Apollo Neuro Review

One of the biggest crazes in wellness lately has pertained to wearable wellness gadgets and gizmos. A convenient, discreet device that can fit snugly around your ankle or wrist sounds precisely like a convenient wellness aid. But is it? Many wearables claim to offer insights into stress by tracking biometric health data, but few have claimed to harbor the potential to directly relieve it. 

First brought to markets in 2020, the Apollo Neuro is one of the first wellness wearables to subvert that trend. The University of Pittsburgh researchers behind the creation of this device claim that its silent, rhythmic vibration technology can improve HRV (heart rate variability), in turn stabilizing the parasympathetic nervous system and promoting a calmer mood.

Both meditation and yoga have been clinically shown to have a similar effect on HRV (see this Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine study). However, it can sometimes be difficult to find time to consistently practice these activities, especially in between the stressful, hectic rigamarole of a 40-hour, 9-to-5 work week. With a minimum wear time of three hours per day for five days a week, Apollo’s marketing claims to mimic that effect, of stabilizing the HRV and activating the parasympathetic nervous system without any prescription or pharmaceutical substance.

The people behind Apollo Neuro claim the wearable has the potential to help with a lot of things, and to possibly even act as a Swiss Army mindfulness multitool of sorts, aiding sleep habits, meditation, and alleviating feelings of stress and anxiety. Early clinical research does point toward the potential efficacy of wearable vibration devices for stress (Scientific Reports), but does Apollo live up to the hype, or is it just hype?

See for yourself.

Apollo Neuro: How Does It Work?

The Apollo Neuro wearable connects directly to your smartphone device via Bluetooth technology, as well as the brand’s proprietary mobile app. Within the app, you can select from seven different goal-oriented vibration modes purportedly claiming to aid:

• Exercise recovery
• Focusing attention
• Stimulating energy
• Restorative sleep
• Social anxiety
• Meditation practice
• General anxiety

Vibration frequency, noise levels, and intensity with these modes can greatly vary, and the length of “sessions” with each of these vibrational modes can last anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes, depending on your preferences as a user. The adjustable strap device can be discreetly fit around your wrist or ankle, or fit around certain articles of clothing like waistbands and bra straps.

Functionally, the Apollo Neuro wearable appears to be focused on achieving some incredibly specific wellness goals through its different vibrational modes. You are probably wondering how effective the Apollo Neuro is in serving these purposes or fulfilling its purported goals, and to tell you the truth, we’re partly wondering that too.

The Apollo Neuro website claims that the wearable device has been tested through seven completed clinical trials, and is set to be tested through at least nine more trials. These studies have been conducted in collegiate settings, in healthcare facilities, and through independent review. It’s important to note two different caveats here:

• Most of the results listed are “preliminary results”, meaning that they’re only working from limited data sets at this point in time.

• The only completed clinical trial with a sample size above 100 people was an independent sleep study Apollo conducted in tandem with Oura Ring, which followed 582 participants.

Preliminary results are not synonymous with 100% conclusive results. We can’t confirm or deny their efficacy in fulfilling all of these purported goals, as the company itself is actively researching and testing the wearable’s functionality with addressing all of these objectives, and more! Many of the ongoing trials are even focused on evaluating if it could potentially alleviate the symptoms of conditions like ADD/ADHD and PTSD.

Many of the subsequent clinical trials feature larger sample sizes than the completed trials, so we should have a clearer picture of the Apollo Neuro’s utility for other functions once that data is completed. Otherwise, we have to be honest: the jury isn’t 100% out on the wearable’s efficacy in treating other conditions, but it certainly has shown some potential promise in mitigating the nervous system’s "fight or flight" stress response.

Preliminary results are preliminary results, but some of the available early data points are promising. According to Apollo, the device was clinically determined, on average, to:

• Reduce feelings of stress and anxiety by 40%
• Boost physical recovery speed by 10%
• Increase heart rate variability by 11%
• Raise focus and concentration by 25%

Does Apollo Neuro work for anxiety? Some people report beneficial results, while others don’t notice much substantial difference whatsoever. But if you’re wondering about the placebo effect with regard to its efficacy, the Apollo Neuro device has been tested in at least one double-blind placebo clinical trial.

So in short, results may vary on a case-by-case basis; in no way do we want to frame the Apollo as a universal miracle cure. But if those averages are anything to go by, anxiety and stress relief seem to be the most widely-reported effects from people who've report noticing beneficial results from wearing the Apollo Neuro. 

It may not work for everyone, but so far, the most detrimental “risk” or “side effect” we’ve seen online regarding the Apollo is a lack of adequate effect. We’d recommend reading the company’s review portal for a better understanding of these varying results. This page features feedback from verified Apollo Neuro buyers, voicing their own pros, cons, and personal experiences with the device.

Apart from anxiety, we would be remiss to neglect to mention the early preliminary data regarding the Apollo Neuro’s impact on sleep health.

Apollo Neuro Sleep Features

Apollo Neuro claims that their device’s “sleep and renew” setting is the most popular mode on the market, and like the stress relief data, the early preliminary sleep study results are promising. According to Apollo, the results of their 582-person trial found:

• A 4% decrease in average resting heart rate
• A 6% increase in average sleep length
• A 11% increase in heart rate variability
• A 14% increase in average REM sleep time
• A 19% increase in average deep sleep time

Apollo’s Sleep and Renew feature is designed to be activated before bed, and can run for an hour to lull you into sleep. If you’re curious how long this device can continuously run, the Apollo Neuro battery life is able to persist for 6-8 hours of consecutive use after a full charge. The wearable can be worn during the day, at night, at home, or on the go. Can it be worn underwater, though?

Is Apollo Neuro Waterproof?

The company describes the Apollo Neuro as “water resistant”, but not waterproof. It is not recommended to use the wearable while swimming, bathing, or showering, so if you were looking forward to any vibrational-aided meditations in your hot tub, sorry, no dice.

You won’t want to take any chances with using the wearable when you take a look at how much it costs; the current Apollo Neuro price retails for $349, $50 lower than its initial $399 price point. But you’ll be happy to know that the big price tag comes with a one-year warranty, no additional subscriptions or hidden fees, and if you aren’t happy, Apollo offers a money-back guarantee for their Neuro wearables.

The company offers a 60-day return policy, and a full refund on the device if you return them within the first 30 days after delivery. 

Apollo Neuro: Does It Work? Is Apollo Neuro Legit?

All in all, we understand if you’d prefer to save the money and opt for a less expensive sleep, anxiety, and meditation aid like Headspace or Calm. But the early preliminary feedback on this provider's product, coupled with thousands of satisfied customers, point toward the Apollo Neuro potentially offering mild anxiety and sleep disorder relief, without any drugs, risks, dependencies, or side effects!

If you’d like to cultivate a more meditative, focused demeanor and a balanced nervous system - but can’t consistently find the undivided time or attention to be more mindful, you might find this wearable worth a look.