The best headphones for sleeping in 2025: tested, reviewed and sleep-coach-approved

During Sleep Awareness Week, the National Sleep Foundation hopes to encourage more people to get an average of eight hours each night, which is the sweet spot for healthy sleep. Surveys reveal that as many as 35% of us aren't getting the sleep we need. Sometimes, the solution to our restless nights, especially as we adjust to the return of daylight saving time, is a product that takes care of problems keeping us awake, like headphones that block out a partner's snoring or noisy traffic.

Admittedly, there isn't much research on the benefits of sleep headphones, but there is some evidence to suggest they can improve sleep quality. Ross Cushing, a clinical audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance, says, "Sleep headphones can be a great way to improve sleep." While he's on board with sleep headphones as a helpful intervention for better sleep, he cautions readers to remain mindful of the volume and cognizant 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.

With the pros and cons to weigh and consider, sleep headphones seem to have a lot to unpack. Ultimately, the best sleep headphones will mitigate ambient noise (and maybe even light), work with your sleep preferences and and offer the functionality you're looking for, from low tech to high performance.

To help determine 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 nine units, assessing them based on ease of use, comfort, sound quality, functionality and effectiveness as well as budget. Here you'll find the products that made the cut (and a few that didn't quite measure up).

Table of contents

Update, Mar. 10, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our number one pick for the best headphones for sleeping 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.

The best overall headphones for sleeping

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More headphones for sleeping we like

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Types of headphones for sleeping

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.

In-ear headphones

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.

Over-ear headphones

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.

Headband headphones or mask/headband combos

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.

Earbuds

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.

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Factors to consider when choosing headphones for sleeping

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.

Comfort

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.

Sound quality

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.

Noise cancellation or masking

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.

Battery life for wireless operation

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.

Price

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.

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How we tested the best headphones for sleeping

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.

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FAQs

Are headphones safe to sleep in?

"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.

Can I use regular headphones for sleeping?

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.

How do I clean sleep headphones?

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.

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Other headphones we tested

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.

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Meet our experts

• Ross Cushing, Au.D., 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

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We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.