Falling asleep at night isn't always easy. Whether you struggle with insomnia, live in a noisy neighborhood, or simply have a brain that's hard to shut off, drifting into the abyss can be easier said than done. Thankfully, the best headphones for sleeping can help you drown out the world and escape into a restful reverie. Listening to ambient music, white noise apps, or even nature sounds can help drown out the mental chatter for restful sleep.
But not all headphones are designed to wear throughout the night, which raises the question: What are the best headphones for sleeping? We've carefully considered some of the top products on the market and developed our list of recommendations.
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The Best Headphones for Sleeping - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Headphones for Sleeping: MOSONNY TEE Bluetooth Sleep Headphones
- Best Budget Headphones for Sleeping: MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones
- Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Sleeping: True Wireless Sleep Earbuds
- Most Comfortable Headphones for Sleeping: MOITA Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Sleep Mask
- Best Wireless Headphones for Sleeping: Innelo Sleep Headphones Wireless
- Best Bose Headphones for Sleeping: Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Earbuds
- Best ANC Headphones for Sleeping: Soundcore by Anker Life P3
- Best Over Ear Headphones for Sleeping: Paww SilkSound Headphones
- Best Wired Headphones for Sleeping: MMUSS Sleep Headphones Eye Mask
- Best Headphones for Sleeping on Your Side: Fulext Sleep Headphones
Best Overall Headphones for Sleeping - MOSONNY TEE Bluetooth Sleep Headphones
SPECS
- Battery life: 24 hours (with charging compartment)
- Style: Earbuds
There's much to love about the MOSONNY TEE Bluetooth Sleep Headphones, starting with their flat, low-profile fit, which ensures comfort no matter your sleep style. The in-ear fit tends to be snug and cozy, and the sound quality is crystal-clear. If you use the charging station, you'll have more than enough battery life for a full night's sleep. All in all, we think these headphones are a great, unobtrusive option for anyone who needs a little help blocking out the world around them as they try to get some sleep.
What We Like
- Long battery life
- Flat, comfortable fit
- Works well for all sleep positions
- Excellent audio quality
What We Don't Like
- The in-ear style isn't recommended for all-night-long use
- A little bit on the pricey side
- No active noise cancellation
BUY: MOSONNY TEE Bluetooth Sleep Headphones
Best Budget Headphones for Sleeping - MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones
SPECS
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Style: Headband
Looking to get some shut eye on the cheap? The MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones offer a soft, breathable fit, a low profile, and up to 10 hours of continuous playtime—all for under $20. While the materials aren't built to last forever, and the sound quality is just so-so, these headphones nevertheless offer a comfortable and effective auditory sleep aid.
What We Like
- Long battery life
- Flat, comfortable fit
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- So-so sound quality
- No active noise cancellation
BUY: MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Sleeping - True Wireless Sleep Earbuds
SPECS
- Battery life: 4.5 hours
- Style: Earbuds
The True Wireless Sleep Earbuds are ergonomic, comfortable, and designed to block out ambient noise in the room around you. Those are all sufficient reasons to put them on your shopping list, but we'll also note the easy pairing, the safe and snug earpieces, and the intuitive controls. We do wish these came with a longer battery life, but the noise-canceling feature makes up for it.
What We Like
- Flat, comfortable fit
- Instant pairing
- Easy, intuitive controls
What We Don't Like
- Shorter battery life
- In-ear style isn't recommended for all-night-long use
BUY: True Wireless Sleep Earbuds
Most Comfortable Headphones for Sleeping - MOITA Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Sleep Mask
SPECS
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Style: Sleep Mask
If you're really serious about blocking everything out so that you can escape into dreamland, consider the MOITA Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Sleep Mask. The combination of headphones with a light-blocking sleep mask can truly transport you into an inner sanctuary for some peace and quiet. The 10-hour battery time should be sufficient for the whole night, and the mask itself is designed to be soft, breathable, and comfortable.
What We Like
- Very comfortable, soft fit
- Long battery life
- Modest price point
What We Don't Like
- No active noise cancellation
- Getting the right fit can be a little tricky
BUY: MOITA Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Sleep Mask
Best Wireless Headphones for Sleeping - Innelo Sleep Headphones Wireless
SPECS
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Style: Sleep Mask
When trying to nod off, the last thing you want is a bunch of cumbersome wires in your face. Consider the Innelo Sleep Headphones Wireless, a soft, headband-style product that has powerful Bluetooth connectivity. A long battery life, sleep mask, and clear sound quality just sweeten the deal.
What We Like
- Very comfortable, soft fit
- Long battery life
- Modest price point
- Instant pairing
What We Don't Like
- Material isn't quite as breathable as we'd like
- Not as durable as other products
BUY: Innelo Sleep Headphones Wireless
Best Bose Headphones for Sleeping - Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Earbuds
SPECS
- Battery life: 6 hours (12 additional hours with charging case)
- Style: Earbuds
Bose is widely considered to be the top brand for pristine audio quality. Among Bose’s many first-rate products, the Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Earbuds are our pick for sleeping. In addition to their excellent sound quality, these earbuds offer robust noise cancellation, a low profile, a decent battery life, and intuitive touch controls.
