Sleep technology has come a long way from the sedge and grass swaths of 77,000 years ago, crafted by the Sibudu people who may have been the earliest humans to ever even use a bed. The future is here, and there are sleep gadgets on the market today that would make our ancestors fully question reality. Sure, you can find a comfortable mattress that’s not made of grass pretty easily these days — but what about the bed peripherals that help guide you in and out of sleep, fight against snoring, or ease you into deeper sleep states? It’s 2021, and we’ve got a round-up of sleep gadgets and devices that will have you well-rested and ready to take on the world! Technology and sleep go hand in hand these days, so let’s take a closer look at the best sleep technology tools for 2021.
Sleep Technology to Help You Fall Asleep
The Somnox Sleep Robot
Touted as the “ultimate sleep companion,” Somnox isn’t your average humanoid-style robot, but rather a soft, bean-shaped sleep device that mimics slow breathing. Intended to help guide your body into a state of relaxation, the robot is designed to produce soothing sounds and audio which help you relax and unwind before bed. These relaxing sounds combined with the breathing can also help you fall asleep faster. The most ergonomic of the sleep gadgets, the Somnox Sleep Robot’s guided breathing cognitive exercises are proven to help you ease into comfortable, quality sleep. It’s 2021 — who doesn’t want to synchronize their breathing with a robot! It’s fascinating that sleep technology has gotten us all the way to cuddling robots, but they’re finally here folks.
OOLER
The temperature has been shown to play an important role in your ability to fall asleep and regulate your sleeping, but it can be difficult to regulate the temperature in your bedroom overnight — especially if you live in a hot or humid environment. Enter OOLER, an innovation in sleep technology — their mattress pad-like smart device is laced with latex tubes of water that can be cooled and heated to the user’s preference. If you fall asleep quickly on a colder bed but prefer to wake up warm and cozy, the control unit allows for temperature adjustments through the night. At the width of a quarter, you’ll never even notice the addition to your bed. With their “we” option, you and your partner can control each side of the bed separately and sleep however is most comfortable for you!
Sleep Gadgets that Keep You Sleeping Through The Night
Dreamlight Pro
Dreamlight’s newest sleep gadget, the flagship Dreamlight Pro, is a light-blocking sleep mask that’s been shown to block 100% of external light. Embedded speakers deliver a surround-sound effect for building a relaxing environment, from vocal hypnosis therapy to binaural beats and meditation music. With its LED light-based sleep breathing aid, heart-rate and movement trackers, and more, if you might find more than just a better night’s sleep with Dreamlight — use it for meditation, yoga, or just escaping from the world for a relaxing afternoon session. It is still too early to tell what the public feedback will be on this product since it is has been recently launched.
Smart Nora
Snoring may be a thing of the past with this innovative anti-snoring device. For snorers (and their partners), Smart Nora is the best sleep technology on the market — not only is it is the only contact-free snoring solution available, but it’s changing the way we approach sleep gadgets related to snoring altogether. Smart Nora listens for the early sounds of snoring, then silently and gently raises your head using a lightweight, padded insert that sits under your pillow. When you snore, the very slight movement stimulates the throat muscles, allowing for natural breathing to resume. The sleek design is practically unnoticeable, if not handsome, and the opportunity to avoid strapping something to your face or stuff inside of your nose is a dream come true. Technology and sleep have never looked so good together!
Sound+Sleep High Fidelity Sleep Sound Machine
If your environment is noisy, or even just sporadic with noise, your ability to sleep may be compromised! This sound machine is a sleep device that provides even, organized sounds that allow you to fall asleep gently. Your brain automatically detects patterns, which is why sound machines that simply loop a sound can lose effectiveness, so Sound+Sleep’s sleep technology focuses on real recordings — hundreds of ‘em — that provide an environment that feels natural. It’s got a built-in high fidelity speaker as well as a 3.5mm audio option for using your own headphones (or speaker pillow), and the timer allows you to set the volume to slowly turn off once you’ve drifted off to sleep. Total control in a lightweight, easy-to-use package!
Sleep Gadgets that Wake You Up
Somneo Sleep and Wake-Up Light
The Sleep and Wake-Up Light may have a rather on-the-nose name, but it does just that. With its modern, sleek design, this lamp sits on your bedside table and has a handful of settings that allow you to adjust the brightness to your exact preferences. It’s great for when one partner wants to read in bed and the other wants to sleep, as you can turn it down ever-so-slightly and find that comfort zone that works for you both. What makes this sleep gadget so great, however, is that it simulates the natural sunrise better than any other light out there. There’s even a light-guided option for relaxing with breathing exercises and a few options for ambient noise as well. Fall asleep and wake up with natural light.
Technology and Sleep: Whatever Gets You Through The Night
With all the sleep technology options popping up on the market, it’s important to remember what you’re looking for — a better night of sleep — so whether you’re combating your snoring, looking to drown out ambient noise, or control your sleep environment better, there’s something out there for you! Technology and sleep have always been intertwined, but it's 2021 and there are more innovations than ever to help you get what you need out of bedtime. As John Lennon sang, “whatever gets you through the night, it’s alright. It’s alright.”
