Discover the 7 best sleep headbands to help you drift off into a peaceful sleep

Selection of sleep headbands

by Laura Healy |
Updated on

It can be hard to get a peaceful night's sleep when you are a parent but the best sleep headbands are increasingly popular with new parents. They allow you to listen to music, an audio book or even meditations whilst laying in bed without the annoyance caused by earbuds falling out. They are also great for handsfree listening so work perfectly for night feeds, or sport.

Some sleep head bands are also noise cancelling, which might not be ideal for new parents, we know how important it is to hear your baby's cries and tend to them, but they might be great for parents of older children, who can enjoy their audio book without the noise of Bluey or Peppa Pig in the background.

Sleep headbands come in various shapes and sizes but they are essentially a soft headband which allows you to hear your music or audio book through in built speakers, plus because they are noise cancelling they should hopefully block any snoring too. Typically made from soft, stretchy fabric, they are like traditional headphones but made wireless and sleep friendly for comfort.

Best sleep headbands at a glance

Best overall sleep headband: MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones - Buy at Amazon UK
Best budget sleep headphones: Bathgate sleep headphones - Buy at Amazon UK
Best sleep headband for white noise: Satzuma Sleep Mask - Buy at Boots
Best sleep headband eye mask: Sleep Headphones Eye Mask - Buy at Amazon UK

Whether you are a new parent looking for something to help you during night feeds, or just a busy mum who needs to find time to rest and relax, or even to use while practicing yoga, a sleep headband could be extremely handy. We have rounded up a selection of the best to help you choose.

Best overall sleep headbands

These are great for comfort whether you are watching a film in bed, doing sport, or trying to drift off to sleep. Reviewers commented on the comfort of this headband, saying, the "headband is soft, and when lying on your side, it doesn't press on the ear, avoiding any potential discomfort or pain. The volume is perfect for those who want to watch movies in bed without disturbing a sleeping partner. " However they did comment that it doesn't block out outside sounds very well, with one customer noting, "I wasn't particularly impressed with its ability to suppress snoring sounds."

In comparison to other sleep headbands, these are adjustable which makes them better to fit various head sizes and we liked that they stay in place while in use, without slipping. You can even adjust the position of the speakers which pleased reviewers, who said, "you can adjust the position of the speakers in the band which is really helpful, and they are disc shaped/flat enough that I can sleep on my side and it doesn't hurt my ear. You can also remove the speakers and battery pack/control unit from the band to be able to wash it which I really appreciate."

Overall they work well with a reliable battery life but the sound quality could be improved, with one reviewer saying, "the sound quality is better than I expected and perfectly fine at lower volumes. They do start to suffer if you're listening at a high volume, but I can't honestly see why you would want to have them up that high, even if you're working out/running in them."

Pros

  • Adjustable so fit all sizes and reviewers found them comfortable
  • Position of the speakers can be adjusted depending on how you sleep, eg. on your front, side or back.

Cons

  • They don't really cancel out noise very well
Battery life: 14 hours
Size: Adjustable from 19.6-25.5"
Machine washable: Yes
  • Comfortable, adjustable material
  • Long battery life
  • Position of speakers is adjustable
  • Machine washable

Best budget sleep headphones

These sleep headphones are a great budget option and customers commented on the great value for money they provide. They were also impressed with how versatile they are and said they can be used in bed and while out and about with one reviewer saying, "absolutely love these. I find that earphones fall out of my ears and headphones usually have a wire so I end up getting all tangled up. But these make my life so much easier. I often talk to people on the phone whilst walking my dogs or like to listen to music when doing the house work or jobs, so this makes that so much easier to do."

Customers were also impressed with the comfort of these headphones with one saying, "have been using for 3 weeks every night as I sleep. So far working well. Sound quality is good & charge lasts a while. Comfortable to wear not tight or loose!" However, one reviewer did find them hot in summer, noting, "the only downside is that in the summer they make my head very hot."

Although reviewers reported that the sound quality is good, some did say that the sound sometimes cuts out. One customer said, "it’s great to wear really comfortable but the sound keeps dropping out, most annoying when you trying to listen to your audiobook in bed," and another added, "these are disappointing as they switch on and off throughout the night when I'm wearing them which in turn disturbs my sleep."

However, overall, reviewers were pleased with the fit and comfort of these sleep headbands, as well as the quality and they commented the battery lasts well, saying, "I've only charged them once a month so far if that and I tend to use them once a day. But they are really quick to charge as well."

