A decade ago, the height of wearable technology was a basic Fitbit tracking steps and basic activity. The Apple Watch soon took over as the dominant smartwatch, followed by subtler options like the Oura ring for sleep and health monitoring.
Today, a new wave of wearables targets the brain itself. These devices use electroencephalography (EEG) to detect brain waves and apply AI to interpret them, shifting focus from physical metrics like heart rate to mental states, sleep enhancement, focus, and even thought-controlled interfaces.
For better sleep, Elemind offers a $350 headband that monitors brain signals to determine if you’re awake or asleep. It then delivers targeted acoustic stimulation (pink noise) to guide the brain into deeper delta-wave sleep patterns. In a small study with 21 participants, over 75% fell asleep faster.
To boost productivity, Neurable sells $500 EEG-equipped headphones that track beta waves linked to concentration. They provide real-time feedback on focus levels and gentle nudges for breaks during prolonged deep work sessions.
Apple is entering the space too: It patented EEG-sensing AirPods in 2023 and added brain-wave control to the Vision Pro headset this year, enabling integration with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Companies like Cognixion are building apps for it, initially to help people with paralysis communicate, but with potential for broader uses like mind-controlled gaming or texting.
Open-source efforts are emerging as well. Elata Biosciences is creating an “open internet of brains,” with its own EEG device and apps—including a thought-controlled Pong game demoed at a conference.
On the medical front, Flow Neuroscience gained FDA approval in December 2025 for a headset using transcranial direct current stimulation to treat depression at home, combined with app-based therapy. Clinical trials showed significant symptom remission compared to controls, with US availability expected in spring 2026.
While these wearables can’t yet read private thoughts, they collect highly personal brain data, raising serious privacy concerns—such as data sharing with advertisers or employers monitoring focus.
Experts like Duke University’s Nita Farahany predict neurotech wearables will become seamless and ubiquitous, potentially as discreet tattoos integrating directly with devices.
The future of wearables isn’t on your wrist—it’s on (or in) your head.
Original article by Emily Mullin, published on WIRED.com on December 22, 2025.
Attribution: Based on the article “Brain Gear Is the Hot New Wearable” by Emily Mullin.
