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Oct 14, 2024

Best Sleep Headphones of 2024 - CNET

Our advice is expert-vetted and based on independent research, analysis and hands-on testing from our team of Certified Sleep Coaches. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews

Our advice is expert-vetted and based on independent research, analysis and hands-on testing from our team of Certified Sleep Coaches. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

If you’re having a hard time falling asleep at night, sleep headphones can help. Here are some of the best Bluetooth headbands and noise-canceling earbuds on the market.

Many people use music to help them relax and sleep better at night. Michael Breus, a sleep medicine expert and the founder of The Sleep Doctor website, says, "Relaxing music triggers changes to the body that in many ways mimic a sleep state." With the best sleep headphones, you can slow your heart rate and breathing and lower your blood pressure, all of which are also associated with deeper sleep.

We rounded up a variety of sleep headphones to find the best options. These include a few headband varieties, Bluetooth headphones and earbuds that nestle into your ear canal to block out ambient noise.

Our top choice for sleep headphones are the Google Pixel Buds Pro because of their versatility. They're great for daytime and nighttime use and effectively block outside noises with active noise canceling.

The Pixel Buds Pro wireless earbuds fit the bill for people who want a pair of quality headphones that are equally as functional during sleep as they are during the day. They have active noise cancellation that helps block distracting noises like snoring while you sleep. Paired with Google's Silent Seal technology, the Pixel Buds' ear tips enhance noise cancellation by forming a gentle seal that keeps quality sound in and environmental noises out.

Sleeping with earbuds can be difficult if they fall out too often, but we found that the Pixel Buds Pro comfortably stayed put. Aside from noise canceling, the Pixel Buds Pro have Google Assistant enabled, so with just the click of a button (or voice activation), you can get help on anything from answering a text to directions. They boast up to 31 hours of listening time, crisp sound, wireless charging and more.

Read our Pixel Buds Pro review.

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The Soundcore by Anker Sleep A10 earbuds are small and lightweight. Unlike other bulkier options, they fit entirely in your ear, so you don't have to worry about them shifting or falling out when you roll over at night. Fit is particularly important for side sleepers, who find that other earbuds for sleeping brush against their pillow and make a scratching noise.

In our testing experience, these sleeping earbuds don't actively cancel noise. Instead, they passively block out ambient noise, and your selection of sound options does the rest. These sleeping earbuds have the expected wide range of sleep noises, from white or brown noise to familiar nature sounds like rain or waves crashing. With the Bluetooth connection, you can also play music (or whatever you want) from your phone while you sleep. Keep in mind that playing music does drain the battery quicker. You can get a full night of sleep with the preloaded sounds, but music gets you only a few hours. For only $90, these are some of the most feature-rich and best sleep earbuds you can get.

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If you don't like the idea of wearing a headband to bed, the Bedphones Sleep Headphones by DubsLabs are another made-for-sleep option without fabric. This sleeping headphone option features two ultrathin headphone speakers connected by a rubber-coated memory wire that's fully adjustable so you can find your perfect earphone fit.

They come in two versions -- wired and wireless headphone options -- and each one comes equipped with an in-line microphone and three-button remote that allows you to answer phone calls or play, pause or skip whatever you're listening to. A single charge lasts 13 hours, enough for a full night of sleep and more.

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The QuietOn 3.1 earbuds use active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction to deliver some of the best noise-canceling performance we've tested. What looks like wireless headphones in a charging case are small earbuds specifically designed to block noise while you sleep. They don't play music or pair with Bluetooth; they function more like foam earplugs but are much more effective.

The earbuds are smaller than any wireless headphones you own and fit snugly inside your ear. This prevents them from falling out during the night and makes them comfortable enough for side sleepers to wear to bed. It takes 20 seconds from when you remove them from the case to activate the active noise canceling, but once it switches on, the difference in sound is significant. We ran an extra-loud snoring simulation during the night, and the only sound we could hear while wearing the QuietOn 3.1 buds was our own breathing. The key is to ensure the earbud is snug in your ear, and you may need to change the ear tip for a more sealed fit. The battery life also lasts up to 28 hours on a single charge. They're expensive, but if you're consistently losing sleep because of disruptive noises, these may very well be worth it.

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If you really want to enhance your sleep quality, these sleep headphones combined with a sleep mask from Lightimetunnel (formerly Watotgafer) are a double whammy. Equipped with flat headphones and an ergonomic eye design that doesn't put too much pressure on your face, the setup effectively blocks out noise and light all at once. The flat headphones are tucked into a breathable, slow-rebound memory foam fabric that's also designed to release tension and stress in your face so you can drift off to a more restful sleep.

