Top 8 Headphones and Earbuds for Sleeping – Our Reviews

Do you sleep beside a loud snorer, or do you find it difficult to fall asleep for some other reason? Do you ever wish you could have some music playing in your ear so you could easily get to sleep at night? Some people find reading helps them relax, but many more believe that music also relaxes them and helps them get to sleep quicker at night. In fact, it may not even be music! It could be relaxing beats, such as waves breaking on a beach, birdsong or even just some relaxing music.

Some people prefer white noise or guided meditation, but whatever type of music or audio distraction you need a pair of headphones or earbuds that are comfortable to wear and give you a good quality of sound. You are less likely to fall asleep if your earphones are uncomfortable, particularly if you do not sleep on your back.

If you sleep on your side, bulky earphones will be uncomfortable. Good for back-sleepers, but you will need something thinner that is not so uncomfortable and does not hurt your ears. Connectivity is another issue: are they wireless, or wired?

8 Highly Rated Sleep Headphones and Earbuds

*Circumference.
**Wires are removable for sleeping with.

Table of Contents

1. Sleep Headphones: Wireless

These Sleep Perytong Bluetooth sports headband headphones provide a wireless connection to your devices. They cut out external sound, and help you to gently fall asleep. The Bluetooth 5.0 headband has a wireless range of 33 feet and is compatible with the majority of iOS, Android and Windows devices fitted with Bluetooth. It works with most smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

The headphone speakers are very flat, and comfortable even when you are lying on your side. They are ideal for side sleepers. They block out external noise without the need for earplugs. They are safe in use with low, safe RF emissions. The headband is soft and cool, and absorbs any moisture or sweat and is also fast drying. The headphones and the Bluetooth module can be removed to enable you to wash the headband.

The Perytong sleep headphones are powered by a rechargeable battery that will last for 10 hours when fully charged. The system is lossless, and a built-in microphone and volume-control buttons enable you to answer phone calls hands-free. The sound quality is amazing.

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2. Bose QuietComfort20

The Bose QuietComfort20 in-ear earphones feature a noise-canceling option that you can use to cancel out any surrounding noise to enable you to focus only on your music or sounds. If you want to hear external sounds, such as airplane announcements, then simply touch a button to achieve this. Bose noise-cancellation is as effective as the quality of its music reproduction: unparalleled!

These in-ear headphones, also referred to as earbuds, are comfortable to wear and the sound quality is brilliant – just what you would expect with Bose audio equipment. They provide amazing digital-quality sound, and very comfortable to wear. Two versions are available: one for Apple devices such as iPod, iPhone, and iPad models. A second version is suitable for Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy.

The inline remote and microphone enable you to switch between your music and calls on your iPhone. The battery gives 16 hours of power, and the system comes with a USB battery charging cable.

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3. Shure SE215-K

There are three versions of the Shure SE25 earbuds available. The ‘K’ designation indicates Black. The SPE designation (Shure SE25-SPE) indicates the special edition in blue, while the clear version is the SHURE SE25-CL model. We tested the K version. They looked very stylish and were very comfortable in use by side-sleepers. In fact, they were comfortable for all sleeping positions.

In general, earbuds are less bulky than earphones and preferred by many people over earphones for using in bed. However, some people may find that they tend to dig into the ears when lying on their side. Nevertheless, they appeared more comfortable than the majority of earphones available.

The sound is clear and the deep bass tones come through very well. If you like good extended bass reproduction, then go for the SPE or CL versions. Sound isolation is good, blocking up to 37 dB of ambient noise. The cable can be removed to use any of the four alternative connectivity options.

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4. MAXROCK Sleeping Earbuds

Although described as headphones, Maxrock Sleeping earbuds are exactly that: earbuds designed for sleeping with. They are manufactured from silicone which makes them easy to clean and feel very smooth in your ears. They conform gently to the shape of your ears and remain securely in place until you want to remove them. They can be used for sleep, traveling or running.

These earbuds cut out external noise, extremely useful for attending noisy live events. You can enjoy your music without your enjoyment spoiled by outside noise. They are fitted with a 3.5 mm jack, and are suitable for all apple devices (iPhones, iPods, and iPads) and Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy and Note devices, and also PCs, gaming devices and MP3 and MP4 music players, laptops, HTC mobiles and Nexus devices.

