The Best Non-Wearable Sleep Trackers To Gain Insight Into Your Nights (2024)

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We spend about a third of our lives sleeping, yet it seems like many of us still aren’t sure if we're getting the rest we need. If you want to learn more about your sleep health but don’t want to wear a gadget on your wrist or finger, the best non-wearable sleep trackers might be worth trying. These devices use advanced technology to gather data about your sleep patterns and—unlike smart watches or fitness trackers—are usually placed under your mattress or on your nightstand. Our top pick, the Withings Sleep Tracking Mat, can provide detailed information about your sleep cycles, heart rate, snoring and more.

“The key benefit of non-wearables is that they are completely passive and require no effort from the user beyond initial setup,” explains Dr. Farhan Malik, M.D. “This can lead to more natural sleep and more reliable long-term data collection.” The technology behind non-wearable sleep trackers has become surprisingly advanced, and whether you want a hassle-free way to monitor your rest or simply prefer not to wear a device to bed, these trackers can help you learn more about your sleep habits and how to improve them. We’ve rounded up the four best non-wearable sleep trackers you can buy today. Read on to decide which device is right for you.

Best Non-Wearable Sleep Tracker Overall

A Slim Pad That Effortlessly Incorporates Into Your Sleep Routine

Withings Sleep Tracking Pad

Type: Under-mattress pad |Metrics measured: Sleep cycles, sleep duration, sleep onset and time to wake, heart rate, snore detection |Accompanying app: Yes |Subscription fee: N/A

Not everyone wants to invest in a new mattress or add another device to their bedside table. The Withings Sleep Tracking Mat allows you to learn more about your sleep habits without making a major investment or lifestyle change. Just slip it under your mattress, set it up once and forget about it. Every morning, it automatically syncs to the free Withings app on your phone, where you can see a comprehensive sleep score and detailed analysis of everything from your sleep cycles and sleep duration to your continuous and average heart rate. And if you want to take full advantage of its capabilities, you can connect the pad with other smart home devices through the IFTT (If This Then That) automation app. This allows you to configure custom settings like the lights dimming when you climb into bed or the coffee machine turning on when you wake up.

While it has plenty of cool features, the Withings mat is designed to be as simple as possible. It plugs right into the wall, so you never have to remember to wear a gadget or recharge a device. Multiple experts we spoke to recommend this non-wearable sleep tracker for two reasons: It’s accurate and easy to use.

What the reviews say: “[I] tried wearables with limited success. [I] gave up on them and tried this sub-mattress device. Great decision.” says one reviewer. “This pad, at least in my case, provides just enough accurate and detailed information on my sleep cycles that I can test making adjustments in my life to determine if they're helping to improve my sleep.” Another 5-star reviewer says, simply, “set [it] up once and watch it work.”

Best Sleep Tracking Mattress

A Top-Of-The-Line Smart Mattress With Reliable Sleep Tracking

Type: Smart mattress |Metrics measured: Sleep cycles, sleep time, heart rate, respiratory rate, movement |Accompanying app: Yes |Subscription fee: N/A

If you’re ready to make a serious investment in your sleep, the Sleep Number Climate360 might be for you. This top-of-the-line mattress is equipped with undetectable microsensors that track your sleep cycles, heart rate, movement and more. You get a comprehensive sleep score and personalized insights about your sleep habits delivered to the SleepIQ app every morning. These details, which experts say are incredibly accurate, can help you understand and improve your sleep patterns over time. The mattress also lets you customize countless other features, including sleeping position, firmness and temperature.

While the price tag is high, the Climate360 really does do it all. This level of comfort, customization and cutting-edge technology makes it hard to imaginenot getting a good night’s rest. (If you’re serious about optimizing your sleep, check out our full review of theSleep Number Climate360.)

What our editors say: Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep editor McKenzie Dillon says, "The Climate360 is one of the most advanced mattresses on the market, equipped with a built-in sleep tracker that accurately measures your movements, heart rate and more since your body is physically on top of the sensors, as opposed to having a sleep tracker on your bedside table. It's feature-rich design also makes it an ideal solution for couples, hot sleepers, cool sleepers or those who live with pain."

Best Bedside Sleep Tracker

A Sleep Tracker That Does It All From Your Nightstand

Google Nest Hub

Type: Bedside device |Metrics measured: Sleep duration, sleep disturbances, respiratory rate, room light and temperature |Accompanying app: Yes |Subscription fee: N/A

You might already have a sleep tracker at home and not even know it. The Google Nest Hub is a smart home display that doubles as a top-notch, non-wearable sleep tracker. When placed on your nightstand, the Sleep Sensing mode can track your sleep using motion and sound—so there’s nothing to wear or charge. Every morning, just ask, “Hey Google, how did I sleep last night?” Then you get a detailed summary of everything from sleep duration and respiratory rate to snoring and room conditions like light and temperature. It also offers personalized recommendations to help you improve your sleep quality over time. All of these insights can also be found within the Google Fit app, so you can track your sleep data and get helpful tips based on your history.

What makes the Nest Hub different from other non-wearable sleep trackers is the device’s all-in-one functionality. You get all the perks of a virtual personal assistant, plus sleep tracking capabilities and technology that can integrate with other smart home devices. You can set a bedtime schedule, automate your lights based on your sleep patterns and even control your thermostat to create the perfect nighttime environment.

One note: While you can currently preview Sleep Sensing on the second-generation Google Nest Hub for no extra charge, Google plans to integrateSleep Sensing into Fitbit Premium in the future (which is currently $10 per month or $80 per year).

