Best 11 Smartwatches For Sleep Tracking In 2024

If you are looking for a Smartwatch with accurate sleep tracking, this guide is for you.

Good sleep is very important for us humans because it regulates various functions of your body. Now the question is: how can you know if you had a good sleep? That’s where sleep trackers come in.

These days most people including me prefer fitness trackers and smartwatches for sleep tracking because they allow you to conveniently track your sleep without going through a lot of hassle.

In 2023, we have many good fitness trackers and smartwatches available which can track your sleep with accuracy, and today, I’ll tell you about them.

In this WearToTrack Guide, I’ll focus on the following topics.

• Things to consider when buying a fitness tracker for sleep tracking
• Best Fitness trackers and smartwatches for sleep tracking
• Is Fitbit good for Sleep Tracking?
• Is Sleep Tracking on Apple Watch 8 better than Apple Watch SE (Gen 2)?
• And many more!

So, without any delay, Let’s get into it.

Here is an article on my website that you must read, it’s about How Do Sleep Tracking Applications And Devices Work?

#Overview

How To Choose The Right Smartwatches For Sleep Tracking In 2023?

These days we have a wide range of Smartwatches available and all of them claim to offer accurate sleep tracking. So, the question is how you can cut through all the noise and choose the right fitness tracker for sleep. The answer is that you can focus on some key factors which will help you choose the right option for you and in this section, I’ll share these key factors with you.

Accuracy

When you are looking for a Smartwatch for sleep tracking, one of the most important things you should consider is the accuracy of the fitness tracker. 

Now the question is how can you check if a Smartwatch is accurate for sleep tracking? Well, there’s no handy way to check the accuracy of a fitness tracker by yourself but scientists do it from time to time. 

Many Universities and institutions fund these scientists to conduct the study to test the effectiveness of these fitness trackers. If you are interested, you can check my guide where I’ve shared the scientific studies which study the accuracy of various sleep trackers. In this guide, you will find the smartwatch brands whose smartwatches have performed consistently in various studies. So, make sure to check the guide for a detailed overview.

Comfort

As you will be using your smartwatch for sleep tracking, it’s important that it must be comfortable and lightweight. If a smartwatch is too heavy, it will put a lot of strain on your arm which will make it difficult for you to wear it for extended periods. 

So, I’ve made sure that all the smartwatches on this are lightweight and comfortable to wear.

Compatibility

Compatibility is an important factor you should consider when you are buying a fitness tracker for sleep tracking. So, the thing here is that certain smartwatches only work with certain smartphones.

For example, Apple Watches will work with iPhones only and WearOS smartwatches will work with Android Phones only. However, there are smartwatches from brands such as Fitbit and Garmin which work well with both iPhones and Android. 

So, when you are making the purchase decision, make sure that you buy a fitness tracker which is compatible with your smartphone.

Battery Life

As you will be using your smartwatch for sleep tracking as well as for tracking other activities, the battery life of your smartwatch should be good. In my opinion, the recommended battery life for fitness trackers is a minimum of 18 hours and if it’s on the higher side, it’ll be even better.

Price

Price is another factor that you should consider when you buy a smartwatch or fitness tracker for sleep tracking. 

In my experience, entry-level fitness trackers, especially the ones below $50, don’t come with good sensors which stops them from tracking sleep and other activities with accuracy. However, there are some good budget sleep trackers which I’ll share with you.

If you are looking for the best sleep tracker with high-quality materials and sensors, you may need to spend more money but It will definitely be a good investment.

Top 11 Smartwatches For Sleep Tracking Reviews

Sleep Tracking is not an easy thing and it’s the reason only a handful of smartwatches and fitness trackers are good at it. So, I’ve done my research and reviewed dozens of scientific studies. After extensive review, I’ve handpicked the best sleep trackers of 2023 from well-known Smartwatches companies which offer accurate sleep tracking.

