Pursuitist explores why the Pod Mattress Cover from Eight Sleep has become a favorite of tech leaders — and why the company now wants to reach everyone.
Eight Sleep has turned rest into the next chapter of wellness. Its signature Pod Mattress Cover, priced between $3,000 and $5,099, offers far more than comfort. This intelligent system uses sensors and AI to regulate temperature, track biometrics, and adjust your environment while you sleep. It has already won over figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, who credit it with better rest and sharper focus.
Why Sleep Technology Matters
More than 84 million Americans report that they sleep “fair” or “poor” most nights. That includes CEOs, creatives, and professionals who often sacrifice hours of rest to meet the demands of their schedules. Some wake before sunrise, others work late into the night, and many rely on caffeine or sheer willpower to push through fatigue.
This is where sleep technology has stepped in. Mark Zuckerberg recently shared that he consistently gets seven to eight hours of sleep thanks to Eight Sleep and a smart ring tracker. He is part of a growing group of high performers who treat sleep as a serious investment in longevity and productivity.
Other prominent users include health-tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who has spent millions pursuing anti-aging solutions. Johnson uses Eight Sleep alongside Whoop, a membership-based app that provides in-depth recovery and sleep analytics.
For this audience, sleep is not passive. It is active training for the mind and body.
The Pod Mattress Cover
The Pod is the centerpiece of Eight Sleep’s lineup. It is a mattress cover, not a full mattress, which makes it easy to pair with existing beds. Under its sleek exterior, the Pod houses advanced temperature regulation and biometric monitoring technology. A small hub sits next to the bed, quietly managing heating and cooling throughout the night.
Key features include:
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Temperature Control: Each side of the bed can heat or cool independently, perfect for couples with different preferences.
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Biometric Tracking: The Pod records sleep stages, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature.
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Smart Wake-Up: Gentle vibration or thermal shifts replace traditional alarms.
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AI Optimization: Soon, the system will automatically adjust settings in real time, learning from your body’s data to deliver deeper rest.
Pricing begins around $3,000, with the Pod 4 Ultra King model topping $5,099. An annual app subscription is required after the first year and costs up to $399. Optional add-ons include a $1,000 climate-controlled blanket and $59 monthly supplements that extend the brand’s focus on recovery.
Beyond the Tech Crowd
While Musk, Zuckerberg, and Johnson helped put Eight Sleep on the map, the company is broadening its reach. Its customer base now includes doctors, athletes, dancers, and teachers — people outside Silicon Valley who value recovery just as much as performance.
Marketing has shifted to highlight real users instead of staged lifestyle imagery. The company has also invested in television campaigns and partnerships with wellness influencers. Next year, Eight Sleep plans to open retail showrooms in key cities, giving people the chance to test the Pod in person before buying.
Investment and Growth
Eight Sleep recently raised $100 million in Series D funding, lifting its valuation close to $1 billion. Investors include HSG, Valor Equity Partners, Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, Y Combinator, and Formula One driver Charles Leclerc.
The company has already generated over $500 million in Pod sales since 2019 and has been profitable for most of the past two years. Some of the new funding will go toward developing AI-driven agents that analyze biometric data in real time. The goal is to adjust temperature, elevation, and even soundscapes while you sleep, then provide personalized recommendations when you wake.
Health and Medical Future
Eight Sleep is also moving into healthcare. It is seeking FDA approval for the Pod as a medical device, which would allow doctors to prescribe it and insurers to reimburse it. The Pod may be used to treat conditions such as sleep apnea and menopausal hot flashes. A rapid cool-down feature, already released, is aimed at people managing night sweats.
Global expansion is underway as well, with China as a key new market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eight Sleep?
Eight Sleep is a sleep technology company founded in 2014. Its flagship product is the Pod Mattress Cover, a smart sleep system that regulates temperature and tracks biometric data.
How much does the Pod cost?
The Pod starts at about $3,000. The King-size Pod 4 Ultra with advanced features costs $5,099. Accessories include a $1,000 smart blanket. An app subscription is included for the first year and then costs up to $399 annually.
Where can I buy Eight Sleep products?
Eight Sleep sells directly through its official website. Retail showrooms are expected soon in select cities.
Is a subscription required?
Yes. The subscription unlocks biometric tracking, temperature scheduling, and app-based insights. Without it, the Pod functions only as a heated or cooled cover.
Who uses Eight Sleep?
High-profile users include Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bryan Johnson, but the customer base has expanded to doctors, athletes, teachers, and professionals who want better rest.
Is Eight Sleep covered by insurance?
Not yet. The company is working toward FDA approval that could make the Pod reimbursable as a medical device.
Eight Sleep Products
Eight Sleep Pod 4 Cover
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Price: $3,000–$5,099
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Features: temperature regulation, biometric tracking, smart alarms, AI-powered adjustments
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Subscription: required after year one, up to $399 annually
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Available: Eight Sleep’s official site
Eight Sleep Smart Blanket
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Price: $1,000
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Feature: independent climate control for each sleeper
Eight Sleep Supplements
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Price: $59 per month
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Goal: extend the company’s recovery-driven lifestyle focus
Why Pursuitist Loves This
The Pod is elegant, practical, and ambitious. It treats sleep as the foundation of wellness and delivers a tailored experience that fits seamlessly into modern life. Pursuitist values Eight Sleep because it is not just a product. It is a new philosophy of rest, one that pairs technology with health in a meaningful way.
Pursuitist View
Eight Sleep has moved sleep into the luxury category. With advanced design, personalization, and a growing ecosystem of wellness products, it appeals to those who see rest as an investment. Musk and Zuckerberg helped spotlight the brand, but its future lies with anyone who wants deeper, smarter recovery.
For Pursuitist, Eight Sleep is more than a smart mattress cover. It is a statement of intent. The recognition that sleep is no longer optional, but essential. A lifestyle choice that says health and performance are worth the best technology available.
Christopher Parr is the Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist, the leading luxury lifestyle guide. Named one of the Top 10 Luxury Travel Bloggers by USA Today, Parr is an award-winning journalist and marketing leader who has collaborated with some of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands. He covers travel, design, style, technology, and the experiences that define modern luxury living.
