5 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Sleeping in 2023

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Getting a proper seven to eight hours of sleep is challenging, especially if you’re sensitive to sounds like me. 

Various types of noises, such as those due to snoring, creaking floors/doors, pets, traffic, or the weather outside, are enough to disrupt our sleep or affect its quality. This is where noise-canceling headphones for sleeping fit in perfectly. 

They block out every sort of external noise, creating a peaceful sleep environment. But what are the best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping? You may wonder. 

Read on to learn about the top five ANC (Active Noise Control) headphones to ensure you get a sound sleep. 

Key Takeaways

• Bose, SleepPhones, MUSICOZY, and Soundcore are the top brands for NC headsets. 
• The best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping are lightweight, in/over-ear, comfortable, and wireless. 
• Some headphones only let you play sleep-specific music or tones. Hence, you can give them a thought. 

What Is the Best Brand for Noise-Canceling Headphones for Sleeping? 

Which brand makes the best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping? This question must have struck your mind at least once. And with the market being flooded with so many models, it’s challenging to narrow down the best one. 

Have a look below at the comparison table to check out some of the top brands’ headphones features.  

Related: 5 Best Cat Ear Headphones in 2023 – The Complete Guide

Brand	Price (Avg.)	Sound Quality	Design & Comfort	Active Noise Cancelation	Battery Life (Avg.)
Bose	$$$	Exceptional	Sleek & modern	Yes	20 hours
MUSICOZY	$	Exceptional	Premium build	Yes	10-12 hours
Soundcore	$$	Decent	Lightweight	Yes	10 hours
Silensys	$$$	Balanced	Comfortable, durable	Yes	30 hours
SleepPhones	$$	Decent	Stylish & diverse	Yes	24 hours

Related: Best Wireless Headphones for TV in 2023

How to Choose Noise-Canceling Headphones for Sleeping? 

This is what to look for in the best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping. 

Type & Comfort

Different types of noise-canceling headphones for sleeping have varying comfort levels. While in-ear and over-ear are generally the best, you should keep in mind what kind of sleeper you are.

For side sleepers, in-ear headphones work the best, and over-ear for back sleepers. 

Pro Tip: If your sleeping style is a mix of both, wear sleep a mask or headband. 

Connectivity

It goes without saying that wireless noise-canceling headphones are more suitable for sleeping than a wired headset. 

Weight

Since you’ll be wearing the headphones for at least a few hours or throughout the night, it’s important to have lightweight ones that don’t put any pressure on your head or ears. 

Battery Life

A long battery life will ensure you don’t need to charge your headphones daily and they don’t run out of juice in the middle of your sleep. 

Related: Best Headphone Stands – 5 Options from Budget to High-end

5 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Sleeping – Summary

• Best Overall: Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones
• Best Budget: MUSICOZY 3D Mask Sleep Headphones
• Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds: Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Earbuds
• Best for In-flight Sleeping: Silensys E7 Active Noise-Canceling Headphones
• Best Noise-Canceling Headband Headphones for Sleeping – ASMRBAND Sleep Headphones

5 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Sleeping – Reviewed

Now, let’s explore in more detail the best noise-canceling headphones in 2023.

1. Best Overall Noise-Canceling Headphones for Sleeping 

 Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones 

Specifications 

• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Type: Over-ear
• Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
• Microphone: Yes
• Weight: 8.3 ounces

The first product in the category of noise-canceling headphones for sleeping is Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones, for good reasons. 

Featuring Bose’s top-of-the-line ANC headsets, the QC 35 II is your true sleep partner for a serene bedtime. Be it the conversations going on in your adjacent room, continuous traffic outside, or wild weather, you’ll be unaffected by each of these sounds and noises, that’s for sure! 

Regardless of them being over-ear headphones, I didn’t face any issues wearing them while napping, credit to their slim profile and rotating earcups. Weighing a mere 8.3 ounces, QC 35 II is lightweight, too. Hence, you can wear them for hours.

Note: Download the Bose Connect app and make the best use of these Noise-canceling headphones. 

Regarding the battery life, you get up to 20 hours of playtime (without ANC) on a single complete charge. This is equivalent to a coast-to-coast flight across the US three or four times! However, other headphones offer slightly more juice at this price. 