1. Apple Watch Series 8 – Best sleep tracker overall

Apple Watch is arguably one of the most accurate Smartwatches for sleep tracking in 2023. The earlier versions of the Apple Watch proved their sleep-tracking accuracy in various studies and the Apple Watch Series 8 is better than them.

In Apple Watch 8, you get an advanced sleep-tracking system that uses various sensors on the watch to track your sleep. The Apple Watch offers accurate sleep tracking and tracks various aspects of your sleep including REM, Core, Deep Sleep, and Respiratory rate.

As far as comfort is concerned, the Apple Watch Series 8 is very comfortable. It comes with an aluminum build which makes the watch sturdy without adding a lot of weight to it. The 41mm version of the Series 8 is around 32g and the 45mm version is around 38.8g. Overall, the weight of the Apple Watch is on the light side and you won’t experience any discomfort wearing it for an extended period.

In Apple Watch 8, you also get other advanced health and fitness tracking features that include automatic workout detection, ECG, SPO2, stress tracking, and a heart-rate monitor.

The battery life of the Apple Watch 8 is rated at 18 hours on a single charge which is respectable but if you want, you can extend it to 36 hours with Low Power Mode.

If you want to make the sleep tracking abilities of your Apple watch even more accurate then adding and conecting it with a 3rd party app called “Cardiogram” will improve your sleep tracking experience.

The Cardiogram app asserts its ability to identify conditions such as atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and sleep apnea. By employing an advanced artificial intelligence known as DeepHeart, the app examines your heart rhythm, electrocardiogram (ECG), and activity data. It achieves an impressive 82 percent accuracy when assessing cardiovascular health, surpassing the performance of other standalone wearables.

The only downside of the Apple Watch 8 is that it’s only compatible with the iPhone. So, if you are an Android user, you will have to consider other options on the list.

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

If you are an Android user and you want an accurate Android smartwatch, you should consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. Just like Apple Watch, Galaxy Watches have demonstrated their effectiveness as an accurate sleep tracker in various scientific studies.

The new Galaxy Watch 5 comes with new and improved sensors which makes it a more effective and accurate option than its predecessors. 

One of the main highlights of the Galaxy Watch 5 is that it comes with one of the most comprehensive sleep-tracking systems. The Galaxy Watch 5 can accurately track your sleep and other associated metrics such as blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, snore detection, and sleep time. It also comes with a sleep coaching system that you can use to organize your sleep.

When it comes to other features, Galaxy Watch 5 offers features that include ECG, automatic workout detection, BMI Sensor, fall detection, a step counter, and a heart-rate monitor.

When it comes to weight, Galaxy Watch 5 has three versions and their weights vary depending on the version.

• Galaxy Watch 5 40mm version – Aluminum – 28.7g
• Galaxy Watch 5 44mm version – Aluminum – 33.5g
• Galaxy Watch 5 Pro 45mm version – Titanium – 46.5

The battery life of Galaxy Watch 5 is also really good. The 40mm and 44mm versions last for up to 36 hours and the pro model easily lasts for 48 hours. So, battery life won’t be an issue on Galaxy Watch 5.

Like Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch Series 5 only works with Android devices and it won’t work with iPhones. Overall, if you need a solid Android smartwatch with accurate sleep tracking, you should consider Galaxy Watch 5.

3. Garmin Forerunner 255 Music

Garmin Smartwatches are considered some of the best smartwatches for sleep tracking and Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is no exception here.

In Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, you get the advanced sleep tracking system which allows you to track your sleep with great accuracy. The smartwatch will calculate the sleep score based on various factors and provide a detailed report. Also, the watch will track various stages of your sleep including Light Sleep, Deep Sleep, and REM. 

On top of the advanced sleep tracking system, you get additional features that include workout monitoring, stress tracking, Pulse OX sensor, body battery, and tons of running-centric features.

In terms of comfort, Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is really good. Its body is made up of high-quality plastic which is the reason why it’s very lightweight. The 41mm version’s weight is 39g and the 46mm version’s weight is 49g.

