Chilipad Review: So Cooling, I Turned Down The AC In Triple-Digit Heat

Forbes

2 days ago

From testing cooling mattresses and bedding to cranking the AC to truly frigid temperatures, I've tried countless ways to escape overheating while I sleep. (I think my husband especially appreciates my method of morphing into a human torpedo and kicking all the blankets off in the night.) So when I started testing the Chilipad by Sleepme, an active cooling system you add to your bed, I was excited—and dare I say, hopeful—to add it to my repertoire of reprieves. In this Chilipad review, I share how it performed after using it for more than two months during the peak of summer.
I tested the Chilipad Dock Pro for over two months in the summer heat to see how effective it is. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
I live in the South, where we've hit triple digits these past few weeks. Add in a healthy dose of humidity and you have the perfect testing environment for a cooling product. Chilipad offers multiple cooling systems; my husband and I tested the Chilipad Dock Pro Bed, which lets you independently customize temperature and scheduling for each side of the bed. Ahead, learn more about how it works, its standout features and its potential drawbacks.
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Cooling type: Active | Cooling method: Water | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 1 year
What you'll love: Available in half or whole sizes for one or more sleepers
Each partner can control their side of the bed
Temperature control ranges from 55 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit
No membership fees
Keep in mind: It requires distilled water and cleaner for maintenance (not included)
Only queen, king and California king sizes are available
You can choose a 'me' or 'we' model of the Chilipad Dock Pro, meaning a half size created for just one person that goes on one side of the mattress or a whole size for two people who share a bed. Both options are available for queen, king and California king mattresses. My husband and I ordered the 'we' to see how customizable it truly is for couples.
When it arrives, you may feel like there's a lot going on with the different docks, hoses and wires, but it comes together rather simply. You secure the pad on your mattress like you would a protector and weave the hoses through your bed frame. The hoses connect to the dock(s), which then plugs into the wall. You can power the device on and control the temperature using the buttons on the dock, but it's best (and easiest) to download the Sleepme app and control it from your phone.
The "we" Chilipad Dock Pro fits like a mattress protector, but with hoses at the bottom. bridget chapman for forbes
Along with adjusting the temperature from 55 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit, you can set up a regular schedule for it to automatically turn on and adjust throughout the night or morning if you prefer. Something I also especially appreciate about the Chilipad: It does not require an ongoing paid membership or fees like some other cooling products do.
If you're like me and enjoy a clutter-free zone, I'd measure the space beneath your bed frame to make sure it can slide under. At 6.25 inches tall, the docks just barely slide under ours. (It would bother me if I had to keep them out in plain sight, but that may be a personal preference—I don't fully love being able to see them under the bed either, to be honest.)
The Chilipad's dock slid snugly under my bed, keeping it out of immediate sight. bridget chapman for forbes
The cooling system works by circulating distilled water through microtubes in the pad, and the water's temperature changes to keep you comfortable. You do need to buy the distilled water separately; I found it requires a refill every few weeks, so it's best to keep a jug nearby. With my husband and I using two docks every night, we probably replace the jug itself on a monthly basis. Rapid And Effective Cooling (Or Heating) Relief
One lesson I've learned after moving many times over the years is no two thermostats seem to share the same temperature truth. What I mean by that is 66 degrees for one may feel like 70 degrees for another, and hot sleepers know how much each one of those degrees count in the middle of a sweltering night. Because of this, I first set my Chilipad to 64 degrees—and I froze. I found my sweet spot to be 68 to 70 degrees for most of the night with an automatic adjustment to 73 degrees come morning. Meanwhile, my husband likes his even cooler, at 65 degrees, so it takes some playing around with.
Whatever your preferred temperature, this system was so effective at cooling my body that I ended up turning down our AC a few times in the middle of the night. I also tested its heating function, cranking it up to the full 115 degrees. The result was a soothing warmth, as if lying on a full-body heating pad or heated massage table. I think it could especially be relaxing and helpful for easing aches, pains or cramps.
The second the system kicks on, it starts working, but it takes a few minutes to significantly change degrees. You can slightly feel the water when it initially fills the microtubes within the pad beneath you, and a cooling sensation forms as it drops in temperature, but it's very subtle in terms of the operational feel. I didn't notice the pad itself being there throughout the night and don't think it altered the feel or firmness of our mattress at all.
The dock's display shows your bed's current temperature next to what it's working toward. bridget chapman for forbes
