We tested several earbuds for sleep—these are the ones that won’t hurt your ears after a long night’s sleep
If you have ever fallen asleep with your AirPods, you know how painful it can be when they press against your ears overnight. Regular earbuds aren't designed for sleeping, but luckily, you don’t have to rely on them: there are products specifically made for all-night wear.
Now, these might not be as popular, which is why finding them can be tricky, especially when reviews are scarce. To fill this gap, we decided to test a bunch of them out ourselves—and here you’ll find some of the best noise canceling earbuds for sleeping that we tested.
Quick picks: Best noise cancelling earbuds for sleeping
- Fitnexa SomniPods 3: Overall best for sleep
- Ozlo Sleepbuds 2: Best battery and tracking features
- Anker soundcore Sleep A20: Best to block snoring
- Anker soundcore Sleep A30: Best active noise cancellation
How we tested the best noise canceling earbuds for sleeping
To find the best noise canceling earbuds for sleeping, we focused on the features that matter most at bedtime rather than everyday listening. That meant that sound quality mattered—but comfort was the main criterion here.
We paid close attention to how intrusive they are, especially for side sleeping, whether they stay secure throughout the night, and how effectively they reduce or mask common sleep disruptions like snoring, traffic, background TV, and other household sounds.
We also considered the different ways these earbuds handle noise, whether through active noise cancellation, passive noise blocking, sound masking, or a combination of the three.
While our top pick combines it all, we didn’t chase products that have all the technologies in one, simply because the specs you see on paper don't necessarily mean superior real-life results. This is why our team actually used these earbuds for sleep—and the list is based on what our reviewers said, not just the specs.
Fitnexa SomniPods 3
Best for tracking and improving sleep
- Noise control: Triple (ANC, passive isolation, sound masking)
- Claimed battery life: Up to 12 hours
- Price: $159.99
Our top pick is Fitnexa's SomniPods 3—we were really impressed by their noise-cancellation and sleep-tracking features during hands-on testing.
Designed specifically for sleep rather than everyday listening, these earbuds stand out for their slim fit, which makes them suitable for overnight wear even if you sleep on your side.
The tracking feature is also valuable. The device includes motion sensors, and you get metrics such as sleep duration, sleep stages, sleep position, and turnover frequency. You’ll also find your sleep score together with insights on how to improve it—so, if your goal is to master the art of sleeping, SomniPods 3 will come in handy even on the calmer nights.
We also liked that they combine active noise cancellation with sound masking via ambient sounds, helping soften common nighttime disruptions like snoring, traffic, or noisy neighbors.
In general, we found everything we were looking for in the earbuds for sleep in Fitnexa's SomniPods 3—and at a price of $159.99, they feel like a worthwhile pick for anyone who wants a more peaceful night’s sleep.
- Excellent noise cancellation and sound masking
- Great fit for side sleepers
- Stays in the ear all night long
- Helpful sleep tracking and app features
- Active noise cancellation
- Setup takes a bit of patience
Ozlo Sleepbuds 2
Best battery life and tracking features
- Noise control: Double (Passive noise cancellation and adaptive noise masking)
- Claimed battery life: Up to 14 hours
- Price: $279.00
Our second pick is Ozlo Sleepbuds 2, and we think they’re a really appealing option for anyone who wants sleep earbuds with extra-strong overnight battery life. With up to 14 hours of playback, Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are built to last through the full night without dropping out, and the Smart Case holds an additional 2 to 3 charges for extra convenience.
Add the Sleep Patterns feature, which estimates sleep duration and analyzes environmental conditions, and you have a great choice for those who want to learn more about what happens during sleep to potentially improve it.
While Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 don’t offer active noise cancellation, we didn’t find that to be a dealbreaker. In testing, their passive seal and adaptive noise-masking audio still did a good job of softening everyday nighttime disturbances like background TV, snoring, or traffic—so in practice, they still delivered the quieting effect we’d want from sleep earbuds.
We also like that the buds automatically switch to masking when you fall asleep, making the whole experience feel especially low-effort.
- Excellent overnight battery life
- Adaptive noise masking technology
- Sleep tracking and environment insights
- No active noise cancelling feature
Anker soundcore Sleep A20
Best for those who have a snoring partner
- Noise control: Double (Passive noise cancellation and adaptive noise masking)
- Claimed battery life: Up to 14 hours
- Price: $149.99
Our third pick is soundcore Sleep A20, and we think it’s a really appealing option for people who regularly sleep next to a snorer. It uses adaptive snore-masking technology to respond to snoring in real time. The smart charging case detects snoring, analyzes its volume and frequency, and the earbuds then play adaptive snore-masking audio to help keep your sleep undisturbed.
Compared to Apple AirPods Pro, the noise cancellation is not as great—however, they are definitely way more comfortable, making them more realistic for all-night sleep. Our testers who sleep on their sides were surprised by how non-intrusive they were.
As with many competitors, they come with several sleep tracking features, including duration, roll over, and position estimates. You can also use the app to review your sleep data and adjust the masking sounds to your preferences.
