We wore, slept on and slept under six trackers for six weeks. Here's what the data was good for — and where it quietly lied.
How we tested
Two editors, six devices — wrist, ring, under-mattress and bedside radar — against a reference EEG headband. Every morning we compared total sleep time, wake episodes and stage breakdowns, then rated comfort and battery friction.
What they get right
Duration and consistency. Every tracker nailed when we fell asleep and woke up within ~15 minutes, and the weekly trends matched how we felt. Contact-free options (radar, under-mattress) matched wearables while being impossible to forget.
Where they quietly lie
Sleep stages. Against EEG, stage accuracy ranged from 55 to 75% — fine for curiosity, useless for diagnosis. Ignore the nightly 'deep sleep score' panic; watch the two-week trend instead.
The verdict
Trackers changed our behavior, not our sleep: earlier bedtimes, fewer late screens. If a graph makes you keep a routine, it's worth it. Our pick for most sleepers is a bedside radar — all the trends, none of the charging.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. If insomnia lasts longer than three weeks, see a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Are sleep trackers accurate?
Good at duration and consistency, weak at stages. Use them for habits, not diagnosis.
