If you snore loudly, gasp for air at night, or wake up exhausted no matter how long you slept, the first step toward answers is a sleep apnea test, and for most people it is a simple, doctor-prescribed test you can take in your own bed. This guide covers the two ways to get tested, who qualifies for each, how Sleeplay's home sleep tests work, and what happens once you have your results.
At a glance
| Home sleep test (HST) | In-lab sleep study (PSG) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Your own bed | Overnight at a sleep center |
| Best for | Uncomplicated adults at risk of moderate to severe OSA | Complex cases, or a negative or inconclusive home test |
| Prescription | Doctor-ordered; physician reads results | Doctor-ordered; physician reads results |
| Start with Sleeplay | Shop home sleep tests | Ask your doctor for a referral |
Do You Need a Sleep Apnea Test?
You may need a sleep apnea test if you snore loudly, gasp or choke during sleep, wake with headaches or a dry mouth, or feel exhausted after a full night in bed. A bed partner often notices first. If any of these sound familiar, talk with a doctor: a symptom checklist alone cannot diagnose sleep apnea.
Common OSA signs include loud snoring, breathing pauses reported by a partner, gasping or choking during sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth on waking, and excessive daytime sleepiness [3]. For the full list, see the full list of sleep apnea symptoms and how to know if you have sleep apnea.
The AASM is explicit on this point: clinical tools, questionnaires and prediction algorithms alone should not be used to diagnose OSA [1]. A checklist tells you whether to see a doctor; only a polysomnography study or a home sleep apnea test, read by a physician, can diagnose it. Your primary care doctor can order a test, or you can go through a dedicated sleep clinic; see what a sleep clinic is and when to visit one.
What Are the Two Ways to Get Tested?
There are two ways to get tested for sleep apnea. An in-lab polysomnography (PSG) study records your sleep overnight at a sleep center and is the standard diagnostic test. A home sleep apnea test (HST) is a simplified version you take in your own bed. Both are doctor-prescribed and read by a physician.
In-lab polysomnography (PSG)
In-lab polysomnography is the standard diagnostic test. Overnight at a sleep center, a technician monitors brain activity (EEG), heart, lung and breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, and arm and leg movement [2][4].
Home sleep apnea test (HST)
A home sleep apnea test is a simplified test you take in your own bed. It typically measures airflow, breathing effort, blood oxygen, and heart rate [2]. For the deeper how-it-works and accuracy breakdown, see our full guide to how home sleep tests work, and for the head-to-head, compare home testing vs an in-lab sleep study.
"A home sleep test is a simple doctor-prescribed test that you take in the comfort of your own bed. It monitors things like your breathing, oxygen levels, and other vital signs overnight to screen for sleep apnea."
- Daniel Feldman, CPAP expert, Sleeplay | Home Sleep Test: NightOwl vs WatchPAT
| Home sleep test (HST) | In-lab polysomnography (PSG) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Airflow, breathing effort, blood oxygen, heart rate (some devices add sleep stages or body position) | Brain activity (EEG), heart, lung and breathing, blood oxygen, arm and leg movement |
| Where | Your own bed | Overnight at a sleep center, with a technician |
| Cost | See our Home Sleep Test Cost guide | See our Home Sleep Test Cost guide |
| Best for | Uncomplicated adults at risk of moderate to severe OSA (AASM) | Gold-standard test; also the fallback when a home test is negative, inconclusive or inadequate |
| Accuracy note | Can underestimate OSA; a negative or inconclusive result is followed by PSG (AASM, Mayo) | Considered the standard diagnostic test (AASM) |
Which Test Is Right for You?
For most people, a home sleep test is a reasonable first step. The AASM recommends an in-lab study instead if you have significant heart or lung disease, possible respiratory muscle weakness, suspected hypoventilation, chronic opioid use, a history of stroke, or severe insomnia, or if a home test comes back negative or inconclusive.
