Do you find it easier to fall asleep to soothing sounds or white noise but want to avoid disturbing your sleeping partner? A simple way to get around this problem is by hooking up your audio device or smartphone to a pair of sleep headphones where only you hear the sounds and no one else. This post discusses the benefits of these nifty devices in more detail while also offering you some suggestions on the best headphones for sleeping selling today.
Ranking | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Hibermate Headphones | ||
2 | CozyPhones Headphones | ||
3 | Tooks Sportec Band | ||
4 | AcousticSheep SleepPhones Headphones | ||
5 | Bedphones Headphones |
Ranking | Product | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 |
Top Products
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AcousticSheep SleepPhones Headphones
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What Are Headphones for Sleeping?
Sleep headphones are what you’d expect — simple and comfortable headphones designed to help you get a better night’s rest. Depending on your preference, you can use them to dampen environmental noises like barking dogs and blaring televisions, provide soothing nighttime sounds, or even mask tinnitus (source).
For example, perhaps you enjoy the patter of rain or a steady stream of white noise as you drift off to sleep. Or maybe you just want to block out your partner’s snoring. Regardless of the reason, sleep headphones will pipe any audio source through to your ears without disturbing anyone else.
There are a few types of sleep headphones that differ in terms of design and functionality:
- On-ear headphones – While it may look like traditional headphones with its “ear pads” or “ear cups,” on-ear headphones don’t include the stiff and immobile headband that makes sleep next to impossible.
- In-ear headphones – Also known as “earbuds,” these headphones are strapless and band-less devices that fit directly into your ear canal to use for sleep, work or play.
- Headband headphones – This design is particularly popular because it provides the most comfortable and flexible fit. Instead of “ear pads” or “earbuds,” these headphones use small, flat and unobtrusive speakers hidden inside a wide elastic, cushy fabric that fits snug over your ears.
Each type usually offers a way to connect the headphones to an audio device such as a white noise machine, smartphone, or music player via a 3.5mm audio cable. More advanced sleep headphones can wirelessly sync your devices via Bluetooth technology.
A Word of Caution
- Headphones with attached cords can get tangled during the night by wrapping around your pillow or even your body. Thus, while unlikely, choking may be a concern.
- Earbuds used frequently should be cleaned or replaced regularly to minimize the risk of infection.
How to Choose a Headphone for Sleeping
Assuming you’re still interested, which sleep headphones should you buy? Well, here are some guidelines to help you make a smart, informed decision:
Price – Sleep headphones can run the gamut from cheap and disposable to expensively high-tech. While putting a price tag on a good night’s rest may be difficult, it’s a good idea to have at least a rough budget in mind.
Fit – Do you prefer earbuds to ear pads? Are you a back sleeper and thus more suited to ear cups? Or are you a tosser and turner who’d rather have a strapless headphone that won’t dig into your head while changing positions during the night?
Sound quality – Audio from sleep headphones shouldn’t sound tinny or weak but rather deep and thrumming without approaching harmful noise levels (under 85dB).
Technology – Do you insist on having a cordless sleep headphone or would a cord not bother you? Is sleeping with WiFi on a concern?
Features and functions – Some sleep headphones offer more than a just way to transmit soothing sounds. For example, certain models include in-line microphones to make and answer calls from bed, while others have special remotes to control volume or skip music tracks. Depending on your budget, you have a choice of several types of sophisticated sleep headphones to choose from.
Reviews of the Best Headphones for Sleeping
1
Hibermate Sleep Headphones
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Sleep Headphone Type: Headband with Cord
When it comes to features, Hibermate offers the complete package. As a headband headphone, Hibermate covers your ears completely but unlike other headband headphones, it also includes an eye mask, thus going the extra mile to prepare you for a restful night of sleep.
Moreover, adjustable straps and contoured memory foam give you control over how Hibermate looks, feels, and settles on your skin.
The Hibermate speakers can be removed from the headband and used as pillow speakers as well — a handy double duty feature. As a more sophisticated sleep headphone, Hibermate also includes an in-line microphone and three-button remote to take calls, adjust volume and skip music tracks.
