, while softer mattresses will be better fitted for side sleepers and lighter-weight back sleepers. |
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 works with every base your mattress sits on, including adjustable bases – an upgrade from the Pod 3, which could not be used on an adjustable base. |
Firmness
Since Pod 5 is a cover system rather than a full mattress, its “firmness” is a bit of a different concept. You get your mattress firmness from what you already own and the Pod 5 Cover adds a thin layer (~1 inch) from its water grid.
We found it to add a very thin layer of cozy softness to the mattress underneath, which is quite comfortable and cozy without altering the original comfort and support of your mattress.
Temperature Control
This is one of the biggest strengths of the Eight Sleep Pod 5 system.
Dual-zone control: Each side of the bed (left, right) can be set to independent temperature preferences, both cooling and heating. So if you and your partner have different temperature needs, you can set them separately, as well as receive live adjustments of the temperature separately, based on your movement and the power of AI.
Range: The temperature range is from about 55°F to 110°F (≈ 13°C to 43°C), which is both cooler and warmer than we would ever set it, ensuring that every sleeper finds what is comfortable to him / her.
Blanket adds coverage: The optional Eight Sleep Blanket (which only syncs to the Pod 5 and beyond) enhances temperature control by covering you with water tubes from above. It synchronizes with the Cover underneath so that temperature regulation is more immersive and fully surrounds you.
Autopilot / AI adjustments: The system can adjust temperature over the night based on sleep stages, external ambient conditions, your preferences, perceived movement, etc. We love that it is not static – it reacts to ensure you stay asleep when it feels like you are about to wake up.
Weaknesses:
It takes time for the cover to reach a new temperature setpoint; if you change settings late, there may be lag – try to be proactive and allowing your Cover to set its temperature at least 30 minutes before you go to bed.
- You do need to subscribe to the Autopilot function to benefit from AI temperature adjustments during the night.
Autopilot Function
“Autopilot” is the software / algorithm layer that makes the Pod 5 system smart. It includes:
Learning from your sleep history, environmental conditions, your preferences. It auto-adjusts temperature, sometimes elevation, sound, etc., based on sleep stages and biometrics. Its goal? Keeping / sending you back to sleep before you wake, when it feels that you are about to wake up.
Delivering sleep & health reports via app: You get data on your heart rate, HRV, breathing, sleep latency, sometimes detect disturbances, trends, etc. Some features may require higher subscription tiers (ex: Elite) to unlock “Health Check”, detailed breathing / heartbeat disturbance reports.
Auto alarms: thermal / vibration / sound (in Ultra / Base) which can be triggered or scheduled — gentle, waking you up during lighter sleep phases if desired. It can also react to snoring by elevating your head (in Ultra models only) to mitigate snoring.
Autopilot is required (or included) for the first 12 months with Pod 5 purchase. It covers two users per Pod. After that, a membership / subscription is needed to maintain full smart features. Without Autopilot, you will still be able to fully use your Cover, as well as schedule your own temperature fluctuations, however, you will loose the AI / “smart” options, which allow your Cover to auto-adjust temperature / head elevation during the night.
Vibration Alarm
We are huge fans of the gentle alarm built into the Pod 5. Here’s what to know:
The vibration alarm is built into the cover system. Instead of, or in addition to sound with the Ultra version, the cover vibrates on your side of the bed to wake you gently—less jarring than siren alarms and a great way to not disturb your sleeping partner in case of differing morning schedules.
In the Ultra models, there is also thermal alarm (warming your side of the bed to gently and naturally wake you up), plus optional sound alarms via speakers.
You can set the vibration/thermal alarms in conjunction with scheduled wake times or light sleep periods. If the system detects you’re in light sleep, it can try to wake you then, gently, with a few minutes of your desired wake time, instead of right when you set the alarm, if it knows you will be in a deeper sleep cycle at that time. This is a great option to start your day off right, gently, and less groggy!
Sleep & Health Reports
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 system is not cheap, but comes with pretty awesome features, including sleep and health reports, which can help you keep an eye on how you’re doing throughout the night.
What you get out of the app / sensors, both for immediate sleep quality and intermediated health metrics:
Sleep stages: The system tracks your stages (light, deep, REM) through the night, using the embedded sensors in the cover.
Heart rate & HRV: You can see resting heart rate, heart rate variability metrics. Over time you’ll see trends. Higher subscription tiers provide more granular detail (e.g. detecting disturbances).
Breathing rate / disturbances: On higher tiers, features detect breathing irregularities or disturbances during sleep. Also “Health Check,” in Elite Autopilot tier, brings up abnormal trends.
Snoring detection & mitigation: Especially with the Base (Ultra version), if snoring is detected, the system can elevate the head side of the bed automatically, which often helps reduce snoring.
