Have you ever fell asleep with headphones on? Then you may know the painful feeling of pressure in or on the ears shortly after waking up. If you still don’t want to miss out on the evening listening pleasure in bed, special sleep headphones are a useful addition.
Some people can fall asleep better with music, while others prefer audio books to be lulled to sleep by the gentle voice of the storyteller. But also noise-related sleep disorders – triggered by noisy neighbors or the snoring partner – can be a reason why people go to sleep with headphones. In itself, that’s not a problem if normal in- and over-ear models weren’t so terribly uncomfortable in the ears when you fall asleep on your side. So that you can sleep through the night without pain, sleep headphones are a sensible alternative. We present five different models to you.
Comparison: Comfortable headphones for sleeping
Unlike normal in- and over-ear models, sleep headphones look like normal headbands or sleeping masks. And that’s intentional: thanks to the integrated speakers, you can enjoy your favorite music or audio book lying down without feeling any pressure on your ears. The material is soft and elastic, so that it is not perceived as annoying when sleeping. Nevertheless, there are also quite different variants here:
1. The elastic headband is not only breathable but also hypoallergenic. It adapts to any head shape and is also washable when you remove the integrated speakers. Using the built-in microphone, Bluetooth technology and volume control buttons, you can make calls with the sleep headphones and jump back and forth between songs, podcast episodes or audio book chapters. Play time is more than ten hours, so you can wear the headband all night.
2. These sleep headphones are reminiscent of sleep masks, as they not only cover the ears, but also the eyes – and on purpose. According to the manufacturer, the opaque model fits any face (thanks to the adjustable strap) without putting too much pressure on the eyes. This is made possible by deep contours that have been integrated into the model. In contrast to the headband headphones, the Bluetooth mask also functions as sleeping glasses that completely darken your eyes and play the desired tracks for up to ten hours.
3. This model should also cover the eyes while sleeping so that no more light can penetrate through the elastic and breathable material made of washable cotton. According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts up to ten hours – then the sleep headphones switch off automatically. The built-in speakers are also close to the ears so that you can enjoy clear sound. You can connect the model to your smartphone via Bluetooth so that you can use the headphones in bed as well as on long flights. Thanks to the microphone, calls can even be taken.
4. These headphones also come in the form of a headband. The manufacturer advertises that its model can not only be used to (fall) sleep, but also during sports, on air travel or for meditation. Thanks to its ultra-thin HD stereo speakers, the sleep headphones should be able to deliver clear sound. Thanks to its elastic shape, this model also fits on every head, and it is completely washable (if you remove the module). It is particularly emphasized that disturbing ambient noise should be suppressed by the headband.
5. The last model in this series resembles classic headphones, but – according to the manufacturer – should also be suitable for sleeping. This is made possible by the ergonomic fit, including the double-layer tip, which should hug the auricle perfectly. Developed especially for side sleepers, the sleep headphones advertise maximum comfort and improved noise reduction. The model made of soft silicone is extremely light and should hardly be noticeable in the ears and should not cause any pressure pain.

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