The best headphones for sleeping in 2024: tested, reviewed and sleep-coach-approved
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults log between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. But for many reasons, research shows that as many as 35% of us aren't getting the sleep we need. If it's noise keeping you awake, you might consider investing in the best sleep headphones to help quiet your environment so you can get some rest.
Admittedly, there isn't much research on the sleep headphones, but some limited evidence suggests they might improve sleep quality. Ross Cushing, a clinical audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance is on board with giving them a try, but he cautions that you should remain mindful of the volume and be cognizant of the potential dangers of noise-canceling units. "While you're blocking the sounds that could keep you awake, you may not hear alarms, a baby crying or someone entering your home," he says.
Ultimately, the best sleep headphones will mitigate ambient noise (and maybe even light, depending on the style you purchase), be comfortable to wear and offer the functionality you're looking for, whether that's a low-tech or high-tech approach.
To find the best headphones for sleeping, I spoke with experts in the fields of audiology and sleep science, then I used their feedback and my own expertise (as a certified sleep coach) to identify top products worth testing. I tested 11 units, assessing them based on ease of use, comfort, sound quality, functionality, effectiveness and budget. Here you'll find the products that made the cut (and a few that didn't quite measure up).
Updated July 11, 2025: We’ve confirmed current pricing and availability for all products. Our No. 1 pick remains unchanged.
Related: If sleeping with headphones isn't your thing, take a look at our roundup of the best earplugs for sleeping, or our list of the best white noise machines if you like falling asleep to nature or other sounds. If you want to try one of the best sleep aids you can take without a prescription, we have a list for that too. For those who need their sleeping space to be pitch dark, check out our lists of the best blackout curtains and shades and the best sleep masks. Track and improve your sleep hygiene with one of the best sleep trackers. We've also rounded up lists of the best alarm clocks, including alarm clocks for heavy sleepers, and a list of the best sunrise alarm clocks that help you wake up more naturally.
Type: Wireless earbuds | Noise canceling: No | Battery life: 14 hours | Connectivity: Bluetooth
The Soundcore Sleep A20 from Anker takes the top spot as the best sleep headphones overall. Not to judge a book by its cover or anything, but right out of the box, these sleep earbuds look pretty sleek. The soft brushed plastic gives the case and earbuds a premium look and feel.
Like many of the sleep headphones on our list, the SoundCore A20 works with an app. Once you complete the incredibly easy setup, you can choose from a pretty decent library of sounds. There are all the usual suspects — rain, campfire crackling and an assortment of other white noise options — or you can pull from your own music apps and playlists. As I cycled through the sounds, many of the options seemed more like static to me. Ultimately, I chose Arvo Pärt's 'Spiegel im Spiegel' from my classical playlist — the music was crisp and clear.
In terms of comfort, the earbuds are furnished with rubber padding around the body and tip, and it's this design feature that makes these earbuds shine, as they're comfortable even when you're lying on your side. Moreover, they have a low profile with no protrusion, so there's little to no pressure on your ear when your head hits the pillow. For that reason, these earbuds are a great option for side sleepers.
While the A20 doesn't have active noise cancellation, the added padding does a decent job of blocking noise. Using my snoring dog as a barometer, I could hear the snorts and grumbles, but it wasn't as disruptive as usual.
To test the A20's staying power, I repeatedly tossed and turned, and through it all, the earbuds stayed put. I'm not one to use eye masks or headphones to sleep (outside of testing them), but I did manage to nod off with the A20. When I woke up a little later, however, I ended up removing them because they were a bit uncomfortable — since it's not part of my routine, it would take some getting use to to sleep through the night while wearing them.
If you're looking for earbuds with a microphone that allow you to accept calls or to have more robust noise cancellation, you won't find them here. Users should also be aware that there's no wear detection, so if they happen to fall out while you're tossing and turning at night, they won't turn off and you'll likely wake up to a drained battery. The A20 also features top controls, which, to be honest, weren't all that fluid. Tapping the earpiece worked in some instances, and other times, it didn't.
Ultimately, I think the A20s racked up a lot of points for their outstanding design and feel, as well as their comfort. Initially, I didn't think earbuds could work for side sleepers, but these were quite comfortable.
Type: Wireless sleep mask | Noise canceling: No | Battery life: 14 hours| Connectivity: Bluetooth
Musicozy Sleep Headphones were a sleeper hit (no pun intended). Coming in at $30, I didn't expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised. The material has a velvety feel that's soft against your skin. Furthermore, the mask is generously sized, so those who want a blackout sleep mask and headphones combined will find it here.
