As people become more health-conscious, sleeping is recognized as an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. To help people improve their sleep quality and habits, sleep tracking apps have emerged as a solution. These apps claim to monitor a user’s sleep patterns and provide insights into how they can improve their sleep quality.
They use a variety of sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, to detect a user’s movement during the night. By analyzing this data, these apps can determine how long the user slept, how often they woke up, and how restful their sleep was.
Some apps also provide features like white noise and guided meditation, to help users fall asleep more easily. These sleep apps can be beneficial for people who struggle with sleep problems, such as insomnia or sleep apnea. In this article on Naijaknowhow, I’ve curated a list of first-rate sleep trackers for mobile phones. Let’s explore them now!
What are Sleep Tracking Apps?
Sleep tracking apps are tools developed to monitor and analyze various aspects of a user’s sleep patterns, such as duration, quality, and stages of sleep. They utilize sensors in smartphones or wearable devices to gather data like movement and heart rate throughout the night. They also provide insights into sleep habits, offering suggestions for improving sleep quality.
How we Evaluate the Best Apps:
We prioritise the confidence our readers place in us by conducting evaluations of the top apps on both Android and iOS platforms through extensive testing and research. We deploy humans to test and compile articles to help those who are looking for the best of the best. Our team of tech writers and a small tech community invest significant time experimenting with and using these tech products or software. As a result, we reach well-informed conclusions based on the effectiveness, user experience, and customer support offered by the apps. It’s important to note that we never receive compensation for featuring apps in our articles or for linking to any websites. You can read more about how we review apps and software on Naijaknowhow.
After a series of examinations and tests of these apps, here are some of the features I think you should look out for in a sleep tracker application:
- Offers detailed analysis of sleep stages.
- Intelligently wakes you during light sleep phases.
- Personalized tips based on your sleep data.
- Syncs with wearable tech for enhanced tracking.
List of the Best Sleep Tracking Applications:
With sleep apps, users can identify patterns in their sleep behaviour and also get recommendations for improving their sleep hygiene. These apps can be easily found on the Google Play Store and App Store. Meanwhile, before we discuss them, you should check our list of the best Android apps for healthy sleep.
1. Sleep Cycle
Sleep Cycle app is designed to detect when you are in a light sleep phase, and gently awaken you during that time, resulting in a better mood upon waking. Furthermore, this app offers a comprehensive report on your sleep patterns, from the time you go to bed until you wake up.
This app goes beyond simply tracking your sleep duration. It also analyzes the quality of your sleep, categorizing it into light sleep, deep sleep, and even monitoring your overall health. It is essential to keep track of your sleep and utilize the data provided by this app to improve your sleep quality.
Sleep Cycle app also includes an alarm function that plays a pleasant melody, rather than jarring you awake. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices, providing easy access to these features for a wider audience. It is considered one of the top choices for sleep tracking on mobile devices.
Pros:
- Detects light sleep phases for gentle awakening.
- The app provides detailed sleep reports.
- It also analyzes sleep quality effectively.
- Monitors overall health based on sleep data.
- Offers recommendations for better sleep.
Cons:
- Relies solely on phone sensors for data collection.
- Continuous use may drain phone battery.
- Alarm sound options are limited in variety.
- Requires consistent usage for meaningful results.
- Premium features necessitate a subscription fee.
2. SleepScore
SleepScore is regarded as the most user-friendly sleep tracker app that is free of cost. The app has been designed with a highly advanced sleep enhancement system that is recognized as the world’s leading technology in the field of sleep tracking.
This app offers its users detailed insights into their sleep patterns and personalized sleep suggestions that can help improve the quality of their sleep. It also provides a sleep sound and smart alarm feature that enables users to fall asleep swiftly and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
In addition, users can also avail themselves of the opportunity to learn more about their sleep cycle through this app, which includes an analysis of their light, deep, REM sleep, and wakefulness. The Sleep Sounds feature of the app can also be utilized to help users fall asleep easily.
Pros:
- Detailed insights into sleep patterns.
- It offers personalized sleep suggestions.
- Sleep sounds and smart alarm.
- Free of cost for users, making it accessible to all.
- Advanced sleep enhancement technology.
Cons:
- Requires access to personal sleep data.
- Effectiveness varies with sleep habits.
- Has limited customization options.
- Potential for battery drain if used overnight
- Reliance on technology may not suit everyone.
3. Insight Timer
If you are looking for an exceptional sleep music app, look no further than Insight Timer app. It has numerous remarkable features that make it stand out from other apps in its category. The music tracks available in this app are sourced from some of the world’s most famous artists, which are known to have a positive impact on sleep quality.
Insight Timer comes with an integrated meditation function that not only improves your sleep quality but also reduces anxiety and calms your mind. The app provides access to more than 100 free integrated meditations and sleep tracks that are added daily, giving you plenty of options to choose from.
You can select the duration of the meditation depending on your preferences and needs. For instance, if you are on a short trip, you can choose a brief meditation that helps you establish simple daily habits. Insight Timer is also among the useful sleep trackers in the app market.
