Eight Sleep Pod 3 Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

Mattress vs. Cover

We tested the Eight Sleep Pod 3…which is the Eight mattress + the Pod 3 cover. However, you can buy the cover standalone and put it on whatever mattress you prefer.

Based on our tests and an assessment of the mattress design, it’s clear that the cooling performance is primarily driven by the Pod 3 active cooling cover.

The mattress itself, while good, isn’t a miracle worker. I’m not blown away by the 10” profile or all-foam design. Such design aspects limits support and overall performance.

For many sleepers, placing a standalone Pod 3 cooling cover onto a different mattress will yield better overall performance and cooling performance in general.

For example, a high-performance hybrid mattress will have all the benefits of hybrid cooling, plus active water cooling via the Pod 3.

With that said, let’s jump into our full battery of tests.

How is Eight Sleep Different?

The Eight Sleep Pod 3 mattress has slightly better-than-average cooling performance, but also a price tag that is quite a bit more than average—37% more than the average specialty mattress.

Advantages

Cooling is really the biggest advantage to the Eight Sleep Pod 3. The air chambers allow for fantastic flow and breathability. For the best cooling performance, it is hard to beat that of the Pod 3.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has 15% less sinkage than average as well as 2% deeper bounce. Both sinkage and bounce are more preferential factors and not really “good vs. bad”, but still worth considering.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages for this mattress include higher than average motion transfer levels, slightly poorer edge support, and the higher price tag.

If you want the cooling advantage, but don’t want to splurge on the whole Eight Sleep mattress, opting for the cooling cover alone (placed on any other mattress) would be a solid option.

Factor	Eight Sleep Pod 3	Average
Overall	9.53	9.51
Price	$3,295	$2,407 (Specialty only)
Cooling	10	9.4
Max Sinkage	1.84″	2.17″
Total Motion Transfer	14.53 m/s²	8.52 m/s²
Response Time	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Total Bounce	9.81″	9.65″
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage	4.25″	4.11″
Mattress Thickness	10.0″	12.0″
Sex Overall	9.9	9.6
Comfort Material	4.0″	4.2″
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	3 days	5 days
Trial	100 nights	160 nights
Warranty	10 years	26% have lifetime warranties, average of other 74% of mattresses is 14 years

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. Testing categories include:

Test	Rating
Cooling	Exceptional
Sinkage	Minimal
Motion Transfer	Very High
Response Time	Extremely Fast
Bounce	Moderate
Edge Support	Very Good
Sex	Excellent
Pressure Relief	Excellent
Off-Gassing	Excellent
Company	Excellent

Cooling Test Note: Our cooling tests were done on the coolest setting, -10 degrees.

Cooling performance was exceptionally good on the Eight Sleep Pod 3 mattress. During our tests, I felt no significant heat retention or heat build-up anywhere on my body.

To the contrary, there was a slight degree of coolness to the mattress. For our cooling tests, we set the Pod 3 to its coolest temperature, -10° F. Even after lying on it for 15 minutes, there is a cool feel.

It’s not dramatic or enough to call it “cold”, but it is incredibly comfortable. That said, based on our objective data, the mattress doesn’t hit -10 degrees. The baseline temperature (the temp before anyone lied on the mattress) was 0.7° warmer than the average (based on all of our tests to date).

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

In addition, the max temp was 87.8°F, which is 1.8° cooler than the average. While the objective surface level temperature measurements didn’t live up to the -10° setting, it is still a cool experience on the mattress.

It is arguably the coolest mattress I have tested to date.

When we look at the technology, it makes a lot of sense. We have an active water cooling system running through the top of the mattress.

The water acts as a heat sink, absorbing heat before running back to the pump to cool down and return in a continual cycle.

It’s quite possible (and likely) that the cooling performance would be even better if the Pod 3 cover was placed on a high-performance hybrid mattress (as opposed to the all-foam Eight Sleep mattress).

Heat Dissipation Over Time

All that said, I am exceedingly happy with the cooling performance on the Eight Sleep Pod 3. If cooling performance is critically important then you really cannot find any better than this.

There is a minimal level of sinkage on the Eight Sleep Pod 3. In our tests, we measured a total sinkage depth of 1.84”.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

In addition, the total level of contouring hug is also extremely restrained. In my view, the pod cover reduces the dramatic contouring hug that the mattress would create on its own.

Since the pod cover goes directly on top it you have a moderately thick layer of material between sleepers and the foams.

This design creates a more restrained hug overall. It’s not a bad feel, but it certainly doesn’t have the typical high hug, high contouring feel of memory foam or even many other types of poly foam.

The Eight Sleep Pod 3 has a very high level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured 14.53 m/s² of acceleration range. This is significantly more motion transfer compared to the average (based on all of our tests to date).

