Major upheavals in people’s personal and professional lives can lead to insomnia. When people’s emotional state becomes disturbed, they struggle to sleep at night because their mind is consciously keeping them awake. The brain tries to ponder over and solve the problems that they are facing.
According to Professor Colin Espie, a professor of sleep medicine at the University of Oxford, sleep plays an important role in emotion regulation. When we sleep at night, our brain processes and sorts our memories, emotions, and thoughts. All the events of the day and our reactions and feelings to it are processed and stored Hippocampus as memories. This is why people can have frantic dreams during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep if they have had a really stressful day or are worried about the proceedings of the next day.
It was found that since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic and worldwide lockdowns, millions of people have struggled to sleep at night. According to the statistics collected by the Sleep Foundation, around 10% to 30% of adults suffer from chronic insomnia, and nearly 35.2% of all the adults in the USA get less than 7 hours of sleep at night, which affects their mood and performance the next day.
To help people sleep peacefully at night and cure their insomnia, sleep experts recommend listening to soothing melodies that can help them drift into a deep sleep.
But the effects of it can truly be felt when people listen to music through noise-canceling headphones. Even soft noises like the footsteps of someone outside their bedroom or the cars passing by on the streets can distract your brain and shift your thought pattern. To maintain your focus on the relaxing and meditative music and drift off to sleep, you need noise-canceling headphones to cancel out all the background noise and distractions. It will be just you and your music, journeying through the land of dreams.
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Things to Consider when Buying Best Noise-canceling Headphones for Sleeping
The best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping should have the following features:
Specific for Noise Cancelation
It is important for you to understand that noise isolating headphones are not the same as noise-canceling headphones. Noise-isolating headphones just create a barrier between your ear and the environment by covering your ears completely. They function and sound a lot like everyday headphones that people use to listen to music or podcasts on the train or at the libraries.
However, noise-canceling headphones use the Digital Signaling Processing (DSP) technology to actively cancel the ambient noise that you hear from your surroundings. These headphones have in-built microphones and an audio processor that detects the ambient sound and produces a counter sound of the same frequency and amplitude to cancel it out. In technical terms, this process is known as a destructive interface. As a result, you hear the crystal clear sound of just the song or meditative chant that you are playing on your phone.
Construction and Design
The construction and design of your noise-canceling headphones for sleeping should support its function. Some noise-canceling headphones can be very big and heavy. Even though they come with extra padding to sit comfortably on your ears for hours straight, the weight and size of these headphones can cause discomfort and pain. People often complain of headaches or earaches after wearing bulky noise-canceling headphones for 2 to 3 hours.
Experiencing such pain and discomfort will wake you up from your sleep and can make it even harder for you to fall asleep in the first place. Therefore, you need noise-canceling headphones that have been specially designed and constructed for sleeping.
Moreover, these headphones should be thin and soft so that even when you sleep on your sides, you don’t feel pain or discomfort on your ears and head.
You may even want to consider sleek-looking headphones in vibrant colors as these look great when you wear them outside in public places or if you are someone who usually falls asleep on the bus or train while commuting to college or work.
Size and Fitting
You should never wear ill-fitting headphones or headphones that are either too big for your head or too small. Wearing ill-fitting headphones can lead to severe headaches and will make it twice as difficult for you to fall asleep. Always try on the noise-canceling headphones for sleeping so that you know that you are purchasing the one that fits you well. In case you decide to order them online, make sure the headphones are adjustable, and you can easily adjust their size and fitting.
Bluetooth Connection
Most noise-canceling headphones for sleeping have a Bluetooth connection and are compatible with most mobile devices like smartphones, tablets and smart speakers. You don’t necessarily have to plug in the headphones to your device or personal computer and can just use the Bluetooth connection to play the song on your headphones. This makes it very easy while you are falling asleep because plugging in the headphones to your devices will restrict your movement while sleeping. You could get tangled in the cords, and it can be very dangerous if the cord wraps itself around your neck as you are fast asleep.
