Getting good sleep has never been more high-tech than it is today. People around the world are using all kinds of cool gadgets - from watches that track their sleep to smarter mattresses that help them sleep at night.
Our research shows some really interesting differences in how people in different countries and U.S. states use these sleep gadgets to catch their Z's.
Let's look at which places are leading the way in using technology to improve their sleep.
Methodology
We used Google Trends to track each of the technologies to rank the relative search volume of each of the technologies by country and then by state.
Then we put them in clear and easy to read charts.
What did we measure? We took 5 of the top trending technologies to report on:
- Sleep Trackers
- Smart Mattresses
- Grounding Sheets
- Sleep Sounds
- Cooling Sleep
First let’s take a look at the global searches for the 5 technologies
Sleep Technology By Country
When it came to sleep trackers, Switzerland, France and Belgium had the most searches related to that technology. I suppose it’s no surprise that Switzerland loves technology!
What was surprising is that the United States was at the bottom of the sleep tracker pack as measured against the other technologies.
Smart mattresses were fairly low for all countries except India. I guess they are searching for a great night’s sleep from their mattress!
Next up were grounding sheets. These are fairly new to the market and the search demand was a little higher than we anticipated.
Canada led the pack with 60% of their searches in our technology category being related to grounding sheets.
Sleep sounds (think white noise and nature sound machines) were definitely popular in South Africa, Ireland and Brazil, with the United States coming in fourth place.
It makes sense that these relatively inexpensive devices made up a lot of the searches. Everyone is looking for a cost effective way to get the best sleep.
The cooling sleep category came as a surprise. These are things like mattresses with cooling gel, better air flow, heat wicking material.
Germany and Austria led the search for this technology… and they aren’t what you think of as hot countries. Maybe more to look into there.
Next up, reviewing the individual states in the US for the relative searches of the 5 technologies.
Sleep Technology By State
In the US, the searches for sleep trackers were pretty consistent across the states. No big breakout state in the pack.
Now when it came to smart mattresses, things stayed at under 10% for all states. It was very similar to the search volume that we saw globally.
The numbers in the grounding sheets category were not what we expected. Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming had 40% or more of their search volume in this category.
What do these rugged and vast northern states have in common that make them search for information about grounding sheets? The stresses and strains of ranch and outdoor life? We don’t know, but it might require some further research!
Sleep sounds were popular in all the states, with Delaware leading the way with 66% of its relative searches in this category.
Cooling sleep had no big breakout state, but Washington DC did top the thermostat at 11%
If you’re unfamiliar with the five technologies that we researched, here’s a rundown of each and how searchers across the globe are using them to get better sleep.
Sleep Trackers: Getting to Know Your Sleep
How They Work
Sleep trackers are like tiny detectives that watch over you while you sleep. Usually worn on your wrist or placed under your mattress, they keep track of your heart beats, breathing, and how much you move around at night.
What They Tell You
These handy devices show you patterns in your sleep, like when you sleep best and how long you actually spend sleeping. It's like getting a report card for your sleep every morning!
How To Use Them
Sleep trackers give you tips to sleep better, such as when to go to bed and wake up. They might even remind you it's bedtime or suggest not drinking caffeine too late in the day.
Smart Mattresses: Beds That Think
Keeping You Comfy
Smart mattresses can warm up or cool down to help you sleep better. Think of it like having a temperature control for just your bed.
Changing to Fit You
These mattresses can become softer or firmer depending on how you're lying down. They make sure you're comfortable no matter what position you sleep in, kind of like a bed that gives you a perfect hug.
Tracking Your Sleep
Built-in sensors in the mattress can tell how well you're sleeping. They connect to your phone to show you how much you tossed and turned during the night.
Grounding Sheets Connect You With Earth
What They Are
Grounding sheets are special blankets that connect to the ground, just like when you walk barefoot in the grass. They have tiny metal threads woven into them to make this connection.
How They Help
Many people say these sheets help them feel more relaxed and sleep better. They use the earth’s free electrons and help you balance out your bioelectrical system. It's like having a piece of nature right in your bed!
Easy to Use
These sheets are super simple to set up - you just plug them in like you would a phone charger. Then you can sleep normally while staying connected to the Earth.
Sleep Sounds: Noise That Helps You Sleep
White Noise
White noise sounds like a gentle fan or soft rain. It helps block out annoying sounds like car horns or barking dogs that might wake you up.
Nature Sounds
Calming sounds like ocean waves or forest crickets can help you drift off to sleep. These sounds remind our brains of peaceful outdoor places.
Smart Features
New sound machines can change their volume if they hear loud noises around you. Some even connect to your phone so you can control them from bed!
Cooling Sleep Gear: Staying Cool at Night
Special Fabrics
Some sheets and pillows are made with special materials that feel cool to touch. They work like your favorite sports shirt to keep you from getting too hot.
Cool Air Systems
These neat devices blow cool air into your bed or through your mattress. It's like having a tiny air conditioner just for your bed!
Smart Temperature Control
The newest cooling gadgets can tell when you're getting too warm and automatically cool things down. They work together with other sleep tech to keep you comfy all night long.
Conclusion
People around the world are using different types of technology to help them sleep better.
Our research showed some interesting patterns - like how people in Switzerland love their sleep trackers, while folks in India are really interested in smart mattresses.
Surprisingly, states like Alaska and Idaho are really into grounding sheets. Whether it's a fancy mattress that adjusts its temperature or a simple device that plays rainfall sounds, more and more people are using technology to get better sleep.
It's clear that different places have different favorite ways to catch some Z's!