Top 14 Best Headphones And Earbuds For Sleeping 2023

Many people these days use headphones or earbuds to either relax before bed or as they go to sleep. They help to make us more comfortable, alleviate any stress, and lower the heart rate somewhat. This brings on a feeling of relaxation, and away you go.

Of course, it depends to a certain, no actually a rather large extent, on what you listen to and we wouldn’t recommend ‘Rock n Roll’ by Led Zeppelin.

They are commonplace on planes these days and what was once First Class or Business class with noise-canceling headphones are now also found in economy. But we take that with a pinch of salt because we are yet to go on an airline in any class and have headphones that cancel out the engines of a 747.

Another story.

Noise canceling headphones for sleeping. Noise canceling headphones for flying. Or maybe you just have noisy neighbors, or they have a noisy dog.

Just three of the options.

So, let’s have a look at some of the best headphones and earbuds for sleeping currently available…

Top 14 Best Headphones And Earbuds For Sleeping in 2023

1 Sony WH-1000XM4 – Most Comfortable Headphones For Sleeping

The WH-1000 series has seen nothing but success since its launch. The XM4s are considered by many to be Sony’s best model yet, and at around $350 dollars, they are also one of their most expensive. The XM4s come in matte black and gold and a white and silver paint scheme. 

These are some of the most comfortable headphones you can buy, and thanks to the many features in the companion app, you can adjust the behavior of the headset to fit your sleeping routine. 

What’s in the box?

Inside the box, you get the headphones, a USB C charging cable, an auxiliary cable, and a sleek carrying case. One of the coolest design features of the XM4s is the fact that they can fold up and be stored in a relatively small space.

The list of features available with the XM4s is way too long for one article. Chief amongst them has got to be LDAC support for lossless audio transmission, and the superb active noise canceling provided by the QN1 sound processor. 

Using Speak to Chat, you can enhance the hands-free experience by simply speaking the command, and you can play/pause/ activate voice assistant and turn the noise canceling on or off, etc. 

Auto-adjustment…

The adaptive sound control will automatically listen to how much noise your environment is making and adjust the ANC and transparency settings accordingly. This feature is also integrated with your device’s location in order to learn which locations you regularly visit and adjust the settings automatically.

The XM4s also feature intuitive touch controls for play/pause/volume/pairing etc. If you need to quickly speak to someone, you can simply cover the right earcup, and the ambiance will turn up in order for you to have a conversation. There is also auto-play and pause. 

Quick as a flash…

Thanks to fast charging, the XM4s can be fully charged in about two hours. On a full charge, the headphones will deliver 30 hours of playtime, and a ten-minute charge will give you five hours of playtime.

The sound quality on the XM4s is what customers have come to expect from an industry giant like Sony. The soundstage is wide and expansive while at the same time retaining the detail and definition of the lows, mids, and highs. 

You simply can’t buy better…

Thanks to the six-microphone design, the ANC and voice quality are on par with the sound experience. Crystal-clear calls and minimal background noise are all you can expect here.

2 Apple Airpods Max – Best Premium Headphones For Sleeping

The AirPods Max is Apple’s flagship model, and it comes at around $400. The headset is available in Green, Silver, Pink, Green, Sky Blue, and Space Grey. Inside the box, you get the headset, smart travel case or “smartcase,” and a USB C to lightning cable for charging. 

$400 seems steep for a travel case that doesn’t protect the canopy of the headset, and there isn’t even an Aux cable included.

Lightweight design…

The design is reminiscent of old headsets, but the headband denotes an update for the modern user. It’s not lightweight compared to competitors since the earcups and headband frame are made from metal. The plush, high-quality memory foam on the earcups and fabric mesh on the headband.

All these things add up to one of the best-built and most comfortable headsets on the market. Whether you’re wearing them or holding them in your hands, you can feel the quality. 

The ear cushions can easily be removed since they are secured with magnets. This is something not often considered with headphones, but it makes sense that you would want to replace the cushions every now and then. Replacements are available from Apple for $70. 

However, you do feel the weight of the headset when you turn or bob your head, so this is not a headset for headbanging or jogging. 

Everything you could ever need… 

The Airpods Max delivers all the great features you would come to expect from Apple, Spatial Audio, nine microphones, auto on and off, transparency mode, and probably the best noise canceling of any headset you can buy, hands down. The digital crown allows you to control volume, play/pause, answer calls, skip tracks, and activate voice assistant. 

On a full charge, you’ll be getting around 20 hours of playtime with ANC, or Spatial audio activated. You can get one and a half hours of playtime from a five-minute charge. The only way to put the Airpods Max in Low power mode is to place them inside the case because there is no power button. 

