During the day, we may find ourselves using headphones in several ways. The first is, of course, the most common, which is to stay entertained while listening to music. Other uses vary from gaming to even helping stay focused during exercise. There is one more way to use headphones, and that is to help you sleep better. Generally, music helps us relax better, and the optimal state you need to be in for a good night’s sleep is relaxed. As such, headphones for sleeping may result in you waking up rested every morning.
However, not all headphones can support such a function without taking damage themselves or injuring our ears. Headphones for sleeping are uniquely designed to allow you to toss and turn without breaking the device and also for optimal comfort. Some of the very best options are highlighted in our review below. You will find that every little feature counts to either increase or decrease the rating given to each of the headphones. These features include the fabric and materials used, whether a particular device is wireless or wired, how long it takes to fully charge a device and also the time it takes for batteries to run out.
The features mentioned above will help you decide on the best headphones for sleeping. Also, the below list is no mere accident. We came to feature the products mentioned after spending more than a few hours researching the various options available. This includes skimming through customer reviews, checking out what manufacturers had to say about their products, and comparing performance. The product of all that hard work is a table, detailed reviews of individual products and a buying guide to lessen your workload.
Extra features: 3D contoured eye mask, adjustable strap, built-in volume, track and call controls
This model puts the eye cover and the headphones into a single piece, so there is nothing extra to wear on your ears at night. The speakers are ultra-thin and sit flat inside the fabric, which is what makes it workable for side sleepers who cannot stand ordinary earbuds.
Bluetooth 5.4 handles the connection to a phone, tablet or laptop, and the buttons built into the mask let you change the volume, skip a track or take a call without pulling it off. A full charge gives you 10 to 12 hours of playback, so a single night of use will not run it flat.
Extra features: removable 1/8 inch speakers, washable headband
This is one of the cheapest options on our list, and it keeps things simple by using a cable rather than Bluetooth. The braided 52-inch cord ends in a standard 3.5 mm plug that works with most phones, tablets and laptops, although some newer handsets have dropped that socket altogether. The headband is contoured so it dips down over the ears, which holds the thin speakers in place and stops them digging in when you roll onto your side.
The speakers pull out, so when the band needs a clean you can simply wash it and put them back in afterwards.
More features: moisture-wicking fabric, machine washable once the electronics are removed
This is a premium option, priced well above most sleep headbands, but it is the original design in this category. The ultra-thin flat speakers are sewn into a soft pad rather than glued in, and the soft cords use reinforced joints, which is the main reason these bands hold up to being slept on night after night.
Bluetooth 5 streams for up to 24 hours on a charge, so you are not plugging it in every morning. The fleece band is moisture-wicking and machine washable once you slide the electronics out, and the company hand assembles the headbands in Erie, Pennsylvania, with customer service available for sizing and troubleshooting questions.
Our next option is a wired option by Azzker it only comes in two shades of gray. However, seeing as though this is also an eye mask, you probably won’t notice the color while you sleep. The manufacturer’s 18-month warranty comes with a 100% money-back guarantee just in case you are not satisfied with the quality of the product.
The chord that you use to connect to the device is braided for added durability and to ensure that it is tangle-free. Also, the cable uses the 3.5 mm universal plug that is compatible with most modern devices. If you happen to soak or wash the sleep mask with the speakers still in place, you may have to buy new noise-canceling headphones for sleeping. It is advisable that you take the speakers out to prevent water damage.
Also, the charge time and playtime are pretty standard making for a solid sleep investment.
The WATOTGAFER wireless sleep headphones are impressive, to say the least. This is the 2019 model, which is as a result of modifications made by considering customer feedback. The 3D mask is made to prevent 100% of the light from reaching your eyes. Also, an upgrade is Bluetooth 5.0 technology. Supposedly this version is supposed to be faster, with more range and it takes up less power than previous versions.
The slow rebound memory sponge makes it a comfortable fit for parties who buy the product to sleep on their side. Also for side sleepers, playback controls are on the front of the mask, ensuring you don’t press the buttons in your sleep. A feature that is a staple for other gadgets of this caliber is an inbuilt microphone, so a person doesn’t have to reach for their phone to pick a call. This one is no different.
At just below $25 this tool doesn’t disappoint with its battery time of 8 hours playback time on two hours of charge time.
Our last option of the day is also grey in color. There are some similarities between this model and its immediate predecessor. For one, they both use Bluetooth to connect to a phone or another music playback device. This one has a range of 33 ft. While it doesn’t incorporate a 3D eye covering design, it still does pretty well at the job with the added functionality that you can wear it as a headband.
The controls for the Bluetooth module feature prominently on the front of the face whenever you need to skip a song or repeat the previous one. As a Bluetooth device, this headband is compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows devices which form the bulk of the consumer base. The material used to house the Bluetooth speaker is breathable, consisting of 95% polyester while the rest is spandex to stretch into people’s heads for a snug fit.
A microphone is included in the gadget to take calls while you use the headband. For a charge time of about two hours, it is also pretty reasonable to expect that the headphones last for eight hours.
