From 'blackout' eye masks to a 'marriage saving' blanket, the sleep products people can't go to bed without

"I’m extremely fussy about my pillows and, as a sleep editor, I've gone through a fair few trying to find one I genuinely love. I want something soft enough to sink into, but still supportive enough that I don't wake up with a stiff neck. My perfect Goldilocks option is Simba's Aerodown pillow.

It has that plush cloud-like feel you get from a down pillow, without any pesky feathers poking through the fabric, and it's far easier to care for. For me, the best part is its cooling capabilities: it has a breathable cotton cover and the brand's signature Stratos tech on one side to offer instant cooling. It helps me sleep like a baby all year round." Priyankaa Joshi, Sleep & Wellness Editor

'I’m not the world’s best sleeper, an issue not helped by a twisty spine and back muscles clenched up like a firebrand whose pint just got spilled in a club. The best tension defuser I’ve found so far is Brad and Bob’s new Q2 Ultra massage gun, which combines power and pacification in one clever little package.'

'The former benefit comes from a selection of massage heads which delve into tight spots with an oomph that belies the gun’s pocket rocket proportions. I like how easy it is to hold - you don’t want to swap sore back muscles for arm ache as you massage away. The real gold for me, though, comes when I attach the heated infrared LED head. I just hold that therapeutic warmth against tender spots and feel the tension melt away before bed. A dream.' Lynne Hyland, Beauty Director

"I am a terrible sleeper so this is my specialist subject! I swear by the Better You Magnesium Sleep Spray. You squirt it all over yourself as you go to bed and it helps with muscle relaxation.

I can actually feel it working; it makes me feel wonderfully woozy (in a good way). If I ever forget to put it on, I always know because it takes me forever to drop off!” Jo Finney, Books Director

“I take this luxurious mask everywhere with me to sleep – airplanes, hotel rooms with no blackout blinds, or the sofa when I want to nap during the day. It completely blocks out the light thanks to a double layer of padding and total face coverage. It’s also luxuriously soft and silky.” Laura Cohen, Good Housekeeping Institute Director

This was another popular product with the team, receiving several shoutouts from our beauty and wellness editors in particular, thanks to its silk finish, which is kind on your skin and hair.

"Made from super breathable fabric (a key factor for me when picking sleepwear), this PJ set is ultra-indulgent and is the softest I’ve ever owned. It's perfect for gifting (or as a payday treat) and has become my go-to little luxury for an A+ night's sleep.

I also like that the material used in this set is biodegradable and compostable. Tencel is designed to withstand more repeated wash cycles than cotton, making the investment last many moons!" Frances Waterbury, Accreditation Manager

“I am not a morning person, but this has completely changed my wake up routine. The sunrise lamp comes on gradually from about 20 mins before my alarm, which helps me wake up gently. Plus, it means my room isn't dark when my alarm goes off, so I'm less likely to snooze it and go back to sleep.

It has plenty of gentle alarm sounds to choose from too. It also has a sunset function, which means I can set the lamp to slowly fade to darkness at night, helping me wind down before bed.” Jo Jo Anastasiou, Senior Food & Drink Tester

“I used to think that a hot chocolate nightcap was extremely old-fashioned (i.e., my dad and his malted Horlicks, but then I discovered this chic wellness version from Elle Macpherson's brand. It’s only 13 cals a cup, as well as being vegan, gluten-free and packed with beauty-boosting nutrients to support overnight skin regeneration.

A cocktail of nature's 'tranquillisers' – from muscle-soothing magnesium to calming passionflower – is thrown in too, to help maximise beauty sleep. Most importantly, it tastes good! I find it's a really pleasurable way to round off a busy day, and I genuinely sleep better after sipping a cuppa.” Lynne Hyland, Beauty Director

"There was a time I didn’t even know what a topper was, but I was chatting to a friend years ago and she was raving about having her best night’s sleep ever at a hotel she’d visited. She asked reception the secret and they told her it was a mattress topper from The White Company. She’d gone straight away and bought it, and after she told me that story, I did the same.

It’s not the cheapest but it’s way less than a new mattress and it adds instant ‘sink-in’ luxury (especially as I have quite a budget mattress). I’ve tried other brands over the years but I keep going back to this one and I can’t stop recommending it. I haven’t had a disappointed customer yet." Alison Lynch, Director of Content, GHI

Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts trialled The White Company’s Luxury White Down Topper (a more luxe version of Alison's much-loved topper, which came joint first in our best mattress topper test, scoring an impressive 93/100.

"Every time someone mentions they're having trouble sleeping, my immediate response is to recommend these great-value earplugs. I've tried all the viral ones and these undoubtedly outperform them all.

They're incredibly soft, so I can comfortably sleep on my side while wearing them. They're also exceptional at blocking out sound. I live by a hospital so there's a siren going off approximately every 30 seconds, but wearing these each night means I'm no longer disturbed by the noise." Maddie Evans, Lifestyle Writer

"I’m currently obsessed with lathering NEOM's magnesium body butter all over my body before putting on my PJs and diving into bed. It's a calming little ritual that signals to my brain that it's time to switch off for the night. The texture is thick and luxurious, but it melts straight into the skin, leaving it soft rather than greasy.

It’s packed with magnesium and scented with the brand's signature sleepy blend of lavender, chamomile and patchouli, which instantly makes my bedroom smell like a soothing spa. Since using it, I think my sleep has genuinely improved." Priyankaa Joshi

"I’ll admit I own more than a few pairs of TBCo pyjamas at this point, and for me, there’s no going back. It started on maternity leave, when lounging around at home was the main event. Every pair feels so considered, from the bold colours and beautiful prints to the small details – think scalloped edges, subtly branded buttons and genuinely comfortable waistbands.

The boxy fit is effortlessly relaxed, and I genuinely look forward to changing into them before bed – a feeling second only to taking your bra off. They also do the sweetest mini-me styles." Stacey Smith, Senior Food & Drink Editor

"The Calm app subscription is one of the best self care purchases I’ve made for my mental health. There’s an enormous selection of super varied sleep stories and helpful meditations that can assist with panic attacks, performance or flight anxiety.

It also has longer term mindfulness practices and lesson plans to help in areas like building up self esteem or dealing with grief. I’m also a fan of the visually-guided breathing exercises for immediate support when dealing with moments of stress. I truly cannot recommend it enough.” Frances Waterbury

“My husband and I have very different ideas of what makes an acceptable bedroom temperature at night, so this product is less a lifesaver, more a marriage saver. It's one king-size underblanket divided into two halves, each with its own temperature controller (right hand side for me, left hand side for him).

It means we can both pick our perfect bedtime micro-climate and doze off to sleep happily, agreeing to disagree. It's cosy, quick heating, and machine washable – plus the wires don't dig in or protrude. The only problem is stopping the cat leaping onto my (far warmer) side.” Lynne Hyland

“I’ve been wearing my Oura Ring consistently for almost two years now and I’ve noticed a huge difference to my sleep. The data is accurate, extremely insightful and has not only helped me prioritise my sleep, but also encouraged me to form healthier daily habits, like drinking less alcohol and coffee, managing my stress levels and watching my meal times.

I’ve tried a number of sleep trackers in the past but I love how personalised Oura is – it adapts to my habits and body, providing realistic targets based on my individual needs, not general public health data. I also like that it promotes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, encouraging you to rest when it senses you're unwell. Plus, it’s unobtrusive, lightweight and comfortable and, unlike most fitness trackers, actually looks pretty stylish. I can’t recommend it enough.” Priyankaa Joshi