There are some things that money can’t buy — but is a good night’s sleep one of them? For those who struggle with broken nights, there are some great sleep gadgets on the market that might be worth investing in.
Life can get in the way of even the most well-seasoned sleeper.Healthy sleep habits — such as maintaining consistent bedtimes and wake-up times — can help reset the body’s sleep–wake cycle, as can the often difficult-to-follow no-screens-before-bed rule. However, these bed basics might not touch the sides for long-term insomniacs, which is where fancy sleep tech comes in.
Firstly, though, you need to work out what the problem is. Are you too hot or too cold in bed? There’s a temperature-regulating £4,000 mattress cover for that. Do you struggle with noise? Loop’s swanky earbuds envelop you in a calming sound bubble. Or are you struggling to switch off? New wearable tech that uses soft vibrations and meditative sounds to gently soothe your nervous system might help.
From upgraded ear plugs to the ultimate heated blanket, these are the best luxury sleep gadgets out there.
Best sleep gadgets
Withings sleep analyser
For those who struggle with their sleep, uncomfortable high-tech wearables are often part of the problem. Thankfully, this Withings device simply slots between your bed frame and mattress to deliver in-depth analysis of sleep cycles, monitoring heart rate, movement and snoring. It has been developed with sleep physicians and extensively tested — and you can use the app to better understand your sleep and improve it through coaching. £129.95, Withings
Lumie Bodyclock Luxe
Not only can Lumie’s Bodyclock alarm wake you to birdsong and gradually brightening light — boosting energy and mood — it can also improve sleep by mimicking natural light cycles that help regulate circadian rhythms. The fading sunset feature signals that it’s time for bed, which encourages the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, helping you fall asleep faster. £205.49, Lumie at Healf
Eight Sleep Pod 5 Ultra
One of the current tech-meets-wellness must-haves in the US is this “sleep system”. The pod is basically a sensor-filled mattress cover that regulates your temperature through the night, heating up and cooling down in response to real-time measurements and sleep patterns. It can even do this for two people sharing a bed, cooling down your sweaty partner while you stay snuggly on your side. £4,049, Eight Sleep
Loop Quiet 2 earplugs
If your sleep issues are more to do with your neighbours, children or snoring partner than the noise in your head, try upgrading your flimsy, foam earplugs for these. With a range of ear tip sizes to ensure the snuggest fit, they offer the optimum level of noise reduction without sending you into complete audio blackout. £19.95, Loop Earplugs
Somnee Sleep Smart Headband
This futuristic-looking headband may not be the sexiest thing to wear in bed, but it could be the smartest. It works by measuring your brain activity using EEG (electroencephalogram) sensors and delivering a 15-minute personalised “stimulation session”, with rhythms and patterns that are designed to tell your brain to go to sleep. The sensation is subtle, described as a gentle tingling or warmth on your forehead, but the results are impressive — it claims to halve the time it takes to fall asleep and to be four times as effective as a melatonin pill. While it’s not currently available for shipping to the UK, enterprising (desperate?) insomniacs are getting friends to send them across the pond. $489, Somnee Sleep
Dyson Purifier Cool Fan
In the two (at best) hot weeks we may get a year in the UK, a Dyson fan is the ultimate companion, keeping you cool and, in this case, improving air quality, too. This cooling purifier, with a near-silent night setting, filters out dust, allergens, formaldehyde and other pollutants in the air that can cause sniffles, a dry throat and other issues, enhancing your sleep quality through the night. £449.99, Dyson
Therabody smart goggles
Therabody’s new and improved smart goggles are definitely a step up from your beloved silk eye mask. And while they might look chunky, they are surprisingly light and comfortable thanks to the adjustable straps and padding that gently cushions the natural contours of your face. The clever glasses provide 100 per cent blackout without pressing on the eyes and feature three science-backed customisable treatments, including SmartRelax (tailored to your heart rate) for headaches, eye strain and sleep prep. They get to work by targeting your forehead, brows and temples with therapeutic compression massage, heat and vibrations, reducing stress, promoting relaxation and increasing your prospects of a deep night’s sleep. £199, Therabody
Sensate device
For many of us, restless nights often come from an inability to unwind after stressful days. However, using this Sensate device for as little as 10 minutes before bed could put an end to the tossing and turning. It is designed to soothe the nervous system through the use of non-invasive sound resonance on your sternum. It even comes with a lanyard — simply place it on your chest and feel a soft internal purr through your whole body as the device sends out vibrations and you listen to a carefully composed soundscape. £349, Sensate
WHOOP 4.0 tracker
The Whoop fitness tracker has received the seal of approval from a number of elite athletes, including Netherlands and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and England star Beth Mead. Beyond measuring exercise biometrics, the sleek band also tracks all four stages of sleep, including slow-wave and REM, to help you calculate how many hours you need (based on recent patterns), plus any sleep debt accrued over time. Prepare to become obsessed with your sleep performance score. From £153, WHOOP
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