Sleep is one of the most important pillars of good health, right up there with nutrition and exercise. Yet, for so many of us, good sleep feels frustratingly elusive. That’s where sleep tracking devices come in. These little pieces of technology aim to give you insights into how well you’re actually sleeping — not just how long you’re in bed.

Today’s sleep trackers can do much more than simply tell you when you fell asleep and when you woke up. They measure your heart rate, track your breathing patterns, monitor your movement, and even estimate the different stages of your sleep cycle. Some devices can spot trends that may hint at deeper issues like sleep apnea, high stress levels, or irregular sleep cycles.

If you’re feeling like your mornings are a little groggier than they should be, or you simply want to optimize your overall health, investing in a quality sleep tracking device might be one of the best moves you can make. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the best sleep tracking devices available, compare their features side-by-side, and help you figure out which one is right for your needs.

Let’s get into it.

Comparison of the Best Sleep Tracking Devices

There are tons of options out there, but not all sleep trackers are created equal. Some are simple and minimal, while others are packed with advanced sensors and detailed reporting features. Here’s a table to give you a snapshot comparison of the top contenders:

Device Name	Type	Key Features	Battery Life	Price Range
Oura Ring Gen 3	Wearable (Ring)	Heart rate variability, sleep stages, SpO2 sensor	4-7 days	$$$
Fitbit Sense 2	Smartwatch	Stress tracking, advanced sleep stages, snore detection	6+ days	$$
Whoop Strap 4.0	Wearable (Wristband)	Sleep coaching, HRV, respiratory rate	4-5 days	$$$ (membership-based)
Withings Sleep Mat	Non-wearable (Mat)	Sleep cycle analysis, heart rate, snore detection	Plugged in	$$
Apple Watch Series 9	Smartwatch	Sleep tracking, blood oxygen, heart rate monitoring	18 hours (daily charge)	$$$
Garmin Vivosmart 5	Wearable (Wristband)	Pulse Ox, respiration tracking, body battery energy monitoring	Up to 7 days	$
Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover	Smart mattress cover	Temperature regulation, sleep phases tracking	Plugged in	$$$$

Each of these devices has its strengths depending on what you value most — whether that’s minimal disruption, deep health insights, or seamless integration with your existing tech.

Top Sleep Trackers: In-Depth Look

Now that you’ve seen the big picture, let’s dig a little deeper into what makes each device stand out. Here’s a breakdown in list format:

Oura Ring Gen 3

The Oura Ring is a favorite for those who want high-quality sleep data without wearing a bulky device to bed. It’s a sleek, lightweight ring packed with sensors that monitor heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), temperature, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen levels.

What really sets the Oura apart is how well it breaks down your sleep stages (deep, light, REM) and provides a simple “readiness score” every morning based on how well you recovered overnight. The insights are science-backed but presented in a way that’s easy to digest.

Best for: People who hate the feeling of wristbands or watches at night.

Fitbit Sense 2

Fitbit has been a leader in fitness and sleep tracking for years, and the Sense 2 builds on that reputation. It offers advanced sleep stage tracking, an EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor for stress management, and even detects snoring when paired with your phone.

The Fitbit app is user-friendly and provides colorful charts that show your sleep patterns over time. It also offers a “Sleep Score” each morning so you can quickly see how well you slept without having to dig through charts.

Best for: Anyone looking for a feature-rich smartwatch that also nails sleep tracking.

Whoop Strap 4.0

Unlike many fitness trackers, Whoop doesn’t have a screen at all — it’s all about collecting data and delivering insights through its app. The Whoop Strap focuses heavily on recovery, strain, and sleep, providing a “sleep coach” that tells you exactly how much sleep you need based on your daily activity and recovery levels.

Whoop’s subscription model means you’re not just buying a device — you’re buying an ongoing service. Some people love the detailed, athletic-focused data; others might find it a bit too intense.

