Sleep Cycle App Review: Apple Watch Science Test

I tested the sleep tracking of the Sleep Cycle App on my Apple Watch Series 6 against a scientific EEG device. For updates subscribe to my weekly Newsletter(!) on www.robterhorst.com
Instagram: / quantified_scientist
Twitter: @QuantifiedRob
👇Amazon Affiliate* (paid) links. Supports the channel, doesn't cost you any more!👇
Apple Watch 44mm: geni.us/7Dom
Apple Watch 40mm: geni.us/0gNGeO
*My opinions are completely my own. However, I do earn a small commission if you purchase any of these devices via my affiliate links. It does not cost you any more money if you use these links.
The EEG tracker I used is called the Hypnodyne ZMax: hypnodynecorp.com/ from @HypnoDyne Corp
📹Apple watch videos📹
Test: • Apple Watch 6 Accuracy...
📹First Garmin Venu Sq Video📹
• Garmin Venu Sq Heart R...
📹Oura Ring videos📹
Sleep Test: • Oura Ring Scientific S...
HRV Test: • Oura Ring Review: Hear...
Temperature Test: • Oura Ring Ultimate Tem...
📹Fitbit Sense videos📹
First look review and test: • Fitbit Sense Accuracy ...
Heart rate: • Fitbit Sense Heart Rat...
📹Withings Scanwatch videos📹
Unboxing and first review: • Withings Scanwatch Rev...
Sleep test: • Withings Scanwatch Sle...
Heart rate test: • Withings Scanwatch Hea...
Q&A with Withings: • Scanwatch Q&A: Answers...
⏱️This comparison is part of a larger project where I spend over 11 hours a week tracking everything in my life. If you'd like to know more:
• This mad scientist sca... ⏱️
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Sleep Cycle App Intro
02:06 Sleep Test Setup Explained
03:20 Results: Main Results
07:03 Results: Overview Analysis
08:08 Result Interpretation
🎵Music🎵
(1) Not Without the Rest by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: www.twinmusicom.org/
(2) Wonders by JVNA
(3) Can’t Sleep (KZbin Audio Library)
(4) Classique (KZbin Audio Library)
(5) Blurry Vision (KZbin Audio Library)

[@drsus0]

That rare moment you find a KZbin video review that is based on actual tests …thank you!

[@cranbers]

Just imagine being as happy as this guy is. Truly a blessing to love what you do for a living. World would be a much better place if everyone found that. Most people are miserable and hate their job from what I've gathered especially those in this field.

[@run-forrest-run]

It feels like I found a true gem on KZbin. Your channel is such a delight. Keep up the cool and geeky work! It is much appreciated. 🙏

[@vladel]

so true!!!

[@sarvove]

What this app is rubbish

[@boxlad7583]

@@sarvove he's talking about the channel not the app. and the app does what it advertises so not rlly rubbish

[@sarvove]

@@boxlad7583 if you saw my results you would say it doesn’t work either said I was awake all night

[@boxlad7583]

@@sarvove were you using the watch variant or the phone app? bc the watch uses an accelerometer which tracks your movements. Maybe you move an abnormal amount in your sleep?

[@nl6142]

you have the BEST reviews on youtube for all these related topics, with actual tests and data that can be used when you read reviews of apps on the app store, the only part that's actually reliable is people's experiences with the UI - any comments on actual sleep tracking data can't really be used, so i really appreciate your videos so glad i found your channel - hope you keep growing!!!!

[@silviui.]

Thank you so much for the review! Can't wait for the rest of the apps.

[@marcoprezotto]

Wonderful!! Please make more this kind of videos. We definitely need a lot more scientific tests on youtube. Loved you!!

[@shihanma2480]

Man you're a scientist, a researcher. Bravo!

[@hgcleaner]

Love the high quality of content and production! Looking forward to every video!

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Thanks Freddy!

[@Stephen2697.]

Found your channel two days ago and am blown away by the quality of your investigative reviewing. Delighted to have you on my Subscriber feed 👍🇮🇪

[@panagiotismourtzis7638]

Thank you so much for your review Rob!

[@deepcoolclear]

Excellent analysis. I wonder if you are able to provide an update for this year as to whether the app made any improvements to its algorithm or it’s just the same. If you are also able to shed any further analysis on sleep apnea functions of these apps that would be extremely helpful and appreciated

[@misterpimp666]

I also have a scientific background and I’m just amazed at the quality of this video. This was done with better methods than many scientific articles! And a discussion about limitations and future avenues at the end?!? A-MA-ZING!

