It's a challenge getting to bed some nights, especially if your environment isn't quiet. Sound machines can effectively block out noises, the best sleep earbuds offer a more compact, subtle, and personal approach.ZDNET staffers' hands-on testing found that sleep headphones with flat speakers, active noise canceling (ANC) technology, and a long battery life are a game-changer for a good night's rest. Some of our top picks are earbuds and others wrap around your head or eyes for a quicker and easier descent into slumber. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.
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Best headphone deals of the week $248 (save $152) $170 (save $181) $400 (save $150) $299 (save $130) $199 (save $150) Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. What are the best sleep headphones right now? Our pick for the best sleep headphones overall are the Ozlo Sleepbuds for their comfortable fit and the effective white noise production. I've also included alternatives with different price ranges and form factors, from a headphone sleep mask to sleep earplugs. Find out how the sleep headphones we've tested stack up on this list -- and on your pillow. Also: The best cheap headphones: Budget-friendly optionsThe best sleep headphones of 2026 Nina Raemont/ZDNET Why we like them: The Ozlo Sleepbuds are impressively effective at their job: getting you to bed. Once the Sleepbuds are in your ears, they produce noise-masking (not noise-canceling) white noise that's dialed at the perfect volume to reduce external distractions and help you quickly fall asleep (and you don't even need to connect them with a phone or the app for this to work). My bedroom overlooks a bustling Brooklyn street that is always polluted with noise, like police sirens, screaming ambulances, neighbors singing and celebrating into the wee hours of the night, and pedestrians yelling at each other. These earbuds simplified my descent into sleep -- I put these earbuds in and couldn't hear a song or chatter outside my window. If you download the app, you can customize your sleep sounds with up to 10 to choose from, set up an alarm in the earbuds, and put a timer on the earbuds for them to shut down after you've gone to bed. Some features, like sleep tracking, will also be coming soon in an over-the-air app update. As far as comfort goes, you won't find a sleep earbud that's more comfortable to sleep in. This is thanks to the stabilizing ear wings that keep the buds in place without additional pressure buildup (that tends to cause soreness and sensitivity). I'm a side sleeper and found these the most comfortable to wear as I turned from one side of my head to the other. In my review, I write that they dissolved into my ears, becoming nearly invisible as I fell asleep, which is all that you really want out of a sleep earbud.Ozlo recently partnered with soundscape app Calm for a pair of Calm x Ozlo Sleepbuds that deliver soundscapes and bedtime stories through the earbuds. Who should buy them: Of course, $300 is still a pretty penny to pay for a decent night of uninterrupted sleep. But the Ozlo Sleepbuds are the best earbuds for a reason: they have a thoughtful design, are an effective sound-masking technology, and are a comfortable fit that makes me want to wear them every night.If I could describe the Ozlo Sleepbuds' perfect customer, it would be someone who has a noisy partner or bedroom conditions that prevent them from easily falling asleep. They have some money to spend on the finest sleep earbuds on the market. Maybe they're a side sleeper and are seeking out a sleep earbud that will feel comfortable as they lie on their side. Who should look elsewhere: If $350 is too much to spend, I suggest the Anker A20 sleep earbuds. These also produce noise-masking soundscapes and offer a flat, comfortable fit, but are half the price. It's worth noting that at the time of publication, the Ozlo Sleepbuds were on sale for $299.Also: I actually want to put these $350 sleep earbuds in my ears every night Ozlo Sleepbuds tech specs: Form factor: Earbuds | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery: 10 hours in the earbuds | Fit: In-ear | Price: $299