What We Like
- Excellent audio quality
- Great for noise cancellation
- Comfortable, low-profile design
What We Don't Like
- Battery life could be better
- Higher end of the price spectrum
BUY: Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Earbuds
Best ANC Headphones for Sleeping - Soundcore by Anker Life P3
SPECS
- Battery life: 40 hours
- Style: Over-ear
If it's important to you that your headphones cancel out any external noise, what you need is active noise cancellation (or ANC) technology. Soundcore by Anker Life P3 provides it, allowing you to escape into your own little sleepy time cloister, backed by an astonishing 40-hour playtime. The over-ear design may not be to everyone's liking, but the robust sound quality and super-fast charging times are sure to impress anybody.
What We Like
- Excellent audio quality
- Great for noise cancellation
- Long battery life
- Fast-charging
What We Don't Like
- Over-ear design means they're best suited for back sleepers only
- Higher end of the price spectrum
BUY: Soundcore by Anker Life P3
Best Over Ear Headphones for Sleeping - Paww SilkSound Headphones
SPECS
- Battery life: 8 hours
- Style: Over-ear headband
For an over-ear style that has a reasonably low profile, the Paww SilkSound Headphones are your best bet. Slim and lightweight, these headphones work especially well for back sleepers, offering decent sound quality and battery life. There are also plenty of color options to choose from, if you want to pick something that matches your pajamas.
What We Like
- Decent battery life
- Plenty of color options
- Slim and lightweight
What We Don't Like
- Over-ear design means they're best suited for back sleepers only
- Some colors are way pricier than others
BUY: Paww SilkSound Headphones
Best Wired Headphones for Sleeping - MMUSS Sleep Headphones Eye Mask
SPECS
- Battery life: N/A
- Style: Eye mask
If you're okay with headphones that need to be plugged in, the MMUSS Sleep Headphones Eye Mask is a great pick: Soft, comfortable, breathable, and well-priced, all while offering decent sound quality. And while the cord may annoy some, the plus side is that you'll get continuous playback for as long as you need it.
What We Like
- Can play all through the night without issue
- Modest price point
- Soft, comfortable, breathable design
What We Don't Like
- Cord will be an annoyance to some
- No active noise cancellation
BUY: MMUSS Sleep Headphones Eye Mask
Best Headphones for Sleeping on Your Side - Fulext Sleep Headphones
SPECS
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Style: Headband
For side sleepers who need to maintain all-night comfort, it’s important to have headphones with a barely-there feel and an almost-invisible profile. Enter the Fulext Sleep Headphones, an incredibly thin headband that works well for any sleep position. The 10-hour battery life and fast charging times are handy bonuses.
What We Like
- Good battery life
- Fast charging time
- Soft, comfortable, breathable design
- Works well for all sleep positions
What We Don't Like
- Sound quality is just so-so
- No active noise cancellation
How Headphones Can Help Sleep
If you're trying to improve your sleep hygiene, wearing headphones can be helpful in more ways than one. Below are some of the ways headphones can help you get better rest:
- Wearing headphones can help block out noise, including any ambient sounds that disrupt your sleeping patterns. This can be especially valuable if you have roommates who keep odd hours, a partner who snores, or you simply live in a noisier part of town.
- Headphones can also provide soothing sounds that facilitate relaxation, helping you get in the right headspace for sleep.
- Wearing headphones may allow you to engage in a quick bedtime meditation practice or breathing exercise, which can further relax you and get you ready for rest.
How to Choose the Best Headphones for Sleep
Battery Life
If your batteries die in the middle of the night, it's almost sure to jostle you from your sleep. Be sure you get headphones that come with a nice, long battery life. Fast charging times help, too.
Style
There are several styles of headphones that work well for sleeping, though the style that you require may depend on your sleeping posture. For example:
- In-ear headphones, or earbuds, tend to work well for back sleepers, but may not be as comfortable if you sleep on your side or stomach.
- Traditional over-ear headphones really only work for back sleepers, unless you also wish to invest in a special pillow with a headphone space cut-out.
- Stretchy, breathable headphone bands tend to have a low profile and work well with all sleep positions.
- Headphone-and-eye-mask combinations can also be a good option for those who need extra help finding the right headspace for sleeping.
FAQs About Headphones for Sleeping
Is it OK to wear headphones while sleeping?
Wearing headphones while you sleep can be safe so long as you keep the volume low and choose headphones that fit well. Over-ear and headband styles tend to be the best from a safety standpoint.
Can kids wear headphones while sleeping?
If your child needs a little help drifting to sleep, be sure you choose over-ear or headband-style headphones and keep the volume quite low.
Do you sleep better with headphones?
It all depends on the person. Some folks don't need headphones, ambient noise, or noise cancellation. But if you need a little help creating the right ambient environment, headphones can be just the ticket.
About the Author
Josh is a journalist and writer whose work has appeared in magazines and local newspapers such as Christianity Today, IMAGE Journal, Relevant Magazine, FLOOD, The Nashville Scene, True Tunes, Rise Up Daily, and Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet. Josh is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast.
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