You know the feeling. You’ve woken up feeling strangely worse after what should have been a full night’s sleep. Well, something like this can help. The company is positioning it as the final piece of its “Sleep, by Design” platform. It sits alongside Sleep Assist for falling asleep and Deep Sleep Boost for supporting slow-wave sleep.

A smarter way to wake up

The idea here is simple. But the technology behind it is more interesting than the typical smartwatch-style smart alarm. Rather than estimating sleep stages from movement or heart rate, Muse is using EEG data directly from the headband.

That matters because the whole point of a smart alarm is timing. If you are being woken at the wrong point in your sleep cycle the grogginess can linger well into the morning. Muse says Smart Wakeup continuously monitors brain activity during your chosen wake window and starts a gradual audio alarm the moment it detects lighter sleep. If that moment does not arrive, it still wakes you at the latest set time.

That direct EEG approach is one of the things that stood out to me in my hands-on review of the Muse S Athena. The device’s brain visualisation tools and signal quality were already among its strongest points. So this feels like a natural extension of what the hardware is already good at.

The data behind it

Muse says the feature was developed using an internal study based on around 6,200 nights of sleep data. Some 1300 users in total were looked at, with each session paired to morning mood ratings.

The most interesting takeaway is that sleep duration still matters far more than anything else. In other words, this is not being presented as a fix for poor sleep habits. But for nights where users already got seven or more hours with good sleep efficiency, waking during lighter sleep was linked with noticeably better morning mood.

That feels believable. Anyone who tracks sleep regularly will know that seven hours can feel very different depending on when the alarm hits. Some mornings you wake naturally a few minutes before it goes off and feel clear-headed. Other mornings the same alarm time feels brutal.

Muse’s point is that the timing of your sleep stages shifts from night to night. Travel, stress, schedule changes and even minor routine differences can move REM and lighter sleep periods around, which means a fixed 7am alarm does not always hit the same sleep stage.

What comes next

The company is already talking about where this platform goes next in 2026, and this is where it gets especially interesting. Planned additions include waking once a recovery target has been met, a mode designed to wake users during REM for dream recall, and guided audio layered into the transition from sleep to wakefulness.

Some of that does stray into more speculative territory, but Smart Wakeup itself feels grounded and genuinely useful. Based on my experience with the Muse S Athena, this is exactly the kind of feature that makes sense for the platform. It builds on the headset’s clinical-style EEG strengths rather than trying to imitate what smartwatches are already doing.

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Deep Sleep Boost works with your brain

This isn’t about calming bedtime stories or generic white noise. Deep Sleep Boost detects slow-wave sleep with EEG in real time and delivers pink-noise pulses that are phase-timed to the user’s actual brain oscillations. These pulses are designed to gently reinforce slow-wave activity, the part of sleep most tightly linked to physical recovery, memory consolidation and long-term brain health.

In my review of the Athena headband I found it feels familiar to earlier Muse models but packs noticeably more detail under the hood, with upgraded EEG sensors and the addition of fNIRS for tracking both brain activity and how hard your brain is working during sessions. The sleep tracking was accurate and detailed, with clear visualisations of brainwaves and solid overall performance night after night.

What’s new here is not just sound during sleep, but smart, adaptive stimulation based on the exact timing of brainwaves. That level of precision is what Muse believes sets it apart from traditional sound-based sleep tools.

The science behind it isn’t new, but now it’s usable

Closed-loop audio stimulation has been around in research for years. Trials have shown that when delivered correctly, these cues can boost slow-wave activity by as much as 50 percent and improve memory retention overnight by around 20 percent. One Alzheimer’s study saw a 60 percent increase in time spent in deep sleep using similar stimulation protocols.

Muse has essentially translated this into a real-world feature for nightly use. According to the company, their AI models were trained on large-scale EEG datasets and refined using years of longitudinal brain data from Muse users. The goal was to bring clinical insight into a consumer setting, without the clunky lab gear.

The system is also modular. Muse users can combine Deep Sleep Boost with other features like Sleep Assist, which plays EEG-guided sounds to help users fall asleep faster, or pair it with Sleep Sounds like “Ocean Stillness.” Everything runs inside the same mobile app, with an option to preview results the next day.