PROS
- Good sound quality
- Functions as both a sleep device and phone (when plugged into a smartphone)
- Comfortable ear pads made of memory foam
CONS
- Possible learning curve to fully master
- May not be comfortable enough for some side sleepers
- Cord may not be long enough for some people (3.3 feet)
2
CozyPhones Sleep Headphones
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Sleep Headphone Type: Headband with Cord
A sleep headphone that doubles up as an eye mask, CozyPhones is made with a wide fabric band and thin, removable speakers connected to a 3.5mm audio jack.
While there are no special features or controls that elevate these sleep headphones beyond wearable speakers, its simplicity and comfort are its biggest asset. All you have to do is pull CozyPhones over your ears and adjust the fit until it rests comfortably on your head. Once used, you simply remove the speakers and toss the headband into the washing machine for cleaning.
PROS
- Good sound quality
- Feels comfortable
- Adjustable and removable speakers
- Washable headband
- Very affordable
CONS
- One-size-fits-all may run too big or small for some people
- Headband may move around during sleep
- Fleece fabric may make you feel hot during the night
- Speakers may be difficult to position for some people
3
Tooks Sportec Band
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Sleep Headphone Type: Headband with Cord
Tooks Sportec is another example of a headband headphone designed for ergonomic comfort, albeit somewhat cheaper than its competitors. Like most headband headphones, Tooks’ smooth and thin speakers are tucked away inside a soft fleece fabric, which can easily be removed and used inside a pillowcase instead.
Apart from sleep, the Tooks band can also be used for exercise and includes a long cord, giving you ample room to move around.
PROS
- Good sound quality
- Feels comfortable
- Adjustable and removable speakers
- Washable headband
- Very affordable
CONS
- One-size-fits-all may run too big or small for some people
- Headband may move around during sleep
- Fleece fabric may make you feel hot during the night
4
AcousticSheep SleepPhones Classic Sleep Headphones
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Sleep Headphone Type: Headband with Cord
The AcousticSheep SleepPhones is among the most popular headband headphones. Featuring a plain headband with no visible bumps, lumps or ridges, it resembles an eye mask with its light fleece fabric soft to the touch.
Tiny embedded speakers transmit your music or ambient sound of choice via an unfurling cord plugged into any device with a 3.5mm audio jack. What’s more, the speakers can be adjusted or removed, transforming the headphones into an ordinary headband.
For a no-frills option, AcousticSheep SleepPhones is a worthy contender.
Read Our Detailed SleepPhones Review >>
PROS
- Good sound quality
- Feels comfortable
- Adjustable and removable speakers
- Washable headband
- Choice of three different sizes to fit most people
CONS
- Fleece fabric may make you feel hot during the night
5
Bedphones Sleep Headphones
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Sleep Headphone Type: On-ear with cord
Bedphones is a thin, stylish, and lightweight on-ear sleep headphone for those who dislike using a headband headphone. And as its name suggests, Bedphones can be used as a regular phone capable of receiving calls and pausing music tracks. But while versatile, its on-ear design isn’t as comfortable as many of the fleece headbands reviewed above, especially for tossers and turners. That said, back sleepers may get good use out of this product.
Read Our Detailed Bedphones Review >>
PROS
- Cool, modern look
- Functions as both a sleep device and phone (when plugged into a smartphone)
CONS
- Design may be uncomfortable for certain types of sleepers
Conclusion
While each of these headphones can help you drift off to sleep, the Hibermate Sleep Headphones gives you the most bang for your buck, combining a quality headphone with a sleeping mask to provide you with the best sleeping experience possible.
But as far as no-frills options go, our vote goes to CozyPhones because it’s simple, effective and more affordable than competitors for roughly the same quality.
Whether you’re listening to music, an audiobook, or playing nature sounds as background noise, these best headphones for sleeping can send you off to dreamland like a hibernating bear in winter.
Now Over to You!
What are your thoughts about sleep headphones? Leave your comments below!
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