Autosleep vs Sleep Watch vs Sleep Tracker

[honglong1976]

Hi,

I tested all three sleeping apps. There aren't that many reviews comparing them so I tried and reviewed them myself.

https://honglong1976.wordpress.com/2017/04/18/autosleep-vs-sleep-watch-vs-sleep-tracker-mini-review/

Until Apple native supports sleep, we will have to use an app. The best one from my testing is Sleep Watch.

 

[SDColorado]

Thanks for taking the time to review these. I just downloaded AutoSleep last night, unfortunately before I saw your review. I had previously downloaded Sleep++, but for the reason you mention in your review, I found it unsuitable. Perhaps I will download Sleep Watch as well and try it and AutoSleep for awhile.

 

[honglong1976]

Thanks for taking the time to review these. I just downloaded AutoSleep last night, unfortunately before I saw your review. I had previously downloaded Sleep++, but for the reason you mention in your review, I found it unsuitable. Perhaps I will download Sleep Watch as well and try it and AutoSleep for awhile.

You are welcome!

I think Autosleep would be better if it was less complicated to use. Sleep Watch is the most Fitbit like in accuracy. Just wish Apple would native sleep track!

 

[JackieInCo]

I like Autosleep paired with Heartwatch. I was having some problems with Autosleep saying that I was asleep certain times when I was up and moving around but I've gotten that problem solved.

 

[honglong1976]

Just updated the reviews

 

[Bob190]

I think AutoSleep is amazing and probably better than any native app Apple would create. I don't find it at all complicated to use and like JackieInCo mentioned, it is a great compliment to HeartWatch.

It seems to get any wakeups correct for me 99% of the time.

 

[matrix07]

@honglong1976 the links to apps in your review don't appear to be links. Can't click them.

 

[honglong1976]

@honglong1976 the links to apps in your review don't appear to be links. Can't click them.

Thanks. Updated

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Nice reviews. I personally use AutoSleep, because I use HeartWatch (which is AMAZING), so I couldn't imagine every changing unless something big gave me reason to.

I will agree that I've always found AutoSleep to be a little bit confusing. I love data (which is why I love HeartWatch), but for some reason AutoSleep has seemed more difficult to set up, interpret, and parse the data. It's gotten better over time, especially with the last update.

It rarely correctly indicates my mid-night awake times, but I blame that more on me (short duration with very little movement). I can't expect the thing to read my brain waves.

Note on your review: You say AutoSleep showed you awake at 1am, but the imagine you attached for AutoSleep clearly does NOT show you being awake. Either you misunderstood or perhaps increased the sensitivity later, but never attached an updated screenshot?

 

[honglong1976]

I think AutoSleep is amazing and probably better than any native app Apple would create. I don't find it at all complicated to use and like JackieInCo mentioned, it is a great compliment to HeartWatch.

It seems to get any wakeups correct for me 99% of the time.

View attachment 696889

I find it detected my sleep ok but not my awake times. I think the app is the most polished out of the three and actually looks like something Apple would make. In fact if they didn't have a solution they should buy this and use it in WatchOS4.

Maybe because I am used to sleep in fitbit but I find the bar-chart style much easier to read than a circular style.
[doublepost=1492696455][/doublepost]

Nice reviews. I personally use AutoSleep, because I use HeartWatch (which is AMAZING), so I couldn't imagine every changing unless something big gave me reason to.

I will agree that I've always found AutoSleep to be a little bit confusing. I love data (which is why I love HeartWatch), but for some reason AutoSleep has seemed more difficult to set up, interpret, and parse the data. It's gotten better over time, especially with the last update.

It rarely correctly indicates my mid-night awake times, but I blame that more on me (short duration with very little movement). I can't expect the thing to read my brain waves.

Note on your review: You say AutoSleep showed you awake at 1am, but the imagine you attached for AutoSleep clearly does NOT show you being awake. Either you misunderstood or perhaps increased the sensitivity later, but never attached an updated screenshot?

