Hatch App via Boutayna Chokrane
Unlike many sleep trackers, the Sleep Clock skips the sleep score, which is a sensible choice given that it doesn’t record any physiological metrics to inform an algorithm. Instead, it offers brief nightly notes that summarize your sleep patterns based on its motion sensor data, along with an actionable tip. Beyond that, you’ll need to interpret the numbers for yourself. Some people may prefer a sleep score as a quick snapshot, but I appreciate the company’s emphasis on presenting the data and letting users draw their own conclusions. Or perhaps Hatch is just saving the sleep score for a future software update.
To evaluate the Hatch’s accuracy, I compared its readings with those from my Apple Watch Series 12 and Oura Ring 5. (Hatch says the first few nights are a calibration period, so data may be less accurate during this period.) Sleep duration estimates were generally consistent, but the most noticeable variance appeared in the sleep stages. That’s a metric I tend to take with a grain of salt, regardless of what sleep tracker I’m testing. While it can offer more context into broader sleep patterns, I’m skeptical that any consumer device can precisely map brain activity minute by minute throughout the night, let alone one that only relies on motion-based tracking.
Bedside Manners
The biggest catch with the Sleep Clock is that placement has a significant impact on its tracking accuracy. Hatch instructs you to place the device on your nightstand, roughly level with your mattress and facing your chest while you lie down. It needs to be within 2 to 4 feet of you, with no objects obstructing the space between the device and your body. If your nightstand sits too low, you may need to prop the clock up on a stack of books. If it’s too high, you may need to either raise your mattress or install a wall-mounted shelf next to your bed at the proper level.
Fortunately, my bed and nightstand were at the right height. My nightstand, though, is always cluttered with trinkets, and I have to keep reminding myself to move them behind the Hatch. It’s a minor annoyance, but I’m sure they affect my readings. Unfortunately, I’d have no way of knowing. The app doesn’t flag gaps in its data, and tracking only stops when the device can’t detect a person or isn’t plugged in.
