Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Sleep Tracker
Experts recommend that adults get at least seven hours of sleep each night (though everyone is different). Even with seven hours of sleep, waking up well-rested is not guaranteed. Sleep trackers and wearables can help determine how you’ve actually slept throughout the night.
While not perfect, sleep trackers can measure heart rate, skin temperature, and time spent in each sleep phase. ZDNET has thoroughly tested sleep trackers to find the best options based on features, affordability, and availability. Whether you’re in the market for a sleep tracker that’s a smart ring, a smartwatch, or something in between, we’ve gone hands-on with them all to make these recommendations.
Top Sleep Trackers of 2025
What’s the best sleep tracker right now? We found that the Oura Ring 4 is the best sleep tracker on the market for its comfortable, lightweight fit, impressive battery life, and discreet build, which makes it ideal for sleeping. Plus, it provides a wealth of sleep data through the app. However, the Oura Ring isn’t the only sleep tracker worth considering. Here, we explore the most popular options, as well as some lesser-known choices, to help you find the best sleep tracker for a better night’s sleep.
Oura Ring 4
The Oura Ring 4 is a competitive sleep tracker, with insights into sleep efficiency, restfulness, readiness, latency, and more. I've been using the Oura Ring for a while now, and it has not only given me deeper insight into my sleep but also supplements those data points with explanations behind the numbers. Oura claims to accurately track sleep cycles, total sleep time, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and movement. These features have been enhanced with the rollout of the fourth-generation Oura Ring, which hit the market in October. The Oura Ring 4 has smart sensors that allow more accurate and continuous data capture. It’s also more comfortable than the Oura Ring 3 and has flattened sensors that make it easier to wear over time.
Every morning, I get a sleep score for last night’s sleep and view my heart rate, sleep efficiency, and suggested bedtime range for the day. The sleep score helps me understand my energy levels for the day and my activity bandwidth, like whether I should exercise or rest. The Oura Ring can also detect the shortest of naps and factor those into the sleep score for the day. Plus, the sleep tab on the app offers information on sleep efficiency, restfulness, REM, deep sleep, latency, and timing, so you can dig deep and go beyond viewing just a sleep score and your time spent in bed.
As if there aren’t enough sleep-friendly features in the Oura Ring, Oura also unveiled a body clock feature that teaches users more about circadian rhythms and the body clock. The feature measures sleep chronotype, calculated by body temperature, sleep-wake cycle, and physical activity. Through this data, I learned that I’m most productive during the late morning.
| Factors | Detail |
|---|---|
| Battery life | Up to 8 days |
| Sleep cycles | Includes REM, light, and deep sleep |
| Water resistance | Up to 100m |
| Sensors | Heart rate, skin temperature, blood oxygen |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android |
| Subscription | Required to unlock all features |
Ultrahuman Ring Air
The Ultrahuman Ring Air is similar to the Oura Ring in several ways: it regularly rolls out new features that improve the user experience; it is comfortable with flatter sensors; its battery life is nearly on par with Oura’s in my testing; and its scoring algorithm is fairly similar. Unlike Oura, which requires a $6-a-month subscription to unlock full access to your wellness data, Ultrahuman is subscription-free. So all you need to pay for is the one-time $350 cost of the ring itself.
Ultrahuman Ring Air is designed more for hardcore fitness junkies who enjoy optimizing their bodies. "From the moment you wake up until the minute you fall asleep, Ultrahuman offers insights into how to get the most out of your day through reminders on when to consume caffeine, expose yourself to sunlight, get up and walk, and wind down," I write.
| Factors | Detail |
|---|---|
| Battery life | Up to 6 days |
| Material | Titanium coated with Tungsten Carbide Carbon |
| Water resistance | Up to 330 feet |
| Sensors | Infrared PPG, skin temperature, 6-axis motion, LEDs for heart rate and oxygen |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android |
| Subscription | None required |
Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch Series 10 offers several improvements over its Series 9 predecessor, including a larger, brighter, and thinner display. One important new feature is Apple’s FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection. Users can wear the Series 10 to bed and receive information about breathing disturbances throughout the night, then take that data to a doctor for evaluation.