Connecting the mask to my phone via Bluetooth was a breeze. Once connected, I could use the panel located in the center of the mask to control the music — starting playback, controlling the volume and even skipping tracks. I don't think anyone is looking for Apple-quality sound here, nor should they, but I found the sound to be crisp, clear and quite decent. Considering that most sleep headphones on the market are somewhere north of $100, this is a fantastic pick for anyone looking for a budget-friendly option.
I was worried that the sound from the headphones would be audible to my husband, but even when I turned the volume up quite a bit, he couldn't hear anything. And while I could hear the low tones of my dog snoring while using the product, it did a good job of masking the noise.
My main concern with most of the sleep headbands I tested was how they would fare for side sleeping. This was a budget pick, but the speakers and the headband were thin and surprisingly comfortable when lying on my side. The main thing to keep in mind with these is that when you toss and turn and move around, the headband does shift.
Type: Wireless headband | Noise canceling: No | Battery life: 10 hours | Connectivity: Bluetooth
If you'd rather skip the earbuds and eye masks, consider HoomBand's Bluetooth Sleep Headphones for a less invasive option.
Again, sleeping comfortably on my side was top of mind for me, and these headphones worked just fine. The Velcro fastener allowed me to get a snug fit, and the breathable mesh fabric was comfortable to wear. While bulky speakers are often an issue with sleep headphones, the HoomBand's speakers are tucked into the headband's thermoformed foam; they're relatively flat and can be moved around and repositioned, so they weren't as distracting as I thought they would be.
If you're looking for a product with sleep sounds, guided meditations or sleep stories, the HoomBand app has a comprehensive library. You can find more than 100 hours of content created by sleep specialists, including hypnotherapists and sleep doctors. However, if you prefer to listen to '80s power ballads (you know who you are), it's also compatible with popular music apps like Apple or Spotify. One thing to be aware of, though, is that while you can turn the unit on and off from the headband, you can't control the volume, which could make this a deal-breaker for some.
This headband delivers decent sound quality, but if you're looking for noise blocking or active noise cancellation, you'll want to pick a different device. After testing a series of sleep headphones and earbuds, I thought this headband was actually the worst at blocking ambient noise — I could hear my dog snoring as clear as day. Turning the volume way up might help, but that defeats the purpose and could do a number on your hearing, long-term.
Type: Headphone/sleep mask combo | Noise canceling: No | Battery life: 20 hours | Connectivity: Bluetooth
Those looking for sleep headphones that pull double duty with a mask to block light will find a solid option with Manta's Sound Sleep Mask.
Out of the box, this mask feels and looks high-end compared to some similar entries on our list. Design features include C-shaped eyecups to accommodate side sleepers and a Velcro fastener and pull tabs on either side so you can adjust the speaker position based on your head size.
The mask itself is fully adjustable, and once you have the mask in place, you can change the speakers' locations using the sliding blue tab on either side of your head. That said, the Velcro adjustments didn't feel as strong as some others we tested, which made me question its long-term durability.
Connecting Manta Sound to my iPhone via Bluetooth was a breeze — in fact, it was pretty intuitive. I'm not a tech wizard, but I've handled enough Bluetooth devices in my life to know how to connect them. Manta doesn't have an app, but connecting to your device via Bluetooth allows you to listen to whatever you choose from your own library.
At $143, it's a bit disappointing that the Manta Sound isn't equipped with active noise cancellation. That said, it did a decent job at blocking the sounds around me, including my snoring dog. My husband also said he couldn't hear the sound coming from my speakers even with the volume turned up relatively high.
One of the product's key marketing points is its perforated headband that's supposed to maximize airflow and ventilation. I was excited about this, considering I'm at that stage in life where I'm not as good at regulating my own body temperature, but unfortunately, the Manta Sound didn't come through for me here. I had a hot flash and I ended up taking the headband off for the duration of the heat wave since it made me feel even more uncomfortable. To be fair, it's probably not Manta's fault — I'll let Mother Nature take the heat for this one — but it also wasn't as light and cool as I was hoping.
Ultimately, this sleep headphone option was the one I was most excited about, but unfortunately, I came away with mixed emotions, mainly because the price seems high given its features.
Type: Earbuds | Noise canceling: No | Battery life: 16 hours | Connectivity: N/A
When I first opened the box to the SoundOff Sleep Earbuds, I was both intrigued and concerned. As I unwrapped the packing, it was hard to grasp that these were actually sleep earbuds.
