Latest news with #EightSleepPod4
Tom's Guide
13-07-2025
- General
- Tom's Guide
This simple DIY air conditioner helped me fall asleep fast during a heatwave — here's how to try it
It's HOT in the UK right now where most homes aren't built with the luxury of air conditioning. Honestly, I've been sweltering in my heat-trap of an attic bedroom. Beside sleeping on one of this year's best cooling mattresses, this week I've been on the hunt for cooling sleep hacks that won't break the bank. One that keeps cropping up on my radar (ie my TikTok For You page) is the DIY air conditioning hack. The premise behind it is placing ice in front of a fan to circulate chilled air around your bedroom, helping to lower the room's temperature. Questionable, but we'll give it a go. From mouth tape to sleepy mocktails, TikTok is awash with questionable sleep hacks and my team of beady-eyed sleep experts and I are always keen to put them to the test to see if they have any legs to stand on. Here's what happened when I put the homemade air con through its paces... To be transparent, I usually sleep on the Eight Sleep Pod 4 mattress cover which does a grand job of regulating my temperature through warm nights. But to get an accurate gauge of how effective the homemade air con method is I turned it off last night and instead set up my fan and ice contraption next to my bed. Sitting up close to the fan I could certainly feel a cool breeze, so I was hopeful it would help me keep cool through the night. After some simple stretches, a bedtime tea and reading a couples of pages (my tried-and-test cooling nighttime routine) in the cool breeze brought by my DIY air con, I fell asleep quickly. But I'm not entirely praiseworthy. While it helped to lower my body temperature at bedtime to initiate sleep onset, the ice soon melted and I found myself waking up slight sweaty and flustered during the night as the fan reverted back to circulating the stuffy attic air. Honestly, in the current UK climes, I'm not certain any TikTok hack will secure totally uninterrupted sleep. Rest assured, there's no tools or flat packs required. Building a DIY air conditioner is actually a simple process with just two components: a fan and a bowl of ice (or frozen bottle). If you've opted for the frozen bottle fill a large (at least one litre) plastic bottle with water, filling it about 75% of the way to ensure there's room for the ice to expand without the bottle exploding. Otherwise, make sure your freezer is loaded with ice ahead of the evening. When it comes to setting up, place your fan on a stable surface near your bed and fill a large, low bowl with ice, be that ice cubes or your frozen bottle. For best results, aim to have the ice level with the airway of the fan, and in line with where you'll be sleeping. Turn on the fan when you start winding down for the night to allow time for your room to cool down before you hit the hay. I can't say I'll be swapping my Eight Sleep Pod for a DIY air con again. But if you're looking for a cheap cooling hack, it does the job. While it isn't completely free (fans, of course, take up electricity to run), it'll certainly save you bucks compared to running a full-home AC unit, or splurging on cooling sleep tech. (However, if you do have the budget, there are plenty of great cooling Prime Day sleep deals like up to $480 off the BedJet 3 Climate Comfort Sleep System). It turns out I was right to be sceptical about the DIY air con cooling hack. Yes, it can help cool your room down at bedtime, but it's inevitable the ice will eventually melt. So, I wouldn't recommend as a night-long cooling method, especially if, like me, you don't like the humming sound of a fan running at night. Instead, I recommend following the caveman method to block out warm air and sunlight from your home during the day, keeping it a cool haven rather having to work to cool it down at bedtime.
