The best sleep headphones for drowning out the noise

Sleep headphones are specifically designed for prolonged use and to neutralize ambient sounds. Their features largely come down to personal preference, but comfort and a secure fit is top priority when purchasing sleep headphones. Look for adjustable products made from soft materials, and if you're a side sleeper, opt for a low-profile design that reduces pressure.

Thanks to their lightweight design, snug fit, wireless connectivity and 4-point noise masking system, our pick for best overall sleep headphones is Anker’s Soundcore Sleep A10 earbuds.

“The environment we sleep in plays a crucial role in determining how we sleep,” explains Maryanne Taylor, founder and sleep consultant at The Sleep Works. “For many people, especially when traveling, dealing with disruptive noise and unfamiliar environments can make it difficult to feel relaxed enough to facilitate sleep.” 

For blocking out ambient sounds such as street noise or snoring or drifting off to sleep with a guided meditation, Taylor says “sleep headphones can be a game-changer.”

Best overall sleep headphones: Anker Soundcore Sleep A10

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Why we like it: With their lightweight design, effective noise masking system and wireless connectivity, the Anker Soundcore Sleep A10 earbuds are our best overall sleep headphones. 

Their slim profile makes them well-suited for side sleepers, and they come with ear wings and ear tips in several different sizes to ensure you find a snug, secure fit—an important consideration for active sleepers. 

The earbuds mask external noises passively using a combination of stabilizing ear wings, twin seal ear tips and dynamic drivers that produce low-frequency sounds that adjust automatically.

Bluetooth connectivity offers a choice of streaming audio from a compatible device or uploading sounds from the Soundcore app library. 

If you want to stream something to drift off to but have concerns about battery life, the auto-sleep mode switches from streamed audio to preloaded white noise when the earbuds detect you’re asleep. 

There’s also a personal alarm clock and sleep monitoring feature that collects information about the length and quality of your sleep.

Keep in mind: If your ear tips are incorrectly fitted or your head is pressed too deeply into your pillow, you may have issues with Bluetooth connectivity. The alarm sounds at the same volume as other audio, and may be too quiet to wake you. 

These earbuds block sound so effectively, they may cause issues for those who need to remain alert to sounds from pets or children.

Product details: Fit: Earbuds | Battery life: Up to 10 hours in sleep mode, up to 6 hours in music mode or up to 8 when modes are combined | Connectivity: Bluetooth 

Best wireless sleep earbuds: AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless

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Why we like it: These stretchy, Bluetooth-enabled, headband-style sleep headphones are our best wireless headphones. Flat speakers make these a great option for those who find earbuds uncomfortable or move around when they sleep.

 These over-ear headphones are available in two different types of hypoallergenic fabric: a soft, cozy fleece and a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric suitable for those living in warmer climates. 

All the internal components are removable, so if you’ve had a sweaty night, simply throw your pre-shrunk headphones in the wash.

Keep in mind: Issues with sound quality have been reported, and there’s no active noise cancellation, so if you’re not listening to audio, external noise may disrupt sleep.

 Headband-style headphones may obstruct dental headgear, CPAP machines and bonnets or interfere with overnight skin and hair treatments.

Product details: Fit: Over ear | Battery life: 24 hours | Connectivity: Bluetooth

Best headphones and sleep mask duo: MUSICOZY 3D Breathable Sleep Mask

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Why we like it: The wireless MUSICOZY 3D Breathable Sleep Mask is our pick for the best headphones and sleep mask duo, thanks to its light and sound blocking features and Bluetooth connectivity. 

The adjustable mask is 99 percent light-blocking, with an ergonomic nose pad to prevent light from leaking in and a contoured eye cavity made of memory foam to prevent pressure on your eyes. 

The extra slim speakers are comfortable for side sleepers, and there’s even a built-in microphone that allows you to chat with a loved one as you nod off. 

Remove the internal components and external control panel, and the mask is washable; and its accompanying travel pouch makes it a convenient choice for fans of in-flight naps.

Keep in mind: Unless you have music playing, these headphones do not suppress ambient sounds, and the velcro adjustment strap may snag longer hair or interfere with nighttime headgear. 

Product details: Fit: Over ear | Battery life: 10 hours | Connectivity: Bluetooth

Best noise-canceling sleep headphones: Quieton 3.1

Why we like it: Our best noise-canceling headphones are the small, sleek Quieton 3.1 earbuds, which focus on keeping noises out rather than letting them in. 

There’s no option to stream audio: Instead, these sleep headphones neutralize lower-frequency sounds using a combination of active noise-canceling technology and foam-tipped earbuds that expand in your ear canal to form a seal. An option worth considering if you live close to a subway or frequently stay at airport hotels. 

Their tiny, lightweight form makes these earbuds suitable for side sleepers, and they come with four differently sized foam ear tips to ensure you can find the perfect fit. The charging case facilitates hassle-free charging—which you won’t need to do daily thanks to a lengthy battery life.