More features: built-in microphone, sweat-absorbent design, doubles as a sports headband
The sound is what sets this headband apart from the rest of the field. Behind the fabric sit 40mm composite drivers running on Bluetooth 5.4, so the bass carries some weight and the midrange stays clear instead of turning muddy.
A charge of one to two hours returns up to 14 hours of playback, which covers a full night and the next day as well. The band itself is soft, stretchy and breathable so it fits most head sizes, there is a microphone built in if you need to take a call without pulling it off, and the manufacturer backs it with a one-year warranty.
Buying anything worthwhile has never been a simple matter of just picking out the first item you see. There are various steps to be taken that include budgeting and research. Most people who end up doing impulse shopping may return items after the products fail to live up to their standards. Comfortable headphones for sleeping are no different. Take your time to consider the factors below, and the end purchase may serve you for a long time to come.
Features are sometimes the most important considerations. The ones listed tell you what your headphones are capable of and what they can’t do. It comes down to preference. As a rule of thumb, you should know that the higher the quality of features, the more likely the price will go up for a particular gadget.
This is not just a phenomenon with headphones but rather with all products in general. However, this is not something you have to worry about with this particular product. Most of the products we have listed cost between $15 and $25 with only one exception. As such, most of them fall within an affordable range. You can still compare the prices with features to see, which gives you more value for money. The key features to think about in regards to headband headphones for sleeping are as follows:
Which device do you intend to use to play your music? It may be your laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone. In bedroom sleeping scenarios, people often toss and turn while asleep, and that makes it difficult to use wired headphones. In the process of turning the cables may tangle or worse still wrap around someone’s neck. However, where use intended is meditation, exercise, or sleeping on a plane, the movement is controlled, and as such, it may not be so bad to buy a wired device.
Bluetooth devices hold a significant advantage as they have extended range. Also, not all Bluetooth devices are the same. Some use version 4.0, while others have upgraded to 5.0. Some devices allow you to pick up calls and talk through an embedded microphone while others don’t. Ultimately you choose after considering all the above.
Not much can be said about the playtime. These headphones help you sleep and should, therefore, stay on as long as you are in bed. Most manufacturers adhere to the 8-hour rule, which doctors recommend is the minimum number of hours one should sleep. Some go the extra mile and add some hours of battery time so that you can sleep in on weekends. However, you rarely find one with a battery time of more than 10 hours. Also, how long does it take to charge these batteries fully? Higher quality batteries charge quicker without affecting the playtime.
As you have seen in the product features we have listed above; the material is always mentioned. This is a crucial feature influencing just how comfortable the headphones are. Of course, if the headphones are uncomfortable to wear, you will find it hard to fall asleep. The cool mesh lining in the CozyPhones sleep headphones is breathable, and therefore, the user will not sweat as much. As such, it influences comfort a lot. Other materials are hand washable while others are machine washable. Overall if you prefer polyester, there is a headband for that. If you prefer a soft memory foam mask with a breathable fabric cover, there is an option for that such as the Voerou sleep mask headphones.
These headphones stick by one rule in the design of their speakers. They should be as small as possible even to the point of being flat. The reason for this is that standard headphones are uncomfortable to deal with, especially if you sleep on your side. Being thin, the headphones are barely noticeable, and as such, the device won’t impair your comfort.
The reason you invest in these headphones is to help you sleep better. A thing that might impede that is ambient lighting, especially during the day. You might need to trick your body into thinking that it is time for bed and so an eye cover does an excellent job of that. The products we mentioned above all have eyecovers with some like the WATOTGAFER sleep headphones going the extra mile to keep 100% of light out. In an airplane, this may be particularly helpful to help you sleep and so that you maintain your usual sleep schedule. At the end of it all, you might even be able to eliminate jet lag.
All the products in our review are of excellent quality; however, we do find we have some preferences. Our first choice is, of course, the editor’s pick Voerou Bluetooth sleep mask headphones. In terms of quality, this particular gadget comes in a stable build that is also Bluetooth enabled. This ensures you have an endless number of devices that you can use to play your music. The range from which the device can connect with your smartphone or tablet is also rather sizeable. Add the 8-hour runtime and 2.5 hour charge time, and you have a tool that plays music for most of the night.
Second, on our favorites list is the CozyPhones sleep headphones model. For under $10, this model offers quite several benefits. For one, the fabric used in making the gadget is comfortable to wear, even for the whole night. The cable it comes with is reasonably long at about 1.5 meters. This means that whatever device you need to connect to will have to be on your bedside.
Also, the AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless V8 do not fall far below our first two picks. This uses Bluetooth like the Voerou model, and it supports a range of 5-10 meters. If you fall within the three size options, then you are in luck with this model. Three hours of charge time tend to result in 10 hours of usage time, which is a huge benefit. Also, this particular gadget is the product of a family physician, ensuring utmost comfort. The only reason this gadget is not in the first place is that it has a high price tag. If these three products don’t strike your fancy, you can choose one from the other four options available.
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