RestoreAdults
The Best Sleep Tech Compared
Ashley Abramson
Great sleep is essential for health, but getting the right amount of quality rest on a consistent basis? We all know that’s far easier said than done. If you struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep at night — or you simply want to support your well-being by improving your sleep quality — you may be wondering if you should incorporate sleep tech into your routine.
From bedside devices to wearables and app-based content, the best sleep tech helps you create routines you can maintain over time. With all the options (and rave reviews) out there, it can be hard to pinpoint the best sleep tech for your routine. We did the legwork for you, so you can spend less time planning how to rest and more time actually doing it.
Below, learn more about some of the best-rated sleep tech on the market, and how each one can help support better sleep.
Smart Sleep Clocks
Smart sleep clocks like Hatch Restore, the bedside device that comes equipped with relaxing sleep sounds, colorful lights, and sunrise alarms, can help support better rest while building healthy routines from AM to PM. The Hatch Cue to Unwind reminds you when it’s time to wind down for rest, and your own, custom Unwind Routine sets the stage for relaxation before bed. In the morning, wake up to a gradual sunrise light that supports your circadian rhythm, paired with gentle alarm sounds like Meditative Flute and Bamboo Rain.
Pros:
- Restore helps the mind and body settle for rest with science-backed sleep sounds and lights
- It supports healthier sleep routines, not just passive listening or data collection
- It supports the entire sleep experience, not just relaxing before bed
- It’s designed to use without a phone, so it won’t interfere with your sleep quality
- It looks great on a bedside table, and comes in colors to match any sleeping space
Cons:
- Restore doesn’t give data or insights into sleep patterns
- It needs to be plugged in and connected to your home WiFi, so it’s not recommended for travel
Sleep Wearables
Wearable technology like the Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and Whoop have become popular for measuring and tracking biodata, which can help with tracking health conditions and fitness goals while shedding light on how someone’s daily activities impact their well-being. These products can also measure sleep quality, including sleep duration and stages of sleep, providing insights that help users understand how their daily habits may affect their rest.
Pros of sleep wearables:
- Wearables can measure other biodata, such as heart rate and steps, providing a fuller picture of health
- They reduce the need for time-consuming logging or journaling about sleep routines
- They can help identify trends over time (for example, you sleep better on days you exercise or don’t drink alcohol)
Cons of sleep wearables:
- Data in and of itself can’t impact sleep quality
- Some users may find wearables fuel anxiety that makes it hard to relax at night
- Wearables may encourage screen reliance, which can interfere with sleep
- These devices can be expensive, and they need to be charged
Sleep Content Apps
Sleep apps like Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer offer a library of audio content that can help make bedtime more relaxing, from guided meditations and body scans to comforting sleep stories. Calming your mind and body at bedtime can make it easier to fall asleep and potentially help you build routines to support better rest over time.
Pros:
- Relaxing content can help soothe the mind and body for rest
- Soothing audio can help create a consistent bedtime routine to support better rest
- Some of the content help support mental health goals, such as reducing stress or anxiety
Cons:
- Apps encourage screen reliance, which can interfere with sleep
- Beyond audio content, they don’t include any other features that can help with sleep and wake-ups, such as Cue to Unwind or Sunrise Alarm
- Relaxing content can help someone fall asleep, but it doesn’t build routines that help support sleep habits over time
What are the best sleep improvement products?
Smart sleep clocks like Hatch can support overall sleep habits along with making it easier to fall and stay asleep. Wearable tech like the Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and Whoop offers detailed sleep tracking and personalized insights, but they can be expensive, uncomfortable, and potentially lead to sleep anxiety. Plus, sleep tracking doesn’t necessarily improve sleep. Sleep apps like Headspace and Calm provide a gentler, screen-based approach using meditations and soundscapes to promote relaxation, though they lack data and can disrupt sleep with screen use.
Everyone is different in their preferences, but if you’re looking for a science-backed approach, the best sleep improvement products help support healthy sleep habits. Rather than simply tracking data or providing audio, effective sleep tech ideally incorporates the whole sleep experience, from winding down to waking up.
Hatch Restore is a screen-free alternative that promotes better sleep through routine-building features like a sound machine with a full library of soothing audio options, colorful nightlights, and Sunrise Alarms. If you want to improve sleep without tracking it or relying on your phone in bed, Restore can help you log more Zzzs at night so you can be at your best all day.