Getting a good night’s sleep is important for staying healthy. While a comfortable bed and good “sleep hygiene” are both important factors, a decent pair of headphones also helps. The best sleep headphones can not only clear your mind with soothing tunes or podcasts, but also help block out the noise outside the window.
So, what should you be looking for in a decent pair of sleep headphones? Here are some handy tips to get you started…
1. Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd
If you’re looking for a pair of everyday in-ears that are affordable and have bedtime in mind, these should be at the top of your list.
The front panel is flat, which is more convenient if you want to keep both buds indoors and lie on their side. Beyerdynamic even says as much, making design one of its main selling points.
Five sizes of eartips provide a comfortable fit no matter your ear size. While there’s no noise cancellation, the tips are flared for decent sound isolation. Inline controls allow you to play/pause and skip tracks, letting the beat crawl in the dark.
Audio balance is good, especially for a budget headphone. It’s a mellow sound, perfect for relaxing. So if you’re listening, watching, or just laying in bed and sleeping, Flying Bird should make you proud.
2. Fulext Sleep Headphones
Most sleep headphones aren’t designed for side sleeping, but the Fulttext Sleep Headband integrates the earphones into a soft fabric headband for added comfort. The low-profile speaker is wrapped in ultra-stretch fabric and a breathable mesh lining that’s not only soft but also hypoallergenic. The speaker is so thin that you can’t feel it even when you press your head into a pillow. The setup supports both wired and wireless playback and can run for 10 hours on a single charge.
These sleep headphones double as workout headphones, thanks to the headband material that wicks away moisture and keeps it in place. You can use them on a run, wash the fabric, and sleep with the earplugs on.
3. SleepPhones Wireless Sleep Headphones
These wireless sleep headphones from SleepPhones are another headband option that will reduce ambient noise and stop your partner’s snoring without sacrificing comfort. You tuck the flat earphones into the cloth headband, which pairs wirelessly with any Bluetooth-enabled device within 15 to 30 feet of your sleeping spot. The Bluetooth headset, developed by a family doctor, also has extremely low power consumption, so you don’t have to worry about radio frequency radiation while you sleep — a potential problem highlighted by the researchers.
There’s also a choice of two fabrics – fleece and breeze – so you can choose according to whether your pajamas will be warm or cold. Fleece fabric is warm and comfortable, while Breeze fabric is moisture-wicking and super breathable.
4. Bose QuietComfort Headphones II
Say hello to the ‘best wireless earbuds over £200’ at the What Hi-Fi Awards 2022. As the award title suggests, these premium Bluetooth earbuds sound fantastic and set a new benchmark for wireless earbuds in this class.
They’re a third smaller than the original QuietComfort earbuds, but we’re happy to report that comfort hasn’t been compromised. Our test team found it more comfortable than the excellent Sony WF-1000XM4 (below).
Bluetooth 5.3 is a big plus, and the Bose app lets you change the noise cancellation on offer through a series of customizable presets. Speaking of which, the QC Earbuds II automatically adjust the amount of ANC on offer so your music doesn’t get drowned out by particularly loud sounds.
Too bad there’s no wireless charging, but that’s far from the end of the world. If you’re looking for the best wireless headphones for sleeping, look no further.
5. Apple AirPods Pro 2
Apple’s in-ear AirPods have been nice but unremarkable – confirming their four-star rating. But with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple has created a pair of true wireless earphones that can achieve that elusive fifth star.
how? Better noise cancellation, longer battery life, new features, and most importantly, better audio performance. They also cost the same as their predecessors at launch, which certainly helps their cause.
The new eartip sizes help with the fit, and thanks to their vents, they should feel less harsh. You can use one earbud at a time, which is great for side sleepers (you can charge the other AirPod when you’re not using it).
Noise Cancellation blocks out twice as much background noise as its predecessor, while Adaptive Transparency dampens loud sounds when ambient noise creeps in. For iOS users, the AirPod Pro 2 is one of the best sleep headphones.
6. Sony WH-1000XM5
The XM5 may not look as luxurious or upscale as its predecessor, the WH-1000XM4, but it’s just as comfortable. They also feature a “noise-free” design with minimal sharp edges, which should increase your chances of sleeping like a baby.
Whether you sleep on your stomach or your back, the XM5 headband exerts enough pressure to hold the earphones in place without pinching our ears. The strap is completely covered in new synthetic leather, which also covers the memory foam ear pads. Soft and smooth to the touch.
Sound quality has been significantly improved compared to the XM4, and features like Speak to Chat have improved the user experience by allowing you to talk to others while wearing the headset.
If you’re headed to nod land, these blockbuster Sony headphones are worth collecting.
