Colin Snow
Sleep tracking devices are a great way to gain insight into your sleep patterns and quality. They can help you identify any sleep problems and track your progress as you experiment with optimising your sleep. There are a variety of sleep trackers on the market, ranging from $30 to $600, with some smart mattresses costing $5000 or more. You can choose from wearables for your hand, wrist, or head, to non-wearables like under-mattress sensors or smart mattresses. While sleep trackers can provide a lot of information, they don't directly measure sleep and may not always be accurate. If you have concerns about your sleep, it's best to consult a health practitioner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Sleep Trackers | Wearables for the hand or wrist (rings, wristbands, smartwatches), wearables for the head (headbands, eye masks), under-mattress sensors, smart mattresses, smartphone apps |
| Features | Sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep phases, heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep efficiency, sleep consistency, blood oxygen levels, sleep experiments, built-in coaching, progress tracking, sleep history, sleep data, sleep score |
| Benefits | Can help identify sleep problems, provide meaningful data, help optimise sleep, help identify patterns in sleep, help identify potential areas for improvement, help pinpoint what may be interrupting sleep |
| Limitations | Do not measure sleep directly, may be inaccurate, may not be suitable for those with sleep disorders, may not be comfortable to wear |
| Cost | Typically range from $30 to $600, with some smart mattresses costing $5,000 or more |
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What You'll Learn
Wearables for your hand or wrist, such as rings, wristbands, and smartwatches
Smartwatches such as the Apple Watch can also be used to track sleep. When paired with an iPhone, the Apple Watch can track sleep data such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and nightly wrist temperature. Other smartwatch sleep tracking options include the Fitbit and Biostrap EVO.
Wristband trackers are another option. While they can provide tons of data, their interfaces can be intimidating. The Withings ScanWatch 2, for example, provides a wealth of data and advice in the Withings app, but it may be bulky and uncomfortable for sleep. The Biostrap Kairos is a lightweight wrist-worn band that tracks heart rate, respiration, and HRV.
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Wearables for your head, such as headbands and eye masks
If you're looking for a wearable sleep-tracking device that you can wear on your head, headbands and eye masks are the most common options. These devices are typically only meant to be used during sleep and are designed to be comfortable and unobtrusive. Many of these wearables have advanced features such as intelligent algorithms, cooling technology, and special sensors that can measure brain activity and overall sleep quality.
One example of a sleep-tracking headband is the Dreem headband, which is said to collect almost all the same data as a traditional sleep lab study. It tracks various stages of a person's sleep and monitors the electrical activity of the brain with electroencephalogram (EEG) readings. The headband also tracks head movement, heart rate, and respiration, using sound recordings and a miniature accelerometer. Built-in artificial intelligence analyses the data in real-time, identifying sleep stages such as rapid eye movement sleep and non-rapid eye movement sleep. The Dreem headband is now available to the public for $499.
Another option is the URGOnight headband, which provides positive visual and audio cues, or even rewards, when you trigger brain waves associated with sleep. By wearing this headband for 20 minutes and completing a series of brain exercises, you can learn which techniques or thoughts work best for you to induce sleep.
Smart sleep masks are another option for sleep tracking. These masks track data while also shielding your eyes from disruptive light. The Mzoo Sleep Mask, for example, has contoured memory-foam eyecups that offer gentle compression and allow your eyes to open and close without the mask brushing against your eyelashes. The mask is adjustable to ensure a snug fit and effectively blocks out all light. The Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eye Mask is another popular option, known for its softness and comfortable fit.
These head-worn sleep-tracking devices offer a comfortable and convenient way to monitor your sleep and can provide valuable insights into your sleep patterns and overall sleep quality.
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Non-wearables, such as under-mattress sensors
If you're looking for a sleep tracker that doesn't involve wearing a device, you might consider a non-wearable option such as under-mattress sensors. These unobtrusive sleep trackers are placed under your mattress, where they collect a wealth of data throughout the night without you even realising it's there. The Withings Sleep Tracking Mat, for example, uses pneumatic and sound sensors to measure your heart rate, respiratory rate, movements, snoring, and sleep cycles. The data is then processed to produce a daily sleep report and sleep score. This can be easily viewed in the free Withings app through its Wi-Fi sync feature.
Another option is the Withings Sleep, which also slides under your mattress to collect data on your sleep experience. Sensors in the device detect your heart rate, breathing, and movement, and this data is used to generate reports on your sleep cycle, heart rate, and breathing, along with an overall sleep score. The Withings Sleep can also sync with smart home devices to coordinate light levels and room temperature based on whether you're awake or asleep.
Smart mattresses are another form of non-wearable sleep trackers. These technologically advanced mattresses have sensors built into the cover that can track your sleep. This option may be particularly appealing if you're in the market for a new mattress and don't require daytime activity tracking.
While non-wearable sleep trackers offer a convenient and comfortable way to track your sleep, it's important to remember that no commercially available sleep tracker can perfectly analyse your sleep or diagnose a sleep disorder. If you have concerns about your sleep quality, it's always best to consult a health practitioner.
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Smart mattresses with built-in sensors
Smart mattresses offer a distinct advantage over traditional mattresses or third-party sleep tracking devices. By integrating sensors directly into the mattress, they can accurately capture biometric data such as body movement, heart rate, breathing, and temperature. This proximity to your body ensures more precise readings compared to external tracking devices. Additionally, smart mattresses can monitor environmental factors like temperature, noise, and light conditions in your bedroom, providing a comprehensive understanding of your sleep environment.
One example of a smart mattress with built-in sensors is the Eight Sleep Pod Pro. This mattress stands out for its five-layer foam design, offering a 12-inch depth for comfort. Each side of the bed has customizable heating and cooling zones, allowing you and your partner to adjust the temperature to your individual preferences. The Eight Sleep Pod Pro also excels at sleep tracking, calculating sleep stages, time slept, restlessness, respiratory rate, heart rate changes, and other wellness factors. This wealth of data can help you identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions to enhance your sleep quality.
Another notable option in the smart mattress space is the Ghost smart mattress. This mattress combines air chambers, foam layers, gel memory foam, and a unique gel polymer layer. The gel polymer layer, although visually distinct, contributes to the mattress's ability to offer comfortable settings. Utilizing its sensors and adjustments, the Ghost smart mattress allows you to customize the firmness level or let the bed automatically choose the optimal setting based on your sleep patterns. The mattress also features a companion app that provides additional tracking options, including sleep stage monitoring, breath per minute measurement, and restlessness tracking.
The Sleep Number mattress is a smart mattress option that provides basic sleep tracking with a focus on comfort. It utilizes an 8-inch layer of air chambers, along with a 2-inch foam layer, allowing you to adjust the firmness to your liking. The mattress can also automatically adjust its firmness based on your movements, ensuring a comfortable sleep experience. The SleepIQ number assigned by the mattress serves as a simple yet effective indicator of your sleep quality, helping you track improvements in your sleep patterns over time.
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Smartphone apps, which are generally less robust than other trackers
While smartphone apps are a good option for sleep tracking, they are generally less robust than other trackers as the range of data they collect is limited. However, some apps can provide meaningful data or integrate information from other sources, including wearables. For example, the SleepScore and Sleep Cycle apps have been recommended as the most helpful. The Oura Ring app for iOS has a Find My Ring feature, which will show the last location that your Oura Ring connected to your phone. The Sleep app on the Apple Watch can also be used to track sleep.
If you want to use a smartphone app to track your sleep, you should consider what type of data you want to collect. Some apps can monitor your daytime activity and fitness, while others can monitor your vital signs, like heart rate, respiration, and movement. Some apps can also monitor the environment around you, including things like noise, temperature, and humidity.
It is important to note that sleep-tracking wearables aren't always precise. Many calculate sleep and other factors inaccurately due to their reliance on actigraphy, a technology that measures movement. For example, in some tests, trackers assumed that the user was sleeping when they were awake but lying still. If medically accurate sleep-tracking data is important to you, a polysomnography test is the best way to go.
Sleep trackers can be a helpful learning tool, but they don't replace medical care. If you have insomnia, sleep apnea, orthosomnia, or any other kind of sleep-related disorder, see a medical professional. If your doctor says that using a sleep tracker is a good idea, go for it.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many different types of sleep trackers available on the market. Wearables for your hand or wrist, such as rings, wristbands, and smartwatches, are the most popular category. Headbands and eye masks are the most common sleep trackers worn on the head. Non-wearables include under-mattress sensors and smart mattresses. Smartphone apps are also available, but they are generally less robust than other sleep trackers.
Some examples of sleep trackers include the Oura Ring, Withings ScanWatch 2, Muse S Gen 2 Headband, and the Apple Watch.
Sleep trackers can help you gain insight into your sleep routine and identify sleep problems. They can collect a lot of information about your sleep habits, such as sleep duration, sleep quality, and sleep phases. They can also track your heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature. However, it's important to note that sleep trackers don't directly measure sleep and may not be perfectly accurate.
