What Are The Best Headphones For Sleeping? Our Top 8 Picks

Like listening to calming music or ASMR before getting some sleep? These are the best headphones for sleeping, designed to cancel all outside noise.

Updated: June 28, 2020

We know why you’re here looking for the best headphones for sleeping. It’s either because you live in a very noisy neighborhood or you just can’t get a good night’s rest without background sound.

You crawl into bed worn-out and sleepy-eyed, but once you lay down, you just find yourself unable to drift off. While your willpower to fall asleep is important, a bit of music or white noise can be extremely helpful. Listening to soothing sounds can lower your pulse rate, clear your mind, and help you relax.

Below we summarize the best headphones for sleep available on the market right now. We have also included a buyer’s guide so you can make a choice without researching for hours.  

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Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds offer seven bud sizes – ”triple-comfort” earbuds and “hybrid silicone” earbuds. You can surely find the ideal buds to give you the best sleep possible.

The model also has more than six hours of battery life, which should be sufficient to help you konk out. It also comes with a charging case that offers quick charging.

The noise-cancellation feature will give you a soothing sound, which can help you nod off. And because it is so portable, you can easily bring along the device while traveling.

Why We Like It

  • Efficient noise-canceling
  • Excellent battery stamina
  • Lovely musicality
  • Elegant design
  • Comfortable buds

Consider it if

  • You’re looking for a headphone you can use every day
  • You’re after an inconspicuous look

Keep Looking if

  • You want something inexpensive

Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd

The Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd should do you proud. Because of its flat faceplates, you’ll be comfortable wearing it even when you’re lying on your side. Light-weight, it also doesn’t hurt your ears if you wear it for long periods.

Why We Like It

  • Exceptionally comfy to wear
  • Delivers perfectly balanced sound
  • Reliable audio performance – full bass and highs
  • Superb mic quality

Consider Buying it if

  • Comfort is your top priority
  • You want solid audio performance
  • You’re looking for a variety of ear tip sizes

Keep Looking if

  • You want a noise-cancellation device
  • You’re on a tight budget

DubsLabs Bedphones Wireless Sleep Headphones

Less than ¼ inch thick and covered in soft foam, the Dubslabs Bedphones are comfortable to use regardless of your sleeping position. Moreover, your ear shape or size shouldn’t be a problem when wearing these headphones. They give a soft and cushion-like feel.

The device works through Bluetooth. It offers great sound with a broad range of frequencies. It’s great for listening to music or podcasts.

Why We Like It

  • Wireless and exceptionally subtle on-ear design
  • Battery can last for more than 13 hours
  • Full-bodied audio quality
  • Comes with a very small case, ideal for traveling
  • Easy-to-use in-line volume controller
  • Offers 30-day trial and one-year warranty

Consider it if

  • You dislike earbuds or over-ear earphones
  • You travel a lot
  • Comfort is an essential factor for you

Keep Looking if

  • You need noise-cancellation 

CozyPhones Sleep Headphones

We were actually surprised to find out that CozyPhones Sleep Headphones are widely available for less than 20 bucks. Despite its affordability, this model also offers an efficient noise-canceling feature.

We just advise that you don’t expect too much in terms of audio quality. While the overall sound quality is good, it’s not as clean as the more expensive models we reviewed.

CozyPhones Sleep Headphones are available in different colors, such as white, black, pink, and blue. This makes the device perfect for children as well.

Why We Like It

  • More affordable than other models
  • Headband-style design
  • Has quality braided cord
  • Comfortable to use
  • Backed by 100 money-back guarantee

Consider it if

  • You’re looking for a cheap device
  • You prefer headbanded models
  • Use a sleep mask

Keep Looking if

  • You want high-fidelity sound

Bose QuietComfort 20

We picked Bose QuietComfort 20 as the best noise-blocking headphones because they give you the liberty to use the noise-canceling feature or not.