The 40mm drivers deliver one of the best audio experiences of any headset available on the market. From the lows to the highs, there is nothing but definition and richness of sound. The spatial audio works great for watching movies or YouTube videos. Voice quality for calls is not as good as some other premium headsets, such as the Sony WH-100XM4 I tested earlier, but by no means mediocre. 

3 Bose SoundSport Free – Best Premium Earbuds For Sleeping

Bose is no stranger to making earbuds that sacrifice aesthetics or practicality, but the SoundSport Free earbuds make quite the effort with four color schemes, Blue, Black, Bright Orange, and Ultra Violet. 

For $150, you get the Earbuds and charging case, a micro USB cable for charging, and three sizes of tips. These earbuds look and feel like premium-quality products; from the rubberized sides of the buds to the hard-plastic charging case with a magnetic cradle, you get the impression of money well spent. The Soundsport Free earbuds are rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance. 

Safe and secure…

If fit and comfort are very high on your list of pros, then these earbuds should score high on your graph. They don’t look like jewelry, but they fit like a custom-made suit and sit securely enough for you to go running or to the gym with. 

However, while the rubberized buttons make the operation of the buds much more tactile, the rubber is so stiff that you have to apply a lot of pressure to push the button.

The SoundSport Free earbuds will charge up in about two hours, and on a full charge, they will deliver a total of five hours of playtime. The case holds an additional ten hours, and you can get an hour’s worth of playtime from fifteen minutes in the charging case. 

“Now, where did I put them?”

The Bose app is not what you might call feature packed. The most impressive part of the app is the “Find My Buds” feature. You can also program auto shutdown and make the earbuds emit a sound so you can find them.

You can pair the Sound Sport Earbuds to a maximum of seven devices at once, which is rare and impressive at this price.

Sound is, without a doubt, the best part of the SoundSport earbuds; they sound incredible for this price range. The bass-heavy signature should be nothing strange to Bose fans, and neither should the crisp mids and highs. They sound more expensive than they look, easily making them one of the best-sounding earbuds for sleeping that you can buy!

4 Bedphones – Most Versatile Headphones and Earbuds for Sleeping

There are few more infuriating things than not being able to sleep when you are tired. That applies especially if it is something you have no control over. That is where headphones that are specifically designed for sleeping excel.

To wear headphones to help you sleep, they will need to be comfortable. These Bedphones pass that test. They are compact and so well-made you hardly know you are wearing them.

They sit gently externally on the ear and have a memory wire that is rubber-coated. The wire can be placed either to the front or back of your neck. Whichever is most comfortable.

The earpads are less than a ¼ inch in thickness. They have a soft foam covering that offers comfort and a secure fit. That is great news for those who sleep on their side. Yet, they can still produce a good level of sound quality and have a slider adjustment on the cable to help keep them in place.

They are fitted with an inline single-button remote and a microphone. The remote controls the music, offering play, track skip, and pause. It also allows you to take a call if you wish.

Sleeping isn’t the only option for Bedphones. Anyone who needs a lightweight and compact set of phones will benefit. That could be on the daily commute or even if you are just out for a walk. In fact, anyone who struggles with formal headphones or earbuds will appreciate the Bedphone’s design and comfort.

Compatibility to phones, tablets, or MP3s will require a 3.5 jack socket or, for later devices, an adapter. They come in wired or wireless versions. The wireless version has a rechargeable battery.

They come with a pouch for carrying and some replacement foam earpads.

5 Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones

Bose has come along with their QuietComfort 29 acoustic noise-canceling headphones.

Audio giants, Boss, have developed their noise-canceling technology using an in-ear design. The sounds are balanced by TriPort acoustic drivers by Bose that give a balanced frequency response. And there is a remote controlled in-line microphone that lets you have control over your iPhone, iPod or iPad.

There will be times, of course, when you will actually want to be in touch. Let’s say at an airport or waiting in a crowded place for something when you may have them on. If that is the case, Bose has solved the problem with its ‘Aware’ mode.

You simply just press a button and your back in the world again. Your music is still playing, and there is still an element of noise cancellation. But you can hear any announcements you may need to hear.

They are well built and function well, as is the Bose tradition, but it is the sound that is impressive. And have a mellow warmth and are not ear shattering with top end. They also are not the kind that you have to sink right into your ear, which makes them more comfortable to wear and less intrusive.

In fact, comfort can be an issue with these things but not in this case.

The headphones are powered by an in-built rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This will give you up to sixteen hours of operational use. A USB lead is provided for recharging, which should take about two hours.