- Comfortable even for side sleepers
- Overnight battery life
- Includes tracking features
- No active noise cancellation
Anker soundcore Sleep A30
Best active noise cancellation for sleep
- Noise control: Triple (ANC, passive isolation, sound masking)
- Claimed battery life: Up to 10 hours
- Price: $199.99
Building on the strengths of the previous model (A20), soundcore Sleep A30 introduces full active noise cancellation alongside adaptive snore masking. The ultra-compact design ensures side sleepers can rest without painful pressure points and the updated driver unit delivers clearer audio for sleep soundscapes or white noise.
In testing, the active noise cancellation reduced sounds such as air conditioning rumble and street traffic. With sleep-tracking metrics available in the Anker soundcore app, A30 can also help you build better sleep hygiene.
However, this upgraded model is also more expensive than Sleep A20, and using active noise cancellation shortens battery life. Even so, it can still last long enough for a full night for most people. Our testers concluded that while A30 is an impressive product, the extra $50 is something to keep in mind if you're choosing between A20 and A30.
- Active noise cancellation and adaptive snore masking
- Low-profile, side-sleeper friendly fit
- Comprehensive app insights and sleep tracking
- Higher price point
Best noise cancelling earbuds for sleeping compared
| Product | Noise control | Battery life | Side-sleeper friendly | Tracking features | Price |
| Fitnexa SomniPods 3 | ANC + passive isolation + sound masking | Up to 12 hours, case adds 48 hours | Yes | Yes | $159.99 |
| Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 | Passive noise cancellation + adaptive noise masking | Up to 14 hours, case adds 2–3 charges | Yes | Yes | $279.00 |
| Anker soundcore Sleep A20 | Passive noise cancellation + adaptive noise masking | Up to 14 hours, case adds 80 hours | Yes | Yes | $149.99 |
| Anker soundcore Sleep A30 | ANC + passive isolation + sound masking | Around 8–10 hours, the case adds up to 6 nights | Yes | Yes | $199.99 |
What makes noise cancelling earbuds good for sleeping?
The best noise cancelling earbuds for sleeping are not necessarily the ones with the most impressive spec sheet—they’re the ones that make it easier to rest comfortably through the night. First, that means comfort. Sleep earbuds need to feel unobtrusive, especially for side sleepers, and they should stay in place without creating pressure or soreness after a few hours.
We also found products that include tracking features to be more appealing, especially if these metrics help you to improve your sleep hygiene.
Battery life is another big factor. Sleep earbuds should comfortably last through the night without cutting out before morning, and ideally, the charging case should make them easy to top up between uses.
Do you need active noise cancellation for sleep?
Active noise cancellation (ANC) can seem like the ideal feature for sleep earbuds, but in practice, it is not always the most important.
ANC works best on steady, low-frequency sounds, such as airplane cabin noise, fans, or air conditioning. Sleep disruptions, however, are often more varied and unpredictable: snoring changes in volume and rhythm, people move around, TVs fluctuate in sound, and sudden noises can break through.
That is why fit, passive noise blocking, and sound masking can sometimes matter just as much, or even more, for sleep. A well-sealed earbud can physically reduce outside noise, while soft masking sounds can make remaining disturbances feel less noticeable.
There is also the comfort factor. Adding ANC can mean more components, different tuning, or a design that does not necessarily improve the actual sleeping experience. And if a pair of earbuds is more intrusive, bulkier, or has shorter battery life because of it, that tradeoff may not be worth it.
So while ANC can absolutely be useful, it is not a guarantee of better sleep. What matters more is whether the earbuds help create a quiet, comfortable, uninterrupted environment through the night.
Other sleep and wellness reviews:
Best noise machines: For those who want to try a non-earbud option
Fitnexa SomniPods 3 review: Find out what our hands-on tester had to say
Final verdict: Which are the best noise cancelling earbuds for sleeping?
We tested a few and found Fitnexa's SomniPods 3 to be among the best. The noise cancellation was impressive, the ambient sound was helpful, and the sleep tracking features kept us sticking with these earbuds. In general, we discovered everything we were looking for in this model.
But there are other options as well. We also really liked Ozlo for its battery life and superior sound quality—although these are the most expensive earbuds from our list. Anker offers two models we found suitable: the A20 is the more budget-friendly option, while the A30 offers the best active noise cancellation.
FAQs
Yes, noise cancelling earbuds block out snoring to some degree. They can help reduce how noticeable snoring sounds, especially when they combine a secure in-ear seal with noise masking or active noise cancellation, though they usually won’t eliminate it completely.
Noise cancelling earbuds can be better than earplugs for sleeping, but only if you choose earbuds specifically designed for sleep. Noise cancelling may help reduce predictable sounds and they can be used to listen to soothing sounds or white noise at the same time.
While it depends on the brand, ANC earbuds can usually last at least 8 hours. Options without active noise cancellation usually last longer, with up to 14 hours being common.