Pros

  • Quick to charge and they last a long time on one charge
  • Comfortable to wear, soft, light fabric

Cons

  • Some reviewers found the sound sometimes cuts out
Dimensions: 2.54 x 7.62 x 5.08 cm
Charging time: 2 hours
Battery life: 10 hours
  • Speakers can be removed for cleaning
  • Soft, light fabric
  • Good for side sleepers
  • Suitable for bedtime and sport

Best sleep headband for white noise

Satsuma sleep maskBoots

We love how soft this sleep mask is for really relaxing nights, plus it also doubles as an eye mask. One reviewer said it, "helps me sleep at night. It's very good if you like to listen to rain noises when you sleep." However, another customer thought they were not great for side sleepers, commenting, "chunky built-in headphones, uncomfortable sleeping on the side," although they did add that "the fabric is soft and pleasant to wear."

Boasting an all night battery, they are perfect for travel and sleep and they are easily rechargeable via USB. With convenient controls that can be accessed simply, these headphones make getting a good night's sleep straight forward for even the most tired parent.

Pros

  • Soft fabric is comfortable to sleep in
  • Battery lasts all night
  • Great for white noise to lull you to sleep

Cons

  • Headphones are chunky so not great for side sleepers
Dimensions:120 x 190 x 180cm
Play back time: 8 - 10 hours
Rechargeable: USB
  • Soft fabric
  • All night battery
  • Doubles as an eye mask

Best sleep headband with eye mask

For a really relaxing night's sleep this sleep headband also features an eye mask, with a middle panel that blocks light. Plus we love the soft velvet fabric it is made from for ultimate comfort. One reviewer was delighted with how it blocks out noise, saying, "bought this as my partner snores quite loudly and I’m a light sleeper. I had tried ear plugs, headphones and nothing worked. After feeling really frustrated and having a few arguments, I decided to order this with low expectations. But it works, it’s very comfortable to wear."

The manufacturer states that this headband is suitable for side sleepers with thin speakers, however, not all customers agreed. One reviewer said, "the speakers aren’t altogether comfortable for sleeping, they’re ok, at best. You can feel them for sure and it takes some getting used to (I’ve taken to falling asleep on my back)." However, other reviewers were pleased with the comfort of this sleep headband, "they’re flat-ish and they rest on your ears comfortably while sleeping."

While reviewers were pleased with the battery life, which they said was reliable, they did comment that they are slow to charge, saying, "the charge time is slow as it’s only USB. I tend to charge it during the day or early evening, whenever I’m around, so it’s ready for bed. But it does last a long time, so it’s not a daily issue - irritating if you forget though!" and they were also disappointed with how tricky it is to wash them, "the outer mask material is washable. But not without a little faff - taking speakers and wires out. So it’s an option if you have the time and patience."

Overall, customers were pleased with the noise cancelling function ,as well as the ability to block light with one reviewer saying, "I work overnights so it can be difficult to sleep during the day with light, but more importantly for me was sound. I can't sleep with a lot of extra sounds. I can put these on and start some music or soothing sounds and I'm out like a light for hours!"

Pros

  • Block out light and noise creating a peaceful sleeping environment
  • Soft velvet fabric is very comfortable to wear

Cons

  • Battery is slow to charge
Charge time: 2 hours
Battery life: 14 hours
Material: Cotton
  • Blocks light and sound
  • Soft velvet fabric
  • Suitable for side sleepers
  • Washable

Best sleep headbands for design

We love the fun design of these sleep headbands, which are stylish as well as practical. Made from soft breathable fabric they are comfortable to wear while sleeping and while doing sport or going for a walk. One reviewer said, "it's soft, comfortable and most importantly easy to use. The sound quality is surprising good."

Reviewers did find that they were not great at cancelling out all noise but this has both pros and cons, with one customer commenting, they are "convenient for walking as you can listen to your music but you are also aware of traffic/surrounding noise. (This is also a down side. They don’t block out noise very well even at the highest volume). I did find them comfortable to sleep in (not sleeping on side though) but I could still hear the neighbours through the wall so they didn’t fulfil their purpose go block the noise!"

Taking only 2 hours to charge and lasting up to 14 hours, reviewers were pleased with the battery life and its reliability, with one customer noting, "the battery life is also really impressive, especially for a battery so small," however, another customer was disappointed there was no auto- turn off function, saying, "they don't turn off automatically if media stops playing, remember to turn them off when you wake up."

While customers found these comfortable they did comment that they move a lot while sleeping, with one reviewer saying she woke up, "with them moved all the way to my forehead," and another customer, Janet, said they are not adjustable and "it was a bit big so I’ve turned it over a bit and stitched it."