Best for: Athletes and serious fitness enthusiasts who want to maximize performance and recovery.

Withings Sleep Mat

If you don’t want to wear anything at all, the Withings Sleep Mat could be your best bet. You just slip it under your mattress, and it automatically tracks your sleep cycles, heart rate, breathing disturbances, and even snoring.

The data syncs to the Withings Health Mate app, and it can also integrate with smart home devices. Imagine your lights dimming automatically when you go to bed — pretty cool, right?

Best for: People who want to “set it and forget it” when it comes to sleep tracking.

Apple Watch Series 9

If you’re already deep into the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 could be your ideal sleep tracker. While Apple’s native sleep tracking isn’t quite as detailed as Oura’s or Whoop’s, it does a solid job of monitoring time asleep, consistency, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate.

There are also tons of third-party apps you can pair with the watch to get even more detailed insights. Plus, it pulls double duty as your fitness tracker, phone notifier, and general life assistant.

Best for: Dedicated Apple users who want good (if not industry-best) sleep tracking plus tons of other features.

Garmin Vivosmart 5

Garmin might be best known for GPS watches and sports trackers, but the Vivosmart 5 holds its own when it comes to sleep tracking. It monitors light, deep, and REM sleep, checks your blood oxygen levels overnight, and provides a “Body Battery” score that shows how well you’ve recovered.

It’s a smaller, more lightweight device compared to a smartwatch, and the week-long battery life means you won’t have to charge it constantly.

Best for: People who want solid sleep tracking in a simple, affordable device.

Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover

Now, if you want to take your sleep experience to a whole new level, the Eight Sleep Pod 3 might be your dream product. It’s a smart mattress cover that not only tracks your sleep but also dynamically adjusts the temperature of your bed throughout the night to keep you in the optimal sleep environment.

Yes, it’s a major investment compared to a wristband or a ring, but for people who struggle with sleeping too hot or too cold, it can make a real difference.

Best for: People who are serious about optimizing every aspect of their sleep environment.

FAQs

Are sleep trackers actually accurate?

Sleep trackers can give you a good general idea of your sleep patterns, but they aren’t perfect. They use sensors to estimate things like movement, heart rate, and oxygen levels, but they can’t fully replace a clinical sleep study.

Do I need a subscription for these devices?

Some devices, like the Whoop Strap and Oura Ring, offer basic features without a subscription but reserve deeper insights and reports for paying members. Fitbit also has a premium membership for enhanced sleep analytics, though the basic sleep tracking is free.

Is it safe to sleep with a device every night?

For most people, yes. Sleep trackers use low-energy Bluetooth signals, which are considered safe. However, if you’re worried about radiation exposure, you might prefer a non-wearable option like the Withings Sleep Mat.

How do sleep trackers measure sleep stages?

Most sleep trackers combine data from your heart rate, movement, and sometimes blood oxygen levels to estimate whether you’re in light sleep, deep sleep, or REM sleep. It’s all about spotting patterns that match those stages.

Can sleep trackers help with insomnia?

They can certainly help you spot patterns, like if you’re spending too much time awake in bed or if your sleep is very fragmented. That said, if you’re dealing with chronic insomnia, it’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional too.

Conclusion

Choosing the best sleep tracking device comes down to what you value most. If you want seamless, no-fuss tracking, the Oura Ring or Withings Sleep Mat could be right up your alley. If you love having tons of health data at your fingertips, a smartwatch like the Fitbit Sense 2 or the Apple Watch Series 9 might be a better fit.

And if you’re chasing peak performance or recovery, you can’t go wrong with the Whoop Strap. Meanwhile, those who really want to invest in the quality of their sleep environment might find the Eight Sleep Pod 3 a game-changer.

At the end of the day, the best sleep tracker for you is the one that fits into your lifestyle and helps you move closer to truly restful, restorative sleep. Because better sleep doesn’t just mean better mornings — it means a better life.