Getting enough rest is more important than you think. In fact, the way you feel when you are awake largely depends on the quality and duration of sleep that you get.
According to the National Institutes of Health, seven to nine hours of sleep is recommended for adults. When you sleep, your body fully recharges, rebuilding muscles and repairing tissues, organs, and other cells. If you don’t get enough sleep, it can take a toll with serious health issues over time like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and cancer. On an everyday basis, lack of sleep can contribute to headaches, crankiness, and lack of concentration.
Whether your sleep deficit is due to excessive stress, a snoring partner, a room that is not set at an optimal temperature, or distracting noise like city traffic, sleep headphones may be your ticket to a dreamy night’s rest. They can even be used for air travel or commuting by train or bus.
Sleep headphones come in various styles, including earbuds, headbands, or masks. Prices for the selections included here range from about $10 to $150. Many options are Bluetooth-enabled, which allows you to pair your headphones to a content source (phone, laptop, tablet) without any cumbersome cords.
Other styles have Active Noise Control (ANC) technology, which is especially effective at drowning out even the loudest background noises. Some have microphones so you can take calls. Others have libraries of music and tranquil sounds that you can access to help you rest peacefully.
The Best Sleep Headphones
- Best Overall: AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless Sleep Headphones
- Most Comfortable Headband: Perytong Sleep Headphones Wireless
- Best at Blocking Background Noise: Soundcore Sleep A20 Bluetooth Earbuds
- Best Budget Bluetooth: Joseche Wireless Sleep Mask Sleep Headphones
- Best Earbuds-Style: DubsLabs Bedphones Sleep Headphones
The Expert
Stephanie Hoppe: I’m a running enthusiast based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I write about health and fitness in addition to elite runners and inspirational competitors for Runner's World, The Guardian, Women’s Running, PodiumRunner, Men's Health, Trail Runner, Wingfoot, and Competitor.
When not writing, I’m running, hiking with my two Vizslas, or traveling with my husband to races around the world—I’m constantly on the quest for a personal best. I’ve completed more than a dozen marathons, countless half-marathons, and a handful of ultramarathons and triathlons, including an Ironman. With my active lifestyle, sleep and recovery are key.
Brandon Carte: I cover technology, writing about the latest gadgets, appliances, and scouring the internet for the products that make life easier. My reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com, Good Housekeeping, and USA Today.
What to Look for in Sleep Headphones
Before picking your first pair of sleep headphones to gift or use yourself, there are several important factors to consider.
Comfort
Comfort is key. If your sleep headphones don't fit you, chances are you won't wear them. Since comfort is subjective, we included multiple styles of sleep headphones. Wireless earbuds, for instance, are constructed to fit specifically in your ear with a flat design so they won’t poke you, fall out, or become a distraction. Headbands, with speakers built in, range in size to cater to various head dimensions and shapes. Breathable fabrics, stretchy material, and mesh can help to keep you cool and comfortable.
Some models, like the Joseche Wireless Sleep Mask Sleep Headphones and the Acoustic Sheep SleepPhones, position easy-to-access controls for adjusting volume and pausing/playing audio right on the headphones themselves so you don’t have to locate your phone in the middle of the night to tinker with anything.
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Sleep Style
If you tend to toss and turn, skip wired earbuds, which can get tangled or become dislodged from your ears. If you’re a side sleeper, look for products like the Soundcore Sleep A20 Bluetooth Earbuds, which are ergonomic in design and have soft materials. Sleep masks are also recommended for side sleepers. If you sleep on your back, most designs and styles will work well for you.
Battery Life
Make sure the sleep headphones you select deliver a battery life sufficient to your sleep needs. Typically, nine hours or longer is suitable.
How We Chose These Sleep Headphones
Some of the headphones in this roundup were tested, but all were evaluated based on several key features, including audio quality, noise cancelling, built-in volume, pause/play controls, comfort, price, and battery life.
I researched the top manufacturers in this space, compared feature sets, and read product reviews. With my experience as a marathon runner, wearing headphones and earbuds for long distances, I have a sense for what is comfortable during extended periods of time and how essential battery life and durability are. This background helped to inform my choices below.
Additionally, I relied on the extensive research and testing done previously by writer Brandon Carte. The result of our combined efforts is this roundup of the best sleep headphones available now.
1
Best Overall Sleep Headphones
AcousticSheep Wireless SleepPhones Headphones
Pros
Multiple size options- Exceptional comfort for all types of sleepers
Cons
- For some, the band may run small
The wireless AcousticSheep SleepPhones are all about comfort, with padded speakers nestled in a soft headband that is lightweight and stretchy as well as washable. This one-size-fits-most headband fits over your ears and stands out for easy setup, convenient onboard controls, good fit, and lack of wires—all reasons why these were chosen as Best Overall.
Available in three sizes (small, medium, and large), two fabric options, and five colors, these headphones also come in a cozy fleece option.
These sleep headphones won’t provide the same sound quality as regular headphones in their price range, but for sleep, these are enjoyable whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper. The fit is snug, but not too tight.
