This article is going to be a review of the EightSleep Pod Pro Mattress, detailing my first-hand experience with using this Golden Age technology.
Here’s why I’m going out of my way to endorse this particular product…
This company takes care of the #1 hidden variable that robs people of deep, uninterrupted sleep: Body temperature regulation.
You may not consider this to be of great importance, but trust me when I say NOTHING on the market has made such a profound difference in my sleep.
And since we spend 33% of our lives lying down in bed, we might as well do so in a way that helps us maintain peak performance while we’re awake.
Who Is EightSleep?
First, let’s take a look at this company and what they stand for.
Wikipedia gives us a brief overview of their background to date:
“Eight Sleep is an American technology company based in New York City that specializes in developing and manufacturing of smart mattresses.
Eight Sleep was founded in 2014 by CEO Matteo Franceschetti, Massimo Andreasi Bassi, Andrea Ballarini, and Alexandra Zatarain. The company financed their first projects through a crowdfunding campaign in 2015. From 2016 onward, the company raised money through more traditional means, participating in a Series B fundraising round in 2018 and a Series C fundraising round in 2021.”
I want to bring more attention to EightSleep’s Series C funding in August 2021 as it really goes to show they are far and away from a one-and-done company:
“Eight Sleep, which makes “smart” mattresses and mattress covers (for regular mattresses) that use machine learning and other artificial intelligence-based algorithms to improve your sleep both by changing temperature and monitoring other physical parameters to provide an overall picture of your health, has raised $86 million in a Series C round of funding… This Series C brings the total raised by Eight Sleep to $150 million, and the startup has confirmed to [us] that its valuation is now close to $500 million.”
“Eight Sleep claims that when people use its products, they fall asleep 40% faster, get up to 20% more deep sleep and experience 30% fewer mid-night wake-ups and up to 30% fewer tosses and turns.”
In addition to dozens of athletes endorsing this product such as Kris Bryant and Alex Rodriguez, their “wall of love” showcases thousands of everyday people clamoring over the night-and-day difference (no pun intended) the Pod Pro Mattress has made in their lives.
Antonio Gracias, founder of the venture capital firm Valor Equity Partners that has previously backed the likes of Tesla and SpaceX, joined in the Series C funding among other participants after trying the mattress out:
“… [He] seems to have been won over in part by becoming a user:
‘The first night I slept on the Pod I knew we had to get involved… We’ve seen this in our portfolio many times – Eight Sleep’s products and technology are disrupting the sleep market, and its rapid innovation is outpacing the competition as it builds a new sleep fitness-focused category that delivers results.’”
I HIGHLY recommend you watch my podcast with EightSleep founder Matteo Franceschetti to understand why it’s high time we modernize the mattress by leveraging smart technology to improve our sleep performance:
Given Matteo’s status as a high-performance superachiever, nobody is better qualified to understand the devastating impacts of sleep deprivation and how it needs to be fixed.
The Importance Of Being Well-Rested At Night
Readers of this website shouldn’t have to be reminded of why consistently sleeping 7-8 hours every night is the fast track towards better physical and mental health.
So to summarize, I’ll quote what I’ve already written in The TOT Bible:
“Don’t try and be the type of person who doesn’t get enough sleep. You CAN NOT hack sleep. Sleep is critical, period. It prevents a variety of disease processes including obesity and coronary artery disease. It also prevents neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Lack of sleep can, and does, cause inflammation612
Adequate rest optimizes your recovery from the damage and stress applied to muscle fibers by intense resistance training. Most of the newest research indicates that the optimal amount of nightly sleep is between 5.5 and 7 hours. In fact, sleeping longer than 8 hours can actually increase one’s risk of death.
On top of getting a good night’s rest, you also want to sleep with proper anatomical form to avoid stiffness and soreness in your neck and back.”
Sleep affects every hormone in your body, ESPECIALLY testosterone.
