It’s true, we’re a generation of poor sleepers. Research shows 57% of Americans say they would feel better if they got more sleep and, unsurprisingly, many people are turning to tech to find solutions to their sleep challenges.
Looking for the ultimate sleep tech?
The best smart beds and mattresses allow you to fine-tune your sleep set up and tackle your sleep woes, with features such as customizable firmness options, sleep tracking and even anti-snore assistance. We’ve picked out the top options on the market.
Among the gadgets and gizmos promising to help a world of poor sleepers, there are top-rated sunrise alarm clocks, bougie smart beds and, what we’re here to discuss, sleep earbuds.
Sleek and discreet, these earbuds sit comfortably in your ears overnight, blocking out ambient sound and replacing it with soothing audio tracks. Who said lullabies are just for kids?
With some models costing upwards of $200, you’re probably wondering whether sleep earbuds are a worthwhile investment. Can they really help you sleep that well? The short answer is yes, and we’ll delve into why below…
What are sleep earbuds?
Sleep earbuds are small, wireless earbuds designed specifically for use during sleep. They typically have the following features: exceptional comfort, noise cancellation and low volume.
Made with soft silicone or memory foam to prevent irritation while sleeping, these earbuds are specially designed to nestle flush in your ears overnight. This means they’ll be comfortable whether you sleep on your side, back or front.
Many come with built-in sleep-friendly audio so you can use them phone-free, though you can usually connect them via Bluetooth too.
Some, like the Ozlo Sleepbuds, even come with biometric sensors that detect user movement and respiration to determine when you’ve fallen asleep. Plus they have a personal alarm feature that wakes you up gently without disrupting your partner.
3 ways sleep earbuds can help you fall asleep fast
From calming your mind to blocking out noise, there are several ways sleep earbuds can help you fall asleep fast and stay asleep through the night…
1. They mask disrupting noise
Whether you’re struggling to sleep next to a snoring partner, living on a busy street or trying to sleep on planes or trains, a trusty pair of sleep earbuds can mean the difference between you drifting off peacefully or spending hours tossing and turning.
Through passive noise isolation and active noise cancellation, sleep earbuds are built to block out ambient noise and replace it with calming sleep sounds.
A quieter environment helps your brain stay in deep sleep, which is a more restorative stage of sleep. Even brief noises during the night can interrupt your sleep cycles or cause micro-awakenings that you may not remember but which have a negative impact on your overall sleep quality.
2. They play soothing audio
While non-digital sleep earbuds like the silicone Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs can successfully block out noise, tech-enhanced sleep earbuds will do that while also playing sleep-enhancing audio.
Many specialized sleep earbuds have built-in sounds like white noise, nature sounds, or AI-adapted soundscapes, which play directly from the earbuds without needing a phone. But you can link them to your phone via Bluetooth too to play a sleep playlist of your choice. Binaural beats, anyone?
Research shows 38% of Americans can’t sleep in silence. Hence, specialized sleep earbuds can help many sleepers drift off peacefully. They are especially useful if you share a bed and you and your partner have different nighttime noise preferences, or when you’re trying to sleep on long flights.
3. They encourage a wind-down routine
Establishing a consistent nighttime routine trains your body to recognize sleep cues. In turn, it will know it is time to wind down for bed and produce sleepy hormones.
Your bedtime routine can include calming activities like stretching or reading, or simply slipping in some earbuds and playing calming music.
If you’re particularly anxious or stressed, you could play meditations, breathing exercises or bedtime stories to quell racing thoughts.
The point is, if you consistently use sleep earbuds at bedtime, your body will associate the sounds and feeling with rest and you’ll hopefully find it easier to fall asleep fast.
How much does a sleep headband cost?
Like most sleep tech, sleep earbuds come at different price points. There are affordable options as well as more premium models, with features that reflect the cost. Budget sleep earbuds can be found on Amazon for around $30. These typically include basic built-in speakers and Bluetooth connectivity, but will have reduced sound quality and comfort compared to more splashy models.
On the higher end, you can find premium sleep earbuds priced around $200 to $350. These often include features like active noise cancellation, long battery life and in some cases, sleep tracking through connected apps.