You can totally block the noises from the outside world or partially let a bit of sound into your ears. This device is perfect if you want to stay alert to your environment while enjoying great music.

Why We Like It

  • Excellent noise-blocking feature
  • Full bass and detailed highs
  • Comfortable fit
  • Functions in passive mode

Consider it if

  • You live in a noisy neighborhood
  • You want long battery life (it has a 16-hour battery life)

Keep Looking if

  • You want something affordable
  • A quality listening experience is not a priority

Shure SE215

Aside from its impressive audio quality, the Shure SE215 is quite famous for its comfortability. No matter how long you have these headphones on, there will be no strain on your ears.

Considering the wide variety of buds, the device will fit perfectly inside your ear canal. What’s more, the connector snaps snugly into place. This allows rotation of 360 degrees-giving the user additional comfort.

Why We Like It

  • Firm sound and full bass
  • Brilliant noise-isolation capabilities
  • Reasonably priced
  • Has a replaceable cable
  • Has wired and wireless options
  • Comes with a two-year warranty

Consider it if

  • You like earbud headphones
  • You sleep in exceptionally loud environments

Keep Looking if

  • You don’t like stationery listening – this isn’t ideal for on-the-go use because of the braided cord cable

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1

We picked Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 as the best set of wireless earbud headphones because it features the newest Bluetooth 5.0 technology. This feature guarantees a seamless connection without signal drops. In fact, you can enjoy wireless connectivity even if you’re 30 meters away from the device.

For added comfort, you can control the device by speech commands using Google Assistant or Siri. This makes things easy for you, especially at bedtime.

Why We Like It

  • Fair price range
  • Outstanding battery life
  • Has one of the best sound qualities among wireless models
  • Exceptional build quality
  • Water-resistant
  • Strong battery life

Consider it if

  • You want good value for your money
  • You want to use the device for traveling

Keep Looking if

  • You prefer stylish models (this one’s not the most fashionable)
  • You’re after a powerful, deep bass output

AcousticSheep SleepPhones

What we love most about AcousticSheep SleepPhones is the surround-sound feel that it offers. Thanks to its flat speakers, you can efficiently block outside noise.

The headphones also offer exceptional comfort to users. This is because of the soft fleece build.

Why We Like It

  • Headbanded design
  • Wired and wireless options
  • Exceptionally comfortable
  • One-year warranty

Consider it if

  • You prefer headbanded headphones (great if you wear an eye mask)
  • You want removable speakers
  • You travel frequently
  • You’re a side sleeper

Keep Looking if

  • You want long battery life
  • You’re on a budget (it can be pricey)

Buyers Guide: What to Consider When Buying Headphones for Sleep

There are different types of earpieces to use. Study this guide so you can understand all of the options available and easily identify the best sleeping headphones for you.

Earbuds are a pair of small speakers that you put in your ear canal. Before purchasing earbuds, you ought to understand the pros and cons.

These tiny speakers are great if you’re looking for excellent sound quality. Since you put them in your ears, the sound is more concentrated. However, keep in mind that loud music can cause hearing damage.

To find the best earbuds, pay close attention to the sound quality and build quality. Also, find a pair that fits you snugly, any gaps in the fit will let external noise in.

Headphones are larger than earbuds. Headphones cover your ears completely, which allows you to get the best audio quality possible.

This isn’t ideal to use if you’re a side sleeper. Headphones can be quite uncomfortable to use when lying on your side because of the bulk they create on your ear.

However, if you prefer this type of earpiece, you should look for a model that’s specially designed for sleeping. Sleeping headphones are a lot thinner and lighter than those made for general use.

Headband-style headphones are simply headbands with flat speakers inside. This type of earpiece is trendy today because it is very comfortable to use. It’s great for sleeping, relaxing, running, and more.

When buying headband-style headphones, we advise that you look for something with a breathable cloth. Breathable headbands won’t make your head feel too hot.

