The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to be announced at today's 'Surprise and Shine' event, and insiders report several upgrades that will benefit sleep tracking. As a sleep tech writer, my heart should be aflutter (a problem the Series 12 will pick up on). So why am I feeling... underwhelmed?

The best sleep trackers offer detailed insight into your rest and there's no doubt the Apple Watch is among the best for accuracy. But the sleep tech market is fast evolving and the bulky, passive Apple Watch is starting to look like yesterday's news.

We're still learning just what the Series 12 will encompass (alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4) and perhaps nestled somewhere in the metrics will be something that will completely change my mind. Until then, here's why the new Apple Watch Series 12 won't be at the top of my Christmas wish-list.

Apple Watch 12 improves sleep tracking features

The Apple Watch 12 rumor mill suggests several upgrades are coming that might benefit sleep tracking capabilities. Including better battery life, meaning you won't miss out on data because your watch drifted off before you did.

We're also expecting to see a readiness score — a new way of exploring and understanding your data. Readiness scores bundle several data points to assess how prepared you are for the day. It's a feature we're seeing from many fitness trackers already. My Oura Ring always (and accurately) notes I should ease back on physical activity when my sleep score is low.

This comes alongside (rumored) improved Siri AI voice support and (possibly) a wellness concierge. So the Series 12 should be putting your sleep score to good use.

Sleep tracking has moved beyond bulky wearables

Watches were once the first word in sleep tracking. (Okay, second after doctor-approved PSG.) But in recent years have these cumbersome devices started to look, whisper it, out of date?

The future of sleep tracking isn't on your wrist. It's on your finger, or perched on your head, or sitting on your nightstand — a sleep tracking sunrise alarm clock, anyone? And it doesn't just track your sleep. In some cases, these smart devices can intervene, in real time, to improve your sleep quality.

That's a step beyond the passive tracking of the Apple Watch Series 12. And what's more, this bulky watch might have missed the mark when it comes to sleep comfort.

The Apple Watch Series 11 weighs between 34.6 and 43.1 grams, sits nearly 1 cm away from the wrist and measures at least 42 mm high. We don't know the exact measurements for the Series 12 just yet, but it's unlikely to be significantly smaller.

A watch that big stops being a passive sleep tracker and becomes a sleep hinderance. Two members of my team have found they lost sleep data after removing the Apple Watch while half-awake at 3 a.m. That's inaccuracy and intrusion, in one bulky package.

With devices like the Oura Ring 5 and Fitbit Air getting increasingly slimmer, do we need our sleep to be weighed down by a watch?

It's not the end for Apple Watch Series 12 sleep tracking

I'm not writing off the Apple Watch Series 12 just yet. These wearables still appeal to those who prioritize fitness tracking or want all-round health tracking in one convenient package.

And smartwatches, like the Series 12, offer the at-a-glance sleep check that screenless wearables can't provide. If you don't want the hassle of an app, a quick look at you Apple Watch screen can provide you with the latest info on your night's sleep.

If that sounds like you, then you'll want to keep a close eye on our Apple Event live blog.

While fall is arguably the coziest time of year, dark mornings can be a nightmare when you need to get up early. But adding a sunrise alarm clock to my routine makes me feel like I'm awaking to a summer morn, even when I'm up before dawn has broken. These devices, like the Philips SmartSleep and Wake-Up Light, $143.99 ($179.95) at Amazon, expertly mimic a rising sun.

The Philips SmartSleep and Wake-Up Light graces a spot in our best sunrise alarm clock guide, which is filled with wake-up lights we've tested ourselves during the darkest mornings. And the SmartSleep is not the only tested-and-approved sunrise alarm clock on sale this Labor Day.

So with dark mornings nearly upon us, I've trawled today's Labor Day sleep and mattress sales for deals on the sunrise alarms we love. I've also gathered some deals on light therapy lamps, so you can brighten your entire day, as well as your morning.

Labor Day mattress sales 2026: 3 sunrise alarm deals

Labor Day mattress sales 2026: light therapy lamp deals

While a sunrise alarm's main task is to gently wake you up by gradually increasing your room's brightness, a light therapy lamp delivers intense brightness (typically 10,000 lux) to treat Seasonal affective Disorder (SAD) and regulate your circadian rhythm during the day.

Here are a couple of light therapy deals if you think a light therapy lamp is a better fit for you...

As a sleep writer, I've been hands-on with all kinds of sleep-boosting tech. But it's the Oura Ring 5, from $399 at Oura, that I won't let out of my hands. This smart ring is the most comfortable wearable I've ever worn and the daily reports deliver an accurate insight into my sleep.

For that reason, the Oura Ring 5 has earned its place as the best sleep tracker we've tested. However, it's a pricey piece of tech that isn't discounted in today's Labor Day sales — so I've set my sights on the Oura Ring 4 instead. Now from just $244.30 at Oura, this smart ring is nearly as good as its upgrade, at a fraction of the cost.

It's not the only sleep gadget worth checking out in the Labor Day sleep and mattress sales, and I've rounded up my favorite smart ring deals below. And as the season change can cause negative shifts in sleep health, now's a great time to get a handle on your rest.

• The Apple Watch Series 12 is meant to be its best yet for sleep tracking but is there still a place for these bulky wearables?

Labor Day is here, making now one of the best times to invest in a new mattress for less — and I've got my eye on a certain Sleep Number smart bed. The ComfortNext Lux Mattress, now up to $1,284.75 at Sleep Number, is a smart mattress designed to provide advanced relief to side sleeper's shoulders and hips.

This year's best mattresses balance comfort and support, and the ComfortNext Lux does just that. Like most picks in our best smart mattress guide, the ComfortNext Lux boasts adjustable firmness, with 100 different firmness levels to choose from.

We're in the process of reviewing this bed, but our lead tester has already reported that he's waking up "more refreshed and with less joint pain." Today's your last chance to shop the Labor Day mattress sales before prices go back up, so let's take a closer look at this deal...

Advanced comfort to side sleepers and couples...

The brand describes the ComfortNext Lux as possessing "superior" pressure relief, aiming to reduce build-up in key side sleeper pressure points: shoulders, hips and knees.

Its 100 adjustable firmness levels acknowledge that firmness is subjective, with some side sleepers needing firmer comfort than others. Plus, back and stomach sleepers should be pleased that the ComfortNext Lux is built to provide good lumbar support.

As for bed-sharing couples, the good news is that you can select your own firmness settings independent of the other side of the bed. This means that if your partner prefers a firmer bed while you like a softer mattress (or vice versa), you can choose your respective firmness levels and cancel the sleep divorce.

Looking for something a little cheaper?

Labor Day mattress sales 2026: More top deals at a glance

• Saatva Classic – best overall: From $1,049 (was $1,449) at Saatva
• Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress – dorm room savior: From $173 at Amazon
• Helix Midnight Luxe – best for side sleepers: From $1,119 (was $1,492) at Helix
• DreamCloud Classic – best value: From $429 (was $1,346) at DreamCloud
• Bear Elite Hybrid – best cooling: From $1,298 (was $1,998.80) with TOMS40 code at Bear
• Brooklyn Bedding Copperflex Pro – best value cooling: From $652 (was $932) at Brooklyn Bedding
• Tempur-Pedic Tempur Cloud and smart base – best bundle deal: From $1,718.40 (was $2,598) at Tempur-Pedic
• Avocado Green – best organic: From $1,279 (was $1,599) at Avocado
• Purple Plus - best for joint pain relief: From $1,280 (was $1,599) at Purple

We're in a sleep crisis. We know we're tired, we know it's affecting our wellbeing, but we don't know what to do about it. Enter the sleep tracker, an at-home device that delivers better understanding of your shut-eye, without you having to lift a finger.

However, a new lawsuit alleges that wearable giant Oura is preying on our sleep woes by promising accuracy it can't deliver. Like all the best sleep trackers, the Oura Ring claims to identify sleep stages and patterns, offering data down to the minute. But is it skill or guesswork?

I write about sleep for a living so even as an Oura Ring wearer, I admit it's not going to give 100% accuracy. But before you toss your Oura Ring 5 into the ocean like a dramatic divorcee, the Oura Ring's "guess work" can still help you sleep — here's how.

• The Apple Watch Series 12 is meant to be its best yet for sleep tracking but is there still a place for these bulky wearables?

What does the Oura lawsuit allege?

Oura is facing a lawsuit alleging that the company is misleading users about the accuracy of its sleep tracking.

Oura says that the Ring 5 is the "gold standard in wearable sleep tracking," and, according to the suit, has previously claimed "95% accuracy."

The lawsuit alleges it's a claim that Ring can't deliver on, as "sleep happens in the brain, not on one's finger." The complaint continues to allege that Oura uses "guess work" and AI models to deliver a "coin flip’s" chance at accuracy.

Further, the lawsuit states that these practices are "deceptive." And that by falsely offering consumers an accurate understanding of their sleep, Oura is preying on the ongoing sleep crisis.

Oura claims the lawsuit is "baseless" and stands behind its sleep tracking.

How accurate is the Oura Ring?

No, your Oura Ring can't deliver the accuracy of polysomnography (PSG). These overnight sleep studies are the real gold standard in tracking. But that doesn't mean you should dismiss at-home sleep trackers, either.

"The healthiest approach is to view sleep trackers as helpful guides rather than report cards," says Dr. Shireen Emad, expert at Watches2U.

The Oura Ring 5 measures sleep through a variety of variables. Your heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, body temperature and movement are all collected. This is then fed into an algorithm, trained on a large set of sleep data, which estimates your sleep stage. Oura claims that compared to PSG, this algorithm achieves 79% agreement.

But yes, that still leaves room for 21% disagreement.

“Sleep trackers can be incredibly useful tools, but it’s important to remember that they provide estimates rather than perfect measurements," Dr. Emad explained to me.

For that reason, if you suspect you're experiencing insomnia, long-term sleep deprivation or sleep apnea, we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional.

Is 79% accurate sleep tracking any good?

The Oura Ring 5 provides a generally accurate overview of your sleep. For most of us, that's good enough.

Where the Oura Ring — and other wearables — struggle is typically sleep stages. (This is focal to the lawsuit.) Sleep stages describe what's happening in your body during the night. Most wearables break sleep into three areas: light (or core), REM sleep and deep sleep.

But with just 79% accuracy, every second of your sleep isn't going to be divided into the right stage.

However, Dr. Emad warns getting too caught up in minute-by-minute sleep stages can leave you missing the bigger picture.

"When used sensibly, [sleep trackers] can improve awareness and encourage positive habits," she said. "One of the biggest mistakes people make is treating the data as an absolute judgement on how well they slept."

That means you don't need to know if you spent 85 or 91 minutes in deep sleep last night. (The lawsuit notes a Nature study found Oura underestimated deep sleep by just 5.98 minutes.) Instead, focus on whether you're regularly missing your deep sleep targets... and how you feel the next day.

"Technology should complement how you feel, not override it,” said Dr. Emad.

Why the Oura Ring 5 is still one of my top-rated sleep trackers

If you're concerned about your sleep, contact your healthcare professional to find out more about booking a sleep study. But if you just want to learn more about your snooze, here's why I'm still using my Oura Ring.

1. Comfort

Polysomnography delivers the most detailed insight into your sleep. But even if you can afford to do a sleep study every night, you probably won't want to.

PSG requires a lot of equipment. Tubes, sensors, recordings... one recognized down fall of these tests is that many struggle to sleep with all that going on.

The Oura Ring 5, on the other hand, is one of the smallest wearables on the market. I don't even notice I have it on at night.

2. All-day tracking

Good sleep is more than just the hours spent in bed. Your daily activities build adenosine (sleep pressure), hours awake determine your circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle), while stress tracking can help you understand your cortisol levels (the awake hormone).

By tracking throughout the day, Oura Rings and other wearables create a wider impression of your health. All of which contributes to your sleep quality.

3. Accurate sleep trends (largely)

As Dr. Emad explained, often the best measure of your sleep isn't your daily score but your monthly trends. And one trend the Oura is excellent at tracking is when you go to bed and when you get up.

Sleep time and wake time are two big indicators of sleep consistency, which builds sleep quality. (Your body clock thrives on routine.) Going to bed at the same time every night might even help you live longer.

Although the Oura Ring 5 might not nail the exact moment you fell asleep, wearing it nightly helps track patterns. From that, you can build sleep habits. For example, a quick glimpse at my data shows I've started lingering in bed after waking up — which might be why I've felt lethargic in the morning.

My sleep tracking favorites

One of the biggest challenges of sharing a dorm room is dealing with a snorer. If you're roommate keeps waking you up at 3 a.m. with their loud snoring, it can seem like the only thing you can do is just put up with it. However, I've found plenty of top-rated snore-masking gadgets that mean you don't have to.

For instance, the Soundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds, now $199.99 (was $229.99) at Amazon are considered the best sleep headphones on the market and use "adaptive snore-masking technology" to detect and cover snore sounds. If you're looking for cheaper sleep headphones, the MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones, now down from $19.99 to $16.99 at Amazon, are a great budget alternative.

But it's not just sleep headphone deals I'm highlighting below. I've also rounded up the most popular sound machines, speakers, and good old-fashioned earplugs that can help drown out the sounds of your roommate's snores. Most of these products are also discounted in this month's Labor Day mattress and sleep sales, so you can deal with your resident snorer without breaking the bank.

September is here, which means fall is on its way and the end of summer sales are in full swing. The Labor Day sales are my excuse to stock up on sleep essentials, as this is my last chance to build a cozy hibernation kit for less before the fall weather really sets in.

If you want to upgrade your sleep setup to make it cocoon-ready, the Leesa Studio Mattress, now $625 (was $895) in a queen at Leesa, is perfect for giving you that body-cradling memory foam feel you'll find in many of the best mattresses.

But if you're after something that'll both help you relax on gloomy nights and get you out of your den on dark fall mornings, try the Dreamegg Sunrise Alarm and Sleep Sound Machine for $48.59 (was $79.99) at Walmart.

Whatever sleep product you need to take on the chilly nights, you're sure to find it in this year's Labor Day mattress and sleep sales. That's why I've curated the nine best cozy sleep deals — from hotel-style pillows to the best comforters — to help you nestle into autumn on a budget.

• Sleepal AI Lamp: $399 at Sleepal

Sleepal AI Lamp: Review in brief

The Sleepal AI Lamp is a subtly stylish contactless sleep tracker. It's also a sunrise alarm clock, white noise machine, bedside lamp, temperature tracker, and snore detector. So, it does a lot. My question is, can this innovative piece of sleep tech do it well?