Trends over time: The app gives you nightly stats, weekly/monthly trends, suggestions based on environment / which settings worked better. This helps you optimize temperature, sleep schedule, etc.
Maintenance
Caring for the Eight Sleep Pod 5 is very straightforward and entirely guided by the app, which even sends you a reminder when is time to go through a cleaning cycle – typically every 6 months or so. Head over to your Eight Sleep app and enable Daily Maintenance for your system:
Setup: Putting the cover on your mattress, installing / placing the Hub nearby, routing tubing, filling water reservoir. The Base (if used) slides under mattress or attaches to the frame. The Blanket drapes on top. The initial setup takes some time.
Water & hygiene: The water in the Hub needs to be filled, replaced or refreshed with your local tap water. If you have concerns, use distilled water instead. Avoid algae / bacterial growth by adding 16 oz (454 mL) of 3% hydrogen peroxide if needed.
Cleaning: The cover needs only spot cleaning. Blot stains with a cloth, clean water, and mild detergent and let it fully dry before adding your sheets back on.
Warranty / support: Pod 5 comes with a 2-year standard warranty, and extended up to 5 years with the enhanced membership / Elite tier.
Subscription / Autopilot costs: To unlock the full smart features (autonomous temperature adjustment, detailed health reports, alarms, etc.), there’s a required membership for the first 12 months; after that renewal fees apply. You can select different tiers depending on the services you would like to subscribe for.
Eight Sleep Pod 5 Prices & Discounts
The Eight Sleep Pod, no matter its model, is a luxury product priced at a premium. If you have the budget for it though, it is definitely worth the investment. After sleeping on the Eight Sleep Pod 3 for nearly five years, and getting one for our parents, we can’t imagine life without it!
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 is a Cover only, and comes with the Hub. If you upgrade to Ultra, the low-profile adjustable base is included, which can be added inside your current bed frame if you purchase the legs for it, or simply placed on top of your slats.
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 is available in Full, Queen, King, and California King. If upgrading to the Ultra, it is available in Queen, King, and California King.
Note that our prices below include the Enhanced Autopilot Plan membership, which gives you 5 years of warranty. Save $100 with the Standard Plan (2-year warranty), or add $100 per year with the Elite Plan for Health Check for advanced wellbeing, cardiovascular and respiratory monitoring.
Make sure to click the box above to claim the deepest discounts!
Current pre-dicounted prices for the Eight Sleep Pod 5 with the yearly Enhanced Autopilot Plan for 5 years of warranty:
Full
- 53" x 75"
- Ultra not available
Queen
- 60" x 80"
- Ultra: $5,198
King / Cal. King
- 76" x 80" / 72" x 84"
- Ultra: $5,398
Who Is The Eight Sleep Pod 5 Good For?
Here are the types of sleepers / situations where we highly recommend the Pod 5:
People who sleep hot or cold, or live in harsh climates or climates with wide seasonal variations. The dual-zone cooling/heating can make a world of a difference. Adding the Blanket is not necessary, but will further improve temperature control.
Those who value sleep tracking / health biometrics but don’t want to wear a wearable; the embedded sensors provide a lot of data.
Partners or couples with different temperature preferences (one likes warm, one likes cool).
People bothered by snoring (especially if they want automatic mitigation via elevation + sound).
Those who want gentle alarms (vibration/thermal) rather than loud sounds, and the option of being woken up during a lighter sleep phase for a gentler start into the day.
Technology lovers, early adopters who are okay with higher upfront cost, subscriptions, more moving parts.
Sleepers who care a lot about temperature control and want a smart temperature-regulated sleep surface that helps them stay asleep through the night.
Less ideal if:
You already have a mattress that is uncomfortable; Pod 5 improves climate and features, but not the base support if the mattress is sagging or too soft/hard. In this case, you will want to update your mattress before purchasing the Eight Sleep Pod 5.
If you dislike tech complexity, want a simple passive mattress with no subscription or maintenance.
Cost-conscious buyers might find the price steep.
You already have a functioning Pod 4 and don’t need the Blanket or upgraded Base.