[@chinwengkeong]

I use Sleep Watch on the apple watch... it seems to track the same things including HRV, sleep rhythm across days and some other stuff too.

[@alexxodessa]

you doing an amazing job!!! thank you so much for your behaviour attitude for such an interesting, useful and important topics!!!

[@mollyricee]

Wow. You put so much effort into making these videos, you're great. Thank you.

[@user-hg3rj2zj6w]

Thank you so much! This is a truly great KZbin Chanel and I wish you good luck in future!

[@mikhailratner7091]

Thanks for this! Finally some proper scientific approach to this topic, you earned a sub :) It would be great to see a comparison video where you talk about the pro's and con's of sleep cycle and other similar apps!

[@Devusjdevusj]

This was exactly what i was looking for. Keep up the good work. Subscribed to your Channel!

[@robertolira9843]

happy new year Rob. great video thank you.

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Thanks Roberto!

[@lukasmedicus]

Kudos for this very impressive analysis! 👍

[@aspect_studio]

i'm looking forward to your Sleepwatch app review!

[@nikhiltitus]

Well researched and thorough video. Thanks for sharing this.

[@vagabondsteve]

Love your videos! Thank you.

[@rondebruijn1145]

I find the wake up feature very usefull. To me it always seems to be spot on waking me when im in light sleep.

[@borisprekop]

Excelent inside, Im using sleep cycle for +2 yes now and want to know more about my sleep so this is really great content!

[@carloscao9193]

I have been searching for this video for weeks!!!

[@MichaelToub]

You are now my go-to authoritative source for sleep tracking info! Thanks!

[@fabzy4L]

Your data analytics skills tingle my love for stats and neuro

[@michaborzdynski7932]

I loved it! Subscribed right away ❤️

[@dmccabe1870]

Really enjoy your videos

[@felixwhise4165]

Looking forward for the app comparison :)

[@extraordinaryhuman1806]

This is top quality analysis. THank you

[@lorumipsum1113]

Endlich ein richtig gutes review DANKE!

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Bitte!

[@ncostarica]

Amazing analysis. I'll test the app. Thanks

[@jacobbailey5498]

Cool video, thank you!!!

[@cacomartin]

Just amazing info and data. Thanks for share your experience with this app.

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

*Subscribe to my weekly Newsletter(!)* on www.robterhorst.com Instagram: instagram.com/quantified_scientist/ Twitter: @QuantifiedRob 👇Amazon Affiliate links, support the channel!👇 Apple Watch 44mm: geni.us/7Dom Apple Watch 40mm: geni.us/0gNGeO Of course, only buy it if it makes sense for you!👍

[@johnsmithington3167]

Thanks, I love these videos. Can('t) (wait until) you test 'AutoSleep" app for Apple watch. They Are the only ones who have a respectable privacy policy (your data is your data only), and they also have export tools. edit: I should have waited until the end :)

[@NumptyBrainStorm]

These kinds of analyses are much better than typical youtuber product reviews!

[@resistcrew1149]

Excellent review as usual!, autosleep and sleepwatch apps are quite popular as well, would love to see a review on them as well!...Happy New Year!

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Thanks! Will do!

[@johanlejdung6445]

Pillow is an old classic app as well, I'd love one of that

[@ricardoandrade1027]

thank you, that was very informative

[@caferdemir1]

Firat of all, thanks for well detailed and informative videos. I like to ask if you also plan to make benchmark regarding smart scales, like Fitbit Aria, Whitings, Tanita etc.

[@Aginor]

Awesome video! It would be great if you could also analyze the sleep tracking accuracy of Garmin devices!

[@senwang1982]

wow outstanding video thanks for the comparison

[@jurbua]

Amazing!! Thank you very much.

[@NerdyNerdUHeard]

I LOVE THIS! Thank you for your service :P

[@Belgarathe]

Very awesome video. Decent job in researching and interpreting.

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ahmedswidan1042]

His smile and overall friendly nature just made me click the like button without even finishing 1 min of the video

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Thanks Ahmed!

[@kouroshi]

Amazing video thank u

[@americanxingyiquanbaguazha355]

Thanks for taking the time to do thorough reviews with in depth data analysis about these products. Super helpful! Now all we need is for *you* to develop an app for the Apple Watch that actually works (hint hint).

