5 Best Headphones for Sleep, Tested & Reviewed
Listen to soothing sounds all night long.
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An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic, or ongoing, sleep disorders, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. If you fall into this group of people with difficulty falling (or staying) asleep, consider investing in a pair of sleep headphones to help you get a good night’s rest.
Not only can sleep headphones tune out pesky sounds like sirens, traffic or noisy neighbors, but they can help you relax before falling asleep. Below our experts list some of the best sleep headphones to help you catch up on your zzz's.
Our top picks:
The test engineers and tech experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test everything from sleep products to top-rated audio gear, including noise-cancelling headphones, sleep apps, sound machines and much more. When selecting the best sleep headphones on the market, we reviewed key specs such as battery life and connectivity, taking special note of each product’s design and materials.
Head to the end of this guide for more information on whether sleep headphones are worth it for you and what to look for when shopping.
Pros
- Comfortable, according to online reviewers
- Various sizing options
- Access to sleep sounds in the Soundcore app
Cons
- Some consumers complain that battery life could be longer
Our GH Institute tech experts have been hands-on with numerous Soundcore earbuds and speakers, and have been impressed with their performance. We love that the Sleep A10 headphones are similar to earbuds in their design but are constructed to be comfortable throughout the night no matter which position you like to sleep in (we’re looking at you, side sleepers!).
These lightweight headphones feature three ear wing sizes and four ear tips so you can find the most comfortable, secure fit for you. Before bed, you can choose your favorite sleep sounds in the Soundcore app and enjoy up to 10 hours of non-stop streaming in sleep mode, though some online reviewers do mention that their headphones died sooner. "The A10 headphones are comfortable enough that I leave them in all night and will go about the first chunk of my morning with them still in... I no longer have to choose between getting clear audio or having a comfortable experience thanks to these headphones," says one online reviewer.
| Type | In-ear |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Claimed battery life | 10 hours (sleep mode) |
| Noise-cancelling | No |
Pros
- Comfortable over-ear fit
- Machine washable
Cons
- Will not block out noise as effectively as in-ear alternatives
Hate wearing earplugs inside your ears? You’d never guess that this headband actually houses speakers inside its lining to help you drift off to sleep. Not only are these sleep headphones super affordable, but they feature nearly 15,000 Amazon reviews with an average 4.3-star rating. "The sound quality is exceptional, delivering a crystal-clear audio experience that immerses you in your favorite tunes or calming sleep sounds," raves one consumer.
According to the brand, the speakers inside are ultra-thin so you can even sleep on your side and claimed battery life is up to 10 hours. Our pros appreciate that the headband’s soft material is available in many fun colors and is machine washable (just don’t forget to remove the headphones before throwing the band in the washer). "The soft and stretchy headband feels gentle against the skin, making it incredibly comfortable to wear throughout the night," says one online reviewer.
| Type | Over-ear |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Claimed battery life | Up to 10 hours |
| Noise-cancelling | No |
Pros
- Effective at canceling out external noise
- Impressive battery life
- Compact design
Cons
- Expensive
- No Bluetooth connectivity for streaming sounds
Sleeping in over-ear noise-cancelling headphones isn’t the most comfortable experience (trust us, we’ve tried), which is where the super compact QuietOn sleep headphones shine.
Though they’re one of the priciest picks on this list, what sets these sleep headphones apart is that they feature active noise cancellation to help reduce low-frequency sounds and better block out snoring, loud parties or anything else that might keep you up all night. To ensure the best fit, four foam ear tips are provided. "[These] definitely helped my sleep in an intensely noisy urban environment... I’m a side sleeper and this is the only product I can use," says one online reviewer.