Tom's Guide
10-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
I love my $2,649 Eight Sleep pod, but this cooling bed fan is almost as good — and it's $1,560 cheaper this Prime Day
While everyone's complaining about hot nights, I'm smugly sleeping on my Eight Sleep Pod 4, which cools my mattress surface down by up to 13°C before I jump into bed at night. As the best smart bed you can buy online right now, the Eight Sleep Pod comes at a hefty expense. So, I've been on the hunt for cheaper alternatives in current Prime Day sleep deals. Surprisingly, I'm not going to send you to Amazon for this deal (although, we are also tracking the latest Prime Day sleep deals.) In a rival Prime Day event this week, there's up to $480 off the 3 Dual Zone Climate Comfort Sleep System at BedJet. BedJet 3 Dual Zone Climate Comfort Sleep System (queen): was $1,549 now $1,089 at BedJetThe BedJet is essentially a fan designed to deliver cool air directly beneath your sheets. This rapid air-based cooling system wicks away body heat and moisture in your bed so you and your partner can sleep comfortably. With dual control you can individually select the temperature of your side of the bed to suit your preferences. There's 30% off in BedJet's 'prime sale' cutting a queen size to $1,089 (was $1,549) --- that's less than half the price of the Eight Sleep pod. Single sleepers or couples with one hot sleeper can shop the twin size BedJet at $439 now (was $659). Yes, It's more of a splurge than non-smart cooling mattress pads (like this $31 Sleep Zone cool pad at Amazon), but Reddit users say the BedJet has saved them up to $50 a month on AC bills. User score: ★★★★★ (1,180+ reviews) Costing over $1,000, the BedJet will dent the bank account, so it's not an off the cuff purchase. But if you've tried our free cooling sleep hacks and are struggling to sleep in the heat, we think an investment like the BedJet is totally worth it. This cooling bed fan works by blowing cool air under your bedsheets (but remember to dress your bed with cooling sheets for the best temperature regulation in summer.) What do customers love about it? 83% of reviewers award the BedJet 3 five out of five stars. One US customer says: "I have never slept better." Another adds: "Our nightly sleep routine has changed all for the better! We feel more rested, don't wake in the night too hot or too cold, and our sheets feel cleaner!" Any drawbacks? Some people note there are "a few design improvements" needed and say it lacks auto temperature adjustment (which you get with the more luxury Eight Sleep pod). Eight Sleep Pod 5 smart mattress cover (queen): was $3,049 now $2,849 at Eight SleepThe Eight Sleep Pod 5 is the new upgrade on my beloved Pod 4. If you have the budget, I can assure you you won't regret splashing your cash on an Eight Sleep Pod 5. Complete with world-class water-based temperature control it automatically keeps you at the ideal sleep temperature all night long while sensors keep tabs on your sleep metrics, including sleep duration, sleep stages and heart rate, to give you a nightly sleep report. Eight Sleep mattress sales rarely cut big bucks off so the current $200 off the Eight Sleep Pod 5 is about as good as it gets, even during major sale periods like Black Friday.
Tom's Guide
19-06-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I'm a sleep tech tester and the product I swear by for falling asleep fast is $26.99 in Amazon sale
As a sleep tech writer, I've spent the last 10 months searching the market for, and testing, the latest snooze-improving innovations. This has included gadgets and gizmos from smart sleep masks and sleep headbands to sleep trackers, top-rated sunrise alarm clocks and this year's best smart beds. But there's only one gadget I absolutely can't sleep without: a red light clip that attaches to my book. Dutifully obeying our sleep editor's advice around following a nighttime routine for better sleep, reading a few pages in the evening has become non-negotiable for me, and this clip light completes my bedtime routine. In current sleep sales, you can save 10% on the Szokled reading light clip at Amazon. This nudges the price from $29.99 to $26.99 — a small price to pay for a device that can help you cut out tossing and turning and fall asleep fast. And even better, you may be offered a 15% off coupon that takes the price down even further. Szokled Red Light Clip: was $29.99 now $26.99 at AmazonThe Szokled clip light has two modes: red light and warm light. The red light is ideal for pre-bedtime reading, protecting the eyes and bolstering your ability to fall asleep fast. While the warm light can create a cosy atmosphere any time of day. It comes with a timer, meaning the light will automatically turn off after you fall asleep, helping you snooze peacefully while saving energy. Amazon promises this red light clip has a 10-hour battery life and it's equipped with a USB-C port for convenient charging. Watch out for a 15% off coupon when you order! Red light exposure positively influences sleep onset, sleep duration and overall sleep efficiency by stimulating the production of melatonin, the all-important sleep-inducing hormone. Melatonin is responsible for making us feel sleepy. While bright white light suppresses this hormone, warm red light prompts the brain, specifically the pineal gland, to release it. So if you already have one of the best mattresses but you're still not getting enough sleep, a shortage of melatonin could be to blame. In fact, light is a key circadian cue and you can regulate your circadian rhythm with carefully-timed light exposure. Specifically, evening red light exposure and morning sunlight exposure helps your body get used to producing sleep-wake hormones at the right time of day so you fall asleep fast at night and wake up refreshed in the morning. What I really love about a red light clip is that it's lightweight and portable enough to take with me wherever I go. I stay away from home one night a week for work, and packing up my other sleep tech, namely my beloved Eight Sleep Pod 4 and Hatch sunrise alarm clock, wouldn't be so practical. Therefore, I rely on a red light clip to help me unwind in unfamiliar environments, and after six months of using it it's yet to fail me. I also recommend using a red light LED face mask as part of your bedtime routine if you're looking for a gadget that can help you wind down at night while taking care of your skin.
