To track or not to track?

Wearable devices have become increasingly popular lately, with a 2023 survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reporting that 35% of Americans have used an electronic sleep-tracking device at some point.

And sleep trackers are also big business. According to market research firm, Grand View, the U.S. sleep-tracking devices market generated about $5 billion in 2023 and is expected to double in revenue by 2030.

Since so many of us are thinking of hopping on the device trend, I want to talk about some of the pros and cons of sleep trackers this week, to help you make an informed decision.

Pros:

1)       More Exercise

In a 2025 study, the more frequently the participants wore a wearable device (Whoop), the greater the daily and weekly duration of their physical activity. And since there is a direct link between increases in physical activity and increases in both sleep efficiency and quality, this is a positive point for wearable’s effect on sleep.

2)       Recognize Patterns

Wearable devices can be really helpful in recognizing that there might be certain patterns to your sleep habits that you wouldn’t normally recognize. Do you sleep better if you go to bed a little earlier versus later? Does your sleep score tank after a few glasses of wine? These aren’t things to panic about, just to get some data on so we can make informed decisions about how our lifestyle choices are affecting our sleep moving forward.

3)       Awareness

Another way sleep trackers can be useful is just by bringing our awareness to what is being measured. Similar to physical activity where having a step counter makes us walk more, knowing that sleep variables are being measured may lead to engaging in healthier sleep hygiene to try to maximize scores. So we might be more likely to do things like get into bed earlier or spend less time scrolling.

Cons

1)       Not Regulated

The American Academy of Sleep medicine put out a position statement that consumer sleep tracking falls under the health and wellness category, which means it doesn’t require FDA oversight. Since it's not well regulated, device accuracy has been found to vary across both devices and manufacturers. So while a sleep device can give you some solid information, at this time it's not going to be a substitute for a medical evaluation by a professional.

2)       Orthosomnia

Some experts are worried that the increase in wearable devices is also leading to an increase in orthosomnia, or the “obsessive pursuit of optimal sleep metrics”. People will engage in behaviors including preoccupation with their sleep tracker, frequently checking the sleep tracker, and anxiety about being separated from it. Ironically the more they obsess about getting a perfect night’s sleep, the more likely they are to have symptoms like trouble falling asleep, waking throughout the night, or waking up too early.

Final Thoughts

My takeaway is this. Using a sleep tracker is a very individual choice. If it helps you move more, notice helpful patterns, or build healthier sleep habits, it can be a great tool. If you’re worried about a possible sleep disorder, it’s better to talk with a professional. And if tracking your sleep increases anxiety or obsessive thoughts, that’s a good sign you’ll want to take a different approach.

Grosicki GJ, Fielding F, Kim J, Chapman CJ, Olaru M, Hippel WV, Holmes KE. Wearing WHOOP More Frequently Is Associated with Better Biometrics and Healthier Sleep and Activity Patterns. Sensors (Basel). 2025 Apr 12;25(8):2437. doi: 10.3390/s25082437. PMID: 40285124; PMCID: PMC12030945.

Jahrami H, Trabelsi K, Vitiello MV, BaHammam AS. The Tale of Orthosomnia: I Am so Good at Sleeping that I Can Do It with My Eyes Closed and My Fitness Tracker on Me. Nat Sci Sleep. 2023 Jan 21;15:13-15. doi: 10.2147/NSS.S402694. PMID: 36713639; PMCID: PMC9875581.