There are some things that money can’t buy, but is improved sleep one of them? Perhaps. For those who struggle with broken nights, there are some great gadgets that could be worth investing in. From upgraded ear plugs to the ultimate heated blanket, add to basket for some sublime slumber.
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This sleep “pod” is a sensor-filled mattress
Eight Sleep Pod Cover
£2,345; eightsleep.com
One of the current tech-meets-wellness must-haves in the US is this “sleep system”. The “pod” is basically a sensor-filled mattress cover that regulates your temperature by heating and cooling according to measurements taken through the night, as well as through tracking your sleep patterns. It can also do this for two people sharing a bed, meaning your sweaty partner can be cooled down while you stay snuggly on your side. One friend told me it’s changed her life and, having a sweaty bed mate of my own, I can see how.
Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs
£24.95; loopearplugs.com
If your sleep issues are more to do with your neighbours/children/snoring partner than the noise in your head, try upgrading your flimsy, foam earplugs for these. With a range of ear tip sizes to ensure the snuggest fit, these offer the optimum level of noise reduction without sending you into complete audio blackout.
Keep track of your sleep with EEG sensors
Somnee Sleep Smart Headband
$299; somneesleep.com
This futuristic-looking headband may not be the sexiest thing to wear in bed, but it could be the smartest. It works by measuring your brain activity using EEG (electro-encephalogram) sensors. According to the feedback, it will provide a 15-minute personalised “stimulation session” with rhythms and patterns to essentially tell your brain to go to sleep. The sensation is mild, like a tingling or warmth on your forehead, but the results are impressive: it claims to cut the time it takes to fall asleep in half (and, according to their research, is four times as effective as a melatonin pill).
They currently don’t ship to the UK, but enterprising (desperate?) insomniacs are getting friends to send them over the pond.
Philips’s Sleep headphones comes paired with an app
Philips Sleep headphones
£249.99; philips.co.uk
You may love falling asleep to your favourite true crime podcast, but waking up again 30 minutes later to someone detailing a murder isn’t ideal. These headphones prevent that by monitoring your sleep (via built in sensors), fading your audio and introducing white noise (if you wish) as your drift off. Paired with the sleep app Kokoon, you can track your sleep and also tap into their library of slumber-inducing audio (from meditations to soundscapes), or stick with your gory podcasts if you prefer.
Clever features include ultra-thin earbuds covered in super-soft silicone, meaning they’ll be comfortable even when sleeping on your side.
Dyson Purifier Hepa Cool Fan
£549.99; dyson.co.uk
In the two (at best) hot weeks we may get a year in the UK, a Dyson fan is the ultimate companion. And yes, being cool may help you to sleep better, but why not go a step further and improve your air quality too? Their cooling purifier (that has a specific, near-silent night setting) filters out dust, allergens, formaldehyde and other pollutants in the air that can cause sniffles, a dry throat and other stresses to your sleep quality through the night.