As far as the battery life is concerned, it’s pretty decent. You get around 26 hours of battery life on a single charge which is good battery life.

Overall, if you are looking for a fitness tracker for sleep tracking with sporty looks and features, Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a solid option for you.

4. Fitbit Sense 2

Fitbit is known for accurate fitness tracking and its fitness trackers are also fairly good when it comes to sleep tracking. In Various studies, Fitbit trackers have proved their effectiveness as accurate sleep trackers.

Fitbit Sense 2 is the latest health smartwatch by the company and like other Fitbits, this one also offers really good fitness tracking. The smartwatch uses its advanced sensors to accurately track your sleep. It creates your sleep profile which provides an analysis of key sleep metrics which you can use to improve your sleep quality. Also, it comes with features such as Snore & Noise detection which comes in handy.

The Sense 2 also has features like ECG, SPO2, and temperature sensing capabilities which will help you track the health of your heart, and lungs, and track stress levels. You also get regular fitness tracking features with the smartwatch.

The smartwatch comes in a standard 40mm size and its weight is around 37.6g which is pretty good. So, you can wear the Sense 2 for extended periods without getting uncomfortable.

Similarly, the battery life of Sense 2 is also really good. On a single charge, it offers up to 6 days of battery life.

Overall, Fitbit Sense 2 is an ideal fitness tracker for you if you are looking for advanced sleep tracking & excellent battery life.

5. Polar Vantage V

Polar Vantage V is one of the most underrated smartwatches out there. It’s a very high-quality smartwatch that offers excellent sleep tracking. The scientists have actually tested this smartwatch and its sleep-tracking accuracy was almost as good as Garmin & Apple Smartwatches.

On Vantage V, you get comprehensive sleep tracking and the watch tracks various sleep metrics including sleep time, actual sleep time, continuity, and overall sleep breakdown.

With sleep tracking, you also get regular features such as heart-rate monitoring, breathing exercises, fitness tests, and daily training guides. The only major downside of the Vantage 5 is that advanced features such as ECG & SPO2 are missing.

The Watch is overall comfortable but its weight is on the higher side. It weighs around 44g which might be uncomfortable for people with small wrists. 

As far as the battery life is concerned, you get 40 hours of battery life on a single charge which is pretty good.

Overall, Polar Vantage 5 is a great option for you if you want a sporty smartwatch with accurate sleep tracking and great battery life.

6. Fitbit Charge 5

Fitbit Charge 5 is another very reliable fitness tracker which can help you with sleep tracking. The earlier versions of Fitbit Charge have shown their effectiveness as accurate sleep trackers. However, being the new version, Fitbit Charge 5 is better than its predecessors in terms of accuracy and performance.

Like other Fitbits, Fitbit Charge 5 also has an advanced sleep tracking system and it can track various stages of your sleep cycle. On top of that, you get additional insights using the Fitbit premium.

Another highlight of the Charge 5 is that it has features such as ECG and SPO2 which you will rarely find on fitness trackers in this price range. The Charge 5 is also equipped with other health and fitness tracking features that include heart-rate monitoring, a step counter, and various exercise modes.

As Charge 5 is a compact fitness tracker, it’s very lightweight, and its weight is around 28g. Also, it’s very comfortable to wear due to its low weight. 

In terms of battery life, you get around 7 days of battery without GPS and if you use the GPS, you will get around 4 to 5 hours of battery life. The battery life with GPS is not good so you will have to manage the settings if you want to get good battery life.

So, If you are interested in getting a fitness tracker with accurate sleep tracking and advanced health and fitness features, you should consider the Fitbit Charge 5.

7. Polar Ignite 3

Polar Ignite 3 is one of the newest smartwatches in 2023. When it comes to sleep tracking, Polar Ignite 3 is almost as good as the Fitbit Versa series.