After three weeks of testing the Sleepal AI Lamp, I've found it delivers an all-round solid package. It's comparable to some of the best sleep trackers we've tested when it comes to detecting sleep duration, positioning, snoring and regularity. Some of the finer sleep stage details aren't quite perfect but for a sleep overview, it's both accurate and convenient. And you never have to charge it.

It's not just your sleep the AI Lamp detects. With temperature, sound and light tracking, the Sleepal can help you pinpoint environmental factors that might be ruining your rest.

As a sunrise alarm clock, the Sleepal AI Lamp is excellent. It lacks the variety of light shows that you'll get from a dedicated sunrise lamp but its warming glow is natural and, combined with the gentle alarms, gives you a comfortable start to the day.

At $399 from Sleepal, the AI Lamp is a pricey bit of sleep tech. However, if you want a variety of sleep-friendly features tucked in one neat package, you're unlikely to get a better deal. But if you're after dedicated health tracking and don't mind a wearable, try the Oura Ring 5 or Muse S Athena.

Sleepal AI Lamp: Price

The Sleepal AI Lamp is $399 from Sleepal. Each purchase comes with a free month of Sleepal AI+, a premium AI service which includes a more detailed sleep report, AI coaching and more wind-down content. After the first month, Sleepal AI+ is $5.99 per month (or $69.99 for a year.)

Sleepal also ships around the world and, as of writing, orders outside the US include the necessary power adapter. (I can confirm mine came with a UK outlet.)

For a contactless sleep tracker, $399 is on the pricey side. The Withings Sleep Mat is just $199.95 from Withings, although it lacks the sunrise and wind-down features of the Sleepal. But even the Hatch Sleep Clock, a sunrise alarm clock and sleep tracker, is cheaper at $249.99 from Hatch.

Sleepal does pack a lot into the lamp, however, which I'll get into below. And the price is comparable to many wearable trackers, like the Oura RIng 5 (from $399 at Oura) or the Apple Watch 11 (from $399 at Apple.)

And while you can pay for a subscription, you don't actually need it to use the Sleepal. The basic tracking is all free to access.

Sleepal also offers a 30-day money back guarantee and a 1-year warranty. This is on the low side for sleep tech but not unusual from a startup.

Sleepal AI Lamp: Design

Slim and stark white, the Sleepal AI looks like a stylish bit of smart tech. The modern design has a touch of IKEA to it and I mean that as a compliment — it won't stand out on the nightstand as anything other than a lamp.

At the base is a flat, protruding area, where the control button sits. The lamp itself rises at the back, like a short tube. (The whole thing measures 8.3 x 4.6 x 12.6 in.)

The sunrise light is found in this main tube, with the sleep tracking tech located in the head.

Sleepal AI Lamp: Features

One of the big features of the Sleepal Lamp is its sunrise light. This is located in the bulk of the lamp design and, like all the best sunrise alarm clocks, it gradually fills the room with light in the time before you wake up.

Alongside light you can add sound to wake you up, as a one-two kickstart for your circadian rhythm. I opted for bird song at a mid-level volume and found it woke me up efficiently. But you can play around with sounds and volumes.

You can also experiment with wake up windows. This means the alarm will start when your body is most primed to wake up (during a lighter sleep stage), to help you avoid the groggy feeling of sleep inertia. Or, if you need to be out of bed by a strict time, you can set that as well.

Overall, I found these features effective. During my testing phase I found myself gradually roused by the lamp, rather than shocked awake by my phone alarm. It's just a more pleasant way to start the day.

And you can flip the whole set up around. Sleepal also offers wind-down routines. These are sounds and lights that gradually dim as you climb into bed. Again, you can set a hard off time, or simply allow the lamp to detect when you're asleep and switch off.

I found this feature less beneficial but that's a personal preference — I don't like feeling that I'm counting down to sleep. But I can see why others would find it soothing and it's expands the functionality of the lamp.

Sleepal AI Lamp: Sleep tracking

The Sleepal Lamp uses a 60GHz mmWave radar, a high-frequency sensor, to detect your chest breathing pattern. This forms the bulk of its sleep tracking tech, primarily its sleep stage detection.

This data is then fed into the AI, which has been trained on "2,000+ nights of clinical polysomnography (PSG) from leading hospitals", according to Sleepal.

In addition, the Sleepal can track sound (snoring) and body position (movement and restlessness), which helps feed your daily sleep analysis.

I've compared the data captured by the Sleepal Lamp to other trackers (Withings and Oura.) Overall, the results are decent. The Sleepal is excellent at capturing when I've fall asleep and when I've woken up in the morning. It also doesn't confuse 'reading in bed' with 'sleeping', a problem I've had with many trackers (including wearables.)

My biggest issue is deep sleep tracking. There have been a few nights when Sleepal has captured significantly more deep sleep than my Oura Ring. Based on my energy levels the next morning and my recollection of the night, I'm inclined to go with Oura's interpretation.

But there are a few other tracking features I'd like to draw attention to. These aren't strictly sleep tracking but they help build the overall picture of your night's rest: temperature, humidity, sound and lux (light.)

With these, you can compare how outside elements are disrupting your sleep. For example, some night I've matched a sudden noise to a brief wake up. I can also see how the hot summer lead to some disrupted nights. So if you're struggling to find the cause behind your 3 a.m. wake ups, these features can help.

Based on this, I recommend the Sleepal AI to anyone interested in learning more about their sleep, without wanting to dive into the finer details of each stage. It's a great overview of your sleep schedule and disruptors, even if it's not quite nailed the fine details.

Sleep tracking: 3.5 out of 5

Sleepal AI Lamp: Performance

I used the Sleepal AI Lamp for three weeks to determine just how well it performs as a sleep tracker and sunrise alarm clock. Here are the things worth knowing.

Set up

Setting up the Sleepal AI Lamp is incredibly easy. Plug it in, scan the QR code that appears on the display, download the app, and place it in the correct position.

Positioning is the hardest part. You have to swivel the head just right to get it aimed at your chest, which takes a minute or two (the app guides you).

But the tall design cuts down on one positioning frustration. Contactless trackers often need to sit above the mattress, to ensure they're detecting you and not your bed. My Hatch Sleep Clock and most smartphone sleep trackers needs to balance on several thick books to peek over my mattress. The Sleepal is already at the right height.

And as a contactless tracker, the Sleepal AI is always plugged in. So there's no need to charge.

Set up: 4.5 out of 5

App

The app has two key functions: accessing your tracking and setting up your alarms.

Overall, I found the design clean and easy to use. As it's only used as a sleep tracker, you don't have to wade through a ton of data. I'm testing the FitBit Air right now and even after a week, finding my sleep results still doesn't come naturally.

I also appreciate the 'Trend' tab. Here you can see your data for the month and it's at-a-glance readable. If, say, you've noticed a bout of fatigue, the trends function can help you quickly identify if your sleep has been going downhill.

It's also on the app that you can access the AI features. These expand if you pay for premium and are helpful if you want an in-depth analysis of your sleep, using data collected from your tracker. I've found the AI offers useful advice but if you're experiencing long-term sleep deprivation, I recommend the personalized advice of a healthcare professional.

App score: 4.5 out of 5

Sleepal AI Lamp: User reviews

There are limited reviews for the Sleepal AI Lamp so far. And as most reviews come from beta testers and influencers, there's not much real-world experience. However, the positive reviews so far typically focus on the accuracy of the sleep tracking and the convenience of the design.

I'll be keeping a close eye on feedback as the Sleepal AI Lamp rolls out to a wider market.

Sleepal AI Lamp: Should you buy?

Buy the Sleepal AI Lamp if...

✅ You want easy, convenient sleep tracking: Once the Sleepal AI Lamp has been set up, all you need to do is fall asleep. You don't have to turn it on, put it on, or remember to charge it. It's a low effort way to learn about your sleep.

✅ You dislike wearables: Even the subtlest wearable isn't as convenient as no wearable at all. If you're tired of watches, rings and headbands, the Sleepal is the more comfortable choice.

✅ You want a sleep tracker that does more: It's not just about sleep tracking. The sunrise alarm clock and wind-down routines are just as appealing as the tracking function, as is the environmental monitoring.

Don't buy the Sleepal AI Lamp if...

❌ You want sleep tracking on a budget: At $399, the Sleepal AI Lamp is not cheap. The Withings Sleep Mat is a more affordable contactless tracker and if you don't mind wearables, the FitBit Air is cheaper again.

❌ You have limited space on your nightstand: While the Sleepal doesn't take up space on your wrist, it does need valuable real estate on what might be an already crowded nightstand.

❌ You want detail and accuracy for every moment of sleep: I won't say the Sleepal isn't an accurate sleep tracker but I don't think it nails the finer details. When it comes to sleep tracking, nothing has impressed me as much as the Muse S Athena.

Sleepal AI Lamp: Alternatives

It's time to clear a space on your nightstand — the new Hatch Sleep Clock is here and I'm already won over. Combining contactless sleep tracking with a circadian-friendly sunrise alarm clock, the Hatch Sleep Clock, now $249.99 at Hatch, promises to be the smartest thing next to your bed.

Adding a sleep tracker to a Hatch sunrise alarm clock is, in my opinion, an excellent idea. It takes the sleep-friendly tech of the best sunrise alarm clocks and adds the data to see the benefits at play. All without needing a watch, ring, or headband. I was eager to get my hands on it.

But can the reality of the Hatch Sleep Clock live up to the promise? I've been taking it for a spin — placing it delicately on my nightstand, in other words — to see we should throw away the wearables.

What is the Hatch Sleep Clock?

The Hatch Sleep Clock is a sunrise alarm clock and sleep tracker, rolled up in one neat package. (It's also a white noise machine, making it a true triple threat.)

As a white noise machine and sunrise alarm clock, the Hatch Sleep Clock will gradually ease you into sleep and gently waking you up in the morning.

As a sleep tracker, the Sleep Clock observes your rest throughout the night. It then delivers insight into your sleep cycle and routine.

And it does all this from a position on your nightstand. No wearable required.

How does the Hatch Sleep Clock work?

As a sunrise alarm clock, the Hatch Sleep Clock isn't exactly breaking new ground. At least, nothing that hasn't already been covered by the Hatch Restore 3. It slowly floods the room with light to naturally trigger your circadian response and wake you up. I'll dive into all that later.

The sleep tracking is the real story of the Hatch Sleep Clock. Contactless trackers are driving the next generation of sleep tech, offering a way to observe your sleep without the intrusion of a health wearable.

While wearables typically use a combination of metrics to measure sleep, the Hatch Sleep Clock relies on "ultra-low-power radio signals" to observe movement. From this, it determines which sleep stage you're in.

At the end of the the night it collates this data into an attractive chart — honestly, it's a work of minimalist art — but no sleep score.

The more you use the Hatch Sleep Clock, the more it learns your sleep. Including how the Hatch fits into your routine. So if you sleep better on nights with gentle rainstorms or drift off faster when enjoying a podcast, it can let you know. Then it's up to you to adjust your routine.

A contactless device that tracks your sleep... Well, most of it

Through 'low power sensors', the Sleep Clock tracks your rest from your nightstand with what Hatch claims is 97% accuracy (based on a third-party study.)

Movement tracking is the kind of thing you find in free sleep tracking apps. The Sleep Clock costs $249. Needless to say, I was wary.

But even compared to my Oura Ring 5, the best sleep tracker we've tested, the Sleep Clock is pulling in good results. It's great at identifying when I've gotten in and out of bed, and it has the general outline of my sleep nailed. If you want an overview of your night, the Hatch will provide it.

There's one notable problem, however. While the Oura Ring detected just 56 minutes of deep sleep, the Hatch thought I managed over 2 hours. Based on my energy levels today, I'm inclined to trust the Oura.

It's still early days (early nights?) for the Hatch Sleep Clock, so I'll keep an eye on how my data compares. For now, I'll say it's good at the picture but struggles with the finer details.

Bookend your day with a stress-busting sunrise alarm clock

Of course, the Sleep Clock still offers Hatch's signature sunrise alarm clock. You set a wake up time and in the 30 minutes beforehand the Hatch gradually floods the room with light.

This sunrise mimicking effect is intended to kickstart your circadian cycle. (Light triggers the cortisol awakening response.) By the time your (gentle) alarm goes off, you should be primed to wake up.

It's summer, so my sunrise alarm clock is facing some stiff competition from the actual sun. But the Sleep Clock did as it promised, brightening in the half hour before my alarm was set to go off. I know, because I was already awake in my sunlit room.

Right now, it's the pre-bed programs that have caught my eye. The Hatch Restore 3 also offers a turn down service, featuring curated lights and sound.

I've only experienced a hotel turn down service once in my life and the Hatch can't quite compare — no chocolate on the pillow, for a start — but it's still pretty luxurious. My room was bathed in relaxing light while soothing sound emanated from my Hatch. For a brief moment, my bedroom was a spa.

Final thoughts so far

The Hatch Sleep Clock still delivers as a sunrise alarm clock and the turn down service made even my messy bedroom feel luxurious. But so far, none of this justifies paying the extra $80 to upgrade from the Restore 3.

So is the sleep tracking worth the extra? Based on my early testing, I'll say yes... with a but. For sleep tracking aficionados who want precise, in-depth data, you're better off sticking with your wearable.

If you want an overview of your sleep from a non-invasive tracker, the Sleep Clock is a smart pick. And while the upgrade from Restore 3 to Sleep Clock might seem like a price jump, $80 is on the cheap side for a decent sleep tracker.

The best comforter is built for adding cozy comfort to your bed for a good night’s sleep. When paired with one of the year's best mattresses, a high-quality comforter makes an excellent sleep duo to help you sleep all night no matter the season.

But, how do you decide on the right comforter when there are so many different options available in the market? It all comes down to finding something that suits your sleep needs and budget.

That's why we've curated a list of comforters that contain different fill powers, span different price tiers, and are made from a variety of materials. Read on to discover the best comforters we've tested, or head to our Labor Day mattress and bedding sales hub for the lowest prices from all our favorite brands.

The 3 best bed sheets we've tested

Also recommended

We're testing new comforters to see if they're good enough to make the final cut. While we haven't got round to fully testing the following comforters yet, we still recommend considering them based on their impressive specs and verified user reviews.

