3 Well+Good Staffers All Tried This Sleep-Tech Upgrade—Here Are Their Honest Reviews

Yep, sleep is intertwined in so many things, from mental well-being to energy levels to the dark circles under our eyes. But whether it's daily distractions, anxious thoughts, or logging too many hours in front of the computer working, getting ideal shut-eye can actually be kind of complicated (not to mention frustrating when you can't seem to break out of the cycle).

That's why three Well+Good staffers jumped at the chance to upgrade their sleep hygiene routines by trying out Fitbit Sense. The advanced smartwatch definitely had an effect on their zzzs, thanks to having a built-in electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor to measure how their body is responding to stress, a meditation function to tangibly help work on said stress, features that help optimize and track sleep, and much, much more. Basically, if you're looking for a comprehensive Fitbit Sense review, you're in the right place.

Keep scrolling for a Fitbit Sense review from three Well+Good staffers who tried it out.

Kendall Wenaas, Associate Editor

I've heard of the benefits of meditating before bed, but when I actually tried it out... let's just say I wasn't a pro. So when I found out that Fitbit Sense has a meditation function built in, I was super excited to check it out. The meditation coach in the Relax app subtly buzzing on my wrist made it so easy to just lay in bed and focus on my inhales and exhales, but that's not the only calm-inducing feature I take advantage of on the reg.

"Having a meditation coach subtly buzzing on my wrist made it so easy to just lay in bed and focus on my inhales and exhales."

The EDA sensor takes the cake for the most advanced metric I've ever been able to measure myself. While wearing the watch, you cover it with your opposite palm, and it measures tiny sweat microbursts with electrical micro-currents, which indicate my body's response to stress.

It takes just two minutes, and I found myself using the tool when I was feeling stressed, which did a few things: First, it gave me instant proof that I was feeling overwhelmed (the more EDA responses, the less calm you probably are), which felt cathartic and actionable at the same time. Second, it gave me two calming minutes to myself. After, I was able to log my reflection of how I was feeling on a scale of very stressed to very calm, which was another motivator to really check in with how I was feeling. (Side note: for even more on the features, check out my co-worker Alex's Fitbit Sense review.)

Karina Maisonet, Digital Designer

I’ve been working from home a little over a year now, and at times it’s been difficult to wind down after work. It’s definitely affected my sleep pattern over time. After using my Fitbit Sense, I’ve become more mindful of my routine and how I spend my nights, and have been able to see the value of getting a good night's sleep. I’ve been going to bed around 8:30 p.m. (instead of late at night) and have been waking up around 5 a.m. with no alarm, feeling motivated to work out—and I am not usually a morning person! More good news: My Sleep Score breakdown in the app reflected my positive changes in sleep.

"It's definitely made me more mindful of my routine and how I spend my day."

I tend to stress a lot, surprise surprise, but then I eventually catch myself and realize "okay it’s not that serious." I love having the EDA scan feature because it helps me focus on my breath and the moment I'm in, and just be more relaxed overall.

Plus, with the Fitbit Premium membership, I like that I'm able to really reflect on why I'm stressed (or not) and how I'm feeling and log it in the app, then compare that to my EDA scan results. It's definitely made me more mindful of my routine and how I spend my day. And the little alerts on my phone as a reminder to just get up and move because I’ve been sitting for too long are really helpful, too. It’s something I’ve never paid attention to, and helped me become more aware of my body.

Allie Short, Producer

This was my first experience with a smartwatch. I never thought I needed one before because while I’m active, I don’t consider myself sporty. So I was surprised to find how quickly I took to it. Tracking my sleep, steps, mood, and other stats has empowered me to better understand my habits and make better choices based on those patterns.

"Tracking my stats has empowered me to better understand my habits and make better choices based on those patterns."

The Smart Wake feature was a game-changer. It wakes you up at the right time according to cues from your body, within 30 minutes of your alarm. It really helped me wake up feeling refreshed and motivated to start my day. While my Sleep Scores weren't great at first, I expect them to improve over time once I've explored the other sleep tools, given how much I’ve loved the Smart Wake feature. I feel like taking the time for more mindfulness throughout my day, together with the gentle wake up, will help me feel more energized over longer periods of time. Definition of a wellness win.

Art: Well+Good Creative