Best Sleep Headphones of 2025

Best Sleep Headphones of 2025

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Block out snoring and mask external noise with these expert-tested headphones for sleeping.
Finding the right sleep headphones can be challenging, especially when choosing between the best noise masking earbuds and the best noise cancelling headphones. While many turn to the best sleep headphones to block out disturbances, not all noise-blocking technologies work the same. This article explores the key differences, helping you decide which option truly delivers the best sleep experience.
CNET’s sleep team has been testing mattresses and sleep-related products and accessories for years. After sleeping with over a dozen sleep headphone brands, they've rounded up the best options on the market. Here is a review of some of the headphones by CNET’s author, Aly Lopez.

Best headphones for sleeping
When they were first released back in 2018, Bose's noise-masking Sleepbuds were hailed as game-changers for light sleepers and those dealing with sleeping partners who snored. Alas, Bose ran into some issues with the battery on both the original model and the second-gen version and ended up discontinuing the Sleepbuds, much to the chagrin of a lot of folks who really liked them. Well, three former Bose engineers acquired the rights to the Sleepbuds and have now come out with new Sleepbuds under their new Ozlo brand. They feature the same design as the original Sleepbuds -- both the buds and charging case essentially look identical -- but have a key new feature: you can now stream other audio to the buds from your phone over Bluetooth (the original Sleepbuds just stored the noise-masking sounds on the buds and didn't allow for streaming music).
How they sleep: One of the Sleepbuds' biggest strengths is how tiny they are and how comfortably they fit most people's ears (they come with four different-sized ear tips). I didn't have any wearability issues with them even though I'm a side sleeper.
How they sound: They're not active noise-canceling earbuds, they have good passive noise isolation and do a very good job eliminating ambient sound when you apply one of the masking sounds, whether it's waves crashing on the beach, falling rain, the crackling of a burning fire and more. You can also set a personal alarm to go off in your ears so your sleeping partner isn't disturbed and the buds can sense when you've fallen asleep while listening to music and automatically kick in your chosen noise-masking sound. Finally, there are also some sleep-monitoring features.
I can't say everything worked perfectly all the time and I think Ozlo is still working out the kinks with its companion app for iOS and Android. When streaming music -- don't expect much bass but the sound was better than I thought it would be -- you have to keep the buds' case nearby because the case is used for streaming -- and charging (the buds are rated for up to 10 hours of battery life). All in all, I was impressed with this new iteration of Sleepbuds and hope there are no battery issues going forward.
How they sleep: One of the Sleepbuds' biggest strengths is how tiny they are and how comfortably they fit most people's ears (they come with four different-sized ear tips). I didn't have any wearability issues with them even though I'm a side sleeper.
Pros:
Has a sound library
Can stream your own audio
Great at noise masking
Comfortable for all sleeper types
Cons:

Expensive
You have to keep the case nearby for streaming

Best noise-masking sleep headphones –
SoundOff Sleep Earbuds

The SoundOff Sleep Earbuds have unique functionality and design. There's no Bluetooth connection, so you can't play your audio; instead, these headphones use proprietary technology to emit a pink noise that specifically masks the frequencies of snoring and other noises that can disturb your sleep.
How they sleep: These earbuds are comfortable (even for smaller ears) yet take some getting used to. Whenever I take them out after wearing them for a while, I've noticed that it leaves a lingering sensation of the earbuds still being in and around my ears for a while -- but again, I have particularly sensitive ears. With its bendy, moldable material and distinctive shape that hugs around the back of your ear like a hearing aid, they stay on securely -- much better than others we tested. They're also comfortable for all sleep positions, including side sleeping and combination sleepers who flop around at night.
The memory foam tips mold nicely to your ears, creating a snug fit. Each headphone has a volume button on the bottom, so you have to adjust them individually. I personally don't love having to adjust them separately, but it could come in handy in certain scenarios -- such as wanting to wear only one earbud or having hearing loss or sensitivities in one ear and not the other.
How they sound: These headphones emit a pink noise that sounds like ocean waves, which is a calming soundscape shown to improve sleep. Pink noise has high and low frequencies, helping to drown out distracting noises of various tones and pitches. These headphones don't completely block out super loud noises (with the TV on high volume, I could still faintly hear it through the headphones) but sufficiently mask out most sounds -- especially snoring. My partner spends a good chunk of the night snoring, and I can't hear him at all with these on.
They come with a neat charging case that can charge your SoundOff Earbuds for up to seven days before the case needs to be charged again. For that reason, they're super portable and great for traveling with.
Pros:
Pink noise effectively masks snoring
Battery lasts up to 16 hours
Comfortable, moldable fit
Comes with a recharging case
Cons:
Cannot play your own audio
Expensive
Have to adjust volume on each earbud separately

