Actigraphy provides a practical and reliable way to measure sleep patterns, sleep-wake cycles, and overall sleep quality in research settings. With a focus on accuracy and ease of use, actigraphy devices have become essential tools for studying sleep and circadian rhythms. This guide highlights the best actigraphy sleep trackers for researchers in 2025, showcasing their features, benefits, and applications.

Access our detailed comparison sheet with full pricing and features of all available models.

Top Actigraphy Sleep Trackers for 2025

1. Fibion Helix

The Fibion Helix is a top choice for researchers studying sleep due to its advanced sleep metrics and affordability.

• Sensors:
  • 3-axis accelerometer.
  • Patented optical sensor for heart rate and heart rate variability.

• Sleep Metrics:
  • Automatically calculates sleep stages, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and sleep continuity.
  • Includes heart rate variability and recovery metrics for a comprehensive view of sleep quality.

• Data Access:
  • Raw data access for advanced analysis.
  • Well-documented SDK and API for integration with custom applications.

Why It’s Ideal for Sleep Research:
The Fibion Helix combines affordability with advanced sleep tracking capabilities, making it a top choice for researchers. The inclusion of heart rate variability provides valuable insights into recovery during sleep, enhancing its utility in sleep studies.

Pros:

• Affordable and highly accurate.
• Offers detailed sleep and recovery metrics.
• Convenient design suitable for large-scale studies.

Cons:

• Does not include ambient light measurement.
• Lacks a display for real-time feedback.

2. Fibion SENS

The Fibion SENS is an excellent option for long-term sleep studies, thanks to its extended battery life and durability.

• Key Features:
  • 22-week battery life for uninterrupted data collection.
  • Fully waterproof and reliable in diverse environments.
  • Records raw 3-axis acceleration data for sleep-wake analysis.

• Applications:
  • Ideal for longitudinal studies tracking sleep-wake cycles and activity patterns.

Why It’s Ideal for Sleep Research:
Its ease of use and low maintenance requirements make the Fibion SENS a practical solution for researchers conducting long-term sleep studies.

Pros:

• Exceptional battery life reduces maintenance during studies.
• Affordable and user-friendly for participants.
• Reliable for capturing sleep-wake cycle data.

Cons:

• Limited to acceleration data without physiological measurements.

3. Fibion Flash

The Fibion Flash offers versatile features for researchers requiring both motion tracking and physiological metrics like heart rate variability (HRV).

• Sensors:
  • 6-axis motion sensor (accelerometer and gyroscope).
  • ECG sensor for heart rate and HRV measurements.

• Sleep Applications:
  • Tracks movement during sleep and provides HRV metrics to evaluate recovery.

Why It’s Ideal for Sleep Research:
The Fibion Flash’s ECG capabilities enhance its value for sleep studies by providing HRV data for insights into sleep-related recovery.

Pros:

• Tracks both movement and HRV for sleep analysis.
• Customizable features for study-specific needs.
• Cost-effective compared to other ECG-enabled devices.

Cons:

• Requires expertise to fully utilize its customization options.
• Not specialized for sleep-specific research.

4. ActiGraph LEAP

The ActiGraph LEAP offers advanced features for monitoring sleep and environmental factors, making it suitable for specialized sleep studies.

• Sensors:
  • 3-axis accelerometer.
  • Photoplethysmography (PPG).
  • Skin temperature sensor.
  • Barometer.
  • Gyroscope.
  • Microphone.

• Additional Features:
  • Measures environmental factors such as light exposure, providing insights into circadian rhythm and sleep environment.

Why It’s Ideal for Sleep Research:
Its comprehensive sensor suite makes the ActiGraph LEAP a strong choice for researchers needing advanced sleep and circadian rhythm data, though it comes at a higher cost.

Pros:

• Multisignal capabilities for in-depth sleep research.
• Tracks light exposure to evaluate circadian rhythms.

Cons:

• High cost limits accessibility for budget-conscious researchers.
• Designed solely for wrist placement.

5. GENEActiv

The GENEActiv offers reliable sleep tracking with additional light exposure measurement for circadian rhythm analysis.

• Sensors:
  • 3-axis accelerometer.
  • Light exposure sensor.

Why It’s Ideal for Sleep Research:
The light exposure sensor provides valuable data on sleep environments, making it a strong candidate for circadian rhythm studies.

Pros:

• Measures light exposure for sleep environment analysis.
• Compact, watch-like design encourages participant compliance.

Cons:

• Relatively high cost.
• Does not include heart rate or HRV tracking.

6. Condor Instruments ActTrust2

The ActTrust2 is a reliable device for tracking light exposure, sleep, and activity, though it is more expensive than other options.

• Sensors:
  • 3-axis accelerometer.
  • Light exposure sensor.
  • Temperature sensor.

Why It’s Ideal for Sleep Research:
Its ability to measure light exposure and temperature makes it suitable for studies examining the relationship between sleep and environmental factors.

Pros:

• Excellent for light exposure and circadian rhythm studies.
• Durable design suitable for long-term use.

Cons:

• Bulky design may reduce participant comfort.
• Higher cost compared to other options.

Conclusion

For researchers focusing on sleep studies, the Fibion Helix and Fibion SENS are the best affordable options, offering detailed metrics and long-term reliability. Devices like the ActiGraph LEAP and GENEActiv provide additional features but at a higher cost, making them less suitable for budget-conscious studies.

Access our comprehensive comparison sheet with detailed pricing and features for all major sleep actigraphy watches & devices.

Call to Action

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Disclaimer

The brand names and product names mentioned in this article, including ActiGraph, Condor Instruments, and GENEActiv, along with their associated device models and software platforms, are trademarks of their respective owners. Our use of these names does not imply ownership, endorsement, or affiliation with these brands. This article is intended solely for informational purposes and provides an overview of these devices based on publicly available information.

We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information provided herein about non-Fibion products. Specifications and features of these products are subject to change and may vary depending on product updates or other factors. For the most accurate and up-to-date specifications, please refer to the respective official websites of these brands. Any reliance you place on the information in this article is strictly at your own risk.

All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.