I compare the sound the dock makes to a very gentle white noise. The brand refers to it as 'whisper-quiet,' a description I agree with. We also sleep with a white noise machine so it didn't impact us at all. Nevertheless, I think most people would be fine with it or would hardly notice it since I had to double-check whether it was still on or not some mornings—but if you need your room to be dead quiet while you sleep, it might be a dealbreaker depending on where you place the dock. Easy To Maintain With Water And Cleaner
As mentioned above, you need distilled water to keep it running, but Sleepme suggests you also use the Chilipad cleaner on a monthly basis. Using the cleaner is really easy: You just pour it into the same area where the distilled water goes and you're done. However, you need to purchase the cleaner separately; you can buy it as a 3-, 6- or 12-pack (ranging from $24 to $96 before discounts). The brand also recommends doing a semiannual flush where you disconnect the pad, drain it, then wash it in a cold water on gentle cycle and dry with a medium-temperature setting.
You add both the water and cleaner to this corner of the dock (after unlocking and removing the ... More lid). bridget chapman for forbes
I always recommend using a mattress protector to keep your mattress safe from spills, dust mites and allergens, but I would especially recommend a waterproof one for extra security if using the Chilipad. (We haven't experienced any issues with leaking or condensation, but again, it never hurts to have one.) Optional AI-Powered Sleep Tracking
You can also add a sleep tracker to the Chilipad Dock Pro, which is in the form of another thin but smaller pad that goes under the Chilipad cover where your chest lies. It uses AI to offer live temperature adjustments as well as daily analyses of your REM, deep sleep and light sleep stages.
The non-wearable device also tracks your sleeping heart rate variability, resting heart rate, breathing patterns and more in an effort to help improve your sleep quality and knowledge. All the information is stored in the same app you use to operate the Chilipad. It does cost an additional $299 at full retail, though. We haven't tested this component yet and cannot speak to its precision (though no sleep tracker is 100% accurate). Final Thoughts
The Chilipad Dock Pro Bed Cooling System has immensely transformed our sleep. Not only do we sleep deeper and better—and have nixed the 3 a.m. blanket-kicking routine—but my husband no longer feels like a human furnace sleeping next to me, and vice versa. It's easy to use, and I love that you can set daily, personalized schedules for each side of the bed.
Though I do think there are a lot of mattresses and bedding products that are more 'cooling' than others, there's only so much they can do, since they don't use electronic tech to cool you down. Rather, their materials help regulate your temperature by being breathable, cool to the touch or a heat conductor. They definitely help in my experience and are adequate for many sleepers, but their capabilities are not extreme. The Chilipad, on the other hand, is an active bed system that can truly chill or toast you to your heart's content.
There are also smart beds that contain this type of technology, like the Sleep Number ClimateCool, but these options are best if you're looking to commit to a more drastic (and expensive) sleep setup change. I appreciate that adding the Chilipad to your current mattress won't alter its feel or firmness.
However, I know the Chilipad Dock Pro is a luxury purchase alone. It also may not be the right product for those looking to avoid having any dock(s) and hoses to store under or around their bed—or if you don't want the regular maintenance of adding distilled water and cleaner. In that case, a cooling blanket or cooling mattress topper may suffice. But for my hot-sleeping husband and me, the Chilipad is beyond worth it. Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted sleep team consists of experienced editors and writers who've tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products to help others achieve the best sleep possible. Our extensive library of sleep content includes everything from the best cooling mattresses and the best cooling sheets to the best anti-snore devices and other shopping advice. Author of this article Bridget Chapman is the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted. She's a certified sleep science coach who's tested hundreds of products. As a hot sleeper herself, she's tested many of our top picks for the best cooling mattresses and bedding products.
Emmy Favilla, managing editor at Forbes Vetted, reviewed this article. She's worked in the media industry for over two decades, with the latter half of her career focused on product testing and research, covering everything from the best pillows to our favorite adjustable base.
Is The Chilipad Worth It?
We think the Chilipad is worth it if temperature is negatively impacting your sleep. It's an effective cooling (and heating) system that can adjust your bed's temperature from 55 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. It's also easy to use and maintain.
What Is The Difference Between Chilipad And Ooler?
The Ooler was a cooling system from Sleepme that was discontinued in December 2023 and replaced with the Chilipad Dock Pro. The brand says the Dock Pro offers twice the cooling capacity that the Ooler did, while being quieter and more comfortable.
Does Chilipad Require A Subscription?
No, Sleepme does not require a subscription or ongoing fee for its Chilipad bed cooling systems.