Top 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones for Sleep
If you are anything like me, you know how tough it can be to get a good night’s sleep. Whether it is loud neighbors, the hum of city traffic, or a snoring partner, there is always some noise keeping me up at night.
After trying earplugs (which hurt my ears) and white noise machines (which didn’t always do the trick), I decided to look into noise-cancelling headphones for sleep.
I have tried a few different options over the past 2 years, and I’m here to share my experience with you. Some worked great, others didn’t, but hopefully, my journey can help you find the best noise-cancelling headphones for your sleep needs.
Why Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Sleep?
Before I go into the specific headphones I tried, let’s talk about why noise-cancelling headphones can be a game-changer for sleep. Here is why I made the switch:
- Noise reduction: Noise-cancelling headphones use special technology to block out unwanted sounds, giving you a quieter environment to sleep in.
- Comfort: Unlike earplugs that can feel uncomfortable or even painful after a while, headphones designed for sleep are made to be soft and gentle on the ears.
- Relaxation features: Many headphones offer features like playing calming music, white noise, or even guided meditations to help you drift off to sleep.
Things to Consider When Choosing Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Sleep
After trying different types of headphones, I learned that not every option is right for everyone. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing noise-cancelling headphones for sleep:
- Comfort: If you are a side sleeper like me, you will want to choose earbuds or slim headphones that don’t press into your ears while you sleep. Over-ear headphones can be too bulky for many people.
- Noise-cancelling strength: Some headphones are better at blocking certain types of noise. If you need to block out low-frequency sounds like snoring, look for headphones that specialize in that.
- Sound options: Decide whether you want to listen to music, white noise, or pre-loaded sounds. Some headphones, like the Bose Sleepbuds II, only play specific sounds, while others allow you to play any audio from your phone.
- Battery life: Make sure the headphones can last through the night without dying. Most of the options I tried had good battery life, but it is something to consider if you plan to use them for long periods.
- Extra features: Some headphones come with extra features like sleep tracking or smart alarms. These can be helpful if you want to monitor your sleep quality or wake up more gently.
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Sleep
The fourth pair of noise-cancelling headphones I tried were the Bose Sleepbuds II, and honestly, they were a game-changer for me. These are not your typical noise-cancelling headphones—they are designed specifically for sleep.This is why the Bose Sleepbuds II emerged as my best noise canceling headphones for sleep.
They don’t stream music or podcasts, but instead, they play soothing sounds directly from the Bose Sleep app.
My Experience with Bose Sleepbuds II
- Comfort: The Sleepbuds II are incredibly comfortable to wear while sleeping. They are small and lightweight, and they fit snugly in my ears without any discomfort, even when I sleep on my side. I can hardly feel them once I put them in, which is exactly what you want when you are trying to fall asleep.
- Noise blocking: These aren’t traditional noise-cancelling headphones, but they do an excellent job at masking noise. The pre-loaded soundscapes like rainfall, ocean waves, and soft wind were perfect for blocking out my partner’s snoring and the occasional city noise outside especially when staying in city hotels.
- Battery life: The battery lasted the entire night without any issues, usually around 10 hours. They come with a small charging case that’s easy to carry, so I never worried about them running out of juice.
One downside is that they don’t play music or other audio from your phone—just the built-in sounds. But for me, that was a small price to pay for how well they helped me sleep.
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Kokoon Nightbuds
Next on my list are the Kokoon Nightbuds, which are known for being super slim and comfortable for side sleepers like me.
I liked that they offered both noise-cancelling and Bluetooth connectivity, so I could play my own music or sleep meditations.
My Experience with Kokoon Nightbuds:
- Comfort: The Nightbuds are very thin and light, which made them comfortable enough to wear all night, even on my side. However, they are not quite as snug as the Bose Sleepbuds, and occasionally, they would shift if I moved around a lot.
- Noise-cancelling: The noise-cancelling was good, but not as strong as I expected. They did a decent job of reducing background noise, but I could still hear some bit of louder sounds like my neighbors music system or loud vehicles. However, when I paired the noise-cancelling with some soft music or a sleep podcast, it worked quite well to drown out distractions.
- Sleep tracking: One cool feature of the Nightbuds is that they have sleep tracking built in. The app tracks your sleep quality and offers tips on how to improve it. I didn’t rely on this feature too much, but it was interesting to see how long I spent in different sleep stages.