It’s designed to help with depth, not just duration

Many people sleep long enough but still wake up groggy. Muse is aiming at the quality side of the equation. Deep sleep tends to decline with age, stress, or irregular routines, and boosting it without drugs or wearables that just guess at your sleep stage is a tough problem. That’s where Muse’s EEG tracking and adaptive timing come in.

The feature only kicks in once you’ve actually reached deep sleep. A visual in the app shows a confirmation: “Will be active when you reach deep sleep.” It also tracks how many times it triggered during the night and displays that next to your sleep staging and slow-wave intensity score the following morning.

The system supports customization too. Protocol 7 is the current preset, but the app offers advanced settings for intensity and timing. Muse recommends using wired headphones for the most accurate audio timing, though the experience still works wirelessly.

Included for free with Athena

Deep Sleep Boost is already live and free for anyone using a Muse S Athena, whether you’re on Android or iPhone. It’s part of Muse’s bigger Sleep by Design toolkit, which also includes features like the upcoming Smart Alarm and the Enso AI coach. The idea is to go beyond just tracking sleep and actually help improve it using real brain data.

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The whole thing is designed to live next to your bed and do just one job well.

Built for tired hands and sleepy eyes

Dreamie is a low, rounded device about the size of a small lamp base. It features an ambient screen, along with a top-mounted control knob that doubles as a directional light joystick. This physical interface is central to the experience. You can point the light softly at a wall or angle it down onto a book without needing to cycle through settings. Tactile volume sliders and a dimming touch strip complete the controls.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

There’s no app to download or account to make. Dreamie is fully self-contained. That’s intentional. It’s designed for users who want sleep tools without a screen pulling them back into notifications or swipes.

It’s earned a Platinum Calm Tech certification, which reflects how little it demands from you. If you’re half-awake, groggy or just not in the mood to fiddle with menus, Dreamie’s layout makes it easy to use anyway.

A sunrise alarm that doesn’t blast you awake

Dreamie includes a 120-LED lighting array tuned to 2700 K by default. It supports full spectrum colour output but emphasises warm tones and flicker-free operation. You can dim it all the way down or let it fade out completely. When used as a sunrise alarm, the light ramps up gradually, alongside sound, to ease you into the day.

This isn’t a decorative light show. It’s a tool for sleep rhythm support. You can set different wake times for weekdays, weekends or ad hoc events without needing to reprogram anything in an app. One swipe starts a whole routine.

It remembers your preferred volume for masking sounds at night and uses a separate level for morning alarms. That split alone helps avoid the common issue of falling asleep to a thunderstorm track and waking up to a blast.

You will also find a built-in library of noise types like brown, pink and green noise. Along with environmental soundscapes, guided sleep tracks and a podcast player. All of it is updated over Wi-Fi, with no need for a phone or login. Bluetooth pairing is available if you want to listen privately through headphones.

To round everything off, the gadget tracks sleep through contactless sensors embedded in the body. These monitor movement, temperature, humidity and light. Morning summaries are available on-device and focus on environmental factors and basic rest patterns.

Price and where it fits

The device stores all data locally and encrypts it on the device. There’s no cloud sync, and nothing leaves your bedroom. You never even enter a name or email. If you want the device to be purely a lamp and sound player, that’s entirely possible.

The Dreamie currently retails at $279 during a holiday window, with a standard MSRP of $349.

If you want to wake up without a jolt, fall asleep without a phone in reach, and keep your data where it belongs, this circular bedside assistant makes a compelling case. It’s not trying to track every metric. It’s trying to give sleep its own dedicated space. And that’s something most bedrooms don’t really have anymore.

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Why this lamp doesn’t need to touch you

Unlike smartwatches or rings, Sleepal’s system doesn’t rely on physical contact. You can leave your wearable charging or skip it entirely. The lamp sits by your bed and picks up on your body’s subtle signals throughout the night. That includes heart rate, respiratory rate, body movement and sleep stage transitions. It also tracks snoring, which can be useful for identifying interruptions in breathing or disturbances you may not be aware of.

The tech powering it uses millimeter-wave radar or ultra-wideband sensors to detect micromovements, even under heavy blankets. This approach avoids common accuracy issues in app-based microphone solutions that rely on where the phone is placed, or how much battery it has left.