Budget comforters

Luxury organic comforters

How we select the best comforters

Our guide for the best comforters were based on our own at-home testing, plus extensive consumer report research and online reviews.

We rated things like material type, size and comfort for various sleeping positions. In addition, we looked at how practical it was to use and clean and its durability.

How to choose the best comforter for you

Not all comforters are made equal. When it comes to choosing one, consider whether you are looking for a comforter you can use all year-round, or one you can throw onto your bed during the chillier seasons. The biggest decision you'll need to make is whether you want a down or down alternative comforter - down comforters are harder to care for, which is something to keep in mind.

Material
Down comforters are made from duck or goose feathers and are known for their warmth and coziness. Goose down is fluffier than duck down, but both are good choices for providing warmth and sleep comfort. To ensure the down comforter you are buying uses ethically sourced materials, look for Responsible Down Standard certification.

Down alternative comforters are usually made from polyester-cotton blends and are much more affordable. Luxury down alternative materials include gel-fiber and the patented and breathable material PrimaLoft.

Fill power
Hot sleepers, when choosing the best comforter for you keep an eye on the fill power as the higher the number, the warmer your comforter will be. We'd recommend a light or all-season comforter. As a general rule, a fill power of 600 or higher is the best choice for winter use (and room temperatures below 60℉). Interestingly, a higher fill power doesn't mean a heavier comforter. You can also make a comforter feel warmer by adding a flannel cover.

Machine washability
For an easier laundry day, we’d suggest looking out for comforters that are machine washable. Some comforters are dry clean only though, and these are usually the more expensive down comforters. If you do score a machine washable comforter, keep in mind that it will take up a lot of space in your washer and dryer. We shake out and fluff our comforters mid-drying cycle to prevent clumping.

For me, the debate over morning showers vs evening showers has one clear winner. Evening showers help me unwind and wash away the sleep-disrupting allergens collected during the day. Morning showers just add another step to my pre-work routine. However, there is one drawback to an evening shower: harsh bathroom lighting.

Exposure to bright bathroom light bulbs in the evening has been found to shift circadian rhythms about two hours later per day, making it harder to fall asleep. In other words, your sleep-wake cycle thinks it's still daytime, so you can't drop off.

And that's where the Auria Glow Lamp, now $49.99 at Amazon, comes in. This dark showering device swaps overstimulating LED bulbs for a soothing amber glow. It's gone viral but does it work? I tested it out to see if the Auria Glow lamp (and dark showering) can help me sleep.

Key takeaways

• Exposure to harsh bathroom lighting before bed has been shown to suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that signals it's time to sleep.
• The dark showering trend, however, is said to support melatonin production by replicating the natural conditions at the end of the day.
• The Auria Lamp is designed to be used while showering, switching your overhead light for a warm amber glow that mimics a sunset.
• However, while the Auria Glow Lamp is more relaxing than bright LED bulbs, further research is needed on its effectiveness.

What is the dark showering trend and how does it improve sleep?

Dark showering is pretty self-explanatory; it's when you take shower in the dark.

While the dark showering trend originated on (where else?) TikToK late last year, it mirrors time-honored bathing customs from Japan, India, and ancient Rome. And there's a good reason why dark showering traditions have stood the test of time: they really can help you sleep.

"The 'dark showering' trend can improve sleep for a couple of reasons," explains Sam Sadighi, a certified sleep practitioner at Get Laid Beds. "Bathroom lighting is renowned for being bright, which isn't going to help our melatonin production."

Melatonin is a hormone that makes us feel tired and its production heavily relies on light (or lack thereof).

"Showering in dim lighting helps, as our brain expects our surroundings to be dark approaching bedtime and will help our melatonin production," she explains.

A 2023 study found that reducing blue light exposure shortened sleep latency (how long it takes to fall asleep) and helped prevent melatonin suppression.

Another argument in favor of dark showering is that a warm shower (counterintuitively) drops our body temperature before bed, echoing how our core body temperature naturally drops before sleep.

"That's one of the reasons why it's harder to sleep when the ambient temperature is hot," explains Sadighi. "Having a very warm shower before bed will help to lower your core body temperature, which will help sleep by drawing heat from your core."

What is the Auria Glow Lamp?

Sadighi points out there is one major flaw with showering in the dark. You can't see.

"The main issue with showering in low light is ensuring that while the lighting is dim, it isn't so dim that you can't see what you're doing," says the sleep consultant.

To counteract this, the waterproof Auria Glow Lamp aims to light up your bathroom. But instead of a harsh blue light, it emits a warm amber glow.

Amber lighting, the color of a toasty fireplace, has been shown to help people fall asleep faster and experience fewer awakenings — making it the perfect alternative to showering in darkness.

The lamp comes in two different projection styles, depending on whether you want to keep the dome on or take the dome off. Below is dome-on mode, which gives you a diffused candlelight-mimicking glow.

If you decide to take the dome cover off, you'll get a more ethereal, wave-like projection, with wisps of light cascading along your walls (sounds dramatic, but it's true).

Auria says the Glow Lamp "lowers cortisol, supports melatonin, mimics sunset light and calms nervous system".

"You already know the power of a dark shower," claims Auria's website. "Now add the warm, amber glow that helps your nervous system finally exhale."

While the science behind the dark showering and warm lighting checks out, will the Auria Glow Lamp really work miracles on my sleep?

Putting the Auria Glow Lamp to the test — see the results over 3 nights

Night 1

The first night, I decided to try the Glow Lamp without the dome, as this was the projection style that seemed the most exciting to me. This projection style creates an underwater feel, with the lamp spilling golden waves over the wall. Here's what it looks like in action:

The Auria Lamp made me feel as if I were showering in an enchanted lagoon — one with passionfruit-scented shower gel and volumizing shampoo.

It certainly created a relaxing mood before bed, but was it enough to boost my sleep score from the previous night?

According to my Oura Ring 5, it was. I scored an 82/100, 5 points more than the previous night. "Your Sleep Score was above your typical range last night. Hopefully you feel in your energy levels!" the smart ring told me.

Night 2

On the second night, I tried the lamp with the dome on, which created a soft, muted glow. This projection style is more luxury spa than mermaid cove, and I can see why some users prefer this lightning mode when conducting their nightly ablutions. Here's what the Auria Lamp looks like avec dome:

Again, the lamp delivered a tranquil shower setting, and I definitely felt ready for bed afterwards. However, I didn't get the perfect sleep. But it had nothing to do with the Auria Glow...

At 3 a.m., I woke up with menstrual pain, which kept me awake until 4 a.m. This significantly impacted my sleep score (a "fair" 68) but it can't be blamed on the Auria. So instead, I'm focusing on my sleep before my 3 a.m. rude awakening.

My sleep latency was shorter than the previous night, meaning I fell asleep two minutes quicker. Meanwhile, all the deep sleep I experienced happened before 3 a.m, racking up to 1 hour and 24 minutes. Not bad considering that, according to the Oura App, the optimal amount of deep sleep is between 1 hour and 1.5 hours.

Night 3

On the third night, I still had pretty bad cramps, meaning I showered and went to bed later. I decided to bring the lamp closer to the shower, to change the lighting effect. (It's completely showerproof so you can actually bring it in beneath the stream if you want.)

I used dome-off (mermaid) mode this time around and found that the warm relaxing shower did relive stress. I felt my muscles relaxing, which also provided some pain relief.

So, the good news is that my sleep score crept up into "good territory" again (73/10) and my sleep latency was shortened by another 2 minutes. My REM sleep could have been longer, but my deep sleep was still in the optimal range at 1 hour and 19 minutes.

Does the Auria Glow Lamp actually work?

Considering that cramps ravaged my sleep on nights 2 and 3, I still managed to fall asleep fast and get plenty of deep sleep after using the Auria lamp.

It definitely helped me unwind before bed and created a relaxing, sleep-inducing atmosphere. It was nice to take a break from the harsh LED lightning in my bathroom, and I will definitely keep showering in the glimmer of the Auria Glow.

Overall, I think sleep expert Sadighi summed up the lamp: "The Auria Glow Lamp does look good. However, honestly? I'm not sure it would be a magic elixir to help sleep, but it's absolutely not the worst sleep aid on the market"

3 top-rated products to boost melatonin for sleep

Two months ago, I got my hands on the Oura Ring 5, which you can buy from $399 at Amazon. It's a sleek smart ring that delivers gold standard sleep tracking analysis. But could the Oura Ring actually help me sleep better, or merely hold a mirror up to it?

I was wearing the Oura Ring when a sleep doctor helped take my rest from six to seven hours of sleep in a week. And I can now see why it's considered to be one of the best sleep trackers on the market.

From keeping me moving throughout the day to pinpointing my optimal bedtime, the Oura Ring has helped me reach my seven-hour sleep goal, and even helped me pay back a chunk of my sleep debt. Here's a closer look at the top three things the Oura Ring did to help me increase my total time asleep, plus the three hidden Oura features that can help you boost your rest.

• Read more: Is my Oura Ring 100% accurate? No, and I wouldn't expect it to be — here's why I'll keep using it to track my sleep

Key takeaways

• The Oura Ring 5 provides helpful feedback to optimize your sleep.
• Its activity reminders encourage healthy habits that improve sleep quality, while bedtime reminders help you to optimize sleep timing.
• Sleep and health metrics also help to pinpoint the reason for any sleep issues, with its 'latency' and 'time asleep' metrics showing when you need to go to bed and wake up to hit your sleep duration target.
• Other Oura Ring features for seep optimization include unguided and guided sleep meditations and sleep stories.

My sleep before using the Oura Ring 5

I've always struggled to get at least seven hours of sleep. As for the apocryphal 8-hour recommendation? Forget it.

My barriers to getting enough sleep can vary from night to night, but the common offenders include revenge bedtime procrastination and the Sunday Scaries.

Getting six hours of sleep is common for me (though racking up 5 hours isn't a rarity either), and my average sleep duration in May, the month before I got my Oura Ring, was 6 hours and 9 minutes. And that is a problem.

In 2025, researchers at the Oregon and Health and Science University reported that sleeping for less than seven hours a night decreases life expectancy more than poor diet and lack of exercise.

Meanwhile, a study by Vitality and The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) found that following the 7:1 sleep rule (meaning getting at least seven hours of sleep, falling asleep within the same one-hour window, for at least five nights a week) could add four years to lifespan.

"The recommendation for adults is seven to nine hours, with seven being the minimum," says Sam Sadighi, a certified sleep practitioner at Get Laid Beds "By getting the appropriate amount of sleep, we are giving our brains and bodies the opportunity to rest, recover, and repair."

3 key Oura Ring features that helped me go from 6 to 7 hours of sleep

1. It keeps me moving

The Oura Ring 5 does more than track sleep, of course. It's also a health and fitness tracker, which means it becomes a pedometer, reports on how long I've been active for, how much calories I've burnt, and even sends me gentle reminders to stretch my legs and move around if I've been inactive for too long.

That's all well and good, but you're probably wondering how that ties in with my sleep?

Research has shown that regular physical activity helps improve seep quality, meaning that it regulates sleep cycles and helps you fall asleep faster. It also helps me to move around throughout the day, rather than encouraging a vigorous workout before bed (which has been shown to actually decrease sleep quality).

Plus, the Oura starts tracking my movement as soon as I roll out of bed, which means it motivates me to take morning outdoor walk. And that morning dose of vitamin D, according to studies, actually helps to regulate my circadian rhythm to sleep better at night.

2. It helps me set the right bedtime

There's been many times were I believed that going to bed at 11 p.m. and setting my alarm for 6.05 a.m. guaranteed me at least 7 hours of sleep. Surely adding an extra 5 minutes to my wake-up time would account for the time it takes to fall asleep?

However, I was way off base. Not only does the Oura Ring's sleep tracking tell me that it can take me up to 18 minutes to fall asleep (which is by no means a bad thing; the Oura app tells me that the ideal sleep latency should be around 15-20 minutes), but I also have to factor in nighttime awakenings.

For example, on a night where I managed to rack up 7 hours and 3 minutes of sleep, I went to bed at 11.18 p.m., and set my alarm for 6:45 a.m — and leaving room for 7 hours and 27 minutes in bed (instead of just 7 hours and 0 minutes) paid off.

My 6-minute sleep onset latency that night, added to any nightline awakenings I had, took my total time awake to 27 minutes. Having the Oura Ring, which tells me how long it takes me to fall asleep and how long I wake up for at night, helped me set a bedtime that took into account for any obstacles that could take me away from my seven-hour goal.

In addition, it also sends me bedtime notifications (I don't set these reminders, the app sets a notification time that's in line with my body clock and encourages sleep consistency), which nudge me to start my nighttime routine so I'm ready for bed at the right time.

3. It helps me pinpoint any sleep issues

The Oura Ring doesn't just show me the number of hours I slept and a sleep score, it also breaks down my night, shows me the areas I need to work on, and offers me guidance on how I can improve my sleep.

For example, on nights where nighttime awakenings affected my sleep score, it suggested that stress and tension could be to blame for my restlessness and advised me to reduce stress and tension with proper hydration and dynamic stretching, among other stress-relieving activities.

The Oura Ring's counterlife as a health and fitness tracker also means it can tell you how your health patterns are affecting your sleep. Recently, I got a low amount of REM sleep, and the Oura Ring app (which also functions as a period tracker) informed me that this could be due to the fact that I was in the second half of my menstrual cycle, which increases the need for restorative sleep but also naturally reduces REM sleep.

3 other Oura Ring 5 sleep features to check out

1. Unguided session

Considered to be one of the hidden Oura Ring 5 features (I confess it is very difficult to find in the app), the Unguided Session offers you the chance to try some meditation and mindfulness sessions to improve sleep. To access this feature go to the home (Today) page, scroll down to Timeline, and scroll across the Add a tag section until you find Unguided session.

When you begin a session, the Oura Ring 5's sensors activate on a continuous cycle, and then when the session ends, it provides insights from that session so you can see the health benefits (such as higher HRV) of meditation.

The session can last as long as you like, anywhere from one minute to an hour. You can also choose from a menu of soothing "soundscapes" to help you unwind. This feature is excellent for nighttime routines, as mindfulness meditation has been reported to improve sleep quality and reduce daytime fatigue.

2. Body Clock and Chronotype

The Body Clock and Chronotype features your optimal sleep window, based on your sleep chronotype (when you're at your most active and alert) and pits it against your current sleep patterns. From this information, you can gain understanding of how your biological clock likes to function and how to improve your sleep schedule and habits.

