Last Updated: December 2025
Building a "1/8th Sleep" system means creating a cooled bed at a fraction of the cost of an Eight Sleep Pod. This guide compiles community insights and provides current recommendations for both buying a ready-made solution and building your own.
| Option | Cost | Effort | Reliability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy: ChiliPad Cube | ~$650 | Plug & play | High | Want it to "just work" |
| DIY: 1/8th Sleep (Single) | ~$315-415 | Medium | Medium-High | Budget-conscious, tinkerers |
| DIY: 1/8th Sleep (Dual Pad) | ~$455-570 | Medium | Medium-High | Couples, shared temp control |
As of May 2025, SleepMe eliminated all subscription fees. This makes the ChiliPad Cube the best "buy" option for reliable, no-hassle cooling.
- No subscription – One-time purchase, no ongoing fees
- Temperature range: 55-115°F (13-46°C)
- Proven reliability – Years of positive reviews
- Quiet operation – Won't disturb sleep
- Dual-zone available – Each partner controls their side
| Size | Single ("ME") | Dual ("WE") |
|---|---|---|
| Twin/Twin XL | $649 | — |
| Queen | $699 | $1,249 |
| King/Cal King | $749 | $1,449 |
Where to buy: sleep.me
Eight Sleep now requires a $200/year subscription to access basic features. The Pod 5 costs ~$3,348 + $200/yr. Without the subscription, it becomes a "dumb cooling pad" with manual controls only. The ChiliPad Cube offers similar cooling performance without the subscription lock-in.
The DIY approach uses an aquarium chiller to cool water flowing through a mattress cooling pad. This setup can cool your bed 6-10°C below ambient temperature.
| Component | Budget | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mattress Pad | $100 | $140 | Adamson B10 is proven |
| Aquarium Chiller | $150 | $180 | Most important component |
| Water Pump | $12 | $15 | Upgrade from pad's weak pump |
| Silicone Tubing | $10 | $15 | Get extra length |
| Insulated Reservoir | $15 | $25 | Any small cooler works |
| Accessories | $25 | $40 | Smart plug, clamps, etc. |
| TOTAL | ~$312 | ~$415 |
Buy components in this order:
- Mattress pad first – Determines tube sizing for other components
- Chiller second – Often ships from China (longest wait)
- Pump + tubing together – Ensure compatible sizing
- Reservoir + accessories – Can source locally
The pad contains silicone tubes that water flows through. You'll use the pad but replace its weak cooling unit with an aquarium chiller.
| Option | Price | Size | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adamson B10 | ~$140 | Twin (75"x39") | 100% cotton, 5-yr warranty, proven in DIY builds | Twin only, weak built-in cooler |
| YJINGRUI Kit | ~$100-150 | Various | Digital controls, multiple sizes | Mixed quality control |
| Generic AliExpress | ~$60-100 | Various | Cheapest | Quality lottery, slow shipping |
Recommendation: The Adamson B10 is the safest choice. It has a proven track record in DIY builds, good build quality, and a 5-year warranty. You'll discard its weak evaporative cooler but keep the excellent pad.
Tube diameter: The Adamson uses ~6-8mm ID silicone tubing. Match your pump/chiller fittings to this.
This is your most important and most expensive component. It actively refrigerates the water to your target temperature.
| Option | Price | HP | Capacity | Noise | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAOSHISHAN 1/10 HP | ~$180-220 | 0.1 | 42gal/160L | Moderate | Most common in DIY builds |
| Poafamx 1/10 HP | ~$180-200 | 0.1 | 42gal | Moderate | Same OEM as BAOSHISHAN |
| VEVOR 1/10 HP | ~$150-180 | 0.1 | 40gal | Moderate | Budget option |
| JBJ Arctica | ~$400+ | Various | Various | Very quiet | Premium, 2-yr warranty |
Recommendation: BAOSHISHAN or Poafamx 1/10 HP (~$180-200). They're from the same OEM, proven to work, and can maintain water at 15-20°C reliably. Can drop bed temp 6-10°C below ambient.
Important considerations:
- Get the 220-240V model for EU (many listings are 110V)
- Customer service is reportedly poor – if it breaks, plan to replace
- Place on a foam mat to reduce vibration noise
- Position outside the bedroom if noise is a concern (use longer tubes)
Where to buy:
- BAOSHISHAN on Amazon
- Amazon DE for EU
- AliExpress (search "1/10 HP aquarium chiller" – look for EU warehouse)
The pad's built-in pump is usually underpowered. Upgrade to a dedicated submersible pump.
| Option | Price | Flow | Voltage | Noise | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decdeal DC 12V | ~$15 | 280 L/h | 12V DC | <35dB | Ultra-quiet, proven |
| MOUNTAIN_ARK 12V | ~$12-15 | 240 L/h | 12V DC | Low | 2-pack available |
| Generic 300 L/h | ~$10-20 | 300 L/h | 220V AC | Moderate | Works but louder |
Recommendation: Decdeal DC 12V (~$15). Ultra-quiet operation and 12V means you can power it from a USB adapter.