There are two kinds of noise-canceling features for headphones, active and passive. Let’s get our definitions straight so you can understand which one is ideal for you.

If you want a built-in noise-canceling headphone, look for one with a passive noise-blocking feature. Passive noise-canceling headphones block out external noises because of the materials they are made from.

Headphones that have passive noise cancellation capabilities are designed to cover your ear entirely with added padding. Since it covers your ears completely, the sounds around you will be repressed.

Yes, these devices do an outstanding job of eliminating sounds. Nevertheless, these headphones can be extremely bulky. If you think the bulkiness will make you uncomfortable, it’s better that you buy headphones with active noise cancellation.

Active noise cancellation is the latest kind of technology in wireless headphones to reduce outside noises.

Like passive noise-cancellation, active noise-cancellation uses specific materials to block out sounds. However, active noise-cancellation makes use of electronic signals to eliminate sounds that might make it through the padding. It’s like another layer of noise cancellation to improve the user’s experience.

We love this technology because it allows users to listen to audio at lower volumes without sacrificing the overall sound quality. This means that you can hear the music clearly without sacrificing the health of your eardrums due to high volumes.

Wired vs. Wireless

When it comes to ease of use, wired headphones win over wireless ones. You just gotta plug it in to your device and play your music of choice. You can connect wired headphones to different devices that don’t support Bluetooth. These include TVs, CD players, or record players.

However, wired headphones can easily get tangled up. This can result in headphone failures because the wires may get damaged inside due to prolonged twisting.

Don’t worry: using wired headphones won’t strangle you while sleeping. It may, however, wrap around your body. This may unplug the headphones from your device. If you think this would be a problem for you, you might want to use wireless headphones.

Wireless headphones are usually Bluetooth-dependent. These headphones are more comfortable to use than wired ones as you don’t have to deal with knotted cables.

But you need to be mindful of the battery life of your wireless headphones. You must recharge the battery of your wireless headphones and avoid draining them.

While they don’t require cables to connect to devices, it isn’t the only way to use them. There are versatile wireless models that come with removable cords. 

Finally, you may have to save more to buy wireless Bluetooth headphones because they generally cost more than wired ones.

Sound quality may be the most critical factor to consider when buying headphones. According to Qualcomm aptX, 90% of people are concerned about the sound quality of the headphone more than its price.

Keep in mind that there’s no solid standard for the perfect quality of sound. It depends on your personal tastes and preferences.

However, the sound quality of headphones is usually measured by its overall fidelity. How close is the audio to the original recording?

If you’re part of the 90%, we advise that you test the device before your purchase to ensure that it produces sound that is good to you. When testing a headphone, take note of the clarity and crispness of the sound it emits. You may also want to notice how well the device blocks or cancels noise from the outside environment.

Last but not least: pricing. You probably want to buy a set of headphones that fits within your budget. Fortunately, there are lots of options to choose from with a wide array of prices. Usually, the price ranges from $20 to $200.

You’ll be quite surprised when you recognize the massive gap between cheap and expensive headphones in today’s market.

We know that you want to purchase something affordable. However, we advise that you be cautious of devices that seem too low-priced.

You may not get much value for your money as these products don’t usually work well. In fact, you might end up replacing them after a month or two. Quality comes at a price.

Benefits and Risks of Wearing Headphones in Bed

In general, soothing music can help us relax. Music can be very helpful for managing stress because it connects with our feelings. And putting on some music can distract us and give our brains the break they need from our day-to-day challenges.

According to several scientific studies, music can effectively slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. It can also inspire the production of serotonin, which is the “happy” chemical in the brains.

And because you’re relaxed and happy, you may have a chance to sleep faster or get quality sleep.

Remember, the most prevalent risk of wearing headphones in bed is not the possibility that the cords will strangle you. The cords won’t kill you unless they’re big enough to choke you.

