Getting a good night’s sleep and waking up refreshed isn’t always easy.
Whether it’s too much coffee, stress, a poor routine, or the changing seasons affecting your temperature, it can sometimes be a nightmare to get comfortable. Which, in turn, can impact our health and wellbeing, leaving us feeling irritable, unproductive, less effective at the gym, and struggling to stay focused.
A smart mattress topper can make a real difference though by offering temperature control, sleep tracking, and personalised comfort to help you rest better. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one works? The ES Best Shopping team spoke to Alexandra Zatarain, founder of luxury smart mattress topper brand Eight Sleep, who shared expert tips on what to look for.
Understand your sleep needs
Before looking into tech specs, consider what you want to improve. Are you overheating at night? Struggling with back discomfort? Looking for a topper that integrates with your smart home? Identifying your key sleep concerns will help you focus on the features that matter most.
Zatarain says: “Tracking sleep is the first step into improving sleep quality and overall health. Metrics such as sleep stages (REM, light, and deep sleep), sleep duration, and wake times will help you better understand your sleep patterns and identify areas for improvement. Your sleeping heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) are also important indicators of your body's recovery and stress levels. By measuring this data and tracking its trends over time, you can understand the impact of different habits in your sleep quality.”
For those who sleep hot or cold, a temperature-regulating topper can be transformative too. Some models use water-based cooling, like the Eight Sleep Pod Cover, which uses active thermoregulation with sensors that adjust based on body heat. If you share a bed, go for dual-zone control, allowing each side to have its own temperature settings.
Pressure relief and smart integration
A smart topper should enhance your mattress’s comfort, not just add bulk. Look for options with adaptive memory foam or air chambers that adjust firmness in real-time. Some brands offer dynamic pressure relief, automatically responding to your movements throughout the night.
Many modern toppers include sleep-tracking features, using biometric sensors to monitor heart rate, movement, and even breathing patterns. If you love data-driven wellness, choose a model that syncs with apps like Apple Health or Google Fit. The Eight Sleep Pod Cover provides detailed sleep reports and can even wake you up at the optimal time in your sleep cycle.
Zatarain adds: “While data is important, the true value comes from acting on these insights. For example, this could mean optimising your bed's temperature to reduce time to fall asleep and increase deep and REM sleep duration.”
Tech-savvy sleep solutions shouldn’t come at the cost of convenience though. Consider toppers with washable covers, wireless connectivity and intuitive app controls. Some advanced models require a water reservoir for cooling, so check if you have space for an external unit before committing.
How we tested
The ES Best Shopping team put these smart mattress toppers to the test with our own sleep struggles in mind. As someone who drinks far too much coffee and struggles to switch off at night, I was particularly keen to see how well these toppers could help with relaxation and sleep tracking. Since I also need to monitor my sleep to stay optimised for exercise, accuracy in tracking was a key factor.
With the ever-changing weather, temperature control was another major consideration; whether keeping warm while unwinding or cooling down for a comfortable night’s sleep. From sleep tracking to customisable comfort, we focused on smart mattress toppers that genuinely enhanced our rest.
Read on for more.
Eight Sleep Pod 4 Ultra
Waking up feeling refreshed has never been easier thanks to this advanced sleep technology. The Eight Sleep Pod 4 offers a temperature control system, which adjusts throughout the night to maintain the perfect sleep environment. This personalised temperature regulation keeps you comfortable, preventing overheating or chills, and improving the overall quality of your sleep.
What sets it apart is its smart alarm feature, which gradually increases the bed’s temperature to gently wake you up. This smooth, natural wake-up helps avoid the shock of traditional alarms, leaving you more energised and ready to start the day.
Additionally, the Pod tracks your sleep patterns and offers personalised insights, allowing you to fine-tune your sleep habits for even better results.
