Are you struggling to track your sleep? Whether you’re trying to lose weight, get fit, or just want to improve your health, it’s important to monitor and track your sleep patterns. But, what is the best device for tracking sleep?
Sleep is essential to our physical and mental well being. However, there are many factors that affect our ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
In this article, we will discuss the different devices available to help us track our sleep patterns and learn how to choose the right one for you and ultimately answer the question, what is the best device for tracking sleep.
Different Types of Sleep Tracking Devices
Sleep tracking devices come in all shapes and sizes, from simple wristbands to Sleep tracking mats. They range from cheap to expensive, and they vary in quality and accuracy. As a beginner, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available.
So, let’s break down the different types of sleep tracking devices into four main categories based on their features and functionality. These three main categories are as follows:
- Wristbands and smartwatches
- Sleep tracking Rings
- Sleep tracking mats
Sleep Tracking Wristbands and Smartwatches
Wristbands and smartwatches are probably the most basic form of sleep tracker. They usually consist of a small band worn around the wrist. They can come in the form of a fitness tracker or a smartwatch.
These fitness devices typically measure your heart rate, movement, and breathing during the night. Some models also include a display screen where you can view your sleep data. These wristbands are inexpensive and very easy to use. However, they aren’t as accurate as the other two types. They tend not to provide enough detailed information about your sleep.
Smartwatches, on the other hand, can be more accurate that the more inexpensive Wristbands. They typically offer better sleep tracking capabilities and utilize different metrics to track sleep. Discover the answer to the question, how does a smartwatch track sleep here.
In fact, there are many questions on the internet about these types of fitness devices when it comes to monitoring your sleep. For example, we have had to answer questions like why is your Fitbit not tracking sleep and what can you do about it.
Sleep tracking Rings
Sleep tracking rings are a relatively new addition to the market, so they aren’t widely used yet. However, they are gaining popularity because they are simple to use, affordable, and offer a variety of features.
They work by utilizing sensors within the ring to measure the different sleep stages. These stages include REM sleep, Deep sleep, light sleep and when you’re awake. They then convert this data into information about your sleep pattern.
A good sleep tracker should measure your heart rate, breathing, movements, and brainwaves. Some models also include a thermometer and humidity sensor.
The advantage of this type of sleep tracker is that it measures more than just your movement and heart rate. This is part of the problems that the Fitness trackers have. Sometimes if you are not moving, the device doesn’t accurately measure your sleep.
One of the most popular sleep rings on the market today is the Oura Ring developed by Oura Health. They are really starting to gain popularity and the company claims over 88 percent of their customer base is experiencing success in improving their overall sleep efficiency.
This is especially important if you suffer from insomnia. Insomnia is a condition where people experience difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. The combination of high temperatures and low levels of oxygen can lead to serious health problems.
We do have a great post on the best smart rings for women you can read here as well.
If you are interested in knowing more about sleep tracking rings, check out our article here.
Sleep Tracking Mats
Sleep tracking mats are another type of sleep tracker. They are designed to be placed under your mattress. They track your sleep through sensors embedded in the mat.
Although they are similar to sleep rings, they differ slightly in design. They are much larger than sleep rings and are often made of plastic. They are also more expensive.
However, they are still an effective way to monitor your sleep patterns. You don’t need to wear anything special or go anywhere else. All you need to do is place them under your bed.
The main benefit of using a sleep mat is that they are easier to set up. They are also less likely to get lost or misplaced and they are generally more accurate than a fitness tracker or smartwatch.
Another reason why sleep mats are becoming increasingly popular is because there is nothing to wear. Plus it’s a one time set up under your mattress. It is also compatible with most mattresses and they are not that expensive. About $100 will get you into monitoring your sleep with a sleep mat.
There are several companies who make sleep mats. One of the more popular brands is called Withings. They claim over 90% of their customers report improved sleep quality after using their products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Worth Getting A Sleep Tracker?
If you are interested in finding ways to improve your sleep then a sleep tracker can be helpful in determining what causes you to lose sleep or what causes you to wake up. For example, if your sleep tracking data indicates you wake up at a certain time every night, then you can use that data to try and determine what takes place during that time that would hinder your sleep. So, in this case it is worth getting a sleep tracker.
Do Smartwatch Track Sleep Accurately?
Smartwatches that have sleep tracking capabilities are handy because you can wear them while you sleep. However, there are other sleep tracking devices that are more accurate. For example, Sleep Tracking Mats track sleep and are typically more accurate than the ones that fit on your wrist. This is because the wristband type of sleep trackers typically track your movement. Sleep tracking mats track other factors that do not rely on movement.
How Does Fitbit Know I am Asleep?
Fitbits like other fitness trackers detect sleep with a combination of detecting movement and monitoring your heart rate. This is usually why a sleep ring or a sleep mat tend to be more accurate when it comes to tracking sleep.
Certainly! Here’s a short section about the Fitbit Sleep Mode that you can incorporate into the post “What is the Best Device for Tracking Sleep?” with a link to the new article:
Spotlight on Fitbit Sleep Mode
Fitbit, a leading name in the fitness tech industry, offers an advanced feature known as the Sleep Mode. This unique mode is designed to enhance the quality of your rest by providing valuable insights into your sleep patterns. It not only tracks the various stages of sleep but also ensures minimal disturbances by silencing notifications and dimming the screen. If you’re intrigued by the capabilities of Fitbit’s Sleep Mode and wish to delve deeper, check out our Ultimate Guide to Fitbit Sleep Mode for a detailed exploration.
So, what is the best device for tracking sleep?
So, based on the data and what others have said, it appears that the best device for sleep tracking is the sleep tracking ring. Keep in mind, this is a very close race. There are advantages as far as convenience and personal preferences. I am also a big fan of the Withings Sleep mat.
Conclusion
There are many different types of sleep trackers available. Some are designed to measure your heart rate while others monitor movement. There are also devices that count your steps, calories burned, and even your breathing patterns.
The problem is that none of these devices are perfect. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses. So, which one is right for you?
That depends on what you’re looking for. Do you just want to know how much sleep you’re getting every night? Or maybe you’d prefer a device that tracks your movements throughout the day.
Whatever your needs, there’s probably a tracker that fits them perfectly.