Having a Bluetooth connection ensures that regardless of the distance, your headphones can be connected to any other device that has a Bluetooth connection and can play your songs. So, even if your personal computer is stationed on your writing desk and it 10 feet away from your bed, without any hassle, you can connect your headphones to your PC through the Bluetooth connection, play your song on your PC, hear it over your headphones and fall fast asleep.
Cordless
There are many noise-canceling headphones in the market that are completely cordless. Meaning, there is no need for them to be plugged into any device in order for you to listen to your favorite songs while sleeping. These cordless noise-canceling headphones don’t just have a Bluetooth connection, but they also have a Wi-Fi connection and internal playlist management software that allows you to download songs, create playlists and manage them just like you would on your iPods.
Having cordless noise-canceling headphones makes them extremely portable, and they become your best travel partner as you travel long distances and fall asleep during flights. You just have to download your favorite songs while you are in the range of Wi-Fi and play them from the playlist when you are on a flight.
Battery Life
Typically, the average battery life of noise-canceling headphones is between 4 to 8 hours. This makes them ideal for sleeping for 8 hours without the need for charging in between. You just have to charge the battery to full before going for bed and enjoy the music as you sleep for 8 hours, uninterrupted.
To purchase the best noise-canceling headphone for sleeping, you must be sure that the battery life of your noise-canceling headphone is at least 6 to 8 hours. A noise-canceling headphone that works for just 3 hours on a single charge will not be sufficient for your needs, especially if you decide to use them on long-haul flights.
Customer Reviews
It is very important to check the customer reviews from multiple websites or forums before you make your purchase. Going through customer reviews will help you decide which noise-canceling headphone is best for sleeping as the customers will point out its various features, pros and cons and even provide comparisons. People who have used these noise-canceling headphones before will be able to narrate their personal experiences with the device and will prove to be the best guide for you. Sometimes, it can get tricky to spot the difference between paid or fake reviews and the reviews posted by genuine users or customers.
That’s why it’s advisable that you check and compare the reviews from different websites and forums to get a holistic idea of the device, its advantages and disadvantages. Even if the headphones don’t turn out to be exactly what you wanted, at least you will be a well-informed buyer.
Price
On average, noise-canceling headphones for sleeping cost between $50 and $100. However, the price will vary depending on the manufacturer, the design, features and its popularity with the consumers. For example, Sony noise-canceling headphones are priced around USD 200 to 350 because of their excellent performance, manufacturer’s reputation and popularity, whereas Anker SoundCore Life headphones are as cheap as $50 per piece.
You must make sure that your noise-canceling headphone for sleeping should be within your budget and should not be overpriced. However, if you are considering it to be a one-time investment, then it is best to go for an option in mid-range. A headphone that is priced between $80 to $150 works best.
Warranty
Within the USA, noise-canceling headphones typically come with a limited warranty period of one year. This makes sure that if you order your headphones online and receive a defective product or it stops working after a few weeks or months, then within the warranty period, you can have the headphones repaired or replaced, free of charge. Most manufacturers allow you to claim the warranty by contacting their customer service and reporting the problem to them.
In order to claim the warranty, you must keep the receipt of purchase and warranty card safe with you for a year. If you purchase noise-canceling headphones without a valid warranty period, the manufacturers or authorized dealers are not liable for the faulty headphones. That’s why it is recommended that you avoid purchasing second-hand noise-canceling headphones or purchase them from an unauthorized dealer, as most often, they will not give you the warranty card along with the product.
Best Noise-canceling Headphones for Sleeping
The following are the best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping that are available online:
1) Vankyo C751 Hybrid Active Noise-canceling Headphones
Labeled as a No.1 Best Seller, Vankyo C751 Hybrid active noise-canceling headphones reduce ambient noise up to 90%. Whether you are trying to block out the traffic noises outside your house or the deep snoring of your partner, the Vankyo noise-canceling headphones will cancel out just about any noise thanks to its CVC 8.0 noise-canceling technology.
