Pillow Automatic Sleep Tracker
Free with in-app purchases
Pillow is an app that provides detailed sleep analysis, including heart rate data, and integrates with the Apple Watch for seamless tracking.

Our take
Great for Apple users who want detailed sleep data.
Alright, so the Pillow Automatic Sleep Tracker is one of those gadgets that promises to tell you everything about your sleep habits. First things first, setting it up is pretty straightforward, which is always a plus. You just need to sync it with your smartphone, and you’re good to go. But here’s the thing: it relies on your phone’s sensors and microphone, so if you’re not keen on having your phone nearby all night, that’s something to consider. It’s handy if you’re already used to sleeping with your phone close by, but maybe not ideal if you’re trying to reduce screen time.
Once you’ve got it running, Pillow does a decent job of tracking sleep stages. It breaks down your night into light, deep, and REM sleep, giving you a nice overview each morning. The insights can be pretty eye-opening, especially if you’ve never tracked your sleep before. But, I’ll be honest, it sometimes seems a bit off. There were nights where I felt like I tossed and turned endlessly, but Pillow reported a solid night’s sleep. It’s not a dealbreaker, but don’t take the results as gospel.
Another feature worth mentioning is the smart alarm. It’s supposed to wake you up during the lightest sleep stage within a set window, which sounds great in theory. In practice, it’s hit or miss. Some mornings it nailed it, and I felt pretty refreshed. Other days, it felt like being jolted awake regardless of the timing. If you’re a light sleeper, this might not be the feature that wins you over.
Now, on to the app itself. It’s user-friendly and gives you lots of data to dig into. You can see trends over time and even jot down notes about your sleep. If you’re into tracking your habits, this could be right up your alley. However, the premium version unlocks more detailed analytics, and it’s not cheap. If you’re serious about sleep tracking, you might find it worth the investment, but if you’re just curious, the free version might suffice.
So, is the Pillow Automatic Sleep Tracker worth it? It depends. If you’re curious about your sleep patterns and don’t mind keeping your phone by your bed, it’s a nifty tool. Just remember, it’s not perfect, and it won’t magically fix your sleep issues. It’s more of a guide to help you understand your habits a bit better. If that’s what you’re after, then give it a shot. But if you’re looking for pinpoint accuracy or a drastic improvement in sleep quality, you might want to keep looking.