Sleep Apnea Study at Home: The Testing Process Explained

• At-home sleep apnea studies are affordable, accurate, and easy to complete in your own bed.
• Most people receive results in just a few days, with no need for a sleep clinic visit.
• You’ll wear a small sleep apnea test machine at home for 1–4 nights—no wires or bulky equipment.
• Daybreak offers a 98% accurate at-home test with a fully doctor-directed care plan.

A sleep apnea study at home is a comfortable and straightforward way to test for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) without the need to visit a sleep lab. Instead of sleeping overnight in a clinical setting, you use a small, lightweight device—usually worn on the wrist or finger—that tracks key sleep and breathing patterns while you rest in your own bed.

A home sleep study is typically recommended if you:

• Experience symptoms like loud snoring, gasping, or daytime fatigue.
• Have a physician who suspects obstructive sleep apnea.
• Prefer a faster, more convenient alternative to an in-lab sleep study.

The primary trade-off between an in-lab sleep study conducted by a medical provider and an at-home sleep study is cost + convenience vs. comprehensiveness.

In-Lab Sleep Studies: Pros, Cons, and When You Need Them

Because a traditional lab-based sleep study monitors body position, chest motion, brain waves, blood oxygen levels, breathing effort, EKG heart activity, and eye activity and also records video and audio for sleep doctor review, it has the potential to accurately diagnose the vast majority of sleep disorders presented by a patient.

Especially if you or your sleep doctor believe you may be suffering from a sleep issue other than sleep apnea, then a traditional sleep lab conducted away from home is probably the best way forward.

However, the downside of an in-lab overnight sleep study is that they are almost always significantly more expensive than an at-home sleep study, wait-times can stretch into months, and sleeping away from home and your own bed for one or more nights can be difficult and disruptive.

Why an At-Home Sleep Apnea Test Is Cost-Effective and Convenient

The primary advantages of home sleep apnea tests are convenience and cost-effectiveness. An at-home sleep apnea test is almost always less expensive and more convenient than a traditional in-lab study for sleep apnea testing (and Daybreak offers some of the most affordable FDA-cleared sleep tests available):

• Comfort and Convenience: The comfort of sleeping in your own bed cannot be overstated. It eliminates the stress and discomfort of spending the night in a lab, making the testing process easier for those who might otherwise avoid it. The device records sleep breathing patterns overnight, and the recorded data is automatically shared with healthcare providers. There are also fewer sensors and wires connected to your body.
• Cost-Effective: In-lab sleep studies can be expensive, often costing thousands of dollars. At-home tests are generally much more affordable, making them a more accessible option for many people.
• Quicker Results: With in-lab studies, there can be long wait times due to limited availability at sleep centers. At-home testing can often be arranged more quickly, allowing you to get a personal sleep report and begin treatment sooner.
• Accurate Reflection of Sleep Patterns: Some professionals argue that at-home sleep testing may provide a more accurate representation of a patient’s sleep. Since you’re in your natural sleep environment, the test results may better reflect your typical sleep patterns compared to a lab setting, where the unfamiliar environment can lead to restless sleep. The data collected helps to diagnose sleep apnea accurately, leading to a personalized care plan for managing the condition.

However, at-home sleep studies are primarily tools for sleep apnea testing (and in particular, obstructive sleep apnea testing).

Sleep apnea is among the most prevalent sleep disorders, and at-home sleep apnea studies interpreted by a professional are extremely effective at identifying sleep apnea. But if there is reason to suspect a non-apnea issue such as restless leg syndrome or sleep paralysis, then a lab-based sleep study is probably a better option.

Detecting sleep apnea is essential for managing and treating the condition effectively. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to severe health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. And outside of health issues, sleep apnea leads to poor quality sleep, which in turn can reduce the ability to concentrate, lead to weight gain, and even negatively affect sex life.

A proper sleep apnea diagnosis helps identify the presence and severity of the condition, guiding appropriate sleep apnea therapy. The most common treatment plan for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. Although CPAP therapy can be highly effective when used routinely and according to clinical guidelines, many people struggle with compliance and find their CPAP machines noisy and uncomfortable.

Outside of CPAP, sleep apnea treatment options may include lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and increased physical activity, or surgical interventions, such as a hypoglossal nerve stimulation implant (commonly known as "Inspire Surgery"), a sort of implanted pacemaker for the tongue.

Daybreak works with physicians to provide obstructive sleep apnea treatment using a mandibular advancement device (MAD), also known as sleep apnea mouthguard or sleep apnea oral device. An oral appliance looks like a set of two mouthguards connected together with a strap or band. The mouthguards hold the lower jaw in place or gently pull it to a forward position, preventing it from falling back, collapsing the throat, and cutting off airflow and blood oxygen levels.

To learn more about how "sleep apnea mouthguards" work, check out our article "How Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) Help You Sleep, Breathe & Live Better."

An at-home sleep apnea study provides a comfortable and straightforward way to evaluate your sleep without spending a night in a clinic. Instead of being connected to multiple wires and machines, you’ll use a small, lightweight sleep apnea test device at home—usually worn on the wrist or finger—that tracks your breathing and oxygen levels while you sleep. The goal is to capture what your sleep looks like in your natural environment so your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.