The most common risk of wearing headphones in bed is probably an excessive buildup of wax in the ear. Note that our ear canals are endlessly producing wax.

Wax helps protect our ear canals by clearing away foreign elements or objects. However, prolonged use of earpieces, particularly earbuds, can lead to extreme wax buildup. This is because the device blocks the outlet of the earwax.

Another risk of wearing headphones too much is necrosis. Necrosis is basically the death of body tissue due to the absence of blood flow. According to some theories, the pressure coming from prolonged use of earbuds can interrupt blood circulation and may result in necrosis.

Alternatives to Headphones

If you decided not to purchase or use headphones anymore, here are some alternative ways to listen to music or reduce noise in your room.

If you sleep alone in your room, you may want to listen to the radio to get some good night’s rest. You can use your phone with a built-in radio or those alarm-clock radios that were popular in the 1990s. Using these devices can be useful as you can set a sleep timer on your phone or your radio. The devices will automatically turn off after your set time.

We suggest that you tune in to late-night radio programs that only play music. You may want to get away from radio stations that feature talk show-like segments. People’s voices and commercials may only keep you up at night.

If you don’t like radio programs, you can use a speaker and plug it into your music device. This way, you’ll be able to pre-select the songs that will play.

However, you may need to get out of your bed to change the songs or adjust the volume of the speaker. Narrow down the tracks and set the ideal volume in advance so you won’t have to get up from time to time.

If you want to reduce the noise and not necessarily listen to something, using earplugs can help you. The only problem is that they may fall off easily from your ears. There are also reports that earplugs can be irritating.

Are there headphones you can sleep with?

Yes. You can sleep with all the headphones mentioned above. Some headphones are made exactly for sleeping so that you can block out noisy neighbors or an annoying snoring partner. Side sleepers will want to buy in-ear buds that cover the ear canal entirely, while stomach or back sleepers will be fine with over-ear headphones.

Is it okay to wear headphones while sleeping?

It’s definitely okay to wear headphones while sleeping. If appropriately used, sleeping headphones, headbands, or earbuds impose no danger. As we’ve discussed, these devices can even help you doze off easily. You just have to be extra heedful with the volume of the music so as not to put too much stress on your hearing.

Is it okay to fall asleep with AirPods in?

AirPods are very comfortable, according to many users. Sleeping with AirPods should be okay. However, always keep in mind that the volume plays an important role in the overall safety of the device. High volume may damage your hearing after some time.

How do you wear headphones when lying down?

There’s no standard way for wearing headphones when lying down. If you mean wearing headphones in general, it’s best that you carefully read the instructions of the device to avoid accidents. Just avoid putting too much pressure into your ears as the pressure may cause damage.

Is it bad to fall asleep while listening to music?

It’s not bad to fall asleep while listening to music, binaural beats or hypnosis. You listen to music because you want to get to sleep in the first place. The device that you’re using, and how you use that device, will determine if it’s bad or not. If you use low-quality headphones and play songs at extremely high volumes, then listening to music will be bad for your hearing in the long term.

What should I listen to when trying to sleep?

Almost all of the research that we came across suggested that “classical” or “relaxing” music was the ideal music to listen to if you’re trying to sleep. Keep in mind that loud, fast, or energetic music can keep you extra alert. These types of music may also speed up your heart rate.

Conclusion: What’re the Best Headphones for Sleeping in?

It’s true: The world can be a loud and stressful place. Thanks to a wide variety of headphones available today, you can still get a peaceful night’s sleep.

We choose Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds as the best sleeping headphone because it’s packed with awesome features. If you’re looking for a headphone with noise cancellation, exceptional audio, and strong battery life, this one’s ideal for you.

All in all, we can say that using headphones during bedtime is the perfect way to doze off faster than usual, no more counting sheep or using ear plugs. If you’ve had a tiring day, and you find it challenging to sleep like a log, putting on a calming song can be beneficial in so many ways.