If you've been wanting to rest and sleep better, investing in a sleep tracker can help. These gadgets come in different shapes and sizes, from bulky watches to thin rings, but not all are created equal. The best sleep trackers measure sleep phases, sleep quality, total amount of sleep and sleep disturbances, giving you a look into your overall sleep health.
The best sleep tracker for your needs depends on your preferences, what you want to track and whether or not you'd like to wear the device. Our sleep team has tested 14 sleep trackers over the years to bring you the best on the market. Here are the best smart rings, watches and mattress covers that track sleep performance.
What is the best overall sleep tracker?
Our favorite overall sleep tracker is the Whoop 4.0 Band, thanks to its in-depth sleep information and personalized recommendations. With no buttons or screens on the band, Whoop looks simple at first glance. However, the band's five LEDs, body temperature sensors and photodiodes provide valuable insight into your sleep. A few of our CNET sleep experts have been using Whoop for months and have found it to provide the most reliable and accurate sleep data.
CNET's sleep experts say the Whoop provides reliable sleep data.
Taylor Leamey, senior sleep writer, tested the AI Whoop Coach and found it intuitive and a great feature if you're already interested in the band. You can ask the AI Coach anything, and it will give you personalized answers and insights based on your sleep data. With Whoop, you get sleep data and assistance with interpreting everything.
Best sleep trackers for 2024
Our take: The Whoop 4.0 sleep tracker is for those who want to track both their sleep and their exercise. It’s for anyone who wants personalized sleep insights. It has an integrated coach that provides personalized recommendations, like when to go to bed or mindful breathing techniques, based on your sleep data. Whoop also is for those who don't want a screen to distract them at night.
The review: "Of all the sleep trackers out there, Whoop gives me the most in-depth data on my sleep, strain and recovery,” said sleep writer Taylor Leamey. With Whoop’s advanced AI-powered technology and comprehensive data analysis, it is the ultimate sleep tracker. Whoop provides excellent insights and monitors key sleep metrics like sleep stages, heart-rate variability, respiratory rate and hours of sleep and restorative sleep, helping you better understand your sleep patterns. It's one of the most accurate we've tested, and the battery lasts up to four to five days without charging.
Pros:
- Personalized recommendations based on your sleep data
- Provides reliable sleep data
- Removable battery pack allows you to charge from your wrist
- No distracting screen
Cons:
- Chunky design can be uncomfortable to sleep with
- No screen for those who want one
- Expensive subscription plan
- 12-month minimum commitment
Additional details:
- Wearable: Yes
- Metrics measured: HRV, resting heart rate, recovery, respiratory rate, blood oxygen, body temperature, exercise and sleep performance
- Trial: One month
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Subscription: $30 monthly (12-month commitment), $199 family membership, $239 up front for 12 months or $399 for 24 months
- Price: $$$
Our take: Oura Ring is an alluring, comfortable option for those who want convenient health and sleep monitoring without the discomfort of a bulky wrist wearable. Especially if you need a high-tech, lightweight device to fit into your existing wardrobe, Oura’s sleek design is snug and available in two styles and six finishes. In addition to providing overall sleep readings, Oura Ring is a great option for those who want insights into other aspects of health like stress, menstrual cycles and illness monitoring.
The review: I wear my Oura Ring every day, and I often forget I even have it on. It’s become a part of my daily routine. I wake up and check my sleep score, my readiness score for the day and cycle insights. I love that it automatically tracks activity and can be integrated with other apps such as Apple Health, Strava and Google Fit. It has excellent battery life -- Oura claims it lasts up to seven days, but I’ve found it's more like five to six days, which is still great. Over time, the Oura Ring gets to know your body and provides highly accurate insights and customized reports to help you understand your overall health and well-being.
Pros:
- Comfortable, sleek ring design
- Longer battery life compared to watch trackers
- Sleep score makes understanding sleep quality easy
- Personalized health data and recommendations
Cons:
- $6 monthly subscription is required for most features
- Depending on the finger and hand you wear it on, the ring can easily get scratched
- Doesn’t have snore detection
Additional details:
- Wearable: Yes
- Metrics measured: HRV, resting heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen level, body temperature, stress, activity, menstrual cycle and sleep performance
- Trial: One month
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
- Subscription: $6 per month
- Price: $$$
Our take: The Samsung Galaxy Ring is for Android users who want to consolidate their devices, track their sleep and manage their health vitals on their finger. For snore detection, the Galaxy Ring is a better option than Oura (which doesn’t have this feature). It is also great for those who want a device to automatically track workouts, activities and other health metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen and temperature.
