Choosing The Best Noise Cancelling Earmuffs for Sleeping
How well are you sleeping? We would all probably like to improve our sleep, even just a little. Do you live near a busy street? Have overactive kids or a partner that snores? Trouble sleeping in a hotel or airplane due to surrounding noise?
Imagine if you could silence the snoring, or sleep in any hotel room without fail. If any of these situations sound familiar, then you could probably benefit from noise-canceling earmuffs.
You’ll find there is a wide range of options, so dive in below to see what they are and the good and ugly of these products!
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At a Glance: My Top Choices for the Best Noise Cancelling Earmuffs 2022
If you are in a hurry, check out my top selections right here.
You can click through to learn more about the specs and pricing or continue reading to find their reviews.
Best Overall: Fulext Sleep Headphones
Most Budget-Friendly: Sprigs Earbags Bandless Earmuffs
Recommended Gear
Below I will go through a list of the best noise-canceling earmuffs for sleeping, where you will learn their key features, and what’s good and bad about each one.
Following the list, you can also read the buying guide to have a better understanding on how to choose the right earmuffs for you.
1. Fulext Sleep Headphones
The most popular option out there for sleeping better with any type of headwear are cloth headbands with built-in speakers. The speakers are flat and small and usually do not affect side-sleepers. The headband and the speakers help dampen outside noise and are comfortable to sleep in, exercise in, and take while traveling. Unlike, full headphones they are not large and bulky and fold up nicely when not in use.
- This headband will cover your ears and contains thin, flats speakers, that will help block out ambient sound even if they’re not turned on.
- Headband allows you to listen to your music without having to wear additional headphones
- Great if you’re trying sleep while blocking out the sounds of children, dorm life, shared apartments, noisy roommates, snoring spouses etc.
- Bluetooth technology enables pairing with any Apple or Android device
- Quickly charges to 10 hours of music playing time
- Headband is comfortable and washable
What I like
Overall, I really liked this product. The headband and speakers are very comfortable even for people who sleep on their side. The sound quality is good and the product offers good volume control options. The battery lasts a long time and the headband itself is easy to wash. The material is comfortable, breathes well, and even wicks away sweat. In case you wanted to know, there are over 3000 reviews with an average score of 4.5! That’s pretty impressive if you ask me.
What I don’t like
If you use the timer function for music, the device will say “connected” after the music stops playing, meaning it might wake you up if you are asleep. The other thing is, if you want to pull the headband over your eyes, you can, but it is not specifically designed for that role and you may have light leakage. While the speakers are comfortable, they do not move inside the headband, meaning you have to get the headband aligned just right so that the speakers sit on your ears properly.
2. Earbag Earmuffs
Earmuffs are your most basic option. Usually they’re not designed specifically for sleep, but do have the benefit of muffling some noise.
If you have no idea where to start or aren’t worried about blocking out louder noises or listening to music as you sleep, then you may wish to start here.
- Very lightweight and helps muffle sound
- No wrap-around band; the muffs connect directly to the ear
- Compact design allows for easy storage and transportation
- Come in multiple sizes
What I like
These are very cost-effective and very comfortable. They do help muffle distant sounds and even help keep the ears warm if your bedroom is cool. If you’re a heavy sleeper who just needs a little extra help with sound muffling, this might work for you.
What I don’t like
These aren’t specifically designed for sleep. They won’t block out sound completely, only lightly muffle it. If you’re a light sleeper, they will not do the job. Also, unlike most of the items listed here – these are not machine washable, only hand-washable.
3. MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Headband
These are just small jump up from the earmuffs but are specifically designed to help with sleep.
The circular design wraps around your eyes, ears, and back of your head.
- Design blocks all ambient light, muffles sound very well and is thick enough to act as its own pillow, which is particularly useful during travel
- Extended Velcro fasteners let you choose the shape and fit, making it a neck pillow or a reading pillow.
- Rolls up into a small, compact piece and can be safely stowed in a small bag or suitcase if traveling
- Good for blocking out light and sound while traveling or blocking our snoring at home
- Machine washable
What I like
It is easy to see how comfortable this pillow is. It connects to your luggage if you want to take it on a plane, or wraps up and fits easily into your suitcase or for storage at home. This device blocks out light extremely well.
If you’re looking for something that will truly help block out sounds, this might not quite be what you need. However, if you’re only looking for something to muffle sounds, this device does that quite well!
What I don’t like
This pillow is not very comfortable for side sleepers in bed – unless you’re willing to toss aside your regular pillow. If you do that, then this could work for you, but try it first before you make any final decision. While this wrap is very comfortable, if you’re sleeping for an extended period of time, this item might get too warm for you. It is big and fuzzy after all!
If that is an issue for you then this would be better suited for short sleeps (on a plane) or naps during the day. While this device helps to muffle sound, and does a good job of it, it is not something that truly blocks out sound. If you’re looking for that, then this product is not for you.
