6 Best Sleep Headphones

25 May 2022, by Danielle Slauter, min. read

Sleep easy every night with these headphones.

Whether you have noisy roommates or just want to get deeper sleep to power you through all those late-night study sessions, getting a pair of headphones to help you snooze is the trend everyone is taking notice of. But how can you find a pair that will stay put all night long, all while sending you off to sleep? And what’s the best pair of headphones for sleeping out there?

These six pairs are the best of the best when it comes to sleep headphones, but the coolest part is that you get a student discount on every single one featured thanks to Student Beans! Now you’ll be able to sleep extra easy knowing that you’re saving money. From wireless headphones for sleeping to noise cancelling headphones for sleeping, we know you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for you (and your ears).

The best sleep headphones

1. Sony WF-1000XM4 — $9.90 per month

For an ultra luxurious pair of earbuds for sleeping, the Sony WF-1000XM4 will get the job done. Their optimal earbud tip test will ensure you have a solid fit that stays put no matter what (even while you’re tossing and turning at night). The noise cancelling features also means that you won’t hear any annoying neighbors or roommates while you’re trying to catch some zzz’s.

While the battery life is only about eight hours, it should be enough to get you through a night’s sleep, especially since the charging time is a little over an hour. They’re incredibly comfortable (again, thanks to their ear tip test for fit), so they make for a solid pair of sleeping headphones.

Sony WF-1000XM4 Specs

What’s in the Box

Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones
Ear tips in 3 different sizes
USB-C charging cable

Technical Specs

Weight: 1.45 ounces
Battery life: 8 hours
Bluetooth version: 5.2
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Water resistance: IPX4

Audio Specs

Noise cancelling: Yes
Driver diameter: 6 millimeters
Frequency: 20 Hz–20,000 Hz

Pros

Excellent isolation and noise cancelling
Comfortable ear tips

Cons

Price

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2. Apple AirPods Pro — $174.99

Even though the stem might seem like an odd choice for sleeping headphones, the Apple AirPods Pro are still one of the best choices when it comes to choosing sleep headphones. The design ensures comfort for longterm wear (which if you sleep seven hours or more, this is a must), and the ANC and transparency allows you to choose your level of noise cancelling for sleep.

While the battery life isn’t the best (they might die on you if you sleep for longer amounts of time), the AirPods have enough versatility to use them for other things besides sleeping. Being able to choose your level of noise cancelling is also a bonus, especially if you want to be able to hear some noise while you sleep.

Apple AirPods Pro Specs

What’s in the Box

Apple AirPods Pro
Wireless charging case
3 pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes
User manual

Technical Specifications

Weight: 11 grams
Battery life: Almost 6 hours
Compatibility: Apple
Bluetooth version: 5.0 + H1 chip
Charging time: Under 2 hours
Water resistance: IPX4

Audio Specifications

Noise-cancelling: Yes

Pros

Effective noise-cancelling
Sweat-proof
Great in-ear fit

Cons

Price
No built-in volume control

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3. Sony WH-1000XM5 — $398.00

For over ear headphones for sleeping, you have to consider the Sony WH-1000XM5. Although the price is high, it’s for a good reason. These sleep headphones are incredibly comfortable, so much so it feels like you’re surrounded by a soft pillow when you’re wearing them—ideal for sleeping!

A 24 hour battery life will get you through multiple nights of sleep, and it has wonderful sound quality (especially if you’re playing those sleep sounds every night to help you chill). While the price might deter you, along with the fact that the ear cups get warm after extended wear, they’re still a super cozy pick when it comes to over ear headphones for sleeping.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Specs

What’s In The Box

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones
Carrying case
Charging cable

Technical Specs

Battery life: 24 hours
Compatibility: Apple & Android
Charging time: 3.5 hours
Bluetooth version: 5.2

Audio Specs

Frequency: 4 Hz–40,000 Hz
Noise cancellation: Yes

Pros

Wonderful sound
Intuitive controls
Impressive noise cancellation

Cons

Price
Gets warm around the ears during extended wear

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4. Bose Sleepbuds — $249.00

These headphones by Bose were specifically designed to be slept in. With noise-masking technology (not noise cancelling), it filters out unwanted noises like snoring while still allowing you to hear some background noise. Their small size makes them easy to sleep in and perfect for nightly use.

One thing that might not make this the best pick for some is that you can’t use your own music or playlists for sleep sounds—you have to choose from one of the 50 options Bose has pre-installed on the headphones. If you just want to listen to some calming sounds while you fall asleep, then you’re good to go. But if you insist on listening to specific music as you dream, you’re going to want to get a different pair.

Bose Sleepbuds Specs

What’s In The Box

Bose Sleepbuds earbuds
Charging case
Ear tips in three different sizes
Wall charger
USB cable

Technical Specs

Battery life: 16 hours
Compatibility: Apple & Android
Charging time: 8 hours
Bluetooth version: 5.0

Audio Specs

Noise cancellation: Noise-masking

Pros

50 different sounds to choose from
Alarm integration
Noise-masking technology

Cons

Can’t use your own music

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5. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus — $79.95

Even though the Cambridge Melomania 1 Plus earbuds don’t have any noise cancelling features, they still have a lot to offer in terms of sleep headphones. The bullet design means they’re great to sleep in, and the comfort is next-level. Plus, the long battery life will ensure you have power all night long.

The low-profile design also means they’re unlikely to get in your way while you sleep, especially if you toss and turn a lot. Plus, you can easily wear them outside of sleeping (like working out) thanks to the solid IPX rating—a great option if you want a pair of headphones for sleeping and everyday use, too.

Cambridge Melomania 1 Plus Specs

What’s In The Box

Cambridge Melomania 1 Plus earbuds
Case
USB-A to USB-C charging cable
Ear tips in four different sizes

Technical Specs

Battery life: 45 hours
Compatibility: Apple & Android
Charging time: 2 hours
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Water resistance: IPX5

Audio Specs

Driver diameter: 5.8 millimeters
Frequency range: 20Hz – 20kHz
Noise cancellation: No

Pros

Long battery life
Low profile design

Cons

No noise cancelling

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6. SleepPhones Effortless — $99.95

If you want something a little less traditional, we encourage you to check out the SleepPhones Effortless. This is a Bluetooth sleep headband! Allow us to explain. The headband has speakers in it, making this an ultra-comfortable choice for sleeping, and it doubles as an eye mask!

The headband design was made for sleeping, so it’s no wonder this has become the increasingly popular choice when it comes to sleep headphones. Incredibly intuitive, easy to wear, and comfortable for long wear, it’s hard to find a better pair for snoozing in. A 10 hour battery life will easily get you through a night’s rest, and the speakers come out, allowing you to wash the headband when needed.