First, let's talk about what the SoundOff Sleep Earbuds can do. Unlike our other entries, these sleep headphones don't connect to an app or pair with your phone for music playback. The SoundOff earbuds are noise blockers and noise blockers only. More specifically, they use passive and active noise-masking technology, in this case, the brand's proprietary pink noise, to drown out the other ambient sound in your sleep space.
According to the brand, pink noise helps you get better, deeper sleep and wake up more refreshed, and there's some research to back this up. For instance, one 2017 study showed that pink noise significantly enhanced deep-sleep stages and next-day memory recall in older adults.
By skipping the apps and Bluetooth connectivity, these earbuds are super easy to use. Take them out of the box, charge them up, place them in your ear and you're ready to roll. The only drawback is managing the foam ear tips.
To make them work as intended, you need to roll the foam tips into a cylinder, insert them into your ear and hold them gently in place as the foam expands. This seal is crucial for the earbuds' passive noise masking, so getting it right is essential.
Once the earbuds are in place, simply press the power button on the bottom of each earpiece for three seconds to turn them on. You can also cycle through eight volume settings. To turn the unit off, just hold the power button on each earpiece for five seconds.
The SoundOff earbuds fit comfortably around my ear and would be great for back or stomach sleepers. However, side sleepers might face some issues. The thick piece of plastic that wraps around your ear settles in the space where your jaw and ear connect — the mandibular process. After 20-30 minutes, I found that the pressure from my head on the pillow, with the earbuds in between, caused noticeable discomfort, especially at the top of my ear. It became so uncomfortable that I had to take them off because I couldn't fall asleep.
Overall, I thought these earbuds delivered what they promised — noise masking to help you sleep. The sound of my dog's snoring was barely audible; I probably could have drowned it out completely by turning up the volume, but I chose not to.
Type: Headband | Noise canceling: No | Battery life: 20 hours | Connectivity: Bluetooth
Side sleepers rule the world. I'm kidding, but in fact, research shows that most of us are side sleepers. Finding the right sleep headphones can be tricky for this segment of the population, but SnoozeBand MAX gets it right.
Featuring soft jersey knit fabric, adjustable eyecups that effectively block out ambient light and barely noticeable speakers that you can reposition as needed, SnoozeBand MAX are the best sleep headphones for side sleepers. These sleep headphones are a sleep mask and headphones combo like the Manta Sound Sleep Mask. Plus, the eyecups are removable, so you can wear the SnoozeBand MAX as an eye mask or as a headband, depending on your preference.
Like many of our top picks, Bluetooth connectivity allows you to enjoy your favorite sleep sounds, audiobooks, guided meditations or whatever floats your boat, courtesy of the built-in wireless headphones. For those who'd rather not overthink things, the SnoozeBand MAX also comes preloaded with 10 sleep sounds, so you can listen directly from the headband without needing to connect to other devices.
Overall, the sound was crisp and clear. Again, you're not going to find Apple- or Bose-quality sound here, but it's not staticky or distracting either.
Another nice feature of this headband is that you can power it on, adjust the volume, play or pause your music and skip tracks from the headphones. And you can also answer calls on these sleep headphones — it may be counterintuitive to sleep, but you can do it!
The SnoozeBand MAX also features an automatic timer. Double clicking the power button allows the unit to shut itself off in one or two hours.
In terms of comfort, these headphones are pretty fantastic. The fabric is incredibly soft, and unlike the Manta, it feels lightweight on your face. The speakers are also ultra thin, so they're barely perceptible when lying on your side.
So, if you're a side sleeper who's looking for sleep earbuds, SoundCore's A20 is where it's at. But if you're a side sleeper who wants a mask and headphone combo, the SnoozeBand MAX is a solid option.
Type: Headband | Noise canceling: No | Battery life: 10 hours | Connectivity: Bluetooth
When researching this article, I kept seeing photos showing people wearing the Perytong sleep headphones in broad daylight, so I thought I'd give it a try. After opening the box (which was tiny and a little disappointing, though I'm not sure why), I found a headband and charging cable inside. I put the headband on at my desk while working and found it quite comfortable. It was lightweight and even held my hair back nicely.
Like most sleep headbands, the Perytong features a control unit on the front of the headband and speakers on the sides. Initially, I thought the speakers would be an issue for side sleeping, but they turned out to be ultra-thin and almost imperceptible when settling in for the night. In fact, the speakers seemed to fall nicely into the hollow of my ear.
That said, while the speakers were slim and comfortable, the control box didn't offer any extra padding and wasn't overly comfortable.
