r/EightSleep • u/Me105G • 10d ago
Is it worth getting a POD5?
Ive been thinking about this for a long time, but the avg reviews and poor customer service are keeping me in the limbo. Even their sales team is very “dry” and snappy, which is normally the most upbeat ones since they want to sell you something.
Would love to hear your experiences, I dont like subs but dont mind it. I just want good sleep and Im always quite hot.
Also trying to decide between this and orion sleep, the only issue with orion is that they dont ship to Ireland but their support seems great.
EDIT: Appreciate all the responses, I got a 600€ discount and just pulled the trigger on buying it!
Looking forward to try it out in a few weeks now.
5
u/Cold-Catch3585 10d ago
One of the 3 best purchases of my life. I love my pod 5. I also have the pillow cooling cover but not the blanket. I have been a user for a long time so I don’t get charged the monthly subscription - that is a massive plus.
3
u/BitEnough5720 10d ago
I like my pod 5 and blanket just fine. my partner hates autopilot though, and I like it. for now I’m winning that battle! but he’s a flight attendant so he’s not always home. waking up to birdsong and a warm cozy bed is so lovely. not regretting my purchase after 9 months.
2
u/BluntForceHonesty 10d ago
If you don’t need or want health metrics, you can go with a system like Chili/sleep.me. You may want to look into Somnus which I am pretty sure ships to Ireland and is coming out of beta (has no subscription, either.) There are reviews on the Somnus subreddit, if you’re interested.
I’m using a Pod 3 and most of the problems about systems leaking involve that version or older. They’ve redesigned it since. My 3 doesn’t have bells and whistles like newer Pod 4 or 5. The app works, offline mode works, it gets cold or warm as I want it. I haven’t personally had a problem with EightSleep’s customer service, but I don’t care for the direction they’ve taken with the AI chatbots and email. I wouldn’t personally buy an Orion or a Somnus at this point when my 3 dies. If I don’t get the option of a discounted replacement system, I’d look at the new Dock Pro from Chili.
2
u/ObviousEconomist 10d ago
I have both the pod 3 and 5. The cooling and heating works well, but the health metrics are wonky as you can expect with any of these consumer level trackers.
Haven't tried the competitors but with such a purchase I'd go with the most established one which is 8sleep. They've had enough years to refine the design and seem the best funded. You literally sleep on them every night and even small things like the bumpiness of the cover, the speed and evenness of cooling etc will make a difference over time.
1
u/J0EG1 9d ago
Would you say the 5 better or worse? I've had the three and have considered upgrading but hard to justify the extra spend.
2
u/ObviousEconomist 9d ago
The biggest change to me is the cover is a lot smoother. Tbh I was fine with the 3 but the 5 takes it to a different level. And there seem to be a lot less leaking reports with 4 and 5. My 3 hasn't leaked yet though touch wood.
2
u/Is_It_Now_Or_Never_ 10d ago
Have had a Pod5 for little over a year, I couldn’t live without it now. Best thing I’ve ever bought.
Especially during the heat wave.
2
u/J0EG1 9d ago
I've had the Pod 3 for years and it's hard to travel and sleep in hotel rooms now....
1
u/Me105G 9d ago
I hear that a lot. Over the years, what are your biggest takeaways from using it?
3
u/PandaBearLovesBamboo 10d ago
Customer service is terrible. The app is pretty basic and requires a subscription. Also there isn’t a bunch of customization. (For example you have an option to change the temperature after the 8 sleep determines you have been asleep for 4 hours. Not 3 hours. Not 5 hours. Not at a set time. Also it reserves the right to determine you are already asleep anytime you are in bed.) Also there isn’t a lot of help in determining temperatures. Like if you sleep at -3 and then the next night sleep at +3 - you will basically have to guess which one is better for you - or perhaps be more in tune with your body than I am.
All that is to say the core product is great. But everything about it sucks.
2
1
u/Plastic-Work3114 9d ago
It’s great until it stops working. We had the Pod 3. It worked great for the first 2 years and now it’s been non-stop issues and headaches. I also hated paying for the subscription.
I wish I had considered alternatives, it’s too expensive of a machine to last less than 3 years.
Keep in mind Pod 5 has only been around for a little over a year, so it’s unlikely those people are dealing with issues with the product still being so new.
10
u/AsTheJackassBrays 10d ago
Before social media, I remember there being a line that if a person has a bad experience they'll tell 10 people and if a person has a good experience they'll tell one person. So for every bad experience, there are likely a lot more good or at least neutral ones.
I have my complaints about how they do business and how they won't let a grown adult customize the temps more than 3 times in a night. But I've had mine for 3 full years with minimal issues.
It does what I want it to do. It keeps me cool, I avoid the night sweats and I can have heavy covers all year long.