On average, we have seen 8.34 m/s² of motion transfer. As we see with the sinkage tests, the motion transfer is being significantly impacted by the active cooling layer. The Pod 3 has a taut cover.

Furthermore, there are sensors and water channels throughout the cover, all of which create an environment for extra motion transfer.

The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.

This type of active cooling cover just doesn’t absorb and disperse motion the same way that a direct foam layer is going to. Placing the pod cover on many mattresses will create extra motion.

If we look at our motion transfer chart, we can see the highest levels of motion from 0.00 to 0.22 seconds. Motion remains moderately spikey until 0.71 seconds, before returning to near zero levels.

The motion duration is a bit of a silver lining. While the motion peaks are indeed higher, the total duration is relatively restrained, especially for the highest motion spikes.

Response time on the Eight Sleep Pod 3 mattress is extremely fast. In our tests, we measured a mostly recovered response time 0.2 seconds and a fully recovered response time 0.3 seconds. This is basically as fast as it gets.

The Pod 3 is tied with the fastest-responding mattresses we’ve tested to date. On average, based on all of our tests to date, we see mattresses taking 0.4 seconds to mostly recover and 0.8 seconds to fully recover.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

As a result, the Pod 3 mattress is significantly faster than the average. The super fast response time ensures the mattress is easy to move around on and you’ll never feel stuck or overly enveloped by the foam layers.

There is a moderate level of bounce on the Eight Sleep Pod 3. In our tests, we measured 9.81” of total bounce height. This is 0.40” more bounce than the average of 9.41” (based on all of our tests to date).

While bounce is more of a preferential factor, more bounce is typically better (up to a point). More bounce helps make it easier to move around on, better for sex, and provides a more traditional feel.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

At 9.81” the Pod 3 has more than enough bounce to achieve the primary benefits of a moderate to high bounce level.

Edge support on the Pod 3 mattress is a bit of a mixed bag. Sitting edge support is solid, but edge support while lying leaves something to be desired.

While sitting directly on the edge of the mattress we measured 4.25” of total sinkage compression. This is slightly better than the average sitting edge sinkage of 4.11”.

Typically, I like to see 4.0” of sitting sinkage or less, so the Pod 3 mattress is a bit deeper, but nothing alarming.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

Overall, I’m pleased with the edge support while sitting. Lying edge support is good, but not great. While lying on my back directly on the edge I did not feel well supported.

When on my back, the absolute edge of the mattress sinks quite a bit more than the portion of my back closer to the middle of the mattress. This creates noted angled support when lying near the edge on your back.

This angle is less dramatic when lying on my side at the edge, but it’s still not great.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

Ultimately, 10” all-foam mattresses just don’t typically have great edge support.

This is especially true with a design like the Eight Sleep Pod 3. The convoluted support layer and 4.0” comfort layer, while having benefits for pressure relief and cooling, aren’t doing any favors for edge support.

The best mattresses for sex have high bounce, good edge support, quiet materials, and good pressure relief and cooling.

These 5 factors make up the NapLab sex performance score.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	60%	10	Moderate
Edge Support	20%	9.4	Very Good
Noise	10%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	9.5	Excellent
Cooling	5%	10	Exceptional

For the Eight Sleep Pod 3 mattress, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.9.

The bounce on this mattress was high enough to make the mattress surface active and engaging. Edge support was good enough and overall it was a comfortable sleep surface.

Being an all-foam mattress, there was no noise, pressure relief was excellent, and cooling was exceptional (due to the active cooling technology layer).

Furthermore, the Pod 3 cover helps to improve sex by limiting how far sleepers will sink into the mattress. This keeps bodies more on top of the foam, which is advantageous for sex.

Pressure relief on the Pod 3 mattress is excellent. The mattress does a great job at relieving pressure.

During our tests, I felt comfortable in all sleeping positions. While cooling doesn’t have a direct impact on pressure relief, indirectly, it allows you to remain more temperature comfortable.

The layered design of the Eight Sleep Pod 3 creates sufficient (though not overly deep) sinkage, especially for the midsection, butt, shoulders, and other heavier parts of the body.

With all that said, the contouring hug is far more generalized around the body. It’s more similar to latex in this respect, and less similar to memory and poly foam.

This generalized contouring hug is a consequence of the cooling technology layer. This type of a hug isn’t necessarily bad, but it is more unique. Some sleepers really love it, but those who love the high hug, high contour feel of memory foam may find the pressure relief disappointing. 

Off-gassing on the Pod 3 was pretty standard for an all-foam mattress. Out of the box, there was a fairly strong smell. The smell lasted for 3 days.

If you find yourself sensitive to strong off-gassing smells, you can set up the mattress in a well-ventilated space (without bedding) for this time frame. Turn a fan on and keep those fumes circulating around to help it off-gas more quickly.