One 2011 study examined the effects of sleep deprivation on ten healthy young men with an average age of 24, where the subjects spent 8 nights sleeping just 5 hours per night.
Here were the results:
“Daytime testosterone levels were decreased by 10% to 15% in this small convenience sample of young healthy men who underwent 1 week of sleep restriction to 5 hours per night, a condition experienced by at least 15% of the US working population. By comparison, normal aging is associated with a decrease of testosterone levels by 1% to 2% per year.
This testosterone decline was associated with lower vigor scores but not with increased levels of cortisol, a stress-responsive hormone that can inhibit gonadal function. Symptoms and signs of androgen deficiency include low energy, reduced libido, poor concentration, and increased sleepiness, all of which may be produced by sleep deprivation in healthy individuals”
But let’s say you already have low testosterone levels despite sleeping well at night.
Even then, failing to remain fully optimized is sabotaging your sleep hygiene more than you might realize.
From The TOT Bible:
“Men of all ages with testosterone deficiency generally don’t sleep well. They often sleep less efficiently, enjoy less rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and wake up more frequently. Recent research into Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) has found a relationship between hormonal health and OSA:
Men who sleep poorly also tend to have suboptimal levels of testosterone. Even worse, treating low testosterone levels with various TOT delivery systems may actually aggravate underlying sleep breathing problems or lead to the development of OSA“
Unfortunately, the lack of research makes this a difficult topic for us to weigh in on. It is our opinion that the majority of men using TOT with sleep apnea can do so without significant risk. This statement assumes that these men are also reducing body fat, exercising (both resistance and cardiovascular training) and wearing their prescribed treatment apparatus (Cpap mask) as instructed.”
So understand that when you CHOOSE to put off sleeping properly for even a short time, you are actively sabotaging your own health and unnecessarily shaving years of life away from your lifespan.
Why Is Body Temperature Important For Fully Optimized Sleep?
There are hundreds of tactics and strategies you can employ to sleep deeper and longer without waking up in the middle of the night.
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, avoiding consumption of heavy meals before bed, lowering your stress levels, spending adequate time in sunlight every day… the list is endless.
Yet many people fail to consider how thermoregulation plays a significant factor in sleep quality and quantity.
While there is no “perfect sleep temperature” that works for every single person, the scientific evidence points in one particular direction:
“…sleep experts unanimously suggest keeping your bedroom cooler than the standard daytime temperature of your home. There is no universally accepted temperature that is the correct one, but various medical entities have suggested ideal temperature ranges.
The most common recommendation, cited by places like the Cleveland Clinic and the National Sleep Foundation, is 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Within that range, experts vary. A neurologist in Virginia told Health.com that the magic number is 65. Others have advised an upper limit of 64″
So what you’re really looking for is the Goldilocks temperature: The right one that allows YOUR body to fall asleep and stay asleep.
If you’ve ever tossed and turned during the summer nights, you already know why it’s a bad idea to sleep when you’re feeling hot:
“[A] drop in internal temperature also coincides with the release of sleep hormones, which helps initiate sleep and promote quality rest.
…Because our bodies rely on a drop in temperature to fall asleep, a warmer bedroom can lead to tossing and turning instead of quality sleep. Research also suggests that sleeping too hot can reduce sleep efficiency, which can lead to fatigue over time.
Some studies have shown a correlation between higher core temperatures and a decrease in time spent in important sleep stages, such as slow-wave sleep and REM sleep. These sleep stages are crucial for the body to adequately recover throughout the night.”
Conversely, it’s harder to get some shut-eye when you’re in peak winter weather and freezing:
“[A 1981 study] examined semi-nude participants and found that their sleep was more affected by cold temperatures than warm ones. However, these participants did not have blankets or other bedding to stay warm.
In general, the cold will not affect your sleep cycle, but it may make it more difficult to fall asleep and impact other aspects of your health. If you’re too cold during sleep, your body may alter its cardiac autonomic response.”
