Type: Smart mattress cover
Sizes: 6 (twin–Cal king)
Sleep trial: 30 nights
Warranty: 2 years
Subscription: Yes (from $17/month)
Price (on sale): From $1,899 at Eight Sleep
Type: Smart mattress cover
Sizes: 3 (queen–Cal king)
Sleep trial: 30 nights
Warranty: 2 years
Subscription: Optional ($250/year)
Price (on sale): From $1,795 at Orion
Type: Hybrid mattress
Sizes: 7 (twin–Split king)
Sleep trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Subscription: No
Price (on sale): From $1,298 at Bear
Just yesterday I was sweating through a scorching summer night and now when I climb into bed, it’s like stepping into an igloo. Either way is bad news for my sleep and can result in 3 a.m. wake-ups. No wonder all the best mattresses we’ve tried have passed rigorous temperature regulation tests.
The best cooling mattresses use heat dissipating materials to kick out night sweats and counteract heatwaves so you’re able to snooze soundly. And when it comes to cooling beds, the Bear Elite Hybrid is the best we’ve ever tested.
But recently I’ve been hands-on with the Eight Sleep Pod 6 and Orion Sleep System, two of the best smart mattresses that use active cooling to create even temperatures. These high-tech systems deliver impressive hands-on cooling but at a high price. So in the Black Friday mattress and sleep sales, which should you buy? I'm here to advise you based on our extensive testing and my own experience with all three cooling beds.
Eight Sleep vs Orion vs Bear Elite: Price & deals
- The Eight Sleep and Orion are premium smart mattress covers
- The Bear Elite Hybrid is an upper mid-range hybrid mattress
- Eight Sleep requires a subscription, Orion and Bear don't
The Eight Sleep Pod 6 is the most expensive of the three, with a queen coming in at $2,899 MSRP. The Orion is cheaper with an MSRP of $2,395. The Bear Elite Hybrid has an MSRP of $2,284 for a queen, but regular Bear mattress sales can knock it as low as $1,370.40.
Keep in mind, both the Eight Sleep Pod 6 and the Orion are covers only. The Elite Hybrid is the only option that's actually a mattress.
As well as being the priciest upfront, the Eight Sleep Pod 6 is the only one with a mandatory subscription. Starting at $17/month, it includes sleep tracking and is essential for operating the Pod. Orion also has a sleep tracking subscription but it's optional (although more expensive at $250/year). Bear, of course, is subscription-free.
Bear blows both smart covers out of the water when it comes to benefits, offering a 365-night sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty. Orion and Eight Sleep both offer just a 30-night trial and 2-year warranty.
Eight Sleep vs Orion vs Bear Elite: Design
- Eight Sleep and Orion are mattress covers with control towers
- Eight Sleep's tower is smaller and quieter, Orion's is more chic
- Bear Elite is a hybrid mattress with foam and coil layers
The Pod 6 and Orion Sleep System both come in two parts: the cover and a control tower. The cover is fitted with water pipes, attach to the tower via tube.
In terms of design, the tower is the primary difference between the two. The Orion tower is bigger and bulkier but also has a more design-forward finish. The Eight Sleep Pod 6 is quieter, however.
The Bear Elite Hybrid is an entirely different beast. One of the best hybrid mattresses, it's made from layers of mattress springs and foams. The cover is woven with Celliant fibers to draw away heat, while a copper-infused foam layer further aids temperature control.
Eight Sleep vs Orion vs Bear Elite: Comfort and support
- Eight Sleep and Orion don't change the feel of the bed underneath
- Bear Elite Hybrid comes in three firmness levels, for all sleep styles
- A Medium Bear Elite Hybrid is ideal for side sleepers
The Eight Sleep Pod 6 and Orion covers are designed to make minimal difference to the support and cushioning of your mattress. I tested both on the Leesa Original mattress and, overall, I think this is accurate. That means your comfort is dependent on the mattress beneath.
As one of the best mattresses in a box you can buy, we were impressed with the support and cushioning of the Bear Elite Hybrid. It comes in three firmness levels (I tried the Medium and it's one of my favorite mattresses for side sleepers) so there's an option for nearly all sleep styles.
Dive into our Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review to learn more about the pressure relief, edge support and motion isolation of this top-rated mattress.
