
Smartwatches are all the rage. With these nifty devices on our wrists, we can access reams of information about our daily activities. From exercise and movement minutes to our sleep cycles, your smartwatch tracks it all. But the question is – how useful is this data? As a memory foam mattress company, we are most interested in the sleep cycle metrics. (Of course.) So let’s unpack the technology together, and find out if the appraised smartwatch sleep tracker is something we should all be investing in.
Tracking sleep in style
So what’s in a smartwatch sleep tracker? Depending on the brand, your watch will record different kinds of sleep data. Some sleep trackers are more basic, and others super advanced – providing you with intricate details about your sleep cycle. Also important to note, some sleep trackers are more accurate than others (and this isn’t always related to the price.)
What a smartwatch sleep tracker can record:
How long you slept for
If your smartwatch reports on sleep duration, it will record your inactive minutes to reveal when you fall asleep at night and when you wake in the morning.
The quality of your sleep
If your smartwatch reports on sleep quality, it will detect your moments of interrupted sleep, revealing when you tossed and turned and woke up during the night.
The phases during your sleep cycle
If your smartwatch reports on sleep phases, it will monitor your various stages of sleep, and set an alarm (based on your selected time period) that doesn’t wake you during the deep Rapid Eye Movement or REM phase.
Environmental factors that could affect your sleep
If your smartwatch reports on environmental factors that affect sleep, it will record the temperature of the room that you slept in as well as the light levels.
Lifestyle factors that could affect your sleep
If your smartwatch reports on lifestyle factors that affect sleep, it will prompt you to enter information about your daily activities and point out what might be preventing you from achieving a good night’s sleep.
How a smartwatch sleep tracker comes in handy:
So now that we know what a smartwatch sleep tracker is all about, let’s take a look at the benefits of this cutting-edge technology:
You can wear it
Your smartwatch wraps around your wrist, and everywhere you go, it goes with you. It’s quick to slip on, convenient to carry around, and simple to sync to your cellular device. Basically, sleep data is a breeze to track!
It acts as an alarm clock
Your smartwatch sleep tracker monitors your sleep stages, and wakes you up when you reach a light phase of sleep within your selected alarm period. Waking at the right time in your sleep cycle can prevent grogginess and set you up for an overall better start to the day.
You can learn about your sleep cycle
How often you move around during sleep is a good indicator of your sleep quality. Sleep trackers record and measure your movements as you sleep to provide you with insights about your sleep quality. They also take heart rate and breathing into consideration when producing your results, as these are good indicators of sleeping and waking times.
You can change your sleep cycle for the better
When you learn about your sleep cycle, you can take action to change it. Data collected through your sleep tracker might reveal that you are falling asleep too late, or drinking too much coffee before bed, for example. Once you have the insights, you have the power to change your habits and improve your sleeping patterns so you can make the most of your day.
Which smartwatch sleep tracker is right for you?
As we suggested earlier, no sleep tracker is 100% accurate. But the good news is, this really doesn’t matter! As long as you can monitor your sleep trends over time, you can gain valuable insights about your sleeping patterns and make adjustments to your behaviour. Having said that, not all sleep trackers are created equal in their abilities. Some offer additional bells and whistles, and others the bare basics. But rest assured, whatever sleep stats float your boat, there’s a smartwatch out there that will record them.
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 6 features one of the most accurate sleep trackers available on the market, monitoring your sleep duration and behaviours you can control for a better night’s sleep.
Fitbit Sense
With built-in Fitbit sleep tracking technology, the Fitbit Sense is a popular choice for those looking to benefit from a healthier lifestyle all-round.
Garmin Venu 2
The Garmin Venu 2 offers sleep duration tracking as well as a breakdown of the sleep stages, distilling your results down into a single score for easy observation.
Polar Vantage V2
A sports watch first and foremost, but with an excellent built-in sleep tracker – the Polar Vantage V2 acknowledges the importance of sleep and monitors its effect on daily performance.
Withings Steel HR Sport
The sleek design of the Withings Steel HR Sport makes it a comfortable smartwatch to wear in bed, and the perfect sleep tracking alarm clock.
Will you reap the rewards of a smartwatch sleep tracker?
If you want to establish a healthy sleeping pattern and benefit from quality sleep, every night, we say smartwatch sleep tracker for the win! At the end of the day, the choice of whether or not to invest in the technology is up to you. (If you would rather skip the tech and rather invest in a luxurious mattress, we’ve got a memory foam dream bed waiting for you.)