9 Best Power Napping Apps For Your Phone
| App Name | Best For | Key Features | AC Rating | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life7 | All in one mental wellness and power napping | Binaural beats, sleep sounds, breathing exercises | 4.8/5 | Free trial, subscription plans |
| Pzizz | Quick power naps on demand | Dreamscapes, nap module, smart alarm | 4.5/5 | Free version, premium subscription |
| Power Nap Tracker | Monitoring nap quality | Movement tracking, nap graphs, natural alarm sounds | 4.3/5 | Free with in app purchases |
| Headspace | Guided meditation and relaxation | Sleepcasts, wind down sessions, breathing exercises | 4.6/5 | Free trial, monthly or yearly plans |
| Sleep as Android | Android users who want smart alarms | Power nap mode, smart wakeup, sleep tracking | 4.4/5 | Free with premium upgrade |
| Noisli | Creating custom soundscapes | Sound mixing, offline mode, timer function | 4.2/5 | Free version, premium subscription |
| Power Nap with Andrew Johnson | Guided relaxation during naps | Voice guided sessions, relaxation techniques, short format | 4.3/5 | Free base app, additional sessions available |
| Sleep Cycle | Tracking sleep patterns | Accelerometer tracking, smart alarm, sleep analysis | 4.5/5 | Free version, yearly subscription |
| Calm | Stress relief and relaxation | Sleep stories, celebrity narrators, breathing guides | 4.6/5 | Free trial, yearly or lifetime plans |
#1. Life7 – Best for All in One Mental Wellness and Power Napping
Life7 is my top pick for power napping because it does so much more than just help you sleep. This app brings together everything you need for mental wellness in one place. You get access to a huge library of sounds, including green noise, white noise, brown noise, and pink noise.
The app also has binaural beats and special frequency music like 432 Hz and 528 Hz. These sounds are designed to help your brain relax quickly. I love how you can mix different soundscapes together using Backdrop Mode. This means you can combine sleep sounds with meditations or bedtime stories.
Key Features:
- Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma wave music for different brain states
- Breathing exercises and SOS sessions for calming anxiety fast
- Daily new sessions including meditation, music therapy, and wisdom content
What I like: Life7 really stands out because it covers everything from quick power naps to deep sleep. The breathing exercises help me calm down before napping. I also appreciate the gamified approach where you earn XP for completing sessions. The short guided meditations are perfect for beginners. Plus, the mood tracker helps me see how napping affects my overall wellbeing.
What I don’t like: The free version has limited content. To unlock the full experience, you need to subscribe. This might be a turnoff if you want to try everything before committing.
Pricing: 7 day free trial available. Weekly, monthly, and yearly subscription plans offered with frequent special promotions.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#2. Pzizz – Best for Quick Power Naps on Demand
Pzizz uses special audio called “dreamscapes” to help you fall asleep fast. These dreamscapes are a mix of music, voiceovers, and sound effects designed using the latest clinical research. The app has a dedicated nap module that is perfect for quick rest during your day.
Many famous people use this app. Author J.K. Rowling has said she loves Pzizz and calls it the best she has used by a mile. The app creates a unique audio experience each time you use it so you never get bored.
Key Features:
- Dedicated nap module with customizable nap durations
- Unique dreamscape generation for every session
- Focus module for productivity when you need to work
What I like: The science behind Pzizz really works. I find myself drifting off within minutes of starting a session. The ability to customize the mix of music and voiceovers is great. I also like that I can adjust the length of my nap to fit my schedule perfectly.
What I don’t like: The premium subscription is needed to access all the features. Some users report issues with the payment system and accessing content after trial periods end.
Pricing: Free version available with limited features. Pro subscription required for full access.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#3. Power Nap Tracker – Best for Monitoring Nap Quality
Power Nap Tracker helps you feel fresh and reenergized by monitoring your nap and waking you up after you have gotten the amount of rest you choose. The app uses your phone to detect your movements during sleep.
A short nap of 10 to 30 minutes does wonders for your thinking and productivity. This app understands that perfectly. After your nap, you can view your sleep profile on a graph. This helps you understand your napping patterns over time.
