Eight Sleep Sleep Pod 3 Cover Reviews: Is It Worth It?

AUG 18, 2025

2319 views, 5 mins read

Eight Sleep has established itself as a leader in sleep technology, and the Pod series is at the forefront of this innovation. The core of their system is the smart mattress cover, which uses a combination of advanced hardware and intelligent software to optimize your sleep environment. While there have been several generations, the Pod 3 Cover remains a popular choice for those looking to transform their sleep.

This Eight Sleep review will delve into how the Pod 3 Cover works, its key pros and cons, and how it compares to the newer Pod 4 and Pod 5 models.

Jump to:

1. How the Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover Works? 2. The Components of Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover 3. How to Set Up Eight Sleep Pod Cover? 4. The Pros and Cons of Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover 5. The Price List of Eight Sleep Pod 3 6. The Reviews of Eight Sleep Pod Cover

How the Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover Works?

The Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover is a hydro-powered smart mattress topper that works in conjunction with a "Hub" and the Eight Sleep app. The system's primary function is to actively regulate your bed's temperature and provide in-depth sleep tracking, all without the need for a wearable device.

At the heart of the system is the Active Grid. This is a network of thin, water-filled tubes embedded within the cover's fabric. The Active Grid connects to the Hub, a sleek unit that sits next to your bed. The Hub contains a reservoir and a powerful pump that circulates water through the Active Grid. This water is either heated or cooled, allowing the cover to dynamically adjust the bed's surface temperature from 55°F to 110°F. This dual-zone capability means that you and your partner can set different temperatures for each side of the bed, eliminating common disputes over room temperature or blankets.

The magic of the Pod 3 goes beyond simple temperature control. It's powered by SleepOS, Eight Sleep's proprietary operating system. This system uses AI-powered Autopilot to learn your unique sleep patterns and preferences. Over time, it makes automatic, real-time temperature adjustments throughout the night based on your body temperature, sleep stages (light, deep, REM), and the ambient temperature of your room. This dynamic process ensures you stay at the optimal temperature for each stage of your sleep cycle, which is crucial for maximizing rest and recovery.

In addition to temperature regulation, the Pod 3 features a robust Invisible Sensing design. This includes twice the number of sensors and 4000x greater resolution than its predecessor, providing clinical-grade accuracy in tracking key biometric data such as:

Heart Rate (HR)
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Respiratory Rate
Sleep Stages and Time

All of this data is compiled into a daily Sleep Fitness Score and a detailed report in the Eight Sleep app, giving you actionable insights into your sleep health. The system also includes a GentleRise Smart Alarm, which uses a combination of gentle vibrations and gradual temperature changes to wake you up during your lightest sleep stage, making for a less jarring and more natural wake-up experience than a traditional loud alarm.

The Components of Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover

The Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover system consists of three main parts:

The Hub: This unit is the central component. You fill it with water, which is then circulated through the cover to control its temperature.
The Power Cable: This cable simply powers the Hub.
The Pod Cover: This high-tech mattress topper connects to the Hub via tubes, allowing the temperature-controlled water to flow through it.

How to Set Up Eight Sleep Pod Cover?

The entire process takes about three hours, but for most of that time, you just need to wait for the device to complete the setup on its own.

General Setup Process

Unbox and Assemble: Start by unboxing all the components of your Pod system. This typically includes the Pod Cover, the Hub, and the power cable.
Place the Pod Cover: Place the Pod Cover on top of your mattress just like a fitted sheet. Make sure the side with the hose connections is at the head of the bed.
Position the Hub: Place the Hub on the floor next to your bed. It should be positioned where the connection hoses from the cover can easily reach it.
Connect the Hoses: Connect the two hoses extending from the Pod Cover to the corresponding ports on the Hub. Ensure they are securely clicked into place.
Power On: Plug the power cable into the Hub and then into a wall outlet.
Fill the Hub: The app will guide you through this process. You will be prompted to fill the Hub's reservoir with water. It's recommended to use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup and keep the system clean.
Prime the System: Once the Hub is filled, the app will initiate a "priming" cycle. This is a crucial step where the Hub pumps the water through the tubes in the Pod Cover to remove any air and ensure proper circulation. This process can take a little time.
Pair with the App: Open the Eight Sleep app on your smartphone and follow the on-screen instructions to connect to your new Pod system. The app will walk you through the final steps, including setting up your personal profile and preferences.

The Pros and Cons of Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover

Pros

30-night trial with a full refund (minus return shipping costs) if you're not satisfied.
Excellent craftsmanship with soft, comfortable fabric.
The device operates quietly with minimal noise.
Rapid temperature adjustment via the app.
Tracks breathing, HRV, and resting heart rate.
Supports dual-zone or single-zone settings.

Cons

Can only be controlled via the app; there's no separate remote or built-in buttons.
The mattress cover is not washable.
There is an intermittent humming noise.
The setup process is difficult.

Tips

Eight Sleep states that you can use a "waterproof mattress protector" over the cover and clean stains with a damp cloth. However, they warn against hand-washing or machine-washing the entire mattress cover, or putting it in a dryer or taking it to a dry cleaner. You can use standard bed sheets over the cover.

The Price List of Eight Sleep Pod 3

King Mattress: $4,045
Queen Mattress: $3,745
Double Mattress: $3,545

The Reviews of Eight Sleep Pod Cover

On the professional review platform Bedbuyer, the Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5, while a similar product on the market, the Dock Pro Sleep System, has a perfect score of 5 out of 5 .

Meanwhile, on TrustPilot, the Eight Sleep brand has an average rating of 2.6 out of 5 stars from a total of 383 user reviews as of August 18, 2025. The most common rating is 1 star, making up 50% of the reviews, followed by 5-star ratings at 36%. The remaining ratings are split among 4-star (4%), 3-star (2%), and 2-star (8%). The most frequently mentioned issues in the 1-star reviews were shipping problems and poor customer service.

Conclusion

In this Eight Sleep review, we’ve provided a complete breakdown of its pros and cons, components, and how to use it, along with ratings from other professional review platforms.

For an even better sleep experience, we recommend pairing the Eight Sleep Pod Cover with the Newentor ergonomic mattress. The combination not only enhances comfort and spinal support but also allows the Pod Cover’s cooling and heating technology to perform at its best, giving you deeper, more restorative sleep.

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