Huawei Sleep Tracker: How Accurate Is It Really?

Sleep trackers are a popular way to monitor sleep quality and duration, but how accurate are they? Sleep trackers are worn on the wrist and make estimates of sleep by measuring body movement and sometimes heart rate data. The Huawei Band 6 is a popular sleep tracker that offers a range of health and wellness features, including sleep tracking. While it has been found to be reasonably accurate in tracking sleep, there are some concerns about the accuracy of sleep trackers in general. Research has shown that sleep trackers are only accurate 78% of the time when identifying sleep versus wakefulness, and this accuracy drops to around 38% when estimating how long it takes a person to fall asleep. Despite this, the Huawei Band 6 is a well-reviewed, affordable option for those interested in tracking their sleep and establishing a better routine.

Huawei Sleep Tracker Characteristics and Values

Accuracy compared to polysomnography tests

Sleep trackers, including the Huawei Band 6, are worn on the wrist and make their estimates of nightly sleep by measuring body movement and sometimes heart rate data. Huawei's TruSeen 4.0 optical heart rate monitor allows for continuous heart rate tracking. The Huawei Band 6 also offers SpO2 monitoring, which can be measured continuously.

Polysomnography (PSG), on the other hand, is a multiple-component test that records specific physical activities while the patient sleeps. It is administered by a technician in a sleep centre or hospital. PSG is considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders. It involves tracking a person's brain waves, heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen levels, and body and eye movements during sleep through electrodes attached to the skin and scalp.

Research has found that, compared to polysomnography tests, sleep trackers are only accurate 78% of the time when identifying sleep versus wakefulness. This accuracy drops to around 38% when estimating how long it took participants to fall asleep. This discrepancy may be because analysing brain wave patterns is the only definitive way of knowing whether someone is awake or asleep, and to know what stage of sleep they’re in.

However, it is important to note that PSG tests are not always comfortable or convenient for the patient. They may involve uncomfortable equipment and an unfamiliar environment, which could make it more difficult to fall asleep. Nevertheless, PSG results do not usually require a full night's sleep, and the tests are considered relatively safe and non-invasive.

Accuracy in measuring sleep duration

Sleep trackers have become increasingly popular, with one in three people reporting regular sleep complaints. However, only a handful of studies have examined the accuracy of these devices. Sleep trackers like the Huawei Band 6 are generally worn on the wrist and measure sleep by tracking body movement and, in some cases, heart rate data.

The Huawei Band 6 is a fitness tracker that can monitor sleep, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. It features a 43mm polymer case, weighs 18 grams, and has a choice of band colours, including black, pink, amber, and green. The device offers 96 workout modes, including swimming, as it is 5 ATM water-resistant.

The accuracy of the Huawei Band 6 in sleep tracking has been tested by comparing it to other sleep trackers, such as the Fitbit Luxe. In one test, the Huawei Band 6 recorded similar sleep durations and stages as the Fitbit Luxe, although it generally recorded a shorter amount of deep sleep. Another test found that the Huawei Band 6 accurately measured sleep duration and stages when worn on the left wrist but not on the right wrist.

While the Huawei Band 6 provides insights into sleep patterns, it is important to consider the overall accuracy of sleep trackers. Research has shown that sleep trackers are only accurate 78% of the time when identifying sleep versus wakefulness compared to polysomnography tests, which are considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders. The accuracy of sleep trackers drops to around 38% when estimating how long it takes for a person to fall asleep.

It is worth noting that the limited research on sleep trackers raises concerns about their potential impact on mental health. People with poor sleep quality or sleep disorders may be more likely to use sleep trackers, and the data from these devices could negatively affect their emotional state and concentration levels during the day. Therefore, while the Huawei Band 6 can provide insights into sleep patterns, it is important to interpret the data with caution and consider the potential limitations of sleep tracking technology.

Accuracy in measuring sleep stages

Sleep trackers have become increasingly popular, with one in three people reporting regular sleep complaints. However, only a handful of studies have investigated the accuracy of sleep-tracking devices. Sleep trackers are typically worn on the wrist and measure body movement and sometimes heart rate data to estimate sleep patterns. This means they can only provide estimates of sleep duration and quality, which may not always be accurate.

