Best Earbuds for Sleep (2026): Sleep Soundly, Soundlessly

Why They Are the Best Sleep Earbuds Overall

• Of all the sleep earbuds on our list, the Sleepbuds 2 have the highest noise-canceling ceiling at 75 dBs, plus highly effective noise-masking options that help drown out disruptive nighttime sounds.
• These earbuds have a soft plastic loop that tucks under the inner ridge of your ear for a comfortable and secure fit.
• The Ozlo buds can automatically detect when you’re asleep and switch to your preferred sleep noise without any input.

Our Expert Opinion

The Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 were the clear winner among our elite team of earbud testers (Sosha Lewis and me) when it came time to choose the best five models of the bunch. The Ozlo earbuds can cancel up to 75 decibels of noise, making them the most capable option on our list, and they come with a slew of soundscapes and extra features to fit numerous sleep preferences. They also have integrated sleep-tracking features that use biometric sensors to monitor your sleep and provide insights into your nightly habits.

The Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 scored over a 4 out of 5 in every category; however, Sosha had one complaint during testing. According to her, you can’t just throw the earbuds in and go. You have to open the app and then slowly open and close the case until it connects. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can be annoying, especially if you’re already exhausted.

Who Might Like the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2

• Sleepers who share a bed with a loud snorer will benefit most from the Ozlo’s best-in-class noise-canceling.
• Thanks to its innovative design, the Sleepbuds 2 should be compatible with all sleeping positions.

Who Might Not Like the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2

• At nearly $300 for one set, the Sleepbuds 2 are not the best option for budget shoppers.

Why They Are the Best Sleep Earbuds for Side Sleepers

• The SomniPods 3’s minimalist, recessed design makes them comfortable to wear while sleeping on your side.
• The Fitnexa app helps you track your sleep by using data collected from your SomniPods and smartwatch.
• Fitnexa offers a wide range of eartip sizes beyond the standard small, medium, and large, making it easier to find the perfect fit.

Our Expert Opinion

With the SomniPods 3, Fitnexa has designed a set of wireless earbuds for sleeping with AI-forward features to help sleepers monitor and improve their sleep health. More importantly, I was impressed by their comfortable, noise-canceling design. During testing, I could lie on my back, side, and stomach with these in, with no discomfort. I also appreciated that you could sync data from your smartwatch app to gain additional insights into your health and sleep habits.

That said, some of the app’s features require a monthly membership, and I found there was a learning curve to some of the app’s ins and outs. Also, the ANC drained the battery faster, so those hoping to use noise-canceling through the night might need something with stronger battery life.

Who Might Like the Fitnexa SomniPods 3

• Side sleepers looking for sleep earbuds that are comfortable to lie on through the night will appreciate Fitnexa’s comfortable design.
• Tech-forward users will enjoy tinkering with the Fitnexa app’s health and sleep tracking features.

Who Might Not Like the Fitnexa SomniPods 3

• Sleepers looking for earbuds that are easy to use right out of the box may find the Fitnexa app’s interface a bit overwhelming.
• People who need to use noise-canceling through the entire night will need something with better battery life, as the ANC quickly drains the SomniPods’ charge.

Why They Are the Best Sleep Earbuds for Back Sleeping

• They reduce noise by up to 52 dB, which is enough to filter out most disturbances.
• These earbuds are frequently on sale for $35 on Amazon and the Anker website, making them a highly affordable alternative to the Soundcore Sleep A20 or AirPods Pro 3.
• You can get 10 hours of playtime on one charge.

Our Expert Opinion

Strict back sleepers looking for an effective (and highly affordable) noise-canceling option should seriously consider the Soundcore P31i before spending more money on a premium set. While the P31i earbuds are not specifically designed for sleeping, their adaptive noise-canceling, long battery life (50 hours with the charging case), and comfortable design make them a strong value for back sleepers who want to block out nighttime noise.

That said, I found that the earbuds work best when lying on your back or stomach. The longer stems make them less than ideal for side sleeping. I noticed they easily popped out when I rotated onto my side. Side sleepers will fare better with a smaller, more recessed design, such as the Soundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds, Ozlo earbuds, or Fitnexa SomniPods 3.

Who Might Like the Anker Soundcore P31i Earbuds

• Strict back sleepers and stomach sleepers who don’t move around much at night want an affordable, noise-filtering option.
• People who want to use their earbuds outside of sleep will also benefit from the P31i’s solid sound quality, long battery life, and useful Soundcore app.

Who Might Not Like the Anker Soundcore P31i Earbuds

• Side sleepers will likely find these earbuds uncomfortable because of their long-stem design.
• Similarly, combination sleepers who frequently toss and turn might find these fall out too easily.

Why They Are the Best Budget Sleep Earbuds

• These earbuds are almost always on sale on the Tozo site and Amazon for under $50.
• The Tozo Crystal Pods are extremely comfortable for folks with smaller ears.
• The Tozo app comes with an abundance of extra features, including over 100 white noise tracks to help you sleep better.

Our Expert Opinion

At less than 30 bucks on Amazon, the Tozo Crystal Pods punch well above their weight. These earbuds are super comfortable (especially if you have smaller ears, like yours truly), hold a charge for a long time, and give you access to more than 100 white noise sounds through the Tozo app.

Unfortunately, at under $30, you have to compromise. The Tozo Crystal Pods only filter out 38 dB, so while they are great for filtering out ambient noise and outside distractions, you might need better noise cancellation if you sleep next to a loud snorer. I also found that all of the provided silicone ear tips fit snugly in my small ears, so if you have larger ears, you might have trouble getting a good seal.

