Sleep isn’t just broken—it’s being rebranded. And there’s big business behind it. We are, … More
Sleep isn’t just broken—it’s being rebranded. And there’s big business behind it.
We are, collectively, exhausted. Not the kind of tired that a lie-in fixes—but a deeper, nagging fatigue that comes from late-night doomscrolling, caffeine-fuelled mornings, and a culture that treats sleep like a luxury indulgence rather than a basic human need.
Sleep has become an obsession—part aspiration, part anxiety. And in the vacuum left by our burnt-out routines and glowing screens, a new market has emerged. Not just for mattresses or melatonin, but for devices that promise to decode our dreams, coach us into REM, and deliver the kind of rest that our grandparents took for granted.
This is sleep as a status symbol. And the products leading the charge—elegant rings, AI-powered pillows, headbands that map your brainwaves—are being bought, shared, and celebrated with the kind of energy once reserved for fitness trackers and smartphones.
It’s a shift that has snuck in quietly, disguised as self-care. But look closer, and it’s clear: sleep has become a lifestyle category of its own. The rise of premium sleep tech isn’t just a wellness trend—it’s a reflection of who we are, and what we’re craving.
The Oura Ring, for example, once a niche biohacker’s toy, is now photographed on the fingers of A-listers and royals. Not because it’s flashy (it’s not) but because it whispers something modern consumers want to say: I take my health seriously. I’m optimising. I’ve got this. Its data—heart rate, temperature, sleep stages—becomes part of a personal narrative, a new way of “checking in” with oneself.
Scroll through TikTok and you’ll find whole accounts dedicated to nighttime routines that are choreographed down to the second. Magnesium mocktails, red-light lamps, white-noise playlists, silk eye masks, mouth tape. Sleep isn’t just a private act—it’s a performance. One where the set is softly lit, the costume is organic cotton, and the props cost upwards of $200.
At the centre of this shift are the so-called “sleepfluencers”—creators and experts who champion good rest not as a reward, but as the foundation of success. They unbox the gadgets, explain the sleep scores, and model a new kind of ambition—one that prioritises restoration over grind. And their audience is growing fast.
What’s striking is how quickly premium sleep tech has moved from medical to mainstream. Having worked in the sleep industry for over a decade, I’ve seen firsthand how this category has quietly shifted from functionality to aspiration—and why consumers are now willing to invest in rest like never before.
Products that were once found in specialist clinics are now available in department stores, tech retailers, and curated lifestyle shops. Even traditional mattress companies are reinventing themselves as sleep platforms, bundling sensors, subscriptions, and smart accessories into holistic packages.
This is a business built on a very modern promise: that rest can be measured, improved, and beautifully designed.
For many consumers, especially Millennials and Gen Z, that promise is magnetic. Raised on apps and analytics, they’re accustomed to tracking everything—steps, calories, cycles. Sleep, in this context, isn’t downtime. It’s a new frontier of self-improvement. A better score means a better you.
It’s no surprise, then, that the sleep tech market is booming. According to market research firm Global Market Insights, the industry is expected to surpass $50 billion by 2030, driven by a mix of rising sleep disorders, awareness of the health impact of sleep, and demand for high-performance wellness tools. In the US alone, more than one-third of adults regularly get less than the recommended 7 hours of sleep—and that shortfall is fuelling a long list of consumer purchases.
So who’s leading this charge?
Five Brands Shaping the Sleep Economy
Tech meets wellbeing – the Eight Sleep Pod boasts a tech layer that wraps around your mattress, … More
1. Oura Ring
A former niche wearable for health enthusiasts, the Oura Ring has become the understated luxury item of the wellness world. With detailed sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and temperature data packed into a minimal design, it’s been spotted on the fingers of Prince Harry, Kim Kardashian, and a sea of tech founders. For many, it’s not just about rest—it’s a signal of optimisation. Prices range from $250 to $300, depending on finish and size.
2. Hatch Restore 2
Part sunrise alarm clock, part sleep coach, the Hatch Restore 2 helps users wind down with calming routines and wake up gradually using personalised light and sound. It blends technology and therapy—and taps into a booming market for bedtime rituals that feel more spa than screen. Retail price $170 approx.
3. Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover
Often described as “the Tesla of mattresses,” this smart bed offers real-time sleep tracking, individualised temperature controls for each side of the bed, and integration with wearable tech. It promises not just comfort, but enhanced recovery and performance. Elite athletes are some of its most vocal fans. Prices start at $2,195.
4. Loftie Clock
This minimalist smart clock has one job: get phones out of bedrooms. With its curated audio library of meditations, breathwork, and soundscapes—plus no blue light emissions—Loftie represents a quieter approach to technology. It’s tech that doesn’t scream “tech.” Priced at $149 approx.
5. Moonbird
Not a traditional sleep device, but a fast-rising favourite among sleepfluencers. Moonbird is a handheld breathing coach that expands and contracts in your palm, helping regulate breath and slow the nervous system—a crucial component of winding down. It’s proof that sleep devices aren’t just for tracking—they’re also for teaching the body how to rest. Retail price is approximately $199.
In the end, this isn’t about just selling the dream of a good nights sleep, but the rise of ever sharpening focus by the consumer on well-being. About the ways we care for ourselves, and the things we buy to prove it matters. After all, sleep is no longer just what we do at night—it’s who we are the morning after.