The 10 Best Sleep Headphones
Special Honors
Philips SmartSleep Headband Rather than simply blocking out external noise, the Philips SmartSleep Headband was designed to enhance your rest though the use of quiet audio tones that keep your body in the slow wave stage of non-REM sleep. It uses a proprietary algorithm that customizes the timing and volume of tones to your sleep pattern, and it will show you metrics of how well you slept every morning on the associated app. philips.com
Editor's Notes
April 28, 2020:
Sleeping should be a peaceful experience, but for anyone who has to deal with disturbing noises where they live, it can be the exact opposite. Luckily, the sleep headphones on this list should be able to help with that. With one glance at our recommendations, it will be immediately apparent to anybody that we favor headband-style models. We generally believe these are more comfortable than earbuds, especially for side sleepers, and many can offer the added benefit of doubling as an eye mask to also block out disturbing light. Of course, we do realize that some people may not want to wear a headband all night, which is why did also include the Maxrock EL-273707 earbuds. Their compact design allows them to work well enough for side sleepers who aren't that sensitive to ear pressure. While they tend to break in less than a year's time, they come for a very budget-friendly price, so replacing them won't be too big of a deal.
Previously, we had recommended the Firik Kids, but due to its wired design, which can pose a safety hazard to children, we stated that it wasn't suitable for overnight or unsupervised use. We have decided that with options like the newly added Lavince LAKH159 available, which features Bluetooth connectivity, there is no longer a reason to include a wired kids model, so it was eliminated.
We actually added many wireless options to our list during this update, as we feel that wired models like the eliminated SleepPhones SC5BM and AGPTek Bedtime can sometimes be a hassle while sleeping. Of course, some people may prefer not having to constantly remember to charge a device, so if you fall into this category, you'll want to look at the CozyPhones Contour Series, Mountains Meditation Lycra, ZesGood Mask, or the aforementioned Maxrock EL-273707. The ZesGood Mask actually offers you the best of both worlds, since it can be used wired or wirelessly.
While pretty much every headband-style model can be pulled down over the eyes to block out light, the Lightimetunnel 3D Mask, ZesGood Mask, Voerou Wireless, and Blulu VG013 are specifically designed for it with either a shape that contours the nose, eye pockets, or both.