We Tested Over a Dozen Sleep Headphones to Find the Best, So You Can Fall Asleep Faster

Editor's Note: AcousticSheep recently launched a new pair of headphones called SleepPhones Wireless that pack a longer 24-hour battery. We are eager to put them through the paces soon.

The AcousticSheep SleepPhones are a wireless pair of sleep headphones nestled in a super soft headband. I spent several nights wearing them to bed, and fell in love with them for their easy setup, onboard controls, good fit, and lack of wires. Plus, they're the most comfortable sleep headphones you can buy today.

They come in three sizes, two fabric options, and five different colors. After measuring my noggin, I settled on a medium fleece model that came in gray.

For those who run hot, there's also a polyester and spandex option called “Breeze,” made from a more breathable fabric that’s not as thick and warm.

These sleep headphones don't even come close to offering the same sound quality as regular headphones in their price range. But they are extremely comfortable for sleepers of all types — side, back, stomach, you name it. They offer a snug fit that doesn't feel too tight. Plus, I was able to use them for three consecutive nights before they needed to be recharged.

More: Can't Sleep With Something on Your Head? Consider a White Noise Machine Instead

The HoomBand is another headband-style pair of sleep headphones, but what separates it from other options is its complimentary app, which packs hundreds of hypnotic stories, guided meditations, relaxing nature sounds, and white noise that’ll gently lull you to sleep.

The HoomBand is made of an elastic lightweight fabric that’s super soft and comfortable. However, I wouldn’t recommend this option for people who run hot. Its inner earpads can be adjusted and moved around to allow them to properly line up with your ears, but there isn’t a lot of slack on the inner cords, making the whole process rather difficult.

At the time of publishing, the HoomBand comes in two sizes: “medium/large” and “small,” but the company told me a new variation is coming this summer that includes an adjustable, one-size headband that will better fit bigger-sized heads. Overall, the HoomBand delivers decent audio quality, has a lengthy 10-hour battery, and helped improve the quality of my sleep.

The NightBuds are an intelligently designed pair of in-ear headphones that pack a heart rate sensor to help you track your sleep (and the quality of it rated between 0 and 100). Their neckband-style design with a wavy wire connecting the two earbuds may pose a problem for back sleepers, since the centered control module rests behind your head. Given the NightBuds’ cable and their numerous sized ear tips, you’re sure to find a tight seal so that they’ll stay in your ears throughout the night.

During my tests, I found that the earbuds did a better than average job at blocking out external noises. I’m a side sleeper, and found them to be quite comfortable: I practically forgot they were in my ears! It’s worth mentioning that I regularly use in-ear headphones, so I didn’t have to get adjusted to them.

Unlike the Bose Sleepbuds II, the NightBuds use Bluetooth so you can stream anything. The app packs several guided relaxation exercises, natural soundscapes, podcasts, white noise, and other calming music and sounds. As for sleep data, I found that the NightBuds didn’t provide helpful or detailed enough sleep tracking data. I think you’re better off relying on a dedicated tracker like the Oura Ring.

Given their steep price point, their dismal data tracking, and their just-average audio quality, the Kokoon NightBuds are difficult to recommend. But, if you're a side sleeper in search of in-ear sleep headphones that effectively block background noise, they might just be the perfect thing to help you slip into a strong slumber.

If you’re the type of person who has an overactive brain or a voice in your head that just won’t be quiet, the Bose Sleepbuds could help. These tiny earbuds play 50 different sounds, including soothing nature noises like the sound of rain, a campfire, or rustling leaves to help you fall asleep. You also can also play relaxing musical tones and noise-masking sounds that’ll help you stay asleep.

It’s worth mentioning that even though the Sleepbuds look like Bluetooth earbuds, they are not. What I mean is, they do not stream audio from your smartphone. Instead, you load a selection of soothing sounds directly onto them. The earbuds are quite comfortable, but occasionally, I would wake up with one of them loose in my sheets.

I also tested the similar QuietOn 3 sleep earbuds, which use active noise-canceling and microphones to mute potentially disrupting sounds. I found that the Bose better masked sounds, be it cars outside my bedroom window, the sound of sirens, or the clicking sound of my dog’s nails against my hardwood floors.

However, I think given their steep price, I only recommend the Bose to folks who need to drown out loud noises like a snoring partner, since you are limited to just the sounds Bose offers in its sound library.

