Sleep-better tech: apps and devices that actually work

Sleep-tracking tools have grown due to modern stress, irregular schedules, and screen exposure. Smart watches, rings, mattress sensors, and mobile apps use biometric sensors to estimate wakefulness and sleep stages by combining signals such as movement, heart rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen levels. Popular devices automatically record sleep timing, duration, and phase distribution, and may provide scores and daily summaries. Their main value is helping users observe trends, detect patterns, and build awareness to adjust habits by reviewing sleep duration, regularity, and interruptions. These devices still have significant limitations and should not be treated as substitutes for specialized laboratory medical tests.

"Sleep measured by sensors All these tools utilize sensors that compile biometric signals which are combined to determine if we are awake, or in lighter or deeper stages of sleep: accelerometers to detect movements, optical sensors for measuring heart rate, skin temperature or blood oxygen levels, among other metrics."

"Smart phones and activity bracelets are currently the most popular sleep monitoring devices. Models from brands like Apple, Fitbit and Samsung automatically record when we sleep, how long we sleep, and how phases of sleep are distributed. In the case of Apple Watch Series 11, for example, every morning users receive a notification summing up how we did the night before, with a score that ranges from 1 to 100."

"The device tells us things like, Staying up late tonight affected your score, which ended up at 64. The app also offers access to data related to breaths per minute, heart rate, vital signs, and statistics organized by week, month or half-year periods."

"Herein lies the true value of such devices, which allow us to observe trends, detect patterns, and work as tools for awareness and changing habits. By showing data on sleep duration, regularity and interruptions, they can help us to identify problemat"

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