When testing out a previous generation of the QuietOn sleep earbuds, one of our tech experts found that they effectively blocked out loud noise coming from a neighboring hotel. Though the foam tips felt similar to earbuds (whose tight pressure inside the ear could bother some), their performance was impressive. Also noteworthy is their claimed 28 hours of battery life, which means you won't have to charge your sleep earbuds every night before bed. Just keep in mind that these don’t feature Bluetooth connectivity so you won’t be able to stream any white noise or sleep sounds.
| Type | In-Ear |
| Connectivity | None |
| Claimed battery life | Up to 28 hours |
| Noise-cancelling | Yes |
Pros
- Super comfortable, according to reviewers
- Slim design
- Long battery life
- Available in two fabric types
Cons
- Not worth the price, according to some reviewers
Stay on top of your sleep schedule with this comfy sleep headband with built-in headphones. Not only is its slim design easy to pack in a suitcase, but you may even forget you’re wearing it overnight. Featuring up to 24 hours of battery life according to the brand, our pros love that you’ll be able to stream whatever audio helps you relax via Bluetooth. Not only is the headband machine washable, but you can choose between two fabrics: a fleece headband that should feel soft and warm, or a breeze headband that’s more breathable and better suited for hot sleepers.
"I need to listen to music or audiobooks or podcasts to fall asleep," shares one consumer. "This allows me to do so without disturbing my roommate. An added benefit — though not anywhere near noise-canceling ability — is that it also reduced (but didn't eliminate) the amount of snoring or external sounds I could hear."
| Type | Over-ear |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Claimed battery life | Up to 24 hours |
| Noise-cancelling | No |
Pros
- Detects when you fall asleep to turn off audio
- Can access sleep sounds from the Kokoon app
Cons
- Pricey
You can count on Philips to create some of the most innovative sleep headphones out there. What’s cool about these high-tech earbuds is that they can detect once you’ve fallen asleep via sensors, at which point they’ll fade out and turn off any audio you’re streaming and use noise masking to prevent you from waking up during the night from any noisy distractions. "They've helped me get off to sleep so much more consistently that now I panic if I have forgotten to take them with me," shares one online consumer.
While we haven’t tested these out yet, our pros appreciate how the thin earbuds sit flush against your ears so they stay comfortable for hours, and we like that a carrying case comes included. According to the brand, you’ll get up to 11 hours of usage on one charge, which should be sufficient for a good night of sleep. Best of all, you’ll have access to a library of relaxation audio in the Kokoon app to help you fall asleep.
| Type | In-ear |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Battery | Up to 11 hours |
| Noise-cancelling | No |
How we chose the best sleep headphones
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our product analysts have been testing audio equipment for decades, from the best cheap earbuds to AirPods alternatives, smart speakers and more.
When choosing the best sleep headphones on the market, we relied on our years of categorial expertise and reviewed key factors for up to 10 sleep headphones. We considered battery life, product design, connectivity and more. While we haven’t tried every pick featured on this list just yet, we considered brands that have performed well in previous Lab tests as well as rave consumer reviews.
What to look for when shopping for the best sleep headphones
✔️ Battery life: Look for sleep headphones with a battery life of at least 10 hours so you can stream audio before falling asleep as well as throughout the entire night.
✔️ Design: Sleep headphones typically come in the form of earbuds or a headband. While earbuds will likely be best at blocking out external sounds and isolating noise, consider a headband if you think that you might experience pain from wearing a device inside your ears for several hours.
✔️ Connectivity: If you'd like to stream audio from your phone or an app before falling asleep or during the night, consider sleep headphones with Bluetooth connectivity.
Are sleep headphones worth it?
If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, a quality pair of sleep headphones can be worth it. They're especially useful if you sleep with a partner who might snore, or share a space with someone who may not want to listen to audio or a sound machine before falling asleep.
For the best noise isolation or cancellation, consider sleep headphones with active noise cancellation or ones that feature in-ear designs as these should most effectively reduce outside noise and disruptions. For those who experience pain when wearing earplugs or earbuds in the ear, a sleep headband with built-in headphones might be a better alternative.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Institute Product Analyst and Writer Olivia Lipski covers everything from tech to travel, fitness, home and more. She's reviewed audio over the years, writing about the best AirPods, AirPods Max vs. Sony XM5 and even alarm clocks that double up as sound machines like the Loftie. Though she may not use sleep headphones every night, she does use a sound machine and is a long-time user of noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds.
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