Which Bed Cooling System is Right for You?

If you wake up sweaty and uncomfortable night after night, you've probably wondered if there's a better solution than just cranking up the air conditioning or sleeping on top of the covers. Active bed cooling systems have become increasingly popular for good reason—they actually work to keep you at the perfect temperature all night long.

Unlike cooling mattresses that simply try to avoid trapping heat, these systems actively regulate your bed's temperature using technology. We looked at the three leading options to help you figure out which might be the best fit for your needs and budget.

Eight Sleep Pod 4: The High-Tech Option

The Eight Sleep Pod 4 is the most advanced bed cooling system you can buy. It's a water-based system that uses a special mattress cover with thin tubes running through it. Temperature-controlled water flows through these tubes to keep each side of your bed at exactly the temperature you want, from 55°F to 110°F.

What sets Eight Sleep apart is its smart technology. The system tracks your heart rate, breathing, and sleep stages throughout the night. Using this information, it automatically adjusts your bed's temperature—warming up a bit when you're in deep sleep and cooling down during other stages to help you sleep better.

If you share your bed, you and your partner can each set your own temperature preferences. The smartphone app shows you detailed information about your sleep and makes personalized suggestions for better rest. You can also schedule temperature changes, like having your bed cool down right before bedtime or warm up gradually to help you wake up in the morning.

The catch? Eight Sleep is expensive. Depending on your mattress size, you'll pay between $2,000 and $3,000 upfront, plus a monthly subscription fee to access all the advanced features and sleep data.

Best for: Tech lovers who want detailed sleep tracking and automated temperature control, and who don't mind the premium price tag.

ChiliPad Dock Pro: The Straightforward Choice

The ChiliPad Dock Pro also uses water-based cooling, with a high-tech pad that wraps around your mattress like a fitted sheet. Water flows through tubes in the pad, connected to a control unit that cools or heats the water and connects to an app for easy control.

Temperature ranges from 55°F to 115°F, and like Eight Sleep, you can set different temperatures for each side of the bed if you get the dual-zone version. One of ChiliPad's biggest selling points is how quietly it runs—most users say they barely notice any sound while sleeping.

What makes ChiliPad the eight sleep alternative for bed cooling? Its focus on temperature control. There's no heart rate monitoring, no sleep stage tracking, and no biometric data collection. For many people, that's actually a benefit—powerful cooling without your bed constantly monitoring your body.

You can still use the app to schedule temperature changes, like pre-cooling your bed before you get in or gradually warming it up before your alarm goes off. The system runs efficiently and keeps your bed at a steady, comfortable temperature all night.

ChiliPad typically costs between $1,500 and $2,500, based on mattress size and single or dual-zone controls. There are no monthly subscription fees, which means what you pay upfront is all you'll pay.

Best for: People who want effective cooling without the complexity of sleep tracking, or those who prefer not to have devices constantly monitoring their body.

BedJet 3: The Budget-Friendly Alternative

BedJet takes a completely different approach—it uses air instead of water. The system consists of a unit that sits at the foot of your bed with a nozzle that tucks under your comforter. It blows temperature-controlled air between your sheets and your body, creating a climate-controlled zone that can cool or warm you quickly.

One of BedJet's biggest advantages is how fast it works. If you suddenly feel too hot (like during a hot flash), it can cool you down in minutes. The same goes for warming up on cold nights. This rapid response time makes it especially popular with people who experience sudden temperature changes during the night.

Another major plus: BedJet works with any mattress and your existing bedding. You don't need a special pad or cover, though you can buy optional sheets designed to help distribute the air more evenly. Like the other systems, you can get a dual-zone setup so you and your partner can each control your own side.

Since BedJet uses air instead of water, there's zero chance of leaks. It does make some noise from the air circulation, which some people notice (especially on higher fan speeds), but many users say they get used to it quickly or even find it soothing. You can program it to automatically adjust temperatures throughout the night based on your schedule.

The best part? BedJet costs between $500 and $1,000 depending on whether you choose a single or dual-zone model. That's significantly less than water-based systems, there are no subscription fees, and you don't need to buy a special mattress pad.

Best for: People on a tighter budget, hot flash sufferers who need rapid cooling, or anyone who doesn't want to modify their current mattress setup.

Making Your Decision

Choosing between these systems comes down to what matters most to you:

Choose Eight Sleep if you love technology, want comprehensive sleep data, and don't mind paying premium prices for the most advanced system available.

Choose ChiliPad if you want powerful, reliable cooling without all the tracking technology, and prefer a one-time purchase without ongoing fees.

Choose BedJet if you're looking for an affordable entry point into bed cooling, need rapid temperature changes, or want a system that works with your current mattress without any modifications.

All three systems work well at what they're designed to do. The right choice depends on your budget, how much technology you want in your bedroom, and whether you're looking for gentle all-night temperature control or rapid cooling on demand. Whichever you choose, you'll be sleeping a lot more comfortably than you are now.