Privacy is a key part of the pitch. According to the website, data processing happens locally, not in the cloud. That makes it less vulnerable to leaks and avoids sending raw biometric data over the internet.

The AI engine and app experience

Sleepal isn’t just tracking your breathing and movement. Behind the scenes, it’s running your data through a bunch of AI models that were trained on thousands of proper sleep studies. That gives it a decent shot at figuring out whether you’re in REM, deep or light sleep without needing anything strapped to your body.

The app then pulls all of that into a simple sleep score and breaks down your night in graphs and trends. There’s also an assistant built in that nudges you with suggestions, like dimming the lights earlier or shifting your bedtime based on how things have been going.

Beyond tracking, it functions as a lamp

The really nifty things about this is that it doubles as a room light with circadian-friendly controls. Expect sunrise simulations in the morning and warm lighting in the evening. There’s also a full-colour touchscreen dial with smooth dimming for manual control. Early images show a modern, cylindrical form that fits neatly on a nightstand.

Internally, it packs a surprising number of sensors. Acoustic analysis detects snoring and ambient noise. Thermal sensors help with body pose awareness. Radar-based modules pick up heart rhythm, breathing patterns and even presence sensing. It also monitors the room itself. This includes keeping tabs on temperature, humidity and light exposure to better understand how your environment affects sleep quality.

Designed to simplify the routine

This sounds a bit like some products we have reviewed in the last few years. One of these is SleepScore S+. Like Sleepal Ai Lamp, it uses radio waves to pick up on your breathing and body movement from a distance. It works a bit like echolocation, sensing what’s happening without touching you or the bed.

One of the biggest appeals to this kind of tech is convenience. The Sleepal lamp begins monitoring the moment you lie down, with nothing to wear, charge or sync. For people sensitive to wristbands or rings, it’s a way to get detailedsleep insights without a smartwatch or any other fitness gear.

The product is still in its pre-launch phase, with a Kickstarter campaign planned. You can sign up on the official site to reserve a launch discount. For those in Las Vegas, the device will be demoed at CES 2026 – where it has picked up a Honoree award in the Accessibility & Longevity, Smart Home and Digital Health categories.

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The launch doesn’t bring surprises. The device had already leaked in full a week ago, and everything from the design to the feature list was known in advance.

A sleep band with familiar data

Let’s make it clear from the outset – if you were hoping this would add new insights to Garmin’s health tracking ecosystem, it does not. The Index Sleep Monitor captures the same metrics Garmin watches already provide at night including sleep stages, sleep score, HRV status, breathing rate, skin temperature, resting heart rate and Pulse Ox. It also includes the usual integration into the Garmin Connect app, syncing alongside daytime data from your watch to build a full 24-hour profile.

But unlike a watch, the Index Sleep Monitor is worn on the upper arm. That is the pitch. A more comfortable option for overnight wear, especially for those who dislike sleeping with a device strapped to their wrist.

A comfort play rather than a data upgrade

So the core benefit here is not what it tracks, but where and how. The band is lightweight, breathable and machine washable. Garmin makes a point of emphasizing comfort throughout its marketing. It also throws in a smart wake alarm that vibrates on your arm instead of buzzing on your wrist, which may appeal to lighter sleepers.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The bigger question is whether the sensor position will result in better quality sleep data. Garmin does not claim any such advantage. But for those who find wrist-based readings inconsistent or uncomfortable, this could be worth exploring. It might also appeal to users who want sleep tracking but do not want to invest in a full smartwatch.

What Garmin left out

At 170 dollars, the Index Sleep Monitor sits in a strange place. It is more expensive than many entry-level wearables that track both day and night. And unlike Whoop, it only covers sleep. That limits its appeal, especially for users looking for continuous recovery metrics or athletic insights.

There is also a hardware angle Garmin completely missed. The band fits on the upper arm, which would have made it ideal as something that could double up as a heart rate monitor for workouts. Something like the Polar Verity Sense, for example. Garmin currently does not offer anything like that, relying entirely on chest straps for serious heart rate tracking. A dual-purpose sleep and workout band could have made this a much more versatile product.

