Best Earbuds You Can Sleep In

If you’re a sleeper, earbuds can become uncomfortable or even fall out of your ears if they don’t fit comfortably. That’s why you need headphones designed for sleep. They should be comfortable to wear, block out external noise (including snoring), have plenty of battery life and fit well enough so you can move around easily while wearing them for hours.

There are two basic types of sleep earbuds: those with wires, and wireless ones. Sleep-focused headphones with wires usually use a headband that holds a pair of thin, flat speakers and can adjust to align with your ears. These generally fit the widest range of head and ear sizes, but they don’t have as much noise canceling or isolation as wireless models.

Earbuds with wireless connections are more convenient, but they’re often more expensive. They’re also susceptible to battery drain, especially if you listen for long periods of time or if you have to recharge them frequently. Some of the best sleep earbuds come in both wired and wireless varieties.

One of the most popular models is Bose’s Sleepbuds II, which offer a comfortable, snug fit and 50 different sound and white noise options to help you fall asleep and stay asleep all night. They’re the best earbuds for sleep, and I highly recommend them.

Another option is Anker’s Sleepbuds A10. They’re essentially standard Bluetooth earbuds that you can pair with any content to stream music, podcasts, and other content from your phone. The Sleepbuds A10 don’t have a built-in app, but they do have an ambient noise setting that lets you choose from various natural sounds and other audio to lull you to sleep.

The most advanced sleep earbuds come with an app that tracks your sleeping patterns while you wear them. The Sleepbuds A10 can detect whether you’re in deep or light sleep and track how long you spend awake, helping you understand your nightly sleeping habits. They’re small and compact enough to be easily used while you’re sleeping, and they provide an excellent mix of functionality for the price.

It’s important to remember that most of these sleep-focused earbuds have very small drivers inside. They don’t produce great audio quality and can’t deliver a rich soundscape or bass, but that’s not what you’re looking for in sleep-focused earbuds anyway. You’re trying to relax and drift off, not enjoy a playlist.

If you want to try something a little more specialized, there are some sleep-focused earbuds that come in the form of a small pillow with a pair of flat headphones. These sleep-focused earbuds typically feature soft padding, and they can adjust to align with your ear holes. They’re not as comfortable as the earbuds above, but they are a good choice for people who prefer a pillow-based approach.