Key Features:
- Measures your nap and wakes you after the nap time you choose, up to 3 hours
- Wakes you gently to beautiful natural sounds from around the world
- Captures the loudest sound during your nap to detect snoring or talking
What I like: The visual feedback after each nap is super helpful. I can see exactly how long I actually slept versus how long I was in bed. The natural alarm sounds are gentle and do not jolt me awake feeling startled. The snooze function is nice for those days when I need just a few more minutes.
What I don’t like: Some users wish the app would retain sleep information longer. It can be confusing to remember your nap stats right after waking up when you are still groggy.
Pricing: Free to download with optional in app purchases for additional sounds and features.
Platforms: iOS
#4. Headspace – Best for Guided Meditation and Relaxation
Headspace is proven to increase happiness and reduce stress in just 10 days. While it is known mainly for meditation, it has excellent features for power napping too. The app offers Wind Down sessions specifically designed to prepare your mind for rest.
Headspace helps improve your sleep with expert led sleep tools, guided sleep meditations, sleep sounds, sleepcasts, and more. The Sleepcasts are like bedtime stories for adults that guide you into peaceful sleep.
Key Features:
- Over 500 guided meditations from 3 minute to longer sessions
- Sleepcasts with soothing narration for drifting off
- Nighttime SOS sessions for when you wake up mid nap
What I like: The quality of the guided content is top notch. Andy Puddicombe, one of the main voices, has a very calming effect. I appreciate how the app teaches you about meditation while helping you relax. The progress tracking keeps me motivated to maintain my napping habit.
What I don’t like: Some users feel the app is very busy and feels childish at times. The subscription cost is higher than some other apps. If you are already experienced with meditation, you might want something more advanced.
Pricing: Free 14 day trial. Monthly and annual subscription plans available with student and family options.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#5. Sleep as Android – Best for Android Users Who Want Smart Alarms
Power nap is a special case of smart wakeup for situations when you do not have a specific time to wake up. Sleep as Android excels at finding the perfect moment to wake you during your light sleep phase. This means you wake up feeling refreshed instead of groggy.
Few sleep tracking apps are as comprehensive as Sleep as Android. It can help you doze off with the sounds of nature and identify the optimum point in your body’s circadian rhythms to wake you up gently.
Key Features:
- Smart alarm that wakes you during light sleep
- Lullaby sounds to help you fall asleep faster
- Connects with many third party apps and wearables
What I like: The alarm options range from gentle nature sounds to maths puzzles that make sure you are up and awake before the alarm stops ringing. I love how customizable everything is. The integration with fitness trackers adds extra value for people who already use wearables.
What I don’t like: The app can be overwhelming at first with so many options. Battery usage during tracking can be higher than expected on some phones. It is only available on Android which limits who can use it.
Pricing: Free 14 day trial with full tracking every other day afterward. One time premium purchase removes limitations.
Platforms: Android only
#6. Noisli – Best for Creating Custom Soundscapes
Noisli can help to mask loud noises such as traffic, airplane or office noise, reduce stress, improve focus and create a relaxing environment for relaxation and sleep. This makes it perfect for power napping in noisy environments.
You are continuously travelling on plane or train and need a quick power nap? Noisli makes your life a little easier. You can mix different sounds together to create your perfect napping atmosphere.
Key Features:
- Mix different sounds and create your perfect sound ambience tailored to your personal need
- Timer with fade out function for timed nap sessions
- Works offline for use during travel
What I like: The ability to save my favorite sound combinations is brilliant. I have different mixes for work naps versus weekend naps. The offline mode means I can use it on flights without wifi. The timer automatically fades out the sounds when my nap time is up.
What I don’t like: Access to the full sound selection and advanced features is locked behind the premium paywall. The free version is quite limited. There is no guided content if you prefer someone talking you through relaxation.
Pricing: Free version with basic sounds. Premium subscription unlocks all sounds and features.
Platforms: iOS, Android, and Web
#7. Power Nap with Andrew Johnson – Best for Guided Relaxation During Naps
Allow yourself to drift down into gentle relaxation and access the incredible power of the mind body connection. Andrew Johnson guides you through relaxation techniques that help you recharge quickly.
This app is different because it focuses on guided relaxation rather than just sounds or alarms. Use Power Nap when you need a break, to take time out and overcome stresses or anxieties.
