Sleep Trackers: What the Data Can and Cannot Tell You
· 8 min read
A consumer sleep tracker can help you notice patterns in sleep timing, but its numbers are estimates. Sleep tracker accuracy varies by device, software, measurement, and the people studied. A sleep score or stage chart cannot by itself diagnose a sleep disorder, prove that you slept well, or explain a headache.
The most useful approach is to give the device a specific job: showing whether bedtime shifts across the week, for example. Combine that information with how you feel and function. Seek assessment for persistent sleep problems even if the app displays reassuring results.