I tested sleep earbuds for months: Here are the 4 Id buy, and the ones Id skip

After testing several sleep earbuds and earplugs priced between $50 and $250, I have identified four that are worth purchasing, alongside some that can be skipped. As someone who sleeps on their side and has two cats, I was able to test these devices with ideal conditions. Please note that the original Ozlo Sleepbuds have been discontinued, and before their discontinuation, they did not offer enough features to justify their high price.

One option worth considering is the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2, even though it is expensive. This model provides comprehensive sleep data and a seamless user experience that could be worthwhile for some individuals. However, there are other sleep earbuds, budget-friendly options, and earplugs available in the market to suit different budgets and preferences.

Sleep earbuds differ from regular earbuds in various ways. Regular earbuds are not designed for use while lying on one's side, which often results in discomfort, as they stick out of the ears and put hard plastic in contact with the ear. Additionally, traditional earbuds typically have a battery life of six to seven hours, which could disrupt sleep if the device turns off during an eight-hour sleep session.

Sleep earbuds, such as the Soundcore A20, have a more slender design and offer better battery life, comfort, and white noise options. They also come with touch controls that work well while lying on one's side, without activating the device.

One of the most recent sleep earbuds to hit the market is the Soundcore Sleep A30, released in August 2025, and the Sleep A30 Special release in January 2026. These devices offer active noise cancellation, which is a significant improvement over earlier models. Although passive noise cancellation, a good fit, and white noise can be quite effective without active noise cancellation, these features make the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special release an attractive option for those seeking an enhanced sleep experience.