Eight Sleep vs Sleep Number vs Casper: smart mattresses compared
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding sleep-related concerns or before making changes to your sleep setup. Individual results may vary. See our full Medical Disclaimer for more information.
The smart mattress category in 2026 has three genuinely different approaches. Eight Sleep is built around active temperature control and biometric tracking. Sleep Number is built around adjustable firmness through air chambers. Casper is built around comfort engineering, with smart features added modestly on top. This comparison looks at each brand’s 2026 flagship model across features, pricing, trial periods, and long-term ownership costs. For the full range of mattress options, see our best mattresses guide.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Eight Sleep Pod 4 | Sleep Number 360 p6 | Casper Nova Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart features | Temperature, sleep tracking, snoring detection | Adjustable firmness, sleep tracking | Limited (app-connected) |
| Temperature regulation | Active heating/cooling per side | Optional DualTemp layer | None built-in |
| Adjustable firmness | No (foam-based) | Yes (air chambers) | No (fixed) |
| Sleep tracking | Built-in sensors | Built-in sensors | Requires separate device |
| Subscription required | Optional (Autopilot AI) | No | No |
| Price range (queen) | $2,499-$3,999 | $2,799-$4,499 | $1,695-$2,295 |
| Trial period | 30 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 8-12 years | 15 years | 10 years |
Eight Sleep Pod 4
The Pod 4 centers on one feature: a water-based Active Grid that heats or cools each side of the bed independently, anywhere from 55 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The 2026 model runs quieter than its predecessor with improved sensors and more responsive AI-driven temperature adjustments. Built-in sensors track heart rate, HRV, respiratory rate, sleep stages, and snoring without a wearable. The optional Autopilot AI ($19/month or $180/year) adjusts temperature automatically based on your biometrics and sleep patterns over time.
The mattress itself is foam-based: multiple layers of polyurethane and memory foam, generally medium-firm. There’s a smart alarm that aims to wake you during your lightest sleep phase. One underappreciated option: the Pod 4 Cover ($1,499 queen) fits over most existing mattresses, so you can get the temperature regulation and tracking without replacing a bed you already like.
Quick verdict: Best for active temperature control. Dual-zone heating and cooling, comprehensive contactless sleep tracking, and AI adjustments make this the most tech-forward option here. Well-suited for couples with different temperature preferences and anyone who wants detailed sleep data. Note the 30-night trial (shorter than the others) and optional subscription cost.
- Pros: Active temperature control per side; comprehensive sleep tracking without wearables; dual-zone for couples; cover option for existing mattresses; regular software updates
- Cons: Autopilot AI costs $180/year; hub unit needs to sit near the bed; foam-only firmness (not adjustable); more complex setup; 30-night trial
Pricing: Pod 4 Cover Only (queen) $1,499 | Pod 4 Mattress + Cover $2,499 | Pod 4 Ultra $3,999 | Autopilot AI $19/month or $180/year
Sleep Number 360 p6
Sleep Number has been making air-chamber mattresses since the 1990s, and the 360 p6 is the most refined version of that concept. Each side has its own air chamber that inflates or deflates to a “Sleep Number” from 1 to 100, giving each person precise control over their firmness independently. The 2026 model has improved sensor accuracy and more detailed sleep stage reporting, plus Responsive Air technology that makes micro-adjustments as you shift positions during the night.
Paired with an adjustable base, it detects snoring and automatically raises the head of the bed to open airways. The mattress uses air chambers, memory foam, and a plush Euro pillow top. No subscription needed. SleepIQ tracking, responsive adjustments, and snoring response are all included in the purchase price. The 15-year warranty is the longest of the three.
Quick verdict: Best for adjustable firmness and couples with different comfort preferences. No ongoing subscription, the longest warranty, and snoring response with an adjustable base. Worth considering if you want smart features without recurring costs.