The review: I found the Samsung Galaxy Ring to be just as great as Oura. The Galaxy Ring tracker measures all the same vitals as Oura except for HRV. However, the Samsung ring has extra features such as snore detection and gesture compatibility. My favorite aspect of this ring is that it’s slightly lighter and thinner than Oura. I also loved that all the time I was wearing it, it never scratched once. Its charging case is beautifully designed and opens and closes for easy storage. While the price is higher than Oura, Samsung lets you trade in devices to bring the price down.
Pros:
- Comfortable, sleek and concave ring design
- No subscription required
- Extra features when connected with a Galaxy phone
- Slightly thinner and lighter than Oura
Cons:
- Need a newer Galaxy phone to access all features
- Not compatible with Apple devices
- Doesn’t track HRV
Additional details:
- Wearable: Yes
- Metrics measured: Heart rate, snoring, energy, blood oxygen, stress, skin temperature, menstrual cycle, activity and sleep performance
- Trial: 15 days
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
- Subscription: None
- Price: $$$
Our take: The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a great sleep tracker for someone who wants to measure physical activity and sleep data without a bulky device on their wrist. This Fitbit’s sleek design, small digital screen and impressive battery life of up to 10 days is available for only $100 -- by far one of the most affordable sleep trackers. It is best for those who want to measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels, time spent in different sleep stages and overall sleep quality at night, and for those who want to track steps, workouts, calories burned and more during the day.
The review: “I’ve had several Fitbit smartwatches through the years, though the Inspire 3 is by far my favorite. It’s got all the features you want but is way less clunky,” said sleep writer Taylor Leamey. The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. You won't get any advanced insights, but the Fitbit is a dependable option for those starting their sleep-tracking journey. The Fitbit Inspire 3 also provides a daily stress management score and offers mindfulness sessions that teach healthier ways to respond to stress. You don't have to pay for the $10 per month subscription to use the sleep and workout tracking features, but you will need the subscription to access more advanced offerings such as workout classes, mindfulness sessions, recipes and more.
Pros:
- Simple, slim design
- Long battery life
- Affordable price for Fitbit features
Cons:
- Light from screen may be distracting
- No buttons that release the bands
- Advanced features require a subscription
Additional details:
- Wearable: Yes
- Metrics measured: Respiration rate, heart rate, HRV, body temperature, menstrual cycle, stress, sleep stages and blood oxygen levels
- Trial: 6 months
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
- Subscription: Not necessary, $10 per month or $80 per year for premium features
- Price: $
Our take: The Garmin Forerunner 165 will be enjoyed by runners who require GPS to track their runs and who want insights into their sleep and recovery. With Sleep Coach, sleep score and nap detection features, Garmin tracks sleep cycles, duration, HRV, restless moments, resting heart rate and respiration rates. These metrics apply to its recovery feature that lets users know how long they should rest between workouts. This Garmin tracker is best for those serious about their sleep and fitness.
The review: As a runner myself, I used my Garmin to train for a half marathon. It recommends workouts, slow days and amount of rest based on my vitals and restorative sleep from the night before. The watch itself is a bit bulky to sleep with, but it’s something I got used to (however, I do prefer a ring tracker at night). Garmin claims the battery life is around 11 days, but I use the watch every day and found it was more like 8 days. I really like its daily sleep and body battery scores, and I found it to be one of the most accurate when it came to tracking my total hours of sleep.
Pros:
- Features include sleep score, Sleep Coach and a breakdown of sleep quality
- Automatically tracks naps and recommends an amount of sleep for the night
- Battery lasts up to 11 days
Cons:
- Doesn't take into account gender and hormone cycles when recommending amount of sleep
- Might not be for those looking for only sleep-tracking features
Additional details:
- Wearable: Yes
- Metrics measured: HRV, heart rate, respiratory rate, body battery, stress, activity, menstrual cycle, naps, restless movements and sleep performance
- Trial: 30 days
- Warranty: One-year warranty
- Subscription: None
- Price: $$
Our take: The Withings Scan Watch 2 is a high-quality sleep tracker for those who don’t want to pay a subscription on top of a pricey device and also want a thinner, more traditional watch look. The clock’s face is conventional with a tiny screen that can display the digital time, date, steps and other health vitals. This watch is for sleepers who don’t want a distracting LED screen at night but want to check some vitals without opening the app on a phone.
