Sleep experts advise to stay away from our smartphones or tablets at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Or so they say! We found 7 apps that will have you surprised at how helpful the notorious gadgets can be in increasing the quality of sleep.

#1 Pzizz

Pzizz focuses on helping you fall asleep quickly and easily. The app uses a combination of randomly mixed sound effects, music and spoken word files to help you fall asleep quickly, and users can indicate if they are ready for a long sleep session or a quick nap. The app also has a Focus mode that encourages you to focus on one task for a specific period of time while you are awake. Clean design and big letters make the Pzizz app easy and pleasant to use.

App Store rating: 5.0

Free trial: 7 days

Paid subscription: 69,99$ a year

#2 Sleep Cycle

Sleep Cycle will track your sleep data accurately. The app will wake you up during REM sleep, so you will feel fresh and ready to go straight out of bed. Thanks to the built-in accelerometer, the app notices your movements during the night and emits a sound signal when needed.

App Store rating: 4.8

Free trial: 7 days

Paid subscription: $39,99 a year

#3 Relax Melodies

Relax Melodies is an application that allows users to mix and match various soothing sound effects and music to create the perfect sleep melodies. Sounds can be played individually or with others, and combinations can be saved for quick access in a future relaxation session. The app also has timer and meditation features.

App Store rating: 4.8

Free trial: 7 days

Paid subscription: 59,99$ a year

#4 Tide

Here you can choose one of four goals: focus, sleep, relaxation and breathing. Tide works like the classic meditation apps, but doesn't limit you to just mental practices. The application invites you to relax to the sounds of nature, and breathe to soothing melodies.

When choosing sleep as your goal, the app will offer to set an alarm clock with various effects, simulating the light of a sunrise, a reminder that it is time to sleep, or a nap timer.

As a pleasant bonus, a new motivating quote appears on the start page of the app every single day.

App Store rating: 4.8

Free trial: free usage

Paid subscription: 16$ a month (for additional sounds)

#5 Sleepzy

This is a fairly simple application that has been designed for everyday use. The main catch is a built-in alarm clock that can track phases of your sleep and wake you up at the optimal time, so it’s easy to get out of bed in the morning.

App Store rating: 4.5

Free trial: 7 days

Paid subscription: 39,99$ a year

#6 Loona

This app is our personal favorite, as it has the majestic feeling of being a part of a fairytale to it. It has two categories: soundscapes and sleepscapes, the first including various calming melodies & music and the second being a collection of scenes for you to color while listening to a soothing related story.

App Store rating: 4.9

Free trial: 7 days

Paid subscription: 18,99$ a year

#7 Headspace

Headspace specialises in teaching people how to meditate ‒ with guided meditations, sleepcasts and more. Meditation has been proven to reduce stress and improve the general well-being, so this app is perfect to start preparing for your bedtime.

App Store rating: 4.9

Free trial: 7 days

Paid subscription: 12,99$ a month

Choose the sleepscape that works best for you. Sweet dreams!