(BTW, this 2012 review is a great summary of all the ways in which hot and cold temperatures affect different aspects of sleep)
So rather than adding and removing blankets, putting on and removing clothes, opening and closing windows and vents…
…why not just use a mattress which automatically regulates your sleeping environment’s temperature for you?
What Makes EightSleep’s Pro Pod Mattress So Unique?
You might be wondering why I’m making such a huge deal out of the highly advanced Pod Pro Mattress — after all, is it really THAT unique!?
As you’ll soon see, this genius product from EightSleep does so many things that would normally require numerous pieces of equipment.
Rather than worry about synchronizing multiple devices, I have just one mattress to check off everything I need.
Here are the game-changing features you need to know about…
Made Out Of High-Quality Foam
The Pod Pro Mattress consists of five layers of the highest-quality foam to give you the optimal amount of breathability, comfort, and bodily support.
It has just the right amount of elasticity and airflow to adapt to your body weight and shape.
When I was laying down on this mattress, it didn’t feel hard as a rock nor did it “swallow” my body into the mattress.
This saved me a significant amount of time in trying different mattresses across numerous furniture stores to find what works best for me.
Helps You Sleep At The Perfect Temperature
The Pod Pro solves the #1 issue preventing over 80% of Americans from consistently sleeping 7-8 hours a night: Controlling their body temperature.
Through the use of advanced water-cooling technology, you can cool the mattress’ temperature to anywhere between 55 degrees Fahrenheit and
It’s is the only mattress on the market that uses water to actively cool the temperature to as low as 55 degrees and keep your body temperature cool throughout the night (although you can go as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit).
This means you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer… and unlike a traditional mattress, the Pod Pro won’t absorb your body’s heat and force you to fall asleep at higher temperatures.
All of this can be easily managed with the free SleepOS app made available on Android and iOS.
You can measure the room temperature, humidity, local weather, and more to adjust the temperature to your body and environment.
And thanks to the sensors located within the mattress, all of the above can be adjusted in real-time to keep your body at a cool temperature.
But the SleepOS app doesn’t stop there…
Tracks 11 Essential Biometrics For Deep Sleep
In conjunction with the SleepOS app, the Pod Pro allows you to track 11 vital biometrics for better sleep and health.
You’ll receive key intel on things like:
- Heart rate variability
- Respiratory rate
- Time spent sleeping
- Time spent in each cycle of sleep, such as rapid eye movement (REM)
- When you fell asleep and when you woke up
- Breathing patterns
- Body temperature
- Amount of tosses and turns
And when you wake up, you’ll receive daily reports every morning that record your sleep performance while making suggestions on how to optimize your sleep.
Here’s a preview of what you can expect to see when you wake up and open the SleepOS app:
The best part? You don’t need to use an uncomfortable wearable that needs to be continuously recharged.
YouTuber Katie Moore and her fiance Jasper wrote an excellent review that shows how their sleeping metrics improved after just one month with the Pod Pro mattress:
Jasper even found he needed to sleep LESS while improving his sleep quality at the same time… a win-win situation, if you ask me!
Incredibly Easy To Setup
EightSleep’s Pod Pro Mattress comes in several boxes, as shown in my unboxing video I posted last year:
Fortunately, EightSleep has a free YouTube tutorial showing you the simple steps you need to get the Pod Pro Mattress fully functional (although it does come with written instructions and online instructions):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PbQQnrGI30
This took myself and Monica just a few minutes at most, so don’t worry about spending hours — or even minutes — scratching your head and wondering why the mattress isn’t working properly.
The only downside is the 24 hours you need to allow the mattress to fully decompress upon unboxing, but many mattress-in-a-box products work this way.
A Soothing Sound-Free Wakeup Alarm
I’m a complicated sleeper: While I’m an early-to-rise guy, there’s nothing more I hate more than the sound of an annoying alarm.
And if I happen to wake up Monica while she still needs her beauty rest, it’s not a great start to the day.