Lastly, the latest Bluetooth technology powers these headphones, ensuring a quick connection with nearby devices. For the Bluetooth codecs, QC 35 II supports both SBC and AAC. 

Pros

• Best-in-class noise isolation 
• Comfortable and slim design
• Long-lasting battery
• Clearer, crisper, and deeper sound 

Cons

• No multipoint
• Earcups aren’t padded sufficiently

Check the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones’ latest price on Amazon.

2. Best Budget Noise-Canceling Headphone for Sleeping 

MUSICOZY 3D Mask Sleep Headphones 

Specifications 

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, v5.2
• Type: On-ear
• Battery Life: 10-12 hours
• Microphone: Yes
• Weight: 3.7 ounces

What if your headphones could also function as a sleep mask, blocking up to 99% of the light? Yes, it’s possible, and the MUSICOZY 3D Mask Sleep Headphones are the best example. 

As many of you may have guessed, this headset resembles your regular sleep eye mask, with a small headphone unit built-in. This helps you relax in total darkness and allows you to sleep with soothing music at the same time. Taking care of the HD sound quality are the 11 mm drivers and speakers.

The overall build quality of these 3D mask headphones is pretty decent, with pure and premium cotton comprising 90% of the material it’s made of. So, there’s sufficient cushioning for the eyes and ears alike.

Besides, the long-lasting battery also makes MUSICOZY 3D Mask Sleep Headphones a worthy investment. Despite being small, the battery gives a total playtime of 10-12 hours on a quick charge of 2 hours.

Lastly, Bluetooth 5.2 leads to an ultra-fast and virtually unbreakable connection between the headphones and your handset, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and more. 

Pros

• Blocks light and noise simultaneously 
• The battery can last for a couple of nights without charging 
• Flexible design for extra comfort 
• One-touch controls at the front 

Cons

• Not ideal for small heads 
• Difficult to clean

Check the MUSICOZY 3D Mask Sleep Headphones’ latest price on Amazon.

3. Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds for Sleeping 

Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Earbuds

Specifications 

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, v5.2
• Type: In-ear
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
• Microphone: Yes
• Weight: 0.64 ounces

If you prefer earbuds to headphones while sleeping, I found Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Headphones an ideal match for you. Here’s why. 

Based on Soundcore’s custom noise-canceling, these earbuds automatically detect the noise levels around you and switch to the best mode (you can also choose any mode manually from the official Soundcore app.) This helps in reducing the noise by up to 98%. So, no more frequent wake-ups during bedtime! 

The unique design of Space A40 should also be mentioned here, as it offers complete noise isolation. Both earbuds are slightly angled and soft-textured to give you the right in-ear fit. Due to this, you don’t need to worry about them falling off while resting. 

These earbuds use Bluetooth’s latest v5.2 chipset with multipoint to establish a stable connection between two devices simultaneously. For the Bluetooth codecs, Space A40 supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC. 

When it comes to battery life, it’s way better than most of their competitors at 10 hours per charge. However, you should switch off the ANC earbuds when not in use. If not, you’ll end up with reduced playtime of around 7-8 hours. But technically, you don’t need to worry about this that much, as the charging case will keep your buds powered up for whenever you need them. 

Pros

• Extremely lightweight
• Great noise isolation 
• Supports multiple Bluetooth codecs
• The earbuds don’t fall off easily

Cons

• Some pairing issues persist
• The microphone mutes regularly

Check the Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Earbuds’ latest price on Amazon.

4. Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for In-Flight Sleeping 

Silensys E7 Active Noise-Canceling Headphones 

Specifications 

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, v5.0
• Type: Over-ear
• Battery Life: Up to 30 hours
• Microphone: Yes
• Weight: 9.9 ounces

For in-flight sleeping, I highly recommend the Silensys E7 Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones. It’s not just because of their affordability, but also due to their other numerous premium features. 

The headset makes use of the latest ANC technology that significantly reduces any surrounding noise you can hear, whether it’s the movement of passengers and crew members, or other sounds in the aircraft. The best part? Active noise cancellation works equally well in both wireless and wired models. 

Thanks to their custom 45 mm large-aperture drivers, these headphones produce superior sounds with crystal crisp clarity. This feature comes in handy for all types of music, including sleep-inducing tunes. There’s well-balanced deep bass, too. 

