Home | Technology and Gadgets | The Best Wearable Sleep Trackers You Should Try
In our fast-paced, always-connected world, getting quality sleep has never been more important. Whether you're looking to improve your sleep quality, track your sleep patterns, or understand how certain behaviors affect your rest, a wearable sleep tracker can provide valuable insights. These smart devices offer more than just basic tracking; they can help optimize your sleep environment, offer personalized tips, and even detect sleep disorders.
With a range of options available, choosing the right sleep tracker can be a challenge. To make it easier, we’ve rounded up the best wearable sleep trackers you should try in 2024, whether you're a fitness enthusiast, a health-conscious individual, or someone struggling with sleep issues.
1. Oura Ring (Generation 3)
Best for: Comprehensive sleep analysis in a stylish, non-intrusive form.
The Oura Ring has quickly become a favorite among sleep enthusiasts for its sleek, minimalist design and its powerful tracking capabilities. It's a small ring that you wear on your finger, and it tracks sleep stages (light, deep, REM), overall sleep quality, heart rate variability, body temperature changes, and more.
The Oura Ring offers personalized insights based on your sleep patterns, suggesting optimal sleep and activity levels. It also tracks your readiness, helping you assess if you're well-rested or need to focus on recovery. What sets it apart from many other trackers is its ability to track nighttime body temperature changes, which can help detect early signs of illness or stress.
Key Features:
- Accurate sleep stage tracking (light, deep, REM)
- Sleep score and readiness score
- Body temperature tracking
- Minimalistic and stylish design
- Long battery life (up to 7 days)
Why Choose Oura? If you prefer a non-wrist wearable that looks great and offers a detailed, science-backed analysis of your sleep patterns, the Oura Ring is an excellent option.
2. Fitbit Charge 5
Best for: Fitness-minded individuals who want all-around health tracking.
Fitbit has long been a leader in the wearable fitness tracker market, and the Fitbit Charge 5 continues that tradition with its advanced sleep tracking features. This fitness band offers not only comprehensive sleep analysis but also tracks your physical activity, heart rate, SpO2 (blood oxygen levels), and even stress levels.
The Fitbit Charge 5 includes a “Sleep Score” based on how well you’ve slept across the key metrics of sleep duration, depth, and restfulness. It also provides an in-depth analysis of each sleep stage (light, deep, and REM sleep). Additionally, its "Smart Wake" feature will gently vibrate to wake you during your lightest sleep phase, leaving you feeling more refreshed.
Key Features:
- Sleep score based on multiple metrics
- Tracks all sleep stages (light, deep, REM)
- Smart Wake alarm
- Built-in ECG and EDA sensors for stress management
- Up to 7 days of battery life
Why Choose Fitbit Charge 5? If you want a well-rounded tracker that helps you monitor not only your sleep but your overall health, the Fitbit Charge 5 is an excellent choice. Plus, its comprehensive mobile app offers insights that help you make better health decisions.
3. Whoop Strap 4.0
Best for: Athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to optimize recovery and performance.
The Whoop Strap 4.0 is a wearable designed for serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to optimize not just their workouts but their recovery and sleep. Unlike many trackers, the Whoop Strap doesn’t have a screen; it syncs with your smartphone app to provide detailed insights into your recovery, sleep, and overall health.
The tracker provides a daily “Recovery Score” based on sleep quality, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate. Whoop also tracks your sleep stages and includes advanced metrics like sleep efficiency and time spent in each sleep stage. This allows athletes to assess if they’ve had enough recovery for their next workout or activity.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive recovery score based on sleep, HRV, and more
- Tracks all sleep stages with detailed insights
- No screen, lightweight design (comfortable for sleep)
- Offers in-depth health and fitness tracking
- Subscription-based model (access to the app and insights)
Why Choose Whoop? If you're an athlete or someone who pushes their body to the limit and needs a sleep tracker that also helps with recovery and performance, Whoop Strap 4.0 is a great choice.
4. Withings Sleep Tracking Mat
Best for: Those who prefer a non-wearable sleep tracker.
For those who don’t want to wear anything to bed but still want to track their sleep, the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat is a game-changer. This slim mat slips under your mattress and tracks your sleep automatically, providing insights on sleep duration, quality, and sleep cycles.
In addition to its sleep tracking features, the Withings mat can also detect sleep apnea by monitoring your breathing patterns. It syncs with the Health Mate app to give you a comprehensive overview of your sleep patterns, offering tips to improve rest and recovery.
Key Features:
- Sleep cycle tracking (light, deep, REM)
- Detects sleep apnea
- Provides a sleep score and improvement suggestions
- No need to wear anything; just place under your mattress
- Syncs with the Health Mate app for insights
Why Choose Withings Sleep Mat? If you prefer a non-wearable tracker, the Withings Sleep Mat offers a highly accurate and easy solution for tracking sleep patterns. It’s also great for those who want to monitor their sleep without the discomfort of wearing a device.
5. Garmin Vivosmart 5
Best for: Active sleepers who want a compact, all-day tracker.
Garmin’s Vivosmart 5 is a compact fitness band that offers comprehensive sleep tracking along with other health and fitness features. It monitors your sleep stages (light, deep, REM), as well as heart rate, pulse ox, and stress levels. The Vivosmart 5 also gives you a “Body Battery” score, which reflects your energy levels throughout the day, allowing you to understand how your sleep affects your daily performance.
Garmin’s sleep tracking is enhanced by its “Sleep Score” feature, which evaluates your sleep quality based on various metrics. The device is lightweight and comfortable enough for all-night wear, and with a battery life of up to 7 days, it can also track your daily activity without requiring frequent charging.
Key Features:
- Tracks all sleep stages (light, deep, REM)
- Sleep score based on heart rate, sleep quality, and more
- Pulse oximeter for oxygen levels during sleep
- Body Battery energy tracking
- Up to 7 days of battery life
Why Choose Garmin Vivosmart 5? If you want a reliable sleep tracker that’s compact, offers advanced sleep insights, and can be worn comfortably throughout the day and night, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a solid choice.
6. SleepScore Max
Best for: Detailed, non-wearable sleep tracking with a focus on sleep improvement.
SleepScore Max is a non-wearable device designed to track your sleep using advanced sonar technology. It sits on your nightstand and monitors your sleep quality by analyzing your movements and breathing patterns throughout the night. It provides a SleepScore, a detailed breakdown of your sleep cycles, and personalized tips for improving sleep quality.
The SleepScore Max also offers a more in-depth look at sleep-related metrics, including REM sleep, sleep efficiency, and time spent awake during the night. The device is paired with a mobile app that provides a personalized sleep improvement plan based on your data.
Key Features:
- Non-wearable, uses sonar technology to track sleep
- SleepScore to evaluate sleep quality
- Personalized sleep improvement plan
- Detailed insights on sleep cycles, sleep efficiency, and disturbances
Why Choose SleepScore Max? If you're looking for a non-wearable device that offers detailed insights into your sleep quality and provides actionable recommendations for better rest, SleepScore Max is an excellent option.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to improve the quality of your sleep, optimize your recovery, or understand your sleep patterns, there’s a wearable sleep tracker for every need. The Oura Ring and Whoop Strap 4.0 are fantastic choices for athletes and those looking for in-depth recovery metrics, while the Fitbit Charge 5 and Garmin Vivosmart 5 provide well-rounded, all-day health tracking. If you prefer a non-wearable solution, the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat and SleepScore Max offer unique alternatives.
By investing in one of these top sleep trackers, you can take control of your sleep health and unlock the benefits of a good night’s rest, ultimately improving your physical and mental well-being.