Garmin Watches: Auto Sleep Tracking And You

Sleep tracking devices like the Garmin watch measure your heart rate and motion to estimate your sleep stages. The watch needs to use a combination of heart rate, breathing rate, and movement to detect sleep and various sleep stages. While some users have found the sleep tracking feature on their Garmin watches to be accurate, others have complained that it doesn't track naps very well or that it thinks they're asleep when they're not.

Garmin watch accuracy

The accuracy of Garmin watches for sleep tracking has been questioned by several users. Some users have reported that their Garmin watches accurately reflect their sleep patterns, while others have found inconsistencies in the data.

In a 2019 sleep study conducted by Garmin Health, the accuracy of the Garmin vivosmart 3 in estimating sleep stages was assessed using a reference device. The study found that the Garmin device had an accuracy rate of approximately 69% in predicting deep, light, and REM sleep stages, with wake detection being slightly more accurate at 73%. The study also showed that the most common misclassifications were true deep sleep classified as light sleep and true REM sleep classified as light sleep.

However, some users have compared the sleep tracking data of their Garmin watches with other devices and found discrepancies. For example, one user compared the Garmin Venus 2 Plus and 965 with the Apple Watch 6 and Ultra and found that the Apple Watches were more accurate in detecting actual sleep time, while the Garmin watches classified reading time as sleep time. Another user compared the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro with the Apple Watch Ultra and found that while the sleep and wake-up times were similar, the Garmin watch added an extra hour of restorative sleep and classified interruptions as REM sleep.

In addition, some users have reported that their Garmin watches do not accurately track naps and that the algorithm used for sleep tracking needs improvement. One user suggested that the algorithm should incorporate advanced data like HRV and HR in addition to movement to improve accuracy.

It is worth noting that the accuracy of sleep tracking devices can be influenced by various factors, such as the user's movements during sleep and the placement of the device. While Garmin watches may not be perfect for sleep tracking, they offer other features and training apps that users find valuable.

Sleep score and stages timeline

The Sleep Score and Stages Timeline on a Garmin watch is a feature that provides insights into your sleep patterns and quality. The sleep score is a number between 0 and 100 that summarises how well you slept. It takes into account the length of sleep, sleep quality, and evidence of recovery activity in your autonomic nervous system, specifically the rest-and-digest and fight-or-flight branches. The sleep score is influenced by the time spent in each sleep stage: light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. REM sleep, for example, is associated with memory and cognitive functions.

The Stages Timeline is a visual representation of your sleep stages throughout the night. It uses colours to differentiate between the stages: deep pink for REM sleep, light blue for light sleep, dark blue for deep sleep, and pale pink for awake periods. This allows you to see when you entered each sleep stage and for how long. The Garmin watch measures your heart rate and motion to estimate these sleep stages.

The Sleep Score and Stages Timeline feature on Garmin watches can help you understand your sleep patterns and identify areas for improvement. For example, you can compare your sleep score and stages to how you actually feel when you wake up. Did you feel refreshed and ready for the day, or tired and groggy? By analysing your sleep data and paying attention to your dreams and daytime energy levels, you can gain insights into your sleep quality and make adjustments as needed.

While the Garmin watch provides valuable insights, it's important to note that it may not always accurately detect sleep stages and interruptions. Some users have reported that the watch sometimes thinks they are asleep when they are reading or lying in bed. Additionally, the watch may categorise interruptions as REM sleep instead of wakefulness. Therefore, it is essential to consider the data provided by the watch alongside how you feel and your personal experiences.

Sleep tracking compared to Apple Watch

Sleep tracking is a feature that is available on both Garmin watches and Apple Watches. However, the two products differ in their accuracy and the way they track sleep.

Firstly, it is important to note that the Apple Watch has more features than a simple fitness tracker. It has more third-party apps and fits seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. In addition, Apple has an army of people working on its algorithms, which may contribute to its accuracy.

In terms of accuracy, the Apple Watch has been clinically proven to be as accurate as wearable tech allows. It tends to track a longer time asleep than other products, including the Fitbit and Garmin watches. For example, the Apple Watch 7 tracks Light/Core sleep as over an hour longer and REM sleep as about 40 minutes longer than the Fitbit. However, it is not perfect, as some users have complained about its accuracy. One user stated that their Apple Watch did not track their sleep at all, despite having a high battery percentage. Another user noted that their Apple Watch showed their total time asleep as longer than the actual time they spent in bed.

On the other hand, Garmin watches have been criticised for their inaccurate sleep tracking. One user noted that their Garmin watch tracked their sleep time as 4-5 hours when they actually slept for more than 7 hours. Another user stated that their Garmin watch tracked them as asleep when they were actually reading in bed before falling asleep. However, other users have praised the accuracy of their Garmin watches, stating that the sleep score does a good job of reflecting how they feel in the morning.

In terms of sleep tracking features, the Apple Watch can track your time spent in bed and your time spent sleeping independently from your daily bedtime setting. It also has a “Track Sleep with Apple Watch” feature, which must be enabled for at least 4 hours each night to receive sleep data. Additionally, the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra can compare changes in nightly wrist temperature data.

Garmin watches, on the other hand, use a combination of heart rate, breathing rate, and movement to detect sleep and various sleep stages. While they may not have the same level of algorithm mastery as Apple, they do offer other features such as a sleep coaching feature.

Naps and sleep interruptions

Comparatively, Apple Watches seem to be more accurate in tracking sleep interruptions, picking up on every single one, whereas Garmin categorizes 90% of interruptions as REM sleep. This could be due to the algorithms used, as Apple likely has more people working on their algorithms than Garmin.

However, it's important to note that Garmin watches do seem to be improving in this area. One user mentions that their Fenix 7 Pro counts naps and when they go back to sleep after waking up early, indicating that software improvements have been made.

Overall, while Garmin watches may not be perfect when it comes to tracking naps and sleep interruptions, they do provide some level of insight into your sleep patterns and are continuously improving their accuracy.

Heart rate and motion tracking

Sleep-tracking devices such as the Garmin watch measure your heart rate and motion to estimate your sleep stages. The watch needs to use a combination of heart rate, breathing rate, and movement to detect sleep and various sleep stages. This includes deep sleep, light sleep, and REM sleep. The accuracy of the device varies, with research suggesting that it is around 78% accurate in measuring sleep versus awake time, and only about 38% accurate in measuring how long it takes you to fall asleep.

The Garmin watch successfully tracks the amount of time spent dreaming. It provides a Sleep Score and Stages Timeline, which can be compared to how the wearer actually feels. For example, the Stages Timeline can be compared to whether the wearer feels well-rested, remembers dreams, or feels tired.

In addition to sleep tracking, the heart rate tracking feature on the Garmin watch can also be used during waking hours to track heart rate during exercise and to discover one's average resting heart rate and upper-range fitness capabilities. This feature provides valuable insights into one's cardiovascular health and fitness levels.

While the Garmin watch offers insights into sleep patterns and heart rate, it is important to note that it may not be as accurate as other dedicated sleep-tracking devices or apps. Some users have reported inconsistencies in the data, especially when compared to other sleep-tracking technologies. However, for those who are curious about their sleep patterns and heart rate, the Garmin watch provides a convenient way to access this information without needing to invest in additional devices or wear multiple items, such as an extra ring or a second watch.

Frequently asked questions