4. Hibermate Luxury Ear Muffs for Sleeping
These product types often cover both eyes and ears, but also include items that are called “ear cups.” These earcups attach to the traditional earmuff in the product and add additional levels of sound blocking.
Earcup Muffs are more likely to be what you need if you want silence without a lot of cost. They need a bit of adjustment, but work if you stick with them.
- Eye Mask and EarMuffs two-in-one: These block out light for a dark sleep but also help block out quite a bit of sound
- Designed to fit snuggly to prevent light leakage
- Earmuffs to muffle sounds; includes ear cups that can be added to reduce additional noise
- Features two easy-to-adjust quality elastic straps to ensure a comfortable fit for anyone.
What I like
With the earcup and muffs double sound blocking, this product provides a good balance of sound dampening while still allowing you to hear things like a baby monitor or morning alarm.
This doesn’t truly “block” out sounds, it just lowers the levels to the point at which you can ignore them if you choose.
They do a good job blocking out annoying sounds like snoring or a TV in another room. These are described as comfortable and lightweight, making them easy to fall asleep with, but also easy to travel with. They take up very little space and they’re even comfortable for side sleepers.
What I don’t like
The main issue I had with this product is that the earcups can be a bit finnicky. You really need to have a good “seal” between the cup and your ear for them to fully work. Once you have that fit, they do a good job cutting down on sound.
However, if you lose that fit, the sound dampening quality drops significantly. This seal is often affected by people who roll around or change positions a lot in their sleep.
5. Pure Enrichment® Wave™ Sound Therapy Eye Mask
At first glance, the Pure Enrichment® WaveTM Sound Therapy Eye Mask has a slightly odd appearance. However, don’t let it stop you from contemplating it if you want a quiet, dark, and cozy place to sleep. It provides great sound reduction when used with white noise. Additionally, synthetic down is used to fill the soft minky fleece outer shell (the same product used in 5 star hotel pillows). These are genuinely cozy for all sleeping positions.
This adaptable pillow is comfortable, Bluetooth compatible, built-in white noise, and travel-friendly. It includes simple touch buttons and is simple to clean with spot treatment.
What I like
You’ll be able to nap in peace and quiet with this noise cancelling earmuffs.
Its patented earmuffs and quilted fabric will not only eliminate noise and provide a soothing white noise, but they’ll also block out light to provide a great night’s sleep.
The soft, adjustable headband fits most size heads and has plenty of nose cheeks for comfort.
What I don’t like
Generally, I think this is one of the better earmuffs you can buy. The main thing I dislike is the loud battery warning which might give you a shock if you were sleeping and you did not give your device a full charge.
6. Sleep Headphones, 3D Sleep Mask
This product is similar to the ones above but offers an upgrade in the sleep mask component.
- Strong Bluetooth speakers with ergonomically designed 3D eye Mask for comfort
- Bluetooth pairs with all Android and Apple products
- High-fidelity stereo sound with more than 10 hours playing time
- Sleep mask has a full coverage and nose area, effectively blocking out light
- Skin-friendly breathable fabric is comfortable to wear
What I like
I like the fact that this product is very comfortable and has a nicely customizable strap. The speakers are easy to adjust and the entire mask remains cool through the night, adding additional comfort. The Bluetooth pairing is on point and the speakers quality is quite high for how small they are.
What I don’t like
You have to be aware that the speakers does not includes noise canceling technology. It does not – but this technology is absent from all of the items on this list. That type of technology requires larger, expensive headphones that are not really conducive to sleep.
If not adjusted perfectly, the nose area sometimes let in light. This is because the eye mask is a little bulky and will sometimes shift when you move in your sleep.
The battery charge degrades over time and the batteries do not last as long after several months. It will alert you by saying “power off”, but should not affect you much if you had charged it before sleeping.
7. Joseche Sleep Headphones Ear Warmer
If you’re looking for a balance of what you’ve seen above, with something that will keep your ears warm and cozy, then this is the product I would recommend.
- Three in one: Sleep Headphones, Fleece Ear Warmers Headband, Sports Headband
- Syncs to any Apple and Android device
- Handles incoming phone calls
- Stereo high-quality speakers
- Device controls are on the middle of the headband and therefore are less distracting for side sleepers than those with the controls on the side
- 2 hours to achieve a full charge with 10-12 hours playing,
- Compressive pressure to protect your ears and provide breathability.
- Machine washable
What I like
The product charges really quickly, and the controls are easy to use to adjust sound or even change tracks. The speakers are comfortable and the sound is very good. They provide quiet and relief from the surroundings, but do not block out louder important noises such as alarms. I was actually quite surprised at how loud the music could be, which stands in strong contrast to some of the concerns in the other products above. Great for drowning out ambient noise.