They are a decent product but take a look at the price before you get too excited, they are quite expensive.

6 Shure SE215-K-UNI Sound Isolating Earphones

Ok, we hear you say, one of the big boys has arrived. Where there are microphones, there will be Shure and usually with a well-made quality product.

These are a set of phones that provide great sound quality. This gives a very natural listening experience as well as canceling out external noises.

Shure has designed MicroDrivers to produce a very natural sound that is clear and easy to manage. The sound has an extended bass frequency that delivers a warm sound with no attack in it at all.

The cable is detachable and allows you to fit to shape over the ears to keep it out of the way. And to ensure the cable is long lasting it has been reinforced with Kevlar.

Another nice touch is the earpiece connectors that have a full 360-degree rotation allowing you to get the fit just right. These have a lock-snap mechanism that is gold plated. They have a 3.5mm connector that is compatible with a variety of equipment including CD players, laptops, Digital Audio Players and MP3 players.

Being gold plated these connectors deliver a precise sound.

These headphones are lightweight but quite sturdy and offer great sound quality. Another great feature is the kit that is provided with various sizes of ear tips. This allows you to get the most comfort and sound quality from their use, and a soft carrying case provides convenient storage.

They operate with both iOS and Android devices that have a 3.5mm connection.

Considering the quality and the Shure name, they are surprisingly cost-effective and aren’t going to break the bank. Making them a great contender for best earphones or earbuds for sleeping.

7 AcousticSheep SleepPhones

Invented by a doctor to help patients with sleep problems. Essentially what you have is a headband with earplugs built-in. You wear it like a headband and position the speakers over your ears.

A brilliant idea if it can be made to work though we could foresee certain environments where it might look a little out of place, for a large number of applications it is perfect.

They have Bluetooth capability, the Bluetooth receiver is enclosed in the headband, and is compatible with Phones, iPods, MP3 players, etc. Clearly designed to be worn while sleeping, but we can see no reason why they might not be used in other scenarios.

You might think they would be uncomfortable to wear, especially lying down, but the adjustable flat speakers are not noticeable at all. This is, therefore, a product that can be used for multiple uses.

These include travelers listening to their favorite music or show, and at night to soothe you to sleep. Or even to cancel out some unwanted noise. But the other potential uses are endless.

The fabric of the headband s woven from a fleece material containing 95% polyester and can be pulled down over your eyes when in use. And the speakers can be removed from the band to allow it to be washed.

There is a 4 feet connecting chord allowing you easy range to place your device for connection.

The speakers are quite thin by necessity, of course, so don’t expect too much in the sound quality area, but they are adequate and allow a decent reproduction. Also, they are not totally noise-canceling because the speakers don’t fit either over or into your ears, but they do cut out much of it.

It is a good idea, with a myriad of uses and not too expensive.

They have a 13-hour battery life.

8 CozyPhones Sleep Headphones

For people who sleep on their side having some form of sound as you go to sleep is often very difficult. You can’t wear headphones, even those with a fairly flat design. And earbuds can be a problem if they don’t fit properly.

Cozyphones are designed to be a headband with flats padded speakers inserted. You wear them like you would a normal headband and even lying on your side they give no discomfort. They have two linings, a cool mesh on the inside and the outer a fleece material. All designed to make them soft and comfortable.

They have a 3.5mm connector which will fit most phones that have a headphone socket. But it is best to check with the manufacturer of your phone because some later models do not include this jack socket.

The connecting cable itself is sturdy and made of a braided material and is fifty-four inches long, more than enough for close placement of your device while the flat speakers are removable to allow you to wash the headband.

The sound is not stunning, it couldn’t be, but considering the size of these tiny speakers, the sound is remarkably good. The highs are clear and ideal for the spoken word. But, they won’t actually block noise, rather they will reduce it and replace it with another sound at the forefront.

They are surprisingly comfortable and have possibilities for other uses, though sports work is probably not one of them, as they don’t fit tight enough to stay on.

Priced very realistically they offer an alternative to the usual which will definitely work for some people.

9 Sleepace Sleep Headphones

Sleepace has a slightly different idea in sleep headphones in that they have extended the idea to include the unit also being an eye mask. That’s very convenient, and some will appreciate it.

They are made of silk material and lycra that is lightweight and breathable, which means they will not get too hot while being worn. While the speakers are extra slimline, so should cause no discomfort. The material is machine washable, and the speakers can be removed to wash the eye mask.

It is usable with iPhone, iPad,iPod, Android, and other devices, though as always it is a good idea to check with the manufacturer first regarding connectivity. It has a connecting cord that is four and a half feet long that is braided and toughened up for use and a 3.5 mm plug connection.