Flow rate: 200-400 L/h is ideal. Too slow = poor heat transfer. Too fast = noise and stress on connections.
Food-grade silicone tubing connects all components. Get more than you think you need.
| Option | Size | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quickun Food Grade | 8mm ID x 12mm OD | ~$15/5m | FDA compliant, kink-resistant |
| Generic food grade | 6mm or 8mm ID | ~$8-12/3m | Check reviews for quality |
Recommendation: 8mm ID x 12mm OD food-grade silicone (~$15 for 5m). Get at least 3-4 meters.
Also buy:
- Hose clamps (8-12mm) – ~$5 for a pack of 10
- Teflon tape – ~$3 – for sealing threaded connections
A small cooler box holds the water and keeps it cold, reducing chiller workload.
| Option | Capacity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small camping cooler | 5-10L | ~$15-25 | Best option |
| Styrofoam box | Varies | ~$5 | Works but fragile |
Recommendation: A 5-10L camping cooler (~$20). Cut holes in the lid for tubes. The insulation keeps water cold longer.
Where to buy: Harald Nyborg, Biltema, Bauhaus, or any outdoor store.
Pro tip: Add a frozen gel pack to the reservoir before bed for faster initial cooling.
| Item | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Smart plug | ~$15-20 | Schedule cooling to start 30min before bed |
| Thermometer | ~$10 | Monitor water temperature |
| Distilled water | ~$5 | Prevents algae and mineral buildup |
| Zip ties | ~$5 | Cable/tube management |
| Waterproof mattress protector | ~$20 | Safety layer under the pad |
Smart plug recommendation: TP-Link Kasa or IKEA TRÅDFRI – both work with most smart home systems.
For Danish-style separated mattresses pushed together, a single chiller can cool both pads if you don't need independent temperature control.
Yes, with caveats:
| Chiller Size | Two Pads? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1/10 HP | Works | Good for moderate cooling (18-20°C target) |
| 1/4 HP | Better | Recommended if you want aggressive cooling (15°C) or room gets hot |
| 1/3 HP | Overkill | Unless you live somewhere very warm |
The 1/10 HP is rated for 160L tank capacity. Your dual-pad system uses only 4-8L of water, so volume isn't the constraint—cooling power is. Two bodies generate roughly 2x heat, so the chiller runs longer.
Option A: Series (Recommended for Simplicity)
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ PAD 1 │────►│ PAD 2 │
└─────────────┘ └──────┬──────┘
▲ │
│ ▼
│ ┌─────────────┐
│ │ CHILLER │
│ └──────┬──────┘
│ │
│ ▼
│ ┌─────────────┐
└────────────│ RESERVOIR │
│ + PUMP │
└─────────────┘
Water flow: Reservoir → Pump → Pad 1 → Pad 2 → Chiller → Reservoir
- Pros: Simple plumbing, no splitters, easy to set up
- Cons: Pad 2 receives slightly warmer water (~1-2°C difference, barely noticeable)
Option B: Parallel (More Even Cooling)
┌─────────────┐
┌───►│ PAD 1 │───┐
│ └─────────────┘ │
┌──────────┐ │ │ ┌─────────────┐
│ PUMP │───┤ ├───►│ CHILLER │
└──────────┘ │ │ └─────────────┘
│ ┌─────────────┐ │
└───►│ PAD 2 │───┘
└─────────────┘
Water flow: Reservoir → Pump → Y-split → Both Pads → Y-merge → Chiller → Reservoir
- Pros: Both pads receive identical temperature water
- Cons: Requires Y-splitters (~$5 each), flow rate halved to each pad, more complex plumbing
Start with Series configuration. The 1-2°C difference between pads is imperceptible in practice. If your wife runs hotter/colder than you, put her pad first in the series (cooler water).