Tom's Guide
11-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Sleep tech that will help you sleep cool this summer without spending $1,000s on AC bills — starting at just $16
If there's one thing (the only thing) I dislike about summer it's sweaty, sleepless nights. And I'm sure I'm not alone here. According to Gallup, 57% of Americans find themselves too hot to sleep at least occasionally. So, I've been browsing for sleep tech that can help. One of this year's best smart beds with active climate control is undoubtedly the best investment for anyone struggling to sleep in the heat. Personally, I can't recommend the Eight Sleep Pod 4 smart mattress cover enough. However, these tech-laden beds are out of many people's budgets, and while many of the best mattresses pack impressive cooling capabilities, you might prefer a less expensive way to keep temperatures down at night. If you're looking for a cooling sleep solution that won't break the bank, and will even help you save on AC bills (which can cost $229 to $263 per month, according to portable evaporative cooling company Portacool), look no further. Here are 5 cooling sleep tech deals to shop today for cooler sleep tonight... 1. BedJet 3 Climate Comfort Sleep System: was $699 now $489 at BedJetThe BedJet is essentially a fan designed to deliver cool air directly beneath your sheets. This rapid air-based cooling system wicks away body heat and moisture in your bed so you and your partner can sleep comfortably. The BedJet boasts over 4,000 5-star reviews from customers who credit it for saving them from night sweats and say it's a "complete gamechanger for sleep comfort". You can save 30% now, which translates to a saving of $210 and cuts the price to $489. It's more of a splurge than other cooling equipment, but Reddit users say it's saved them up to $50 a month on AC bills. 2. Nicetown blackout curtains: was $28.71 now $15.93 at AmazonFor your bedroom to be cool at night, you need to be proactive during the day. This means blocking out the sun to stop it from heating up the room. These machine-washable blackout curtains balance room temperature by insulating against summer heat and winter chill, meaning they can help you save on both AC and heating bills. Plus they can help you get a lie-in when you need it. You can save a huge 45% on these curtains at Amazon now, chopping the price to $15.93 for two panels — bargain. 3. Revix Full Body Ice Pack: was $49.99 now $39.99 at AmazonAiding muscle relaxation and fatigue relief, this full-body ice pack will keep you cool and calm. Whether you lay on in, sit on it or wrap it around you, the flexible freezing gel filling conforms to your body, offering cooling relief wherever you need it. One customer says it "stays cool for hours" and another going through the menopausal nighttime hot flashes credits it for helping her sleep through the night and wake up feeling "invigorated". With 20% off now the 47'x17.5' ice pack is down to $39.99 from $49.99. 4. Jojoly Ice eye mask: was $22.99 now $16.99 at AmazonThis eye mask works like a cold compress, offering cooling relief all while blocking out 99% of light. The hydrogel molds to your face, so the silk mask sits comfortably in place while you rest. Plus the cool sensation can help soothe discomfort from fatigue, allergies, or other irritants that may be keeping you awake during summer months. There's 26% off at Amazon now, meaning you can grab it for $16.99. Prime members can bag free same-day delivery, which means you could start sleeping cooler tonight. 5. Coop Cool+ Adjustable Pillow: was $145 now $116 at CoopThe Coop Cool+ pillow, AKA our best pillow of the year for hot sleepers, is cleverly designed to keep you cool and supported all night long. It comes in three shapes – classic, crescent and cut-out – each designed to suit a different sleep style. The pillow features shaped and gel-infused memory foam, a CoolTouch cover and heat-wicking inner layer, which all work together to remove excess heat, delivering lasting breathability and coolness. Plus it's infused with phase change material that absorbs heat while it changes phase. Yes it's an investment pillow even at $116 after 20% off, but it does mean you can turn down your AC while avoiding morning neck pain.
Tom's Guide
27-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Eight Sleep Pod 4 vs Pod 5 Ultra+: which smart mattress cover should you buy?