This feature is hidden, as it isn't available from the get-go. Instead, unlocking this feature requires you to consistently wear your Our Ring to bed to gain 30 long sleep periods (in the same time zone) during a 90 day period. As I've recently travelled (and haven't owned the Oura Ring for 90 days), so this feature isn't available to me yet. But stay tuned...

3. Sleep stories and mediations

Bedtime stories for adults are now a popular sleep hack, with popular meditation apps such as Calm and Headspace offering a library of cozy, relaxing tales for you to fall asleep to. Luckily, Oura has its own selection of sleep stories, with calming titles such as "A Walk to the Cottage" and "Rockabye Railway".

There's also a library of guided sleep meditation, if you need more help than the above Unguided session offers. These guided mediations gently coach you through body scans and breathwork for sleep.

More top-rated sleep trackers to improve your rest

Back Bay SilkSound Bluetooth Sleep Mask: Specs

Back Bay SilkSound Bluetooth Sleep Mask: Performance

I'm a sleep mask devotee, as light is one of my main sleep disruptors. But recently a combination of noisy neighbors and open windows have left me plugging my fingers in my ears. Could the SilkSound Sleep Mask, a Bluetooth enabled eye mask with integrated speakers, be the solution?

First impressions, I was pleased by how gentle the SilkSound feels against the skin. Plus, the elasticated back means my hair doesn't get stuck in velcro. As you need to pull the mask over the head the band is likely to wear out at some point... but that's the same for many sleep masks.

Wide eye coverings means the mask plunges me into almost total darkness. A tiny amount of light creeps in around the nose. As a diehard sleep mask user, I consider it a normal amount of light leakage. However, if it's total blackout you're after, a 3D mask like the MUSICOZY Sleep Headband is better.

A stripped back design keeps the SilkSound eye mask surprisingly breathable. I thought the tech would weight it down but during a hot summer, I've been able to wear it without excess sweating. The MUSICOZY, on the other hand, creates a sauna on my face.

Nestled in the silky mask is the audio equipment. That's a pair of mini speakers and a central control panel. I normally sleep with one ear pressed against the pillow and I found the speakers largely comfortable all night long. I have a soft pillow, however; a firmer design might cause some pressure build-up.

Connecting to the SilkSound Bluetooth V5.0 was quick and I haven't experienced any sound dropouts. Basic controls are printed discreetly onto the mask. But perhaps a bit too discreetly. In the middle of the night, it takes some fumbling to hit the right button.

For audiophiles, the SilkSound Sleep Mask can't compare to the best headphones. But I wouldn't expect it to. There's good clarity and mid-tones, even if the sound is thin. Speech comes through clearly, which means you can hear guided mediations and sleep stories, and it nails the deep rumble of brown noise (which comes preloaded, along with five other sleep sounds).

And the playback time is immense. SilkSound estimates 24 hours for built-in sounds, 20 hours over Bluetooth. That's around two full nights. From my testing, that's accurate. I've been playing brown noise non-stop for the past day and after 24 hours, it's going strong.

You probably don't want non-stop brown noise, however. This is where the sleep timer comes in. You can set the sound to turn off after a set timer (30 minutes, one hour, two hour) by pressing both volume buttons at the same time. This is a little tricky — I've changed the volume every time I've tried it — but there's a voice recording to let you know it's set up.

I recently shared a hotel room with my mom and as much as I love her, she snores up a storm. With the SilkSound playing, I could just about hear her, as there's no noise cancellation. But the audio did mask the sound, no pun intended, and stopped me from paying attention to her rumbles. We're planning another trip next month and the SilkSound will be coming with me.

That brings me neatly to my main reasons for buying the SilkSound. First, for traveling. The sound and light blocking, alongside the breathable design, make it perfect on the go. It's also super portable. I'm a light packer and I'd happily find room for this in my carry on. I can even fold it into a jacket pocket.

Second, for college students. Dorms are busy places almost 24/7, even if you don't have a roommate. I became a dedicated sleep mask user during college, to combat the disruption from lights going on and off at all hours. I wish I'd had the SilkSound, so I didn't have to hear the microwave beeping at 3 a.m.

These kinds of accessories are often overlooked by freshman (or their parents). But it's a small purchase that can transform the college experience.

Back Bay SilkSound Bluetooth Sleep Mask: Verdict

Bluetooth sleep masks are often bulky to accommodate the tech, and the result can be uncomfortable at night. The SilkSound Sleep Mask keeps things light. A mulberry silk finish is soft against the skin and allows air to circulate, so you don't overheat.

The sound quality is... passable. It's not a rich listening experience but as the aim is to fall asleep, it doesn't need high fidelity audio. You'll get the best experience with the built-in white noise selection.

Without a total blackout, it lacks the immersive, cocoon-like comfort of the MUSICOZY Sleep Headband. But on the flipside, the SilkSound is more breathable and discreet, making it a better travel companion.

The Oura Ring 5 sets the standard for sleep tracking — I’ve been wearing it for 6 weeks and its accuracy has blown me away. However, the Oura Ring 5, from $399 at Amazon, is a luxury spend and while it collects a lot of data, I mostly use it for sleep tracking. So it got me thinking: is there a way to get accurate sleep tracking data for free?

The Oura Ring is the best sleep tracker on the market (I credit the Oura Ring 5 with helping me go from 6 to 7 hours of sleep), so I appreciate that a free app is unlikely to match its accuracy. But with so many iPhone apps promising precise sleep tracking through sound and movement sensors, I wanted to see if you really have to pay 100s of dollars for sleep tracking.

I picked three free sleep tracking apps with the best reviews in the App Store — Sleep Cycle, SleepScore and Sleepwave — and used them overnight. With my trusty Oura Ring 5 on my finger, to compare data. Here's how they measured, plus the one that impressed me so much I’m almost considering giving up my Oura Ring.

Key takeaways: Free sleep trackers at a glance

• While I'm using a $499 Oura Ring 5 as a sleep tracker, there are plenty of free iPhone apps that promise accurate sleep tracking.
• The Oura Ring uses integrated sensors to measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels, respiration rate, movement and temperature.
• Most free sleep trackers rely on movement and sound to determine sleep stages
• To accurately compare data, I wore the Oura Ring while using each of three popular sleep tracking apps: Sleep Cycle, SleepScore, and Sleepwave.
• While SleepScore and Sleep Cycle provide intuitive apps and accessible data, both had glaring accuracy flaws when tracking sleep stages.
• Sleepwave, however, provided accurate results. Sleepwave's sleep stage data was in the 5-minute accuracy threshold of the Oura Ring, making the Sleepwave app the winner.

The gold standard sleep tracker I’m using

I could talk all day about the fitness tracking data provided by the Oura Ring 5,. But let's just stick to its digestible, precise sleep data for now.

The screenless Oura Ring 5 relies on light-based, thermal, and kinesthetics technology to track sleep duration, sleep stages, sleep debt, nighttime breathing, and heart rate variation (to name a few metrics). It then presents the sleep data in easy-to-read tables, charts, and infographics on the accompanying app.

How I selected (and tested) each free sleep tracker

There are plenty of free sleep tracking apps for iPhones, but they aren't made equal. For example, a lot of apps track sleep by detecting snoring, which I knew wouldn't work for me as I'm not a snorer.

In the end, I selected Sleep Cycle, SleepScore, and Sleepwave, because all use motion-sensing technology to track sleep. Sleepwave and SleepScore are both free to download and deliver free sleep tracking (although advanced features are paywalled), while Sleep Cycle is free all summer (with the deal ending August 31st).

I then used one app every night (without paying a penny for any premium features) alongside my Oura Ring 5.

Putting each free sleep tracker to the test — see my results and how I scored them

Sleep Cycle | Test score: 3.5 out of 5

The Sleep Cycle app, free to donwload at the App Store was the first smart alarm clock app in the world. It currently boasts 4.7 stars out of 5 from over 7,000 ratings (but ratings aren't always the best review of quality). It tracks sleep through microphone sound detection (to capture noises such as tossing and turning and coughing) and an accelerometer (to detect movements).

As with most sleep tracking apps, I first had to make sure that my phone was placed in the correct position. I followed SleepCycle's recommended procedure, placing my phone near the edge of my nightstand with the built-in microphone facing towards me. Alternatively, you can put your phone on your mattress, under your sheets.

I also made sure that my phone was a connected to a charger, so it didn't run out of juice mid-tracking. I also positioned it a few inches above the mattress surface. (Sleep Cycle didn't specify to do this, but its instructional picture depicted that.)

Before you press the Start button, you can choose between two smart alarms (or you can select No Alarm — which I did). The first offers a 30-minute wake-up window that should go off during the lightest sleep stage, while the second is one alarm that'll go off at your chosen time.

When I checked the app in the morning, I was greeted with data for sleep duration (how long I slept for), REM sleep, light (or core) sleep, deep sleep, and latency (how long it takes me to fall asleep).

Here's a summary of the Sleep Cycle data vs the Oura Ring 5 data for the same night:

I consider within five minutes of the Oura Ring's data to be accurate. For sleep duration and REM sleep, the Sleep Cycle was pretty much the same as my Oura Ring 5 (3 minutes over and 2 minutes under respectively). But there's a huge 21-minute gap between the Latency results, a 19-minute gap between the Deep sleep data, and 16-minutes between Core sleep results.

Overall, while I was impressed with the accuracy of the duration and REM data, the Sleep Cycle really did miss the mark on Light and Deep sleep, not to mention the confusion surrounding how long it took me to fall asleep.

However, it was easy to set up sleep tracking, the data was synthesized into clear diagrams, and I definitely recommend giving the app a go now that it's free to try.

SleepScore | Test score: 3 out of 5

Next up is SleepScore, free to download on the App store. This app uses sonar technology (or speaker waves) to measure your sleep stages and breathing. It also awards (as you've probably guessed from the name) a sleep score at the end of every night.

While the SleepScore app itself is pretty intuitive, I found it tricky to get my phone in the right position for sleep tracking. SleepScore requires your phone to be on your nightstand (within arm's reach), tilted towards your body, and 6" above your mattress's surface.

The latter was difficult as my nightstand is around 6" below my mattress's surface. I had to employ some book stacking to make up the height. Like the Sleep Cycle app, SleepScore requires your phone is charging to work.

Once the night was over, I checked both my SleepScore app and Oura app to compare results. Here's the synthesized data:

Light sleep and Deep sleep data checks out, with only a 2-5 minute margin of error. But there's slight discrepancy for latency (8-minute margin of error), and a huge difference for sleep duration (36 minutes) and REM sleep (46 minutes).

As for the Sleep Score, both the Oura and SleepScore apps agreed, with the former awarding a 71 and the latter awarding a 70.

The layout of the app is interactive an simple to follow, too. I particularly like the fact that you can "scrub" the sleep stages timeline with your finger to see how long your night-time awakenings were and how long you stayed in a sleep stage per cycle.

I wanted to like this app, I really did. It has 4.3 stars out of 5 from 600 ratings at the App store, but the accuracy is off (I can overlook 8 minutes, but 46?). Plenty of users also state that they find the set up as tricky as I do. It's a free (and lovely-looking) app, so I won't discourage you from using it, but just be aware that your data won't always hit the right note.

Sleepwave | Test score: 5 out of 5

Last but not least, we have the Sleepwave app, which you can get for free at the App store. It uses patented motion-sensing technology to track movement and breathing as (according to Sleepwave) "whenever we move in bed we are naturally more awake".

To be perfectly honest, this app was recommended to me almost three years ago, and I was too skeptical to give it a go.

However, it has an excellent score of 4.6 out of 5 from 3,600 user ratings on the App store. Plus, that patented-technology convinced me to give them a go.

The phone set up for the Sleepwave app is relatively easy, as you have multiple options. The easiest for me was on top of the mattress, just to the left of (and in line with) my pillow. When I woke up, I was greeted to these results from Sleepwave and Oura:

I consider a result 5 minutes under or over the Oura Ring metrics as an accurate match. An impressive 4 out of 5 of Sleepwave's results fell within my threshold. Latency (over by 3 minutes), Deep sleep (under 5 minutes), Core sleep (under by just a minute), and Sleep duration (over by 3 minutes).

These are impeccable results for a free sleep tracking app, with only the REM result not falling within the 5-minute threshold — and even that result was only off by 8 minutes.

(It also features a motion-sensing smart alarm to wake you up during a lighter stage of sleep, which I didn't test.)

My final thoughts on the Sleepwave? It lives up to its claim as "the best free sleep tracker app". The motion sensors accurately tracked my sleep stages, and it's easy to use and set up. My one compaint? There's no sleep score (but that might not be a big deal considering trackers are moving away from sleep scores).

Other free sleep tracking apps to try — top choices for Android users, snorers, and Apple Watch wearers

While the above sleep-tracking apps were the top free choices for me, everyone is different. So to help you find an app that's right for your phone and sleep needs I found a few more free sleep tracker apps to choose from...

Top-rated sleep trackers for more accurate data

Wearables that passively track your sleep will soon be obsolete. We have a massive sleep problem — and sleep trackers aren't doing enough. But the next frontier in sleep tech is taking the data exposed by the best sleep trackers and doing something about it.

If tracking can uncover how bad we're sleeping, isn't it time it starts offering some solutions? Thankfully, the new generation of sleep tech is all about actively helping you sleep better. These devices monitor your sleep, identify problems, and intervene for better rest. All you have to do is lie back and start dreaming.

While it sounds futuristic, it's already happening, with brands like Elemind, NextSense and Muse offering consumers an easier way to sleep better. I asked the experts why sleep tracking is dead... long live sleep intervention.

• Read more: I let my bedside lamp track my sleep for 3 weeks — and it's the next frontier of sleep tech

Key takeaways:

• Sleep tracking is becoming smarter and better, as well as more comfortable. Sleep tracking lamps and mats allow us to monitor our sleep without wearables.
• However, sleep tracking has hit a wall — we know we're sleeping bad, so what can we do about it?
• Sleep intervention devices such as the Elemind, Muse S Athena, and NextSense offer active sleep improvement, monitoring your brainwaves and responding to changes in your sleep.
• Devices like the Kimba, Sleepal, Orion and Eight Sleep alter your environment in response to tracking data, helping you stay asleep.
• Sleep enhancement tech offers a non-medical way to improve your sleep. And by improving your sleep, you might see benefits to your overall health and wellbeing.