[@delishun2291]

You didn’t like it?

[@libo6322]

Thanks..great video

[@PJ-mb3ue]

Thanks!

[@onlineservices2050]

Great review. In your opinion does this do as good a job for sleep cycle tracking as Charge 3/4?

[@JECC088]

Nice review! Couldn’t find the Sleep Watch App review video tho.

[@AngelM1013]

Great video!

[@nameunknown007]

I gave a thumbs up already for your 2:28 test 😄

[@zomastaTV]

As someone with a scientific background, your videos do an excellent job at testing different trackers. Subscribed!

[@kevingatera3089]

Thanks for the review!! I was wondering how accurate the app is. Been using it for a few months

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Appreciate it Kevin!

[@dlyn]

You should test the native sleep tracking on apple watch as well. Maybe another idea for a future video is testing to see if the smart alarm actually wakes you up during light sleep and not rem sleep

[@MikeLeitner]

He already tested it

[@nicolasvanlangendonck9179]

Excellent, you are awesome

[@jzen1455]

When is the sleep tracking test of the Garmin Venu going to be rleased? Thank you for providing such invaluable info! I'm currently experiencing analysis paralysis about which fitness tracker to get and these videos make it easier to hone in on what tracker to get.

[@unclefreddy2009]

Would love to see this done for the sleepscore app which claims it uses “sonor” to detect movement

[@BigBodyPresence]

Love using the sleep cycle app. I have tried using it with and without the wake up window and I much prefer using it with the 30 min wake up window. Find myself much more awake and alert when I wake up

[@MattGarcyaDC]

where do you put your phone when sleeping

[@BigBodyPresence]

@@MattGarcyaDC just on my nightstand on the charger

[@pribenites]

Cute! 😍 Thanks for this video 🙏

[@pedrom2353]

Nice video bro!

[@jalaprabhu314]

Subscribed and liked. Nice to find you.

[@mofr56uzk8jbk6]

Thank you for doing such informative videos. In future, could you please test the accuracy of respiratory rate on apple watch. Also, could you test some apps for monitoring stress

[@atifrocksyou]

this guy deserves much more appreciation

[@mprebo]

I’ve watched your review of Apple Watch 6 and the Sleep Cycle App as well as your review of the Oura Ring 2. In your opinion is the Apple Watch as good as the Oura Ring for sleep? Do you feel it would be overkill to use both?

[@LexOvermars]

Thumbs up Rob!

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Thanks Lex 😊

[@guidaribeiromap]

Awesome!!!

[@matteobraiuca4665]

Top video! Is applewatch more precise than fitbit 4 on sleep analisys?

[@uldmedia]

Very interesting channel - i like it. I have a question too - do you think that the blood oxygen sensor of the apple watch is useful to detect phases of sleep apnea?

[@casimirodasilvasantoshe-hi5797]

Thank you for this. I use Sleep Cycle for a long time, and it helps me a lot. However could not make it work in my Apple Watch. Liked the way you extracted the values of the chart.

[@denchypoo6851]

I had to restart my Apple Watch mate. Then it worked again, just a heads up :)

[@andre.shaw91]

Do you find that the Apple Watch app is less accurate? I don’t think it picks up when I am awake as accurately as the microphone.

[@abambac]

@@andre.shaw91 I feel the same way. The AW does not pick up that I’m awake.

[@michierh2886]

How can I even active this on my Apple Watch? Or do I just have to set up the alarm on the watch instead of the phone? I am wearing my watch in bed but have the feeling that sleep is tracked via my phone 🤔

[@andre.shaw91]

@@michierh2886 Yea you have to set the timer on your Apple Watch, not your phone

[@alexmaximizingtime]

Love your videos! Could you make a video ranking different wearables (and Apple Watch apps) according to sleep score accuracy?

[@theseusbodymind4261]

That would be amazing

[@christydellaria3800]

I have apple now but I can say for certainty that the Samsung watch 4 is the BEST sleep tracker between the two! It lets you know how much light sleep, REM sleep and deep! It’s amazing.

[@christydellaria3800]

I have apple now but I can say for certainty that the Samsung watch 4 is the BEST sleep tracker between the two! It lets you know how much light sleep, REM sleep and deep! It’s amazing.