- 🎶 [Immersive Music Experience]: Dive into a world of...
- 🔇 [Advanced Noise Cancellation]: Escape the noise of the...
- 📡 [Efficient Bluetooth Connectivity]: Featuring the...
- 🔋 [Superior Battery Life]: Powered by a long-lasting...
- 🎧 [Universal Comfort for All-Day Use]: Our lightweight...
- 🔌 [Quick Charging for Non-Stop Music]: Our headphones are...
Vankyo headphones are wireless and connect via Bluetooth 5.0. They are compatible with all mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, as well as personal computers like laptops and desktops.
Its exceptionally fast 10-min USB-turbo charging can give you battery life for 2 hours. Full charging for 2 to 3 hours will give you 30 hours of uninterrupted playtime. Its dual 40mm large-aperture drivers produce high-frequency audio and make it ideal for handling heavy beats and bass. The Vankyo noise-canceling headphones can reproduce sounds up to a frequency of 40 kHz.
And here is the best part. The smart and innovative design of these noise-canceling headphones makes them a perfect traveling partner. You can fold the ear cups inwards and make the headphones compact so that they can easily fit into their protective pouch for traveling.
Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 2.37 x 1.47 inches
- CVC 8.0 Noise reduction microphone
- Reduces ambient noise up to 90%
- Wireless
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
- Thumping bass
- 40mm large-aperture drivers for Hi-Fi audio
- Foldable ear cups
- Portable
- Sleek design
- USB-turbo fast charging
- Up to 30 hours of playtime upon a single charge
- Memory protein earpads
- Very affordable
- Great value for money
- Heavy (1.59 pounds or 0.7 Kgs)
- Bulky design
- Not suitable for women
- Not suitable for sleeping
- Especially inconvenient for side sleepers
- Only available in black color
- Information regarding the warranty period is missing
2) Mpow H12 IPO Active Noise-canceling Headphones
These Noise-canceling headphones actively cancel out 90% of the low-frequency ambient noises that you hear from your surroundings. Priced under $55, these noise-canceling headphones are wireless and come with a Bluetooth connection to help you enjoy a comfortable sleep without getting tangled in the cords.
- Active Noise Cancelling ANC: Advanced ANC technology...
- Custom 45mm Large Aperture Drivers: Make the world sound...
- Premium Built-in Microphone and Bluetooth 5.0 Technology: By...
- Light Weight and All-day Comfort: With Natural protein...
- Keep the Music Going: With 30Hours playtime with a built-in...
The headphones can be fast-charged using a Type-C cable, and you can enjoy 40 hours of playtime on a single charge.
The intelligent design of Mpow active noise-canceling headphones makes them foldable and bendable. You can fold the ear pads and the headband to make the headphones compact and pack them away in a small bag or box while traveling.
The adjustable headband makes it convenient for you to adjust the size and let it fit properly over your head. Mpow’s noise-canceling headphones have protein leather ear cups that have been fashioned with memory foam padding to ensure that the headphones fit comfortably over your ears
The internal stereo sound of these noise-canceling headphones produces a seamless listening experience, allowing you to feel every beat of the song.
Mpow headphones’ thumping bass feature with customized graphene drivers is equipped to handle heavy beats and can produce excellent sound for frequencies as high as 20 kHz. The sound is so clear that you will feel as if you are a part of a live concert.
Whether you have connected the headphones to your cellphone, laptop or tablet, the Mpow headphone will automatically adjust the volume to give you the best sound and feel.