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5. Panasonic RP-HS46E-K

The Panasonic RP-HS46E-K earphones are traditional earphones with very slim housing. They also provide excellent powerful sound quality. They are very compact and provide great sound and an excellent level of comfort. The ear hook holds the device to your ear with a high level of comfort and security.

The cord is 3.5 ft long with a 3.5 mm plug that fits most MP3 or portable devices fitted with a 3.5 mm stereo output socket. One negative aspect of this product is that there is no noise control, so it is possible for a partner to hear the sound coming from the speakers – although that would be very faint.

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6. Cozyphones

Cozyphones offer yet another headband design of headphones. It consists of two flat, round corded earphones inserted into a fleece outer cover. Available black, white, blue and pink, it is a headband that helps you sleep by eliminating external light and sounds, and instead replaces these with darkness and music and soothing sounds of your choice.

Headband earphones have become increasingly more popular due to their ease of use and comfort when sleeping, particularly side sleepers. As with those above, CozyPhones feature two 1/8-inch speakers that can be removed when required, but which remain in place when in use or when you are sleeping. Great for insomniacs that find it difficult to sleep, or simply to listen to your favorite podcasts, eBooks, soothing sounds or music. They also help to block out external noises such as snoring.

The CozyPhones connect using a 52-inch braided cord and a 3.5 mm stereo plug for MP3 players, Apple devices, those that use the Android OS and practically all makes of laptop and cell phone. The soft fleece pad is comfortable to wear and for sleeping in any position, even on your side. They feature volume-limiting technology to prevent your ears from experiencing high volumes of music while you are sleeping. The recommended limit for your middle and inner ear is 90 dB, and the sound from the speakers is limited to this level.

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7. AcousticSheep SleepPhones Classic Headband

AccousticSheep SleepPhones was developed by a doctor to help her patients get to sleep easier. They come in the form of a headband with integral fabric-wrapped speakers. You can play, stop and skip tracks easily and listen to a variety of sounds: music, podcasts, white noise, audio-books, AMSR and tracks for meditation. There are no uncomfortable earbuds or headphones to annoy you, and they are very comfortable to sleep with, particularly for side sleepers. You can also pull them over your eyes to help you sleep on airplanes, in cars or even at home without the need for sleeping pills.

The 48-inch stereo audio cord supplied can be used to connect the headband to any device fitted with a 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) audio jack. They are ideal if you find it difficult to sleep, have tinnitus, sleep with a snore or simply to help you relax or meditate. There have been some reviews commenting on discomfort when sleeping with the AccousticSheep SleepPhones, though most people found them extremely comfortable and easy to use. We certainly found no with them – the headband was comfortable to wear and sleep with all three main sleeping positions: back, side and front.

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8. Tooks Sportec Band

The Tooks Sportec band is a headband made of 100% Dryfit material: a high-performance fabric that takes sweat away from your head onto the body of the fabric where it evaporates off. It helps keeps the skin under the band dry, and wicks away any sweat that you generate when wearing them: day or night. They are wired, and compatible with mobile phones, MP3 players and others. They are often used by sportsmen and women due to the security of their fitting – they are highly unlikely to fall out of place.

The headband contains earbuds inside it, but are not the same as the AccousticSheep product above. They do contain a similar type of earbud fitted with a 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) audio jack, enabling you to use the headband for music, although the earbuds can be removed to isolate you from exterior noise. This can be useful if you do not want any audio distractions when carrying out athletic performances. 

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Buyer’s Guide to Headphones and Earbuds for Sleeping

When looking for a set of headphones or earbuds for sleeping, you must find those that have been designed for that purpose. There are many great headphones on the market, but most of them would be extremely uncomfortable to sleep with. Not only that, but some earbuds can damage your ears if you fall asleep with them on – particularly if you sleep on your side.

Types of Headphones

There are three basic types of what we shall generically refer to as ‘headphones’: earphones, earbuds, and headbands. They can also come corded or wireless (Bluetooth). Bluetooth devices are generally more expensive to buy than corded phones. Let’s have a look at each of these different types.

Earphones: Headphones for sleeping with are generally fitted with thin speakers that are not bulky enough to cause discomfort when you sleep on them. They are like traditional headphones, but slim with normally a wired connection to your device. The industry standard for stereo music sockets is 3.5 mm.

