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‘I drank over 50 cups and these are the best sleep teas to help you unwind, from liquorice to lavender‘
Upgrade your nighttime routine with our top picks
After slipping on my cosiest PJs and slathering on my skincare, there’s nothing I love more than lighting a candle and snuggling up in bed with a juicy thriller and a cup of sleepy tea. It’s a small ritual but one that signals to my brain that it’s time to stop whirring and switch off.
But with so many to choose from – from classic chamomile to botanical blends packed with lavender, valerian root and more – which ones are actually worth sipping on?
To find the best options for every need and budget, I brewed up countless bedtime cuppas. I also asked Georgia Chilton, senior nutritionist at healthy meal plan app Calo, to weigh in on the health benefits of sleep teas and how to incorporate them into your nightly routine.
The best teas for sleep 2026
Ready to doze off? These are the best sleep teas glance, but keep reading for our expert’s advice and my full reviews.
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How we chose the best teas for sleep
To find the best teas for sleep, I first consulted Chilton for her expert advice on the key ingredients to look out for, from botanicals like chamomile and lavender to lesser-known herbs such as valerian root and passionflower.
I also scoured the market and tried a range of pre-bedtime drinks from leading brands as well as smaller, specialist producers. I assessed each blend on key factors including taste, aroma, how simple they were to brew and overall value for money.
After weeks of drinking and comparing, I narrowed it down to a carefully curated selection to help you wind down.
Get set to sip your way to better sleep...
Pukka Herbs Night Time Tea (80 teabags)
Building on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine, Pukka Herbs’ Night Time Tea harnesses the power of valerian (a herb long-praised for its sedative and calming effects), alongside soul-soothing oat flower, lavender, and chamomile to help you unwind after a long day.
Smooth and mellow tasting, I recommend steeping for up to 10 minutes if you prefer a stronger cup.
If you prefer something fruity, try the brand’s Night Time Berry Tea, which blends calming chamomile and lavender with blackberry, blackcurrant and hibiscus for a sweet, tangy brew.
Twinings Superblends Sleep Tea (80 teabags)
Twinings Superblends Sleep Tea (80 teabags)
This floral infusion from Twinings features camomile, passionflower and lavender along with orange blossom and valerian root – ingredients traditionally associated with R&R. Naturally caffeine-free, it’s designed as a gentle wind-down drink, with the sweet orange orange blossom balancing the more classic herbal notes.
Light, slightly floral and fragrant, it’s a reliable pick if you enjoy a classic herbal tea rather than something spicy.
WelleCo Sleep Welle Calming Tea (50 teabags)
WelleCo Sleep Welle Calming Tea (50 teabags)
We're fans of WelleCo here at Good Housekeeping – the brand also features in our best greens powders round-up – and there's lots to love about the brand's sleep tea.
Free from artificial flavours, it contains a blend of six soothing ingredients, including lemon balm, hops, valerian root, passionflower and skullcap. The flavour is warming and delicate, without tasting overly sweet – ideal for sipping before you slip beneath the sheets.
Yogi Tea Organic Bedtime (17 teabags)
Yogi Tea Organic Bedtime (17 teabags)
Yogi Tea's Breathe Deep is a staple for flu season, and it wouldn’t be winter without a warming cup of its Turmeric Chai, so I had high hopes for the Organic Bedtime blend – and it delivered.
The base is a classic blend of chamomile flowers and valerian root, but the addition of cardamom brings a sweet, peppery note and I found it helped ease any post-dinner bloating before bed.
Pukka Herbs Night Time Apple Chai (80 teabags)
A new launch from the experts at Pukka, this is a sweet yet gently spiced blend of chamomile, apple and cinnamon designed to lull you into a peaceful sleep. As with all the brand’s teas, it’s made with organic ingredients and comes in compostable teabags.
Flavour-wise, this one went down a treat. It’s perfect if you don’t love classic herbal teas and prefer something with warming chai flavours.
Dragonfly Night Sky Calm Tea (80 teabags)
Packed with a medley of Mediterranean herbs (including chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender), a cup of this calming night time tea might just be the next best thing to falling asleep to a lullaby of cicadas and lapping waves…well, sort of.
The addition of liquorice and sage gives it a stronger, savoury lilt, which might not be everyone’s, um, cup of tea – though recent studies suggest that sage can help to balance hormones to combat menopausal night sweats for a more restful night’s sleep.
Clipper Organic Sleep Easy Infusion Tea Bags (120 teabags)
Find chamomile teas too, well… flowery? Well, I suggest trying this sleep tea from Clipper, which adds warming cinnamon and zesty orange to the blend for a more flavourful bedtime brew.