Instead, what we have is a sleep-only companion for people who want recovery data but do not like sleeping with a watch. If that sounds like you, this could be worth a look. Check it out on Garmin’s website.

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Hardware keeps things simple

Reportedly, the unit is made to wrap around the upper arm with a Velcro strap, while the optical sensor tucks into a small pocket within the band. It looks to be the familiar Elevate setup from their watches, just removed from a traditional casing.

There are no metallic parts on the underside, so ECG is off the table. The whole thing is screenless. Just a single LED sits near the sensor to give you a sense of battery life. You won’t find physical controls either. Charging is done via Garmin’s usual proprietary cable, and the battery should last about a week if you’re logging a full night’s sleep each night.

That’s about it, at least in terms of what we know from the leak.

From a usability standpoint, this is clearly not something Garmin expects you to fiddle with. It seems almost entirely passive. If you want to use it as an alarm, you’ll feel a vibration instead of hearing a sound. You can tap the band to snooze or stop it, but that’s the extent of interaction mentioned so far.

It tracks a lot but… doesn’t your watch already?

Garmin watches already give you things like Sleep Score, Sleep Stages, SpO₂, Respiration Rate, and even Body Battery. So if this device is just doing the same stuff, why release it? That’s where things get fuzzy.

It’s possible this band pulls more accurate data from the upper arm compared to the wrist, especially during deep sleep. Or maybe it’s just a comfort option for people who don’t like wearing watches in bed.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Right now, it slots into Garmin’s Index range alongside the Index S2 smart scale and Index BPM blood pressure monitor. So it could also be about building out a more medical-style ecosystem, rather than just offering another tracking option.

This feels incomplete

If this really is just a passive sleep band with nothing new under the hood, then I’m not sure who it’s for. But I doubt that’s the whole story. Garmin usually doesn’t release single-purpose devices without a bit of extra thought. My guess is that there’s more going on with metrics or recovery analysis that hasn’t surfaced yet.

The obvious comparison is with Whoop, but even that feels slightly off. Whoop is a 24/7 system, while this seems like a nighttime-only companion. If it’s truly limited to sleep, then the only people I see picking it up are those who want to leave their main watch off at night. Which is fine, but niche.

The estimated price of €170 isn’t outrageous, but also not low enough to make it an impulse buy.

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Walking patterns and dementia risk

Scientists at Neuroscience Research Australia who conducted the study found that walking speed and step count are strong indicators of dementia risk. People who walked more frequently and at a faster pace were less likely to develop dementia over time, around 40 per cent less.

It turns out every small increase in walking speed led to a noticeable drop in risk. For example, those who increased their speed by just 4.6 cm per second lowered their dementia risk by 32%. Taking 3,200 more steps each day was linked to a 30% lower chance of developing the condition.

Step-time variability—how consistent a person’s step pattern is—was another key factor. People with more irregular step timing were more likely to develop dementia. This suggests that cognitive decline may begin affecting movement long before noticeable memory issues appear.

Now, apart from step counts, smartwatches don’t really have this type of data readily available. But perhaps it is an idea – to incorporate these findings into their metrics and perhaps upgrade the algorithms to calculate step speed and variability. We can’t imagine it would be too difficult.

Walking requires complex coordination between the brain and body, so it makes sense that changes in gait could hint at cognitive issues. Previous research has linked slower walking speeds to reduced hippocampal volume, a brain region critical for memory. A decline in grey matter volume was also observed in those with slower gait speeds.

A separate 2022 study found that people who experienced noticeable changes in their walking pace were more likely to develop dementia. This reinforces the idea that movement tracking through wearables could provide valuable insight into cognitive health.

Sleep and cognitive decline

Researchers also dug up a surprising connection between sleep habits and dementia risk. We all know that we should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. But it turns out, going to bed too early and sleeping for more than nine hours per night was linked to a 60% higher chance of developing dementia. It might be that early bedtime signals a disruption in the body’s internal clock, possibly due to underlying neurological changes.