In Polar Ignite 3, you get an advanced sleep-tracking system that tracks your sleep cycles comprehensively and provides detailed insights. You also get other features such as night recharge, heart-rate monitoring, breathing exercises, and workout tracking.

Another good thing about Polar Ignite 3 is that it’s pretty lightweight. Its body is made up of plastic and you get the stainless steel bezel on the top. The overall weight of the Polar Ignite 3 is around 21g which is on the lighter side.

The watch offers 17 hours of battery life with GPS enabled and if you turn off the GPS, you can get up to 4 days of battery life. If you use the GPS only for tracking your outdoor activities, you can get around 2 days of battery life which is pretty decent.

Overall, If you are looking for a fitness tracker with accurate sleep tracking in the budget category, Polar Ignite 3 is a solid option.

8. Apple Watch SE (Gen 2)

Although Apple Watch Series 8 is an excellent smartwatch for sleep tracking, it’s a bit expensive. That’s why Apple also offers Apple Watch SE which is a budget-friendly smartwatch that offers many similar features.

The sleep tracking on Apple Watch SE (Gen 2) is as good as the Apple Watch Series 8 and you get the same performance and accuracy. The major difference is that the SE version doesn’t have ECG & SPO2.

Apple Watch SE (Gen 2) comes with an aluminum build and it comes in two sizes. The 40mm version has a weight of 26.4g and the 44mm version weighs around 32.9g. Overall, the Apple Watch SE is pretty lightweight and comfortable to wear.

In terms of battery life, Apple Watch SE (Gen 2) is similar to Apple Watch Series 8 and both smartwatches offer 18 hours of battery life.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly Apple Watch for sleep tracking, Apple Watch SE (Gen 2) is a solid option for you.

9. Garmin Forerunner 955

Garmin Forerunner 955 is a premium fitness tracker which you can use to accurately track your sleep and fitness activities. It’s one of the newest smartwatches by Garmin and it comes with premium specs and built quality.

In terms of sleep tracking, Garmin Forerunner 955 is as good as any other fitness tracker on this list. It offers accurate sleep tracking and provides a detailed analysis of various sleep stages. 

Also, it has features such as heart-rate monitoring, a step counter, burned calories tracker, heart-rate variability status, and workout modes for tracking various workouts.

The body of Forerunner 955 is made up of high-quality plastic and you get Corning Gorilla Glass DX on the top. Despite using lightweight materials, the watch is a bit heavy with an overall weight of around 52g. So, I won’t recommend it to people with small wrists but if you have big wrists, you should consider it.

The battery performance of the Garmin Forerunner 955 is pretty good. You get 40 hours of battery life with GPS and if you turn off the GPS, you can get up to 15 days of battery life.

So, If you are looking for a high-end fitness tracker for sleep tracking, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is a solid option.

10. Apple Watch Ultra

Apple Watch UItra is a high-end and premium smartwatch that you can use for tracking sleep and fitness activities. 

In terms of Sleep Tracking, Apple Watch Ultra is as good as Apple Watch Series 8. Also, it has many similar features that include ECG, SPO2, Fall detection, workout detection, step counter, and advanced temperature sensing feature. On top of these regular features, Apple Watch Ultra comes with special features of its own that include a dedicated antenna, a dedicated button, dual speakers, a special night mode, and an advanced compass.

The build quality of the Apple Watch Ultra is also better than Apple Watch Series 8. It’s made of Titanium and sapphire crystal glass on top. It comes in only one size 49mm and its weight is around 61g. Despite its considerable weight, the Apple Watch Ultra doesn’t feel very heavy. 

The Battery life of the Apple Watch Ultra is better than other Apple Watch. It offers 36 hours of battery life with GPS and it comes with fast charging ability.

Overall, If you have big wrists and you are looking for a premium-tier Apple Watch with advanced sleep tracking and fitness features, you can’t go wrong with the Apple Watch Ultra.

