The best smart mattress UK options
Many of the best smart mattresses are currently only available in the USA.
Some changes are happening on this front, though, a few popular smart beds are slowly creeping into the UK market.
Below, we'll look at a few of the most well-known smart beds currently available in the United Kingdom.
Eight Sleep’s The Pod
The Pod by Eight Sleep [1] is the ultimate in modern sleep technology - and, conveniently, it recently launched in the UK market.
- Main features: The Eight Sleep's Pod seamlessly tracks sleep using ballistocardiography [2] (a non-invasive technique that doesn’t rely on wearables). The tracker can measure heart rate, breathing, and body movements for up to two people sharing a bed. In addition to body metrics, it also has sensors that can monitor your bedroom environment, including ambient light levels, temperature, humidity, and noise levels. One of the most distinctive features of Eight Sleep is that you can set different temperatures for the two halves of the bed.
- T&Cs: Free shipping and returns, 30-night trial, and 5-year guarantee
It's worth noting that the US Eight Sleep stores also sell an actual mattress and other accessories, while the UK store currently only sells the Pod cover.
Opera SleepSmart Beds
The Opera SleepSmart beds first launched in the UK and blend traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.
- Main features: Opera SleepSmart beds boast a variety of built-in smart features, including memory programming for personalised comfort settings, under-bed lighting for convenience, and smart device pairing capabilities. Each bed is also equipped with adjustable settings for the back, legs, and head and includes a soothing massage feature with different intensity levels.
- T&Cs: Free next-day delivery or premium delivery and setup service, 10-day trial
You can build and customise your Operate Bed online, as various bases and mattress options are available.
What are smart mattresses and smart beds?
The two terms are largely used interchangeably as there is no standard definition as yet.
In general, though, smart mattresses and smart beds are designed to incorporate high-tech technology into the mattress or bed base.
Smart mattresses and smart beds have sensors that function much like health trackers to analyse your sleep patterns and even actively improve the quality of your sleep.
They monitor body movement, heart rate, and breathing to measure sleep duration and sleep cycles, and can even automatically adjust your bed or mattress to ensure better-quality sleep.
The most commonly available features of smart mattresses and smart beds include:
- Sleep tracking
- Automatic adjustment of firmness levels in the mattress
- Temperature regulation
- Adjustable bed bases
- Anti-snoring features
- Smart home integration
Smart sleep solutions can even be further integrated into your home and lifestyle.
Smart bed and smart home integration
Many of the newest smart beds and smart mattresses directly connect to modern smart homes.
This is commonly known as the Internet of Things (IoT) and refers to the ability of everyday household items, including lighting, thermostats, locks, etc. to communicate with each other via WiFi or Bluetooth.
IoT devices run on different operating systems and are often enabled by voice assistants like Amazon Echo’s Alexa or Google Home.
Smart beds with smart home connectivity can directly communicate with the rest of your home for some nifty features.
Smart bed and IFTT integration
Some smart bed manufacturers have even begun connecting their devices with IFTTT [3] (If This, Then That).
IFTTT is a commonly-used free service that allows people to create applets or recipes to create a chain reaction of events if the first step in the chain is completed.
Conventionally, for example, you could create an IFTTT applet that automatically posts a WordPress article to Facebook.
IFTTT can become quite a bit more complicated, though.
For example, in the smart mattress world, you can find IFTTT applets that allow your coffee machine to automatically start brewing coffee when you get up in the morning.
How much do smart mattresses cost?
Smart mattresses and smart beds are enormously expensive. You're looking at an absolute minimum spend of £1000.
That said, some smart mattresses are more expensive than others as they all do different things.
You can also always choose ‘how smart’ you want your sleep technology to be.
You can choose to invest in a smart mattress with a tracking app or go the full monty and indulge in a smart mattress with a smart bed base.
You could even simply invest in a smart mattress cover to turn your current mattress into a 21st-century sleeping experience.
There are definitely options available.
Do you need a smart mattress?
No, you’ll find just as many great mattresses in the traditional mattress world.
But if you don’t have any budgetary constraints and you’re ready to jump into the next century of mattress technology, then a smart mattress or smart bed is a great option.
Plus, many smart beds have unique features that can do anything from cure body pains, silence a snoring partner, help you find the most comfortable position, and switch on lighting, so you don’t stump your toes in the dark.
They are also particularly great at helping with orthopaedic complaints like back pain and can help you get better sleep.
If you have the finances available, they can be an excellent investment.
Conclusion
Smart mattresses and smart beds are remarkable technologies that can really enhance your sleep.
But they are enormously expensive.
While the investment is usually worth it, they're just simply out of range for most consumers.
Many smart beds are also not yet available in the UK.
Popular US smart beds to keep an eye on
As we've mentioned, many of the top-range smart mattresses simply aren't available in the UK yet.
But keep an eye on the below.
Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed
Sleep Number [4] has a range of mattresses that come with adjustable firmness levels and can be combined with their SleepIQ tracker.
SleepIQ Tracker
The SleepIQ application is available for all of the Sleep Number beds.
It helps users fully monitor their lives so they can find out how choices are affecting their sleep.
The Sleep Number bed uses sensors to track your heart rate, breathing, and motion to provide data on your sleep patterns.
It also tracks your actions, like exercise and diet, throughout the day so you can see how those adjustments affect your sleep.
Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed
The Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed is the epitome of Sleep Number’s smart technology.
These mattresses consist of 3 layers: The FlexFit base, the ResponsiveAir technology layer with inflatable air chambers to regulate firmness, and the final comfort layer.
The ResponsiveAir technology can make tiny automatic adjustments to the firmness of your mattress throughout the night to perfectly suit your sleeping position.
If you choose the FlexFit adjustable base, you’ll also be able to raise or lower the mattress into more reclining or supportive positions for superior comfort.
The 360 Smart Bed also has numerous other features, including:
- In-built snoring detection: When the mattress detects an audible sign of snoring, the head of the base is gently raised by a few degrees, altering your head position and preventing further snoring.
- Foot warming: This can help you fall asleep faster.
- LED lighting: If you wake up in the middle of the night, sensors will detect if you get up and the LEDs at the base of the bed will automatically switch on for gentle illumination.
The Smart Bed also features IFTTT and smart home integrations.
Is Sleep Number available in the UK?
Sleep Number is not currently available in the UK.
ReST Bed with Purple Grid
ReST [5] creates smart beds that automatically adjust to your needs.
The ReST Bed with Purple Grid incorporates the very best of the Purple Mattress into a smart bed.
What Is Purple Grid?
The Purple Grid is a hyper-elastic polymer grid that has been developed by Purple, which also manufactures the Purple Mattress.
This polymer grid provides additional pressure relief, comfort, and support.
It also aids temperature regulation as the grid layer includes open channels for better airflow and is generally more breathable.
ReST air chamber support core
The ReST with Purple Grid smart bed features an air chamber support core that allows you to customise the firmness levels for each side of the mattress.
There are five zones so that you can independently adjust the desired firmness level for your legs, hips, lumbar region, shoulders, and head.
The ReST bed relies on a closed WiFi system that connects to an app so that users can control the amount of inflation for each chamber.
These can be set manually, but you can also enable automatic real-time response so that the chambers adjust as you move throughout the night.
Are ReST Smart Beds available in the UK?
ReST Smart Beds are currently not available in the UK.
Simmons BeautyRest Smart Motion and Sleep Tracker
Well-known mattress manufacturer Simmons has also entered the smart bed market with their SmartMotion adjustable bed bases and the BeautyRest [6] SleepTracker.
SmartMotion adjustable bed bases
The SmartMotion bed base can be used together with any mattress and provides a range of smart features, as well as full integration with the BeautyRest Sleep Tracker app.
Features include a wireless remote, snore relief, a 6-level massage system, and a full range of adjustable head and foot positions.
BeautyRest SleepTracker and app
The BeautyRest SleepTracker allows you to benefit from sleep monitoring and analysis without having to rely on wearables.
The device is fully integrated into the range of SmartMotion bases and consists of 2 sensors and a control unit.
These can wirelessly track sleep for two individuals in a bed.
The BeautyRest SleepTracker is also available as a standalone in-bed sleep monitor that can be used with any other existing mattress.
Is BeautyRest available in the UK?
While BeautyRest gel memory foam mattresses are available in the UK, the SmartMotion bases and the BeautyRest SleepTracker are currently not available.
Frequently asked questions
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What is a smart mattress or a smart bed?
There is no standard definition but, in general, a smart mattress or a smart bed incorporates high-tech technology to track your sleeping patterns and enhance the quality of your sleep.
Many smart beds and smart mattresses also include other functionality such as adjustable firmness levels, LED lighting, anti-snore features, and smart home integration.
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What do smart mattresses and smart beds cost?
Smart mattresses and smart beds are enormously expensive and generally begin at around £1000.
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Are smart mattresses and smart beds available in the UK?
The US is still the leader in the smart bed world, and many of the best smart mattresses and smart beds are only available there.
Of all the best smart beds, only Mode Smart Beds are currently available in the UK.
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What's the difference between a smart mattress, smart bed, and a smart bed frame?
These three terms are often used interchangeably.
- Smart mattress: This generally refers to a mattress that has been enhanced with sensors to monitor sleeping patterns. Some smart mattresses also come with air chambers that allow you to adjust the firmness levels for different parts of the mattress. You can place a smart mattress on to any bed base or box spring.
- Smart bed: This generally refers to a bed base that comes with smart features, such as adjustable sections, LED lighting, and more.
- Smart bed frame: Synonymously used to refer to smart beds.
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References
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