What I don’t like
The main drawback is that these run a little warm for them while sleeping. If you’re on the warm side, these might not be good for a long sleep. But this is really not a big issue since you won’t feel it much as long as you sleep in a cool room. Another thing is that the speakers are not attached in the headband and will sometimes move around, if your head is on the smaller side.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Noise Canceling Earmuffs for Sleeping
Key Factor 1: Comfort and Cost
There are many options out there.
But two of the primary considerations on people’s minds when considering sleepwear are comfort and cost.
The options below are described by most reviewers as cost effective and comfortable.
Large headphones will completely cancel noise but are often cost-prohibitive and are not comfortable in bed, particularly for side sleepers.
Earplugs are relatively cheap, but tend to be uncomfortable and are easily lost.
The noise cancelling earmuffs below are designed specifically to help with sleep and not interfere with it.
While all of the items below are moderately priced compared to the options just mentioned, they offer differing levels of comfort, depending on your needs and expectations.
Related: Best Quiet Fans to keep you cool
Key Factor 2: Music or Silence
Are you someone who likes to fall asleep with white-noise?
Soft music? A podcast or anything else like this?
Then you most likely will prefer a headband with speakers.
As you will see below these are often cloth, comfortable, and designed specifically for sleep, unlike the larger headphones.
The comfortable headbands include speakers that are Bluetooth-enabled and will pair with any Android or Apple device.
You can then set a timer on the music, white noise, or podcast you’re listening to before sleep.
Related: Best White Noise Machines
Key Factor 3: Level of sound muffling
How much sound muffling do you want?
You can get basic earmuffs which might help block out the general soft noise of traffic or a distant TV.
Or you may want something with ear cups or even music to silence the world around you.
The question is how much sound do you want blocked?
Do you want to be absolutely certain you can hear a baby monitor, or are you OK with soft music playing all night long?
Related: Noise Blocking Window Film
Key Factor 4: Both Ears and Eyes?
Many of the noise cancelling earmuffs available will cover both your eyes and ears.
However, that’s not a requirement. Is your bedroom pitch-black or does it let in light?
When you’re on a flight or in a hotel room, does the ambient light cause you a problem?
If light causes you a problem while sleeping, you may want to opt for something with an eye cover as well
Ear Muffs vs Ear Plugs: Which Should You Use?
No matter what your purpose is for wearing ear protection, there are three major types to choose from: ear muffs, ear plugs, and earmuffs with speakers.
Ear muffs are the most popular option because they are lightweight, don’t require batteries, and come in a variety of styles. They can be worn and adjusted to fit most people.
Earplugs are a good choice when you need to keep noise levels down in a very loud environment. They protect your eardrums by blocking out sound waves and include different-sized tips that allow you to choose the right fit for your ears.
Earmuffs with speakers are designed for use in noisy environments where hearing protection is required but listening to music or white noise is also important. These models feature built-in speakers that let you enjoy music without removing the earmuffs from your ears.
The bottom line is it really depends on your needs, but generally, earmuffs (with or without speakers) are much more comfortable when you want to use them for sleeping.
What Are the Benefits of Good Sleep?
The benefits of better sleep are clear:
- Better job performance and ability to focus
- More energy and fun with family and friends
- Better health and overall life satisfaction as the result of sound sleep
And these sleep earmuffs will offer you the following:
- More control over your environment even if it is noisy
- Better flexibility regarding when, where, and how well you fall asleep
- Greater flexibility for your spouse and other roommates (because their noises are less likely to bother you)
- Option to listen to white noise and music while sleeping
- Will not interfere with sleep, unlike bulky headphones
- Are much more comfortable than earplugs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can You Wear Ear Muffs to Bed?
Ear muffs are safe to wear when sleeping and there is no evidence that the noise-canceling function of the ear muffs will affect your sleep, since it does not utilize any kind of sound waves or frequencies. The only thing that could potentially interrupt your sleep is if you wear them for too long and become uncomfortable, but this is easily remedied by taking them off and putting them away.
Can You Wear Earplugs to Bed?
The majority of specialists believe that sleeping with earplugs is safe, although there are some possible hazards, including earwax buildup, ear canal damage, and shutting out crucial sounds. Be sure to follow the earplugs’ directions to reduce dangers.
How Do You Block Out Noise While Sleeping Without Earplugs?
There are a number of ways such as soundproofing your room, wearing noise canceling headphones, and specially designed pillows. More solutions can be found here.
Noise Cancelling Earmuffs For Sleeping: Conclusion
So, as you can see you have many options from which to choose.
Head size, eye comfort, music or not, cost, and travel flexibility are all issues to weigh and determine how important they are to you.
If you’re still not sure, be sure to click on the links to each of the products you’re considering for more images and details about the products.
Hope you find the right noise-canceling earmuffs for good sleep soon!
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