Not only does it taste great, but cinnamon is said to help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent those unwelcome 2am awakenings. True to the brand's eco-friendly ethos, each bag is 100% organic, unbleached, and biodegradable. I’ll drink to that!
Mission Sleep Tea (30 teabags)
If a hot cup of tea isn’t your bag, then you’ll be pleased to know that Mission Sleep Tea can be drunk both hot and cold – genius.
It tastes luxurious, thanks to the combination of cocoa nibs, rooibos, ashwagandha, and cinnamon. An ideal pick if you prefer something sweet and chocolatey before bed.
Tick Tock Bedtime Tea (120 teabags)
Tick Tock Bedtime Tea (120 teabags)
This bulk buy deal of 120 teabags (working out at 11p per cup) is hard to beat – especially if you're a big tea fan.
The flavour combination is downright delicious, with comforting chamomile, sweet honeybush and a hint of fresh lemon balm striking the perfect balance to enjoy before bed.
Tea Pigs Organic Snooze Sleepy Tea with Lavender (15 teabags)
Tea Pigs Organic Snooze Sleepy Tea with Lavender (15 teabags)
Not a fan of stronger herbal teas? This option is light and fruity, with sweet apple at the fore and a calming note of lavender to set the stage for some quality shut-eye.
We tip our hat to Teapigs’ commitment to sustainability, too; the tea is made with 100% organic ingredients (no artificial nasties, here), while the biodegradable tea temples can be easily recycled with your food waste, too.
What are sleep teas?
“Sleep teas are herbal blends thought to promote relaxation and sleep quality,” Chilton explains, adding: “There are many to choose from on the market, but, ultimately, my advice would be to opt for something you enjoy drinking, as that will make it easier to create the habit of a cup before bed.
“Avoid options containing caffeine – such as black or green teas – as they block adenosine receptors in your brain, promoting alertness and preventing sleep.”
Popular ingredients used in sleep teas
If you walk down the tea aisle of your local supermarket, you’ll likely find several options marketed as ‘sleep’ or ‘unwind’ blends – but what active ingredients should you be looking for in an effective bedtime brew? Here's Chilton's watch-list.
Chamomile
- Benefits: Contains apigenin, which binds to receptors in the brain to produce a calming effect.
- Usage: Best for helping to reduce anxiety and promoting a sense of relaxation.
Valerian Root
- Benefits: Known for its ability to increase GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) levels in the brain, which can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
- Usage: Often used for its sedative effects and to help with falling asleep faster.
Lavender
- Benefits: Contains compounds that may help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
- Usage: Often used for its soothing aroma and calming properties.
Lemon Balm
- Benefits: May help reduce anxiety and improve sleep by influencing neurotransmitters.
- Usage: Often combined with other herbs for enhanced calming effects.
Passionflower
- Benefits: Can increase GABA levels and help manage symptoms of anxiety.
- Usage: Useful for calming the mind and body before bed.
Are sleep teas effective?
While sleep teas can help you unwind, they’re not miracle workers. It’s important to use them as part of a regular bedtime routine.
If you’re struggling to sleep, Chilton advises “enjoying a well-balanced dinner at least two to three hours before bed to help avoid indigestion and support your body’s natural release of melatonin, which is a key sleep hormone.”
“Aim to incorporate sleep-promoting foods that are rich in melatonin and tryptophan, including tart cherries, walnuts, and kiwis,” she adds.
Your sleep environment is crucial, too. Where possible, avoid using your bedroom as a workspace (yes, that includes checking your emails in bed) and ensure it’s “not too hot, too cold, too noisy, or too bright,” says Chilton, “but most importantly, invest in a high-quality mattress – trust me, it will be priceless in the long run!”
The verdict on sleep teas
If you’re after a reliable, everyday sleep tea, my favourite is Pukka's Night Time Tea. It features key sleep-inducing botanicals and tastes great, so it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
If you want something a little fancier, WelleCo's Sleep Welle Calming Tea is a luxe option made with high-quality ingredients that has a smooth, refined taste.
On a tighter budget but still want something that delivers? Tick Tock's Bedtime Tea is a solid pick.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Millie is freelance journalist and editor with five years’ experience writing product reviews, buying guides, breaking news and about the latest trends.
Millie has also reviewed countless restaurants and written travel features for British GQ, The Telegraph and the Independent, and has interviewed a number of leading chefs, including Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal and Raymond Blanc.
Founder of creative catering brand @grazeandgorge, Millie also spends her time creating seasonal recipes and tablescape content, as well as planning her next golden retriever-friendly getaway and rearranging her own home bar cart (... again).
