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Jun 26, 2023

8 Best Pairs of Sleep Headphones in 2023

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

One sheep, two sheep, three sheep.

THOSE WHO struggle to fall asleep know how valuable a pair of earplugs can be, but sometimes blocking off your ears just isn't enough. If you have trouble falling asleep at home or while traveling—especially on planes—then a pair of headphones for sleeping might be in the cards for you. Unlike earplugs, the best sleep headphones can produce soothing sounds to have you start counting sheep in no time. Many of the top headphones for sleep also have levels of noise cancellation, which is huge when you're wanting to drown out nagging low-level background noise.

Contrary to earplugs, headphones can allow for more comfort and can help prevent earwax buildup. When wearing headphones for sleep, there's also less of a chance of bacteria building up in your ear (some earplugs can trap moisture and cause ear infections). If you're wondering if you can use just any pair of headphones to fall asleep with, the answer is not quite. Basically you want something with all-around comfort: A slim design that won't disrupt your posture or put pressure on your head and ears—some of the best sleeping headphones are even in the form of a sleep headband.

As long as keep the volume low, listening to your favorite tunes or podcast before bed could pay off big time. Lucky for you we pulled together the most comfortable pairs of sleep headphones to look into here at the beginning of 2023. Enjoy.

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Affordable and easy to use, the BedPhones Sleep Headphones promise a comfortable on-ear fit that doesn't produce any wear marks or trap your ear canal. They come with an attached microphone so you can make or take calls, plus they promise a long 13-hour battery life (charged via micro-USB).

Widely regarded as the best sleep headband on the market, the SleepPhones promise top-tier comfort and sound quality that most of its competitors are far from reaching. We're talking stretchy fleece material, slim speakers with play/pause/skip controls, and a battery life of up to 12 hours per charge. They're probably the most expensive sleep headband on the market, but if you're looking for a design that doesn't sit too close to your ears and allows you to sleep in all positions, then this is the one.

Due to its slim design and premium comfort, the Bose 700s are the exception to the rule of wanting to veer away from traditional headphone designs. The combination of crisp and clear audio with top-tier noise cancellation makes the 700 ideal for noisy environments. The 700 design is even friendly to travel pillows! Make sure you have a pair of these on you when going from point A to point B.

The Sleep A10 earbuds are similar to the Bose Sleep Buds but at half the price. The Sleep A1o buds do work as regular Bluetooth headphones when set to music mode, but what makes them special are the custom drivers that "produce low-frequency sound that's 10dB lower than standard ones." They also have a personal alarm feature you can set that won't disturb your partner.

These sleep headbands have become popular to their cozy design and ability to deliver audio in a more gentle manner. Sure you might lose some sound quality, but if you're just looking for calming sleep sounds to help you snooze off then you will likely find this Amazon's Choice pick is up to par. Plus they're under $40 and on sale often. Talk about a deal.

This top-selling sleep mask features an attachable Bluetooth audio module so you can listen to music or podcasts for up to 13 hours per charge. As the design indicates, the Sleep Headphones 5.0 also functions as a soft eye mask that blocks out light. And yes, the mask is machine washable too.

Capable of lasting up to 25 hours per charge, these long-lasting earbuds feature a soft silicone earbud design and lightweight cord that allows for side sleeping. What's cool is they have an in-line remote on the wire that lets you make calls, play/pause, and adjust the volume.

Designed to work as quality sleep earbuds, these lightweight silicone buds are comfortable in-ear and have a design that's ideal for side sleepers. You're going to need a headphone jack adapter, but the fact these are under $20 and come with a carrying case is just too good of a deal to pass up. These are a great pair of starter sleep headphones.

A quality pair of sleep headphones can help block out external noise and provide stress relief. Playing calming music on a low level before bed has been a tried and true method for years when looking to relax and fall into a deep slumber. Some even say calming music before bed can potentially remove the need for certain sleeping medications, which is a huge win if you don't want to be dependent on a pill.

It's true that sleeping headphones aren't for everybody, but that doesn't mean they do not work. The best way to see how sleep headphones perform for you is by simply trying a pair.

It is safe to sleep with headphones on as long as you find a pair with good design and audio quality. With earbuds, the biggest concern is an increased wax buildup in your ear or an infection caused by trapping water in your ear canal. Make sure to find a pair of earbuds that fit comfortably and don't seal off any air to your ear. With over-ear headphones, the biggest concern is the bulky design. Go with a sleek or minimal pair with comfortable cushioning that won't rub on the skin. It's also best to aim for headphones that are wireless if you move around a lot when sleeping, that way you don't get wrapped up in any cords or accidentally roll onto a volume control button.

Last and most important to consider is volume. A good rule of thumb is to not exceed the halfway point on your volume bar, as listening to too loud of music before bed and during sleep could damage your hearing.

For the past 12 months, Men's Health editors and writers have been trying headphones for sleeping. To narrow down our favorites, we evaluated sleep headphones based on their design, comfort, performance, and value. We also considered sleep headphones that had high consumer praise on e-commerce sites we trust.

John Thompson is the Gear and Commerce Editor at Men's Health, where he covers fashion, grooming, gear, and technology. He was previously the Style & Gear Editor at BroBible.com, and a commerce writer for TheManual.com. His interests include shopping for rare vintage clothes and following his favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals.

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