These headphones are specially designed to block out ambient noise while playing your favourite music. Prepare to have a better sleep with the best sleeping headphones.
| All-in-one headphones for sleeping | |
| Excellent for side sleepers | |
| A popular wireless choice | |
| Light is also blocked by them | |
| An excellent budget choice | |
| A well-priced splurge | |
| The traveler’s choice |
Whether you live near a busy road, have noisy neighbors, or sleep with someone who snores, sleep aids may be just what you need for a good night’s sleep. Sleep headphones are becoming more and more popular for various reasons. While headphones usually block out noise, the best headphones for sleep connect to your favorite devices, via Bluetooth or cable, and can play music, audiobooks, guided meditations, or white noise to help you relax. Some even have dedicated apps that give you hundreds of hours of unique sounds.
Sure, any decent pair of headphones can do all of this, but it’s the design that sets sleeping headphones apart. Regular headphones can be bulky and uncomfortable, but sleep aids have a minimal, barely noticeable feel that allows you to comfortably fall asleep wearing them all night. The sound quality may not be as good as bulky cans with noise cancellation and other expensive features, but it will certainly drown out unwanted external noise with soothing sounds, like a white noise machine that only you can hear.
If you need help getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night, it might be time to invest in sleep headphones to combat the effects of background noise. To help you find the best headphones for sleeping, we’ve highlighted different types, including some options for headband headphones, Bluetooth headphones, and headphones that stick to your ear canal to block out ambient noise. Keep reading and choose the best headphones for sleeping to sleep better!
Hoomband Headband
All-in-one headphones for sleeping
The Hoomband headband won the title of best headphones for sleeping because it’s not just a headphone you can sleep in, it’s a headphone designed for sleeping. The headband of the headset has two ultra-thin flat speakers that sit beneath the foam and can be heard but not felt. The headband itself is made from a soft, thin 3D mesh that helps regulate temperature so you don’t get too hot while you sleep.
The Bluetooth headphones come with a free app that provides 100 hours of audio content, including ambient sounds, documentaries, white noise, guided meditations, relaxing sounds, and more, but they also function as ordinary headphones, allowing you to communicate with loved ones. Bluetooth-enabled apps such as YouTube, Spotify, and Headspace.
Bedphones Sleep Headphones
A highly rated wired version
If you don’t like the idea of wearing a headband before bed, the Bedphone Sleep headphones are another option for sleeping without clothes. This sleep headphone choice has two ultra-slim headphone drivers joined by a rubberized memory cable that is entirely adjustable, allowing you to discover the ideal set of headphones.
They come in two varieties, wired and wireless, and each comes with a built-in microphone and a three-button remote that lets you answer calls or play, pause, or skip what you hear. And one charge is enough for an impressive 13 hours. These are great headphones for a more comfortable sleep.
Fulext Sleep Headphones
Excellent for side sleepers
Most sleep headphones aren’t designed for side sleeping, but the Fulltext Sleep Headband wraps the headphones into a soft fabric headband for added comfort. The low-profile speakers are wrapped in ultra-stretch fabric and a breathable mesh lining that’s not only soft but also hypoallergenic. The speakers are ultra-thin, so even if you lean your head against the pillow, you won’t feel them. The device supports both wired and wireless playback and works for 10 hours on a single charge.
And because the headband fabric wicks sweat and stays in place, these sleep headphones double as workout headphones. You can wear them to run, wash the cloth, then put the headphones on to sleep.
SleepPhones Wireless Sleep Headphones
A popular wireless choice
SleepPhones wireless sleep headphones, another headband alternative, minimize ambient sounds and block out your partner’s snoring without compromising quality. They have flat earphones tucked into such a fabric headband and connect wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled gadget within 15 to 30 feet of your sleep. Designed by a GP, the Bluetooth headphones also have ultra-low power consumption, so you don’t have to worry about RF exposure while you sleep, potential problem researchers have identified.
There are also two fabric options, fleece and breezy, so you can choose based on whether you sleep hot or cold. Fleece fabric is warm and cozy, while Breeze fabric is moisture-wicking and highly breathable.
Watotgafer Sleep Headphones
Light is also blocked by them
If you want to improve the quality of your sleep, this Watotgafer sleep earphone sleep mask is a buzzword or two. Equipped with flat ear cups and an ergonomic eye design that does not put too much pressure on the face, the configuration effectively blocks noise and light at the same time. The low-profile ear pads are covered in breathable, slow-rebound memory foam that also releases tension and stress from your face to help you drift off to sleep.
Bluetooth controls are also situated in the center of the eye mask, allowing you to easily manage your music or white noise app even if you sleep on your side. And since one charge lasts at least 8 hours, you can use it all night without interruption.
Panasonic Slim Clip-on Earphones
An excellent budget choice
The Panasonic Slim Clip-On Headphones are premium sleep aids at a price that won’t keep you awake at night. These are pretty basic wired headphones, but they have an ultra-compact body and a slim design that helps block out noise and ensures they’ll be comfortable headphones while you sleep. Ergonomic behind-the-ears feature a rubberized design that holds the headphones securely in place without scratching your ears.
While there’s no fancy Bluetooth technology here, you can connect these headphones to any of your favourite devices (you’ll need an adapter if you have Apple products) and play everything from music to audiobooks.
Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Canceling Headphones
A well-priced splurge
These noise-cancelling headphones from Bose aren’t technically designed for sleep, but if you’re looking for a more traditional pair of sleep headphones, they’re another viable option for blocking out outside noise. True to Bose’s high standards, they combine Active EQ and TriPort technology to deliver superb sound quality not typically found in headphones. They block out all surrounding noise, but you can quickly switch between noise cancellation and Aware mode. This lets you hear what’s going on around you at the push of a button, an invaluable feature that gives you peace of mind on any late-night hit.
The set also includes three different sizes of ear tips – small, medium, and large – to ensure the headphones fit snugly and don’t fall out of your ears while you sleep.
Maxrock Sleep Earbuds
The traveller’s choice
An ultra-lightweight design and soft silicone ear cushions make these minimalist sleep headphones a great choice for travel. The earbuds feature an ergonomic dual-layer design that fits snugly into most ear canals to effectively dampen the noise around you, while the mini-speakers in each earcup deliver balanced, high-quality sound without overbearing bass.
The lack of a flat design means they’re not ideal for side sleepers, but if you sleep on your back or need something to block out ambient noise on a plane or train, these headphones will help. And because they’re so cheap, if they get lost somewhere along the way, it won’t be a complete disaster.
Is it okay to wear headphones when sleeping?
Yes, there’s nothing wrong with wearing headphones while you sleep, as long as they’re comfortable enough not to disturb you at night. Listening to relaxing music or a podcast before bed can lower your heart rate and distract you from daily stressors.
Which headphones are the most comfortable to sleep in?
Some of the best headphones for sleep include:
- Hoomband Headband
- Bedphones Sleep Headphones
- Fulext Sleep Headphones
- SleepPhones Wireless Sleep Headphones
Can sleep with headphones cause headaches?
Wearing the wrong headgear while sleeping can lead to compression headaches. This is caused by excessive pressure around the head and can be avoided by wearing earmuffs designed for sleep that fit snugly around the ear.