How Fitbit Tracks Sleep Without Bluetooth

Fitbit devices are popular for their ability to track sleep. They can monitor sleep quality and duration, and newer devices can even determine the differences between sleep stages. Fitbit's sleep tracking functions are available through the basic app, but some features, like a sleep profile, require a premium subscription. So, can you track sleep on a Fitbit without Bluetooth?

Fitbit sleep tracking features

Fitbit offers a range of sleep-tracking features to help you understand your sleep patterns and improve your sleep quality. Here's a detailed overview of these features:

Sleep Tracking

Fitbit devices, including both trackers and smartwatches, are designed to monitor your sleep. They can automatically detect when you fall asleep and start recording your sleep data. To track your sleep, simply wear your Fitbit device to bed. It is recommended to wear it snugly on your wrist, positioned slightly higher than your wrist bone, for the most accurate readings.

Sleep Stages

Fitbit devices with heart rate monitors can track your sleep stages, distinguishing between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. This information can help you understand the quality of your sleep and make adjustments to improve your rest.

Sleep Duration

Fitbit provides insights into your total sleep duration, showing you how many hours you slept. It also takes into account any restlessness or wakefulness during the night, providing an accurate representation of your sleep time.

Sleep Score

Fitbit assigns you a Sleep Score based on various metrics, including sleep duration, quality, and restoration. This score gives you a quick overview of how well you slept, with scores above 90 considered excellent.

Smart Wake

The Smart Wake feature monitors your sleep stages and sets off a silent alarm during a light sleep stage within a specified time window. This helps you wake up feeling more rested and ensures a peaceful morning routine.

Sleep Profile

Fitbit offers a Sleep Profile feature, which provides a detailed monthly analysis of your sleep habits. It includes insights on 10 key metrics and assigns you an animal avatar that represents your sleep style. However, this feature requires a Fitbit Premium subscription.

Snore and Noise Detection

Select Fitbit models, such as the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3, offer snore and noise detection capabilities. These devices use the built-in microphone to track noise levels and detect snoring during sleep. This feature can be useful for identifying potential sleep disruptions and improving your sleep environment.

Fitbit sleep tracking without Bluetooth

All Fitbit devices can track your sleep without needing to be connected to Bluetooth. The Fitbit automatically tracks your sleep once it recognises that your body is going into sleep mode. This is when your body has been completely at rest for about an hour.

To track your sleep with a Fitbit, simply wear it to bed. It is recommended that you wear your Fitbit device moderately snugly and higher on your wrist (2-3 finger widths above the wrist bone) for the most accurate readings. Fitbit devices with a heart rate monitor can also figure out the differences between sleep stages, such as light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep.

The Fitbit app offers a free and a premium version. The free version lets you track your sleep, activity, nutrition, and weight, and offers some basic insights. The premium subscription gives you more insight into your sleep, including your Sleep Profile—a monthly analysis of your sleep habits.

To access your sleep tracking data, open the Fitbit app and tap the ''Today' tab. Then, tap the 'Sleep' tile and select 'Today' or another day to see your sleep details. You can also swipe up from the clock face to see the 'Fitbit Today' screen, and scroll up to the sleep tile to see your sleep patterns or time spent in each sleep stage.

Fitbit sleep tracking devices

Fitbit offers a range of fitness trackers and smartwatches that can monitor your sleep. These devices can track your sleep by detecting your sleep patterns and heart rate. The data is then used to provide insights and help you improve your sleep quality.

Fitbit devices with a heart rate monitor can track light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. The devices use your heart rate and movement to create a Sleep Score, which accounts for sleep duration, quality, and restoration. The Sleep Score is based on a number of metrics and is designed to give you an understanding of your sleep style.

How to use it:

To track your sleep with a Fitbit, simply wear it to bed. The device will automatically detect when you are asleep and start recording. It is recommended to wear the device snugly on your wrist, positioned slightly higher than your wrist bone, to ensure accurate readings. You can also adjust the sleep sensitivity settings in the Fitbit app to normal or sensitive, depending on your sleep patterns.

Additional features:

Fitbit Premium offers a more detailed Sleep Profile, which includes a monthly personalized analysis of your sleep habits. This feature is available on specific models, such as the Charge 5 and Versa 3, and requires a subscription. Additionally, the Smart Wake feature monitors your sleep stages and wakes you during a light sleep stage, ensuring you feel more rested when you wake up.

Fitbit sleep tracking setup

To set up sleep tracking on your Fitbit, you'll need to wear your device to bed. Wrist-based Fitbits and Google Pixel Watch series can automatically detect your sleep when worn to bed. The device should be worn as a snug wristband, positioned higher on your wrist, about 2-3 finger widths above the wrist bone. The band should feel secure but not too tight.

Fitbit devices that don't track heart rate can still track sleep but can't deliver information about sleep stages. If your Fitbit has a heart rate monitor, it can discern between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep.

To get a detailed breakdown of your sleep, you'll need a Fitbit Premium subscription. This costs $10 a month and is available on specific models, including the Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 2, Inspire 3, or Luxe tracker, or any Sense or Versa watch (except the 2018 model).

The Fitbit app will display your sleep stats. From the Today tab, tap the Sleep duration tile. Tap Sleeping heart rate to find stats for your most recent sleep session. To check sleep stats for other days, choose the desired week, month, or year using the tabs. You can also set a sleep goal using the app.

Fitbit sleep tracking data

Fitbit devices have a robust sleep-tracking function that can help you understand your sleep patterns and improve your sleep. All Fitbits can track your sleep in terms of how long it lasts, and every Fitbit with a heart rate monitor can also figure out the differences between sleep stages. Fitbits with heart rate monitors can discern between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. The Sleep Profile feature, a more detailed breakdown of your sleep that appears once a month, is available only on specific models. To get those reports, you’ll need a Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 2, Inspire 3, or Luxe tracker, or any Sense or Versa watch (except the very first Versa model from 2018). Google Pixel watches can also track your sleep.

To access your sleep tracking data, open the Fitbit app and tap the Today tab. Then, tap the Sleep duration tile. Tap Sleeping heart rate to find stats for your most recent sleep session. To check sleep stats for other days, choose the desired week, month, or year using the tabs. Tap on a specific sleep session to check your sleeping heart rate for that period. Touch and hold the chart, then drag left or right to check your sleep details. You can also swipe up from the clock face to see Fitbit Today. Scroll up until you land on the sleep tile and swipe left to see your sleep patterns or time spent in each sleep stage.

Fitbit's sleep tracking function works by tracking beat-to-beat changes in your heart rate and your body's movements. When your body has been at rest for about an hour, your device assumes you're asleep and starts recording. Your Fitbit will detect restless sleep through the way your body moves, and if your device has a heart rate monitor, it can tell the difference between light, deep, and REM sleep. If your Fitbit detects excessive movement, it will record that time as being awake.

Fitbit offers two versions of its app: free and premium. The free version lets you track your sleep and offers some basic insights. The premium subscription gives you more insight into your sleep, including your Sleep Profile—a personalized monthly analysis of your sleep habits. The premium subscription also includes access to a library of workout videos and audio tracks, guided meditations, sleep aids, and audio tracks that guide you during a run or workout.

Frequently asked questions