Thanks

That's my problem. It didn't detect the awake times accurately. The screenshot is correct. You'll notice the heart rate is two grey dots around 1am, which when I was awake (my heart rate went up and the time detected by Fitbit) but not much activity from the chart.

Like you mentioned, it depends on my movement. Maybe I just didn't move that much for it to detect my awake time.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

That's my problem. It didn't detect the awake times accurately. The screenshot is correct. You'll notice the heart rate is two grey dots around 1am, which when I was awake (my heart rate went up and the time detected by Fitbit) but not much activity from the chart.

Gotcha. Yeah the grey HR dots just indicate high (above resting HR, I think) HR. Nothing to do with being awake. The bar would extend all the way to the top and completely change color. The circular bar would also show a gap during your awake period.

 

[honglong1976]

Gotcha. Yeah the grey HR dots just indicate high (above resting HR, I think) HR. Nothing to do with being awake. The bar would extend all the way to the top and completely change color. The circular bar would also show a gap during your awake period.

I need to move more next time

What the Dev has managed to do is really impressive though! Amazing what data can be pulled from Health.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I need to move more next time

What the Dev has managed to do is really impressive though! Amazing what data can be pulled from Health.

Haha, yeah sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night I do think "I should flop my arm around a bit so it knows I'm awake!" But I haven't yet.

 

[honglong1976]

Haha, yeah sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night I do think "I should flop my arm around a bit so it knows I'm awake!" But I haven't yet.

Great idea. I think I will try that next time I get it.

Love the app but there is one thing that's annoying! The splash screen when you launch it! haha

 

[BrianSoCal]

For the life of me I can't figure out how to get the data to show on the AW using AutoSleep?

 

[GAUG3]

For the life of me I can't figure out how to get the data to show on the AW using AutoSleep?

The only screen you will see on the AW is last night's sleep and 7 day avg rings along with Lights Off.
[doublepost=1495469542][/doublepost]How are you guys adjusting the sensitivity? I wake up a couple times a night for about 30 minutes. The watch doesn't detect it because I usually don't move. I just stay there trying to go back to sleep. Are you making note of the time you woke up and then adjust it somewhere when you wake up for the day?

 

[BrianSoCal]

I can't find or even put the AutoSleep app on my AW though, what am I missing?
[doublepost=1495477720][/doublepost]

I can't find or even put the AutoSleep app on my AW though, what am I missing?

Disregard, I had to reboot the IP in order to be able to load the app on the AW

 

[Thai]

AutoSleep for me. I make it so that when i pick up my iPhone, it knows that i am awake. I also spent several nights TWEAKING the sensitivity. I am a bad sleeper...who wakes up a few times at night. It is pretty darn accurate! In fact last night, i had to wake up around 4am to take a phone call (thus using my iPhone). Then went back to sleep until 5:30 (normal wake up time). AutoSleep actually knew that i went back to sleep! I was scared that since i used my iPhone at 4am, it thought that i was awake and stay awake...but nope, it knew that i went back to sleep until 5:30 (when i pick up my iPhone again to read news).

Options i selected:
1. I wear my Watch to bed....
2. Set your night hour (10 pm for me).
3. No Quiet time (NONE).
4. Use iPhone...YES.

Then on TWEAK...my slider is all the way to the LEFT...see 1st pic:
[doublepost=1495484747][/doublepost]And this is what i was talking about from this AM...notice me waking up around 4:12 am and then back to sleep at 4:44...and then awake again at 5:44.

 

[GAUG3]

AutoSleep for me. I make it so that when i pick up my iPhone, it knows that i am awake. I also spent several nights TWEAKING the sensitivity. I am a bad sleeper...who wakes up a few times at night. It is pretty darn accurate! In fact last night, i had to wake up around 4am to take a phone call (thus using my iPhone). Then went back to sleep until 5:30 (normal wake up time). AutoSleep actually knew that i went back to sleep! I was scared that since i used my iPhone at 4am, it thought that i was awake and stay awake...but nope, it knew that i went back to sleep until 5:30 (when i pick up my iPhone again to read news).