Pros

  • A fun design and comfortable to wear
  • Reliable battery life and quick to charge

Cons

  • Headband is a bit big and can't be adjusted
Battery life: 14 hours
Charge time: 2 hours
Speaker thickness: 0.25 inches
  • Fun design
  • Quick to charge
  • Useful for sport, travel and sleep
  • Great sound quality

Best noise cancelling sleep headband

Designed by a doctor, the SleepPhones are ideal for when you need some quiet without lots of background noise. They can be used in bed, or when meditating or even when out and about and exercising. They are wireless and have a battery that charges in 3 hours and lasts for 24 hours. One reviewer, Miguel, said, "the product is great. It fits very nicely and sound is better than expected."

However, some reviewers were disappointed with how the speakers move around inside the band, with one customer commenting, "the speakers move freely and frequently within the headband and are difficult to rearrange through the material," while another found this problem meant, "they’re suitable for listening to a voice at a normal spoken volume with some clipping and distortion, but struggle with quiet voices and any music."

Overall, reviewers thought they were comfortable and liked the fact they are machine washable. One reviewer, Victoria, enjoyed the fit, noting, "the headband is great and creates a nice secure seal around my head meaning that it doesn't slip or move about overnight," and another customer was pleased at how effectively they cancel out noise, saying, "my head phones block out all unwelcome noise by connecting to blue tooth and any music or white noise play lists . So relaxing."

Pros

  • Good fit, they don't slip off while sleeping
  • Good battery life, can last for 24 hours on one charge
  • Reviewers thought they successfully cancelled out noise

Cons

  • The speakers slip about in the head phones and they are difficult to rearrange
Wireless range: 15-30 feet
Battery life: 24 hours
Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex
  • Great for side sleepers
  • Cancel out outside noise
  • Machine washable
  • Long battery life
  • Wireless

Best headband for side sleepers

SnoozebandSnoozeband

With really slim speakers, this sleep headband is perfect for side sleepers. It is made from very soft material, which is extremely comfortable for sleeping. One reviewer said they are "easy to use, comfortable to wear, and definitely helps me get into a deep sleep." They feature a 1 - 2 hour shut off function which helps maintain the battery which can last for 10-12 hours on a single charge and some reviewers commented that they have lasted for a week.

Alice, a reviewer, found they helped with her insomnia, commenting, "Snoozeband has been brilliant for me: sleeping for this insomniac has never been better. They are comfy to sleep in, quiet, subtle and well designed. The flat shape mean they are comfortable for side sleepers and back sleepers."

The electronics in the band can be removed for washing which we really liked and the volume is not too loud for night time use. One customer said they really do block outside noise too. However, some reviewers thought the band should be adjustable with one noting, it "needs to be adjustable or looser. Good quality but I can't wear them for any length of time."

Pros

  • Good quality fabric, very comfortable to wear
  • Thin speakers makes them ideal for side sleepers

Cons

  • Band is not adjustable so can be too tight for some people to wear for long
Speaker thickness: 4mm
Battery life: 10-12 hours
Washable: Yes
  • Slim speakers
  • Soft, washable fabric
  • Noise cancelling
  • Compatible with bluetooth

Do sleep headbands block out snoring?

Sleep headbands can be worn while in bed for noise cancelling, so theoretically they will help to block any annoying noises which might prevent you from sleeping, including snoring. However, how effective they are depends on which sleep headband you choose because they vary in effectiveness. Also, some people prefer to still hear a little background noise, especially when using the headbands for walking, so they can still hear traffic to ensure their safety.

Can sleep headbands be worn as an eye mask?

Some sleep headbands are designed to work as an eye mask and a bluetooth headband all in one, however, not all. You could pull the sleep headband down over your ears, but that might affect how much you can hear, or the sound quality, if the speaker is not right by your ear. Alternatively, they could be worn with an eye mask.

Is it safe to sleep with a sleep headband?

Yes, it is safe to sleep with a sleep headband on but be aware of the volume and ideally keep it below, 85dB. Sleep headbands are not worn in the ears which makes them better for sleeping than earbuds which are used inside the ear, and may also fall out during the night, but also earbuds can cause ear wax to build up, or if used for long periods of time, cause damage to the ear canal.

Obviously, if you choose a headband that effectively cancels out noise, do be aware that you might not be able to hear little ones calling out for you in the night, which with young children is a possibility. Generally though, sleep headbands are safe to use and can have a real calming effect for you at bedtime, giving you chance to create a quiet, relaxing space in which to fall asleep, or keeping your hands free while doing night feeds and still enjoying your audiobook, or even meditation.

Laura Healy is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mum-of-two girls and loves writing about all things parenting, she is particularly interested in the toddler years and eco-friendly baby products, as well as children’s literature. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and has published short stories in the UK and Ireland, as well as previously writing freelance for her local paper.

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