2
Most Comfortable Sleep Headphones
Perytong Wireless Sleep Headphones
Pros
- Decent battery life
- Lots of color options
- Suitable for additional uses like hiking or air travel
Cons
- No noise cancellation
Lightweight, fully washable, and exceptionally soft, this Bluetooth-enabled headband features an embedded pair of headphones to help lull you to sleep. Versatile, with a stretchy fit and inner mesh lining to help keep you cool, these headphones are ideal for side and back sleepers, and also suitable for yoga, hiking, or air travel.
At the front, the headphones have a convenient control panel that allows you to manage your music by skipping tracks or changing the volume—a great perk that eliminates the need to locate your smartphone in the middle of the night to make adjustments.
A built-in rechargeable battery lasts up to 10 hours, and there’s a microphone which lets you to take phone calls.
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Pros
- Portable with small case that doubles as a charger
- Excellent battery life
- Find My Earbud feature when paired with Soundcore app
Cons
- Unable to support phone calls
- No active noise cancellation
Ideal for side sleepers, the A20 earbuds succeed the previous and less expensive A10 version with improved battery life (from 10 to up to 14 hours on a single charge).
Incorporating a patented Air Wing configuration and 3D ergonomics for optimal comfort, these earbuds provide maximum noise blocking with their physical design. Wrapped in soft material, these offer various twin-sealed ear tips to ensure a secure fit. Try the default size to start, but check out the multiple tips to ensure the proper fit you need.
Pros
- Adjustable to ensure a snug, comfortable fit
Cons
- Your partner will likely hear the audio coming from them
This pair of sleep headphones lets you drift off to sleep in complete darkness while listening to your favorite soothing sounds. It pairs with a smartphone or tablet over Bluetooth so there’s no fussing with cords.
The headset, which uses a Velcro strap to ensure a custom fit, is constructed of a breathable, lightweight fabric that is machine-washable. There are easy-to-access controls for adjusting volume and pausing audio, a built-in microphone for phone calls, and a rechargeable battery that offers nine hours of juice before needing a charge.
Pros
- Delivers a barely there experience
- 13-hour battery life
Cons
The DubsLabs Bedphones Sleep Headphones feature an in-ear design with memory wire ear hooks that fit virtually all ear shapes and sizes. The wire that connects the two earbuds has a cable slider to ensure a secure fit.
These are a natural choice for side sleepers due to the thin headphone that lays flat against your ears. The Bedphones use Bluetooth, so you can stream anything from music to relaxing sounds or audiobooks and podcasts minus wires.
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Pros
- No worries about charging
Cons
- Lesser quality build than some
Hearprotek Sleep Earbuds are a comfortable and affordable option, and since they're wired, you won't have any worries about charging them.
The 50-inch cord is long enough to keep your smartphone on a nightstand, but if you toss and turn a lot, you’ll probably want to keep the attached device with you in the bed.
The lightweight silicone earphones are flexible enough to easily conform to your ear canal. There is a three-button control to make switching between music or a phone call hassle-free. The 3.5mm gold-plated plug is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Pros
- Exceptionally comfortable
Cons
- Battery may not last a full 8 hours
The Bella Sleep PRO is a premium Bluetooth-compatible pair of earbuds that is part of a complete sleep system designed to help you fall asleep faster and spend more time in deep sleep.
The silicone earbuds, with a flat design suited for side sleepers, come with an included sleep app and Sleepscapes Library, which the company says is the “largest SmartSound sleep library ever created.”
Updated monthly, the library includes binaural beats, relaxing nature sounds, and color noises curated to help lull you to sleep. The library also provides users with a video series in mastering sleep.
Pros
- Blocks out light and noises
Cons
- Not noise canceling
For mild sleepers, this Bluetooth mask offers a complete blackout experience with a bottom sunshade strip that extends down over your nose and blocks out light. It's also suitable for long flights when you don't want to be disturbed.
Ideal for side sleepers, this mask is constructed of breathable cotton material. The mask is adjustable, with an option to change the placement of the headphone speakers and a built-in microphone allows you to take calls while wearing. Battery life is up to 10 hours to get you through a solid night of sleep.
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Rest Assured, Our Expert Stephanie Hoppe Shares What to Know About Sleep Headphones
What is the best option for side sleepers?
The good news for side sleepers is that most earbud options are designed to accommodate this common sleeping position. As a side sleeper myself, I find earbuds the best option.
Which are the best for drowning out noise, especially loud snoring?
Active Noise Control (ANC) technology will be especially effective in drowning out even the loudest background noises. This technology works by using a microphone to monitor sounds inside and outside the earphones. When sounds are detected, a neutralizing sound wave is emitted to “cancel out the noise.”
How do I make sure I don’t get earwax build up or an ear infection?
Routinely clean your earbuds or headband to ensure none of the bacteria from your headphones causes an ear infection. All of the options here come with instructions on care and use, so read the owner manuals to make sure you follow any guidance. Most care instructions for these devices involve simply using a damp cloth to clean them or washing with soap and warm water.
