Can smart pillows really help you sleep better?
Restorative sleep is essential for maintaining top physical and mental health. However, many things can get in the way of a good night’s sleep like stress, overstimulation, snoring, etc. Smart pillows as sleep aids entered the market with the claim that they could help people relax, reduce snoring, and increase comfort—all of which could lead to improved sleep. But can smart pillows really help you sleep better?
According to the CDC, one-third of American adults report that they habitually get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to chronic diseases and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, and obesity. And not getting adequate sleep can result in mistakes at work and vehicle accidents. Getting enough sleep is not just a luxury, then. It’s a duty.
For this reason, there are a lot of sleep aid products on the market, from all-natural supplements to white noise machines. And now, in our technological age, we’ve got a tech-based solution to the problem, smart pillows. Smart pillows first entered the market in 2016, and now there are many models to choose from. But do smart pillows actually help you sleep better? Let’s take a look at the technology behind them to find out.
This bedding can reduce snoring
One of the most attractive selling points of smart pillows is their claim to help people stop snoring. For example, take the ZEEQ smart pillow by the active lifestyle bedding brand REM-fit. The ZEEQ gently vibrates when snoring exceeds a preset level. This encourages users to change positions to open constricted airways. So if you’re a person (or your partner says you are) whose snoring stops once you switch sides, this could be for you.
Another smart pillow with anti-snoring claims is the Goodnite Smart Anti-Snoring pillow. It uses sensors to track the position of your head and signs of snoring. If the sensors detect snoring, the pillow will inflate slightly to push your head to the side and let your airways open, reducing snoring. Of course, the pillow will communicate with a mobile app that records your snoring so you can see if you’re improving. So like the ZEEK, the Goodnite pillow seeks to eliminate snoring by changing the position of your head. However, the Goodnite pillow takes it a step further by pushing your head to the side for you, which might be helpful since it won’t wake you up.
Other smart pillows like the 10Minds Motion Pillow let you record your snoring and adjust the pillow’s inflation. They may also include charts for tracking your snoring habits over time. This way, you can see if there’s any improvement or if you notice a pattern to your snoring.
Moona Smart Pillow Pad in Use
Trackers tell you everything about your sleep
Like Fitbits and smartwatches, most smart pillows also can track and analyze your sleep quality. The ZEEQ, for example, has multiple sleep tracker sensors that capture data about your sleep duration, snoring volume, movement, and more. The data then gets analyzed by the app, and you’ll get a daily report of each night’s sleep cycles, sleep duration, snoring, and restfulness. The app will catalog your data so that over time, so you get an idea of how your activity affects your sleep.
Other pillows can also track your breathing, heart rate, overall quality of sleep, and more. For instance, the Moona is a crowdfunded pillow pad that works with a bedside pod and app to learn your sleeping habits. The three devices work together to help you create a healthier sleep schedule.
You’ll sleep better when its cooler
Another way smart pillows claim to give you a better night’s sleep is through temperature control. The 10Minds Motion Pillow has a design that disperses sweat and heat more efficiently so that you stay cooler throughout the night. Since the optimal temperature for sleep is actually pretty low (between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit), such a feature could help users feel more comfortable throughout the night. Nobody likes waking up because they’ve overheated.
The most impressive smart pillow in terms of temperature control is the Moona. This smart pillow lets you view your temperature profile each night. The pad even contains a small water pump that can cool you down by circulating water throughout the pillow when it’s hot. This would be an ideal feature in the summer.
Goodnite Smart Anti-Snore Pillow in White
Sound can help you drift off
Finally, another feature smart pillows are known for are built-in speakers. The ZEEQ, soundasleep, and Dreampad all include speakers that send your favorite music, white noise, podcast, or whatever you like to your ears before you nod off. Many people find that the sound of white noise or music before bed helps them relax and clear their thoughts. With a smart pillow, these people no longer have to keep a fan in their room or wear uncomfortable headphones to bed. Best of all, with most smart pillows, you can only hear the sound when your ear is on the pillow. This way, you won’t bother your partner.
Quality materials are comfortable
Finally, most smart pillows are made from high-quality materials. So, without the tech, they are still great pillows in their own right. Going back to the ZEEQ as an example, this pillow boasts soft, hypoallergenic fibers that prevent the growth of bacteria and have moisture-wicking. For anyone with allergies, this is the feature for you. Also, the pillow comes with memory foam filling that you can keep on for extra comfort or remove if you prefer sturdier support. Other smart pillows likewise make use of top-quality materials.
You’ll want to look into this bedding
Below is a selection of top-rated smart pillows and their descriptions in case you’re interested in getting one for yourself.
REM-Fit ZEEQ Smart Pillow
The REM-Fit ZEEQ Smart Pillow enhances your sleep with its numerous features. When you snore, ZEEQ gently vibrates to encourage you to change your sleeping position and clear your airways. This smart pillow has eight built-in speakers to let you stream music or anything else you like to listen to before you doze off. Its integrated sensors analyze your sleep cycles, and the ZEEQ is available for iOS and Android devices.
Moona
The Moona pillow pad is a crowdfunded project that combines a pillow, bedside pod, and an app. These three devices can give you the most accurate information about your sleep. They’ll monitor and learn about your sleep habits so that you can create a healthier sleep schedule. You can also learn more about your temperature profile, and there’s even a small pump that moves cool water around the pad to ensure freshness while you sleep.
soundasleep Bluetooth Speaker Pillow
The soundasleep Bluetooth Speaker Pillow keeps track of your sleeping patterns, so you know what quality of sleep you’ve had every night. The pillow’s speaker lets you connect your smartphone or another device via Bluetooth to play your favorite white noise, music, audiobook, or podcast. This pillow can track your snoring and wake you if the sound reaches a certain level. And this pillow has a built-in alarm that can gently wake you.
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- soundasleep Bluetooth Speaker Pillow in White
Goodnite Smart Anti-Snore Pillow
Snoring is a tough condition to break because you don’t know when you’re doing it. The Goodnite Smart Anti-Snore Pillow uses sensors to monitor your head’s position for signs that you’re snoring. If the device believes that you’re snoring, it will signal the pillow to inflate slightly. This will push your head to the side and open constricted airways. The pillow also works with a mobile app, which tracks your snoring so you can note improvement.
Dreampad
The Dreampad’s focus is on quality audio. This smart pillow’s speakers provide quiet, clear audio that only you can hear. Even if your partner is resting beside you. You can connect the embedded speakers to the Dreampad app via Bluetooth. Then choose from 10 different audio tracks that help you fall asleep. Create the perfect sleep time program by adjusting the volume and playtime.
Can smart pillows really help you sleep better?
While we’re not sleep experts, it does seem that smart pillows can help you sleep better. Your results, of course, will depend on how you use the data that the pillows provide. If your tracker shows that you have difficulty falling asleep when you first lay down and suggests not looking at any screens one hour before bedtime, you’ll need to take that advice for the magic to work.
Also, features like sound systems, snore reduction, and temperature regulation all point to a device that really can improve your sleep. Who doesn’t want to get control of their snoring and feel comfortable in bed? Additionally, the sound systems let you hear the sounds that relax you, helping you forget the stresses of the day. Overall, these pillows provide an excellent window into your sleeping patterns and help make your sleep healthier. With features like these, a better night’s sleep must be closer than you think.