With the Sleep app on Apple Watch, you can create goals for how long you’d like to sleep each night and adjust them for weekdays and weekends. The app also features Sleep Focus mode, which limits distractions before bed, and tracks your sleep using the watch’s motion detectors. It estimates how long you spend in each sleep phase—REM, core, and deep—per night.
| Factors | Detail |
|---|---|
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours |
| Display size | 42mm and 46mm |
| Water resistance | IP6X dust and water resistant |
| Sensors | Heart rate, blood oxygen, body temperature, EKG |
| Compatibility | iOS only |
| Subscription | None required |
Google Pixel Watch 2
Android owners looking for a sleep tracker on a smartwatch should look no further than the Google Pixel Watch 2. Google improved its heart rate sensors in its newest iteration, which integrates Fitbit technology for an enhanced user experience. Some of the sleep tracking features include nightly trends, a silent alarm, bedtime reminders, and sleep goals.
The Pixel Watch 2 is much lighter than its predecessor, making it more comfortable for sleep tracking. The 24-hour battery life, while not as competitive as other smartwatches, compensates with faster charging times.
| Factors | Detail |
|---|---|
| Battery life | 24 hours |
| Display size | 41mm |
| Water resistance | Up to 164 feet |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, altimeter, heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature |
| Compatibility | Android only |
| Subscription | None for basic features |
Whoop 4.0
If you want a lightweight, screen-less band that effortlessly tracks all your activity and sleep data, your best bet could be the Whoop 4.0. Countless professional athletes use the smart band due to its focus on measuring strain and recovery. But where it truly shines is its sleep tracking.
Whoop measures your four sleep stages and suggests optimal sleep times based on the data it collects. The band’s app provides detailed data and health metrics, including a personalized sleep coach and recovery recommendations.
| Factors | Detail |
|---|---|
| Battery life | Up to 5 days |
| Material | Feature-rich, minimalist design |
| Water resistance | IP68 water resistant |
| Sensors | Heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android |
| Subscription | Required for full features |
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sleep Tracker
Poor sleep quality can lead to an increased risk of dementia, obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and even certain types of cancer. Sleep has never been more important. To find the best sleep trackers, we relied on hands-on testing and thorough research into product quality, as well as sleep studies on these devices. Additionally, we considered the following factors:
- Sleep Tracking: Sensors in your sleep tracker can collect data like heart rate, heart rate variability, time asleep, sleep stages, and even how much you snore.
- Comfort: If you're wearing a device to bed, it should be easy to sleep with. We considered smartwatches, bands, and rings that are lightweight and unobtrusive.
- Additional Features: Beyond sleep tracking, some devices offer features like smart alarms or fitness tracking.
- Subscription: To access some features, you may need to subscribe to a plan.
- Price: Sleep trackers can range from $80 to $400 depending on the model.
- User Sentiment: We read customer reviews to gauge what users like and dislike about each tracker.
Choosing the Right Sleep Tracker for You
The best sleep tracker for you depends on your needs. Whether you prefer a device with a screen or without, are an athlete looking for detailed metrics, or a casual user interested in nightly sleep scores, there are many excellent options available. Below are some recommendations:
| Sleep Tracker | Best For |
|---|---|
| Oura Ring | Overall best sleep tracker, comprehensive data with a nearly week-long battery life. |
| Ultrahuman Ring Air | Best subscription-free smart ring with many innovative features. |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | Best for Apple users with sleep apnea detection and easy integration into the Apple ecosystem. |
| Google Pixel Watch 2 | Best for Android users with Fitbit-integrated sleep tech. |
| Whoop 4.0 | Best for athletes with a robust set of health metrics for optimized sleep and recovery. |
Additionally, sleep trackers from brands like Fitbit, Samsung, and Garmin also offer a variety of devices catering to different preferences and budgets. Carefully consider your specific needs and do thorough research to make an informed decision.
Improving Your Sleep Patterns
The National Sleep Foundation recommends improving your sleep by practicing certain habits throughout the day and before bed. Following a consistent bedtime routine, dimming the lights before bed, and creating a cozy, dark, and cool bedroom environment can enhance your sleep quality. Regular exercise, limiting alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine can also greatly benefit your sleep.
For an optimum sleep cycle, aim for around 50% light sleep, 20% REM sleep, 20% deep sleep, and about 10% awake time. Nearly a quarter of your sleep should be REM, making approximately two hours of REM sleep ideal each night. Utilizing a sleep tracker to monitor your REM sleep and making lifestyle adjustments based on the data collected can lead to significant improvements in sleep quality and overall health.