Sleep tracking is moving off your wrist

Research suggests over 48% of the population use sleep trackers. And it's small wonder, as many sleep trackers can actually help you get more sleep.

But if you're the half yet to succumb to wearing a watch to bed, there's good news. The latest gen of sleep trackers are a little more... sleep-comfort friendly.

Think the screen-free FitBit Air, the slimmer-than-ever Oura Ring 5, and the non-intrusive monitoring of the Withings Sleep Mat.

“Good sleep products and technology have to do two things, in my opinion,” says Ben Fuxbruner, founder of Kimba, a personalized sleep scent system. “One, they have to be effective, but two, they have to be very comfortable and unintrusive. I feel like some companies work really hard on showing effectiveness, but if it's not comfortable, nobody will use it.”

In some cases, that means moving off the body entirely. Expect a cluttered nightstand as companies such as Kimba and Hatch aim to break the tight grip wearables have on health tracking. Products such as the Sleepal lamp already offer sleep tracking from your bedside.

Sleep tracking is getting stronger and smarter

“The old adage that what's measured improves is generally true,” says Meredith Perry, co-founder and CEO of Elemind.

And if improved measuring leads to better rest, we’re all about to see our sleep scores go through the roof.

Wearable sleep trackers often use movement and heart rate to estimate your sleep stages. The latest devices want to remove the guesswork, employing brainwave monitoring to accurately measure sleep.

That's the kind of data you used to have to go to a sleep lab to learn. Now you can have it in your own home. The Elemind measures "Alpha" brainwaves, NextSense Earbuds capture "brain data" the DUSQ patch senses electrical signatures, while the Bia collects oxygen levels in the brain. All without the tubes and wires of traditional of polysomnography.

For some innovators, that’s just the start.

Adaptyx is the first wearable patch that tracks cortisol in real time. “Cortisol is a one of the the most important hormones in sleep architecture and in that sleep wake cycle,” says Dr. Vijit Sabnis, CEO. “[The cortisol awakening response] is an entire system and rhythm that we can begin to modulate.”

But for Jonathan Berent, CEO at NextSense, focusing on quality tracking is missing the wood for the trees.

“The next step isn't collecting more data,” says Berent. “It's what the technology does with it.”

But sleep tracking isn’t enough any more

We’re in a sleep crisis. Fewer than one-third of us sleep well every night and 6 out of 10 American adults report not getting enough sleep. Despite sleep quality being linked to over 130 medical conditions, it’s often overlooked by the healthcare system, with Dr. Carlos Nunez of Resmed describing sleep as "too important to ignore."

But even if you know you're sleeping badly, it's hard to bridge the gap between knowledge and action. As Perry notes, “[sleep is] literally eight hours of the night where you're unconscious and unable to control it yourself.”

“You know how bad you slept, but there's no real solution for you to improve it," says Andrew Jolie of Bia. "And if there is, you have to do it. The device doesn't do it for you.”

That's about to change. With the latest round of technology, the device does do it for you.

Next step, sleep intervention

“There are lots and lots of devices that just read, that just track, that give you information to the user, and the user is supposed to go do something about that,” says Perry of Elemind. “We take that considerably further. We can actively guide and change your sleep over the course of the night. Not just tell you what happened — influencing what happened.”

She describes it as a “read and write” approach: read the data and start writing the solution.

For Berent, it’s a closed loop: “a continuous conversation between your brain and the technology around you, where the system understands what's happening in real time and responds that same night, gently guiding your brain into deeper more restorative sleep, and lulling you back to sleep.”

Whatever the term, it’s good sleep made easy. (Or, at least, easier.) All with no extra effort on your part. Imagine if your oven turned cake into health food, or your step counter racked up 5 miles for you.

Perry compares it to the sudden boom in GLP-1s. Suddenly weight loss went from hard work to simple injections. Is sleep in for the same overhaul?

Sounds great! But what's it going to do for my sleep?

From 3 a.m. wake ups to groggy mornings, the sleep tech industry is tackling every minute of your bad night’s rest.

Can’t fall asleep? The Elemind cancels out the brainwaves keeping you up. Waking in the night? The Muse S Athena and NextSense detect brief disruptions and soothe you back into restfulness. Too hot? The Eight Sleep or Orion will cool you down. Waking up tired? The Bia and Sleepal AI make mornings easier. Restless, stressed, anxious? Soon, there’ll be tech for that.

It’s not just for the insomniacs, either. Even those consistently earning high sleep scores might see the benefits of intervention-based sleep tech.

“We have an athlete,” explains Fuxbruner of Kimba, “that doesn't have problems sleeping at all but wants to optimize his sleep… so the [intervention] each person gets is different, and the personalization, the targeting is different.”

“With Orion, you give it the limited amount of hours you have to spend in bed, and it helps squeeze the juice out of every minute you have,” explains Harry Gestetner, Founder and CEO of Orion.

So is the next big leap for sleep tech to replace your doctor?

Well, no, and in cases of severe sleep deprivation we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (or CBT-I) remains the gold standard in treatment, while conditions such as sleep apnea require medical intervention.

But there are many of us struggling to sleep who can benefit from an at-home approach.

“I was really interested in creating electronic medicine,” explains Perry. “Ways where you could, instead of using a drug to influence the body, use technology instead. Then you could have tighter control over the outcomes because you could actually see in real time whether or not it was working.”

“We believe in a future not to replace medication” she adds. “But we want to improve the state of wellness and healthcare in such a way we effectively have a secondary autonomic nervous system. Something that's continuously monitoring the biology, can see when something goes awry and then address it in real time with something that uniquely works for you.”

The future of sleep tech is personalized, non-invasive and, in most cases, comes with minimal side effects.

That takes us to the next big leap in sleep tech: what comes after sleep?

What's next? Moving beyond sleep to health and wellness

“Deep sleep is one of the most powerful, underused levers we have on long-term health — tied to memory, mood, metabolism, heart health, even the brain's overnight clearing of the proteins linked to Alzheimers," explains Berent.

"If we can measure it at clinical fidelity and improve it, from something as ordinary as a pair of earbuds, we're not building a better sleep tracker. We're turning sleep into an intervention for long term chronic diseases.”

He’s not the only sleep tech founder that plans for wider healthcare applications. Fuxbruner of Kimba notes his scent-forward system has been linked to improved memory, while cortisol-tracking Adaptyx hopes to link up with smart mattresses for a bed that responds to your stress levels.

As for your sleep tracker. Well, it’s about to look passé.

“I think that devices that just track will probably go by the wayside over the next 10 years,” predicts Perry, “and that people will start adapting more helpful tools.”

In the meantime, expect your sleep tracker to become smaller, more powerful and less expensive.

Bottom line

While sleep tracking has helped people recognize their own sleep problems — as well as exposed the bigger issues with sleep in society — simple tracking isn’t enough anymore. The future of sleep tech lies in intervention and improvement.

“Sleep stops being something you passively track and becomes something you can actively restore,” explains Berent.

The bigger picture, however, is about more than sleeping well.

“Sleep is just the beginning,” says Perry.

Our favorite sleep intervention tech

Following their release in 2024, we rated the original Ozlo Sleepbuds as one of the best sleep headphones you can buy. Today, the sleep brand has announced the launch of the Sleepbuds 2, an updated and upgraded version of the much-loved originals

I’ve been testing the Sleepbuds 2 for the past week and they still deliver on everything we loved about the originals. Most notably their lightweight, low-profile design, which makes them super comfortable in all sleep positions — including devout side sleepers like myself. According to Ozlo, the Sleepbuds 2 set the standard as the smallest earbuds designed specifically for sleep.

To find out more about what we could expect from the Sleepbuds 2 ahead of their launch, I caught up with Charles Taylor, Ozlo President and co-founder, to get the lowdown on the latest model.

“The SleepBuds 2 are really our improvement after years of listening to customers and we realized there's a handful of things that people really care about, and we wanted to make sure that we release something that really knocks those out of the park,” Taylor tells me.

“The biggest differences are around battery reliability and connectivity, making sure that when you are going to sleep, that we are doing our job of really protecting the night,” says the former Bose employee.

That means you’ll get 14 hours of battery life vs the original 10, along with 2-3 extra charges from the Smart Case. Plus, you can expect seamless Bluetooth connectivity — and no more connection dropouts during the night.

“We protect [against] the disturbances that wake you up, and we help coach you to sleep in the first place,” says Taylor. This happens through excellent noise masking technology (they’ve doubled down on their decision not to include ANC — more on that below) and via environmental sensors built into the Smart Case that highlight which external factors are disturbing you.

New notable features also include phone-free access to key controls (you don't have to pick up your phone to play a sleep sound or silence your alarm). Plus 5 different Sleep Modes so you can choose when and how you access your audio throughout the night.

I expected the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 to help me drown out noise disturbances so I could sleep better — and they do. Combined with my silk blackout sleep mask, the superb audio quality and noise-masking tech made me feel like I was climbing into my own sensory deprivation tank each night.

What I didn't expect was how the environmental sensors built into the Smart Case, which include light, sound and temperature, could help me unpack why I kept waking up in the middle of the night.

At $279, they're undoubtedly expensive. But if noise disturbances are currently stopping you from snoozing, they're a worthwhile investment in peaceful sleep.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Cheat Sheet

What is it? Ultra small soft silicone earbuds designed specifically for sleep
Who is it for? Those susceptible to noise disturbances during sleep, as well as those who like to fall asleep to sleep sounds or meditations
What does it cost? $279
What do we like? Comfortable, low-profile design and crisp audio for soothing sleep sounds
What don’t we like? Premium price (but we think they're worth it)

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Specs

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Price & availability

• The Sleepbuds 2 launch with a sale price of $279
• Premium price sits in line with biggest rivals, including QuietOn and Soundcore A30

Launching with a sale price of $279, the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are undoubtedly on the pricey side.

In comparison, the Soundcore A30 (our current #1 in our guide to the best sleep headphones) retails at $229.99/£199. Meanwhile, the QuietOn 4 ANC-only earbuds retail at $299/£232.99.

So the Ozlos are priced comparably to their rivals. And as the fit is superbly comfortable (yes, even for side sleepers), the sound is crisp and clear and the noise masking tech actively drowns out disturbances that could wake you up, I'd say the price is justified.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Design & comfort

• The Sleepbuds 2 are the smallest earbuds designed specifically for sleep
• Lightweight, comfortable and sit flush to the ear
• Custom-fit soft, silicone wingtips ensure they stay in place all night

Like their predecessor, the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are small, lightweight and sit flush to the ear, which means they’re comfortable for all types of sleeper. That includes those who sleep on their sides, who require a low-profile fit in order to avoid dreaded pillow pressure and earache.

According to Ozlo, the Sleepbuds 2 set the standard as the smallest earbuds designed specifically for sleep.

To ensure they stay in place all night long, they come with custom-fit soft, silicone wingtips that act as an anchor. The sizes range from 0 (the smallest) through to 3 (the biggest).

They come with size 2 wing tips pre-loaded, but it’s well worth experimenting to see which wing tip size best suits the shape of your ear (too small and they’ll fall straight out and too large and they’ll bunch up and pop out).

This clever design is hugely effective — the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are the only earbuds I’ve worn to bed that have still been there in the morning. You don’t feel as though you need to wedge them into your ear canal, either. They sat comfortably in my ear and they stayed that way all night.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Features

• The Sleepbuds 2 rely on noise masking (not ANC) to drown out disturbances
• Biometric sensors in earbuds provide basic sleep tracking
• Environmental sensors in the Smart Case track your sleep environment

Like the original Ozlo Sleepbuds, the Sleepbuds 2 have shunned Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This, says Taylor, is down to the fact that ANC isn't as effective against night time noise disturbances as sound masking. Sound masking uses soft, consistent audio to cover up disruptive noises.

"Active noise cancelation, which is what your ANC is, is really effective for environments we understand," explains Taylor. "So think airplanes, with a very consistent noise. We found them less effective in a sleep environment.

"So when you're sleeping, it's already generally pretty quiet. There's not this large ambient noise. You get more jagged noises; the snoring of a partner, the bark of a dog. And ANC isn't really that great for that. It can ultimately be distracting in sleep."

Instead, the Sleepbuds 2 rely on noise masking technology to drown out noise disturbances so you can sleep comfortably all night long, regardless of what racket you're up against.

This does have some downsides when it comes to versatility. While sound masking might be good for sleep, if you want to use your earbuds on a plane or in the office, you don't have ANC to rely on. (An ANC earbud like the Soundcore A30 might be better for multiple use cases.)

The updated Sleepbuds also come with five new Sleep Modes, so you can customize how you listen. Plus, a Sleep Shield feature that blocks notifications while streaming from your phone.

Before bed, you can use your earbuds to steam music, audio books, or other content. But when you start to drift off, the in-built biometric sensors will detect you're falling asleep and automatically transition into sleep masking sounds. (Or you could set a timer, or ask it to make the switch once the content stops.)

I opted for the low-distraction mode of the Sleepbuds. That means as soon as I place them in my ear, they start playing my chosen sleep masking sound from the 30+ options available (Jade Static is my fave.) No scrolling on my phone or Bluetooth connection required.

As well as masking noise and protecting your rest (two things they do incredibly effectively), the Sleepbuds 2 provide basic sleep tracking. But, as Taylor point out, they are not a sleep tracker as such.

"We are not a tracker, and so we very much on purpose do not want to be a tracker," Taylor tells me. The sleep tracking provided, through accelerometers in the buds themselves, is able to detect sleep stages and timing.

This basic sleep tracking, combined with the light, sound and sleep temperature trackers built into the smart case, helps provide a picture of overall sleep quality. Including the disturbances that might be behind your late night wake ups.

Understanding your sleep patterns and environment will arm you with the knowledge of what you need to do to unlock better sleep, says Taylor.

"How cold or warm was the room? How loud was the external noise? How bright was it? So we try and give you all these data points, and then track how we think you're sleeping to ultimately let you make the decision on how to get better sleep," he explains.

For me, I liked being able to monitor the sound disturbances I encounter during an average night (note the 94-decibel sound my Smart Case detected at 03.17 a.m. the other morning).

As someone who frequently finds herself awake at 3 a.m., I found it useful to discover that noise disturbances could at least partly be to blame.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Audio quality

• Redesigned audio system leads to richer sound quality
• New Audio Tuning feature allows you to tweak audio to suit chosen sound

The Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 have been designed and engineered specifically for wearing to sleep, so they were never going to be heavy on the bass. However, the good-enough sound quality of the originals has been redesigned for improved sound clarity.