What our editors say: Dillon says, "The Google Nest Hub is an upgrade from your typical smart home device. Not only do I think it looks nicer and functions smoother than competitor's smart home devices, but its low-energy radar and sensors make it a lot more advanced. Plus, it offers a hard-to-beat value compared to sleep trackers that cost well over $100. To get accurate measurements, make sure the Google Nest Hub is correctly set up on your nightstand; there can be no obstructions (move over that water cup), and it should be evenly lined up with your body."

Best Sleep Tracking App

Track Sleep Debt And Energy Levels With Just Your Phone

Rise Sleep Tracker App

Type: App |Metrics measured: Sleep debt, circadian rhythm and energy schedules |Accompanying app: Yes |Subscription fee: $70/year

What if we told you that using your smartphone could actually help you sleep better? The Rise app makes sleep tracking simple by using your phone’s data from apps like Apple Health. There’s no need to wear anything to bed or deal with another device; just use your phone as usual.

Rise’s unique approach focuses on two key principles of sleep science: sleep debt and circadian rhythm. By tracking how much sleep you “owe” your body, it helps you pay it back by offering personalized tips to optimize your sleep schedule. The app also uses your health data to predict your daily energy highs and lows, so you can plan your day for maximum productivity and rest. Rise doesn’t provide detailed sleep cycle insights or heart rate tracking, nor does it monitor sleep stages. Instead, it focuses on what it considers to be the most critical aspects of sleep health. For those who aren’t sure about sleep tracking, Rise might be the easiest and most low-risk way to do it; all you need to do is download the app.

What the reviews say: “I’ve only been using Rise for a week or so, so far, but it is literally changing my life,” says one reviewer. “I plan my day around my energy schedule and follow the tips for better sleep. I’m waking up and falling asleep on my own, which is a miracle for me.” Another comments that it’s an “amazing tracker for people without a watch.”

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep team is building a growing library of content to help our readers optimize their sleep health. This includes stories like the best sleep tech devices, the best cooling mattresses and many more.

  • Author of this piece and Forbes Vetted contributor Kelly O’Sullivan is an experienced freelance writer and product reviewer. She has written dozens of home product reviews, including several covering sleep and bedding products.
  • Mattress and sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon are certified sleep science coaches with extensive experience testing and reviewing accessories, sleep products and mattresses. They assign and oversee all the sleep content featured on Forbes Vetted, including this article.
  • We consulted with three medical experts who have extensive backgrounds in diagnosing and treating sleep-related conditions and disorders: Dr. Alex Dimitriu, M.D., founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine; Dr. Farhan Malik, M.D., owner and senior medical director at Prometheus; and Dr. Kubanych Takyrbashev, M.D., health and wellness advisor at NAO.

How We Chose The Best Non-Wearable Sleep Tracker

To find the best non-wearable sleep trackers for this list, we researched top-rated devices, compared their features and consulted with sleep experts. Our team of experienced editors, who have tested countless sleep products, also provided product recommendations and insights.

  • We looked at top-selling trackers from brands known for their sleep product expertise, including Sleep Number and Withings.
  • We consulted with three medical experts to understand the most important factors of sleep to track and the key features that make a sleep tracker effective. Then, our team considered how and what each device tracks and how accurately it does so.
  • Each tracker was evaluated based on its specifications. We focused on what metrics it measures, how easy it is to use and whether it syncs with useful apps. Most importantly, we considered whether or not the trackers accurately gathered and reported data.
  • To cater to different needs and preferences, we included a range of sleep trackers, from under-mattress pads to bedside devices and apps. This variety ensures that readers like you can find a tracker that fits their lifestyle and preferences.
  • Only non-wearable sleep trackers with an average rating of 4 stars or above were considered. We paid close attention to customer reviews to make sure the trackers we recommended are reliable and well-loved.

What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Non-Wearable Sleep Tracker

Battery Life

Battery life is crucial for non-wearable sleep trackers, because it determines how long the device can function without needing a recharge or replacement. Takyrbashev suggests only considering devices that plug into a wall or have a battery life of six months or more. If you have to deal with recharging or replacing batteries too often, it can become difficult to maintain consistent tracking. Of course, there are exceptions. The Rise app, for example, can only function as long as your smartphone is charged—but that doesn’t require an extra step you wouldn’t already be taking.

How And What It Tracks

Not all sleep trackers are created equal. Some non-wearables just track the basics, while more advanced options evaluate your overall physical health. Malik recommends prioritizing devices that measure metrics like sleep duration, sleep efficiency and sleep stages. “By monitoring these key metrics, individuals can identify potential sleep issues and make informed decisions to optimize their sleep hygiene,” he says. Other metrics to consider include heart rate variability, movement and respiratory rate. Ultimately, the metrics that you find most valuable depend on your personal goals and sleep hygiene.

Accuracy

Accuracy is key when it comes to understanding your sleep patterns. While non-wearable trackers might not be as precise as wearables, the best devices use advanced sensors and algorithms to get as close as possible. It’s also important to use your tracker consistently, which contributes to its accuracy in creating a full picture of your sleep habits over time.

Are Sleep Trackers Worth It?

Sleep trackers can be life-changing for anyone who wants to improve their sleep quality and overall health. Think about it: How else could you get such detailed insights into your sleep patterns? Sleep trackers allow you to take an honest look at how long you’re sleeping, how well you’re sleeping and what type of sleep you’re getting. “By monitoring these key metrics, individuals can identify potential sleep issues and make informed decisions to optimize their sleep hygiene,” says Malik.

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