While the Nightbuds weren’t perfect, they were a solid choice, especially for people who like to listen to their own sleep sounds or music.
The above are some of the reasons why the Kokoon Nightbuds the second best noise canceling headphones for sleep.
After using earbuds for a while, I decided to try something different and test out a pair of full-sized headphones: the Sony WH-1000XM5.
These are known for being some of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market, but I wasn’t sure how they would feel to wear while lying in bed.
My Experience with Sony WH-1000XM5:
- Comfort: While these headphones are super comfortable for everyday wear, I found them a bit bulky for sleeping. If you sleep on your back, they work fine, but for side sleepers like me, it was hard to get comfortable with them on. The ear cups are soft, but the size made them impractical for tossing and turning.
- Noise-cancelling: The noise-cancelling on the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. They completely blocked out all the noises that usually bother me, from street traffic to my partner’s snoring. The noise-cancelling was so strong that it felt like I was in a bubble of silence, which was great for falling asleep quickly.
- Sound quality: One of the main benefits of these headphones is the ability to listen to high-quality audio. I loved playing sleep meditations or calming music because the sound was so clear and immersive.
While the WH-1000XM5 provided the best noise-cancelling experience, they weren’t ideal for sleeping due to their size. However, if you prefer over-ear headphones and can get used to the bulk, they could be a great option.
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QuietOn Sleep Earbuds
The next great pair of sleep-specific noise-cancelling earbuds I tried were the QuietOn Sleep Earbuds.
Unlike the Bose Sleepbuds, these earbuds use active noise-cancelling technology to block out low-frequency noises like snoring and traffic.
My Experience with QuietOn Sleep Earbuds:
- Comfort: The QuietOn Sleep Earbuds are small and lightweight, similar to the Bose Sleepbuds. I found them comfortable to wear throughout the night, and they didn’t bother me even when I slept on my side.
- Noise-cancelling: These earbuds were great at blocking out low-frequency sounds like snoring, which was a lifesaver for me. They don’t play any music or sounds, but the noise-cancelling alone was enough to create a peaceful environment. They were especially effective when I used them during flights or in noisy hotel rooms.
- Battery life: The battery lasted through the night, and the earbuds come with a charging case that made it easy to keep them powered up.
The QuietOn Sleep Earbuds worked really well for me when it came to blocking out specific noises, but the lack of music or white noise options might be a drawback for some people. However, if you are looking for pure noise cancellation, these are a solid choice.
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Amazfit ZenBuds
Lastly, I gave the Amazfit ZenBuds a try. These are smart earbuds that not only offer noise-blocking features but also help track your sleep and health habits.
These earbuds are made by Huami which was founded by Xiaomi which is a leading technology giant especially in mobile devices after Apple and Samsung in market share.
My Experience with Amazfit ZenBuds:
- Comfort: The ZenBuds are incredibly light and comfortable. I barely noticed them in my ears, and they stayed in place all night, even when I shifted positions. These are some of the most comfortable earbuds I’ve tried, which made them a top pick for me.
- Noise-blocking: They don’t have active noise-cancelling like the other options, but they still do a good job of blocking out background noise. Paired with the soothing sounds available through the app, they created a calming environment that helped me fall asleep easily.
- Smart features: The ZenBuds track your sleep patterns and give you a report in the app each morning. They can also wake you up gently with a smart alarm that vibrates when you’re in a light sleep stage. I found this feature really helpful because it woke me up without the jarring sound of a regular alarm.
While the noise-blocking wasn’t as strong as some of the other options, the Amazfit ZenBuds made up for it with their comfort and smart features.
If you want a pair of earbuds that can help you sleep better while also tracking your health, these are a great option.
Conclusion: My Top Picks
After trying all these headphones, I realized that the best choice really depends on your personal sleep needs. Here are my top recommendations based on my experience:
- Best for side sleepers: If comfort is your top priority, I would recommend the Bose Sleepbuds II or the Amazfit ZenBuds. Both are incredibly lightweight and comfortable to wear all night, even if you sleep on your side.
- Best for noise-cancelling: For the strongest noise-cancelling experience, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is unbeatable. However, it is not the most practical for sleeping due to its size.
- Best for all-around use: The QuietOn Sleep Earbuds are a great option if you want strong noise-cancelling without extra features like music or sleep tracking.
I hope my experience helps you find the perfect pair of noise-cancelling headphones for sleep. There’s nothing better than waking up feeling rested after a quiet, peaceful night!