Sleep studies can sometimes be administered in the patient's home. Using a small, portable monitor, these at-home sleep studies can help diagnosis obstructive sleep apnea. These tests can also monitor heart rate, airflow, breathing effort, and oxygen levels. Some at-home tests can even measure brain waves, but it depends upon the type of monitor that is used for the testing process.

At-home testing is done for a number of reasons. Sometimes insurance companies will only cover this type of testing or they may require that an at-home test be performed before approving a lab sleep study. Other times these at-home sleep tests are performed because they are more convenient and comfortable for the patient. A sleep study conducted at home is extremely easy to perform. The patient will be issued a testing kit that contains all the equipment needed to administer this test. The kit will contain a small monitor that is placed around the waist and a small clip that is placed over the finger. An airflow sensor will also be included in the kit. This will be placed under the nose.