The Pod Pro mattress solves this problem via its GentleRise WakeUp technology — a combination of gentle vibrations and gradually warmer temperatures will allow you to effortlessly wake up at a time of your choosing and feel completely refreshed.
This works exactly as advertised because the only time I’ve ever had to rely on an alarm clock is when I’m traveling and don’t have the convenience of taking an entire mattress with me.
Optimize The Whole Bed… Or Just Your Side!
Remember when I said that everybody has a sleeping temperature that’s just right for them?
Well, it turns out Monica and myself have different temperatures in mind.
What makes the Pod Pro so unique is its dual-zone design… yes, you can configure the mattress through the SleepOS app to have unique settings for each side of the bed.
Which means each side can be configured through:
- The cooling/heating needed for each side, along with individual sleeping schedules
- Tracking the +11 biometrics for each individual separately
- The GentleRise Wake Up technology for couples who wake up at different times
This feature alone is a game-changer you will not see in any other “smart” sleep mattress.
There’s a reason why the Pod Pro mattress is recognized as the “best mattress for couples” by Forbes!
How To Buy EightSleep’s Pro Pod Mattress At A Discount
What brought me over to the Pod Pro Mattress was how comfortable it was, considering I was in the market for what many sleep optimization experts blindly recommend: The TempurPedic.
As much as I was tempted, the Pod Pro Mattress allowed me to achieve the same comfort — and much more — for a far lower price point.
And unlike the TempurPedic, EightSleep gives you a FREE 100-night trial alongside free shipping and returns.
Plus, as a loyal reader, you can take $150 off your purchase of the Pod Pro Mattress by clicking here!
For those of you wondering… I got the Cali King Pro Pod Max model, which just happens to be their highest-priced one.
The Max is different from the Pro Pod in the following way (taken from their website):
“…[also includes] a new MaxChill™ layer infused with silver, graphite and copper to offer maximum heat dissipation and antimicrobial properties that further enhance the Pod Pro’s temperature regulation technology and help you maintain a thermo neutral environment while you sleep”
But the mattresses are also available in Twin and Queen sizes, alongside payment options for financing over several months, so pick the one that best suits your need.
Additional Resources For Fully Optimizing Your Sleep Hygiene
While you’re waiting for EightSleep’s Pod Pro mattress to arrive at your house, I have some useful resources for fixing poor sleeping habits in the meantime…
I did a fantastic podcast with James Swanwick, the creator of Swanwick’s blue light blocking glasses, who told me about the negative impacts of bright-screen technology on sleep quality.
(I use the Day & Night Light Protection Set when I work at the computer all day long, on which you can save 15% on when you use code TOTREV at checkout)
I also have another podcast I did with sleep optimization expert Samuel Smith, who dives deep into how obesity is yet another roadblock to good sleep.
During the day I rely on Ultimate Longevity’s grounding mat to reduce bodily inflammation and dramatically enhance deep sleep at night, and their grounding pillows are heavenly when used alongside the Pod Pro Mattress)
As much as I am no fan of CNN at all, their compilation of 37 sleep hacks is a good checklist for where you may be unconsciously self-sabotaging yourself into poorer sleep at night.
Lastly, EightSleep themselves have put out an incredible amount of content on sleep optimization — a white paper, a blog with 2-3 well-researched articles published per week, and much more!
As always…
Raise Your Vibration To Optimize Your Love Creation!
PS – When you’re ready for many more advanced hacks on sleep optimization, sign up for The Fully Optimized Health Private Membership Group.
In addition to full-on access to Daniel Kelly and I, you’ll be able to reach new levels of physical and well-being with a group of high-conscious, like-minded men and women.
You’ll also get access to our best-selling books and webinars for free, state-of-the-art testosterone optimization, cutting-edge research on peptides and supplements, interviews with spiritual masters, and our “black book” Rolodex of the world’s best hormonal health physicians.
