Garmin Index Sleep Monitor – Wearable for Sleep Tracking Incoming
About a week ago, the5krunner published initial information on a new wearable from Garmin. Although the device may at first glance appear to be a competitor to the Whoop band, additional information I’ve received points toward a less comprehensive product.
What is known so far?
Garmin is apparently preparing the launch of a product under the name “Index Sleep Monitor.” It’s said to be a comfortable and flexible wearable designed to be worn on the upper arm with a Velcro strap, collecting vital data during sleep – essentially like one of Garmin’s sports watches with a PPG sensor, but for the upper arm.
The optical sensor is a separate unit and is housed in a small pocket within the band. The back of the device shows the familiar design of Garmin’s current Elevate sensor. No metallic electrodes are visible, suggesting that ECG-related features are not included.
There is no display or buttons. Only a small LED next to the PPG sensor indicates battery status. In practice, this LED should not disturb sleep as long as the device is worn correctly. Charging is done via Garmin’s standard charging cable.
With eight hours of sleep per day, the built-in battery should provide enough power for around seven days.
The largely passive device can apparently only alert the user via vibration – for example, as an alarm clock. Tapping the band is intended to suffice for snoozing or stopping the wake-up signal.
Expected Features of the Index Sleep Monitor
Rarely has a Garmin device been more aptly named: The Index Sleep Monitor appears to focus entirely on capturing and analyzing sleep behavior.
If it is indeed a dedicated sleep-tracking device, its classification within the Index series – which so far includes the smart scale Index S2 and the blood pressure monitor Index BPM – would make sense. These devices clearly focus on “passive” health metrics rather than activity or performance data.
Based on this and what the Elevate sensor is capable of, the Index Sleep Monitor is expected to capture the following metrics:
- Sleep Score
- Sleep Duration
- Sleep Stages
- Resting / Heart Rate
- Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
- Respiration Rate
- Body Battery
- Skin Temperature
- Women’s Health
- Alarm / Smart Wake-up
Despite its thematic proximity to the Whoop band, the Index Sleep Monitor seems to remain focused on sleep. The Whoop device, on the other hand, collects health data around the clock and thus serves a broader purpose.
Pricing and Availability
Garmin has not officially announced the Index Sleep Monitor yet. However, the launch of such a device seems almost certain in the coming weeks.
the5krunner expects a release within the next two months – personally, I’m a bit more optimistic and consider a reveal in a shorter timeframe entirely possible.
The Index Sleep Monitor will likely be offered in sizes S-M and L-XL at a price point around €170.
Assessment
Very little information about the Index Sleep Monitor has reached me so far, and as long as the device hasn’t been officially confirmed, all details here should be taken with a pinch of salt. At best, they offer a first glimpse into a new product family Garmin might present in the coming weeks.
As for the product itself, the price combined with the expected features raises a few questions: If Garmin doesn’t unveil additional functionality at launch, it’s fair to ask how the device will be positioned in the market – especially compared to existing Garmin watches that also offer sleep tracking but come with a much broader range of features.
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