In the relentless pursuit of a good night’s sleep, especially in hot and humid climates, many of us have tried various cooling solutions, from fans and air conditioning to cooling pillows and breathable sheets. Despite these efforts, achieving consistent and comfortable sleep can still be elusive. Enter the water-cooled mattress pad—a cutting-edge innovation designed to provide a consistently cool sleeping surface by circulating chilled water through a network of tubes within the pad.
This review will dive deep into the performance and practicality of a high-end, $1,000 water-cooled mattress pad. I will explore its setup, comfort, durability, energy efficiency, and overall value. Through this comprehensive analysis, you will gain insight into whether this advanced cooling solution is worth the investment and how it stacks up against other cooling methods. Whether you are considering purchasing one for yourself or simply curious about its effectiveness, this review aims to provide a thorough and honest evaluation of the water-cooled mattress pad.
What is the Ooler Sleep System?
The Ooler Sleep system is a device that works like a smart thermostat for your bed. It has a mattress pad called the Chilipad with plastic tubes running through it and a large hose. This hose connects to the Ooler control unit, a plastic box that sits near or under your bed and pumps water through the mattress pad.
The control unit looks a bit like a speaker because of the mesh on the front. It comes in gray or white and has an LED screen that shows the set temperature. Next to the screen are buttons to increase or decrease the temperature.
You can display the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius, though in Celsius it only shows to the nearest half degree. The last part of the system is your cell phone. With the Ooler app, available for both iPhone and Android, you can control the unit from your phone.
The Ooler Sleep System can be customized for one or two people. If you select the “me” option, you will get a Chilipad that covers half the bed. If you select “we” the Chilipad will cover the whole bed and come with two control units.
The Chilipad is available in queen, king, or California king sizes. Prices vary based on the mattress size and whether the system is for one or two people.
Features of the Ooler Sleep System
1. Precise Temperature Control
The Ooler Sleep System allows you to set the exact temperature of your bed, ranging from 55°F to 115°F (13°C to 46°C). This precise control helps you maintain the perfect sleeping environment, whether you need to cool down on hot nights or warm up during colder seasons.
2. Hydronic Cooling Technology
The system uses hydronic technology, circulating water through a network of microtubes embedded in a mattress pad. This ensures even cooling or heating across the entire surface of your bed, eliminating hot or cold spots.
3. Quiet Operation
The Ooler Sleep System is designed to operate quietly, with a low hum that won’t disrupt your sleep. The control unit features noise-dampening technology, making it quieter than many other cooling systems on the market.
4. Smart Scheduling
You can create personalized temperature schedules using the Ooler app. This allows you to program different temperatures for different times of the night, optimizing your sleep cycles. For example, you can start the night cool and gradually warm up towards morning.
5. Mobile App Integration
The Ooler Sleep System integrates with a mobile app (available for both iOS and Android), allowing you to control the temperature and set schedules from your smartphone. The app also provides insights into your sleep patterns and helps you make adjustments for better sleep quality.
6. Dual Zone Capability
For couples with different temperature preferences, the Ooler offers dual-zone capability. Each side of the bed can be set to a different temperature, ensuring both partners sleep comfortably.
7. Energy Efficiency
Compared to traditional air conditioning, the Ooler Sleep System is more energy-efficient. It cools or heats only the bed surface, reducing the need for excessive air conditioning or heating throughout the night.
8. Auto-Clean Function
The Ooler features an auto-clean function that circulates a cleaning solution through the system, helping to maintain the cleanliness and longevity of the unit. This reduces maintenance effort and ensures the system operates efficiently.
9. Ease of Use
Setting up the Ooler Sleep System is straightforward. The mattress pad fits under your regular sheets, and the control unit connects easily to the pad and a water reservoir. The intuitive app and control unit interface make it easy to adjust settings and monitor performance.
10. Improved Sleep Quality
By maintaining an optimal sleep temperature, the Ooler Sleep System can help reduce night sweats, improve sleep efficiency, and enhance overall sleep quality. Users often report falling asleep faster and experiencing fewer nighttime awakenings.
Is Ooler Sleep System Difficult To Set Up?
The Ooler was easier to set up than I expected. The Chilipad has elastic loops that slip over the corners of the mattress to keep it in place, similar to other mattress pads.
The Chilipad has two sides made of different materials: the “cool mesh” side is for those who sleep hot, while the “reversible comfort” side is a polyester-cotton blend.
In my experience, the cool mesh didn’t feel noticeably cooler than the poly-cotton side. The temperature of the bed was more affected by the unit’s temperature setting than by which side of the mattress pad was facing up.
Since I got the two-person unit, each side of the mattress pad has its hose. I positioned the hoses at the head of the bed and threaded them under the dream to connect to the control unit. The hoses snapped in securely, with almost no water escaping.