Product Dimensions: 6.77 x 5.83 x 3.5 inches
- CVC 8.0 noise cancellation technology
- Excellent sound quality
- Wireless
- Lightweight (only weighs 9.3 ounces or 0.2 Kgs)
- 0 Bluetooth connection
- Fast charging (2 to 3 hours for complete charging)
- Offers 40 hours of playtime on a single charge
- Bendable, foldable
- Portable
- Adjustable headband
- Memory foam padded ear cups
- Customized 40mm graphene drivers produce stereo sound
- Thumping bass supports heavy beats
- Package includes; headphones, audio cable, Type-C cable, carrying bag, user manual
- Affordable (Less than USD 55)
- Available in 3 colors; black, pure green and rose gold
- Looks bulky
- Design is not ideal for women
- Not good for sleeping
- Especially uncomfortable for side sleepers
- Does not come with a warranty
3) Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise-canceling Headphones
Manufactured by Bose Corporation, which is one of the leading manufacturing companies of audio equipment, Bose QuietComfort Noise-canceling headphones have been rated 4.5 stars out of 5 stars due to the exceptionally good performance and sound quality.
QuietComfort 25 noise-canceling headphones are wired headphones and hence need to be plugged into the device in order to hear the music over the headphones.
The QuietComfort 25 headphones operate on 3 AAA size batteries and only weigh 1.3 pounds or 0.5 Kg. Their lightweight makes them ideal to be worn during sleeping or while traveling.
Product Dimensions: 0.91 x 5.98 x 7.52 inches
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Excellent sound quality
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Sleek design
- Adjustable headband
- Single touch power switch on the ear pad
- Replaceable ear cushions
- Battery operated
- 35 hours of battery life
- Compatible with Apple devices
- Old model. Was first launched in 2014
- Wired headphones
- Doesn’t have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity
- Does offer good value for money
- Pricey
- Only available in black color
- Requires frequent battery replacement
- Information regarding the warranty period is unavailable
- Not good for side sleepers
4) New Sleep Phones Wireless Sleep Headphones by Acoustic Sheep
The New Wireless Sleep Phones or Sleep Headphones by Acoustic Sheep may not be noise-canceling headphones, but they sure are an amazing option if you want to fall asleep while listening to soothing melodies without feeling the slightest pain or discomfort.
An innovative sleep inducer that was invented and patented by a family physician, these sleep phones cover your ears and forehead and are the best headphones for side sleepers. Its ultra-flat speakers and soft cloth lining make it look just like an ordinary headband.
The fleece velvet fabric is extremely absorbent and is available in a variety of beautiful colors like lilac, blue, violet and soft gray to suit your unique taste.
The wireless headband by Acoustic Sheep works with Bluetooth connectivity and is compatible with most mobile and desktop devices. This rechargeable sleep headphone reaches full charge in less than hours and provides up to 12 hours of playtime. Its ultra-flat speakers produce clear sound and make falling asleep an extremely soothing experience.
Product Dimensions: 6.25 x 4.25 x 1.58 inches
- Perfect for sleeping
- Works best for side sleepers
- Ultra-flat speakers
- Looks and feels just like a headband
- USB charging
- 12 hours of playtime with a single charge
- Made with soft and comfortable fleece cloth
- Available in 6 beautiful colors
- Invented by a family physician
- Effective sleep inducer
- High-quality sound
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless
- Moisture absorbent
- Lightweight (3.98 ounces or 0.11 kgs)
- Affordable
- Not a noise-canceling headphone
- Does not cancel or reduce ambient sounds
- Does not reproduce high-frequency sounds
- Doesn’t support heavy beats or bass
- Does not look like a headphone
- Information regarding the warranty period is unavailable\
Conclusion
Whether you are a chronic insomniac or a person who likes to fall asleep on long journeys, you need noise-canceling headphones to help you shut out the ambient noises and fall into a deep, peaceful sleep. The best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping are ones that are lightweight, have internal microphones and speakers to cancel out the ambient noise, wireless, have Bluetooth connectivity and produce excellent sound quality.
Even though it is hard to find a noise-canceling headphone for sleeping if you are a side sleeper, we hope that with the options mentioned above, you will be able to find the best noise-canceling headphone for sleeping within your budget.