Keep in mind: It may take some trial and error with the ear tips to find a comfortable and effective fit, and with no silicon ear wings, active sleepers might lose an earbud overnight. The hefty price tag could be a dealbreaker for some.

Product details: Fit: In ear | Battery life: 28 hours | Connectivity: None

Best wired headphones for sleeping: Hearprotek DreamMusic Basic Wired Sleep Headphones

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Why we like it: Simple to use, easy to clean (with soap and water), and with a tangle-free cord: Hearprotek’s DreamMusic Basic Wired Sleep Headphones are our best wired headphones for sleep. 

The ergonomically designed earbuds have smooth silicone tips and a flat profile to limit discomfort and prevent them from slipping out while sleeping on your side. The wire is flexible and durable—coated with a compound of rubber and plastic, no less—and has a straightforward in-line remote control. 

A 3.5mm plug makes these sleep headphones compatible with everything from MP3 players to tablets and PCs, allowing you to listen to whatever you’d like as you drift off to sleep, without any fear of a battery running out. Travelers will appreciate their sturdy case with a carabiner for convenient attachment to backpacks. 

Keep in mind: These earbuds are designed for smaller ear canals and may slip out or work ineffectively with larger ones. A product this affordable won’t last forever, but they come as a pack of two, so if one comes to an end, at least you’ll be equipped with a spare.

Product details: Fit: In ear | Battery life: No battery | Connectivity: 3.5mm plug

Our review process

This product selection was informed by third-party reviews and an assessment of brand reputation, material quality and key features. Particular attention was paid to:

• Third-party reviews: The reviews of customers who have bought and used a specific product offer unbiased insight into its performance, features, and flaws.

• Brand reputation: The trustworthiness and reliability of a brand are key in ensuring a product is durable, comfortable, and safe to use.

• Quality of materials: Sleep headphones need to be comfortable and durable enough to withstand frequent use and extended periods of compression, so materials must be high quality. 

• Ease of use: Having to fiddle around adjusting audio volume in the middle of the night will not improve quality of sleep, so user-friendliness—conveniently-located controls, easily navigable settings and reliable features—is key.

• Features: These largely come down to personal requirements and preferences, but we looked for the effectiveness of noise isolation or active noise cancellation, good battery life, connectivity, and comfort.

What to know about headphones for sleep

What side you sleep on

Side sleepers should seek out sleep headphones with a slim, flat profile to minimize pressure and discomfort. Soft, snugly fitted earbuds with silicone or foam ear tips usually won’t cause pressure points; adjustable headband-style sleep headphones made with stretchy materials conform to the shape of your head. Active sleepers should consider wireless headphones to eliminate the possibility of getting tangled up.

Battery life

Look for sleep headphones with a battery life that meets or exceeds the length of your average night’s sleep, including relaxation time prior to drifting off. Consider how frequently the headphones will need charging and how long they will last. Note that features such as streaming tend to drain battery life.

Wired or wireless

Wired sleep headphones don’t require batteries and have superior sound quality to wireless devices, but wires may restrict movement and disturb sleep. Opt for tangle-free cords or consider wireless headphones, but note you’ll need to keep an eye on battery life, and if you suffer connectivity issues during the night, you may be woken by disrupted audio.

Fit

A secure and comfortable fit is crucial for a sound night’s sleep. Earbuds should be the correct size and shape so they don’t fall out, and low-profile earbuds or headbands will reduce discomfort while lying on your side. 

Your sleeping position and personal preferences will determine whether wireless earbuds, wired or headband-style sleep headphones work best, but to optimize comfort, look for products with adjustable features.

Auto-off feature

An auto-off feature is useful for conserving battery life or if you don’t want audio to continue playing all night, but note that since the feature functions by using sensors, audio playback may be interrupted if an earbud falls out while you’re asleep. 

Frequently asked questions

What type of headphones are best for sleeping?

This depends on your personal needs and preferences, but headphones specifically designed for sleep are the best. Look for products prioritizing comfort and safety with features such as a low profile and adjustable design, noise isolation or active noise cancellation, and tangle-free cords or wireless earbuds.

Is it OK to sleep with headphones on?

It’s important to be mindful of potential risks when sleeping with headphones on. Effective noise-canceling technology could compromise your or someone else’s safety if you can’t hear important sounds. Ensure your headphones fit properly to avoid damage to your ears from long-term use and take precautions to avoid getting tangled up with wires while you sleep.

Are noise-canceling headphones good for sleeping?

The two techniques primarily employed by sleep headphones to reduce ambient sounds are noise masking and active noise cancellation (ANC). The former uses soothing sounds to cover disruptive noises; the latter uses microphones to detect external sounds, then generates soundwaves through tiny speakers to cancel out interference.