Eight Sleep is at the forefront of smart bed innovation, employing world-first technology to beat your sleep woes, be they night sweats, snoring or back pain. While the Eight Sleep Pod 4 has reigned as the best smart bed on the market for the last year, the new Pod 5 Ultra+ comes with an adjustable bed base, advanced sleep tracking, temperature control and in-bed surround sound. Yes, we're blown away too. The Pod 5 Ultra+ may be discounted in current mattress sales but it's still thousands of dollars above the Pod 4. Ahead, we'll explore whether the Pod 5 Ultra+ is worth the extra expense, or if the Pod 4 is enough for your sleep needs. Eight Sleep Pod 4 smart mattress cover: from $2,449 at Eight SleepWith independent temperature regulation, sleep tracking and a vibration and thermal alarm, the Eight Sleep Pod 4 is a high tech addition to your sleep routine. It's not discounted this Memorial Day but at $2,449 for a queen, it is still far cheaper than the new Pod 5 range. Eight Sleep Pod 5 Ultra+ smart mattress cover and base: from $5,049 $4,699 at Eight SleepThe Pod 5 Ultra+ does everything the Pod 4 does, plus it comes with an adjustable bed base, surround sound and snoring mitigation. It'll cost you almost double, but a Memorial Day deal takes $350 off MSRP which is one of the biggest discounts we've seen from Eight Sleep. This brings a queen to $4,699 (was $5,049). Eight Sleep Pod 4 Eight Sleep Pod 5 Ultra+ Type: Smart mattress cover Smart mattress cover, adjustable base Trial: 30 days 30 days Warranty: 2 years (Standard), 5 years (Enhanced) 2 years (Standard), 5 years (Enhanced) Queen price: $2,649 (MSRP) $5,049 (MSRP) Packed with game-changing technology, the Eight Sleep Pod 4 and Eight Sleep Pod 5 Ultra+ are both premium buys, costing at least $1,000 more than even the best mattresses you can buy online right now. As the simpler system, the Pod 4 is the most affordable of the two, with prices starting at $2,449 for a full and $2,649 for a queen. The Pod 4 is available in full, queen, king and California king sizes, none of which are currently discounted. The Pod 5 Ultra+ overhauls smart features offered by the Pod 4 and adds a whole new dimension to the Eight Sleep system – an adjustable bed base. This upgrade inevitably brings a bigger price tag, with prices starting at $5,049 for a queen at MSRP. King and California king sizes are also available. The good news is current Eight Sleep mattress sales knock $200 off all sizes of the Pod 5 Ultra+. This brings a queen size to $4,849, a rare discount from the sleep tech brand. As well as the initial expense, you do have to pay a subscription to use the Eight Sleep Autopilot app. A Standard subscription costs $17 a month, while the Enhanced subscription is $25 a month and Elite (needed for Eight Sleep's new health check feature) is $33 a month. A subscription covers two users. For such a pricey purchase, the benefits are disappointing. There's only a 30-night sleep trial, which is significantly less than we see from most sleep brands (some beds even come with a 365-night mattress trial). The warranty period is also short: two years with the Standard subscription plan, five years if you upgrade to Enhanced or Elite. The Eight Sleep Pod 4 is a water-based smart cooling system consisting of a mattress cover and a control Hub. The pipe-lined mattress cover fits over your existing mattress like a fitted sheet while the control hub sits next to your bed. The bedside hub contains a water tank that controls your in-bed temperature and sleep tracking, vibrating sensors are laced throughout the black fabric mattress cover. Data is recorded during the night, which you can access via the connected Autopilot app in the morning, and here's a tap control panel on the side of the mattress to operate the vibration alarm. The Eight Sleep Pod 5 Ultra+ comes with the same cover and Hub as the Pod 4, with the addition of a smart adjustable bed base. This isn't a bed base in the traditional sense. It's only three inches tall and sits between your mattress and your current bed frame, allowing you to adjust the position of your sleep surface. (Although you can add a leg extension kit, to transform the Ultra into a full bed base.) There's also the option to double up on temperature regulation with a hydro-powered blanket on the Pod 5 Ultra+. This means you can sleep in a cocoon with finely-tuned thermal controls. On the other hand, primarily a smart mattress cover, the Pod 4 simply adds a temperature-regulating, sleep-tracking layer to your existing mattress. While a mattress isn't included as standard with the Pod 4 or Pod 5 Ultra+, you can add one to your order. But both pods are compatible with any mattress of the same size. You can simply fit it over your existing mattress or shop our best memory foam mattress and best hybrid mattress guides if you're after an