Here comes the clever part, that sets this product apart from other sleep similar sleep headphones. You can download the Sleepace App, and after detecting the stage of your sleep, it will automatically turn off. Fantastic!

However, one issue that they do not seem to have addressed is that there is no extra cushion effect around the speaker. Therefore you may not be that comfortable if you sleep on your side or turn over in the night.

Also, the Sleepace itself does not have any volume control, so this will have to be done via your device.

They are not noise canceling, and the volume produced is quite low, but the overall sound is pleasant and restful and ideal for gentle sounds.

For the price, it is worth having a look at, but there have been design compromises so please don’t expect the sound to be high quality.

10 Final Audio Design High-Resolution Headphone

Final Audio Design might be new to some people. But in Asia, they are a huge manufacturer of headphones and earbuds at the high end. Wearing earbuds is common in Japan, and they have developed their market into producing products that are not quite so expensive. Meet the E3000.

With this product, they have really set the standard for others to try and reach.

The expression that something will compete with other products many times the price is used often. In this case, it is accurate. They look fairly innocuous, and there doesn’t look too much to get excited about – a Barrel design that is compact and an earbud that will comfortably fit your ear.

They are very comfortable and make a good seal in your ear. Being lightweight and of a compact design means they will be comfortable to wear.

No plastic in the design and the chrome finish certainly gives them a classy look. They might have a good look, but they are marketed with low-level packaging and approach. If this were raised to a high-level, people would be screaming for them.

The reason is the sound. It is just amazing.

The Asians like their earbuds and they like their music, and they won’t have poor quality. The quality here is stunning, You could write pages on the semi-open back design or the turbine-like design on the barrel that clearly has an impact, but it would take forever. They are just good. Very good.

Whatever music is your choice, you are going to get a big soundstage and the full performance from these. But you also get gentle dialogue or sounds if you want them the whole range is available.

When you consider the price, these are not only one of the best Headphones and Earbuds for Sleeping but one of the best on the entire market for any use.

11 Tooks SPORTEC BAND

TheTooks SPORTEC BAND is another headband style product to essentially provide music or other sounds as you go to sleep. Although they can be used, of course, for other activities. It is made from one hundred percent microfleece. Which was designed to be soft to the touch for comfort.

The headband has removable headphones to allow you to wash the item. This particular headband is not Bluetooth operative, but there is a version that is. And the headphones themselves are not particularly slim. Maybe 1⁄4” inch so there is a risk they will be felt if trying to sleep on your side.

The connection cord is four feet long, and this ample length to connect to your device. They will connect to any device with a 3.5mm headphone jack socket. Please check to ensure that your device is operative as some manufacturers have started to leave headphone sockets off their products.

There is no adjustment of volume on the item, and so volume has to be set by the device you are using.

It is a one size fits all product which might be ok if your head is smaller than the average. But if it is larger, then tightness might become an issue.

And, like most of these type of products, you can hardly call them noise canceling, but they will reduce unwanted noise largely by replacing it with something you want to listen to. Even with your choice of it will be possible to hear some external noise.

The speakers are made from plastic and whilst not being the highest quality do the job. The sound is ok but don’t expect to be stunned by what is produced

Price-wise they are quite economical.

12 AGPTEK Sleep Headphones

These sleep headphones have more than just sleep as an application. They also act as a significant light excluder and eye mask. They shut out any potential light during the night. And especially for those that sleep with eyes slightly open, they will prevent the problems that can arise from that.

During the day time, they will block out sunlight if that is required.

They are therefore extremely suitable for meditation and relaxation. And enable you to not be distracted visually by anything going on around you. This can be extended to yoga, where they are also a significant benefit.

Of course, sleep is what they were originally designed for, but how about traveling.

Stopping the majority of light and having fitted headphones they are great for traveling on planes. Or even just in the family car if you want to get some sleep.

Again this can be extended to other travel options on buses or trains where you will be able to close out the light and surrounding sounds. Allowing you to rest peacefully but without disturbing your traveling companions with headphone sounds.

The speakers are adjustable, and so placing them in the right place should not be a problem. The connector cord is five feet long and is braided to make it durable. It has a 3.5mm plug that will fit most devices, but please check with your manufacturer or distributor to check compatibility.

They have a built-in volume adjustment and are easy to carry and comfortable to wear.

The sound as with all of these types of headphones can best be described as adequate, but as with most of them, the volume is a little on the low side.

At the price, they represent a decent product that serves quite a few applications.

13 Panasonic- Rp-hs46e-k Slim Clip On Earphone

Panasonic is, of course, a highly respected name in hi-fi and TV, and many other product ranges. So, let’s have a look at what they bring to the table in terms of finding the best headphones and earbuds for sleeping.

