Muse S EEG Headband: Honest Review After 90 Days

Sleep Tracking with the Muse S

The Muse S uses EEG technology to directly track your brainwaves. In a 2023 study by Muse’s research team found that the Muse S identified sleep stages with 86% accuracy, closely matching human experts.

Why I Wanted To Try It Out

I was most interested in trying out the Muse S because of some recent sleep issues, and the insights have been useful. I’ve used it to test different supplements and changes to my routine, watching how each experiment affects my sleep stages.

Even though I was initially only interested in the device for sleep tracking, I’ve since found it to be extremely useful when it comes to meditation training and tracking. I’ve never practiced meditation before, so this device and app provide a vast array of guided meditations, training, and tracking – to provide you with detailed insights into your meditation practice. I know some people like to stay away from technology when it comes to this, but I prefer it personally. I like to track progress and I appreciate the training offered because this does not come naturally to me.

Digital Sleeping Pills: My Favorite Feature

This feature is designed to help you fall asleep and stay asleep by using real-time feedback to guide your brain into a more restful state. The app offers a variety of sleep meditation stories you can listen to. As you’re falling asleep, the app adjusts the sound of the story by fading it out gradually. Once the headband and app sense that you’re waking up in the middle of the night, the story softly begins to play again and it gradually increases the sound again to lull you back to sleep. I’ve found this to be my favorite feature and so helpful for guiding me to sleep, and keeping me that way! For anyone who has struggled with staying asleep or waking up frequently, the Digital Sleeping Pill is wonderful. It’s been a game-changer for me, helping me get deeper, uninterrupted sleep.

Meditation with Real-Time Biofeedback

One of the standout features of the Muse S is its meditation capabilities. The device offers various types of meditation experiences, including Mind, Heart, Body, and Breath biofeedback sessions. Each meditation provides immediate feedback on your brain’s activity. For example, in Mind Meditation, background sounds respond to your brainwaves in real time—when you’re focused, you’ll hear birds chirping, and if your mind wanders, it switches to the sound of rain.

Muse S also tracks “recoveries,” which are moments when you refocus your mind. After each session, you get a detailed report that breaks down your stats, like time spent focused and number of recoveries. I’m new to meditation, but I find these tools really helpful for building focus.

Wide Variety of Meditations

The app offers a vast library of meditation options, which range from guided courses to simple timers. They even have premium experiences with added features, like soundscapes and advanced biofeedback. I initially skipped the tutorials but quickly realized that following the guides makes a huge difference in understanding each meditation style. The variety is impressive—whether you want a structured session or something more relaxed, there’s a meditation to fit.

Alpha Brain Waves and Cognitive Health

Recently, the company added a feature that measures alpha brain waves and calculates your alpha peak frequency (APF). This metric is similar to heart rate variability (HRV) but for your brain. Studies suggest that a higher APF is linked to better cognitive function and mental clarity, while a lower APF can signal cognitive impairment.

Design and Comfort

The Muse S headband is designed for comfort, which is crucial if you’re wearing it overnight. It’s soft and flexible, with a strong magnetic clasp that’s easy to put on. Even with my long hair, I haven’t had issues with it getting stuck in it. I’m actually quite sensitive to headwear—things like glasses and headbands can often lead to headaches for me—but I’ve been able to wear the Muse S overnight without any issues.

Third-Party Apps and Integrations

If you’re someone who loves data, there are a few third-party apps you can use to expand the Muse S experience. Mind Monitor is a popular one that provides additional EEG analysis for $15. Another platform, Myndlift, combines neurofeedback with personalized brain training programs for focus and stress reduction, although it’s pricey at $200 per month.

Pros of the Muse S

• Accurate sleep tracking with brainwave monitoring.
• In-depth meditation guidance with real-time feedback.
• Supports cognitive health insights with alpha brain wave tracking.

Cons of the Muse S

• High upfront cost, plus a premium subscription for full app access.
• A slight learning curve with the app due to the variety of features.
• Data presentation could be improved for ease of use.

Final Thoughts on the Muse S EEG Headband

Is it worth it? For anyone interested in neurofeedback, brain-tracking, or advanced sleep monitoring, the Muse S is an impressive device that brings clinical insights to your home. It’s not for everyone, but for those really interested in biofeedback on sleep, brain health and meditation, it’s an incredible piece of technology to have at home.

Have you tried the Muse S or any other brain-tracking devices?