Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNET
If you have issues with sleep, it can be helpful to wear a sleep tracker to bed to monitor your sleep habits. These devices are designed to analyze why you’re having trouble getting enough quality shut-eye and can help you take charge of your sleep hygiene. To find the best sleep tracker, CNET’s sleep experts considered accuracy, comfort, price, special features, battery life and more to identify the best sleep-tracking watches, smart rings and more.
Whoop 5.0
$359 at Amazon
Our take: The Whoop 5.0 sleep tracker is designed for individuals who want to track their sleep and exercise to enhance performance. It featur…
- Personalized recommendations based on your sleep data
- Provides reliable sleep data
- The removable battery pack allows you to charge from your wrist
- No distracting screen
- A chunky design can be uncomfortable to sleep with
- No screen for those who want one
- Expensive subscription plan
- 12-month minimum commitment
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Oura Ring 5
$399 at Amazon
Our take: Oura Ring is an alluring, comfortable option for those who want convenient health and sleep monitoring without the discomfort of bul…
- 40% smaller and more comfortable than the Gen 4
- Longer battery life compared to watch trackers
- Sleep score makes understanding sleep quality easy
- Personalized health data and recommendations
- Comes in sizes 6 to 13
- A $6 monthly subscription is required for most features
- Blood Pressure Signals and Health Radar features are only available in select countries.
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Eight Sleep Pod 5 Core
See at Eight Sleep
Our take: The Eight Sleep Pod 5 Core is great for hot sleepers like me who are serious about their sleep. This mattress cover fits over a bed …
- Dual-zone independent temperature control (55 to 110 degrees)
- AI-powered Autopilot adjusts temperature based on sleep stage
- New pregnancy mode that adjusts based on pregnancy physiology
- Works with most mattresses
- Price is significant compared to other trackers
- Mandatory subscription for the first 12 months
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Samsung Galaxy Ring
$400 at Amazon
Our take: The Samsung Galaxy Ring is for Android users who want to consolidate their devices, track their sleep and manage their health vitals…
- Comfortable, sleek and concave ring design
- No subscription required
- Extra features when connected with a Galaxy phone
- Need a newer Galaxy phone to access all features
- Not compatible with Apple devices
- Doesn’t track HRV
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Fitbit Inspire 3
$97 at Amazon
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 devi…
- Simple, slim design
- Long battery life
- Affordable price for Fitbit features
- Light from the screen may be distracting
- No buttons that release the bands
- Advanced features require a subscription
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Withings Sleep Tracking Mat
$200 at Amazon
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 With…
- Automatically compiles your data into a sleep diary
- Noninvasive way to track sleep
- It can turn off lights automatically when you get into bed
- 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
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Withings ScanWatch 2
$370 at Amazon
Our take: The Withings ScanWatch 2 is a high-quality sleep tracker for those who don’t want to pay a subscription on top of a pricey device. I…
- Sleek design, similar to classic watches rather than smartwatches
- Very small screen that doesn’t bother you during the night
- 35-day battery life
- Premium wristbands are an extra charge
- More expensive than other smartwatches
- Notifications are sometimes hard to read on the screen
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Our favorite overall sleep tracker is the Whoop 5.0 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. The band’s 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.
Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET
Best overall sleep tracker
Whoop 5.0
- Personalized recommendations based on your sleep data
- Provides reliable sleep data
- The removable battery pack allows you to charge from your wrist
- No distracting screen
- A chunky design can be uncomfortable to sleep with
- No screen for those who want one
- Expensive subscription plan
- 12-month minimum commitment
Get it now
$359 at Amazon$359 at Best Buy
Our take: The Whoop 5.0 sleep tracker is designed for individuals who want to track their sleep and exercise to enhance performance. It features an integrated coach that provides personalized recommendations, such as when to go to bed or mindful breathing techniques, based on your sleep data. Whoop is also for those who don’t want a screen to distract them at night.
The review: “I love how intuitive the interface is and how detailed the stats are. The AI Coach makes it easy to analyze my sleep data,” said CNET Managing Editor Nasha Addarich Martínez. 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, including 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 two weeks on a single charge with the Peak and Life models. The app is more in-depth than just about any of the trackers I tested. If you’re interested in the nitty-gritty of how your body sleeps and responds to stress, I highly recommend the Whoop.
