News · 11 August 2026

Don't trust your smart watch, experts say sleep quality is personal

Smart watches may track total sleep time moderately well, but they're bad at measuring different sleep stages, say experts. Wearable technology relies on proxies like heart rate and wrist movement, not the brain activity scientists measure. Ultimately, how refreshed you feel provides the best measure of your sleep's quality.

By BriefTea Editorial · 11 August 2026 at 8:03

Reported by The Irish Times · How we write briefs

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Are sleep trackers regulated? How do smart watches track sleep? What's the science of sleep? Why is sleep quality personal?

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