14 Best Sleep Gadgets and Apps (2023): Noise Machines, Blankets, Lights, and More

Somnox 2 for $599: Offering all the same features as the original in a more compact package with better battery life and an improved speaker, the Somnox 2 (6/10, WIRED Review) can help you drift off. The addition of Bluetooth streaming (iOS only for now) to listen to your own choice of content is also welcome, but this gadget is simply too expensive.

Loop Quiet for $25: These top our Best Earplugs guide for sleep. They can reduce noise by up to 27 decibels, they’re made from comfortable soft silicone, and they stay in place through the night.

MindLax Sleeping Mat for $399: This padded mat has built-in speakers and plays weird mixed soundscapes designed to relax you. It connects to an app on your phone using Bluetooth, and you can feel the sound vibrate through your body. While I found it pleasant to use, I’m not convinced it had any real impact on my time to fall asleep, sleep duration, or sleep quality compared to just lying down listening to sounds on a regular speaker. It is far too expensive, the app is basic, and the website makes suspect claims about its abilities and the science behind it.

Sandman Doppler for $225: This chunky bedside alarm clock has Alexa inside, offers some nifty customization options (set the color of the huge time display or attach Alexa routines to buttons), and boasts plentiful charging ports for your gadgets (3 USB-C and 3 USB-A). The speakers sound good for the size; it’s perfect for podcasts or soundscapes to lull you off at night and can be relied upon to wake you in the morning. But it is enormous, far too expensive, and kinda ugly.

Sensate 2 for $299: This odd device is like a large vibrating pebble that you rest on your chest for brief relaxation sessions (between 10 and 30 minutes). The makers claim that the vibrations can help tone your vagus nerve to improve your heart rate variability (HRV). I’m dubious, and it seems very expensive for what it is, but the vibrations, guided controlled breathing, and original soundscapes are very relaxing.

Ice Cube Cooling Pillow for $115: A blocky, firm memory foam pillow with a cooling material. It only works if you sleep on your side, and you can’t comfortably slide your arm under it. Although I did enjoy the cool feel, and it stayed fairly cold through the night, I prefer a softer pillow. I also think it’s pricey for what it is, but my eldest has pinched it and really likes it.

Jabees Serenity Sleep Mask for $40: While the combination of Bluetooth earbuds with a sleep mask is a smart idea, this mask is too bulky for me, and I found the earbuds uncomfortable. Your mileage may vary. The audio quality is just OK, and it’s easy to stream music, podcasts, or relaxing sounds to the tiny earbuds. The thick mask blocks light effectively. It is also comparatively cheap for a sleep gadget.

SleepPhones for $100: If you find earbuds uncomfortable or prefer to sleep on your side, this fleecy fabric headband with tiny speakers inside could be the answer. You connect via Bluetooth to stream your choice of music, podcasts, or soothing sounds. The headband is machine washable, and hardly any sound escapes to bother a snoozing partner. On the downside, the control unit shifts around and is not comfortable for back sleepers, there’s no indication of remaining battery life, and the overall quality is lacking for the price.

Morphee for $100: A lovely clockwork wooden music box design makes this a desirable bedside device, and it offers various sounds and meditations. The child version looks like a super cute wooden radio. Both are pricey, and we don’t like the Micro USB port for charging or the limited 20-minute time on sleep sounds.

Muse S for $280: If you have trouble meditating, the Muse S headband can help guide you, and it measures your heart rate, breathing, brain activity, and movement. But I found it uncomfortable to wear in bed and struggled to pass a full night with it on. It helped relax me but did not help my insomnia.

Embr Wave 2 for $300: This wrist-worn device can help you deal with feelings of cold or warmth. It is recommended for relief from hot flashes but can supposedly help you sleep better as well. It is comfortable but also chunky, so not ideal for wearing to bed. It did not have much impact on my sleep quality.

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