If the 1/10 HP chiller struggles on hot summer nights, you can either:
- Upgrade to 1/4 HP chiller (~$250-300)
- Add a second chiller (one per pad) for independent control later
| Item | Series Config | Parallel Config |
|---|---|---|
| Extra tubing | +2-3 meters | +3-4 meters |
| Y-splitters (8mm) | Not needed | 2x (~$5 each) |
| Extra hose clamps | +4 | +8 |
| Larger reservoir | Optional (10L vs 5L) | Recommended (10L) |
┌─────────────┐
│ MATTRESS │
│ PAD │◄────┐
└──────┬──────┘ │
│ │
▼ │
┌─────────────┐ │
│ CHILLER │ │
└──────┬──────┘ │
│ │
▼ │
┌─────────────┐ │
│ RESERVOIR │ │
│ + PUMP │─────┘
└─────────────┘
Water flows: Reservoir → Pump → Pad → Chiller → back to Reservoir
1. Prepare the reservoir
- Cut two holes in the cooler lid (sized for your tubing)
- Place the pump inside the cooler
- The chiller's return line also goes into the cooler
2. Connect the loop
- Pump outlet → Tubing → Pad inlet
- Pad outlet → Tubing → Chiller inlet
- Chiller outlet → Tubing → Back to reservoir
- Secure all connections with hose clamps
3. Fill and bleed
- Fill reservoir with distilled water (2-3 liters typically)
- Turn on pump first (chiller OFF)
- Let water circulate to purge air bubbles
- Lift the pad higher than the pump to help air escape
- Top up water as needed
4. Test run (daytime)
- Turn on chiller, set to 20°C initially
- Check ALL connections for leaks
- Let it run for 30 minutes
- Feel the pad – it should be noticeably cool
5. Install on bed
- Place waterproof mattress protector on mattress
- Place cooling pad on top
- Put fitted sheet over everything
- Route tubes to the side/foot of bed
6. Optimize
- Set chiller to your preferred temp (15-18°C is common)
- Use smart plug to schedule start time
- Add frozen gel pack for extra-cold start
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Pad not getting cold | Air in system | Re-bleed the loop |
| Pad not getting cold | Pump too weak | Upgrade pump flow rate |
| Leaks at connections | Loose clamps | Tighten or add more clamps |
| Chiller running constantly | Target temp too low | Raise target 2-3°C |
| Noisy operation | Chiller vibration | Place on foam mat |
| Water cloudy/green | Algae growth | Drain, clean, refill with distilled water + drop of H2O2 |
- Weekly: Check water level, top up if needed
- Monthly: Check connections for leaks, clean pump intake
- Every 3-6 months: Drain and refill with fresh distilled water
- Yearly: Clean chiller's air intake/filter
If you want to go beyond just cooling and create a full "sleep pod" with light/sound isolation, see the sections below.
Build a canopy frame around your bed using wooden beams (38-45mm pine/spruce) and hang blackout curtains on all sides.
Materials:
- 4 vertical posts (~200cm tall)
- Horizontal beams for top frame
- IKEA MAJGULL blackout curtains (145×250cm) – 2-4 panels
- Curtain rods or Velcro for hanging
- L-brackets and wood screws
Tips:
- Ensure overlap where curtains meet (no light leaks)
- Leave gap at bottom for airflow
- Use Velcro strips to seal edges when closed
For noise reduction, add acoustic foam panels to the interior:
- 30×30cm pyramid foam panels
- Attach to headboard area and ceiling
- Won't block low frequencies but reduces echoes
If fully enclosed, add a small USB fan (120mm PC fan) at one corner to circulate air. This prevents stuffiness without creating a draft.
Add an LED strip along the top frame for ambient lighting. Use warm/red tones at night to avoid disrupting melatonin.
| Solution | Initial Cost | Annual Cost | Total (3 Years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eight Sleep Pod 5 | $3,348 | $200/yr | $3,948 |
| ChiliPad Cube (Single) | $650 | $0 | $650 |
| ChiliPad Cube (Dual/Queen) | $1,249 | $0 | $1,249 |
| DIY 1/8th Sleep (Single) | $315-415 | ~$20 (maintenance) | $375-475 |
| DIY 1/8th Sleep (Dual Pad) | $455-570 | ~$30 (maintenance) | $545-660 |
- Near's "The 1/8th Sleep" blog post – Original inspiration
- Truffle Security's DIY bed cooling – Privacy-focused build
- TechteamGB DIY bed cooler – Detailed build guide
- r/EightSleep – Community discussions
- SleepMe/ChiliPad – Commercial alternative
- HydroSnooze Review – Mid-range option analysis
| Product | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HydroSnooze | ~$640-800 | Peltier-based, no subscription. Mixed reviews – some find it underpowered (170W vs Eight Sleep's 400W). Good for moderate hot sleepers. |
| ChiliPad Dock Pro | ~$1,150 | Premium membrane pad (more comfortable than Cube's tubes), faster cooling. Worth it if budget allows. |
| BedJet 3 | ~$430-950 | Air-based (not water). No leak risk but reportedly loud. Good for night sweats. |
| Mattress Cooler Classic | ~$150 | Budget evaporative option. Limited cooling power. |
Guide compiled from community research, Reddit discussions, and hands-on testing. Last updated December 2025.