The main difference between the 5.0 and the 4.0 is the tiered membership plan with the newest model. Now, you can choose how much insight you want to get:
Whoop one (entry tier)
Features:
- Sleep, strain and recovery.
- Personalized coaching
- Heart rate zones
Price:$199 per year
Whoop Peak (mid tier)
Features:
- Includes all Whoop One features
- Health monitor with alerts (vitals like respiratory rate and skin temperature)
- Healthspan metrics (Whoop Age and Pace of Aging)
Price:$239 per year
Whoop Life (top tier)
Features:
- All Peak features
- Daily blood pressure insights
- ECG readings and heart screener
- On-demand AFib detection (irregular rhythm alerts)
Price: $359 per year
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
$199 for One Membership; $239 for Peak Membership; $359 for Life Membership
Price
Hardware is included in membership
Gold Oura Ring 5 / Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
Best wearable sleep tracker
Oura Ring 5
- 40% smaller and more comfortable than the Gen 4
- Longer battery life compared to watch trackers
- Sleep score makes understanding sleep quality easy
- Personalized health data and recommendations
- Comes in sizes 6 to 13
- A $6 monthly subscription is required for most features
- Blood Pressure Signals and Health Radar features are only available in select countries.
Get it now
Our take: Oura Ring is an alluring, comfortable option for those who want convenient health and sleep monitoring without the discomfort of bulky wristwear. Especially if you need a high-tech, lightweight device to fit into your existing wardrobe, Oura’s sleek design is snug and available in 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, such as stress, menstrual cycles and illness monitoring.
The review: I wear my Oura Ring 5 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 apps like 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 learns your body and provides highly accurate insights and customized reports to help you understand your overall health and well-being.
Wearable
Yes
Metrics measured
HRV, resting heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen level, body temperature, stress, activity, menstrual cycle, breathing disturbances, blood pressure, Spo2 and sleep performance
Trial
One month
Warranty
1-year warranty
Subscription
$6 per month
Price
$399
Best mattress cover sleep tracker
Eight Sleep Pod 5 Core
- Dual-zone independent temperature control (55 to 110 degrees)
- AI-powered Autopilot adjusts temperature based on sleep stage
- New pregnancy mode that adjusts based on pregnancy physiology
- Works with most mattresses
- Price is significant compared to other trackers
- Mandatory subscription for the first 12 months
Get it now
Our take: The Eight Sleep Pod 5 Core is great for hot sleepers like me who are serious about their sleep. This mattress cover fits over a bed like a fitted sheet and contains a system of wires that pumps water throughout the cover. When testing, I found that it heats and cools sleepers to mimic my body’s natural temperature cycles during sleep. This high-tech product is best for those who want a non-wearable sleep tracker to help with night sweats and measure sleep stages, overall sleep quality, heart rate, HRV, breathing rate and snoring.
The review: What makes this tracker great is that it also helps adjust body temperature to optimize your sleep. Each side of the bed works independently, so if you sleep with a partner, each side can be adjusted to your preference. I like the newly added side button, so you can manually adjust it if needed without using your phone
Wearable
No
Metrics measured
Sleep stages, HRV, respiratory rate, body temperature, snoring detection and sleep fitness
Trial
30 days
Warranty
2 years
Subscription
$199 per year
Price
$3,000 for a queen (includes subscription for the first 12 months)
Best sleep tracker for Android users
Samsung Galaxy Ring
- Comfortable, sleek and concave ring design
- No subscription required
- Extra features when connected with a Galaxy phone
- Need a newer Galaxy phone to access all features
- Not compatible with Apple devices
- Doesn’t track HRV
Get it now
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. 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 while I was wearing it, it never scratched once. Its charging case is beautifully designed and opens and closes for easy storage. Samsung also lets you trade in devices to bring the price down.
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
Subscription
None
Price
400
Taylor Leamey/CNET
Best tracker watch
Fitbit Inspire 3
- Simple, slim design
- Long battery life
- Affordable price for Fitbit features
- Light from the screen may be distracting
- No buttons that release the bands
- Advanced features require a subscription
Get it now
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 under $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 former 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. I also appreciate that the Fitbit Inspire 3 provides a daily stress management score and offers mindfulness sessions that teach healthier ways to respond to stress. You also can’t beat the price. 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. For me, Fitbit is a classic option for people who want a straightforward tracker. Not to mention, Fitbit has several watch options in its lineup.
