The upgraded membership ($25 per month, $299 annually) extends the warranty to five years, which is important with such an investment. Although I haven’t experienced any hardware issues yet, the system relies on pumps, tubes, and sensors that run every night. This introduces more points of failure than traditional mattresses, and consumers have reported warranty
The upgraded membership ($25 per month, $299 annually) extends the warranty to five years, which is important with such an investment. Although I haven’t experienced any hardware issues yet, the system relies on pumps, tubes, and sensors that run every night. This introduces more points of failure than traditional mattresses, and consumers have reported warranty replacements for various problems over the years. Once coverage ends, replacing hardware could be expensive. The new Elite level ($33 per month, $399 annually) also includes a five-year warranty and Health Check.
Beyond ongoing costs, there are also privacy considerations; cloud dependency issues, which I explain below; and questions about how much access a company should have to your bedroom. Last year, security researchers discovered vulnerabilities in Eight Sleep’s firmware, including backdoors that could allow remote access and allow unauthorized users to execute arbitrary code and transmit user data to Amazon Web Services (AWS). This also means that Eight Sleep engineers can tell when you’re asleep, if two people are sharing the bed, and when the bed is empty. “Imagine your former Eight Sleep workers,” Dylan Ayrey and Jake King, co-founders of cybersecurity company Truffle Security, wrote in a 2025 blog post.
Eight Sleep has since updated its security policies, clarifying that customer support can only access a user’s Pod remotely with explicit consent and while the user is physically present with the device.
Finally, because the Pod relies on cloud connectivity, outages can impact functionality. During an AWS outage in late 2025, some users momentarily lost temperature regulation and adjustable base features. Eight Sleep has since introduced backup mode to reduce the impact of connectivity failures, but it does not guarantee that similar problems will not occur again.
The Pod 5 is the best temperature-regulating sleep tracker I’ve tested. But between mandatory subscriptions, privacy commitments, and reliance on the cloud, the gap between what it costs and what it requires you to agree to is still wider than ideal. If you’re already a member of Eight Sleep, the exchange program makes sense. If you are a newcomer, you should know exactly what you are buying.
As for me? I’m going to continue using it. That’s the truth.
Plus eight sleeping accessories
I haven’t tried these add-ons, but if you’re curious, here’s a rundown of the available add-ons.
Base for $1,999: Eight Sleep’s 3-inch adjustable base sits under your mattress and automatically adjusts elevation to reduce snoring and relieve pressure points. It’s also designed with a built-in speaker for soundscapes, white noise, and guided meditations. It’s compatible with most bed frames or can stand alone with the Eight Sleep Leg Kit ($99).
Blanket for $999: The Hydro Blanket syncs with the Pod Cover and reflects its dual-zone temperature capabilities. Eight Sleep also sells an optional duvet cover ($199) and a Pod sheet set (from $189), both made of machine-washable modal and custom designed to fit your Pod cover and blanket.
Air pillow for $299: This memory foam pillow is designed with a temperature-regulating gel and a ventilation system to dissipate heat and increase breathability.
Pillowcase for $999: This pillowcase syncs with the Pod Cover to monitor head and neck temperature throughout the night. For independent temperature regulation from the Pod Cover, you would need to connect the Pillow Cover to a separate Hub.
Capsule protector for $119: Made from moisture-wicking nylon and polyester with a waterproof laminate, this cover is designed to protect the Pod from allergens, spills and other messes.
Mattress from $1,899: Eight Sleep sells its own five-layer mattress that pairs with the Pod Cover.
For more tech updates, stay tuned to our blog.
