\n
<\/br><\/code><\/p>\n\nThe best sleep tech for you will heavily depend on what you want to improve. Is your main concern how sleep impacts your exercise performance? Or are you hoping to mask the sound of your snoring partner? Maybe you want a more health-focused aid that tracks breathing disturbances? Sleep tech runs the gamut from trackers and apps to expensive smart beds, but it doesn\u2019t all address the same issues. Before you pull out your wallet, you should know how a gadget will help you achieve your specific sleep goals.<\/p>\n
Another factor to keep in mind is how well a device slots into your lifestyle. There\u2019s no point to wrist-based sleep trackers if you wake up in the middle of the night to take them off. If you can\u2019t wear a watch, earbuds, or a ring to bed, you may want to look into non-invasive options like the Withings Sleep<\/a> or the Google Nest Hub<\/a>. <\/p>\nLikewise, excellent battery life is also a must. It\u2019s not great if a device can\u2019t reliably last through the night or requires a special charging schedule. (Fast charging can only help so much when you\u2019re exhausted.) That\u2019s why you won\u2019t find smartwatches like the Apple Watch<\/a> or any Wear OS watch on this list. <\/p>\nAlso, take sleep tracking accuracy with a grain of salt<\/a>. Sleep tech has come a long way in just a few short years, but these aren\u2019t medical devices. Gadgets like the Withings ScanWatch<\/a> might have FDA clearance for monitoring sleep disturbances, but that doesn\u2019t mean they can diagnose you with sleep apnea. No matter how advanced the sensors are, or how many features a product may boast, trackers are meant to help spot when something\u2019s off. Nothing more. <\/p>\nTaking all that into consideration, I\u2019ve compiled these recommendations based on how well a sleep gadget addresses the problems it\u2019s trying to fix. We also considered comfort, accuracy, battery life, and whether it provides good context for its data. <\/p>\n
\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/bXmMAQwPugBJuyeX9-zsk_qn5N0%3D\/0x0%3A2040x1360\/1200x0\/filters%3Afocal%280x0%3A2040x1360%29%3Ano_upscale%28%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23035226\/vsong_211117_4890_0007.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
The Oura Ring Gen 3 is a comprehensive yet comfortable sleep tracker.<\/em><\/figcaption>Photo by Victoria Song \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The best overall sleep tracker<\/em><\/h3>\nThe $299 Oura Ring isn\u2019t a fitness tracker that happens to track sleep. It\u2019s a sleep tracker that happens to track some fitness metrics. The ring has seven temperature sensors, a green LED sensor for measuring heart rate, and red and infrared LEDs to measure blood oxygen. That\u2019s not including the battery or accelerometers. <\/p>\n
All these sensors provide a holistic look at your recovery. Each morning, you\u2019re given a report on your readiness, sleep quality, and activity goals for the day. These reports tell you how your sleep impacts your daily ability to take on stress, and whether you should take it easy or challenge yourself. The app also includes wellness features like guided meditations and white noise to help you fall asleep. <\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/CgLtg5C-Z9b2Mv7wAqiqrEfaiUU%3D\/0x0%3A2040x1360\/1200x1200\/filters%3Afocal%28623x650%3A624x651%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23035230\/vsong_211117_4890_0010.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
<\/span>
\n <\/a>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
Oura Ring (third-gen)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n\nThe Oura smart ring is a comfortable sleep and recovery tracker offering features like quantified meditation sessions, the ability to measure daytime heart rate, and more. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Of all the sleep gadgets I\u2019ve tested, the Oura Ring has the best context for its data and presents it in an intuitive way. Its version of blood oxygen monitoring is also preferable to the random spot checks found on devices like the Apple Watch<\/a> and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4<\/a>. Instead, the Oura Ring passively monitors your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels during sleep and encourages you to check your baseline over a lengthy period of time. It\u2019s not exciting, but it\u2019s a more useful measure for the average person. It\u2019s also one of the few devices to include a recovery mode. If you\u2019re sick or injured, you can hit pause on your activity goals until you\u2019re back to full health.