Monitoring Slumber Without the Use of a Timepiece
Struggling to catch those Zs? Tired of wondering if there's something off with your sleep routine? Fear not! In the tech-savvy world we live in, there are plenty of ways to monitor your sleep without strapping on a smartwatch.
Let's dive into the fantastic 5 sleep-tracking apps that'll have you snoozing like a baby and waking up rejuvenated every morning.
Our Top Picks
In this digitally advanced era, countless devices are invented each year to supersede the old technology. Sleep monitoring is no exception. To keep track of your sleep pattern, there are various effective methods available, such as using an app that incorporates advanced algorithms and sound detection.
Your smartphone's built-in sensors can help monitor your sleep movements and patterns, making it an excellent alternative to wearing a sleep-tracking device. And you don't have to worry about your hand getting restrained by a watch; just place your phone on your bedside table or near your pillow. Easy peasy!
5 Best Apps to Track Sleep Without a Watch
1. ShutEye® App
This renowned sleep-tracking app, used by over 40 million people worldwide and boasting a whopping 4.8-star average rating on the App Store, is a must-try. The secret sauce behind its success is the use of artificial intelligence algorithms that calculate and analyze your sleep recordings and movements, giving you a comprehensive sleep report for a better understanding of your sleep habits.
Furthermore, the team behind ShutEye regularly conducts sleep tests against popular apps and hardware to improve the app's accuracy. Their sleep-tracking technology has been formulated with sleep experts to ensure unmatched precision.
Key Features:
- Advanced sleep tracking
- Sleep score and sleep report
- Customizable sound mixes
- Sleep recording
- Smart alarm clock
- 100 selections of bedtime stories and meditation audios
Price: Free and Premium versions available
Download on iOSDownload on Android
2. Sleep as Android
With its comprehensive features covering not only sleep tracking but also sleep inducement, Sleep as Android stands out. Along with tracking your slumber, it offers nature sounds to help you drift off to dreamland. The app can also identify the optimal wake-up point in your body's circadian rhythm, ensuring a gentle start to your day.
You can also integrate it with third-party apps like Spotify, Google Fit, Health Connect, and Samsung Health, or pair it with wearable devices if you prefer.
Key Features:
- AI-powered sound recognition
- Smart wake-up feature
- Bedtime notifications
- Nature sleep sounds
- Sleep score feature
Price: Free and Premium versions available
Download on Android
3. Pillow
Offering a sleek design and flawless functionality, Pillow is a standout sleep-tracking app that can work with an Apple Watch or just an iPhone placed on the bed. It analyzes your movements throughout the night to record your sleep duration and break it down into light, deep, and REM sleep categories.
If you wish to study issues like snoring or apnea, the app will also record the noises you produce during sleep and has a smart alarm feature that uses your movements to choose the optimal time (within a preset window) to wake you up in the morning. Extra features include a nap mode and mood tracking.
Key Features:
- Smart alarm clock
- Sleep cycle analysis
- Audio recording with machine learning algorithms
- Mood tracking and notes feature
- Customizable alarm presets and nap
Price: Free and Premium versions available
Download on iOS
4. Sleep Cycle
A well-known sleep-tracking app, Sleep Cycle helps users monitor their sleep and provides a smart alarm clock feature. You can customize your wake-up time - immediate or up to 45 minutes. This ensures a gentle start to your day by waking you up during your lightest sleep phase rather than abruptly. Losing precious z's? No worries! The snooze function allows you to delay your wake-up time simply by shaking or double-tapping your phone.
The app also tracks your sleep score and allows you to set your own sleep goals. It's fully integrated with Apple Health, so you don't have to use an Apple watch if you don't want to.
Key Features:
- Detailed sleep statistics
- Sleep stages tracking
- Sleep stories and sleep sounds
- Smart alarm clock
- Sleep notes
Price: Free and Premium versions available
Download on iOS
5. SleepScore
SleepScore is another great app that tracks your sleep using readings from your phone's microphone and speaker. It provides detailed insights into your sleep cycles, including time taken to fall asleep and the duration of each sleep stage.
SleepScore records your sounds and movements during the night, providing you with a sleep report and tips to improve your sleep quality. It's also integrated with Apple Health.
Key Features:
- Sleep tracking
- Smart alarm clock
- Sleep trend charts
- Sleep report and screener results
- Soothing sleep sounds
Price: Free and Premium versions available
Download on iOSDownload on Android
Do Sleep Trackers Really Work?
While sleep trackers mainly detect sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep stages, and environmental factors, it's important to note that they usually offer a close estimation of your sleep patterns rather than providing exact data. A polysomnography or sleep study is necessary if you're seeking fully accurate data on your sleep patterns and any potential sleep disorders [1].
Conclusion
To track sleep without a watch, give these fantastic sleep-tracking apps a try. Although they may use patented tracking technology and boast 90% or higher accuracy, their results can't compare to a full in-clinic sleep study.
Curious about whether you might need a sleep study? Give our sleep quiz in ShutEye® app a whirl! Based on your analyzed results, you may receive suggestions to consult with our sleep specialist. Why wait? Try it now!
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
In addition to the apps mentioned above, here are a few more sleep-tracking options:
- Sleep Monitor: This versatile app is available on both iOS and Android. It tracks sleep cycles and includes features like a smart alarm and a sleep talk recorder. It can detect noises like snoring and coughing, helping you identify sleep issues [2][3].
- SleepWave Journey Sleep Tracker: This app helps users monitor their sleep patterns, wake-up times, and sleep scores while offering personalized recommendations to improve sleep quality. It's available on iOS and Android devices.
- Haystack: Designed for people with sleep disorders, this app helps individuals monitor their sleep cycles, identify disruptions, and offers personalized suggestions to improve sleep quality. It's available on iOS and Android.
- DreamZone Sleep & Sleep Cycle Tracker: This app is available on both iOS and Android. It tracks sleep stages and provides users with insights into their sleep patterns and offers a smart alarm system.
These apps utilize the phone's microphone and accelerometer to track sleep patterns, eliminating the need for a smartwatch.
- Using data from the ShutEye® app, it was discovered that noise patterns such as sleep talking and teeth grinding are often captured during sleep analysis, providing insights into sleep habits and potential health issues that may affect an individual's well-being.
- Sleep studies suggest that insomnia and sleep talking can be linked to certain health conditions, making it crucial for those who struggle with these sleep disturbances to consider seeking professional assistance to ensure adequate rest and overall wellness.
- As technology continues to evolve, advancements in the field of health and wellness have led to the development of sleep-tracking apps that utilize smartphones to analyze sleep patterns. These apps not only monitor sleep stages but also offer features such as customizable sound mixes, smart alarms, and even bedtime stories for a restful night's sleep.
