Wearables Tracking Rem Sleep: The Ultimate Guide

Sleep trackers are wearable devices that can help you understand your sleep patterns and improve your sleep quality. While they don't provide medically accurate data, they can help you identify trends in your sleep, monitor your activity and heart rate, and offer advice on improving your rest and fitness. There are various types of sleep trackers available, such as rings, wristbands, headbands, and under-mattress sensors. Some popular options include the Oura Ring, Whoop 4.0, Fitbit Inspire 3, and Apple Watch Series 9. These devices can track metrics such as sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep phases, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors. They provide insights into your sleep habits and help you make informed decisions to improve your sleep.

Wearables: Wristbands, rings, and headbands are popular options

Wearables are a popular option for tracking your sleep, and they come in different forms, including wristbands, rings, and headbands.

Wristbands are a common choice for sleep tracking, with the Whoop 4.0 being a popular option. The Whoop 4.0 is a lightweight, screenless band that sits on your wrist and provides in-depth sleep information and personalized recommendations. It measures your sleep stages, heart-rate variability, respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature. The Whoop also has a sleep coach feature, which suggests optimal sleep times and calculates how much sleep you need based on your daily activities.

Rings are another option for sleep tracking, with the Oura Ring being a popular choice. The Oura Ring is a lightweight and comfortable ring that provides insights into your sleep efficiency, restfulness, readiness, and latency. It also offers a sleep score and tracks your heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature. The Oura Ring has a longer battery life compared to watch trackers, with a charge lasting up to seven days.

Headbands, such as the Muse S Headband Sleep Tracker, are also available for sleep tracking. This headband has sensors that measure brain activity, heart rate, respiration, and movement. It pairs with a meditation app to enhance your sleep and relaxation.

When choosing a wearable sleep tracker, consider factors such as comfort, additional features, subscription requirements, and price. Some people may prefer a discreet and comfortable option like a ring, while others may want a device with a screen and additional health tracking features like a smartwatch.

Non-wearables: These include mats that go under your mattress or devices that sit on your bedside table

If you're looking for a sleep-tracking device that doesn't need to be worn, there are a couple of options to consider. These include mats that slide under your mattress and devices that sit on your bedside table.

Under-mattress sleep trackers

Under-mattress sleep trackers are an effective and affordable option if you find wearable devices bothersome. They collect data over the course of the night and are unobtrusive, allowing you to forget about them completely as you sleep. One example of this type of tracker is the Withings Sleep device, which was awarded "Best Non-Wearable" by SleepFoundation.org. The Withings Sleep mat slides under your mattress and uses sensors to track your heart rate, movement, breathing, and snoring. It then uses this data to produce daily sleep reports and an overall sleep score. It can also sync with smart home devices to coordinate light levels and room temperature. However, it's important to note that the Withings Sleep mat is not compatible with mattresses that are more than 15 inches thick.

Another under-mattress sleep tracker is the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat, which was reviewed by Wired. This sensor-packed mat also slides under your mattress and tracks your movements, breathing, and heart rate. It detects snoring or other sounds and alerts you about potential breathing problems that could indicate sleep apnea. The Withings Sleep Tracking Mat assigns a sleep score out of 100 for each night and allows you to view individual nights for more detail and long-term trends. However, the review notes that the device assumes you are trying to sleep if you are lying still, which can skew the results.

Bedside sleep trackers

Another option for non-wearable sleep tracking is to use a device that sits on your bedside table. One example of this type of device is the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen, which was also reviewed by Wired. This device uses radar to track your sleep and has a microphone to detect snoring, sleep talking, and other nocturnal sounds. However, the review notes that the Nest Hub 2nd Gen overestimated REM phases and missed periods of wakefulness compared to other trackers.

Accuracy: Wearables are generally more accurate than non-wearables

Wearable sleep trackers are generally more accurate than non-wearables. Wearables can be worn on the hand or wrist, head, or as a ring. They can also be non-wearable sensors that sit on your bedside table or under your mattress.

Wearable sleep trackers can monitor an impressive array of metrics, including heart rate, temperature trends, blood oxygen levels, respiration, and movement. They can also track sleep stages, such as REM, light, or deep sleep. This data is then translated into scores that illuminate trends in your sleep and how sleep affects your daily life.