<\/p>\nBut the main appeal here is the form factor: A ring is infinitely more comfortable than a watch. And although it\u2019s not the most fashionable, it\u2019s nondescript enough to wear to any event. Plus, you get up to a week on a single charge. (Though in my testing, I got four to five days. Enabling SpO2 monitoring will also drain battery<\/a>.) <\/p>\nThe only thing I don\u2019t love is that it now comes with a $6 monthly subscription. However, if you\u2019re truly passionate about monitoring your sleep and willing to commit long-term, it\u2019s well worth the price.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Fitbit](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/xY9jnctuyOfa-JRR5KKqJY_UtsU%3D\/0x0%3A4000x2668\/1200x0\/filters%3Afocal%280x0%3A4000x2668%29%3Ano_upscale%28%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/21900537\/20200920FitbitSense6.0.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
SpO2 tracking is passive on Fitbit\u2019s platform, but more useful than spot checks.<\/em><\/figcaption>Photo by Brent Rose \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The best smartwatch with sleep tracking<\/em><\/h3>\nIf you want a more robust fitness tracker that also has great sleep tracking, then the $329.95 Fitbit Sense<\/a> is a good option. While not as full-featured for smartwatch functions as the Apple Watch or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, it leverages Fitbit\u2019s superior sleep tracking platform (though you\u2019ll unfortunately have to pony up $10 monthly, or $79.99 annually, for Fitbit\u2019s Premium service to see the most in-depth metrics.) <\/p>\nFitbit was early to sleep tracking and it shows. Of course you get sleep stages, but you can also view how your sleep compares to other people your age and sex. Like the Oura Ring, it eschews SpO2 spot checks for passive overnight tracking (via the Estimated Oxygen Variation metric) and also provides a Daily Readiness Score based on your long-term activity and sleep quality. Fitbit Premium subscribers also get access to a ton of wellness content \u2014 if that\u2019s your thing. Apple and Samsung are still catching up in this arena in terms of accuracy, battery life, and how detailed the sleep metrics they provide are.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/JQb6PGAPE0TIH0CKNczxQoPue90%3D\/0x0%3A4000x2668\/1200x1200\/filters%3Afocal%282000x1334%3A2001x1335%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/21900540\/20200919FitbitSense4.0.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
<\/span>
\n <\/a>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
Fitbit Sense<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n\nThe Fitbit Sense includes FDA clearance and allows you to track your stress levels in addition to measuring your blood oxygen levels. The watch also includes Google Assistant support as well as built-in Alexa.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
One thing that\u2019s unique about the Sense is its electrodermal activity sensor (EDA). This measures minuscule levels of sweat on your skin to gauge your stress levels. Fitbit\u2019s designed one of the more meaningful stress-tracking features, as it gives you a space to log your emotional well-being within the app. This, combined with sleep tracking, is an excellent wellness tool. If you don\u2019t care about stress monitoring, you can save by opting for the $229.95 Versa 3. And if you\u2019d prefer a fitness band, the $179.95 Charge 5<\/a> is a more affordable option with the EDA sensor. (Both are also frequently on sale.) <\/p>\nLastly, in testing I got roughly a week of battery life on a single charge. That\u2019s oodles better than most other flagship smartwatches \u2014 even if you\u2019re giving up fancier features like LTE connectivity and useful third-party apps.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/NpOHxyvPp-HU7wug-R3x-28iHlw%3D\/0x0%3A2040x1360\/1200x0\/filters%3Afocal%280x0%3A2040x1360%29%3Ano_upscale%28%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23277334\/vsong_220225_5048_0004.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
The Whoop 4.0 tracks sleep with a strong focus on athletic performance.<\/em><\/figcaption>Photo by Victoria Song \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The best sleep tracker for athletes<\/em><\/h3>\nAs far as recovery goes, no sleep tech gadget goes the extra mile for athletes quite like Whoop. It primarily tracks your body\u2019s ability to take on cardiovascular strain, but its take on sleep is unique. Instead of focusing on sleep quality, it zeroes in on your sleep debt and whether the sleep you\u2019re getting is enough to fuel your training. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re into logging how certain factors impact your sleep, Whoop is far ahead of the competition. You can log how anything from the COVID-19 vaccine to magnesium supplements affects your sleep. It\u2019s not a necessary feature, but it\u2019s a bonus if sleep journaling is important to you.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/ohO0EASs9jse4_gwzI9RbBE6-Q0%3D\/0x0%3A2040x1360\/1200x1200\/filters%3Afocal%281020x680%3A1021x681%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23277331\/vsong_220225_5048_0001.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
