Is Eight Sleep Any Good?

If you’re in the UK and have heard about Eight Sleep or 8sleep, you might be wondering if it’s a good investment? Spoiler alert: Yes, Eight Sleep is worth it, and here’s why. Like my advice? Follow this link as a small thank you for my Eight Sleep test-driving skills.

But first, what is Eight Sleep?

Eight Sleep is a smart mattress cover that regulates temperature, tracks sleep, and helps optimise rest through data-driven insights. I have the Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover, but there is now Pod 4 with snoring detection, which also comes with a base that can change your sleep position during the night. Eight Sleep also comes with a subscription component called “Autopilot” - which I don’t have and haven’t tried. My temperature settings are adjusted manually, whereas Autopilot automatically adjusts the bed temperature to keep you under for longer.

No air conditioning, no problem.

When you’re thinking about Eight Sleep UK, you might be initially tempted because UK homes often don’t have AC. In recent years, we get heatwaves, and things can get pretty steamy in the bedroom. 😉

A great alternative to AC is 8sleep! The water-cooled mattress cover can go really cold, so no matter how hot your room is, your mattress can be ice-cool.

Cold winter, hot bed.

Going in the other direction, I’m someone who likes a cool bedroom. Windows open, fresh breeze, radiators off—that kind of vibe. That said, despite the cool air, it’s nice to have a warm bed to get into. So during those winter months, I actually set my Eight Sleep to be warmer than the ambient temperature.

Is Eight Sleep noisy?

Sometimes. But it doesn’t bother me (anymore). I’m pretty observant of noises, and in my last home, it did seem noisier—perhaps because it was sat on a wooden floor.

I would say it’s noisier in the summer—I guess cooling is more taxing on the inbuilt Eight Sleep refrigerator than heating is.

In my new home, 8sleep rests on a carpeted floor and is quieter than on the wooden floor.

What does eight sleep sound like?

It sounds like a home refrigerator that runs occasionally. When it first turns on, or if you suddenly change the temperature, that’s when the unit makes noise. Most of the rest of the time, the Eight Sleep unit is silent.

Like I say, I am the type of person for whom noise is an issue, and I’m totally fine with it.

Is my sleep better with the eight sleep mattress cover?

Yes. In lots of ways. On any given night—yes. On hot days, most definitely. In terms of learning your body—yes.

How does eight make your sleep better?

The most noticeable times when it makes sleep better are when it’s hot outside. On these days, make Eight Sleep cool, and getting to sleep is much easier.

Once you’re asleep, Eight Sleep can go even colder, keeping you asleep for longer without wakeful breaks.

What have I learnt about my sleep with 8sleep?

With the Eight Sleep mattress cover, you’ll learn that sleep consistency and routine are really important. You’ll see this in the app that controls the Pod 3 cover. It gives you sleep health metrics concerning deep sleep, REM sleep, routine, HRV (Heart Rate Variability), and more. When you stick to a routine, you get a better score.

You’ll also learn the things that mess up your sleep. Namely for me: heavy, fatty meals right before bed and alcohol. Either of these things will reduce deep sleep, REM sleep, and HRV.

What is HRV - Heart Rate Variability?

You might think that your heart beats like a metronome all the time. But actually, a healthy heart beats with tiny irregularities. As Andrew Huberman says, some of this variability can be dictated through breathing. When you breathe in, your heart actually beats a little faster; when you breathe out, a little slower. This phenomenon is known as respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA).

It's a natural variation in heart rate that occurs with the breathing cycle—when you inhale, the vagus nerve briefly reduces its influence on the heart, causing the heart rate to speed up. When you exhale, vagal tone increases, slowing the heart rate. This phenomenon is an indicator of autonomic nervous system function and vagal activity.

Eight Sleep measures HRV. During a good night’s sleep, you will have a variable heart rate (good), and during a poor night’s sleep, a less variable heart rate (not good).

Heavy meals, alcohol, and illness are all influencers on HRV—in a bad way. Although an Eight Sleep mattress cover won’t stop you from eating, help you drink less, or fight illness, it will help you understand the impact of these factors and, hence, help you adjust your lifestyle towards optimal sleep.

What about wear and tear?

So far, my Eight Sleep has not broken. You have to refill the water every few months, but apart from that it appears maintenance free :)

Final Thoughts: Is Eight Sleep Worth It?

If you’re serious about sleep and want a way to actively control and improve it, I would say Eight Sleep is a really solid investment. Whether it’s keeping you cool in summer or warm in winter, it does what it says. Yes, it’s an investment, but if better sleep leads to better days, then I’d say it’s money well spent. Want to give it a go? Here is my personal purchase link.

My review: 4.5 stars out of 5. To get a 5/5, the unit would need to a little quieter.