If your sleep is regularly disturbed, or you suffer from insomnia, here are the best connected objects and applications that can help you enjoy better rest.
We spend almost a third of our lives sleeping. However, one in three French people are not satisfied with their sleep. However, sleeping is essential for good health, not to mention the psychological impact of chronic insomnia. Unsurprisingly, the tech world has therefore looked into the issue and is now producing a number of accessories and software to help us sleep better.
So here we have gathered a varied selection of what is happening in tech. to help you fall asleep or improve the quality of your sleep.
The vast majority of fitness trackers and smartwatches also offer sleep tracking, so be sure to read our picks if this is the main feature you’re interested in.
Analyze your sleep to sleep better
Withings Sleep Analyzer
Not all sleep trackers come in the form of a wristband. If you don’t want to be weighed down by this type of device, Withings has you covered with its Sleep Analyzer, which is installed between the box spring and the mattress. It is powered by a 3 m USB cable, so make sure you have a power outlet within reach.
Once installed under your mattress, the Sleep Analyzer is easy to forget and produces a daily report on the length and quality of sleep. More original, it tracks sleep apnea and snoring. As a bonus, the Withings app is a model of clarity.
A complete connected object and more pleasant to use than a classic bracelet therefore, but which is however quite expensive by being less versatile. Note that this sensor only measures one person, if your partner wants tracking, a second one will be needed. This is an excellent connected product to better understand your sleep.
The best connected bracelets for sleep
Inexpensive and easy to use, activity bracelets are a good way to track your sleep without breaking the bank. The Mi Smart Band 7 is the manufacturer’s latest product, and is a benchmark for us thanks to a comfortable design to wear and above all a rock-bottom price.
Beyond a dozen sports activities, the small bracelet is able to detect the different phases of sleep. We also really appreciate the possibility of deactivating the automatic ignition at given times. This is perfect for those who tend to wake up easily because of the light. The autonomy of almost two weeks is very solid.
The Mi Fit app, available on Android and iOS, will allow you to find all the data following the sessions, as well as sleep monitoring and stress levels. More rare: it also tracks the menstrual cycle and ovulation periods.
Xiaomi has therefore delivered a simple and effective bracelet. We tell you more in the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 7 test.
- Comfortable, autonomous
- Excellent sleep tracking
- The smart alarm function
If you want the best in sleep tracking, on your wrist, you’ll need to upgrade to a real smartwatch. Among these, the Fitbit Versa 3, which is still sold at a reasonable price, caught our attention.
Not only is it relatively thin, an important point since it must be kept on the wrist all night, but above all it offers a battery life of 6 days. We will therefore not have to worry about charging it every day or almost like an Apple Watch.
The tracking provided by FitBit is impeccably accurate, with well-identified phases, but also put in parallel with the heart rate. Among the most original functions, we find an alarm clock adjusted according to the sleep phases. You indicate a target wake-up time and the watch will try to wake you up in a REM sleep phase to minimize the head in the shoe polish when getting up. An ideal accessory to help you sleep well, compatible with iOS and Android.
The best connected objects for sleep
Terraillon Homni: the supercharged awakening
Known for its bathroom scales, Terraillon has been offering connected objects for several years now that are supposed to promote sleep and wakefulness. The Homni is the most advanced of these and is presented as a smart bedside lamp.
In practice, we are in the presence of the fusion of an alarm clock, a night light and a white noise generator, all connecting via Bluetooth to the smartphone. An optional sensor that attaches to the pillow provides sleep monitoring.
The whole thing is pretty convincing, with sound and light programs aimed at helping you relax before going to sleep. For waking up, you will also be treated to a combo of light and sounds for added softness. Once in your bed, all you have to do is let yourself drift off to sleep.
While the software part is less advanced than that of a FitBit for example, the whole thing could interest those who want an all-in-one solution.
Bose Sleepbuds II: Sound all night long
Known for its excellent audio products, Bose tried its hand at sleep in 2018 with its Sleepbuds, Bluetooth headphones offering relaxing sound loops to listen to all night long.
