What’s the best sleep tracking watch out there?

Seeking Advice
1

Hi everyone, I’ve read posts on different forums about Apple, Garmin, and Huawei sleep trackers, and it seems like all of them have some complaints.

So I’m curious… which watch actually does the best job at tracking sleep? Has anyone here used a few of these brands and noticed big differences? If yes, which models and under what conditions? Thanks in advance!

2

There’s not really a perfect way to compare them since there aren’t any super accurate reference devices.

There’s one guy on YouTube who claims he tests them pretty well, but it’s just based on his own experience. According to him, Apple Watches and Pixel Watches seem to do the best job with sleep tracking.

3

I think Fitbit does the best job with sleep tracking. It always nailed when I fell asleep, woke up during the night, or in the morning. The sleep stages were spot on too—like when I woke up during a dream, it always said I was in REM.

That said, no watch is 100% accurate. I switched from Fitbit to Huawei because my Fitbits kept breaking, but Huawei’s sleep tracking isn’t as good. If accurate sleep tracking is the priority, go with Fitbit or a Pixel Watch since they use similar sensors.

4

I’ve used Garmin, Amazfit (the ring), and Apple Watches, and I’d say Apple is the most accurate.

Edit: Though Apple’s sleep data tends to feel a bit more negative compared to the others.

5

The Oura Ring might be your best option, but even that has its quirks.

It really depends on what matters most to you:

  • Duration: Apple and Oura are the most reliable for this. Fitbit comes next, but you’ll need their premium subscription for the full sleep details. Garmin can work too, but sometimes it needs manual adjustments. If you’re lying still watching TV, some devices might think you’re asleep. Apple and Oura are better at ignoring this.

  • Sleep Stages: No device, not even sleep clinics, can perfectly track REM or light sleep. Deep sleep is generally accurate across the board. Wake periods can be hit or miss since they’re harder to track.

  • Purpose:

    • If you care about duration and stages, Oura or Apple Watch (if you use an iPhone) are great. Fitbit works well too but requires a subscription for extra details. Garmin is a solid option if you don’t mind tweaking things manually.
    • If you’re into recovery and how well your sleep helps you prepare for the next day, Garmin and Polar focus heavily on that. Oura also gives a lot of recovery info. Fitbit provides some recovery data too, but it’s pretty basic unless you have their premium plan.

There are differences between brands because they use different sensors, and things like skin tone, body hair, tattoos, and how tightly the watch fits can all affect accuracy. Apple relies mostly on movement, while Oura and Garmin combine movement with heart rate. Garmin even includes HRV data, and Oura probably does too.

6

Check out a YouTube channel called The Qualified Scientist. They cover this stuff in detail.