Options i selected:
1. I wear my Watch to bed....
2. Set your night hour (10 pm for me).
3. No Quiet time (NONE).
4. Use iPhone...YES.

Then on TWEAK...my slider is all the way to the LEFT...see 1st pic:
[doublepost=1495484747][/doublepost]And this is what i was talking about from this AM...notice me waking up around 4:12 am and then back to sleep at 4:44...and then awake again at 5:44.

When you wake up in the middle of the night, are you grabbing your phone? Or just moving your arm around?

I wear my watch to sleep too and I have those settings. What is your Notify time set to?

 

[Thai]

When you wake up in the middle of the night, are you grabbing your phone? Or just moving your arm around?

I wear my watch to sleep too and I have those settings. What is your Notify time set to?

No, i do NOT grab my iPhone if i wake up at night. Just toss and turn. I only grab my phone when i wake up, which is what i normally do anyway...except for situation this morning, which AutoSleep performed nicely.

Notify 7am...but i actually turned off notification from app. I usually check the app out on most morning anyways when i grab my iPhone.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

AutoSleep for me. I make it so that when i pick up my iPhone, it knows that i am awake. I also spent several nights TWEAKING the sensitivity. I am a bad sleeper...who wakes up a few times at night. It is pretty darn accurate! In fact last night, i had to wake up around 4am to take a phone call (thus using my iPhone). Then went back to sleep until 5:30 (normal wake up time). AutoSleep actually knew that i went back to sleep! I was scared that since i used my iPhone at 4am, it thought that i was awake and stay awake...but nope, it knew that i went back to sleep until 5:30 (when i pick up my iPhone again to read news).

Options i selected:
1. I wear my Watch to bed....
2. Set your night hour (10 pm for me).
3. No Quiet time (NONE).
4. Use iPhone...YES.

Then on TWEAK...my slider is all the way to the LEFT...see 1st pic:
[doublepost=1495484747][/doublepost]And this is what i was talking about from this AM...notice me waking up around 4:12 am and then back to sleep at 4:44...and then awake again at 5:44.

Yeah, its good about detecting you are back asleep after using your iPhone. In fact, I've noticed it can even detect naps during the day the same way. I used to have my slider all the way to the left (like you). I guess I'm below average on sleep/wake movements. However, I changed it back to the middle, because when it was on the left it would significantly drop the "deep sleep" calculation, plus I would occasionally get some false positives. I usually sleep through the night anyway and if I do wake up, I either go right back to sleep or (if very awake) grab my phone. (Also when I sleep with my gf, she's a tosses and turns a lot so that can create a a lot more false positives with the sensitivity high)

 

[sboychuck]

+1 for AutoSleep.

 

[honglong1976]

I have given up on all the sleep tracker apps. They all seem completely random, none of them update the health app with awake and the apple watch just seems to big and heavy to use for sleeping.

I found a solution though.

Xiaomi Mi Band. 30 day battery life, weighs about 14g and you can't tell it's on. Also, it updates health with the correct sleep info and syncs offline like the Apple Watch (unlike Fitbit).

I believe that's what Apple needs to do. A super light fitness tracker for sleep/activity. The apple watch is great as a watch, fitness device but not for sleeping. That's my conclusion!

 

[Thai]

For me, I do not want to switch watches back and forth for different purposes.

 

[honglong1976]

For me, I do not want to switch watches back and forth for different purposes.

It's not a watch. I wear the watch and before I go to bed, use the mi band. The Apple watch is too big and heavy to be used as a sleep tracker. Maybe that's why no native app has appeared yet?

If Apple released a lightweight band to track sleep only, I would buy one. Maybe something like Beddit? I don't know but a watch shaped device is not the solution. Using the Miband for the first night I didn't have a numb arm and I didn't even have the Apple Watch tight either.