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.
The best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping come in a similar design that involves a headband or a wrap-around structure. Some include elastic materials for a snug fit while others are equipped with velcro fasteners. This model is the latter. As such, you get to choose how tightly you fasten the headband each time you put it on. Since most wrap around your face, they also happen to cover your eyes, and this model is no different.
One essential inclusion in sleeping headphones is, of course, the speakers. They are exceptionally thin, so they not only fit in the fabric, but they are also comfortable to wear. You hardly notice them. Also, this doesn’t impact negatively on the sound quality at all. In terms of charging, it takes approximately two and a half hours to get to full battery. After that, the power can last up to eight hours, which is the recommended sleeping time.
The Voerou headphones use Bluetooth to link up to either PCs, smartphones, or tablet, giving you control over your playlist. You don’t need to download any unique apps for an easy connection since the Bluetooth settings on your phone are enough. Since the fabric comes into contact with your skin, you should clean it as often as possible. However, ensure you remove the Bluetooth speakers from the gadget as putting them in water may result in damage. The fabric supporting the headphones is a mix of velvet and elastic cotton that is so comfortable it barely leaves any lines on your face after a night of using the headphones.
Next up is a gadget that is cheaper to purchase but only by a few dollars. There are, of course, other differences between these headphones and the ones we featured in first place. Despite that, they both have the same use, which is to let you sleep while listening to music. Also, that is not all that these headphones are good for. They could be used for meditation, during yoga and also for sports. Just as well you can pull the eye cover down and sleep in total darkness even with ambient lighting in the room.
With this option, you get a tangle-free cable instead of Bluetooth speakers. The mentioned cable is about 1.5 meters total length and features the standard 3.5mm jack that is supported by most modern devices. However, some mobile manufacturers are moving away from this design and opting for wireless Bluetooth connection with any audio devices. One such example is the iPhone manufacturer. If they stick with this design, it may limit people’s ability to use these headphones.
You get the same playtime as the Voerou headphones, which is a total of eight hours after a mere two hours of charge time. At the same time, the Lycra material is breathable, comfortable and the speakers are also very thin.
Our current review is one of a device that is priced almost five times that of previously mentioned headphones. The product is a headband and one the manufacturer didn’t intend to be used as eye cover. However, the fabric for most options of the headband is thick enough that it could allow for an individual to pull it over their eyes. Also, it comes in three size options, which are the extra-small, medium, and extra-large. The manufacturer provides you with information about the head size that would fit each size option in seller sites.
As expected from these gadgets, the headphones, incorporated into the fleece fabric, are so thin, that they allow you to sleep on your side while using them. This is not all. They are adjustable, so that you can position the speakers over your ears for an optimal sound experience. The fabric, in addition to being lightweight, has the advantage of being moisture-wicking and washable to deal with sweat.
In terms of sound transmission, this set of headphones comes in two options. One is the wired one while of course, the other is a wireless Bluetooth option. In our opinion, a Bluetooth headset is generally better equipped to help you sleep better, but for uses other than your bed at night, the wired option may not be so bad. The charging time may be a little extra totaling at about three hours, but the playtime is also extended to 10 hours for this particular device. This makes sleeping much more comfortable.
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.
At a low price, you can also get this device that happens to feature a five-year warranty. Most people will probably not use it to claim their money back. However, it provides a form of relaxation in case the headphones should get damaged. Most sound-blocking headphones for sleeping comes in a washable fabric. The fabric on this particular headband is made of 95% cotton, and the rest is polyester. At first glance, the fabric liner may seem defective, but this is no design flaw. The Detach
ment is meant to allow you to pull out the Bluetooth gadget every time you have to wash the headband.
Also, this model has been touted to feature crystal clear sound. This is made possible by using a Bluetooth 5.0 module, which also allows for volume control. If is needed, you can pick your calls without having to take off the headband as there is an inbuilt microphone for such scenarios. Battery performance is also be much better than the options we mentioned above. The standard 2.5 hour charge time applies and this translates to more than 10 hours of playback.
Apart from sleep, this model is also suitable for exercise and other outdoor activities.
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. Material like Lycra 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 cotton, there is also a headband for that such as the Voerou 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 wireless headphones for sleeping. 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 just over $15, 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 CozyPhones headphones 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.