- Pros: Each side adjustable independently; no subscription; good for couples with different firmness preferences; 15-year warranty; snoring response with adjustable base
- Cons: No built-in temperature regulation (DualTemp add-on is $499/side); air chambers have a different feel than traditional mattresses; requires some assembly; pump creates occasional noise
Pricing: 360 p6 (queen) $2,799 | With adjustable base $3,899-$4,499 | Optional DualTemp layer $499 per side
Casper Nova Hybrid
The Nova Hybrid doesn’t try to be a smart mattress — it’s a comfort-first mattress with modest optional smart add-ons. The construction is memory foam, a latex-like polymer, and pocketed coils arranged in a zoned pattern: softer under the shoulders, firmer under the hips and lower back. That zoning is the main engineering story here. The hybrid build also sleeps cooler than all-foam alternatives because the coils allow airflow.
Smart features are limited. The Casper app offers sleep tips and basic tracking when paired with optional accessories like the Casper Glow Light ($129), which gradually dims and brightens to help regulate sleep-wake cycles. No subscription, no hub, no power outlet required. Setup is straightforward: arrives in a box, roll it out.
Quick verdict: Best value and most comfortable out of the box for buyers who don’t need temperature control or adjustable firmness. At $1,695 for a queen, it’s substantially cheaper than both competitors. Think of it as a well-engineered comfort mattress with optional smart accessories rather than a true smart mattress.
- Pros: Most affordable ($1,695 queen); zoned support works well; hybrid design sleeps cooler; simple delivery and setup; no subscription costs; strong edge support
- Cons: No temperature regulation; no adjustable firmness; minimal smart features; sleep tracking requires separate device; not a “smart mattress” in the same category as the others
Pricing: Nova Hybrid (queen) $1,695 | Nova Hybrid Max $2,295 | Casper Glow Light $129 (optional)
Head-to-head
Temperature regulation: Eight Sleep Pod 4 wins, and it’s not close. Active per-side heating and cooling is the only built-in solution here. Sleep Number’s DualTemp is a paid add-on. Casper has nothing.
Adjustable firmness: Sleep Number 360 p6 is the only one that does this. Precise air chamber control per side, with no equivalent from the other two.
Sleep tracking: Eight Sleep delivers the most comprehensive biometric data: HRV, respiratory rate, detailed sleep staging. Sleep Number’s SleepIQ is solid but less granular. Casper has no built-in tracking at all.
Comfort: This is where it gets subjective. The Casper Nova Hybrid has refined zoned foam and coil engineering. Sleep Number gives you adjustable firmness to dial in your preference. Neither is objectively better. It depends on whether you prefer a fixed but well-engineered feel or full control over firmness.
Value: Casper at $1,695 is meaningfully cheaper. Eight Sleep and Sleep Number both start around $2,500–$2,800 and climb from there.
Long-term cost: Sleep Number has no subscription and a 15-year warranty. Eight Sleep’s optional Autopilot adds $180–$228/year. Casper has the lowest upfront cost with a 10-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Does Eight Sleep require a subscription?
Core features (manual temperature control and basic sleep data) work without one. The Autopilot AI automatic adjustment feature costs $19/month or $180/year.
How does Sleep Number’s adjustable firmness work?
Air chambers inflate or deflate using a remote or app. Each side is independent, so partners can set different levels from 1 (softest) to 100 (firmest). The pump is inside the mattress.
How noisy are these mattresses?
Eight Sleep’s hub produces a low hum during active heating or cooling — similar to white noise. Sleep Number’s pump makes brief noise when adjusting firmness. Casper is completely silent.
Can I use my own mattress with Eight Sleep?
Yes. The Pod 4 Cover ($1,499 queen) fits over most existing mattresses, providing temperature regulation and sleep tracking without replacing the bed.
What happens during a power outage?
Eight Sleep loses temperature regulation and tracking. Sleep Number can’t adjust firmness but holds its current air pressure. Casper is unaffected.
Written by the Complete Wellness Hub editorial team. Last updated April 2026.