The review: I enjoy the look and feel of the Withings Scan Watch 2. It is unlike any other smartwatch that I have tested. Its smooth and streamlined design makes it comfortable to wear during the day and use during the night. I find its app to be user-friendly, simple and more appealing than most. Its sleep-tracking features are similar to other smartwatches on the market, but there are other in-depth health metrics, such as ECG measurements, AFib detection and body temperature during workouts. While this sleep tracker is a bit pricey, I find it worth it for the extra health features.
Pros:
- Sleek design, similar to classic watches rather than smartwatches
- Very small screen that doesn’t bother you during the night
- 30-day battery life
Cons:
- Premium wristbands are an extra charge
- More expensive than other smartwatches
- Notifications are sometimes hard to read on the screen
Additional details:
- Wearable: Yes
- Metrics measured: HRV (coming soon), heart rate, AFib detection, respiratory rate (coming soon), breathing disturbances, blood oxygen, temperature, snoring, activity, menstrual cycle and sleep quality
- Trial: 60 days
- Warranty: Two-year warranty
- Subscription: Not necessary, $9.95 per month or $99.50 per year for premium features
- Price: $$$
Our take: The Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover is recommended for hot sleepers who are serious about their sleep and have the budget for a pricey, luxury device. This mattress cover fits over a bed like a fitted sheet and contains a system of wires that pumps water throughout the cover. It heats and cools sleepers to mimic the body’s natural temperature cycles during sleep. This high-tech product is best for those who want a nonwearable sleep tracker to help with night sweats and measure sleep stages, overall sleep quality, heart rate, HRV, breathing rate and snoring.
The review: I can’t sleep without the Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover. Its ability to heat and cool me throughout the night is unmatched. By detecting my heart rate, breathing, movement and sleep stages, it gives detailed reports in the morning on my sleep quality. However, I have found that my sleep scores are higher than they should be. I think sometimes it thinks I’m asleep when I’m really awake (or when my pets are in my bed). On top of that, its high price is a huge drawback. It’s for those who are significantly interested in sleep.
Pros:
- Cooling features help hot sleepers from sweating
- Non-invasive way to track your sleep
- Autopilot automatically heats and cools to mimic natural sleep stages
Cons:
- Very, very expensive
- Mattress cover changes the feel of your mattress
Additional details:
- Wearable: Yes
- Metrics measured: HRV, heart rate, respiratory rate, snoring and sleep quality and sleep performance
- Trial: 30 days
- Warranty: Two-year warranty (Standard) or five-year warranty (Enhanced)
- Subscription: $17 per month (Standard), $25 per month (Enhanced)
- Price: $$$$$+
Our take: If you would rather not wear a sleep tracker to bed and an Eight Sleep mattress cover is outside your budget, you may enjoy the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat. This thin mat goes underneath your mattress, so you don't even know it's there. It has pneumatic and sound sensors that measure your heart rate, respiratory rate, movements, snoring and sleep cycles. It's important to note that the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat is powered through a USB cable and must be plugged in.
The review: I like easily viewing my sleep data in the free Withings app through its Wi-Fi sync. The app also automatically generates a sleep diary that includes my sleep score each night. As for its tracking abilities, I did find that the Tracking Mat often picked up my dog sleeping near my pillow before I even got into bed. Keep this in mind if you sleep with a partner or a pet. I also often got higher readings with the Sleep Mat compared to other wearable sleep trackers. Devices that go on your fingers are wrists are going to be a bit more accurate, but the price and ease of this Sleep Mat can’t be beat.
Pros:
- Automatically compiles your data into a sleep diary
- Noninvasive way to track sleep
- It can turn off lights automatically when you get into bed
Cons:
- If you sleep with another person, there is a chance it could pick up their movements
- You need to have an outlet nearby to plug it in
- May record awake periods in bed as light sleep
Additional details:
- Wearable: No
- Metrics measured: Snoring, heart and respiratory rate, movements and sleep quality
- Trial: 30 nights
- Warranty: Two-year warranty
- Subscription: None
- Price: $
How we tested the best sleep trackers
Our CNET sleep experts have been testing and assessing sleep products for years. From mattresses to bedding to sleep accessories, we know which products are worth writing home about. Each sleep tracker on this list was tested for a minimum of two weeks. In the case of some devices, such as the Whoop, Oura or Eight Sleep, some of our experts (like myself) wear and use these every day. The selected sleep trackers were also chosen based on comfort, accessibility, metrics measured, accuracy, battery-life and the supporting app.