Best active noise-canceling headphones
The QuietOn 3.1 Sleep Earbuds are nearly three times smaller than the Apple AirPods. They effectively cancel lower-frequency, consistent sounds such as snoring, car traffic, a running dishwasher or the bass from songs your annoying neighbor blasts at midnight. The earbuds come with foam tips in four different sizes so you can find the right fit for you.
How they sleep: The QuietOn 3.1 Earbuds are surprisingly tiny and light, fitting snugly into your ears so you can sleep in every position, including your side -- although, at first, I had to adjust my head while sleeping on my side to prevent unwanted pressure from the earbud against the pillow. I typically don't like wearing earbuds, but I found these to be more comfortable than most other brands I've tried.
For the active noise cancellation to work correctly, you have to wear the right size of foam tip in your ears. The fit should be snug and airtight, which may be uncomfortable for those with extremely sensitive ear canals. I tried the XS and small sizes before finding the medium was much more effective at reducing the noises around me.
How they sound: These headphones do not have Bluetooth or connectivity; instead, they actively cancel out ambient sounds by generating opposite waveforms against the noise. This technology does not create any sound you can hear, like faint white noise, contrary to what I had expected. They're like advanced earplugs -- the goal is quietude. It's important to note that these headphones do not block everything. You can still hear higher-frequency sounds and sudden noises, which can be good if you still want to hear certain things, such as your alarm clock.
I tried a few simulations and found that it significantly reduced lower-frequency sounds. As for snoring, I could still hear it faintly next to me when the snoring simulation was at full volume, but it was much less noticeable.
The QuietOn 3.1 Earbuds come with a compact carrying case for easy traveling and charging. The headphones' materials are high-quality and durable, and the battery life is impressive, lasting up to 28 hours on a single charge. At nearly $300, they're expensive, but if you're consistently losing sleep because of snoring and other disruptive noises, these may be worth it.
Pros:
Effective low-frequency noise cancellation
Small earbuds create a comfortable and secure fit
Long battery life
Can sleep in any position
Cons:
Expensive
Can't play your own audio
Won't remove or block all sounds


How CNET tests the best sleep headphones
Our experts analyze the following criteria when testing and reviewing sleep headphones and earbuds for sleeping:

Comfort: In the end, sound quality and noise cancellation are irrelevant if the sleep headphones are uncomfortable. We tested the headphones in each sleeping position (side, stomach and back) to determine how accommodating they felt from the perspective of different sleeper types. We noted whether they applied too much pressure against the head in a particular position, which can cause pain and headaches. Headphones that cause discomfort can adversely affect your sleep, so finding a comfortable and virtually imperceptible pair is crucial.
Noise cancellation or masking: We tested the headphones in various situations and environments, primarily focusing on snoring simulations and loud sounds such as television or music. The snoring simulations were played at a high volume on the bedside table to test the headphones' abilities to block out or actively cancel noises. We also tested them with real snoring by our partners who snore.
Security or stability: Part of sleep headphones' wearability and comfort includes how well they stay in place throughout the night. If your earbuds constantly fall out or your headband slides off, it's annoying and makes staying asleep difficult. We analyzed this by switching positions and intentionally moving around during our testing process (and unintentionally moving around while sleeping at night) to see how well each pair of headphones stayed put.
Sound quality: We tested the headphones' sound features based on each pair's unique capabilities. There should be no to minimal cracking or static sounds, and the quality should be good enough to minimize best noise cancelling headphones sudden changes in sound that can disrupt your sleep. They should also have adjustable volume levels and clear audio -- especially if you're listening to audiobooks or podcasts.
Battery life: Being required to charge a device daily can be tedious (and easy to forget). You don't want to crawl into bed, eager to put on your headphones and peacefully fall asleep, only to realize they're dead. A pair of headphones that can last at least two nights without a charge scores extra points.
Special features: Some brands offer additional features or perks that enhance the functionality of the headphones, such as a free audio library, adjustable sizing and machine-washability.
Price: Headphones and earbuds for sleep range drastically in price, from budget-friendly options under $30 to top-of-the-line products costing hundreds of dollars. We included a variety of headphones, so you can find a pair that works regardless of the price.