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
96
Caroline Igo/CNET
Best nonwearable sleep tracker
Withings Sleep Tracking Mat
- Automatically compiles your data into a sleep diary
- Noninvasive way to track sleep
- It can turn off lights automatically when you get into bed
- 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
Get it now
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 fits underneath my mattress and I didn’t even know it was there. It has pneumatic and sound sensors that measure my 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 being able to easily view my sleep data in the free Withings app via 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 or wrists are going to be a bit more accurate, but the price and ease of this Sleep Mat can’t be beat.
Wearable
No
Metrics measured
Snoring, heart and respiratory rate, movements and sleep quality
Trial
30 nights
Warranty
2 years
Subscription
None
Price
200
Caroline Igo/CNET
Best sleep tracker watch without a subscription
Withings ScanWatch 2
- Sleek design, similar to classic watches rather than smartwatches
- Very small screen that doesn’t bother you during the night
- 35-day battery life
- Premium wristbands are an extra charge
- More expensive than other smartwatches
- Notifications are sometimes hard to read on the screen
Get it now
Our take: The Withings ScanWatch 2 is a high-quality sleep tracker for those who don’t want to pay a subscription on top of a pricey device. I appreciate that it has 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 still want to check their vitals without opening the app on their 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, streamlined design makes it comfortable to wear during the day and to use at night. I find the app to be user-friendly, simple and more appealing than most. Its sleep-tracking features are similar to those of other smartwatches on the market, but it also offers 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.
Wearable
Yes
Metrics measured
HRV, heart rate, AFib detection, respiratory rate, breathing disturbances, blood oxygen, temperature, snoring, activity, menstrual cycle and sleep quality
Trial
60 days
Warranty
2 years
Subscription
Not necessary, $9.95 per month or $99.50 per year for premium features
Price
369
I’ve been testing and assessing sleep products for years alongside CNET’s sleep team. From mattresses to bedding to sleep accessories, I know which products are worth writing home about. I tested each sleep tracker on this list for a minimum of two weeks to get a full picture of how it performed. 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 (since discontinued) and the Garmin Forerunner 965. These products didn’t make our list because of 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.
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
Before shopping, decide which type of sleep tracker is most appealing. There are a lot 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.
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 to your texts, or you want one that fits into your wardrobe. If you want a sleep tracker that also tracks your fitness and activity, choose something like the Oura Ring or Fitbit Inspire. If you’re a runner who needs a 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
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). Trackers with heart rate and blood-oxygen level sensors are the most reliable.
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 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.
Which sleep tracker is the most accurate?
I 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 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.
How accurate is the Oura ring?
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. I don’t have the right equipment to state which wearable is most accurate (a standardized, doctor-given sleep test is the most reliable), but Oura is still a great sleep tracker. It is, by far, the most comfortable to sleep with.
Are sleep trackers worth it?
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
What metrics should I look for when tracking sleep?
- 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
What is the best nonwearable sleep tracker?
If you want to track your sleep without worrying about wearing a watch or ring, the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat is the best nonwearable 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
What’s the best sleep tracker without a monthly fee?
According to CNET’s experts, the Withings Scan Watch 2 is a top choice for those who want quality sleep-tracking analytics without paying a subscription fee. The sleep tracker’s thinner, more traditional watch look is an added benefit
Can the Apple Watch detect sleep apnea?
Supported models such as Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 can be worn to bed to track breathing disturbances during sleep. This data is analyzed using an algorithm to detect signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. If elevated disturbances are detected frequently during a 30-day period, the Apple Watch will send you a notification suggesting possible sleep apnea.
How accurate is the Apple Watch sleep tracking?
The Apple Watch is widely seen as a fairly accurate sleep tracker but it’s known to have some limitations. For example, the fitness tracker might struggle to distinguish between sleep stages or provide sufficient data on the quality of sleep
Does the Oura Ring have a monthly fee?
Yes, the Oura Ring has a monthly subscription fee that will run you $6 to access the full range of features and data insights