Excessive sleep itself also appeared to be a risk factor, increasing the likelihood of dementia by 50%. While it’s unclear if longer sleep directly contributes to cognitive decline or is simply an early warning sign, the findings suggest that changes in sleep patterns should not be ignored. In any case, unless you are recovering from a heavy workout or reducing your sleep debt, it is not suggested that you should sleep more than 9 hours.

Can smartwatches help with early detection?

One of the more interesting takeaways from this study is how everyday tech like smartwatches might give us a heads-up about dementia risk. Since so many people already wear them, it’s not a stretch to imagine them being used for more than just counting steps and tracking sleep. Spotting changes in walking patterns or sleep habits early on could help flag potential issues before they become serious.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

That said, this is still early research, and there are plenty of gaps. This latest study didn’t account for family history, which is a big factor in dementia risk. And let’s be honest—sleep tracking on wearables isn’t perfect. Just because your watch says you were asleep doesn’t mean you weren’t lying there scrolling on your phone or watching TV.

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The company has launched its latest smartwatch just a few days ago. The Series 10 comes with some design tweaks, such as a larger display and size options and thinner case. But it is relatively thin on the ground as far as new features.

Perhaps the most interesting feature that we did get is Sleep Apnea detection. That is also rolling out to the Watch Ultra 2 and the Series 9 device. But not to older devices. As is the case with some other health features, this is region dependent. So it will not arrive in all countries at the same time.

The puzzling part of this is that a court rulling means that Apple cannot use its blood oxygen sensor for this feature. At least not in the US. You’d think this sensor plays a primary role in determining sleep apnea. 

Well, it seems the company has found a way around this.

Apple’s solution to Sleep Apnea detection

When a court ruling threw a wrench in Apple’s plans to use blood oxygen data for sleep apnea detection, the company didn’t miss a beat. Instead of scrapping the feature altogether, Apple’s engineers went back to the drawing board and emerged with a workaround.

Enter “Breathing Disturbances” – Apple’s new metric that turns the humble accelerometer into a sophisticated sleep sentinel. The smartwach focuses on the subtle wrist movements associated with disrupted breathing patterns.

Sleep apnea is, essentially, a breathing disturbance. Individuals with the condition stop breathing for periods while they sleep. Needless to say, this can be dangerous as it can stop the body from getting adequate oxygen. More than 1 billion people are estimated to be impacted worldwide.

Apple’s solution requires patience from users. You will not get your results the first night, or the second. In fact, the feature requires 30 days of information before it starts spitting out a sleep apnea assessment. In the meantime you can check out your Breathing Disturbances data in the Health app. The info shows either “Elevated” or “Not Elevated” readings.

The company reports that its sleep apnea notification algorithm was developed using machine learning techniques and a dataset of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests. Apple states that the feature underwent validation in a clinical study, suggesting confidence in its accuracy despite the absence of blood oxygen data.

Our takeaway

Nevertheless, one cannot help but think that oxygen levels would need to be monitored for more accurate results. After all – this is the approach other brands are taking.

For example, Samsung with its Galaxy Watch, has integrated blood oxygen measurements into their FDA-approved sleep apnea detection features. This contrast in methodologies suggests that blood oxygen data may contribute to a more complete assessment of sleep apnea symptoms.

In any case, it is better to have the feature than not to have it. Sleep apnea is undiagnosed in a lot of folks – they don’t realize they suffer from it. Something like this feature is needed to tip them off. They can then get a proper assesment in a medical setting.

Apple says it is actively pursuing marketing authorization from the FDA for its sleep apnea detection feature. This pursuit of regulatory approval extends beyond the United States, with the company seeking validation from health authorities around the globe.

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The significance of sleep for physical, mental, and emotional health is well-established. In our daily lives, we often encounter examples of sleep disruptions, with 1 in 3 people globally experiencing issues related to sleep quality or quantity. 

Shift work (or working till late at night) is a prime example, with research showing a significantly higher proportion of fatal accidents among those with insufficient sleep due to night shifts.

Jet lag is another common issue, where crossing multiple time zones leads to moderate to severe disruptions in our ability to function optimally. The severity of these disruptions is directly proportional to the number of time zones crossed, as our circadian rhythms and body clocks struggle to adjust.