This second version is even more comfortable than the previous one thanks to its particularly compact size. On the other hand, their hold throughout the night can be a problem. Your servant generally lost one or two in his sleep. And if we are not in the presence of active noise reduction, the insulation is particularly effective and masks a good part of the ambient noises to sleep better.
There are still some fundamental concerns: while the loops offered are of good quality, you still can’t customize them or even use the Sleepbuds as simple earphones. A very well-finished product, but also very expensive for the service provided…
The best apps for sleeping well
Meditation apps to fall asleep quickly
Relaxing is always a good thing to fall asleep quickly and enjoy a restful sleep. Meditation is a good way to achieve this goal. And if meditation clearly did not wait for the arrival of technology to be practiced, there are applications to achieve mindfulness.
Petit Bambou is THE reference for mediation apps in France. With a very neat design, it is structured around sessions of about ten minutes mixing relaxing music and voices. The app itself is free and nine sessions are offered. Beyond that, it will cost you 42 euros every six months.
Are you a beginner? Namatata is here for you. Designed to facilitate the initiation to meditation, this application goes all out to help you learn the basics effectively. It also offers many specialized sessions to support you in stressful moments. The first 7 days are free and the following six months are billed at 39 euros.
In addition to dedicated apps, you can find playlists of music designed to promote sleep on music streaming services, as well as guided meditation episodes. Remember to use the sleep timer function, especially on Spotify and Deezer, so as not to leave your phone running in vain once you are asleep.
ASMR Apps
If you don’t want to invest in hardware, there are some ASMR apps that can be useful for relaxing and falling asleep. We’ve picked two for you, but you can take a look at our more comprehensive selection of ASMR apps.
Requiring a subscription, Tingles is a very stripped-down app that provides a large catalog of sounds. A “ Sleep Time » allows you to stop playback after a programmed duration.
Not always easy to use, ASMR Calm Relax Sleep has the good taste of being free. In addition to offering a bank of sounds, it allows you to mix them to create a background sound to your taste.
Airplane mode
The best way to sleep well is to not be disturbed. But it can be very tempting to open your eyes again to check that last notification or todoomscrollerInstagram until death do us part (and we won’t even mention Tik Tok).
To ensure a peaceful sleep, take advantage of iOS’s sleep mode and Android’s bedtime mode. Airplane mode is also a must to avoid temptation. And if the temptation is too strong: put your phone away from the bed. I promise, it works very well!
How to fall asleep well and avoid insomnia?
Why not sleep with your smartphone nearby?
It is recommended not to check your smartphone before going to bed, and this for several reasons. First of all because the screen in question generates blue light, which stimulates your body with the same effects as caffeine. It is therefore preferable to leave it aside before your night of sleep. Be careful not to leave it too close to your bed so as not to be tempted to check it. So remember to turn it off or put it in airplane mode.
What should I do if I can’t fall asleep?
First of all, don’t lose patience – even if this is easier said than done, we know. If you can’t fall asleep, you can work on your breathing, for example by practicing cardiac coherence. This will also allow you to focus only on your breathing, which will prevent you from having distracting thoughts.
Sometimes, if you can’t sleep, there’s no point in tossing and turning. It’s better to take a break from your search for sleep and do something else: don’t hesitate to read a book, for example. You can also simply lie down and listen to soft music or a calm podcast. Also, some people (not all!) are sensitive to ASMR, which in some cases provides great relaxation and can help you fall asleep. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose!
It can also be beneficial to get out of bed for a while: go get a glass of water, get some fresh air by the window, stretch, or even do some yoga. When you get back into bed afterwards, you may feel more relaxed.
Also remember not to eat too fatty or heavy meals in the evening, or too late. Finally, a hot bath or shower before bed can also help with relaxation.
Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet to get perfect sleep, which is subject to a whole bunch of parameters. If the problem persists, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor.