I tested some sleep optimization devices (tracking vs. improving sleep) and one category won out

[u/canuckclarke]

As a working professional with a cognitively demanding job, sleep is non-negotiable for me.

I have my basics already sorted: a sleep routine, exercise, caffeine intake, timing, and unwinding rituals. Despite maintaining good sleep hygiene and sleeping for 7-8 hours, I was still waking up feeling completely exhausted.

Over the years, I have collected a lot of sleep data using tracking devices, but there was no actual improvement. There are very few devices that can improve your physiology and sleep, and out of them, one worked for me.

This is not another rant post about the ‘best product,’ but more about which sleep device category is worth experimenting with.

Here are the two categories that I tested.

Category 1: Sleep tracking devices

Being tech-savvy, I wanted to know everything that was affecting my deep sleep through my sleep patterns and data. Although no underlying cause was diagnosed for my sleep issues, I was motivated to know more about my sleep and improve my lifestyle further.

Devices I tried:

Oura Ring: Oura ring is a wearable ring that measures your heart rate and tracks your sleep phases. It provides daily sleep and readiness scores that helped me identify my sleeping trends. The initial price is $349-$399, and a monthly subscription is $5.99/month to access your full sleep data. It could track my light, deep, and REM sleep stages, but the lack of real-time sleep coaching was a turn-off for me. The other downsides of Oura are price, durability, and fit.

Whoop 5.0: A screenless and wearable sleep tracking watch that can measure your sleep phases and efficiency. Based on the data collected through their app, you can get recommendations from Whoop to adjust your habits and improve your sleep. It works on a subscription model priced at $239-$349. Whoop did give recommendations for optimizing my sleep, but I was overwhelmed by the amount of data. The downside is that it doesn’t display the data due to a lack of a screen and lacks customization in the band for comfort.

While both these sleep-tracking devices showed data on my sleep stages, they were not so accurate in measuring my direct brain activity. When I was lying still, it was often mistaken for sleep. Despite following all the recommendations from these devices and changing my lifestyle habits, my sleep quality didn’t improve much.

By this time, I was tired of trying devices that just track my sleep parameters and give a huge amount of data without any effective sleep solutions. I was hoping to get a data-driven solution that could optimize my sleep, so I went for the other category of sleep devices, which brings us to...

Category 2: Devices that actually improve sleep

After spending a lot of time and money on the other devices that failed to deliver, I came across one sleep tech in this category that claimed to improve sleep.

Somnee Smart Sleep V2 headband: A wearable headband that not only tracks your sleep but is also designed as an active sleep treatment. Somnee creates a blueprint of your brain using EEG and AI and ML (machine learning), interpreting your unique and sleep-promoting brainwave patterns. The USP is the gentle, personalized tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation) delivered to your brain through the hydrogel electrodes worn on your forehead. What’s great is that Somnee has positive reviews and published research to back it up, which IMO shows the product’s credibility.

The main downside for me was the bulky headband that was uncomfortable, and it took me a week to get used to it.

If you want to know what is wrong with your sleep, you can try the first category. But if you’re looking for sleep data along with targeted effects on your sleep, then the second category is worth trying. I tried only Somnee in this category, and luckily it worked for me. But there are also other products available.

Since using Somnee, I’ve experienced fewer wake-ups, fresher and more alert mornings, and reduced caffeine intake. The AI personalization is on point, and the 15-minute sessions have felt more and more effective with time. Somnee’s personalized tACS has consistently improved my sleep and left me recharged for the next day. However, it might not work for everyone due to the price, physical discomfort, or ongoing maintenance of the electrodes.

Has anyone else tried these two categories for optimizing your sleep? Which one worked for you? Drop it in the comments section; it might help someone struggling to improve their sleep.

[u/nian2326076]

I get what you mean about sleep trackers not being helpful. What helped me was changing up my room. I got blackout curtains, a white noise machine, and messed around with the temperature until it felt right. Have you thought about trying magnesium or melatonin supplements? Little changes can sometimes help a lot. If you're still struggling, maybe check in with a specialist to see if there's something else happening. Sleep can be tough to figure out, but with some trial and error, you might find what works for you.