At Home Sleep Study vs. Lab Sleep Study: Which is Right for You?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects millions and is often undiagnosed. In fact, up to 80% of cases remain undetected. The first step to better sleep? A sleep study.

While traditional in-lab studies offer detailed insights, they’re not the only option. Home sleep testing provides a simpler, more convenient way to get answers—no wires, no sleep labs, and no overnight stays.

In this post, we'll look at and compare the popular at home sleep study vs lab sleep studies and help you determine which one might be right for you.

What Is a Sleep Study?

A sleep study (polysomnography) diagnostic test monitors your sleep to diagnose conditions like sleep apnea. This study involves placing sensors on your body to track various sleep-related activities, including brain waves, eye movement, heart rate, breathing, and more. During a sleep study, healthcare professionals collect information while you sleep to gain insight into your sleep quality and identify any issues that may be impacting your overall level of rest.

Do I Need a Sleep Study?

Are you not sure if your symptoms are serious enough? Here are some common signs of sleep apnea:

• Loud snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Episodes of not breathing while asleep
• Insomnia
• Morning headache
• Difficulty paying attention
• Irritability

If these sound familiar, it may be time to seek professional help. Start with our quick 5-Minute Sleep Screening to assess your risk level and get personalized recommendations.

Home Sleep Study vs. Lab Sleep Study

Once you’ve determined the need for a sleep study, the next step is to decide whether to opt for a traditional lab sleep study or a more convenient at home sleep test. Here’s how the two options compare:

Lab Sleep Study

Laboratory sleep studies are commonly conducted in hospitals or specialized sleep labs. While these studies provide valuable insights into your sleep patterns, they come with some major drawbacks. You'll spend the night at a sleep center where technicians will keep an eye on your sleep and your vital signs. Surrounded by wires and monitors, it'll be hard not to dream of your bed back at home.

While thorough, it has its downsides:

• Unfamiliar Sleep Environment: You will be required to sleep in a hospital bed or in a lab setting, which can feel a bit strange when you are used to sleeping in your own bed.
• Wires and Monitors: There will be multiple sensors and monitors attached to your body to record various body functions – potentially triggering feelings of claustrophobia.
• Shared Spaces: Depending on the facility, you may be required to share sleeping quarters with other participants in the sleep study, which may not be the most convenient choice for those who prefer to sleep alone.
• Waiting for Results: Once your lab sleep study is complete, you will need to wait for the results, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
• Cost Considerations: Despite insurance, traditional lab sleep studies often come with hefty expenses and can range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Home Sleep Test

At-home sleep tests may seem less thorough than in-lab tests because they don’t have as many sensors, but that doesn’t mean they’re less effective.

A home sleep study monitors important parameters like respiration rate, airflow, oxygen levels, and heart rate – which provide valuable insights into your sleep patterns and possible sleep apnea.

A typical home sleep test includes:

• Sleeping in Your Own Bed: You will not be uprooted from your familiar sleep environment. Instead, you're in your own bedroom, with all the comforts of home that help you get the best sleep possible.
• A More Personal Experience:  You don't have to worry about sharing a room with strangers or being monitored by technicians – it's just you and your sleep environment, ensuring the most accurate representation of your sleep patterns.
• User-Friendly Setup:  Home sleep tests typically do not require as many sensors and monitors as lab sleep studies, making the setup less intrusive and more supportive of your natural sleep patterns.
• Swift and Convenient Results:  In most cases, you’ll get your results faster with a home sleep test. This will allow you to have quicker access to essential information regarding sleep health.
• Cost-Effective:  These tests are designed to be more affordable and convenient compared to in-lab testing, with starting costs as low as $249.99!

Try the NightOwl Home Sleep Test

Looking for a simple and reliable sleep apnea study at home? The Night Owl Sleep Study is one of the easiest and most accurate options available today.

Unlike other sleep testing devices that require multiple readings from multiple locations on the body, the NightOwl® has a single sensor that is attached to the fingertip. This simplified design reduces the size of the device and eliminates any potential discomfort, resulting in a more comfortable relaxing testing experience.

With a focus on simplicity, accuracy, and patient comfort, the NightOwl® stands out as one of the best at home sleep studies on the market.

Begin your journey to better sleep with CPAP Supply USA’s NightOwl® Home Sleep Test.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, choosing between a sleep study at home vs a lab sleep study will depend on your individual needs and what you are seeking a diagnosis for. Regardless of which you choose, rest assured that you are making the right choice when it comes to understanding and managing your sleep.