That means better sound masking capabilities and higher volume. A new feature for the Sleepbuds 2 is Audio Tuning, which adjusts the audio to suit the sound you're consuming.

"In part of adding a whole bunch of new things into the buds, one of those things is now the ability to do more audio tuning," explains Taylor. "So very simply, it's just changing the audio and changing the settings of the audio for an environment."

Playing around with the different profiles, which include Balance, Focus, Spoken Word and Airplane Mode, means you can choose a sound that suits your particular environment or audio.

The Focus Audio mode suits my needs best. It delivers crisp audio when listening to sleep mediations, masking noise disturbances or playing soundscapes.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: App & controls

• Improved Bluetooth connectivity prevents connection dropping out during sleep
• Smart Case acts as connection bridge between phone and Sleepbuds
• App access is required for Sleep Mode and sleep feature alterations

A phone and an active Bluetooth connection are necessary to initially set up the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 and to stream audio.

However, you can configure your buds to automatically play your chosen built-in sleep sound as soon as you take them out of the case (which, as a recovering doomscroller who's trying to kick the habit, I choose to do).

To access the Ozlo app you need to flick open the Smart Case and connect to your phone. It sounds like a fuss, but connection is seamless and happens within seconds.

Bluetooth connection in the Sleepbuds 2 is an improvement on the originals, says Taylor. This translates to better reliability and a longer range. I haven't experienced any issues with my phone finding the Sleepbuds, or connection dropping out (which some customers reported on original version).

Once in the app you're able to control how you use your Sleepbuds. Here, you can select your soundscape, sleep masking sound, set your in ear alarm, adjust the volume or change your Sleep Mode.

For a piece of tech that claims not to be one of the best sleep trackers, I found the sleep insights useful (and largely married up with the findings from my Fitbit Inspire 3).

The earbuds track sleep consistency, efficiency (the time it takes you to fall asleep) and duration. They also collect data surrounding your sleep cycles and wakeful periods. This is useful to track alongside the environmental sensors, so you can see if your sleep issues are down to external factors.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Battery life

• Battery life has been extended to 14 hours from 10
• The case includes an addition 2-3 charges
• I placed on charge after wearing to bed for five nights as a precaution

One of the biggest upgrades from the originals to the Sleepbuds 2 is the extended battery life. Thanks to their long-life, lithium-ion battery, the Sleepbuds 2 pack 14 hours of battery, compared to the original’s 10.

That roughly translates to two full night’s sleep of constant audio play, with the battery stretching longer when using shorter bursts of sleep sound. The case also packs an additional 2-3 charges. Approximately 28-42 hours more use.

Placing the buds back in their case after waking up tops them back up to full charge, while placing the case on charge every three days or so will mean your buds will always be operational. I listen to sleep audio at the beginning of the night, which means I can leave longer stretches between charges (I put on charge after five days as a precaution).

The case charges via a provided USB-C cable.

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Review: Should you buy?

A tiny pair of earbuds that drowns out noise disturbances, the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 get my recommendation. Whether it’s my husband’s snoring, the busy street below or my cat yowling in my face at 5 a.m., I’ve found the Sleepbuds effective at creating a peaceful noise barrier so I can stay dreaming through disruptions and comfortable in all sleep positions.

It’s important to note, however, that this is done through noise masking technology, not through Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). There’s over 30 sleep sounds available, featuring soundscapes that help you fall asleep to soothing masking sound to drown out disturbances.

But if you’re someone who likes to drift off in complete silence, the Sleepbuds 2 won’t be right for you. Instead, I recommend a comfortable pair of ANC earbuds for sleeping, like the Soundcore A30.

However, in order to accommodate ANC, the A30s come with an ever so slightly bigger build. That means they could be uncomfortable for some sleepers (our lead reviewer noted slight discomfort when sleeping on his side).

For complete silence only (and no other sound), go for the QuietOn 4 earbuds — zero connectivity, just total, reliable silence and superbly comfortable in all sleep positions.

After trying the Sleepbuds 2, I can say that I personally prefer the reliable sound of noise masking. The immersive feeling of the soundscapes and the masking sounds are predictably soothing, regardless of what racket is actually happening in my bedroom.

My sleep score has always been the first metric I check when I wake up each morning, but that’s changing as wearables shift focus to a new rating: the circadian score.

Picture the scene: you got at least seven hours of sleep last night and your sleep score was high, but you're still exhausted. The issue might have nothing to do with your quality of sleep and everything to do with your internal body clock.

A growing body of sleep tech recognizes this gap, moving beyond simple sleep scores toward circadian scores—a whole-picture metric that evaluates your 24-hour biological rhythm. Instead of just tracking time in bed or each stage of sleep, a circadian score factors in how daily habits like morning sunlight exposure and evening meal timing impact your rest.

Here, I'll explain how monitoring your circadian score can help you fall asleep faster, wake up with more energy, and optimize your schedule. Plus, we look at six trackers leading the circadian health trend.

Key takeaways: At a glance

• Your circadian rhythm is a 24-hour body clock that regulates sleep, depending heavily on light exposure and habits.
• A sleep score is how you slept (duration, deep/REM sleep, night awakenings)
• A circadian score is why you slept that way (consistency, morning light exposure timing and duration, and timing of evening meals, etc).
• Leading sleep trackers that offer circadian scores, including the pre-order Rhythm Ring, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR, and the Circular Ring 2.

What is a circadian score?

To understand what a circadian score is, let's recap on what a circadian rhythm is. Depending on light exposure, our circadian rhythm acts as a 24-hour body clock that regulates sleep, hormones, temperature, and digestion to keep body processes synchronized with day and night.

Dr Nisa Aslam, advisor to Evera Nutrition, explains that our circadian rhythm is regulated heavily by the sleep hormone melatonin, calling it a "time keeper".

Dr Aslam continues: "It is produced in response to darkness, begins rising in the evening and then under normal conditions peaks at approximately 3:00am before declining towards morning.

"Its role is to signal when to sleep, not necessarily how deeply to sleep."

“Melatonin plays a central role, but restoring circadian rhythm requires more than a single hormone, it involves a balance of light exposure, behaviour, and neurotransmitter support,” he adds.

According to the health expert, irregular sleep schedules, artificial light, and travel can disrupt this balance, "making it harder to wind down".

So, a circadian score measures how well your daily routines strike this balance, aligning your sleep schedule with your circadian rhythm.

For example, studies show that exposure to sunlight in the morning can regulate your circadian rhythm, while research suggests that eating too close to bed can goes against your natural body clock.

Why circadian scores are dethroning sleep scores

While sleep scores tell you how you slept (for example, for how long you slept and how many nighttime awakenings you experienced), it can't tell you why you slept that way. A circadian score can give you key insight into how your daily habits are affecting your sleep quality.

For instance, going to bed at different times every night may be why you find it hard to fall asleep, or maybe a late night workout may be causing sleep disruptions.

6 wearables that track aspects of your body clock

1. Rhythm Ring

If you're looking to find out how late nights or an irregular schedule are affecting your sleep, then the pre-order Rhythm Ring (which you can now reserve for $1) is worth considering.

It's designed specially for shift workers (the first of its kind to do so), where erratic work hours lead to fragmented sleep.

The wearable offers a Circadian Score (rated on a scale of zero to 100) to tell you how well your natural light exposure matched your schedule that day.

2. Ultrahuman Ring AIR

The Oura Ring-rivalling Ultrahuman Ring AIR is a sleep-tracking smart ring, and with no subscriptions necessary you can now buy the Ultra Ring Pro for $479 via Ultrahuman.

The smart ring has a dedicated Circadian Phase Alignment Clock, which maps your body’s Phase Response Curve (PRC) to show where you are in your circadian cycle and gives real-time nudges for light exposure, exercise, and caffeine cutoff windows.

3. Circular Ring 2

The Circular Ring 2 is a smart ring (notice a pattern, here?) that tracks health, fitness and sleep, and it starts at $379 at Circular.

It uses an internal AI assistant (Kira) to track a sub-metric of its overall sleep score. This sub-metric scores your Circadian Rhythm (or rather how your sleep and activities align with it).

4. Oura Ring 5

I have an Oura Ring 5 (now $399 at Amazon) and the sleep tracking is excellent. While it doesn't provide a circadian score per se, it does rank how your sleep timing aligns with your own personal circadian rhythm.

While I'm still in the early stages of wearing my Oura Ring, once I've consistently worn my smart ring for 90 days, I'll be able to unlock the Body Clock feature to help optimize my daily schedules based on my sleep chronotype.

5. Withings

If you don't enjoy wearing sleep trackers to bed, the under-the-mattress Withings Sleep Analyzer, now $199.95 at Amazon) is perfect for tracking your sleep schedule.

While it doesn't provide a standalone circadian score, it factors a Regularity score directly into the overall Sleep Score calculation.

By continuously monitoring bedtime and wake-up consistency night after night, the mat highlights how well-synced a user's sleep habits are with their biological clock to help optimize their overall rest

6. Garmin

Now $169.99 at Amazon, the Garmin Sleep Index Monitor has circadian monitoring feeds into Sleep Alignment metric, which rates how closely a person's sleep schedule matches their underlying biological clock.

While the armband wearable starts logging core recovery metrics right away, once it tracks skin temperature and sleep patterns over a few weeks, it generates personalized guidance to help align daily routines with natural circadian rhythms.

How to improve your circadian score

Using a wearable to track your body clock is Act 1 – the exciting part happens when you use all that data to adjust your daily routine.

Here are four lab-tested, expert-vetted habits to boost your circadian score:

• Get morning light within 30 minutes of waking: Ideally step outside for this, as the sun contains natural blue light to wake you up and signal to your circadian rhythm that sleep is over and its time to be productive. Try sleeping like the Amish and timing your wakeups and bedtimes with the sun.
• Aim for the same wake-up time every day, even on weekends: Your rise time is more important than the time you go to sleep. Consistency is important, as varying your wake-up time from day to day can cause 'social jetlag'. This confuses your internal body clock and puts your sleep quality in the toilet.
• Switch to dim lighting around 60-90 minutes before bed: Bright, stark, artificial overhead lighting tricks your brain into thinking its daytime. Dim lighting boosts production of melatonin, a master sleep hormone.

Why do watches dominate the sleep tracking industry? They're bulky and uncomfortable, so it's time to take a stand... with a headband. The Muse S Athena, from $474.99 at Muse, is a gold-standard sleep tracking headband with lab-grade sensors. What's more, it might actually improve your sleep.

Having just tested the Muse S Athena, it was an obvious choice for our guide to the best sleep trackers. It's packed full of sensors to create a detailed picture of your sleep quality. And, as someone who hates sleeping in a watch but uses an eye mask nightly, it's a comfortable alternative to most wearables.

Plus, while my smartwatch has many great features, the Muse is at the forefront of sleep tech. In my Muse S Athena review I was blown away by the sleep intervention features. It literally reads your mind (well, your brainwaves) and then uses sound frequencies to improve your sleep.

Sleep intervention takes sleep tracking to the next level

The Muse S Athena excels as a sleep tracker. But I'll be honest, you can get trackers almost as good for a fraction of the price.

If you want details of your brain activity overnight, the Muse is worth it. If you just want to know how long you slept for and if you got good quality sleep, the Withings Sleep Mat is a wearables-free alternative for under $200.

But it's not really about the sleep tracking here. It's what Muse does with this information that makes it so interesting.

Muse has two (free) features that stand-out. The first is Sleep Assist. Used before bed, these sleep sounds and meditations gently lull you towards slumber. And when the Muse detects your brainwaves are changing, it adjusts the sounds to match your sleepiness.

The second is Deep Sleep Boost. Starting after you've fallen asleep, when the Muse detects slow brainwaves, it plays frequencies designed to strengthen this restorative sleep phase. As a result, you should sleep deeper and wake up fresher.

So a must have for our sleep tracking guide... and an early contender for our guide to the 'best gadgets straight out of science fiction.'

The Muse S Athena is at the forefront of the next generation of sleep tech. This is a device that not only measures your sleep (and does so with incredible accuracy) but actively intervenes in your rest.

It does so by sensing heart rate, oxygen levels and even brainwaves, and responding with carefully selected sleep-inducing sound profiles.

For data collection, the Muse S Athena ranks among the best sleep trackers. It captures even the briefest late night disruptions (including ones I didn’t realize had happened), alongside data such as movement, sleep position and brainwaves.

This data isn’t always easy to understand (brainwaves in particular creates an interesting but indecipherable graph) but I can’t fault the accuracy.

As for sleep improvement, that’s harder to measure, although Muse’s own metric gives me an excellent average sleep score of 81.

I’ll note on nights I use the Muse S Athena I experience few disruptions and late night wake ups, and I’ve noticed I tend to be up before my alarm.

Not everyone will appreciate the feel of the Muse S Athena headband and it's a sweat magnet on warm nights. The setup could also be improved (it often takes me several minutes to get a connection between the sensors at the back of the headband and my ears).

However, these are small design gripes and the tech is impressively futuristic. More than that, it's actually effective.

• Read more: The Ozlo Sleebuds 2 launch today and I’ve been testing them for a week — here’s how they're already helping decode my 3 a.m. wake ups and sleep through the night

Muse S Athena Sleep Tracking Headband: Price

The Muse S Athena headband is $474.99 at the Muse US store | €449.99 for shoppers in the UK (you’ll have to work out the exchange rate for yourself). It comes with a 1-year warranty.

That’s a premium piece of sleep tech — both the Oura Ring 5 ($399/£399) and Apple Watch 11 (from $399/£369) are cheaper and provide more expansive health tracking. If it’s (clinically validated) sleep tracking you want, the Withings Sleep Mat is a cheaper alternative.

However, the Muse S Athena is more than just a tracker and we’ll dive into all the ways it’s designed to improve your sleep below.

A better comparison might be the Elemind sleep headband at $399 (which both tracks your sleep and tries to improve it) or the Spatial Sleep headband at $319 (which uses sounds and vibrations to help you fall asleep faster).

Whichever way you slice it, the Muse S Athena is expensive and that’s without a premium subscription (starting at $55 | €50 per year).

But there’s also not much you can compare the Muse S Athena to, and that’s coming from someone immersed in sleep tech.