<\/span>
\n <\/a>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
Whoop 4.0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n\nThis distraction-free recovery tracker helps you monitor your sleep quality and cardiovascular strain. The hardware is \u201cfree,\u201d but it costs $30 per month.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Unlike with most modern wearables, you\u2019ll get next to nothing in the way of notifications or smart features. However, that also means it\u2019s got good battery life. The Whoop 4.0 also comes with a portable battery pack that slides onto the tracker itself. The result is you can go several days without ever having to take the tracker off. Whoop also gives you flexible options for wearing the device. For example, you can opt to wear it on your bicep, in your leggings, or even in a sports bra.<\/p>\n
That said, this is a niche product best suited for athletes who engage in intensive cardio sports. (It\u2019s not the best at tracking strain from activities like strength training.) The device costs nothing, but the $30 monthly subscription is steep, and if you\u2019re a casual athlete, your money is better spent elsewhere. But if you are<\/em> someone who\u2019s always training for an event or prone to overtraining, the Whoop 4.0 can get you that extra edge.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/YZQPWTwf90J9L74oBwbAAm9I4eU%3D\/0x0%3A2040x1360\/1200x0\/filters%3Afocal%280x0%3A2040x1360%29%3Ano_upscale%28%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/22175615\/akrales_201215_4331_0033.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
The Bose SleepBuds II fit securely in your ear so they\u2019re less likely to fall out as you sleep.<\/em><\/figcaption>Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The best sleep earbuds for falling asleep<\/em><\/h3>\nIf you just want to fall asleep easier, the $249 Bose SleepBuds II are some of the most comfortable options around. The wireless buds feature wingtips and a flat design that lies flush with your ear, so they\u2019re less likely to fall out as you sleep. They also have an anti-friction coating for side sleepers. (No weird pillow rubbing noises!) Sleeping with earbuds is notoriously uncomfortable for many people, so the lightweight and secure design here is a major win.<\/p>\n
These aren\u2019t noise-canceling buds, though \u2014 they\u2019re more like mini white noise machines that you stick in your ear. It might take you a bit of experimenting to find a volume that works for you, but they\u2019re effective at masking ambient noise. You can also set an alarm that gradually gets louder, without waking up a sleep partner. <\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n![\"LEDs](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/YCZ4uwhFfB_IW0Om2zfonjfYVYs%3D\/0x0%3A2040x1360\/1200x1200\/filters%3Afocal%281020x680%3A1021x681%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/22175618\/akrales_201215_4331_0088.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
<\/span>
\n <\/a>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
Bose Sleepbuds II <\/a><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n\nDesigned to help you sleep better, these small earbuds silence external sounds and replace them with a combination of sounds and music. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Bose has a library of about 50 soundscapes, and they\u2019re stored locally on the buds themselves \u2014 meaning you don\u2019t have to worry about streaming audio zapping battery life or Bluetooth connections dropping in the middle of the night. You get about 10 hours of continuous use, and the charging case only needs to be topped up every four to five days. The only rub is that you can\u2019t play your own content. (If you need<\/em> to play your own content, the Kokoon Nightbuds<\/a> are an alternative for the same price. However, they\u2019re not as polished.)<\/p>\nThe price is a bit steep, but Bose also offers a 90-day free trial. You\u2019ll know whether these work for you within a week or two, and if they do work, they\u2019re well worth the investment.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/yxSQecwcf8pBMqvNL8FAcJ1FdBs%3D\/0x0%3A2040x1360\/1200x0\/filters%3Afocal%280x0%3A2040x1360%29%3Ano_upscale%28%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23617822\/IMG_0219.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