Our sleep experts have also tested the TempurPedic Tempur-Ergo Smart Base, Oxa Breathing Coach, Eight Sleep Pod 4, Apple Watch SE, Garmin Forerunner 45S and the Garmin Forerunner 965. These products didn’t make our list due to poor sleep-tracking performance or because they were beaten out by other models. In the case of Garmin, both watches mentioned have great sleep tracking capabilities but the price and extra features of the Garmin Forerunner 165 topped the other two models. The same can be said for the newest Eight Sleep Pod 4 -- the older Pod 3 version has similar features for a better price.
What to consider when shopping for a sleep tracker
The sleep tracker market has a lot of variety to choose from -- which can be overwhelming if you aren't sure where to start. Before you begin shopping for a sleep tracker, keep these features in mind.
Type
Before shopping, you should decide what type of sleep tracker is most appealing. There are lots of sleep tracker watches, but some may find them too uncomfortable to sleep with. There are also smart rings, smart mattress covers and mats that go under your bed.
Additional features
Determining what you expect from your sleep tracker will help you narrow down your options; maybe you want a device with a screen that alerts you of your texts or you want one that fits into your wardrobe. If you want a sleep tracker that also tracks your fitness and activity, opt for something like the Oura Ring 3 or Fitbit Inspire. If you are a runner that needs GPS to track your miles, then the Garmin Forerunner 165 is a great option.
If you are interested in a device that tracks other health vitals and metrics in addition to its sleep-tracking features, look for a wearable that measures blood oxygen levels, heart rate, HRV, respiratory rate, temperature and other valuable health data.
Accuracy
Another crucial factor when choosing a sleep tracker is its accuracy. No current device on the market is as accurate as an in-office sleep study with a doctor (a test that measures brain activity and wave patterns). However, trackers with heart rate and blood-oxygen level sensors are the most reliable.
Price
The price range for sleep tracker devices varies, so determining your budget first will help you narrow down your best options. It's also important to factor in the monthly or yearly subscriptions that some sleep tracker devices require. Oura has the lowest at $6 per month, but Withings and Fitbit do not require subscriptions. Eight Sleep is already extremely pricey and requires a $17 or $25 subscription per month, depending on your membership.
Battery life
Battery life and charging are other factors you should consider. A sleep-tracking product that requires being charged daily or nightly can be unmanageable or unrealistic for some people. If you need a sleep tracker with a long battery life, the Withings Scan Watch 2 can go for about 30 days between charges. If you're looking at a sleep tracker that requires an outlet, such as the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat or the Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover, that's something to consider if you don't have one easily accessible near your bed.
My testing experience found that wearable sleep trackers are more accurate than trackers that go over or under the bed. I attribute this to the fact that wearables have better contact with your skin to measure things like heart rate and breathing rate. Bed trackers like Eight Sleep or the Withings Sleep Mat sometimes picked up my dogs sleeping on my bed rather than just me. I found that top sleep trackers like Whoop, Fitbit and Oura Ring are a tad more accurate.
In an experiment where I tested Oura, Garmin and Eight Sleep consistently for a month, I found that Oura, on average, gave me the lowest sleep scores of the three. Garmin’s readings matched my perceived hours of sleep and wake periods a little more. While I don’t have the right equipment to state which wearable is most accurate (a standardized, doctor-given sleep test is the most reliable), Oura is still a great sleep tracker. It is, by far, the most comfortable to sleep with.
Yes, sleep trackers can be worth it if you want to look into your sleep quality, performance and habits. Based on your budget and preference, you can find a sleep tracker that works for you. The best sleep trackers include watches, rings and those that go over or under your mattress.
- Time spent in deep sleep and REM
- Sleep duration and quality
- Heart rate (and heart rate variability)
- Blood-oxygen levels
- Respiration rate
- Snoring
- Temperature
- Movement
If you want to track your sleep without worrying about wearing a watch or ring, the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat is the best non-wearable sleep tracker. The thin mat goes under your mattress and uses pneumatic and sound sensors to measure your heart rate, movements and other tracking metrics.