More and more people are realizing that sleep is just as crucial for good health and longevity as nutrition and exercise. Sleep is increasingly being recognized as a fundamental pillar of overall well-being. Over the past decade, numerous research studies have shown the negative impact that disrupted sleep has on athletic and sports performance.  The International Olympic Committee’s mental health guidelines emphasize the importance of sleep for both mental and physical health, highlighting sufficiency, proper circadian alignment, sleep quality, and the absence of sleep disorders as key factors.

As awareness of the importance of sleep continues to grow, we are seeing a proliferation of wearables like smartwatches, smart rings, and apps designed to monitor and track sleep behavior. While improvements in sensor technology and AI have made these wearables increasingly sophisticated, they primarily serve as monitoring tools. Similar to the smart bracelets of the past that counted our daily steps, these devices only track sleep without providing any solutions.

An Australian company, Re-Time Pty Ltd, borne out of research from Flinders University and Industry collaboration with the Motherson group, has been providing solutions for sleep disruptions since 2012. Using light therapy, they introduced their first product for Seasonal Affective Disorder and Circadian Rhythm Disorders. 

Recognizing the growing demand for effective sleep solutions, they are now launching the retimer 3, a smart wearable for millions of people suffering from poor circadian rhythm and the resulting impact on their overall quality of life. The product is the culmination of more than 25 years of research conducted at Flinders University in South Australia under the guidance of Dr. Leon Lack, focusing on the effects of light on the human sleep cycle. The retimer 3 is designed for comfort and style while providing functional excellence.

Whether dealing with onset insomnia, struggling to adjust to new time zones, or facing the challenges of shift work, retimer 3 offers a practical method to regain control over sleep patterns. The retimer 3, comes with its mobile app, which provides consumers with a simple method to create, manage, and monitor the usage schedule to effectively address sleep issues – whether arising from travel, odd-hour work, or misaligned body clock. Based on published research, the blue-green light used in retimer 3 is the safest and most effective in adjusting the circadian rhythm. 

Compatible with both Android and iOS devices, the app seamlessly integrates with popular health and fitness platforms like Apple Health and Android Health Connect.

Following its debut at the World Sleep Congress 2023, retimer 3 received positive feedback from attending sleep experts. It was subsequently showcased at prominent events, including Arab Health in Dubai 2024 and the Health Optimization Summit in London 2024.

retimer 3 is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter. Early backers can access a special introductory price of USD 109, which offers savings of up to 45% off the retail price. The first shipments of Kickstarter orders are expected to be dispatched in early October, with the product set to be available for commercial purchase by Christmas this year.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.re-timer.com

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Neuromodulation and AI: The future of sleep?

The headband, made of a blend of polyamide and spandex fabric with a silicone rubber electrode, weighs a mere 60 grams. Below the hood are five EEG electrodes to monitor brain activity and a 3D accelerometer to track movement. Its battery provides over nine hours of session time and can be fully charged in three hours.

Unlike traditional sleep trackers, Elemind actively intervenes in the sleep process. The headband’s EEG electrodes monitor brain activity and deliver precise audio cues designed to shift the brain from wakeful states into sleep mode. These audio signals are transmitted through a bone conduction driver, ensuring the user can hear them even while lying down.

Elemind’s technology doesn’t stop at stimulation. Its AI Sleep Tailor feature learns the user’s individual sleep patterns over time, adapting its approach for personalized sleep optimization. A future update promises Deep Sleep Stimulation, aiming to further enhance sleep quality by boosting time spent in deep sleep.

Promising clinical trials, But questions remain

Elemind boasts impressive clinical trial results, claiming that its headband helped 76% of participants fall asleep faster. However, as with any new technology, the long-term efficacy and potential side effects remain to be seen. Nevertheless, its innovative approach and promising clinical trial data make it a noteworthy development in the field of sleep technology.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Having said that, we do see some potential drawbacks that should be considered. The headband’s price point of $349, coupled with a $6.99 monthly subscription fee, may be a barrier for some consumers. It does all add up. While pre-order customers receive a free year of the subscription, the ongoing cost could be a significant factor for consideration. 

Additionally, this is a headband. Meaning, it is something you need to wear on your head while you sleep. This may not appeal to everyone, as some may find it uncomfortable or cumbersome to wear throughout the night.

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