11. Whoop 4.0

If you are looking for an advanced-level fitness tracker with accurate sleep and fitness tracking, you can consider Whoop 4.0.

Unlike other fitness trackers on the list, Whoop 4.0 doesn’t have any display and you will have to use its dedicated app to access the data collected by the band.

Whoop 4.0 comes with an advanced sleep-tracking system that tracks your sleep stages and provides useful insights. It also has the Personal sleep coach feature which will give you suggestions based on collected data and you can use it to optimize your sleep.

Similarly, it also allows you to track your heart rate, respiratory rate, skin temperature, stress, and other health metrics. Also, it allows you to track your workouts with great accuracy.

Whoop 4.0 is also pretty lightweight and it weighs around 18g which makes it very comfortable to wear. Also, the battery life of Whoop 4.0 is excellent and you get 5 days of battery life on a single charge.

Now, let’s discuss the cons of Whoop Strap 4.0. The biggest downside of Whoop 4.0 is that it comes with a monthly subscription model which means that you can keep using the strap as long as you have the subscription. Once the subscription ends, you will need to renew it or you will have to return the strap. 

So, if you are okay with the subscription model and you want an advanced fitness tracker for sleep tracking, Whoop 4.0 is a great option.

Also, make sure to check out my post on Is It Bad To Sleep With A Smartwatch? What Are The Health Risks?

How Do Smartwatches detects and analyze your sleep?

Sleep tracking on smartwatches involves the use of built-in sensors and advanced algorithms to detect and analyze different sleep stages, providing valuable insights into the quality and patterns of our sleep. Here’s how smartwatches accomplish this:

1. Motion Sensors: Smartwatches are equipped with accelerometers and gyroscopes that detect movement and changes in orientation. These sensors track your wrist’s movements throughout the night, capturing data on your sleep patterns. By analyzing the frequency and intensity of your wrist movements, the smartwatch can estimate when you are awake or in different stages of sleep.
2. Heart Rate Monitoring: Many smartwatches incorporate optical heart rate sensors that continuously monitor your heart rate throughout the day and night. During sleep, these sensors detect changes in your heart rate, which can be indicative of different sleep stages. For example, heart rate tends to decrease during deep sleep and increase during REM sleep. By analyzing these fluctuations, the smartwatch can estimate the duration and quality of your sleep stages.
3. Environmental Sensors: Some advanced smartwatches include environmental sensors like ambient light sensors or temperature sensors. These sensors can detect variations in light levels or temperature in your sleep environment. This data can provide additional context to your sleep analysis, such as identifying if your sleep is affected by external factors like a bright room or excessive warmth.
4. Algorithms and Machine Learning: Smartwatches utilize sophisticated algorithms and machine learning techniques to process the data collected from the sensors. These algorithms compare the sensor data with existing sleep patterns and models to classify and analyze the different sleep stages. By continuously learning from user data, the algorithms can improve their accuracy in identifying sleep stages over time.
5. Sleep Metrics and Insights: Based on the data collected and analyzed, smartwatches provide users with detailed sleep metrics and insights and will introduce them as an overall sleep score. This can include information on total sleep duration, time spent in each sleep stage (light sleep, deep sleep, REM sleep), sleep efficiency (the percentage of time spent asleep versus time in bed), and the number of times you wake up during the night. Some smartwatches even provide personalized recommendations to improve sleep habits based on the collected data.

It’s important to note that while smartwatches can provide valuable information about your sleep, their accuracy may vary. Factors like how the watch is worn, individual variations in sleep patterns, and the limitations of the sensors can impact the precision of the sleep-tracking data.

However, smartwatches still offer useful insights and trends that can help you better understand your sleep patterns and make informed decisions to improve your sleep quality.

What is a sleep cycle?

A sleep cycle refers to the natural progression of different stages of sleep that our bodies go through during a typical night of rest. It is a recurring pattern that consists of multiple stages, each serving a unique purpose in the overall process of sleep.