The Panasonic- Rp-hs46e-k Slim Clip On Earphone do, however, appear that they have been designed not so much for sleep but for other activities. Whilst they have a compact build, they house a 30mm driver which pushes out a powerful sound. Hardly want you to want for sleep or relaxation.

It is unlikely when being used that they will contain the sound unless it is being played very quietly. This means those around you will have to enjoy your choice of music as well.

The sound quality is quite a lot better than the average earbuds designed for sleep and rest periods or traveling, but then you might expect that it would be. For speech and activities like ebooks etc., the sound is ok, but it is with music you will get the full effect.

Given the shape and design style, it’s difficult to lay down to rest while wearing them and feeling comfortable. As sleep headphones, maybe not, but as ordinary wear, during the day phones, they are quite good.

However, they do not have their own volume control so that will be handled by your device.

The build is actually quite good. And the usual problem areas of headphones like these seem to have been eliminated. The earpads themselves are of a good robust quality and look like they will give you some service.

We do hope that we have not come across too negative with these headphones. We are reviewing the best headphones and earbuds for sleeping, and we feel that while they could be used for that purpose, the design and the sound mean that they are better used elsewhere.

Price-wise they are inexpensive, so if you sleep on your back and do like a little bit of the heavy stuff instead of counting sheep, these will work for you.

14 MAXROCK (TM) Unique Total Soft Silicon Sleeping Headphones Earplugs

Maxrock has come up with some headphones for sleeping with all the usual benefits and features, but they have given us an extra – a microphone. And they are constructed from soft silicone to give a very comfortable wearing experience.

To a certain extent, they are noise-reducing rather than noise canceling, but that is usual with this type of product. You will, though, hear whatever it is you are listening to above any external noise.

It has a 3.5mm connector and is, therefore, able to work with most devices with a headphone socket. The built-in mic is compatible with the iPhone, Samsung, and most smartphones, but it is always advisable to refer to the manufacturers first. The connecting cord is 48 inches long.

It operates hands-free calling and has answer, reject and, end conversation options.

As with many products these are somewhat multi-purpose in that they can be used in a variety of applications and not just for sleep. They are perfectly suitable for use while traveling. And because they have such a well-designed earbud, they are also good for running and other sports.

There is no volume control, and you must handle that from your device. And there is no battery, and the power is drawn from your device.

These are a very good headphone not only for sleep but a variety of other activities. They are lightweight but quite sturdy and are well made. The sound they produce is more than adequate, and whilst not earth shattering is more than good enough for you to listen and enjoy whatever you are playing.

The price is staggering low, which makes these phones very good value.

This Makes A Change… It’s Time To Shut Out The Noise!

Normally with our reviews, we are talking about how to make some noise but hear we have been looking at the best ways of cutting it out.

More and more people are using the best Headphones and Earbuds for Sleeping to assist with getting to sleep and maybe for other activities like relaxation or Yoga.

The idea has been around a while of course and has been a fixture on airlines for years but it fairly recently that they have become interesting to a whole new market.

They are a great idea but raise one or two questions at the purchasing stage.

What do I want Best Headphones and Earbuds for Sleeping for?

If you are buying them purely for sleep, then we have looked at some perfectly designed for that purpose. They will need to be comfortable first and foremost, able to accommodate your sleeping style and will need to be well made and fairly robust. Even while we sleep, our movements can cause wear and tear.

Are you going to listen to music or is it ebooks or other narration you will be listening to? This is important because some are designed with the spoken word in mind.

If you want them to ‘double-up’ into other activities, we have looked at those as well. The ‘sleep function’ suffers a bit for an increase in sound quality.

Can you clean them, are the speakers detachable to allow you to wash any headband or eye shade that make up the basic design?

Do you need a microphone built in to allow you to make or receive calls while you are using them?

And the quality of the sound?

A few years ago, on a flight from London to Bangkok in Business class, we were told to keep the headphones they are brilliant.

Er no, not really. They were ok, but the quality of all of these products is far superior.

Pricing

Not that much difference between most of them really. So setting a reasonable budget will probably cover most.

So, What Are The Best Headphones And Earbuds For Sleeping?

We want quality. And want a proven manufacturer. We also want a good sound but one we can sleep with as well as enjoy in other applications.

Therefore, in our opinion, the best Headphones and Earbuds for Sleeping are the…

Understated visually, exceptional performance, and they are superb just the way we like it.

As we said in our review, these might be the product that sets the standard for others to reach – to be the best headphones and earbuds for sleeping.