According to the National Sleep Foundation, “good” sleep quality means falling asleep within about 30 minutes, staying sound asleep throughout the night (with a maximum of one mid-sleep wake-up), and being able to drift back to sleep within 20 minutes of that one awakening. Just like light, noise can quickly disrupt the sleep experience. While sound machines can help drown out loud appliances or car horns and provide meditation and background noise, those who are easily disturbed by sounds like traffic, pets or partners might benefit from headphones. To help you achieve restful, uninterrupted sleep, we’ve rounded up the absolute best headphones for sleeping, with options to fit everyone’s lifestyle and needs. Prolonged use and a buildup of moisture can cause outer ear infections, but Taylor says it’s not a huge risk but rather something to be aware of. “If you are wearing headphones in your ears for long periods of time, make sure your ears have a break from it during the day, and make sure you are keeping them clean,” she advises. For people with tinnitus, a ringing in the ears caused by noise exposure, listening to soft sounds at night can be beneficial. “Some people complain that their tinnitus is most obvious when they are trying to go to sleep—and that’s just because the quieter it is, the more you will be able to hear—so a lot of people try to pick something soothing to listen to that will mask the tinnitus. If listened to at a safe volume, it shouldn’t make it worse,” Taylor says. Sleeping position The position in which you sleep is crucial for determining the right headphones for you. While a few in-ear options may be comfortable for side sleepers (depending on the angle and depth of the ear canal and how much you shift throughout the night), the headband style might provide more comfort overall. Similarly, if you sleep on your stomach, a full sleep mask might not be the best choice. Comfort The ability to adjust a headband or modify the ear tip on an in-ear option is a significant factor in overall comfort and reliability. Other important considerations here are the quality of the materials used—especially for larger products like masks and headphones. Comfort is key when it comes to sleep, and you want something that is going to add to your sleep experience, not take away from it. Battery life Battery life may also be an important factor, especially for light sleepers who would be easily disturbed by a break in frequency. Most headphones that are designed for sleeping will have at least eight hours of battery life, and some have capabilities that prompt the device to power down automatically once you reach a certain depth of sleep, which helps the battery last longer. Noise cancellation technology For very light sleepers who are easily disturbed by outside noises (or snoring partners), it’s crucial that your headphones have reliable noise-cancellation capabilities. If you’re not a light sleeper and simply want to listen to soft music or sounds while you drift off, you probably don’t need to pay the extra money for noise cancellation. The battery stays charged for up to 10 hours, and the case can hold an additional three lifetimes of battery power—but some reviewers do mention disappointment in the battery life. What customers say: Complaints are focused around the shorter battery life and the fact that users are limited to the Bose Sleep app for sounds and music. You won’t get all the features of more expensive headphones, but you can’t beat the price of this headband. The fabric is breathable and machine-washable, and the battery will last for up to 10 hours after a two-hour charge. If you really want to make your money go further, you can wear this as a workout headband, too. What customers say: We love this mask for meditations, too, as the blocked-out light will help you truly slip into that deep relaxation mode. While some people say the eyes and ears do not align, the headphones themselves can be moved under the mask for better alignment. What customers say: With nearly 10,000 five-star ratings and thousands of positive reviews, this mask gets a lot of praise. “Less light exposure to my eyes for more restful sleep. Cancel out any other noise that may be going on (I’m a light sleeper),” one person notes. Another elaborates, “I absolutely love this Bluetooth sleep mask! I meditate with various guided meditations every day, often before bed, and a sleep mask really helps to get to that state of nothingness as it blocks out even the tiniest amount of light in the room…The earphones can be moved underneath the fabric, so once you get the mask adjusted to a comfortable position on your face with the Velcro, you can center the earphones on your ears.” The higher price tag could throw some, but because they are not targeted as specifically for sleep, they can be more of an all-purpose use headphone that transitions with your needs. What customers say: The battery life on these blows other options out of the water, and you can also choose from seven colors, which is a big plus for some. What customers say: The feedback for these headphones is primarily positive—and most of the negative reviews reference a battery-life issue that sounds to have been cleared up with this most recent model. One extremely satisfied customer writes, “I am a SleepPhones addict. I have been a customer since 2015. The latest upgrade to their already super Wireless SleepPhones is amazing. I use these to listen to my podcast before sleep and with these I do not bother my wife. They are even so comfortable that I sleep with them on my head all night and they even serve as an eye mask for me. Their support is also outstanding. They did everything to help me, even when I had a crazy demand.” Additionally, parents and caregivers might want to take noise cancellation into consideration before purchasing.