Muse S Athena Sleep Tracking Headband: Design and comfort

The Muse S Athena is unusual for a sleep tracking wearable in that it wraps around your head, rather than your wrist or arm. Putting it on feels very science fiction, like I’m preparing to communicate with the home planet.

The S Athena consists of a soft-to-the touch, washable headband and a plastic front piece, both fitted with a series of sensors: EEG channels, Infrared and red PPG sensors, fNIRS sensors, an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

That’s a lot of tech in one relatively small package but it’s not at all heavy and, apart from one over-tightening incident (the strap length can be adjusted), it’s never pinched or rubbed during the night.

However, we’ve had a recent heatwave in the UK and on particularly hot nights, I’ve had to abandon the Muse.

For me, the Muse S Athena is comfortable and I wear it alongside a lightweight eye mask, so there’s a lot going on. Most nights, I forget it’s there.

If you want a sleep tracker that’s more discreet, though, I recommend the Withings Sleep Mat or the Oura Ring 5.

Muse S Athena Headband: Sleep tracking

The Muse S Athena uses lab-grade sensors to monitor brain activity, heart rate, blood flow and movement to put together a comprehensive overview of your sleep. (And to improve your sleep, something I’ll discuss shortly.)

I compared the data from my Muse S Athena sleep headband to sleep tracking from my Withings Sleep Mat and the Muse has highly impressed me.

Both recorded similar wake times and start times, and the sleep stages largely overlapped.

When it comes to minor disruptions, the Muse S Athena comes out on top — it spotted a 5 a.m. wake up I remembered but my Withings tracker overlooked.

In addition, the Muse S Athena records metrics such as sleep position and movement. These details add to your overall sleep data — for example, excess movement often indicates disturbances — and can also help pinpoint problems like ‘why does my shoulder hurt so much this morning?’

For accurate data, the Muse S Athena is excellent if pricey. But the Muse S Athena is designed not just to measure sleep but to actively improve it.

Sleep Assist

The Sleep Assist feature is for when you’re trying to fall asleep. It utilizes a series of sleep-inducing sounds — from guided meditations to white noise — that play as you drift off.

That’s pretty relaxing as-is but Muse boosts the sleep benefits further by adjusting the sound based on the feedback received from your brain.

I’m a fan of the ambient sounds, particularly as warm nights mean I’ve been sleeping with the window open and letting in my noisy neighborhood. As I’m drifting off, the sounds waver in volume, recreating that feeling when you’re just on the cusp of sleep and your senses are starting to shut down.

I’ve found the meditations less effective, as the quietly dipping voices tend to send my ears perking up while I strain to hear what I’m missing. This is something that happens less the more I use the meditation (and so spend less time anticipating what’s coming next).

Overall, I enjoy the Sleep Assist and I’ll often turn it on before bed but I wouldn’t credit it with helping me fall asleep faster, even if I like the drowsy feeling. However, if you find white noise or sleep meditations helpful, the Muse delivers these sounds with a potential added boost.

Deep Sleep Boost

If sleep assist is for drifting off, Sleep Boost kicks in once you’re snoozing. Again, this uses biometric feedback to push your brain into a sleepier state. In this case, enhancing slow-wave sleep (aka deep sleep).

These ‘whisper-quiet’ sounds start when the S Athena identifies the slow brain waves that indicate you're in the deepest, most restorative sleep stage. The sound kicks in to strengthen these brainwaves (it sounds a bit like a crackle). This isn't intended to keep you asleep but instead to boost the performance of this vital sleep stage and keep you in continuous deep sleep for longer. (And this, in turn, can help you stay asleep for longer.)

The difference won't necessarily be seen in your sleep but in how you feel the next morning — fresher and more alert.

This is a hard metric to qualify as it’s based on personal experience but on nights when I’ve used deep sleep boost I tend to be up before my alarm (a previously rare phenomenon).

I’ve also noticed fewer late night wake ups and when disturbances do occur, they’re brief. In fact, the Muse S Athena headband tracker catches more ‘awake’ moments than I can identify, indicating they were brief and presented minimal disruption.

Muse recommends playing around with the Deep Sleep Boost volume, as you need to hear it but not be disturbed by it. It took a few nights, but I’m comfortable it’s in the right place and volume level now.

Muse also notes the sound should stop once you start wavering out of deep sleep, to prevent disruption.

Overall, this appears to be happening. I’ll note that I recently experienced some fragmented sleep and woke up a few times hearing the deep sleep sound — but only once, and then it stopped. This suggests the Muse is responding to real-time information from my brain.

Smart Wakeup

The Smart Alarm is a premium feature from Muse S Athena, which means I’ve not had a chance to test it. It’s the final part of Muse’s three sleep pillars (falling asleep, staying asleep and waking up).

Again, it uses real-time feedback from your brain, this time to wake you up at the perfect stage in your lightest sleep cycle.

You can pick a period to be woken up in (say, 7 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.) and when your brainwaves indicate you’re ready to go, the Muse will start to gently wake you.

I’m fairly attached to my alarm and I dislike uncertainty around wake times but based on the Muse’s precision in other areas, the Smart Wakeup is tempting me to upgrade to a premium subscription.

Muse S Athena Sleep Tracking Headband: Additional features

The Muse can almost literally read your brain and it doesn’t just use this function to boost sleep. The Muse S Athena is designed as an overall brain enhancement device, with courses to improve focus, memory and reduce stress.

On the free subscription, your access to these courses is limited. There's still things to try but considering the initial investment of the Muse S Athena, I'd appreciate a wider free library.

For those who want to make the most of Muse’s brain-reading tech to improve focus and memory, I recommend upgrading to the premium subscription for full access to the course library.

Having completed a meditation or training session, Muse offers an overview of your brainwaves and physical movement during a session.

With regular usage, you should be able to note improvements in performance, including less time with your brain ‘wandering’. If you want more detailed insight, you'll need to upgrade to premium.

The sessions I’ve used have felt high quality and calming, even in distracting circumstances — sitting outside while my neighbor hits a ball against our shared fence is not relaxing.

Enso AI Sleep Assistant

Upgrade to Muse’s premium tier and you also gain access to Enso, Muse’s AI assistant. Enso helps you understand your data and simplifies what you’re seeing, which can be an advantage for those starting out.

Enso also helps you set a goal and build a plan towards it, although the free tier provides plenty of guidelines in this area.

I’ve not had access to Enso and I’ve been happy with the amount of detail and explanation Muse provides, although for long-term goals I can see the advantage of plainer language.

Enso isn’t enough to convince me to go premium on its own but it’s a nice bonus for those debating an upgrade.

Muse S Athena Sleep Tracking Headband: Performance

Set up

The Muse S Athena requires minimal initial set up and the app talks you through the process. Once you’ve established a Bluetooth connection, all you need to do is strap the headband to your head… that’s where the problems start.

It takes some practice to get the Muse S Athena correctly situated for optimal performance.

The sensors have to make connections in five key areas and while I rarely struggle to get the front three (on the forehead) aligned, the two behind my ears are often tricky. And yes, that’s with my hair tied back.

This is a frustration but not a deal breaker, as it normally takes just a few minutes to sort the issue.

And even when I’ve struggled with the initial set up, I’ve always found the headband maintains connection throughout the night (sleep headphones can be a nightmare for falling out and losing data).

App

On the Muse app you’ll find all the meditation courses as well as your own sleep tracking and performance data. You need to use the app nightly in order to start a sleep session, so get used to the interface.

Overall, the app is well laid out. You can pin your favorite courses and sounds to the main page, for easy access, while the dedicated sleep tab is a blessing when your eyes are drooping and you just want to get the band set up and ready to go.

The Muse tracks a lot of data and that can make reading your metrics overwhelming. There are guides to understanding the information but first thing in the morning, you might not be up to interpreting a chart.

From speaking to the brand, the Muse S Athena collects more data than it even displays and I think there’s an advantage to holding back —there’s already a lot to wade through.

Muse also dedicates app space to your 'trends' (both sleep and calm) — in other words, performance over time.

Again, there’s plenty of info to explore which can be overwhelming but as Muse positions itself as training and improvement tech, I appreciate the focus on collective data.

From my conversations with sleep experts, repetition and consistency are key to good sleep. Muse puts the ethos into data collection.

Battery

Muse claims that the Athena S has a battery life of roughly 10 hours, although it varies depending on usage. In my experience, this is accurate — after a night of continuous sleep monitoring and intervention the battery is low but not completely depleted.

One disadvantage of the shorter life is that to avoid straining the battery, I only strap on the Muse headband directly before going to sleep. No big deal, but it does mean another blast of blue light and a quick scroll while I get the app connected.

Muse estimates a charge time of under three hours but it's been consistently quicker than that in my experience. This morning, the Muse S Athena was at 4%. It was back to full charge in 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Should you buy the Muse S Athena Sleep Tracking Headband?

Buy it if...

✅ You want lab-grade sleep tracking: Reading movement, heart rate and brain activity, the Muse S Athena tracks your sleep stages with impressive accuracy. (Muse describes itself as using 'the World's Leading EEG Technology'.)

✅ You keep waking up groggy: The Deep Sleep Boost massages your brain waves to make the most of this all-important sleep phase so you wake up feeling like you've made the most of your rest.

✅ Stress is ruining your sleep: Both Muse's sleep-targeting features and its mediation aids aim to create calm, helping you navigate the days (and nights) with less stress.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You don't want something on your head while you sleep: The Muse S Athena is lightweight and soft to the touch but it's still strapped to your head while you're trying to drift off. It won't appeal to everyone and it can get warm on a hot night.

❌ You want day-to-day health tracking: Muse's tracking tech is incredible but it's only useful during sleep or meditation sessions. For more well-rounded tracking data, consider the best smartwatches.

❌ You want more meditation options for less money: Yes, Muse does have several free meditations but you need to pay for a premium subscription to access the full library. If all you want is a mediation guide (or sleep noises) without the brain reading tech, the Calm app is a cheaper alternative.

Alternatives

Withings ScanWatch 2: Review in brief

Despite my love of sleep tech, I used to think the only way you'd get me in a smartwatch was by tearing my beloved analog watch from my cold, dead wrist. The Withings ScanWatch 2 has proven me wrong, showing there is an option for those who want functional health tracking in more attractive packaging than a black screen.

The Withings ScanWatch 2 looks like your conventional watch but packed inside is a wealth of health and fitness tech. From sleep tracking to step counters to SpO2 measures, the ScanWatch 2 features advanced tech designed to give you a well-rounded view of your health.

Overall, the health and sleep data is comparable to the best sleep trackers (although I found the Withings Sleep Mat comes out on top for sleep metrics), and the Withings app makes it easy to understand. You do have to upgrade to Withings+, however, if you want advice on what to do with that data.

To maintain the analog look, the ScanWatch2 does have to make some sacrifices. The paired down display means you have to use the app for detailed insight and scrolling through the small dial can be frustrating. It’s also one of the bulkier health trackers, which makes it less comfortable for sleep (and quite warm to wear).

But this is a smartwatch for people who don’t want to wear a smartwatch and although the display might be simplified compared to say, the Apple Watch 11, the data and the tech isn’t.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Price

The WithingsScan Watch 2 starts at $369.95 US / £319.99 UK at Withings. A standard wristband is included, but you can add additional wristbands (including a metal buckle design) from $35.95 / £35.95.

That places it among premium fitness trackers, such as the Apple Watch 11 (from $399.99 / £369.99 at Amazon) or the Oura Ring 5 (from $399 / £399 at Oura). Withings does offer a more affordable alternative in the ScanWatch Light ($249.95 / £319.95) or, if it’s just sleep tracking you want, the Withings Sleep Mat is $199.95 / £129.95.

I tested the Withings ScanWatch 2 using the basic free tier but you can upgrade to the Withings+ subscription. One month comes free and after that it's either $9.95 / £8.95 per month, or $99.50 / £89.50 a year.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Design and Comfort

I’m a diehard analog watch lover and so the hybrid design of the Withings ScanWatch 2 appeals exactly to my taste. It looks like an analog watch until you get close and discover the double dials are hiding a health tracker and a step counter.

The upper dial is the digital display and it's here you'll find your health tracking data (and any notifications). It's easy to see both in daylight and the dark. The crown on the bezel is used not to change the time (that happens automatically automatically) but to scroll through the menu. The lower dial tracks your fitness goal, such as how close you are to 10,000 steps.

Made from Sapphire glass and a stainless steel case with an FKM (fluoroelastomer), the ScanWatch 2 feels durable (and perhaps a little bulky — I'll get into that now). It's also swimproof.

The disadvantage of this hybrid design is that the ScanWatch is cumbersome in comparison to lightweight trackers such as the FitBit Air. It's particularly notable when sleeping — I wear my watch on my left wrist which is the side I gravitate towards in sleep. As a result, it often takes some readjustment to ensure my watch isn’t pressing into me.

However, it’s not much bulkier than the Apple Watch 11 or the Garmin Forerunner, which both prioritize plenty of tech over a streamlined design.

There's also less data available on the screen, although that does mean it's less distracting than other smartwatches. It's a matter of preference; if you want a traditional look with at-a-glance data, the ScanWatch 2 has you covered.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Sleep tracking

The Withings ScanWatch 2 tracks a variety of metrics to deliver a sleep score summing up your night. This includes duration (time in bed and time asleep), sleep stage, heart rate, and HRV (heart rate variability).

I compared the sleep metrics collected by my Withings ScanWatch to the data from my Muse S Athena headband and, bar a few minor differences in sleep and wake time, the results largely matched. My heart rate metrics are also comparable.

However, the ScanWatch 2 has a tendency to miss minor interruptions, attributing them instead to light sleep. For example, in data from July 7th my Muse S Athena noted a wake up at 5.17 a.m., which my ScanWatch didn’t. I know for certain I was awake at this point because I checked the time... but I did fall asleep again quickly.

The ScanWatch can also confuse moments of stillness for sleep. (See my ‘nap’ at 7.40 a.m. which was definitely just me scrolling through my phone.) However, I’ve found it’s more accurate than Withings’s dedicated Sleep tracker for determining when I’m actively trying to sleep — the Withings Sleep Mat tends to mistake ‘reading in bed’ with ‘lying awake’.

The ScanWatch 2 has a few more advantages over the Sleep Mat (also from Withings). For a start, it’s portable which means I can track consistently even when traveling. It also collects health data that’s not directly related to hours in bed but nonetheless influences your rest (such as temperature, activity levels, and menstrual cycle).

