The Best Headphones for Sleeping Right Through the Night

We all have different bedtime routines. Some people need total silence, blackout curtains, and complete motionlessness to be able to fall asleep. Others require the TV on, music playing, nightlights glowing—and at least three fans blowing. If you’re the type who needs soothing sounds, but don’t want to irritate partners or roommates, take a look at our picks for the best headphones for sleeping, and see if there’s something here that works for you. Remember, if you snooze, you actually win.

Our top picks for the best headphones for sleeping

How we selected the best headphones for sleeping

We made our selections through a combination of expert advice, thorough research, and ensuring all our picks had overwhelmingly positive customer reviews.

What you should know about the best headphones for sleeping

“This depends on what you want to use the headphones (or earbuds) for,” says audiologist Dr. Clifford Olson. “You could be looking for relaxation, comfort, noise blocking, or tinnitus masking. If relaxation is the goal, you should find headphones that allow you to pick the types of sounds that you want to listen to, often by having bluetooth to connect to a smart device so you can control your media. If comfort is the key, you will want to ensure the headphones have soft cushions, breath well, and are not too large. For these reasons, you may also want to consider using sleep earbuds instead.”

“If noise blocking is your priority, it’s a good idea to identify headphones or earbuds that have active noise cancellation, that will actually identify and cancel outside sounds like traffic noise, noisy neighbors or snoring,” Olson continues. “If masking tinnitus is the priority, you will want headphones that have the capability of playing tinnitus masking sound instead of just blocking external noises, which will typically make the perception of tinnitus louder.”

“Comfort is paramount here,” adds Shariff. “Your headphones shouldn’t cause discomfort or pressure points while lying down. I recommend looking for headphones with a low-profile design and soft padding. Wireless options are a great choice to prevent tangling and allow for movement during sleep. While sound quality should definitely be clear, it's important to prioritize comfort over audiophile-grade sound in this context.”

Alternatives to headphones for sleeping

“White noise machines can create a soothing background sound that masks disturbances, and earplugs can also be effective in reducing any surrounding noise,” says Shariff. “There’s also sleep masks with built-in speakers that can deliver audio without any pressure on the ears at all”

“Simply running a fan, wearing foam earplugs, or using a sound generator that can play a variety of different masking noises, including white noise, can also help to relax, distract from other external sounds, and mask tinnitus,” suggests Olson.

“Aromatherapy with calming scents such as lavender, and using blackout curtains for a dark sleep space can help, too,” adds Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a board-certified sleep and internal medicine doctor. “Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and muscle relaxation are effective, as well.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Are sleep headphones comfortable for sleeping?

“Sleep headphones usually feature slim profiles, padded headbands, and soft ear cushions to prevent discomfort while lying on your side,” says Shariff. “However, as individual preferences vary, you should shop around for headphones with adjustable features to find the most comfortable fit for you. Everyone has their own preference when it comes to comfortable sleep, and knowing this can help you make the most informed purchasing choice for you.”

“Generally, using headphones for sleeping is only good for individuals who sleep on their back,” says Olson. “If you’re a side sleeper or a stomach sleeper, they’re generally not a good idea. In addition, they tend to get hot while wearing, which can make it harder to fall asleep and even wake you up in the middle of the night.”

What is the difference between noise isolation and noise-canceling sleep headphones?

“Noise isolation headphones will physically block out external noise by creating a seal around your ears, while noise-canceling headphones reduce ambient noise by generating sound waves that cancel out unwanted sounds,” explains Shariff. “For sleeping, noise isolation can usually be enough, as it's less complex and tends to be more comfortable for extended wear.”

Are wireless sleep headphones better than wired options?

“Wireless headphones are great for sleeping because the wires don’t get in the way of your movements, like rolling over, which may even cause the wires to come unplugged from your headphones or the device they’re plugged into,” says Olson. “However, wireless headphones can also run out of battery and have the possibility of losing connection with your streaming device.”

Are there any potential health risks associated with wearing headphones during sleep?

“While sleep headphones are generally safe, there are potential health risks to consider,” warns Shariff. “Wearing headphones that are too tight or have a hard headband could lead to discomfort or headaches, and listening to music at high volumes during sleep could impact your hearing over time. To mitigate risks, I recommend choosing headphones with a comfortable fit and use a volume level that allows you to hear your surroundings. Whilst you can choose to sleep with earbuds in, and there are products designed for just this, users should be aware of bacteria build up from having these in overnight, and as such may want to factor this into their purchasing decision if the possibility of infection is a concern.”

“If sound is played at too high of a level, then permanent hearing damage can occur,” reiterates Olson. “This is incredibly risky if the device that you’re connected to doesn't warn you about the decibel level. You also have to consider safety concerns, such as sleeping with consumer electronics that use a lithium battery, as well as concerns of not being able to hear alarms such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and possible home intruders.”