The company score takes a look at factors that may influence your experience with the mattress.

Factors include length of the trial period, warranty, shipping / return costs, and country of origin.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	25%	9	100 nights
Warranty	25%	10	10 years
Shipping	25%	10	$0
Returns	25%	10	$0
Country of Origin	0%		USA

The company score was great with Eight Sleep. They offer a 100-night trial period, which is shorter than the 165-night average trial, but still a decent amount of time. It also comes with a 10-year warranty.

Shipping is free and returns are free as well if it doesn’t work out. There’s really not much to complain about with these company policies.

The Eight Sleep Pod 3 has a 6 firmness, but a very restrained contour and hug.

The cover dramatically alters the way a mattress like this would feel without it. It’s not nearly as dramatic or sharp a contouring hug as normal memory foam, or even poly foam is for that sake. 

Support on the Eight Sleep Pod 3 mattress is excellent. During our tests, I felt well supported in all sleeping positions.

I will say, the support dynamic creates a feeling of sleeping “on top” of the mattress, as opposed to “in it”.

The Pod 3 cover restrains sinkage depth and contouring hug along with it. This isn’t bad or good, but it is a different feel to be sure.

Despite the specific feel of the support, the mattress does create a fully supported feel. My only concern is for heavyweight sleepers.

The Pod 3 is a 10” all foam mattress with 6.0” of support foam. 3.0” of the support foam is convoluted, meaning it’s cut with air channels to improve breathability. While it’s beneficial for cooling it doesn’t help to increase support.

As a result, heavier-weight sleepers are more likely to feel a lack of support as they sink deeper through the foams.

In general, I would suggest caution for sleepers from 250 to 300 pounds, while sleepers over 300 pounds should look for a more supportive mattress.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Maybe	Maybe	Maybe

Design

The design of the Eight Sleep Pod 3 system is essentially broken down into four parts—the combo foam mattress, the ActiveGrid cover, the Hub, and the app.

Materials

The mattress itself is a 10″ foam mattress with four layers of foam, a mix of poly foam, memory foam, and support foam.

From top to bottom, the layers include:

• 3.0” poly foam
• 1.0” memory foam
• 3.0” poly foam (convoluted)
• 3.0” support foam

One thing to note, the mattress that we tested seems to vary slightly from the material thicknesses that are listed on the Eight Sleep website.

This mattress has a 4.0″ comfort layer made of 3.0″ poly foam and 1.0″ memory foam. There is a transitional 3.0″ convoluted poly foam and a 3.0″ support foam layer at the base.

The Cover

The fabric cover of the Eight Sleep has a dark cover with white trim. This cover contains the smart sensors as well as the cooling system detailed above.

There is a zipper closure that allows the cover to easily be removed. The Eight Sleep mattress is sold with the cover or you can use the cover as a standalone with any other mattress as well.

This cover is integrated with smart sensors across the entire surface that tracks many different data points in your sleep.

There is also a water-based cooling system that circulates water to help maintain the desired temperature. Cooling / heating can differ for each side of the mattress, which is a great option for couples who have different cooling needs.

The Pod Hub

Part of the Eight Sleep system includes a standalone hub that powers the onboard sensors and waterways within the ActiveGrid cover.

The Pod 3 has a line that plugs directly into the hub for power. In addition to the direct line of power between the mattress and the hub, there is also a 3-prong cord that powers the hub.

The App

The last part of the Eight Sleep system is the app. This app serves a number of free functions including:

• Dual-zone cooling and heating
• Sleep tracking
• Personalzied health reports
• Gentle wake-up alarm (chest level vibration)

You can also opt for the paid version of the app (8+ Pro) for the following exclusive features:

• Automatic temperature adjustments
• Digital coaching to get better sleep
• Data insights about sleep health
• Sleep content (ie: meditation, sleep sounds, etc.)

Setting up the app takes about 15 minutes and the app does a good job of guiding you through the steps for completion.

Once setup, it’s pretty easy to adjust settings or controls to best suit each sleeper.

Within the app, there are easy ways to adjust all data points. You can change the temperature, set schedules, and set a vibrating alarm. This alarm delivers chest-level vibrations that can range from mild to very high in intensity.

Overall, I was impressed with the Eight Sleep app and the level of customization available, even for the free version.

Product Evolution

Eight Sleep first launched in 2015. In 2015 they launched with their first smart cover. That first cover included a:

• Smart alarm
• Sleep tracking
• Temperature control

However, the early temperature control was very basic compared to today’s Pod. Over the years Eight’s technology and performance has dramatically improved. In February 2019 they launched the Pod series mattress and cover.

The model has been continually revised and improved since launch. The Eight Sleep Pod 3 that we tested was launched July 2022.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Eight Sleep Pod 3 is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated mattresses you might want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Eight Sleep Pod 3 mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.