However, for accurate and detailed sleep tracking, both the Withings Sleep Mat and the Muse S Athena come out on top. The ScanWatch provides an excellent overview but can miss the finer details. Not to mention, the bulky design means that on some particularly restless nights, I've had to take it off around 3 a.m.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Health and fitness tracking

Despite the streamlined display and the analog design, the ScanWatch 2 is packed with some high tech health tracking features, including a step tracker, heart rate monitor and SpO2 tracker. A lot of this tech is accessible subscription free, which is a bonus for a health tracker (for example, much of Whoop’s tracking features are premium access).

I use it primarily to track my steps (I’m a walker), although you can also log swimming, running, cycling and ‘other’. I have the dial on the watch face set to log my steps as I go, with a vibration and notification when I hit 10,000. It’s a useful feature to stay on top of your fitness without having it glaring in your face (overall, the ScanWatch excels at subtlety).

In terms of accuracy, both the step counter and temperature tracker have impressed me with their accuracy, although some steps do appear to be overlooked (I count more steps quietly padding around my living room than the ScanWatch acknowledges). From this, I assume data such as SpO2 monitoring is accurate, although I don’t have clinical results to compare to.

There’s two more additional features I’d like to call attention to. First, the ‘breathe’ app. This is displayed on the watch face and guides you through simple breathing exercises. I’ve found it useful both before bed and on-the-go.

Second, temperature tracking. Overnight temperature readings helped me see a clear link between warm weather and disrupted sleep (and it works with the menstrual tracking feature to predict periods). It's just a shame that the bulky design means on hot nights I tend to take the watch off midway through the night, because it's too stuffy.

While the ScanWatch has impressed me with its accuracy, for free users, it delivers little in the way of analysis — you need to upgrade to the Withings+ app for that.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Performance

Set up

The ScanWatch 2 is incredibly easy to set up. Connecting to your phone via Bluetooth, you’re guided through the best way to wear the ScanWatch, proper usage including setting your fitness goal (measured by the watch face dial) and even sets the time for you.

Scrolling through the data with the crown isn’t the easiest method to access information but that’s a natural downside of this type of design. And, once you’re familiar with the order of the menu, things do speed up.

App

The Withings App stores data from all your collected Withings devices and so for those dedicated to the brand, it can store a lot of metrics. Mine has access to my ScanWatch and my Sleep Mat, and I highly recommend editing the home screen to ensure your preferred metrics are displayed first — I used to scroll past all kinds of data to access my sleep score.

In the app, you can access all the data collected from your ScanWatch displayed in charts and graphs. Overall, I’ve found these easy to scroll through and to understand, with data clearly displayed (I particularly enjoy the sleep tracking analytics, which provide a thorough overview with just a quick glance).

You can also generate health reports in the app, drawing together data into a handy PDF you can send to your doctor.

For this review, I used the free Withings app, which I found helpful enough. For ‘health improvement scores’, you’ll need to upgrade to Withings+. This will give you access to AI insights and personalized care; useful for those looking to improve an aspect of health, rather than simply monitor.

Battery life

Withings claims the ScanWatch 2 has 35 days of battery life. Based on my experience, that’s accurate: I started wearing mine on April 23rd and by July 3rd, I’d only charged it twice. Those who favor referring to the watch screen over the app are likely to find the battery drains quicker but for moderate usage, you can get at least a month of wear before charging becomes necessary.

Withings ScanWatch also claims a “2 hour” charge time. Again, this seems accurate. On my last charge, I noted I had 15% battery life at 10.04 a.m. — by 11.04 a.m., I was up to 90%.

You do need to take the ScanWatch off to charge it, so quick juice is necessary to avoid missing out on data. It also has a non-standard charger which is $24.95 to replace, so during those 35 days you don’t need it, keep it in a secure place.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Should you buy?

Buy the Withings ScanWatch 2 if:

✅You want a classic watch design: The ScanWatch 2 is an excellent blend of form and functionality, pairing a classic analog watch design with a subtle display and a handy dial. The result is a sleep tracker that doesn’t look like a sleep tracker.

✅You’re looking for all-round health tracking: Withings’s free access app collects sleep data, heart rate, activity levels, temperature and more to give a reliable and accurate overview of your health. It’s a lot of info that’s easy to access.

✅You rarely find time to charge your devices: The ScanWatch 2 has a maximum battery life of 35 days and can fully charge in just two hours. That means minimal time off the wrist (and losing precious data) plus with careful planning, you can travel without a charger.

Don't buy the Withings ScanWatch 2 if...

❌ You want action, not just oversight: You’ll need to upgrade to the Withings+ if you want to turn your data into action with the help of AI intelligence and professional advice,

❌ You want a sleek wearable: The ScanWatch 2 has a classic watch design but the downside is it’s a bulkier wearable. The FitBit Air has a much slimmer profile while the Oura Ring is the closest you’ll get to invisible sleep tracking.

❌ You want top-class sleep data: While the ScanWatch 2 provides a decent insight into your sleep, Withings has another device that’s better suited to track your rest: the Sleep Mat.

Withings ScanWatch 2: Alternatives

According to a recent poll, 67% of Tom's Guide readers use a sleep tracker. And if you're anything like me then checking your sleep score is a common morning habit. But one doctor warns we're using our sleep trackers wrong. When it comes to sleep scores, it turns out less is sometimes more...

Dr. Shireen Emad of Watches2U explains that it's easier to identify patterns and habits that are negatively impacting your sleep when you focus on your monthly sleep score, not your daily score. She emphasizes that no one has perfect sleep, so we shouldn't expect to always see perfect scores.

The best sleep trackers collect data throughout the night to create an overview of your sleep and they're helpful tools for boosting your sleep quality. Here's the two step system a doctor advises to use your sleep tracker right...

Key takeaways

• Your monthly sleep score provides a better picture of sleep trends than your daily score, helping you spot patterns and habits
• Daily scores are useful but obsessing over them can lead to orthosomnia, which is anxiety surrounding getting the perfect night's sleep
• Everyone experiences the occasional bad night's sleep, which is why daily scores can be misleading
• You should also consider how you feel in the morning, not just what your sleep tracker says

What is orthosomnia?

Orthosomnia is a term to describe an unhealthy obsession with achieving a 'perfect' night's sleep. Research indicates that orthosomnia is usually driven by wearing sleep trackers, like smart rings and watches, to monitor your sleep score.

The doctor approved metric you should check on your sleep tracker

Dr. Emad, a practicing NHS doctor at Highgate Grange Medical Practice in Islington, London, has two big tips for making the most of your sleep tracker: Check your monthly score, not your daily and treat how you feel as another metric.

What is your monthly sleep score?

Your daily sleep score is an at-a-glance overview of various metrics collected throughout the night by your sleep tracker. Your monthly sleep score is the average score over the course of the month. And this is the score you should be focusing on, according to Dr. Emad.

“I would encourage people to look at patterns across several weeks rather than becoming concerned about one poor sleep score," says Dr. Emad. "Everyone has occasional bad nights, and that is completely normal.”

She adds that closely monitoring your daily scores can create "hyper awareness" which can cause you to misinterpret "perfectly normal" fluctuations as causes for concern.

For example, last night my sleep score was 66 — not great. But my overall score last month was 80 — much better. While that 63 might initially cause concern, as part of my overall sleep data, it's a blip. And, on reflection, one with some obvious causes (a hot night and a noisy neighbor.)

Most good sleep trackers provide a monthly score or monthly averages. However, you may need to break out the calculator and work it out for yourself.

Don't overlook the hidden metric: How you feel

“Sleep trackers can be incredibly useful tools, but it’s important to remember that they provide estimates rather than perfect measurements," says Dr. Emad. "One of the biggest mistakes people make is treating the data as an absolute judgement on how well they slept.”

Her advice is to factor in another metric, one your sleep tracker can't identify: How you feel in the morning.

“If your watch tells you that you slept badly but you wake up feeling rested, energized and functioning well, it’s important not to disregard your own experience. Technology should complement how you feel, not override it.”

Here's Dr. Emad's top tips for making the most of your sleep tracker:

• Focus on long-term trends rather than individual nights
• Use the data to identify habits, not to judge yourself
• Note how you feel physically and mentally, not just what the app says
• Remember that occasional poor sleep is normal and expected
• Consider taking short breaks from tracking if it starts causing stress

Why you shouldn't overthink your daily sleep score

Everyone loves to see a good sleep score but Dr. Emad explains that focusing too much on your nightly total can be detrimental to your sleep. Particularly if you're always striving for that perfect 100 score.

“There is no such thing as perfect sleep, and trying to optimize every minute of the night can actually create stress that makes sleep worse," says Dr. Emad.

“For some people, checking sleep metrics first thing every morning can immediately create anxiety if the score is lower than expected."

She adds that over-checking can lead to orthosomnia, a term that describes the stress and sleep disruption that occurs when you become fixated on improving your sleep score.

"When used sensibly, [sleep trackers] can improve awareness and encourage positive habits, but they should never become a source of anxiety in themselves,” she says.

"The goal should be better sleep, not perfect sleep.”

Sleep tech our Tom's Guide team has tested and loved

It's the 4th of July weekend and while the hot weather is great for your backyard barbecue, it's a nightmare for sleep. The Eight Sleep Pod 5 smart cooling mattress cover, now up to $500 off at Eight Sleep, might be the answer to your disrupted nights and sweaty mornings.

It was the hottest June on record in parts of the U.S. and with more heatwaves expected, modern problems require modern solutions. The high-tech Eight Sleep Pod mattress cover is one of the best smart beds and mattresses on the market and it's pushing the boundaries of cooler comfort. Our lead tester described the Pod 4 as "any hot sleepers dream".

Want a traditional mattress that sleeps cool? Many of the top-rated beds in our best mattress guide excel at temperature regulation, and all of them are discounted in this year's best 4th of July mattress sales too. For now, here's more about the Eight Sleep Pod 5 sale...

The ideal temperature for sleeping through the night

The Eight Sleep smart mattress cover is fitted with a series water pipes that run across the surface and connect to the main Pod. These pipes warm or cool throughout the night, adjusting the bed to a temperature of your liking.

The lead tester in our Eight Sleep Pod 4 mattress review describes being "blown away" by the Eight Sleep's temperature control during a heatwave. When she climbed into bed, the surface was perfectly chilled and because the bed monitors and changes the feel as you sleep, she never woke up sweaty.

In winter, on the other hand, she could use the controls to "gently warm" the mattress before climbing in — none of that 'cuddling up in a snow drift' feel.

Temperature plays an important part in your sleep-wake cycle. In the evening, your core temperature naturally drops, signaling to your body to drift off.

But when the room is too hot, your body can't lose this excess heat, and you'll struggle to fall asleep. And when you do drift off, you might find your sleep remains in lighter stages, causing frequent nighttime wake-ups.

The Eight Sleep's integrated climate control allows you to take charge of this temperature drop, so you can sleep better whatever the weather.

And don't forget, this is a smart mattress cover: in-built sensors monitor throughout the night to create a consistently comfortable feel. Plus, the longer you use it, the more it learns your preferences. By the end, our tester found it had "seriously leveled up [her] sleep quality."

Smaller budget? Try this...

More good sales to browse

• DreamCloud Classic Hybrid – From $399 at DreamCloud
• Siena Signature Hard Foam Mattress – from $159 at Siena
• EgoHome Black Memory Foam – from $269 at EgoHome
• Nectar Premier Memory Foam – from $549 at Nectar Sleep
• Birch Essential Organic Hybrid – from $692 at Birch Living
• Cocoon by Sealy Chill Cooling Bed – from $349 with code COCOON35

Choosing new bed sheets might seem like an easy task at first, but the. sheer number of fabrics, types of weaves, designs and more can be overwhelming. But that's where we can help, as we've tested multiple sets of bedding to create this guide to the 5 best bed sheets sets in 2026.

There are four main considerations you should make when choosing the best bed sheets for you: softness, ease of care, durability, and the maximum safe temperature they can be washed at to banish allergens, fungi and bacteria.

In this guide you'll find bed sheets sets for every budget, from under $20 to luxury hotel sheets made to last several years. Even better, many of our top-rated options are reduced in price thanks to this year's Labor Day mattress and bedding sales. Here's what we recommend...

• Read more: How to fold a fitted sheet easily and quickly

The 6 best bed sheets we've tested

Also recommended

We're constantly testing new bed sheets to see if they're good enough to make the grade in our best bed sheets set guide. While we haven't finished reviewing the following yet, we also recommend considering them based on our early positive test data coupled with verified customer reviews.

Budget bed sheets sets

Luxury organic bed sheets sets

How we test bed sheets sets

Products reviews are at the heart of our content at Tom's Guide and to ensure we give you our top recommendations, we test rigorously. Our bed sheet guide is no exception.

Our in-house reviewers spend two weeks sleeping on each set and putting them through two wash and dry cycles. This lets us gauge the overall performance of a set— how it feels, fits, regulates temperature, its durability and ease of maintenance. We score each parameter out of 5 — 1 indicating poor and 5 meaning it's outstanding.

Our main objective is to help you make an informed decision and find the right set of sheets for your sleep, right from the fabric thread count, the material, softness and visual appeal.

For more information, refer to our bed sheet testing methodology.

How to choose the best bed sheets for you

Thread count, the number of horizontal and vertical threads woven into one square inch of fabric, is something to consider when choosing bed sheets.

It denotes the feel and softness of materials like cotton, bamboo or tencel. However, a higher thread count does not necessarily mean better quality.

"While it's often marketed as a sign of quality, thread count alone doesn't determine how soft, breathable, or durable sheets are," says Byron Golub, Vice President of Product and Merchandising at Saatva.

"Other factors like the type of fabric, weave, and fiber quality matter just as much," he adds.

Another key aspect to think of when picking bed sheets is material.

Classic cotton is the one material recommended by experts for year-round use thanks to its breathability, softness and durability.

If you're a hot sleeper, switching to cooling fabrics like linen, bamboo or Tencel Lyocell can help with overheating or night sweats.

"Linen is naturally cooling, moisture-wicking, and airy while bamboo (viscose or lyocell) is silky soft, temperature-regulating, and great for hot sleepers. Best in the 250–350 thread count range," says Golub.

"Tencel is another eco-friendly, breathable option that’s smooth and cool to the touch— ideal in the 300–400 range," he adds.