Below is a clear breakdown of what the device monitors, how to set it up, and how to get the most accurate results.

Proper preparation is key to ensuring accurate results from an at-home sleep test. Here are some tips to help you get ready:

• Carefully follow the instructions provided with the testing device.
• Ensure the device is properly fitted and comfortable to wear.
• Refrain from napping during the day before the test.

Be normal! For the most part, try to stick to your "typical" routines: the goal is to understand and treat sleep apnea as it shows up in your normal life, so don't treat a testing night as anything special.

Most at-home sleep apnea tests measure a focused set of indicators that help detect obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including:

• Breathing patterns (whether airflow is paused or reduced)
• Blood oxygen levels, which can drop during apnea events
• Heart rate and pulse changes
• Peripheral arterial tone, a measure of how your body responds to breathing interruptions

Unlike in-lab studies, at-home devices use fewer sensors and no video or EEG equipment, making them far more comfortable and easier to wear—while still providing highly accurate data for diagnosing sleep apnea.

Setting up your at-home sleep test is straightforward. While every device has its own instructions, the process typically includes:

1. Review the instructions that come with your sleep study kit or mobile app.
2. Place the device on your wrist, ensuring it’s fitted securely and comfortably.
3. Pair the device via Bluetooth (if applicable), so your sleep data can sync with your phone.
4. Start the test before going to sleep, following any prompts from the app.

Most devices automatically begin recording as soon as you fall asleep. In the morning, tracking stops once you remove the sensor or end the test through the app.

A few simple habits can help ensure your results reflect your actual sleep patterns:

• Stick to your routine. Go to bed at your usual time and avoid treating the night like a special test.
• Avoid daytime naps, which may disrupt your ability to fall asleep at night.
• Make sure the device is secure before getting into bed to prevent slipping or misreading data.
• Sleep in your typical positions. This helps the device capture how apnea shows up in your real-life sleep.
• Follow any additional instructions from the manufacturer or your physician.

By preparing properly, you allow the sleep apnea test to capture the most accurate picture of your sleep—helping your doctor build a personalized treatment plan if needed.

After completing your at-home sleep test, the data will be analyzed by a medical professional, and you will receive a personalized sleep report. This report will detail your sleep patterns, breathing rates, and standard measurements of sleep apnea.

Understanding your sleep test results can be overwhelming, but your sleep specialist will explain the findings and any doctor recommendations. The most important finding will revolve around blood oxygen levels: because sleep apnea prevents proper breathing, blood oxygen levels decline during "apnea events."

The most commonly used measurement is called the apnea-hypopnea index ("AHI"), which measures the number of times per hour, on average, that blood oxygen levels decline beyond a set point due to apnea events. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine defines clinical sleep apnea as occurring when AHI exceeds 5 AHI per hour.

Most health insurance companies also require an AHI of five or greater to approve a claim; check out more detailed medical insurance coverage info related to oral devices at our "Is a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) Covered By Insurance? Understanding Sleep Apnea Oral Device Coverage" article.

For a more in-depth understanding, Daybreak has created a resource that dives more deeply into at-home sleep study metrics, results, and definitions.

At Daybreak, we understand the importance of accessible and convenient care. That's why we offer an FDA-cleared, complete at-home diagnosis and treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We believe that improving your sleep shouldn't be a complicated or stressful process, which is why we've streamlined the entire experience, from testing to treatment.

If you've been putting off a sleep study because of concerns about the inconvenience of an in-lab test, at-home sleep testing could be the ideal solution. With Daybreak, you can take control of your sleep health comfortably and conveniently from your own home and wake up to a better tomorrow.

Ready to understand your sleep? Take Daybreak’s 30-second assessment to see if an at-home sleep apnea test is proper for you.

1. How accurate is an at-home sleep study?

Modern at-home sleep apnea tests are highly accurate for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Daybreak’s at-home test, for example, provides 98% accuracy in detecting sleep apnea. Because the test is conducted in your natural sleep environment, it often reflects your actual sleep patterns more accurately than a single night in a clinic.

2. Can I do a home sleep study if I only snore?

Yes. Snoring is one of the most common early signs of sleep apnea. Even if you think you “just snore,” an at-home sleep study can determine whether pauses in breathing or oxygen drops are occurring while you sleep. It’s a quick and straightforward way to determine whether snoring is harmless or part of a larger sleep issue.

3. How long does an at-home overnight sleep apnea test take?

Most at-home sleep studies collect data over one to four nights, depending on your doctor’s recommendation and the type of device used. You simply wear the device while you sleep, and the next morning, your data is automatically synced for physician review. The test itself requires no special setup and only takes as long as your typical night of sleep.

4. What if I can’t fall asleep during my sleep study?

Don’t worry—this is common. Do your best to follow your typical routine, and avoid naps the day of your test. If you have a restless night, your device may still collect enough data to be analyzed. If not, your provider may recommend repeating the test on another night at no additional hassle. With at-home testing, you have the flexibility to try again without needing to schedule another clinic visit.