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The top headphones for sleeping (and what makes them so good for rest)
The right headphones mean a better workout or a more productive study session. But the right headphones can also mean a better night's sleep.
Not all headphones are designed for sleeping, but those that are (or those that are comfortable enough to sleep in) allow you to fall asleep comfortably while listening to soothing sounds or your go-to sleeping playlist. With features like flat speakers and active noise-canceling (ANC) technology, sleeping headphones are a game-changer when you need a good night's sleep.
We've rounded up the best headphones for sleeping for all types of sleepers so you can tune out the noise around you at night.
More:
- The best headphones
- The best noise-canceling headphones
- The best headphones for working out
- The best headphones for music
- The best sound machines: Fall asleep faster
- Long battery life
- Comfortable for side sleepers
- Cable slider and adjustable hooks ensure a secure fit all night
- Expensive
Bedphones Wireless tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Battery: 13 hours | Fit: Adjustable ear hooks
If you want headphones made for sleeping, look no further than the Bedphones. These headphones were designed with side sleepers in mind, as the speakers are thin and covered in soft foam padding so you can lay flat against your ears while still listening to soothing sounds.
The adjustable memory wire ear hooks make these sleeping headphones fit all ears. While wireless, a cable connects the two drivers, and you can wear the cable in front or behind your neck and tighten the cable slider to ensure the headphones stay secure even on restless nights.
A 13-hour battery life and an inline microphone with a single-button remote are also impressive features.
- Affordable
- Comfortable to wear
- No auto-off feature
- Volume can be loud—even at the lowest setting
Perytong Sleep Headphones tech specs: Form factor: On-ear | Battery: 10 hours | Fit: Headband
A more budget-friendly option for sleeping headphones is this headband headphone design from Perytong. The headband is made of soft, breathable material (that's also machine washable) with detachable on-ear headphones for a comfortable fit for back and side sleepers.
The headband holds a decent charge at 10 hours and comes in more than 15 color options. These sleeping headphones could also work great for listening to music while running or zoning out while meditating.
- In-ear alarm feature
- Tracks your sleep when you wear them overnight
- Choose from pre-set sleep sounds
- Small size might get lost in bed when tossing and turning
- Not the most comfortable for side sleepers
Soundcore by Anker Sleep A10 Earbuds tech specs: Form factor: In-ear | Battery: Up to 10 hours | Fit: Earbuds
Not only are these earbuds from Anker small and comfortable enough to sleep in, but they also track your sleep while wearing them. These sleeping headphones track whether you were in deep or light sleep and the times you were awake so you can better understand how you sleep at night.
As far as their sound goes, these headphones for sleeping use noise masking, broadcasting a low-volume layer of audio to cover up ambient sounds. You can choose from 31 different pre-set sounds in the Soundcore app's Sleep Music Library, including audio that mimics your brain wave frequencies during periods of resting.
Read the review: Do sleeping earbuds actually work? I tested the latest pair on the market
- Best ANC technology on the market
- Comfortable and snug fit
- Easy-to-use touchpad with gesture controls
- Battery life isn't the best
- High price tag
Bose QuietComfort II Earbuds tech specs: Form factor: In-ear | Battery: Up to 6 hours | Fit: Earbuds
If you're looking to cancel noise around you while sleeping, these Bose QuietComfort noise-canceling earbuds have some of the best ANC technology on the market, and they also happen to be comfortable to sleep in.
These noise-canceling earbuds offer three modes: no noise-canceling, quiet mode, and aware mode to switch between by the touch of a button on the earpiece.
Read the review: Step aside, AirPods. There's a new ANC champion in town
Since it's a part of their name, let's talk about comfort. According to ZDNET's Christina Darby, who contributed to this article, reviewed the buds back in October, "felt less intrusive than other wearables" she had tasted thanks to the lack of in-ear pressure build up.
While a tad bulky on the outside, the earbuds have a winged design that is super comfortable and snug in your ear no matter your ear size, thanks to the different size options. Note that the old-school bluetooth like design may take some adjusting to for side-sleepers, but are a natural choice for those who sleep on their stomach and back.
- 2-in-1 mask/headphone design
- Plenty of color options
- Loud voice narration for incoming calls
- Some sizing and comfort issues
Musicozy Wireless Sleep Mask Headphones tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Battery: 10+ hours | Fit: Eye mask
These sleeping headphones are part headphones and part sleep mask to block out light in your room, making them a perfect option for light sleepers. The breathable fabric comes in 15 color options that contain over-ear headphones within the mask.