[@jessewintermute8031]

Could you do the Samsung galaxy watch 3? Great work stud.

[@RhythmAssistedPoetry]

Hope you do Galaxy Watch 3! These are great

[@andre.shaw91]

This is a great video. Can you also test the Sleep Cycle Apple Watch app to see if it is as accurate? I am assuming your testing only used the Sleep Cycle app which detects motion through the microphone. The Apple Watch app will not be using the microphone.

[@ABONE-OL748]

Could you compare some sleep cycle apps (without watches or bands) with EEG device please😄

[@Tardonis]

so should i use the app on my phone or series 6 watch? will the info on the watch be updated on the app on phone? just installed and looking for help, thx. love your channel

[@zakmorgan9320]

Can you do a similar video on the galaxy watch? I think it would be an even better comparison as it gives a graph similar to the EEG showing deep light rem and awake periods!

[@ramilverma9410]

hi interesting analysis which sleep app would you finally recommend for apple watch 6 ?

[@anthonymarconi761]

Very helpful, thank you! Maybe I missed it, but where was your phone during the test? The app mentions having your phone charging right by your bed, as you illustrated, but if I'm not mistaken when you launch the app through the watch, it uses the watch's sensors and not the phone's with the watch being just a mere second screen / launcher? So how far was your phone when you did the test? I want to try it, but I have no care for the alarm function (I can pretty much wake up on my own at a chosen hour, lame superpower but hey, that's better than nothing) and there doesn't seem there's an option for just monitoring on the watch - maybe I'll have to set up a mock alarm to test that? Anyway, again thanks for your in-depth work!

[@eloisabernal9335]

Hey Rob! Nice video. When is the Polar smartwatch review going to be up?

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Hi Eloisa! It will probably take at least a few weeks, I have some other videos scheduled first. Sorry, but I can only make one video per week, as I do this in addition to my normal research.

[@shane.melaugh]

Best reviews of this kind, by far. Thank you for the work you put into these!

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

I appreciate that!

[@techstuff8950]

Pretty interesting results ! Would it be possible that you test the "Sleep as Android" App in the future ? Not sure if this app is compatible with the apple Watch though.

[@Gibus21250]

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 has this programme integrated inself, in Samsung Health

[@koraykaptan5414]

I really love your work. I always have an imterrupted and uncomfortable sleep, causing me feeling exhausted all day long. So if you need any guinea pig for your research. I can volunteer.

[@christopherreynolds1564]

There is no one out there doing this kind of detailed and thorough analysis of the Apple Watch. Thanks!

[@TM-kg6kg]

Any chance you can do the Samsung galaxy watch 3 as that is fda approved? Great videos.

[@INDIGE_STUDIO]

Great video. Dreaming is life ;)

[@tomix2655]

Hello, could you test the new AIO smartsleeve? It would be cool!

[@WhyFi59]

Would you be interested in comparing the Sleep as Android app on Android as well? It's well regarded to be very accurate and featureful, I'm currently using it, but having a professional opinion would be interesting.

[@karamelchaar5976]

Great video, amazing channel! Did u end up reviewing sleepwatch app by bodymatter?

[@Adriaaan]

I have used Sleep Cycle for over five years and can confirm it frequently wakes me during REM sleep...

[@magsrejman6045]

Would be so cool if you could test and review Oura Ring sleep tracker🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Been using it for months but after watching some of your videos I question all my devices😂

[@bigimportantman1544]

Just based off my anecdotal experience, sleep cycle is a total game changer for waking up.

[@robsteinert7375]

As someone else has stated could you please carry out a test with "sleep as android". They've been around since 2010. That would be really interesting. Keep up the awesome video's A+++

[@youhavetogotheretocomeback]

Love this dude - more on Fitbit please!

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Thanks so much!!

[@xblowsmokex]

Fitbit is lame. You’re welcome.

[@youhavetogotheretocomeback]

@@xblowsmokex That's not what the dude with nearly 20k subscribers says! Congrats Rob!

[@user-zj8zg6gb1h]

Nice info

[@TheQuantifiedScientist]

Glad you think so!

[@DrX00X]

could u pls test the science behind -sleep detection- found on the Samsung watch 3, and is there any long term health issues using such wearable technologies? regarding the constant and prolonged exposure to their sensors?

[@jacobbailey5498]

What tests do you do regularly? I do a lot of the same ones, though measuring reaction time is a good idea!