Fitbit Surge: Tracking Sleep And More

Fitbit devices are popular tools for tracking sleep patterns and quality. While Fitbit devices with heart-rate tracking capabilities can be used to track sleep stages, the Fitbit Surge, an older model with a heart-rate monitor, does not support this feature due to limitations in its optical sensor technology. However, the Fitbit Surge can still provide insights into sleep patterns and sleep quality, and newer models may offer improved sleep tracking accuracy.

Fitbit Surge's sleep tracking accuracy

Fitbit Surge does have sleep tracking capabilities. However, it does not provide advanced sleep stage tracking, which means it cannot differentiate between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. This is because the optical sensor on the Fitbit Surge does not have a high enough resolution for HRV (heart rate variability) analysis, which is necessary for determining sleep stages.

The Fitbit Surge can still provide you with insights into your sleep patterns and quality. It can track the time spent awake, restless, and asleep. When you sync your device in the morning, you can review your sleep data, such as your sleep score and the number of hours slept. You can access this information on your Fitbit device or through the Fitbit app.

While Fitbit Surge does not offer sleep stage tracking, other Fitbit devices, such as Alta HR, Blaze, Charge 2, and Ionic, do provide this feature. These devices can estimate your sleep stages by using your movement and heart rate patterns. They can differentiate between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep, giving you a more detailed understanding of your sleep cycles.

It is important to note that sleep stage tracking may not always be completely accurate, even with devices that offer this feature. Sleep stages are traditionally measured in a lab setting using electroencephalograms and other equipment to monitor brain, eye, and muscle activity. While Fitbit devices can provide estimates, they may not always precisely match lab-based measurements.

If you are specifically interested in tracking sleep stages, you may consider upgrading to a Fitbit device that offers this functionality. However, if you already own a Fitbit Surge, you can still gain valuable insights into your sleep patterns and work towards improving your sleep quality.

Fitbit's sleep tracking features

Fitbit offers a robust sleep tracking function that can help you better understand your sleep patterns. The sleep tracking function is available on Fitbit fitness trackers, smartwatches, and the basic Fitbit app.

To track your sleep, you must wear your Fitbit device during sleep. The device uses your movement and heart rate patterns to estimate your sleep stages. When you don't move for about an hour, your Fitbit assumes you're asleep. It also tracks the beat-to-beat changes in your heart rate, known as heart rate variability (HRV), which fluctuate as you transition between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep stages.

You can check the start and end times for your different sleep stages from the Today tab in the Fitbit app. Press and hold your finger on the Sleep timeline graph and move your finger left or right to check the time spent in each sleep stage. You can also tap Benchmark to show the percentage of time spent in each sleep stage.

Fitbit also offers a Premium subscription that provides more detailed insights and recommendations about your sleep. With a Premium subscription, you can turn on the snore and noise detection feature to allow the microphone on your Fitbit device to track noise, including snoring from you or someone next to you. You will receive a summary of your nightly results in a report each morning. Additionally, the Smart Wake feature monitors your sleep stages and wakes you during a Light Sleep stage within a 30-minute window before your set alarm time.

How to check sleep start and end times

The Fitbit Surge does not support advanced sleep tracking features such as REM, light and deep sleep tracking. However, it can still track your sleep duration and provide insights into your sleep patterns.

To check your sleep start and end times on the Fitbit Surge, you must first ensure that your device is set up to track your sleep. You can do this by adjusting your sleep settings in the Fitbit app. Open the app and tap the "Sleep" tile, which will say "How did you sleep?" or display your sleep duration from the previous night. Tap the moon icon at the bottom of the screen to set or edit your sleep targets.

Once your device is set up for sleep tracking, you can view your sleep start and end times by opening the "Today" tab in the Fitbit app and tapping the "Sleep duration" tile. Press and hold the "Sleep timeline" graph, then move your finger left or right to view the time spent in each sleep stage. This will show you the duration of your sleep, as well as the specific times you fell asleep and woke up.

If the recorded sleep start and end times are incorrect, you can manually edit your sleep log to better reflect your actual sleep duration. Keep in mind that the Fitbit Surge may not capture short naps as it requires at least 3 hours of sleep data to estimate your sleep stages.

Fitbit's sleep tracking settings

If you want to track your sleep, simply wear your Fitbit device to bed, and it will automatically start recording once it detects that you're asleep. Fitbit devices use movement and heart-rate patterns to estimate your sleep stages and cycles. You can view the data in the app, which will show you the time spent in each sleep stage: light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep.

To get more detailed insights, you can check the start and end times for each sleep stage by pressing and holding the “Sleep timeline graph". With a Premium subscription, you can also turn on the snore and noise detection feature, which will provide a summary of your nightly results.

Additionally, you can set bedtime reminders to help you maintain a consistent sleep schedule. You can also edit or delete sleep logs if you need to make any adjustments. Fitbit's sleep tracking settings provide a comprehensive way to monitor and improve your sleep habits.

Fitbit's sleep tracking troubleshooting

Sleep tracking is a key feature of Fitbit devices, but sometimes you may encounter problems with this function. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you if your Fitbit is not tracking your sleep properly.

Syncing issues

If you are not getting your sleep information on the Fitbit app, check that your device has synced with your mobile or syncing device. One user reported that their sleep data returned after they removed and re-added their device to the app, then deleted and reinstalled the app.

Battery issues

If your device's battery is critically low, it may not track your sleep.

Fitbit placement

For best results, wear your tracker higher on your wrist (about 2-3 finger widths above your wrist bone). The band should feel secure but not too tight. Some users have reported better sleep tracking when using the "on clip" option instead of "on wrist".

Sleep sensitivity settings

Note that the sleep sensitivity setting on your device does not affect sleep stages.

Heart rate

Fitbit estimates your sleep stages by using your movement and heart-rate patterns. If you are wearing your Fitbit in a position that prevents your tracker from getting a consistent heart rate, it may not track your sleep properly.

Older Fitbit models

If you have an older Fitbit model, such as the Fitbit Surge, it may not have the advanced sleep-tracking features of newer devices. The optical sensor on the Surge does not have a high enough resolution for HRV (heart rate variability), which is used for sleep analysis.

Frequently asked questions