During sleep, our bodies undergo various physiological and neurological changes, and these changes are classified into two main types of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. A complete sleep cycle typically lasts for around 90 to 120 minutes and consists of both REM and NREM sleep.

The sleep cycle begins with NREM sleep, which is further divided into three stages: N1, N2, and N3. N1 is the lightest stage of sleep, where we are just drifting off and can be easily awakened. In N2, our brain activity slows down, and our body starts preparing for deep sleep. N3 is the deep sleep stage, also known as slow-wave sleep, characterized by the slowest brain waves and physical relaxation.

After the NREM stages, we enter REM sleep, which is a stage associated with vivid dreams. REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movements, increased brain activity resembling wakefulness, and temporary paralysis of voluntary muscles. It is during REM sleep that our brain processes emotions, consolidates memories, and supports learning.

Throughout the night, we go through multiple sleep cycles, with the duration and distribution of each stage varying. In the earlier part of the night, NREM sleep tends to dominate, especially the deep sleep stages. As the night progresses, REM sleep becomes more prominent, and the NREM stages become shorter.

The sleep cycle is essential for overall sleep quality and restoration. Each stage serves different functions, including physical and mental rejuvenation, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation. Disruptions in the sleep cycle, such as sleep disorders or irregular sleep patterns, can lead to daytime sleepiness, impaired cognitive function, mood disturbances, and other health problems.

Understanding and maintaining a regular sleep cycle is crucial for optimizing sleep health. Establishing consistent sleep habits, creating a comfortable sleep environment, practicing relaxation techniques, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can contribute to a balanced sleep cycle and promote restful and rejuvenating sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions [ FAQs ]

For your further inquiry, you may check out this section of the article. Here, we are going to answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Fitness Tracker For Sleep Monitoring.

Do Smartwatches Accurately Track Sleep?

Yes, Smartwatches are considered the ideal option for sleep tracking because of their accuracy and value for money.

Can Smartwatches Detect Sleep Apnea?

Smartwatches collect a lot of data that your doctor can analyze to diagnose Sleep Apnea. However, they don’t have a dedicated feature to detect Sleep Apnea.
The Apple watch along with a 3rd party app named Cardiogram, can detect the likeliness of sleep apnea, However you have to pay attention to the different meanings of detection and diagnosis.

How Does My Smartwatch Know I’m Sleeping?

Fitness Trackers mainly used accelerometers and dedicated algorithms to detect your sleep. On top of that, they also use sensors such as SPO2 and heart-rate sensors for sleep tracking.

Do Wearable Sleep Trackers Actually Work?

Yes, Scientists regularly test wearable fitness trackers for sleep tracking and in many studies, they have demonstrated their ability to accurately track sleep. So, it’s pretty safe to say that Wearable Sleep Trackers actually work and you can use them for sleep tracking.

Which Smartwatch Is The Best For Sleep Tracking?

These are the best smartwatches for sleep tracking in 2023.

1. Apple Watch Series 8
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
3. Garmin Forerunner 255 Music
4. Fitbit Sense 2
5. Polar Vantage V
6. Polar Ignite 3
7. Apple Watch SE (Gen 2)
8. Garmin Forerunner 955
9. Apple Watch Ultra
10. Whoop 4.0

Which Smartwatch Is Best For Sleep Tracking In The Budget Category?

If you are looking for a budget-friendly fitness tracker with accurate sleep tracking, you should consider Fitbit Charge 5. It offers accurate sleep tracking and features such as ECG & SPO2 which you won’t find on budget fitness trackers.

Conclusion

Sleep is an important activity that not only keeps your brain healthy but also regulates various features of your body.

In this guide, I’ve shared the 11 Smartwatches which offer accurate sleep tracking and you can’t go wrong with any of them. I’ve also shared the buyer’s guide which will help you choose the right smartwatch for you.

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. Also, check this guide where I’ve shared scientific studies which test the accuracy of popular fitness trackers for sleep tracking.