The AASM 2017 guideline puts it in strong terms: PSG or a technically adequate home sleep test is recommended for uncomplicated adults with signs of increased risk of moderate to severe OSA, and a negative, inconclusive or technically inadequate home test should be followed by PSG [1]. Mayo adds a caveat: because home tests sometimes miss sleep apnea, a physician might still recommend polysomnography even if your first results are within the standard range [2]. A negative home test does not always rule out sleep apnea.
| Your situation | Recommended test | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Uncomplicated adult, signs of moderate to severe OSA | Home sleep test or PSG | Either is recommended; a home test is a reasonable first step (AASM) |
| Significant heart or lung disease | In-lab PSG | AASM recommends PSG, not a home test |
| Possible respiratory muscle weakness | In-lab PSG | AASM recommends PSG |
| Awake or suspected sleep-related hypoventilation | In-lab PSG | AASM recommends PSG |
| Chronic opioid medication use | In-lab PSG | AASM recommends PSG |
| History of stroke, or severe insomnia | In-lab PSG | AASM recommends PSG |
| Home test came back negative or inconclusive | In-lab PSG | AASM recommends PSG as the follow-up |
Your result will center on your AHI; for what the severity thresholds mean, see what an AHI score means.
The Home Sleep Tests We Offer
Sleeplay carries three FDA-cleared home sleep tests. The WatchPAT One captures the most complete data set, the NightOwl is the simplest wire-free setup, and the Wesper uses body patches instead of a finger sensor. All three are doctor-prescribed and include a board-certified physician's review of your results.
The WatchPAT One Home Sleep Test ($139) uses PAT (peripheral arterial tonometry) with a finger probe and chest sensor. It measures AHI, oxygen saturation, sleep stages (REM and non-REM), snoring, and body position, the most complete data set of the three (price checked September 14, 2026). Read our full WatchPAT One review.
The NightOwl Home Sleep Apnea Test ($99) uses a single fingertip PPG (photoplethysmography) sensor, with no headgear or chest wires. It measures AHI, oxygen desaturation, and pulse and movement, the simplest setup of the three (regular price checked September 14, 2026). Read our full NightOwl review.
The Wesper Home Sleep Apnea Test ($99) uses patch-based sensors on the chest and abdomen instead of a finger clip, so it will not get in the way if you sleep on your hand (price checked September 14, 2026). Read our full Wesper review.
Browse the full lineup in the Home Sleep Tests collection, or compare WatchPAT, NightOwl, and Wesper side by side. For pricing and insurance detail, see our Home Sleep Test Cost guide.
How to Get a Home Sleep Test
Getting tested with a Sleeplay home sleep test takes four steps. You order the device online, sleep with it in your own bed following the setup instructions, a board-certified sleep physician reads your results, and if you test positive you receive a prescription for therapy, most often CPAP.
- Order your test online (WatchPAT One, NightOwl, or Wesper).
- Sleep with the device in your own bed, following the setup instructions.
- Review. A board-certified sleep physician reads your results.
- Prescription. If you test positive, you receive a prescription for therapy, most often CPAP.
"After testing with any of the devices, you'll be scheduled to the sleep doctor to review your results and get personalized treatment recommendations if needed."
- Daniel Feldman, CPAP expert, Sleeplay | Home Sleep Test: NightOwl vs WatchPAT
What to Expect and How to Prepare
On test night, set up the device as instructed, keep your usual bedtime routine, and avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine, which can affect the reading. If your first home test is inconclusive or technically inadequate, the AASM recommends a repeat test or an in-lab study [1]. For a full WatchPAT One setup walkthrough, watch the step-by-step video below.
"This device uses PAT technology, which stands for peripheral arterial tonometry, to identify sleep apnea in patients. This measures the arterial pulse volume in the finger."
- James Curles, Sleep Coach, Sleeplay | WatchPAT One Home Sleep Test: Step By Step Guide
What Happens After Your Test?