As for the sound, it was as you might expect for a $20 speaker. For this test, I chose to play "The Show Must Go On" by Queen, which, in my opinion, is a profound musical experience with the right audio equipment. With these speakers? Not so much. While I could hear Freddie Mercury telling me the show must go on, I couldn't really feel the velvety texture of his voice as he did so. Of course, these are $20 headphones, not Bose or Apple, so it's not as if such a high-quality experience was promised ... but hope springs eternal.
Pairing the sleep headphones to my iPhone was as easy as holding the power button for three seconds and connecting it to my device when it popped up on the screen — easy enough for even the worst digital dinosaurs among us.
All things considered, these sleep headphones are a decent choice. They hold their own for nighttime wear, and they're functional for all-day wear if you want to cut down on ambient noise at work. They also get bonus points because the band is wide enough to double as an eye mask if ambient light is hindering your shut-eye.
One of the first steps in choosing the best headphones for sleep is familiarizing yourself with your options. Here's a quick look at the different types of sleep headphones on the market.
This type of sleep headphone features speakers that fit inside the ear canal. In-ear headphones are usually smaller and lighter than over-the-ear or on-ear headphones and are typically available in wired or wireless options.
These headphones sit on top of your head and completely cover your ears. They're an excellent choice for blocking ambient noise and can offer higher sound quality, but can be quite bulky and unsuitable for side sleepers.
Just as their name implies, headband headphones fit around your head. Meanwhile, mask/headband combos kill two birds with one stone and come down over your eyes to create a blackout effect. These sleep headphones don't require the precise fit that sleep earbuds require, and Velcro fasteners make them universally sized.
Keeping comfort in mind, the manufacturers of sleep headbands and mask headbands tend to opt for soft, breathable fabrics that are washable.
Unlike in-ear headphones that rest inside the ear canal, earbuds rest on the outer ear. While they may seem counterintuitive to the tossing and turning that goes with side sleeping, many manufacturers design them with silicone grips and foam tips to ensure a secure fit.
Most earbuds are too small to include active noise cancellation, so they typically don't do a great job of blocking ambient sound.
When looking for sleep headphones, Cushing says, "You'll want to choose headphones specifically designed for sleep — ideally soft, flat earphones that don't cause discomfort or undue pressure on your ears." He notes that bulky headphones can be annoying, and some earbuds may pose additional risks, such as discomfort and ear canal injuries, ultimately leading to disrupted sleep, which is the opposite of what you want.
When searching for the best sleep headphones, consider key points such as comfort, sound quality, battery life and price.
When bedtime restlessness prompts you to seek alternative solutions for better sleep, uncomfortable sleep headphones can do more harm than good.
Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine and director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis suggests you choose headphones specifically made for sleep. She adds that some of the key features to look for are:
A small footprint
Wireless design
Soft headbands
Lightweight, breathable materials to avoid overheating and skin irritation
Finding the right fit is crucial, especially for side sleepers. When shopping for earbuds, opt for a slim profile and snug fit with silicone or foam ear tips that soften pressure points. For headbands or eye mask/headband combos, look for ultra-slim speakers that can be moved or repositioned.
While most sleep headbands aren't known for their crisp sound, Harris says sound quality still matters. More specifically, she says, "Poor audio can be disruptive rather than relaxing."
I can attest to this because I found the Sleep Phones by Acoustic Sheep particularly annoying while testing the items on this list. The headband felt flimsy compared to the others, and the sound quality was disappointing. The music wasn't so crisp, and after about 15 minutes, it became even more muddled — like a Walkman with dying batteries circa 1988. Instead of relaxing and drifting off to sleep, I found myself lying there annoyed, thinking about how bad the sound was.
None of the sleep headphones I tested offered active noise cancellation, likely because they're too small for the feature. However, you're not out of luck. Many options on our list include a form of noise mitigation, usually passive noise cancellation (PNC) or colored noise/sound masking.
As mentioned earlier, PNC is a physical way to block out noise. Examples include over-ear headphones that completely cover the ear to help block sound or an earbud's silicone or foam tips that help seal off the ear canal.
Sound masking is another way sleep headphones can help improve your sleep experience. The definition of sound masking is right there in its name — you're using one sound (usually colored noise) to drown out ambient noise in your sleep environment. The SoundOff earbuds, for instance, use pink noise, but other colored noises like green, white and violet have gained popularity in recent years for improving sleep. Harris explains, "White noise can help you sleep better by covering up sudden noises, like traffic or noisy neighbors. This steady sound creates a peaceful environment, making it easier to relax and fall asleep." She adds that white noise can be especially helpful if you're a light sleeper or you live in a loud environment, like a city or a large apartment complex. You just need to make sure the noise stays consistent all night so its presence (or lack thereof) doesn't also disturb your sleep.
