Whether you’ve experienced it firsthand, or know someone that has, it’s not entirely uncommon for Americans to have issues getting to sleep on a nightly basis. According to a study conducted by Consumer Reports, about 27% of all Americans have experienced some issue or another when it comes to sleeping. While certain strategies like limiting screen time or reading an old fashioned book before bed can help, sometimes you might just need a bit of noise to help you fall asleep—and that’s where sleep headphones can come in handy.
As evidenced by their namesake, sleep headphones are designed to be worn while you go to sleep. The majority of sleep headphones have unobtrusive speakers that line up right where your ears are to quietly and subtly provide noise (whether music or just ocean waves) to those who may need it. It’s a more comfortable solution than just sticking your traditional earbuds in and hoping you can sleep despite the discomfort. If you’re looking to test drive a pair for yourself or give a set to someone close to you, we’ve rounded up six of the best sleep headphones out on the market right now.