Eight Sleep vs Orion vs Bear Elite: Temperature regulation
- Eight Sleep offers rapid cooling, with controls on the mattress
- Orion is app-based, warming and cooling based on ambient feel
- Both are intuitive designs with active climate control
- Bear Elite Hybrid uses cooling fabrics to maintain a neutral feel
The Eight Sleep and Orion take a hands-on approach to temperature regulation. Both are active climate control systems, pumping water through tiny pipes in the mattress cover so the surface retains the perfect feel.
From my experience, both are highly effective. I slept on the Orion Sleep System during the change from summer to fall, meaning some days I had all the windows open, and other days I was flirting with turning the heating up. Right now, I'm using my Eight Sleep Pod 6 on some frosty nights.
Both covers keep the temperature at 'snug', staying far away from 'shivering' or 'sauna'. I haven't had a sweaty 3 a.m. wake-up in months.
Under our thermal cam, the Orion Sleep showed its prowess. It kept a steady feel the entire time, with no temperature swings even when tester Frances Daniels climbed on. And while normally a thermal outline remains long after our tester has left the mattress, on the Orion, all signs of Frances were gone in minutes.
The Bear Elite Hybrid has a more traditional approach to cooling. (Although with its Celliant fibers and copper-infused foams, it's hardly simple.)
Despite its lack of active cooling technology, our hands-on testing showed heat didn't linger in the Bear Elite. And our thermal cam backed us up. While the Bear Elite Hybrid warmed quickly, it kicked out excess heat at an incredible pace. After just four minutes of our tester leaving the mattress, it had nearly returned to the original temperature.
While the Bear Elite Hybrid is impressive, it's not as versatile as the Eight Sleep or the Orion Sleep System. And nothing touches the Eight Sleep when it comes to quick changes — buttons on the side of the cover allow you to adjust the temperature without unlocking your phone.
Eight Sleep vs Orion vs Bear Elite: Features
- Eight Sleep offers detailed and accurate sleep tracking
- Orion has good sleep tracking but it's less in-depth
- Eight Sleep also has a built-in smart alarm
Orion and Eight Sleep both offer sleep tracking alongside their advanced cooling features. For Eight Sleep, the sleep tracking is part of the mandatory subscription. For Orion, it's an optional add-on.
I've tested both alongside my Oura Ring 5, our top rated sleep tracker this year. Overall, I've been impressed with the quality and accuracy of the information. Both capture sleep stages and duration that line up with both the data from my Oura Ring and my recollection of the night.
However when it comes to the details, the Eight Sleep Pod 6 is the winner. It captures a massive amount of data and displays it in easy-to-read graphics. For the Orion, sleep tracking feels like an add-on. With Eight Sleep, it's integral.
Eight Sleep also has a smart alarm built into the the cover, which vibrates when it senses a light sleep stage. Orion preps you to wake up with gentle warmth but the Eight Sleep Pod 6 does a better job at rousing you.
Eight Sleep vs Orion vs Bear Elite: Should you buy?
Buy the Eight Sleep Pod 6 if...
✅ You experience hot flashes: The Eight Sleep's hot flash mode works to quickly counteract sudden temperature fluctuations. It should kick in while you're sleeping but you can also turn it on in the app if you feel a hot flash coming on.
✅ You want detailed sleep tracking: Eight Sleep's Autopilot delivers accurate and detailed sleep data. Plus, it puts it all into handy graphics to give you an instant picture of sleep trends and changes.
✅ You want control at the touch of a button: Simply press the button on the side of the cover to turn the heat up or down in the night. The Eight Sleep isn't a mind reader, so this allows you to tweak it to fit your needs.
Buy the Orion Sleep System if...
✅ You want smart cooling without the expense: The Orion can match the Eight Sleep (and the Bear Elite Hybrid) when it comes to temperature control, offering active cooling at a lower price.
✅ You and your partner can never agree on the thermostat: Both the Orion and Eight Sleep allow you to set a different temperature on each side of the mattress. With the Orion, you can do so for less.
Buy the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress if...
✅ You need a new bed: If you go for the Orion or Eight Sleep, you'll need to buy a new mattress as well (or stick with the one you have). The Bear Elite Hybrid doesn't just offer cooling — it's a great bed all round.
✅ You don't experience major temperature swings: If you often wake up stuffy but hot sleeping isn't ruining your night, you might not require high-tech active cooling. The Bear will keep you comfortable without the expense.
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