all-new sleep set up. Temperature regulation is at the core of the Eight Sleep system. The Pod 4 offers dual-side climate control, enabling you to heat up or cool down (between 13°C and 44°C) your side of the bed regardless of your partner's sleep temperature preferences and external climes. Meanwhile, sensors will track your body temperature through the night and adjust to keep you at the best temperature for sleeping. This personalized, active temperature control earns the Pod 4 a spot in our best cooling mattress guide. Both pods offer this temperature regulation on the back while you sleep. However, there is the option to add a hydro-powered blanket (for an extra $1,000 now) to the Pod 5 Ultra+. This blanket syncs with the mattress cover's temperature on each side of the bed to create a fully immersive temperature experience. Both smart mattress systems feature the reliable sleep tracking built by Eight Sleep's AI-powered algorithm. This means sensors in the mattress cover will track your sleep biometrics — including your over night heart rate, HRV, sleep stages and sleep latency — and produce nightly sleep reports. It also produces a sleep scores to help you measure how well you sleep, and identify how lifestyle choices (like drinking alcohol or exercising late at night) impact your sleep quality. While these sleep tracking sensors are uniform in each pod, of course, the Pod 5 Ultra+ includes new innovations too. An additional AI algorithm in the Pod 5 Ultra+ is capable of detecting fever. Picking up anomalies in your overnight heart rate and respiration, the Pod 5 Ultra+ will alert you via the Eight Sleep app if you are likely to fall sick. Do note, you need Eight Sleep's Elite subscription to access this clinical-grade health check feature, costing $33/month. Both the Pod 4 and Pod 5 Ultra+ have a gentle thermal, vibration alarm feature that replaces a blaring audio alarm. Thanks to the automatic climate control system in each pod, they gradually heat up in the morning to suppress your body's melatonin production. The bed will then vibrate at your desired wake up time, gradually pulling you from sleep at the end of a sleep cycle rather than jolting you awake with a loud sound. This more natural wake up call reduces sleep inertia, helping you wake up with more energy. As a humble mattress cover, the Pod 4 cannot adjust the position of your bed. However the Pod 5 Ultra+ includes an adjustable smart bed base, enabling you to raise the head and foot position of your bed. This addition means you can customize your sleep set up and sit up comfortably in bed while reading or relaxing. Plus you can snooze in a zero gravity position, which is recommended for taking pressure off the back and joints. When paired with a top-rated mattress for back pain, the Pod 5 Ultra+ is sure to help you eliminate aches and pains to sleep comfortably. This bed base also responds to your movements through the night to keep you fully supported. Meanwhile, sensors pick up snoring and the head position adjusts to open airways for easier, quieter breathing. Ever thought we'd see the day your bed sung you a lullaby? Well, we're here. A new feature in the Pod 5 Ultra+ is surround sound. Yes, that means your bed plays sleep sounds while you drift off — great news for the 38% of Americans who struggle to sleep in silence, according to Talker Research. Eight Sleep have a library of soundscapes to help you sleep, alongside non-sleep deep rest sounds delivered by Stanford University neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman. ✅ You want a smart bed primarily for sleep tracking: The Pod 4 is laced with reliable sleep tracking sensors so you can track your ZZZs without wearables. Though you must forego the illness prediction feature with the Pod 4. ✅ You're on a tighter budget: The Pod 4 is still an investment smart bed but a queen size is $2,050 cheaper than the Pod 5 Ultra+ right now. ✅ You're happy with the feel of your mattress: The Pod 4 makes minimal difference to the comfort and support of your existing mattress without elevating any part of your bed. ✅ You have aches and pains: The Eight Sleep adjustable base included with the Pod 5 Ultra+ allows you to raise your head and feet. This curved 'neutral' position reduces pressure placed on the lumbar region for fewer aches and pains. And it's customizable, so you can adjust the angle to suit your personal sleep style. ✅ Snoring keeps you awake: The Pod 5 Ultra+ has specialist sensors to detect snoring. If it does detect noisy ZZZs, the bed base raises the head position to open airways. This helps you breath and minimizes noise. ✅ You can't fall asleep in silence: A key innovation with the Pod 5 Ultra+ is its built-in speakers offering in-bed surround sound. With a library of sleep sounds at your fingertips, you're sure to find a track to lull you to sleep.
