Despite a boom in consumer sleep technology, many devices are falling short of their promise to accurately measure or improve sleep. Wearable trackers and smartphone apps can estimate sleep duration, but their reliability depends on users staying relatively still while asleep and moving when awake. As a result, sleep specialists continue to rely on home-based tests for sleep disorders and comprehensive laboratory studies that monitor brain activity to diagnose more complex cases.

Instead of depending on high-tech tools, experts highlight the value of time-tested sleep aids and routines. White-noise machines, for example, can shield light sleepers from disruptive sounds, creating a steadier environment for rest. Sunrise alarms that gradually brighten a bedroom provide a gentler and less jarring wake-up experience compared to standard alarm clocks. Weighted blankets have also gained popularity, particularly among individuals with restless-leg syndrome, for their ability to offer comfort and help calm the body.

Ultimately, the foundation for better sleep lies in classic sleep hygiene habits. Keeping bedrooms cool, dark, and quiet, removing screens in the hour before bed, and using blue-light filters on devices are all recommended practices. For most people who have little trouble drifting off or waking refreshed, these basic routines may be all that is needed. However, for those who struggle to unwind at night, select sleep tools can play a supportive role, provided they do not become a source of stress or preoccupation.