Miya Pearson
Garmin is an American, Swiss-domiciled multinational technology company that specializes in GPS technology for automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor, and sports activities. They also produce wearable technology, including smartwatches and activity trackers. While Garmin devices can track sleep, there has been some criticism that they do not track naps. Naps can improve alertness, reduce fatigue, lift your mood, and boost your memory, so it is a confusing omission. However, some older Garmin devices had some nap tracking via a Sleep Mode, and some newer devices may be able to track naps through long periods of inactivity using Firstbeat Analytics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Track naps | No, Garmin devices can't track naps and sleep on the same day. |
| Track sleep | Yes, but only one sleep cycle per day. |
| Track light, deep and REM sleep during naps | No |
| Nap guidance | Yes, it will tell you how long and when to nap. |
| Sleep coach recommendations | Yes, naps will affect these. |
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What You'll Learn
- Garmin devices can help with tracking sleep, but not naps
- The Garmin Epix Pro is an example of a device that will not track naps
- Older Garmin devices had some nap tracking via a Sleep Mode
- Garmin devices will not track light, deep, or REM sleep during naps
- Garmin's sleep algorithms do not currently account for naps
Garmin devices can help with tracking sleep, but not naps
Some older Garmin devices had some nap-tracking capabilities via a Sleep Mode, but that is no longer possible on current Garmin devices. Instead, when setting up a Garmin device, you are asked to set a sleep window. The in-depth sleep tracking will only kick in during those hours, and the device will only track one sleep session per day.
While Garmin devices cannot track naps, they do provide nap guidance. This guidance will tell you how long to nap and the best time to nap. Naps should usually be in the middle of the day, between when you wake up and go to bed, and they should last between 10 and 20 minutes but be less than 30 minutes to avoid disrupting your sleep schedule.
Although Garmin devices cannot track naps, they can help you track your sleep and provide guidance to improve your sleep habits.
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The Garmin Epix Pro is an example of a device that will not track naps
Garmin devices have long been criticized for their inability to track naps. While the company's smartwatches can help monitor sleep, they have traditionally been unable to account for shorter periods of rest outside of the primary sleep window. This has been a source of frustration for many users, especially those who take regular naps or have irregular sleep schedules.
The Garmin Epix Pro is one such device that does not natively track naps. While it may excel in other areas, its sleep tracking features leave something to be desired in this regard. Users have expressed disappointment that their $1,000 device does not acknowledge their midday snoozes, especially considering the importance of naps for recovery and performance.
However, it is worth noting that some Garmin devices have introduced nap tracking capabilities. The Garmin Epix 2, for instance, allows users to place their device into ""Sleep Mode" to track naps. After waking up, users can view a recap of their nap, including how it affected their Body Battery levels, which is then synchronized with their Garmin Connect account.
Additionally, some compatible Garmin smartwatches can now help with nap tracking using Firstbeat Analytics™ to automatically detect naps through long enough periods of inactivity. While this is a step in the right direction, it is important to note that these devices will not track the light, deep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stages during naps, as they typically consist of light sleep.
In conclusion, while the Garmin Epix Pro may be an excellent device in many respects, it falls short when it comes to nap tracking. This is a notable drawback, given the potential benefits of napping for overall well-being and performance. Hopefully, future iterations of the device will address this limitation and provide more comprehensive sleep tracking features.
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Older Garmin devices had some nap tracking via a Sleep Mode
While newer Garmin devices do not track naps, some older models did have a nap-tracking feature. This was achieved through a Sleep Mode, which is no longer available on the latest Garmin devices.
Garmin smartwatches have long been criticised for their inability to track naps. This is a notable omission, as naps can significantly impact sleep quality, and sleep quality is a factor in many of Garmin's training and recovery features. Naps can also improve alertness, reduce fatigue, enhance mood, and boost memory. Therefore, it is beneficial for athletes and non-athletes alike to track their naps to gain insights into their napping habits and overall sleep quality.
Some older Garmin devices allowed users to enable sleep tracking manually to log a nap. However, this feature seems to have been deprecated in newer models. While a Garmin device might detect when a user settles down for a nap, it cannot distinguish between short snoozes and regular nightly rest. As a result, if a user takes a nap too close to bedtime, their watch may record the entire period as "sleep," from the beginning of their nap to when they wake up the next morning, with a chunk of wakefulness in the middle.
Despite the absence of nap-tracking capabilities in newer Garmin devices, the company has a solid track record of supporting its products with firmware upgrades long after their release. So, there is hope that nap tracking will eventually come to the Venu, Fenix, and Forerunner ranges, and users will not need to upgrade their devices to benefit from this feature.
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Garmin devices will not track light, deep, or REM sleep during naps
Garmin devices can help with nap tracking, but they will not track light, deep, or REM sleep during naps. While naps can be a valuable tool for athletes and individuals looking to improve their alertness, reduce fatigue, and boost their performance, Garmin's in-depth sleep tracking currently only accounts for one sleep session per day.
Garmin's support page explains that their activity trackers are "only designed to track your typical sleep window" and will not display any nap or rest time outside of the primary sleep time. This means that if you take a nap too close to bedtime, your Garmin device may record the entire period as 'sleep', from the beginning of your nap to waking up the next morning, with a chunk of wakefulness in the middle.
The omission of nap tracking is surprising, given the importance of sleep for athletes and individuals seeking to improve their performance and overall health. Studies have shown that naps can improve endurance and boost physical performance. However, Garmin's current sleep tracking feature focuses on your typical sleep window, which you set when setting up the device.
While Garmin devices may not track light, deep, or REM sleep during naps, they do provide nap guidance. This guidance includes recommendations on how long to nap and the best time to take a nap, typically in the middle of the day between when you wake up and go to bed. By following this guidance, users can ensure they are taking optimal naps that complement their regular sleep schedule.
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Garmin's sleep algorithms do not currently account for naps
Garmin's support page states that their activity trackers are "only designed to track your typical sleep window and will not display any nap/rest time that is outside of the primary sleep time for each day." This means that if you take a nap too close to bedtime, your watch may record the entire period as "sleep," from the beginning of your nap to waking up the next morning, with a chunk of wakefulness in the middle.
Some older Garmin devices allowed users to enable sleep tracking manually to log a nap, but this feature seems to have been deprecated. Now, although your wearable might detect when you settle down for a nap, it is not capable of storing and analyzing both short snoozes and your regular nightly rest.
While Garmin devices won't track the light, deep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stages during naps, they do provide nap guidance, telling you how long and when to nap. Naps should typically be between 10 and 20 minutes and less than three hours to qualify as a nap with Garmin nap detection. Any longer, and it is considered sleep by the device.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Garmin devices can track your sleep.
Yes and no. While Garmin devices can track naps, they won't track the light, deep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stages during them.
Put your device on two hours before bed to give it heart rate data before you fall asleep. Make sure the watch is snug on your wrist, but not tight.
Compatible Garmin devices will offer insight into your napping habits by using Firstbeat Analytics™ to automatically detect naps through long enough periods of inactivity.
The watch will get more accurate the more often you wear it because it will start to figure out what your heart rate is when you fall asleep. It will also use the accelerometer to track movement to account for any times that you get up in the middle of the night.