Earbuds (Also known as In-Ear Headphones): Earbuds are designed to fit into your ear, and are the smallest type of headphone. They are more portable than standard earphones and are generally more comfortable for sleeping with. However, some designs can damage your ears when you sleep on them, and we have avoided these in our selection.

Headbands: Headbands with low-profile speakers secured in small pouches each side of the band are a favorite form of headphones. Some are available in a choice of circumferences while others are elasticized to fit any size of the head. They are generally comfortable to wear in bed and are easy to fall asleep with.

Connectivity

There are two types of connectivity available: direct wired (corded) and wireless. Wired headphones are more common and generally come with a generous allowance of cord to prevent you tugging at your device (phone, tablet, laptop, MP3 player, etc.) when you move while sleeping.

Wireless systems, generally Bluetooth, are better but cost a bit more. However, a benefit of wireless is that the location of your device at home needn’t limit your ability to move about the room (or bed!) It should be noted (obviously really) that you will need a Bluetooth connection if your device has no headphone jack. Here are some Pros and Cons of Bluetooth:

Summary

Each person may have different needs when choosing headphones for sleeping with. No matter why you want or need them, there is a good selection of headphone types available for sleeping. It’s recommended that you take note of everything you must have regarding features, connectivity, comfort, etc, and then choose the model most suitable for you. We have included examples of the more comfortable types of headphones and also wired and wireless options.

Comfort is an important quality to look for, and connectivity may also be important to you. Your headphones must be comfortable for your normal sleeping position. No matter how you may try to change that before falling asleep, most people revert to their normal position once they are asleep. So you may be able to fall asleep lying on your back, but when you roll over to your side when sleeping you could be forced awake by the pressure of the headphones on your ear.

The best type of headphones for side sleepers are thin earphones, earbuds and, above all, headbands. Most side and stomach sleepers find headbands easy to wear and comfortable in use. In addition to this and the above factors, there is a property that is important to many people: external noise blocking.

Noise Blocking: Many earphones, irrespective of what type they are, can block out external noise. They may not eliminate all external sounds, but a good set of headphones can block a great deal. The Bose QuietComfort20 is ideal for this, and you can touch a switch to cancel the feature and enable you to hear necessary sounds such as airport announcements. This is unimportant for many people since most noises are blocked when you play music. We are not focusing on this since we are suggesting the best earphones for sleeping, not for general use during the day. 

Microphone Control: Some headphones have controls attached to the headphones or the cable to enable you to answer phone calls or access features such as Google Now. We have not focused on these since, as stated above, you are reading this mainly to find headphones that can help you sleep at night, not listen to airport announcements. However, it may be useful to some who would also use them during the day just for music.

Health Issues: There are some potential health issues connected to using headphones and earbuds for sleeping. One of these is hearing damage if you consistently listen to audio at high volume over a long period of time. Try to keep your volume at 60 decibels or less – play the phones with a smartphone by the speakers using a sound level app. You can get them for iPhones and Androids from most online app stores. Many come free with the phone.

You can also get a build-up of earwax which can affect your hearing. Compacted earwax can be difficult to remove, and can lead to a bacterial infection in your middle ear, so if you sense a reduction in your hearing ability, visit a physician who will check them for you. Keep your earplugs clean, and be aware of the potential issue, then you should not have any serious side effects.

Finally, earphones can heat up! If you are a side sleeper and wear regular earphones (not earbuds or a headband) then the phone on the side you sleep on can heat up. It can heat your ear by a surprising amount, and you can wake up with a very hot and red ear. A headband, or alternatively earbuds, is better for you than earphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions we have been asked regarding sleeping headphones.

Best Headphones for Sleeping: Conclusion

After a hectic day at work, or of looking after the children all day, you may feel that you need a good night’s sleep to recover. Perhaps you suffer from insomnia or have a painful condition that keeps you awake. By choosing one of our best headphones for sleeping you can connect them up to some of your favorite, soothing music. Or perhaps you would like to fall asleep to the singing of birds, or the sound of waves gently lapping on the shore.

By choosing one of our recommended best earbuds for sleeping, or our recommended sleep headphones, you will be able to connect them to your favorite player or device, either with a hard connection or wirelessly via Bluetooth. They would also make a great and considerate gift for friends or family who have sleeping problems.