Findings contributed by Clinical Team member Bree Wilhite.
At Eight Sleep, every product and feature starts with science. Through rigorous studies, we transform advanced engineering into technology that fuels deeper sleep, faster recovery, and better performance.
We run 4 main types of studies at Eight Sleep to make new products and features
Every study looks different, yet all of them bring us closer to reshaping the way the world sleeps. We have 4 main types of studies that we do on the Clinical Research Team:
- Validation Studies ensure every new product meets the highest accuracy standards for the biometric data we surface to you in the Eight Sleep App every morning (e.g. HR/HRV accuracy).
- Feature Development Studies shape and refine new features that are typically based on machine learning to bring you smarter, more personalized sleep tools (e.g. snoring mitigation via Pod Ultra or Hot Flash Mode).
- Exploratory Studies unlock potential new R&D features or insights into sleep and health that spark the future of our technology (e.g. core body temperature is lower on the Pod).
- Long-Term Studies reveal how the Pod changes your sleep and health over time (e.g., how sleeping on the Pod for 1 month can improve sleep hygiene)
The ideas for new features or products come from multiple sources
Breakthroughs at Eight Sleep can start anywhere. Here are just a few examples:
- Our product, marketing, and research teams identify opportunities to create new features that elevate your sleep experience.
- Our hardware engineering team develops new products for the Eight Sleep ecosystem– doing things no one has done before.
- Member feedback inspires improvements that keep us focused on what matters most to you.
- Our sleep science research drives discoveries that push the field forward – not just for Eight Sleep, but for the future of sleep everywhere.
Our research process follows clear, structured steps
From ideas to your favorite bedroom products, here’s an overview of the research steps that go into launching a new product or feature that you can trust every night. For every study we complete, the following 8 steps:
- Reviewing past science. Every study begins with a deep dive into peer-reviewed literature. This helps us understand what’s already been discovered, what gaps remain, and where Eight Sleep can lead the next wave of sleep innovation.
- Defining product requirements. Each study is mapped to product requirements that are necessary for launch. If a new feature is planned, our research is timed so insights arrive before it goes live, ensuring the final product is grounded in evidence.
- Designing the study. Depending on the question, studies may be conducted in a controlled setting, in members’ bedrooms, or a blend of both. This is the most important step in the process because without a good study design, the data are useless. In this step, we have to consider:
- Sample size. How many participants do we need to detect meaningful changes?
- Representation. The demographics, characteristics, and traits of the people we should include in our study to ensure our products work for everyone.
- Confounding variables. Any external factors we want to account for (like sharing a bed with a pet) to make sure results reflect the product’s use cases, to maximize impact.
- Efficiency. We balance the necessary study intricacies with costs and timelines to create the most comprehensive, yet efficient, study possible.
- Ensuring ethics and safety. Every study goes through an independent ethics review. Each participant reviews and signs an informed consent form outlining exactly what’s involved, their right to withdraw at any time, and how their data will be kept private and secure. For every study, we evaluate whether the benefits outweigh any potential risks.
- Recruiting participants. We recruit from our friends and family for early confidential testing, along with members of the Eight Labs Testing group, employees, and our wider community. We are lucky to have such an active member testing group at Eight Labs!
- Collecting data. Once equipment has been delivered and setup is complete, participants begin the study while our team monitors data quality in real time. Depending on the design, this phase can last anywhere from one week to several months. Many of our studies are monitored remotely, allowing participants to test comfortably from home while maximizing our product’s assessment in real-life settings.
- Analyzing results. Once all data is collected, our team uses Python and statistical methods to uncover meaningful patterns and insights. These findings help us determine whether a product or feature needs further refinement or reveals new opportunities to enhance existing products.
- Sharing our results. We share findings internally as soon as results are available, allowing the teams involved to iterate, adjust, and ensure every release meets the highest standard before it reaches you. For certain studies, we also share results publicly – through blog posts, social channels, peer-reviewed publications, and conference presentations.
Why it matters for you
All this behind-the-scenes work comes down to one thing: the best products and features to optimize your sleep.
When you fall asleep on your Eight Sleep Pod, you’re not just using cutting-edge technology; you’re unlocking the result of countless hours of research, testing, and refinement. Every detail is designed to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up ready to perform at your best.
Because at Eight Sleep, we don’t just study sleep– we redefine it.
👉 Curious about joining a study? Fill out this survey to get on one of our recruitment lists.