This pair of sleep headphones allows users to drift off to sleep in complete darkness while listening to their favorite soothing sounds. It pairs with a smartphone or tablet over Bluetooth, meaning you won't have to fuss with any annoying cords that'll get in the way.

The headset uses a Velcro strap for ensuring that you get a tight fit, without letting any light enter. Its rechargeable battery offers 9 hours of juice — plus, there's even a microphone built-in for taking phone calls.

I appreciate that the eye mask is made of a breathable material that won't get too hot, and the fabric is machine-washable. It also has easy-to-access controls for adjusting volume and pausing audio.

More: The Best Meditation Apps to Help You Keep Calm

The Perytong headband is a fully washable, super-soft pair of headphones that'll help lull you to sleep. The headphones are lightweight, and they offer a stretchy fit with an inner mesh lining to keep you cool.

This pair features a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to 10 hours, a microphone in case you want to take a call when you wear them outdoors, and a wireless Bluetooth connection so you don't have to fuss with cables.

The headphones feature a control panel at their front for skipping tracks or adjusting volume. That way, you won't get blinded by your smartphone's display at night!

For when you want to temporarily check out and get away from it all, this sleep mask will not only block the light, but also has two tiny speakers within it for listening to music, podcasts, or soothing audio. The mask connects to your phone, tablet, or MP3 player wirelessly over Bluetooth, so you don't have to fuss with any cables.

I like that the buttons are located on its front rather than the side, so you don't roll over and accidentally press them. The mask is a comfortable, adjustable pick that's lightweight and breathable. It provides 8 hours of battery life.

If you don't want to splurge on wireless sleep headphones, consider this wired pair instead. CozyPhones are a comfortable and affordable option, and because they're wired, you don't have to worry about charging them.

I tested the CozyPhone Contour series, which has a mesh lining over the standard pair's all-fleece design. The breathable fabric helps keep things cool, but the CozyPhones only come in one size, so they may not fit everyone.

During my testing period, I found that the headphones’ 52-inch cord was plenty long enough to keep my smartphone on a nightstand, but if you toss and turn a lot, you’ll probably want to keep the attached device with you in the bed. This way, your phone won’t fall off the nightstand when you inevitably roll over and tug on the cord.

The CozyPhones have a braided cable that never seems to get tangled, which is a nice touch. Its sound quality is clear, and at maximum volume, the headphones are loud enough to drown out snoring.

For those searching for a pair of affordable earbuds that you can use either in bed or on the go, I recommend MAXROCK's earbuds. This lightweight and comfortable pair features squishy silicone earbuds that won't bother you when your head is resting on a pillow. Plus, they have a microphone for answering phone calls during the day.

These sleep headphones come with a carrying case and two differently sized tips for maximum comfort.

If you don't want to spend your extra cash on a fancy pair of sleep headphones, these no-frills earbuds cost less than $10, and deliver surprisingly decent audio quality. They come in a myriad of colors, including blue, green, orange, pink, and red. You also have the choice to get an inline microphone for phone calls.

The headphones sport a 43-inch-long cable and ultra soft tips that conform to your ear shape for a comfortable and tight fit.

Read More: Our Full Review of the ErgoFit Headphones

If you're currently using the earbuds that came with your smartphone to listen to music at bed time, you're probably sick and tired of thick plastic protruding into your ear canal while you lay on your side.

These affordable headphones from Panasonic are soft, and they don't need to be put inside your ear. Instead, they clip onto your outer ear and lay flat against it. Of course, however, this means a person sleeping next to you will hear your music. The headphones come in glossy black and have dual 30-millimeter drivers and a 43-inch-long cable.

One minor problem with sleep headphones and sleeping masks is that they look a little odd. If you won't get too hot wearing it, this headphone beanie is another great option for those who want to sleep while listening to music. It costs less than $20, and it pairs wirelessly to your smartphone over Bluetooth.

The hat features onboard controls, so you can pause or resume playback and adjust volume without touching your phone. It even has a built-in microphone for taking phone calls. You can expect 5 hours of battery life, making it a good travel companion as well.

If you prioritize audio quality over comfort, these Bose earbuds are the best ones you can buy to sleep in. They offer a tight fit and outstanding audio quality. They also have a built-in remote for adjusting volume, pausing playback, and skipping tracks.

Bose includes three sizes of tips to ensure that you get a good seal, making this a great pick for drowning out snorers. The earbuds are decently comfortable, but because they're sealed, in-ear earbuds, they may be uncomfortable for side sleepers.