Eight Sleep Pod 5 vs. Eight Sleep Pod 4
Already own an Eight Sleep Pod 4? Read this important comparison table if you’re considering upgrading to the Pod 5 or are just comparing options:
| Feature | Pod 4 | Pod 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Cover + Hub system | Yes | Yes (new generation) |
| Blanket option | Not available – will not sync with the Pod 4 | Yes — new hydro-powered blanket works with Pod 5 to give immersive temperature control above the body. |
| Base / Elevation / Snore Mitigation | Base optional with some Pod 4 Ultra models; elevation for snoring in some versions. | Pod 5 Ultra adds or improves Base, plus built-in speaker, better elevation, audio features, surround-sound, etc. Better snoring mitigation. |
| Speakers / Soundscapes / Surround Sound | More limited; Pod 4 Ultra has audio alarm / app soundscapes but not as integrated surround sound. | Pod 5 Ultra / Base brings improved speakers, NSDR content, soundscapes, audio features. |
| Alarm methods | Thermal/vibration/sound alarm in Ultra. | Pod 5 has more refined thermal/vibration, gentler alarm sequencing, improved sound alarm in Ultra. |
| Tracking & Health Features | Strong in Pod 4: sleep stages, HR, HRV, etc. | Pod 5 adds more detailed health insights (in higher tiers), better algorithms, detection of breathing disturbances, etc. |
| Price | Pod 4 is substantially less expensive ($400 cheaper for the Queen model) than Pod 5. | Pod 5 costs more, especially if choosing Ultra + Blanket + Base. |
| Incremental vs Radical | Pod 4 was significant in its day; many of Pod 5’s innovations are incremental for Pod 4 users (Blanket, better sound, refined Base). | For new buyers, Pod 5 offers more complete/better tech. |
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 improves on the Pod 4 in several ways, particularly for immersive temperature control (Blanket option), better sound/speaker options, health metrics, and arguably snore mitigation. But price jumps are real, and if you already own an Eight Sleep Pod 4 and are satisfied, the difference may not be enough for all.
Eight Sleep Pod 4 vs Pod 5 – Should You Upgrade?
If you already own a Pod 4, is there enough new in Pod 5 to justify spending the money?
What you get extra with Pod 5:
The Blanket (hydro-powered) which adds temperature control from above, making the experience more immersive. Note however, that the Blanket is a separate purchase, which costs roughly $1,000 (it does not come as part of your Pod 5 purchase).
Enhanced speakers / surround sound in the Base for Ultra models; more soundscape content including Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) content.
Improved Health Check / more detailed biometric insights (disturbance detection, breathing issues).
Possibly more refined Base performance, better integrated hardware.
Slight improvements in user interface (temperature buttons, physical zones, perhaps quieter operation or more efficient hub).
What you don’t necessarily get / what improvements may feel small:
If you’re happy with your Pod 4 temperature control, alarms, tracking, you may find many of your needs already met.
The Cover/Hub technology is largely similar; many core features are incremental.
The cost difference is substantial, especially when adding the Blanket and Base.
We think that upgrading makes sense if you really want one or more of the new features (Blanket, improved Base/speaker, better health insights). If not, staying with Pod 4 is still a really strong temperature control sleeping device on the market.
Eight Sleep Pod 5 Review
Overall, the Eight Sleep Pod 5 is a very powerful piece of sleep tech. It delivers what it promises: better temperature control, smarter tracking & health features, gentler alarms, comfort for couples with different thermal preferences.
It is especially good for hot sleepers, those with snoring issues, or anyone who values data and adjustability.
However, it is expensive, requires ongoing subscription/maintenance, and the benefits over the previous generation (Pod 4) are meaningful but not earth-shattering, unless you plan on using the new additions (Blanket, improved speaker / Base, health checks). If you are budget-sensitive or prefer simplicity, it might be overkill.
| The PLUSES | The MINUSES |
|---|---|
|
|
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Eight Sleep sent us this Eight Sleep Pod 5 cooling system for testing purposes. This review is not sponsored and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
No, but fortunately it has a 30-night sleep trial so you can test it at home.
Eight Sleep no longer offers a mattress option.
Yes they offer pillows, sheets, comforters, protectors, and more sleep accessories. The new Eight Sleep Blanket is water powered and syncs to your Cover’s settings.
Who should consider buying the Eight Sleep Pod 5?
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 is ideal for hot sleepers, tech enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone wanting personalized, restorative sleep.
Is the Eight Sleep Pod 5 easy to maintain?
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 requires occasional refilling of its water reservoir and cleaning of its cover, but overall upkeep is minimal.
Can the Eight Sleep Pod 5 track my sleep and health data?
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 provides detailed sleep and health reports, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep stages.
Does the Eight Sleep Pod 5 help with overheating at night?
Yes, the Eight Sleep Pod 5 uses water-based cooling and heating technology to regulate temperature throughout the night for optimal comfort.
What makes the Eight Sleep Pod 5 different from regular mattresses?
The Eight Sleep Pod 5 combines a supportive mattress with smart cooling, sleep tracking, and health insights for a high-tech sleep experience.
Share this deal with a friend!
Laura Georgieff
Laura is a mother of three who did not sleep through the night for the first 5.5 years of her kids' lives. She is passionate about sleep quality and loves sharing her experience and knowledge of all thing bedding! It is her mission to help you make the best decisions when it comes to sleep and help you get the best deal on the market!