Buy now £3999.00, Eight Sleep
Pulsio Thermasleep
Pulsio is known for its innovative wellness products and the smart mattress topper does not disappoint. It stands out for its advanced temperature control, offering a seamless experience that adapts to your needs. It cools to 12°C and heats up to 55°C, giving you precise control over your sleeping environment.
Whether you sleep solo or share a bed, the dual-zone option means that each side is tailored to individual preferences. Powered by water-circulation technology, it’s both effective and discreet, maintaining your mattress’s comfort. With whisper-quiet operation and easy set-up, it's the ideal solution for a consistently perfect sleep temperature, all year round.
Buy now £299.99, Pulsio
Withings Sleep Analyzer
The Withings Sleep Analyzer is a little bit different as rather than going on top of the mattress, it tracks your sleep under it. But how does it work? It has been described as a clinically validated, non-invasive way to track your sleep. When you place it under the mattress, you can then automatically sync it with the app. It has been designed to measure sleep cycles, heart rate, and snoring, and even detects sleep apnea with medical-grade precision.
The real-time sleep score and shareable health report make it easy to analyse and improve your sleep. Compact, easy to set up, and compatible with both iOS and Android, this device provides detailed insights without the need for wearable tech.
Buy now £129.95, Withings
Beurer Konnect Smart Electric Blanket and Mattress Cover
Imagine coming in from the cold to a bed that’s already heated up and waiting for you. The Beurer Konnect Smart Heated Underblanket offers personalised comfort with nine temperature settings, separate heat zones, and a free app for remote control.
Set the heat to your preferred time and temperature, even when you're away from home. It’s breathable, machine-washable at 30°C, and features eco-control for energy efficiency. Designed with the Beurer Safety System, it includes an automatic switch-off for added peace of mind. Manual control is also available with clear LCD displays.
Buy now £199.99, Robert Dyas
Dreamland Organic Cotton Super King Heated Mattress Protector
The Dreamland Organic Cotton Super King Heated Mattress Protector features dual control, allowing each side to be heated independently. With six temperature settings, smart technology adjusts throughout the night to keep you comfortable.
Made from sustainably sourced 200 thread-count organic cotton, it’s suitable year-round. The protector warms up in five minutes, includes a timer with auto shut-off, and is machine washable. It costs as little as 5p per hour to run, offering an economical way to stay warm without running central heating.
Buy now £135.99, Lakeland
Emma Premium Mattress Topper
The Emma topper is an impressive sleep solution, not because of its complex tech, but due to its smart materials that work to keep you comfortable all night. Its Thermo Sync technology creates optimal temperature regulation, absorbing excess heat and moisture to maintain a cool, dry sleeping environment.
With a 9cm thickness, the topper adds luxurious comfort and support, while the breathable cover means that the temperature-regulating effect lasts. Whether your mattress is new or old, this topper offers undisturbed sleep, helping you wake up refreshed each morning.
Buy now £228.00, Emma
Dreamland Electric Mattress Protector
The warming Dreamland mattress protector uses smart technology through its Intelliheat system, which automatically adjusts the warmth to maintain an optimal temperature. It features a five-layer ultra-thin heating sensor wire that detects the temperature 25 times per second, creating the right warmth throughout the night.
The system adapts to changes in bedroom temperature, providing a consistent and safe experience while saving energy. The product’s intelligent software regulates warmth, and it also includes a timer and auto shut-off for added convenience and safety.
Buy now £150.00, Argos
Verdict
Eight Sleep Pod 4 Ultra has genuinely improved my sleep health and quality. I struggle with fluctuating body temperatures, and the gentle, constant warmth regulation has kept me comfortable all night. The smart alarm clock system is a much softer wake-up experience compared to a noisy phone, with its gentle heating and even a light massage that gradually gets me moving.
Plus, tracking my sleep patterns has been eye-opening, helping me fine-tune my habits for deeper rest. I can't recommend it enough – it’s been a game-changer for improving both the quality of my sleep and how I wake up.