With these sleeping headphones, you'll get about 10 or more hours of playtime. The built-in adjustable speakers also have a microphone if you need to take an early-morning call without ever opening your eyes.
QuietOn 3.1 sleep earbuds
The best sleep headphones for white noise
Ever want to invest in a white noise machine but don't have the extra room retail? Or know it would drive your partner nuts? The QuietOn 3.1 sleep earbuds are basically a sound machine in your ears. Just shy of 1.8 grams, the more lightweight than average feel is noticeable against the pillow – especially if you're a side sleeper.
These earbuds are interesting because they actually don't play music, making them more like a smart earplug. That said, QuietOn uses advanced ANC technology that makes it easy to block out usual sleep distractions.
With no app, music, or Bluetooth connection, these are great if you simply just want a silent night's sleep.
Which, according to her product spotlight, ZDNET's Christina Darby did comfortably.
"As a noise-sensitive sleeper myself, I've tried sleeping with my second-gen AirPods Pros before but found them too bulky. Therefore, I was impressed to find QuietOn's ANC comparable to Apple's, while feeling less irritating to wear during sleep."
The earbuds tote a 28 hours of battery life and a frictionless fit with foam eartips, which is ideal if all you want is silence and are willing to justify the hefty $289 price.
What are the best headphones for sleeping?
The best sleeping headphones are the Bedphones Wireless headphones since they are specifically made to sleep in and are comfortable to wear in bed, even for side sleepers.
Sleeping headphones | Price | Battery | Form factor |
Bedphones wireless | $149 | 13 hours | Over-ear |
Perytong Sleep Headphones | $20 | 10 hours | Over-ear |
Soundcore by Anker Sleep A10 | $130 | 10 hours | In-ear |
Bose QuietComfortII | $249 | 6 hours | In-ear |
Musicozy Wireless Sleep Mask Headphones | $17 | 10+ hours | Over-ear |
QuietOn 3.1 earbuds | $289 | 28 hours | In-ear |
Which sleeping headphones are right for you?
It all depends on what you're looking for relative to the position(s) you sleep in, whether you want ANC, and what price point you're willing to spend.
Choose these headphones for sleeping… | If you want… |
table Bedphones wireless | The best overall option for sleep headphones. Especially if you're a side sleeper, this flat and foam padded design was made for you in mind. You'll also get 13 hour battery life. |
Perytong Sleep Headphones | The best budget friendly sleep headphones. At only $20 on Amazon, this over-ear headband is price and comfort conscious. |
Soundcore by Anker Sleep A10 | The best sleep headphones for sleep tracking. Want to track your sleep without wearing a chunky wearable? These Soundcore earbuds seamlessly track, block out noise, and are comfortable in your ears. |
Bose QuietComfortII | The best sleeping headphones for ANC. Bose's QuietComfort II buds have unmatched ANC, and as the name suggests… comfort. |
Musicozy Wireless Sleep Mask headphones | The best sleep mask headphones. You heard that right, this sleep mask reaches your ears, blocking sunlight and sound. |
QuietOn 3.1 earbuds | The best sleep headphones for white noise. QuietOn 3.1's earbuds are compact, comfortable, and cancel every sound without making any. They're basically an in-ear white noise machine. |
How did we choose these headphones for sleeping?
We selected these top sleeping headphones by doing extensive research into the product category. We looked at top-rated products across sites noting customer reviews (both the good and the bad) and comparing features like price and form factor type.
Is it OK to sleep with headphones on?
Yes, it is medically safe to fall asleep while wearing headphones. It is recommended to keep the volume below 85 dB. Also, over-ear or on-ear headphones are preferred over earbuds when considering long-term use since wax buildup and ear canal damage can potentially happen over time with earbud use.
Are noise-canceling headphones good for sleeping?
Noise-canceling headphones like the Bose QuietComfort II earbuds are great for sleeping since they have built-in technology that virtually blocks out any noise in your bedroom, making it easier to fall asleep to silence.
However, noise-canceling headphones for sleeping are not the best option in the case of an emergency since you're essentially tuned out to the world.
Are there alternative headphones for sleeping worth considering?
Of course, you could always fall asleep using the headphones you already have -- they just might not be as comfortable or made for sleep as much as our top picks. So here are some other options we recommend.
You can't go wrong with AirPods, especially if you're an Apple user and need ANC to fall (or even stay) asleep. The longer stem isn't the most ideal for side sleepers, but nothing too intrusive.
These are great if you want to block out sound and sleep comfortably without any friction from earbuds against the pillow.