Key Features:
- Professional voice guided relaxation sessions
- Designed to rebuild energy levels and motivation
- Works well for stress and anxiety relief alongside napping
What I like: The guided sessions help people fall into that restorative unconscious state with the countdown and wake up when he counts out feeling wonderful. I love how his voice is calming without being boring. The sessions are the perfect length for a lunch break power nap.
What I don’t like: The app interface feels dated compared to newer apps. Some users report technical issues with settings controls being hard to see. Limited variety compared to larger apps.
Pricing: Base app is free. Additional session packs available for purchase.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#8. Sleep Cycle – Best for Tracking Sleep Patterns
Sleep Cycle tracks and analyzes your sleep patterns. Choose your wake up time, and the app will gently stir you from your slumber during your lightest phase of sleep. This ensures you wake up feeling rested and ready for the rest of your day.
Power Nap is made by the same folks who created Sleep Cycle. The technology behind both apps uses your phone to detect movement and determine your sleep phase accurately.
Key Features:
- Sound and vibration analysis to track sleep phases
- Smart alarm within a 30 minute window you set
- Statistics dashboard showing sleep quality graphs
What I like: The accuracy of the sleep tracking impresses me every time. I can see exactly when I was in deep versus light sleep. The alarm really does wake me at the right moment. Having months of data helps me spot patterns in my napping habits.
What I don’t like: Sleep Cycle is not designed for naps at this point. Using Sleep Cycle to track your naps can cause inaccurate statistics and in some cases delete the previous full night session. This is a significant limitation for dedicated nappers.
Pricing: Free version with basic features. Premium subscription adds more alarm sounds and sleep aid content.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#9. Calm – Best for Stress Relief and Relaxation
Calm has become one of the most popular relaxation apps in the world. Multiple published studies show it helps us to be more mindful and compassionate, and less stressed and less irritable. The app has a dedicated sleep section perfect for napping.
The soothing content these apps offer to inspire rest includes sleep focused meditations, nature sounds, sleep music, and Sleep Stories which are essentially bedtime stories designed to help adults nod off.
Key Features:
- Sleep Stories narrated by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey
- Body scan meditations for releasing tension
- Daily Calm sessions for regular practice
What I like: Calm’s popularity has garnered celebrity attention. Having famous voices read you sleep stories adds a fun element. The breathing exercises help me wind down before napping. The variety of content means I never run out of new things to try.
What I don’t like: The yearly subscription cost is higher than some alternatives. The app focuses more on nighttime sleep than quick power naps specifically. Some users prefer more customization options.
Pricing: Free 7 day trial. Annual and lifetime subscription options available.
Platforms: iOS and Android
How Long Should a Power Nap Be?
The ideal power nap lasts between 10 and 30 minutes. This timeframe lets you rest without falling into deep sleep. When you sleep longer than 30 minutes, you risk waking up feeling groggy and disoriented.
When we nap, sleep pressure is released, increasing cognitive function, performance and memory while reducing stress and sleepiness. The key is timing your nap just right.
The best time to nap is between 1 pm and 3 pm when most of us experience a natural dip in energy. If you nap too late in the day, it might interfere with your nighttime sleep. Using a power nap app helps you stick to the right duration and wake up at the optimal time.
What Makes a Good Power Nap App?
A good power nap app should do more than just set an alarm. Look for apps that help you relax and fall asleep faster. Sound options like white noise, nature sounds, or guided relaxation are important features.
Smart alarm technology is another key feature. The best apps track your movement and wake you during light sleep. This prevents that awful groggy feeling you get when an alarm jolts you from deep sleep.
Timer functions with gentle fade outs work better than sudden stops. You want to ease out of your nap rather than be startled awake. Many apps also offer tracking features so you can see how your napping habits improve over time.
Can Power Napping Apps Really Help You Sleep?
Yes, power napping apps can genuinely improve your napping experience. Studies suggest that meditation and meditation apps can help you doze off more quickly and improve the quality of your sleep. The right sounds and guidance make a real difference.
Many people struggle to nap because their mind races with thoughts. Apps that include breathing exercises or guided relaxation address this problem directly. They give your mind something to focus on instead of your to do list.
The tracking features also help by showing you patterns. You might discover that certain days or times work better for your naps. This information helps you optimize your napping routine for maximum benefit. Overall, these apps serve as useful tools in your quest for better rest and more energy throughout the day.