Some of the most accurate wearables include the Oura Ring 4, the Ultrahuman Ring Air, and the Whoop 4.0. The Oura Ring 4 is a stylish, lightweight ring that measures heart rate, temperature trends, and blood oxygen levels. It then translates this data into three scores: Sleep Score, Activity Score, and Readiness Score. The Ultrahuman Ring Air is another lightweight ring that measures sleep stages, heart rate, heart rate variability, and temperature. The Whoop 4.0 is a wristband that measures sleep and heart-rate data, as well as the intensity of activities such as long walks or high-intensity exercise.

While wearables are generally more accurate than non-wearables, it's important to note that no sleep tracker is perfectly accurate. Sleep trackers can be inaccurate due to their reliance on actigraphy, which measures movement. Additionally, some wearables may be uncomfortable to wear or require a subscription to access all features. However, wearables are constantly improving, and they offer a practical and cost-effective way to monitor your sleep.

Features: Some devices offer extra features like a smart alarm or health and fitness tracking

Sleep trackers can offer a wide range of features, with some devices offering extras such as a smart alarm or health and fitness tracking.

The Oura Ring, for example, offers a "body clock" feature that teaches you about your circadian rhythms and body clock by measuring your sleep chronotype, calculated by your body temperature, sleep-wake cycle, and physical activity. The Oura Ring also provides a sleep score, heart rate, sleep efficiency, and a suggested bedtime range for the day.

The Apple Watch Series 10 has a Sleep app that allows you to create goals for how long you want to sleep each night and adjust them for weekdays and weekends. It also has a Sleep Focus mode, which limits distractions before bed. However, it does not provide a sleep score or summary.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 integrates Fitbit's sleep tracking features, including a silent alarm that wakes you up during your most optimal sleep stage, bedtime reminders, and sleep goals. It also offers a daily readiness score.

The Garmin Venu 3S has a sleep coach feature that provides a sleep score and tracks your sleep stages, naps, heart rate variability, and skin temperature during rest. It also provides a body battery score out of 100, taking into account your age, daily and long-term activity levels, recent sleep history, and heart rate variability.

The Whoop 4.0 is a lightweight, screenless band that tracks your sleep stages and suggests optimal sleep times. It also has a sleep coach that informs you when to go to bed and tells you how much sleep you will get if you go to bed past that time.

Cost: Consider the upfront cost of the device and any subscription fees

When it comes to the upfront cost of the device and any subscription fees, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to determine your budget and what you are willing to spend on a sleep tracker. The price of these devices can vary significantly, ranging from around $100 to over $1000. It's also important to factor in any additional costs, such as subscription fees, which can add up over time. Some sleep trackers require a monthly or yearly subscription to access certain features or data. These fees can range from $6 to $30 per month, or you may have the option to pay for a longer subscription upfront, which can sometimes result in a discount. It's worth noting that some sleep trackers, like the Withings ScanWatch 2 and the Fitbit Inspire 3, do not require a subscription to use their basic features, but you may need to pay for a subscription to access more advanced offerings.

When considering the cost of a sleep tracker, it's also important to think about the features and functionality that you need. More expensive devices may offer a wider range of features, such as heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen level tracking, and advanced sleep analytics. If you're just starting out with sleep tracking, a more basic device without a subscription may be a good option. On the other hand, if you're looking for in-depth insights and detailed recommendations, a device with a subscription plan may be worth the investment. Additionally, consider the design and form factor of the device. Smart rings, like the Oura Ring or the Samsung Galaxy Ring, tend to be more expensive than wristbands, but they offer a more discreet and comfortable option. Smartwatches, on the other hand, often come with additional features like fitness tracking and smartphone notifications, but they tend to have shorter battery lives and may be bulkier to wear at night.

It's also worth mentioning that some sleep trackers offer different subscription tiers or family plans, which can make them more affordable if you're willing to commit for a longer period. For example, the Whoop 4.0 offers a $199 family membership, as well as the option to pay $239 upfront for 12 months or $399 for 24 months. The Oura Ring, on the other hand, has a $6 per month subscription fee, which is one of the lowest among the options mentioned. When making your decision, it's important to carefully review the features included in each subscription tier and consider whether the additional cost is worth the value it brings.

In summary, when considering the cost of a sleep tracker, it's important to factor in both the upfront cost of the device and any ongoing subscription fees. Determine your budget and the features you need, and compare the offerings of different devices to find the best option for your needs. Remember to read reviews and consider the accuracy, comfort, and ease of use of the device, as these factors will also play a role in your overall satisfaction with the product.

Frequently asked questions