Sleep Tech Gadgets Worth a Shot!
We’ve all heard the irony: You’re lying awake at 2 a.m., scrolling through your phone looking for an app to help you stop… scrolling through your phone.
Sleep tech is booming, but not all of it actually helps you sleep. In fact, some of it just gives you graphs and guilt. That’s why we researched and cross-referenced to bring you a short list of sleep tech gadgets and apps that aren’t just high-tech, they’re high-impact.
What Counts as “Helpful” Sleep Tech?
To make our list, a sleep tech gadget or app had to meet at least two of these criteria:
- Actually improve sleep (falling asleep faster, sleeping longer, waking less often)
- Help identify patterns or problems you can act on
- Encourage better habits without becoming another screen addiction
Explore our in-depth product reviews to see how your favorite gadgets stack up against the competition.
🛏️ 1. Smart Sleep Masks
A modern sleep mask doesn’t just block light, it can play gentle audio, sync with your sleep cycle, or use warming/cooling to calm your nervous system.
👉 Try: Manta Sleep Mask PRO — adjustable eye cups, total blackout, optional cooling/warming modules
📱 2. Sleep Tracking Apps That Don’t Just Guilt You
Some apps overload you with sleep data and vague advice. But a few are genuinely useful:
- Sleep Cycle (iOS/Android): Uses sound analysis to wake you during the lightest sleep phase within your alarm window.
- Pillow (iOS only): Pairs with Apple Watch or iPhone, offers solid graphs and trends without judgment.
- SleepScore (iOS/Android): Uses sonar-like tech via your phone speaker to track sleep stages—no wearable needed.
👉 Try: Sleep Cycle App (free with optional premium upgrade)
🕒 3. Sunrise Alarm Clocks
These gradually brighten your bedroom to mimic a natural sunrise, helping your body wake more gently and consistently.
👉 Try: Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light — 20 brightness levels, FM radio, and wind-down modes
🌡️ 4. Bed Cooling Systems
If overheating keeps you tossing and turning, these are game-changers. They regulate your bed temperature to keep you cool (or warm) all night.
👉 Try: ChiliSleep Dock Pro — water-cooled mattress topper with app control
👉 Budget alternative: Elegear Cooling Blanket — breathable, quick-cool fabric, great for hot sleepers
Need help cooling off? Consider a latex mattress upgrade. Check out Sleep EZ’s 8 best picks for every budget and sleep style.
🎧 5. Sleep Earbuds (That Stay In)
If noise is your enemy, try sleep-specific earbuds made to be soft, low-profile, and actually stay in while you toss around.
👉 Try: Bose Sleepbuds II — soothing built-in sounds, noise-masking design, all-night battery
🧠 6. Brainwave & Biofeedback Devices
A small but growing niche, wearable headbands and sensors that encourage your brain into sleep-friendly rhythms.
👉 Try: Muse S (Gen 2) — real-time EEG feedback with guided wind-down sessions
If you’re curious about wearable sleep trackers, don’t miss our guide to the best smart rings for sleep to find your perfect fit.
🕯️ 7. Bonus: Low-Tech That Still Counts
Sometimes tech that reduces stimulation is the best tech:
- Blue-light blocking glasses
- White noise machines
- Smart plugs that automate lamps/fans based on your sleep schedule
👉 Try: LectroFan White Noise Machine — 20 non-looping sound options, compact and effective
Final Thoughts
The best sleep tech doesn’t just track your sleep, it helps you improve it. Whether you’re into wearables, lights, or simple white noise, the key is to find what supports your routine instead of distracting from it.
Technology can help you sleep better… just don’t use it to binge-watch another show in bed.
Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we believe in. Learn more.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any new treatment or using a new sleep device, especially if you have a medical condition or use medical equipment like CPAP.