The Huawei Band 6 is a fitness tracker that can monitor sleep, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. It has been found to perform well when compared to other sleep trackers like the Fitbit Luxe, recording similar sleep durations and stages. However, it generally records a shorter amount of deep sleep. One quirk observed by reviewers is that the sleep-tracking function only works when the band is worn on the left wrist, not the right.

The Huawei Band 6 uses TruSleep 2.0 Sleep Tracking technology and provides a robust sleep analysis section in the Huawei Health app. It can give users customised sleep reports, provided the band is worn for sleeping more than twice a week. While the sleep tracking feature seems pretty accurate, it is important to note that it may not provide completely accurate readings all the time.

Heart rate data can improve the accuracy of sleep trackers as heart rate fluctuates during different sleep stages. The Huawei Band 6 uses TruSeen 4.0 optical heart rate monitoring technology, which employs an optical lens and AI-based data processing to provide more precise readings. However, it is still a wrist-worn device, which may limit its accuracy compared to more specialised equipment.

Overall, the Huawei Band 6 offers a decent level of accuracy for a device in its price range. It is a good option for those seeking a budget-friendly fitness tracker with sleep-tracking capabilities.

Accuracy in measuring heart rate

Huawei's sleep tracking technology, TruSleep, is based on ACC and PPG data. The device identifies motion features, classifies the user's motion levels, and incorporates heart rate fluctuations to track sleep data such as sleep time, wake-up time, and sleep structure. It also provides sleep scores and tips. The sleep tracking period is from 20:00 of the current day to 20:00 of the next day. Any sleep between 20:00 and 00:00 of the current day is recorded as the next day's sleep.

Huawei's TruSleep technology uses a multi-modal fusion algorithm model to map sleep and body movements, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) to enhance sleep tracking accuracy. It focuses on five major sleep issues: difficulty falling asleep, frequent interruptions during sleep, insufficient sleep, irregular sleep schedule, and poor sleep quality. According to the Chinese Sleep Research Society, the sleep monitoring results from Huawei smart wearable devices are consistent with gold-standard medical sleep tracking devices (polysomnography). However, it is important to note that Huawei's sleep data shows a lot more time in deep sleep compared to other trackers, which seems high compared to the benchmarks used by other companies.

The Huawei Watch FIT 3 is equipped with TruSeen 5.5 technology, which delivers precise heart rate readings. This technology, combined with Huawei's Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis feature, helps identify irregular heart rates. The watch provides risk alerts for premature beats and atrial fibrillation (Afib) and supports single manual measurements, periodic measurements, risk warnings, and daily result statistics.

To ensure optimal accuracy in heart rate measurements, it is recommended to fasten the device snugly one finger width above the wrist bone, with the screen facing up. The device should be in contact with the skin, without any foreign objects in between. External factors such as low ambient temperatures, arm movements, or tattoos on the arm can affect heart rate measurements. It is also recommended to wear the device on the non-dominant wrist while sleeping for optimal accuracy.

Accuracy in measuring blood oxygen levels

The Huawei Watch 3 and 3 Pro come with an SpO2 measurement feature that can automatically detect your blood oxygen level. However, the accuracy of these measurements may vary and might not be as precise as actual medical equipment. The sensor measures the amount of oxygen in the blood based on how light is passed and delivers data. The normal blood oxygen level ranges between 95% and 100%, but factors like exercise, elevation, and health conditions can affect your results.

While the Huawei Watch can provide an indication of your blood oxygen levels, it is not intended to be a medical device. The data provided by the watch should not be used for self-diagnosis or consultation with a doctor, and is instead designed for general fitness and wellness purposes. For example, the watch can be used to help athletes recover or to monitor for sleep apnea.

The accuracy of blood oxygen measurements may be affected by external factors such as blood perfusion, tattoos, hair on your arm, dark skin completion, lowering, moving your arm, or low battery. In addition, the device must be fitted correctly and the user should be still while taking the reading to ensure accurate measurements.

To improve the accuracy of your blood oxygen measurements, it is recommended to rest for at least 5 minutes before measuring and to ensure your arm is still and comfortable during the measurement. Additionally, your watch should be snug but comfortable on your wrist, with the watch face up.

Frequently asked questions