All the items we tested for this roundup were wireless, with battery life varying across models. Clearly, you're going to want an option that won't lose its charge halfway through the night. Given that the American Academy of Sleep Science recommends that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, you're going to want a battery life at least that long. Fortunately, most of the sleep headphones on our list have a battery life of 10 hours, with some maintaining their charge up to 20 hours.
While researching sleep headphones for this roundup, we found that some options were pretty pricey. In fact, five of the nine we tested were north of $100, and only one was under $30. So, as with any product, it's crucial to keep pricing in mind.
You spend a third of your life in bed sleeping or trying to sleep, so if there's anything worth investing in, it's something that'll help you move the needle on your sleep health. That said, make sure the headphones you choose are a good value for your needs — just because something is more expensive or less expensive doesn't mean it's the right or wrong solution for you. Consider your personal preferences, sleep position and budget as you select your preferred product.
As a Certified Sleep Science Coach who spends my days writing about all things sleep, I brought personal and professional expertise to this review. For additional expert input, I spoke with Ross Cushing, a clinical audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance, and Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine and the director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis.
With the expert's advice and my personal and professional experience in hand, I took a spin around the internet to see which sleep headphones people are talking about the most. I ended up choosing to test the nine products included here. After receiving the products for testing, I worked with one set of headphones each night. I assessed factors like ease of setup, comfort, sound quality, functionality and effectiveness (my dog's snoring was a good barometer!).
Digging a bit deeper, I also looked at what type of noise cancellation or noise masking each unit offered, if any. I played with the volume to see if my husband could hear anything from his side of the bed, and of course, I tinkered with the devices' apps (where applicable). To assess the sound quality, I listened to the same classical playlist with each set of sleep headphones.
"Yes, it is safe to use headphones for sleep as long as they are designed for comfort and the volume is low and reasonable," says Cushing. While he notes that "noise-canceling headphones, specifically, do a great job of blocking out environmental sounds and creating a quieter environment for sleep," he cautions users to make sure they fit well and don't cause any discomfort around pressure points.
While regular headphones can do the same thing as sleep headphones, there's one key difference between the two — regular headphones aren't made for sleeping. For example, if we look at Bose QuietComfort Headphones, Apple AirPods Max or Apple AirPods, they're either too big and bulky or not ergonomically designed to stay put while you move around during the night. Sure, these headphones can deliver sleep sounds, sleep stories or whatever playlist you choose to lull you to sleep, but if you're unlikely to sleep perfectly still on your back for 8 hours straight, these are unlikely to still be in or on your ears when you wake up in the morning.
The process for cleaning sleep headphones largely depends on their type and brand. From our roundup, most mask-headphone combos can be washed as needed — just remember to remove the internal electronics before doing so.
While you can clean your sleep earbuds, the process is limited to moistening a cotton swab with alcohol and gently wiping the earbuds and rubber tips.
Every set of sleep headphones is different, so you should read the cleaning instructions for whichever sleep headphones you purchase.
1MORE Sleeping Earbuds Z30: These earbuds essentially do the same thing as the SoundCore A20, but there was a big difference in fit. While the left side of these earbuds fit flush in my ear, the right one didn't. No matter how much I wiggled and messed with it, it never sat flush in my ear, making me think that ear anatomy matters.
Otherwise, these earbuds were fine. The sound quality was good, the setup was easy and the app was easy to navigate.
SleepPhones: As I mentioned earlier, these were my least favorite of the bunch. The build quality left much to be desired — the headband felt flimsy and the fabric was rough against my skin.
Performance-wise, the headband had no staying power, slipping off easily, and the sound quality was disappointing. It also performed the worst at noise masking. Considering the $100 price tag, they just don't offer a good value.
LC Dolida Sleep Headphones: These headphones are another quick-ship, budget-friendly option that's decent in every way (fit, feel and sound quality). They're good but nothing to write home about. One big plus for this pair is the molded eye mask that nicely blocks out ambient light. They're also machine washable. That said, there are questionable construction issues including the choice of material that lacks breathability and the fact that the product is marketed as "one size fits all." With no ability to customize the fit, this may be a wild-card purchase for some people.
Ross Cushing, AuD, clinical audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance
Shelby Harris, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine and director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