For a seamless and stable connection, Silensys E7 houses the Bluetooth v5.0 chipset. This enables a super quick pairing with all supported devices, like smartphones, tablets, etc. 

Talking about design and comfort, these adjustable headphones score a 5/5. Be it the flexible headband or the 90° rotating earcups for all-day comfort, both are crafted from durable and breathable material with enough cushioning for marshmallow-like softness.

Lastly, the battery life is also the Sylensys E7’s key feature. The headphones’ built-in 750mAh battery keeps them running for up to 30 hours, making them an ideal choice for long-haul flights. No matter how long you keep the headset on, the battery won’t die! 

Pros

• Extra soft ear cushions
• Produces clear sound with a well-balanced bass
• Ideal for back sleepers
• Adjustable design

Cons

• Your ears may get warm
• Not the latest Bluetooth version

Check the Silensys E7 Active Noise-Canceling Headphones’ latest price on Amazon.

5. Best Noise-Canceling Headband Headphones for Sleeping  

ASMRBAND Sleep Headphones

Specifications 

• Connectivity: Wireless
• Type: Headband
• Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
• Microphone: Yes
• Weight: 3.2 ounces

Last but not least, here are the ASMRBAND Sleep Headphones. These are your best bet if you want the headset to function as your sleep mask, as well. 

Weighing just 3.2 ounces, the headphones are probably the lightest ones I came across during my testing. Thus, wear them for as long as you want, while you’re asleep, without causing any pressure on your forehead. Since the headband is made of soft and breathable fabric, there’s no reason to worry about sweaty or irritated skin, either. 

Note: These noise-canceling headphones for sleeping are machine- and hand-washable, too. Just remove the speakers before washing. 

When it comes to noise cancelation, I found them pretty decent, with and without music. These headphones almost block out those disturbing noises around you, whether caused by the TV running or a dog barking outside. 

Unlike most budget earphones for sleeping, with these, you also get a built-in stereo speaker and a high-quality microphone for an ensemble-like digital sound. Connectivity-wise, ASMRBAND sleep headphones come with wireless capabilities, with an operating range of up to 45 ft. Hence, you can pair them with any compatible smartphone or portable device. 

The battery life also gets a big thumbs-up from me. A single charge, which takes approx. 2-2.5 hours with USB, gives you a good 12 hours of playtime. Isn’t this cool? 

Pros

• Multipurpose headband
• Easy to wash
• Breathable mesh to prevent sweaty scalps
• Doesn’t put excess pressure on the hairline

Cons

• Average build quality
• Difficult to remove the speakers 

Check the ASMRBAND Sleep Headphones’ latest price on Amazon.

Related: How To Connect Your Headphones To TV

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Sleeping: FAQs

Q: Is It Safe to Sleep With Headphones On?

A: Sleeping with your headphones on is generally safe. But note the following:

• Use an over-ear headset;
• Keep the volume as low as possible; 
• Ensure the headphones are comfortable.  

Q: Is It Good to Sleep With Noise-Canceling Headphones On?

A: Yes, it’s good to sleep with noise-canceling headphones on to block out external noises. 

Q: Is It OK to Sleep With AirPods In?

A: Although it’s OK to sleep with AirPods in, side sleepers may feel discomfort, due to their design. 

Q: Can You Just Use Noise-Canceling Headphones Without Music?

A: Yes, you can use noise-canceling headphones without music. They will still give you the silence needed for good-quality sleep. 

Q: Do Sleep Headbands Block Out Snoring?

A: Whether a sleep headband will block out snoring or not primarily depends on its design and the fabric it’s made of. Materials like fleece, sherpa, and neoprene are some examples. 

Still, a sleep headband isn’t as effective as earplugs. 

Related: 5 Best Headphones With Mic – A Helpful Guide and Reviews

Conclusion 

Here you go. That’s all about the best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping. Whether at home or on a flight, these earphones are designed to keep away the surrounding noises and give you a peaceful rest. So, say no to midnight wake-ups! 

And if you enjoyed this article, you may want to read more on the best noise-canceling headphones for dogs, as well. If you have a canine friend, that is!

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