Pros:
- High-quality sleep music from top artists.
- Integrated meditation reduces anxiety.
- Offers over 100 free meditations.
- The app has an easy-to-use interface.
- Regular updates for fresh content.
Cons:
- Some premium features need a subscription.
- Abundance of choices can overwhelm.
- Has occasional bugs or glitches.
- Effectiveness varies based on preferences.
- Subscription cost may be high for some.
4. Sleep Monitor
Sleep Monitor is equipped with numerous features that can be utilized to keep track of your sleeping patterns and acquire comprehensive analyses of your sleeping trends. With this app, you can monitor the quality and duration of your sleep, as well as other relevant sleep metrics.
One peculiar thing about Sleep Monitor is its user-friendly reminders. These reminders help to ensure that you adhere to a consistent sleep schedule, which can have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being. The reminders can encourage you to go to bed at a specific time and wake up gently and naturally at sunrise, helping you to feel refreshed.
Pros:
- Detailed sleep pattern analysis
- User-friendly reminders for sleep schedule
- Encourages natural wake-up at sunrise
- Promotes better overall health
- Enhances feeling of refreshment
Cons:
- Reminders could be seen as intrusive
- Requires consistent usage for effectiveness
- May not predict wake-up times for everyone
- Not suitable for irregular schedules
- Compatibility varies among devices
5. Pillow – Auto Sleep Tracker
If you’re experiencing difficulty sleeping or want to keep track of your sleeping cycles, Pillow can be an excellent sleep assistant. This automated sleep tracker is designed to work with your Apple Watch, but even if you don’t have one, you can still use the app effectively by placing your iOS device on your mattress or under your pillow.
Pillow also functions as an intelligent alarm clock that wakes you up only when you’re in your lightest sleep stage, ensuring that you start your day feeling refreshed. The application precisely records all crucial events such as snoring, sleep apnea, and sleep talking and notifies you about them later.
You have the freedom to examine sleeping patterns and compare your sleep quality with Apple Health metrics that influence your sleeping habits. Pillow is intended to detect your sleep cycle automatically and analyze your heart rate, but you can switch between manual and automatic modes at any time.
Pros:
- Detailed sleep tracking without Apple Watch.
- Wakes during lightest sleep stage.
- Records snoring, sleep apnea, and more.
- Offers insights for better sleep.
- Doubles as sleep tracker and alarm.
Cons:
- Requires placing device under pillow.
- Potential battery drain overnight.
- Uncomfortable for some to sleep with device.
- Premium subscription for advanced features.
- Tracking accuracy may vary in this app.
Download Link: iOS
6. ShutEye
The ShutEye application is a program that is designed to aid individuals in achieving restful sleep. This application is available for download on both Android and iOS operating systems, enabling a vast majority of smartphone users to access its features.
ShutEye app provides users with features to facilitate a quick and healthy transition into a deep slumber. The app is equipped with soothing music, guided meditations, white noise, and breathing exercises, which are all intended to help users relax and reduce anxiety levels, for peaceful sleep.
This app can also monitor users’ sleep cycles, providing valuable insights into their sleep patterns. This information can help users identify any issues that may be interfering with their sleep, and allow them to take steps to address these issues for better sleep quality. ShutEye is without a doubt, one of the best sleep tracking apps for mobile.
Pros:
- Offers soothing features for relaxation.
- The app is available on Android and iOS.
- Facilitates quick transition to deep sleep.
- Variety of features for restful sleep.
- It is convenient for smartphone users.
Cons:
- Effectiveness varies among users.
- Repetitive interface or content.
- The app has limited customization options.
- Increased screen time before bed.
- Some features may require additional purchases.
7. Sleep as Android
This app caters exclusively to Android users, offering a blend of advanced technology and user-friendly features designed to enhance the quality of sleep and overall fitness. With 250,000 reviews on Google Play, it has garnered widespread acclaim and trust among its users.
What sets this app apart is its utilization of cutting-edge technology such as motion sensors and sonar to meticulously track and analyze sleep patterns and movements, providing invaluable insights into one’s sleep habits.
But it doesn’t stop there; the app also includes a smart alarm feature that adds an interactive twist to waking up. Instead of just snoozing or turning off with a simple tap, this alarm requires users to engage in specific tasks displayed on the screen, ensuring a more alert and mindful start to the day.
Pros:
- Utilizes advanced sleep tracking tech.
- The app is tailored for Android users.
- High trust with 250,000 Google Play reviews.
- Provides valuable sleep insights.
- Blends technology and usability well.
Cons:
- Limited to Android, excludes iOS users.
- Privacy concerns with motion sensors.
- It has potential data security risks.
- Requires access to personal data.
- Not suitable for tech-averse users.
Download Link: Android
Conclusion
Getting sufficient and restful sleep is important for achieving good health. Therefore, if you wake up feeling tired or groggy, it deserves attention. To aid in this endeavor, the sleep tracking apps mentioned above, can track your sleep cycle and provide you with valuable insights into your sleeping patterns, indicating how well you sleep. Cheers!