The Bluetooth controls are placed in the middle of the eye mask, so you can easily control your music or white noise app even when sleeping on your side. A single charge lasts at least eight hours, so you should be able to run them all night without interruption.

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The SoundOff Sleep Noise Masking Device is another option that's similar to the QuietOn Sleep Earbuds in function. Like the QuietOn Sleep Earbuds, they play one sound: a pink noise that has an almost wavelike vibe. Pink noise is similar to white noise but with a smoother sound that hits the same frequencies as sounds you'd find in nature (wind, rain or waves). It's supposed to help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly -- in our experience, it worked effectively. The pink noise playing on the SoundOff device was soothing, calming and effective at blocking out snoring. We were able to get through two nights of sleep without needing a recharge.

Rather than a slim earbud or squishy foam that you put in your ear, these earbuds are shaped like a hearing device, with an earpiece that goes in your ear and a looped plastic piece that wraps around the outside of your ear and holds the earplugs in place. They were surprisingly comfortable. The adjustable plastic is soft, and it bends and moves with you. (Note that we reviewed this product's discontinued version, and we're now linking to the current one.)

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The ultra-lightweight design and squishy silicone ear tips make these minimalistic earbuds for sleeping an excellent option for travel. The ear tips have an ergonomic double-layer design that fits snugly in most ear canals to drown out the noise around you effectively. At the same time, the mini speaker in each earbud provides quality, balanced sound without too much bass.

Because they don't have a flat design, they aren't ideal for side sleeping, but if you're a back sleeper or need something to drown out ambient noise on a plane or train, these headphones do the trick. Because they're so cheap, it won't be a total disaster if they get lost somewhere along the way.

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The Hoomband Headband has two ultrathin, flat speakers that are placed under foam, so you can hear them but can't feel them. The headband itself is made from a 3D mesh that's soft, thin and helps regulate temperature so you don't get too hot while you sleep.

The Bluetooth headphone setup comes with a free app that includes 100 hours of audio content -- including ambient sound options, documentaries, white noise, guided meditations, soothing sounds and more -- but it also works like regular headphones that allow you to connect with your favorite apps, like YouTube, Spotify and Headspace via Bluetooth.

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Most sleep headphones aren't designed for side sleeping, but the Dormi Wireless Sleep Headphones function as a moisture-wicking, lightweight headband side sleepers can wear to bed so they can rest comfortably without an earbud pressing into their head. Two thin speakers within the headband line up with your ears and deliver surprisingly clear sound quality. The headband pairs with any Bluetooth device, boasts a 10-hour battery life and even has a built-in mic so you can talk on the phone. It's also machine washable -- just make sure you take out all the electronics inside before you wash it.

These headphones are available in two different sizes and multiple colorways. The only downside is for hot sleepers. The material feels like breathable athletic wear and should be fine for most people, but folks who are prone to sleeping warm might heat up wearing a band around their head all night.

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We looked at the following criteria when testing sleep headphones and earbuds for sleeping:

Read more: How We Test Products and Services

Sure, any decent set of headphones can play music or meditations, but it's the design that sets sleep headphones apart. Regular headphones can be bulky and uncomfortable to lie on, but sleep headphones are made with a minimal, barely there feel that lets you drift off to sleep while wearing them comfortably throughout the night. For the best sleep headphones, keep an eye out for these features:

Sound has a significant influence on sleep quality, both negative and positive. "There's data that suggests soothing, relaxing music can bring about these effects on you physically," Breus said, going on to list:

Breus went on to explain that "just like soothing sounds can mimic a sleep state, certain sounds signal an alarm for your brain (sirens, loud neighbors, weather, etc.), so when you hear them, it can cause some level of anxiety. Anxiety is really the opposite of sleep."

As a result, sleep headphones act as a good solution for people to listen to relaxing sounds while drowning out the noisy, distracting sounds that evoke anxiety and disrupt sleep.

Yes. There's no harm in wearing headphones while sleeping, as long as your earbuds are comfortable enough to keep from disrupting you during the night and your volume is not set to a harmful decibel. Listening to music or a relaxing podcast before you go to bed can lower your heart rate and also keep your mind from thinking about your daily stressors.

Some of the best headphones for sleep include:

If you're wearing improper headgear while you sleep, it's possible it could lead to an external compression headache. That's caused by having too much pressure around your head and can be avoided if you use earbuds meant for sleeping that fit snugly in your ear.

The QuietOn 3.1 sleep buds are pricey but do an impressive job of blocking out sound, including loud snoring. They passed all our tests, including a snoring simulation and longevity test.