After your test, a board-certified sleep physician reviews your results and calculates your AHI, the number of breathing events per hour. If it shows sleep apnea, they issue a prescription for treatment, most often CPAP. If your home test was negative or inconclusive but symptoms continue, they may order an in-lab study.
Your result centers on AHI (apnea-hypopnea index), the number of breathing events per hour, which a physician uses to sort sleep apnea into normal, mild, moderate, or severe. For the exact thresholds and what your specific number means, see our how to read your sleep study results guide and what your AHI score means.
If sleep apnea is confirmed, treatment usually starts with CPAP; see every sleep apnea treatment ranked. If a follow-up in-lab study is needed, our CPAP titration sleep study guide explains what to expect. Not sure whether it is obstructive or central? See obstructive vs. central sleep apnea.
The Bottom Line
Get a home sleep test if you are an uncomplicated adult with signs of moderate to severe OSA risk (loud snoring, gasping, daytime sleepiness) and none of the conditions below apply.
Get an in-lab sleep study if you have significant heart or lung disease, possible respiratory muscle weakness, suspected hypoventilation, chronic opioid use, a history of stroke, or severe insomnia, or if a home test already came back negative or inconclusive.
Next step: order a home sleep test today, or talk with your doctor about scheduling an in-lab study.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get tested for sleep apnea?
Start by talking with a doctor about your symptoms. Depending on your risk level, they may order a home sleep test you take in your own bed, or refer you to a sleep center for overnight polysomnography. Sleeplay's home sleep tests include physician review, so testing and diagnosis happen in one flow.
What is the difference between a home sleep test and an in-lab sleep study?
A home sleep test measures airflow, breathing effort, blood oxygen, and heart rate while you sleep in your own bed. In-lab polysomnography adds brain activity, full body monitoring, and technician oversight overnight at a sleep center. Polysomnography remains the standard diagnostic test, per the AASM.
How accurate is a home sleep test?
Home sleep tests are validated for uncomplicated adults at increased risk of moderate to severe OSA (AASM, strong recommendation). They can still underestimate sleep apnea. If your result is negative, inconclusive, or technically inadequate, your doctor should order an in-lab polysomnography study next.
Who should not use a home sleep test?
The AASM recommends in-lab polysomnography instead of a home test for people with significant cardiorespiratory disease, possible respiratory muscle weakness, awake or suspected sleep-related hypoventilation, chronic opioid use, a history of stroke, or severe insomnia. Talk with your doctor if any of these apply to you.
Do I need a doctor or a prescription to get a sleep apnea test?
Yes. Both home sleep tests and in-lab polysomnography are doctor-prescribed. With Sleeplay's home sleep tests, you order the device, sleep with it at home, and a board-certified sleep physician reads your results and issues a prescription for treatment if needed.
What does a sleep study measure?
An in-lab polysomnography study measures brain activity (EEG), heart rhythm, lung and breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, and arm and leg movement overnight. A home sleep test measures a narrower set, typically airflow, breathing effort, blood oxygen, and heart rate, depending on the device.
What is AHI?
AHI, the apnea-hypopnea index, counts the breathing events (apneas and hypopneas) you have per hour of sleep. A physician uses it to sort sleep apnea into normal, mild, moderate, or severe. For the exact thresholds and what your number means, see our AHI Score Guide.
Can I test myself for sleep apnea without a doctor?
Questionnaires and symptom checklists alone should not be used to diagnose OSA (AASM, strong recommendation). They can help you decide whether to talk with a doctor, but an actual diagnosis requires a physician-ordered home sleep test or in-lab polysomnography, with results reviewed by a sleep physician.
What happens after I get my sleep test results?
A board-certified sleep physician reviews your results and calculates your AHI. If it shows sleep apnea, they issue a prescription for treatment, most often CPAP therapy. If your home test was negative or inconclusive, they may order an in-lab polysomnography study to confirm.
References
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