Mattress
Eight Sleep Pod Pro
Unboxing and review
According to experts, it’s best to sleep in a dark and cool environment. I’m naturally a “hot sleeper”. Even an air conditioner rarely works for me. The Eight Sleep Pod Pro allows me to control the bed temperature and sleep comfortably. I can also track my sleep cycles with the Eight Sleep app. All you have to do is set it up to your needs.
UNBOXING AND SETUP
I received the Pod Pro in two shipments. First, I received a bigger box (Box 1) with the mattress and active grid; a few days later, a smaller box(Box 2) with the hub and its parts. After receiving the complete package, I began to set it up.
Step 1: Mattress
Start by removing the mattress from Box 1 and carefully cutting the plastic around it. DO NOT cut into the mattress. Unroll the mattress onto your bed and the mattress will start expanding.
Step 2: Active Grid
You’ll notice Box 2 is split into two different boxes: A and B. BTW, a very cool touch. Start by removing the Active Grid from Box A. Place it correctly with the given instructions and zip all around the mattress. Make sure the water cord is towards the headboard and visible.
Step 3: The Hub
Remove the Hub from Box B. Place it on either side of the bed, preferably near a wall. Connect the water cord and USB to the Hub. And plug the Hub into the nearest outlet.
Step 4: Wifi and Priming
Now, use the Eight Sleep app to connect to Wi-Fi and start “priming”: the process of getting the Hub ready to use water. The app walks you through the steps. You will have to prime twice.
APP (iOS and Android)
While the priming process is ongoing, the app will direct you to complete your profile. This is where you can set your sleep temperature preferences, and connect apple health, and/or smart devices. The app allows you to do much more.
Temperature control: You can choose any temperature from -10 (very cold) to +10 (very hot). You can even set different temperatures for different sleep stages: Bedtime, Initial, Final, and Wake up.
Set alarm: Have your bed gently wake you up by setting a smart alarm. Choose to set your wake-up time and choose the vibration frequency, from 0 to 10. The mattress will gently start to vibrate at your given time. You can even set your wake-up temperature.
Sleep tracking: This might be my favorite part of the Eight Sleep app. You get quite a bit of information about your sleep — Sleep fitness, time slept, wake up consistency, time to fall asleep, time to leave the bed, timeline, sleep stages at different times, toss and turns, and sleeping heart rate. Whew! That’s a long list.
Heart rate variability(HRV) and respiratory rate: The app measures your HRV and respiratory rate each night and gives you corresponding tips. You can also view charts and graphs.
Meditate: Meditate, listen, breathe, and move — these are the four options provided. Practice mindfulness through meditation, calm your mind with guided breathing, listen to nature sounds to help you sleep better, or exercise gently guided by sleep trainers.
MY EXPERIENCE
I sleep comfortably, without feeling too hot or cold. Every morning, I first open the app to check my sleeping performance.
The best part of this mattress is that it has dual control. It’s easy to add a partner and they can choose their own temperature. For example: when my younger brother visits, he likes his bed to be warm, while I like a cool temperature.
I would definitely recommend this bed to anyone who struggles with insomnia, sleep apnea, or any other sleep-related disorder. This app can help you keep track of your sleeping cycle and vital signs.
