Is a Smart Bed Worth the High Price Tag for Better Sleep?

Ever thought about how much better sleep could be with a bed that adjusts to your body's needs? Smart beds are becoming popular for their ability to control temperature, but are they really worth the high cost? First, let's talk about why temperature matters for sleep. Your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, relies on temperature cues to signal when it's time to sleep. Eating or exercising right before bed can raise your body temperature and make it harder to fall asleep. The ideal sleep temperature is between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius). Smart beds can help achieve this perfect temperature range by cooling down or heating up your bed surface just before you climb in. So, how do these smart beds work? Most use either water or air to regulate temperature. For example, brands like Eight Sleep and Sleepme use water tubes connected to a control unit to heat or cool the water running through the bed. Other brands, like Sleep Number, use a dynamic airflow system with fans that pull heat away from your body. Some smart beds even track your body and environmental temperature throughout the night and adjust accordingly. This is great for couples with different temperature preferences, as each side of the bed can be adjusted independently. However, the big question is whether these benefits are worth the high price. Smart beds can cost thousands of dollars, with some models even requiring subscription fees. For instance, a queen-size Eight Sleep Pod can range from $2, 649 to $4, 649, depending on the features. Sleep Number's climate control beds, like the ClimateCool and Climate360, can cost between $4, 499 to $5, 499. If a smart bed is out of your budget, don't worry. There are cheaper ways to cool down or warm up your bed for better sleep. But if you have the money to spare, a smart bed could be a game-changer for your sleep quality.