Who Might Like the Tozo Crystal Pods

• Back sleepers who stay mostly stationary through the night should have no issues with the Crystal Pods falling out or causing discomfort.
• The Tozo Crystal Pods are almost always on sale for under $30 on Amazon, easily making them the best option for budget shoppers.

Who Might Not Like the Tozo Crystal Pods

• Sleepers with bigger ears may have trouble finding a good fit with the provided ear tips. I have smaller ears and found that I could get a decent seal with every included size.
• The Tozo Crystal Pods offer less noise-canceling than other options on our list (only filters out 38 dB), so people who sleep next to a loud snorer may need something with more noise-filtering firepower.

Why They Are the Best Sleep Headphones

• The MusiCozy Bluetooth Sleep Headband is soft, stretchy, and comfortable, meaning it should fit most sleepers.
• The MusiCozy headband can comfortably cover your eyes, which makes it perfect for sleepers who need a sleep mask and white noise to fall asleep.
• MusiCozy offers versions of its sleep headband for under $20, making them incredibly affordable.

Our Expert Opinion

If in-ear headphones aren’t really your jam, or if you need something to block out light and noise, the MusiCozy Bluetooth Sleep Headband is a great, affordable alternative. This sleep headband is a comfortable, no-nonsense alternative to premium earbuds. Its soft, elastic design fits comfortably around my head, and I fell asleep quickly listening to my Apple Music “rain” playlist.

Because it’s a headband with speakers built into where your ears go, these aren’t technically noise-canceling headphones. If you sleep next to a loud snorer or in a particularly loud city, you would likely fare better with headphones or earbuds that feature active noise-canceling. The material also isn’t exactly the most breathable, which could be a dealbreaker for hot sleepers.

Who Might Like the MusiCozy Bluetooth Sleep Headband

• Sleepers who prefer over-ear headphones should find that this soft fabric headband is a much more comfortable alternative.
• Shoppers looking for an inexpensive sleep headphone option will be pleased to know that the MusiCozy Sleep Headbands start at $17 on Amazon.

Who Might Not Like the MusiCozy Bluetooth Sleep Headband

• Hot sleepers may find the fabric headband traps more heat than traditional sleep earbuds.
• Sleepers who live in a particularly loud city or next to a snorer will need something with active noise-masking features.

Are Sleep Earbuds Worth It?

Sleep earbuds can be worth it if outside noise, traffic, or a snoring partner regularly keeps you awake. Unlike everyday earbuds, many sleep earbuds have recessed, low-profile housings that are more comfortable to wear for long periods and lie down in. Some models combine active noise-canceling (ANC) with spatial audio and white noise to reduce disturbances.

That said, sleep earbuds typically cost more than foam earplugs or white noise machines. So, if you only need occasional noise reduction, we suggest using a less expensive alternative.

What Are the Best Sleeping Earbuds for Blocking out Snoring?

The best sleeping earbuds for blocking out snoring typically combine a snug seal with active noise-canceling (ANC) or sound masking. ANC can be particularly useful for reducing consistent low-volume sounds. Meanwhile, white noise and other masking sounds can help make irregular snoring less noticeable.

Based on our testing, we recommend looking for sleep earbuds that can reduce outside noise by around 40 decibels (dB). Also, you should read customer reviews to see whether the earbuds you’re considering provide effective ANC. Keep in mind that even strong noise-canceling earbuds may not completely eliminate particularly loud snoring.

Are Sleep Earbuds Good for Side Sleepers?

Yes, sleep earbuds can be good for side sleepers. These earbuds have a low-profile or recessed shape. Traditional wireless earbuds may press painfully into your ear when your head rests against the pillow, whereas specialized models are generally smaller and designed to minimize this pressure.

What Earbuds Are Safe to Sleep With?

Earbuds designed specifically for sleep are generally a better choice than bulky, traditional earbuds because they are built for overnight comfort. No matter which earbuds you choose, keep the volume low (about halfway or lower), clean them regularly, and use a sleep timer instead of playing audio continuously throughout the night.

Remember that strong noise isolation may also prevent you from hearing alarms or emergencies. If you experience ear pain, changes in hearing, or signs of infection, stop wearing earbuds to bed and speak with a healthcare professional.

What Is Noise Masking?

Unlike noise cancellation, which tries to eliminate outside noise completely, noise masking uses a steady background sound (think white noise, pink noise, or a relaxing soundscape) to make disruptive noises less noticeable. The idea is that a consistent baseline helps sudden loud sounds, like snoring, car horns, or a barking dog, blend into the background.

Some sleepers find that active noise cancellation works well for steady, low-frequency sounds, but struggles to filter out sudden or unpredictable noises. Noise masking smooths out those changes, making them less likely to grab your attention and wake you up. If you’ve tried noise-canceling earbuds and still find yourself noticing every snore or random sound at night, sleep earbuds with noise masking may be worth trying instead.

How Much Noise Reduction Do You Need to Sleep?

There’s no single amount of noise reduction everyone needs to sleep because your bedroom environment and sensitivity to sound can vary. However, the World Health Organization recommends keeping continuous nighttime noise inside bedrooms below 30 dB(A) for good-quality sleep.

Based on this, we generally consider the ability to filter out around 40 dB or more of outside noise to be strong performance.

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