To set up the control units, start by pouring about a cup and a half of water into each unit, then turn them on to circulate the water through the Cshilipad’s tibes. Continue filling the units with water until they are full and close the cap.
I placed the control units, which are slightly smaller than a cubic foot, under my adjustable bed frame, leaving plenty of space. The last step is to connect the app via Bluetooth.
How Well Did It Operate?
When I first set up the Ooler, I immediately adjusted it to 55 degrees. Within ten minutes, it felt like I had stepped into the walk-in freezer and was amazed at how well it worked! It was probably the coldest I’d felt since leaving Los Angeles. I spent months enjoying my chilly new bed, adjusting my sleep schedules, and experimenting with the “warm wake” feature. (Pro tip: setting your bed to heat up to 115° at 6:30 a.m. might be too hot.
It does make for a very effective alarm clock, though.) I was worried that the Chilipad might not work with an adjustable bed, thinking that bending the mattress pad while adjusting the bed could damage the tubes and affect the Ooler’s cooling. Fortunately, I didn’t need to worry; the tubes are made of a rigid plastic that resists crinkling.
How Comfort It Was?
Im a very sensitive sleeper. I don’t recall meeting the Brothers Grimm, but it seems they knew me well enough to feature me in their story ” The Princess and the Pea.” I’m flattered! Even a tiny bit of dirt in the bed makes me grab the hand vacuum. You might think that would stop me from eating potato chips in bed, but it doesn’t.
For a water-cooled mattress pad like the Ooler, the plastic tubing needs to be sturdy enough to let water flow even with a heavy person sleeping on top. To get the best cooling effect, the manufacturer suggests placing the mattress pad directly under the fitted sheet, with no padding in between. Similarly, I noticed the tubes and, although I eventually got used to them, I never found the Chilipad completely comfortable. Still, it was better than keeping the AC running all night.
Is It Strident?
The Ooler makes a noticeable hum while it is running. The control units have three settings: boost, regular, and silent.
Boost mode cools the bed the fastest but is the loudest. I rarely used regular mode because it didn’t seem necessary.
Most nights, I used the silent mode. For people who like falling asleep to white noise, the Ooler’s hum might be a plus. However, I prefer a very quiet room, so I noticed the noise initially.
Like with the plastic tubes in the mattress pad, I eventually got used to the noise, but I would have preferred an even quieter machine.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The manufacturer advises washing the mattress pad every one to three months. To do this, you first unsnap the hoses and move the pad to the bathroom.
Use the drain key to empty the water into the shower or bathtub. Once the water is fully drained from the hoses, roll the pad around the hoses and secure it with the elastic straps. Then, place the bundle in your regular washer and wash it. You can dry the pad in a dryer on low heat.
I followed the washing instructions for the Cilipad several times without any issues. However, after the latest wash, I noticed that the fabric was wet when the hose exited the pad on my side of the bed.
I might have handled it a bit roughly—those things are heavy and tricky to manage, and I’m not always as careful as I should be. This leak happened right before I was about to leave Singapore, so I didn’t have time to contact customer service to address the problem.
How Much Does It Cost?
Well, I chose a refurbished unit instead of buying a brand-new one because of the cost. At the time, a new king-sized “we” system was priced at $1,799. I got a refurbished unit for less, and with shipping to my home in California (from where I took it on a plane to Singapore after a visit), the total cost came to just over $1,300.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ooler Sleep System offers a high-tech solution for those struggling to maintain an optimal sleep temperature, especially in hot and humid conditions. With its precise temperature control, hydronic cooling technology, and smart scheduling features, it provides an effective way to create a comfortable sleep environment tailored to individual needs.
While the initial cost and the minor inconvenience of the system’s noise and setup may be considerations, the benefits of improved sleep quality and energy efficiency make it a compelling option for those seeking relief from sleepless nights. For anyone who values a meticulously controlled sleep experience and can accommodate the system’s quirks, the Ooler Sleep System is a worthy investment in achieving a consistently restful night’s sleep.
Frequently Ask Question
Is the Ooler Sleep System difficult to set up?
No, the setup is straightforward. The Chilipad fits under your regular sheets and the control unit connects to the pad and a water reservoir. The app connects via Bluetooth for easy temperature adjustments.
How comfortable is the Ooler Sleep System?
While the Ooler provides effective cooling, the comfort level may vary. The Chilipad’s plastic tubes may be noticeable, and the mattress pad is recommended to be placed directly under the fitted sheet for optimal cooling. Some users might find the system less comfortable than traditional bedding.
Is the Ooler Sleep System noisy?
The Ooler does produce a noticeable hum during operation. It has three settings: boost (loudest), regular, and silent (quietest). Those who prefer complete silence might find the noise initially bothersome, though some users may adapt to it.
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