The Withings Sleep now generates detailed sleep diaries you can share with your doctor<\/em><\/figcaption>Photo by Victoria Song \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The best budget sleep mat<\/em><\/h3>\nIf you don\u2019t want to wear any gadgets to bed, the $99.95 Withings Sleep is a good, affordable option. It\u2019s a long, rectangular mat with sensors and a fabric covering that you slip under your mattress. The sleep tracking was wonky when this product was first launched as the Nokia Sleep, but has since been improved. In addition to your heart rate and sleep cycles, it also tracks snoring and breathing disturbances. It\u2019s also not battery-operated, so you don\u2019t have to worry about charging the device every day.<\/p>\n
The Withings Sleep is also one of the best options if you\u2019re trying to suss out long-term sleeping patterns. Within the Withings app, you can generate an automatic, comprehensive sleep diary that helps break down important trends and visualize your metrics. That report can then be exported as a PDF that you share with your doctor.<\/p>\n
The Withings Sleep isn\u2019t particularly fancy, but it punches above its weight. Plus, it\u2019s often on sale for around $70 and Withings also offers a bundle in case you need a second one for your sleep partner. <\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/AAJ7wPs0G9hdc5GuWLfTu_zAKro%3D\/0x0%3A2040x1360\/1200x1200\/filters%3Afocal%281020x680%3A1021x681%29\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23617799\/IMG_0217.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/source><\/picture>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/UxCR_xYZoAM3tsqpmN9-VMDYi68=\/0x0:2040x1360\/320x0\/filters:focal(0x0:2040x1360):format(webp):no_upscale()\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23035226\/vsong_211117_4890_0007.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/V6bhl5SkeXTYvc2gm91FVEECks8=\/0x0:2040x1360\/300x300\/filters:focal(623x650:624x651):format(webp)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23035230\/vsong_211117_4890_0010.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"Fitbit](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/ayhC4UVo2QKBFIRIGTVeBgTWTl0=\/0x0:4000x2668\/320x0\/filters:focal(0x0:4000x2668):format(webp):no_upscale()\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/21900537\/20200920FitbitSense6.0.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/jX70dfaWR5nN2vUAwMbNshZPA4M=\/0x0:4000x2668\/300x300\/filters:focal(2000x1334:2001x1335):format(webp)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/21900540\/20200919FitbitSense4.0.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/KHGYEg1ADNjl5m6XZ1HdV9ikDog=\/0x0:2040x1360\/320x0\/filters:focal(0x0:2040x1360):format(webp):no_upscale()\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23277334\/vsong_220225_5048_0004.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/wBEe43S13G3ucqIya3JVe2yo1WE=\/0x0:2040x1360\/300x300\/filters:focal(1020x680:1021x681):format(webp)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23277331\/vsong_220225_5048_0001.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/F2FLoXUS8VfvZuu_1Hycsk9Itwk=\/0x0:2040x1360\/320x0\/filters:focal(0x0:2040x1360):format(webp):no_upscale()\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/22175615\/akrales_201215_4331_0033.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"LEDs](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/skKGAiIyUW1qcsU1aPPNh23hnpE=\/0x0:2040x1360\/300x300\/filters:focal(1020x680:1021x681):format(webp)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/22175618\/akrales_201215_4331_0088.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/aM19YgcPD3cKSIuhf_QDx7Fby2s=\/0x0:2040x1360\/320x0\/filters:focal(0x0:2040x1360):format(webp):no_upscale()\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23617822\/IMG_0219.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/FTnL_kkYLThROMfg3ZcAdKWKY28=\/0x0:2040x1360\/300x300\/filters:focal(1020x680:1021x681):format(webp)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23617799\/IMG_0217.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/G44qHcm1HNRaadEyKCwDkVuL_08=\/0x0:2030x1353\/320x0\/filters:focal(0x0:2030x1353):format(webp):no_upscale()\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23907561\/IMG_0356.jpg)
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/hbxnzmdtC2cdbYvR0NKyAbrcU08=\/0x0:2030x1353\/300x300\/filters:focal(1015x677:1016x678):format(webp)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/23907561\/IMG_0356.jpg)
<\/p>\n