The Sleep Tech Edit
Eight Sleep or Chilipad: the bed that cools you back down
Two cooling systems that sit on top of the mattress you already own. Here is how they differ, what they really cost, and which one fits the way you sleep.
By The Night Sweat Edit editors · Prices checked Oct 25, 2026
01
The smart one
From $2,749
For the woman who wants it to think for her
Eight Sleep Pod 5
A thin cover zips over your mattress and connects to a quiet hub at the bedside. Each side of the bed gets its own temperature, from about 55°F to 109°F, so you can sleep cold while your partner stays warm. Its Autopilot feature learns your nights and adjusts as you sleep, and it tracks sleep stages and heart rate without a wearable. T3's reviewer notes it is marketed with hot flashes in mind and calls the cold setting "properly chilly."
What we like
- Two-zone control is standard
- Adjusts on its own through the night
- Sleep tracking and a gentle vibration alarm
Worth knowing
- Autopilot needs a subscription after the first year, from $17 a month or $199 a year
- The hub is tall and hums softly while working
- Setup takes about an hour
Pod 5 Core from $2,749 (Full), $2,949 (Queen), $3,149 (King), as reported by T3. The Ultra with an adjustable base runs $4,849 to $5,049. Check eightsleep.com for today's price and offers.
02
The simple one
From $1,599
For the woman who just wants cold, no subscription
Sleepme Chilipad
A slim mesh pad goes under your sheet, and a small bedside unit sends cooled water through it. It reaches as low as 55°F, and there is nothing to subscribe to. You can buy it for just your side of the bed, which is what makes it the more affordable choice for one person. Tom's Guide picked it for budget-minded hot sleepers who sleep alone, calling it almost as capable as Eight Sleep for much less.
What we like
- No subscription, ever
- Half-bed sizes, so you only pay for your side
- Machine-washable cover and a warm-wake alarm
Worth knowing
- You'll hear some water flow and a hum from the unit
- Temperature is set by you or by schedule, not adjusted automatically
- Needs distilled water and a monthly cleaning
Single-zone from $1,599 (Full) to $1,799 (King); dual-zone $2,798 to $3,198, per Sleep Foundation. 90-day return window and 2-year warranty. Check sleep.me for today's price and offers.
Side by side
| Eight Sleep Pod 5 | Sleepme Chilipad | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $2,749 | $1,599 |
| Coldest setting | About 55°F | 55°F |
| Two sides, two temps | Standard | Dual-zone models |
| Adjusts by itself | Yes | Schedules only |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | No |
| Subscription | After year one, from $17/mo | None |
| Noise | Low hum | Water flow and hum |