The best sleep gadgets to help you drift off, according to the GHI (original) (raw)
In our search for a peaceful night’s rest, we enlisted a panel of testers – all of whom said they struggled to get a solid eight hours every night – to help us put a range of popular gadgets through their paces.
They used each product night after night for at least a few weeks, and then shared their feedback via a detailed survey covering everything from design and ease of use to comfort and value for money. Crucially, they let us know how the product affected their routine and sleep quality overall.
Back at the GHI, our experts combined all the feedback and carried out additional tests, where relevant.
Without further ado, these are the snooze-inducing products that helped our weary panellists drift off into the land of nod..
1
Best sleep tracker
Oura Ring
Score: 93/100
When it comes to sleep trackers, the Oura Ring – which has been spotted on celebs including Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Prince Harry – is tough to top. Though pricey, it has three medical-grade sensors and gathers a wide breadth of data to help you improve your sleep quality.
It tracks everything from sleep stages and sleep efficiency to skin temperature and blood oxygen levels and presents all the data via clear, colour-coded graphs and charts, helping you get a better picture of your sleep and overall health.
It scored top marks for accuracy (it will register when you get up in the night to use the loo or if you’re tossing and turning) and our testers raved about the personalised insights, which helped them make positive changes to their sleep routines. “I love how it gets to know my habits and body and provides suggestions based on my needs, not arbitrary numbers,” one panel member told us, adding that it’s the best sleep tracker they’ve tried.
As a bonus, the Oura Ring is significantly more attractive than a bulky wrist tracker and much comfier to sleep with. In fact, our testers barely noticed they were wearing it after a while. The long battery life (around five days) is the icing on the cake.
Read our full Oura Ring review.
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2
Best eye massager
Bob and Brad Eye Oasis 2
Score: 93/100
We’re huge fans of Bob and Brad’s massage guns here at Good Housekeeping, so we had high hopes when the brand’s exciting new eye massager arrived at our testing facility. The futuristic-looking piece of kit is a worthwhile buy if you spend a lot of your day in front of a screen and struggle with eye strain, facial tension and headaches.
The mask works by combining compression massage and heat therapy to improve blood flow around the eyes, melt away stress and even reduce puffiness. There are three pressure levels (soft, moderate and strong) to choose from and three heat settings, plus the option to connect to Bluetooth and stream your favourite playlists to help you feel even more relaxed.
Our testers lavished praise on this quirky-looking gadget, with one saying, “I absolutely adore this product, I have no complaints” and “I felt so calm and refreshed after using it.” It also scored top marks for portability – it's foldable and comes with a zipped carry case for easy on the go – and it’s exceptionally quiet, so you needn’t worry about disturbing others during your R&R session. It boasts speedy USB-C charging, the battery life is excellent, and it automatically shuts off after 15 minutes if not in use to save battery life.
What’s more, it’s significantly cheaper than other eye massagers on the market. We would 10/10 recommend.
3
Best sunrise alarm clock
Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light
Score: 92/100
While most sunrise alarm clocks are solely designed to help you wake up gently, but this impressive Philips offering is also the perfect bedtime companion.
Panellists loved the sunset stimulation, which gradually reduces the alarm’s brightness and helps you unwind before drifting off. It also offers 20 different levels of light intensity and a plethora of sleep sounds to lull you into slumber.
Other stand-out features? The clock automatically dims when its dark and there’s an excellent ‘midnight’ function, which provides enough light so you can move around in the dark, without switching on the main light and disturbing your bedfellow. Just tap the top of the unit twice to activate it.
At close to £150, it is an investment, but this durable device is highly effective, and it will be with you for the long run. It also has a smart snooze button and a handy USB port so you can charge your phone or smartwatch overnight.
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4
Best sleep earplugs
Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs
Score: 89/100
Loop’s viral Quiet Ear Plugs have had an upgrade, promising enhanced comfort, easier cleaning and a more secure fit, all without a price hike.
The Quiet 2 plugs are made from flexible soft-touch silicone, with a tip that sits inside the ear canal and a circular plug to hold it in place. They offer up to 24dB of ambient noise reduction to drown out the world when you’re sleeping, working or travelling, and come with a wide range of tips (XS – L) so you can find a comfy, secure fit.
Loop plugs stand out (or rather don’t stand out) from the crowd thanks to their subtle design – they won’t clash with your outfit or stick out awkwardly and draw unwanted attention in the office.
Performance-wise, they scored top marks. Our testers found them very comfortable to wear overnight, with no rubbing or digging in reported. “They were really comfortable, I barely noticed they were in,” said one satisfied tester. They also did a top-notch job of blurring out sound in a variety of settings, including sleeping next to a snoring spouse and with loud traffic noise outside. One tester, who noticed an improvement to their sleep, told us: “There’s no going back now, I love them.”
Ideal for travelling, they come with a neat snap-close case, which you can attach to your bag and carry around with you. For under £25, they’re excellent value for money.
Read our full Loop Quiet 2 review.
5
Best screen-free sleep gadget
Morphee Sleep Aid Device
Score: 88/100
This screen-free sleep gadget – which was designed with the help of doctors, sophrologists and sleep centres – is a dreamy bedtime companion. It features over 200 (!) music and meditation combinations to help “calm the mind and promote dynamic relaxation”.
It's a pleasure to use – just turn the dial to choose a programme (there are eight categories spanning breathing exercises, guided visualisations, body scans and relaxing music). Then select your time (eight or 20 minutes) and choose between a soothing male or female voice. It was an instant hit with our testers, who agreed the routines helped them de-stress and fall asleep quicker. They particularly loved that it lacks a screen or an accompanying app, so there’s no disruptive blue light and you can keep your bedroom a phone-free zone.
Performance aside, the good-looking gadget, complete with gold detailing and a beechwood cover, won’t look out of place on your nightstand. The battery lasts up to seven days on a single charge and it’s ultra lightweight, so you can stick to your meditation routine when you’re away from home.
If you’re looking for a new pre-bed ritual and you want to avoid scrolling on social media come 10pm, the Morphée sleep device could be just what you need. The brand also has a My Little Morphée device specially designed for children.
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6
Best under-mattress tracker
Withings Sleep Analyser
Score: 87/100
If you want to track your sleep but the idea of wearing a device while snoozing puts you off, let us introduce you to this supremely convenient alternative. The thin mat sits under your mattress and collects in-depth sleep data, without getting in your way.
It features a pneumatic sensor to identify different types of movement, from tossing and turning to changes in your breathing pattern, and there’s a built-in speaker, which detects snoring and any other nighttime noises. In the morning, you can check your stats on the user-friendly Health Mate app – it breaks down everything from your sleep cycles (how long you spent in light, deep and REM sleep) to instances of sleep apnoea and provides you with an overall sleep score.
It may sound high-tech, but the mat is refreshingly simple to set up and use. Our testers had it up and running within minutes (you simply plug it into a nearby power source, slip it under your mattress and you’re good to go) and the accompanying app was intuitive to use. Testers especially loved that once it was installed, there was no nightly activation process to remember, the device will do its work in the background and send all the data through to the app. It also provides detailed reports, which you can share with your GP if you have any health concerns.
Everyone loved diving into the nitty gritty of their sleep and agreed that it helped them strive to improve their bedtime habits and prioritise their sleep. On the whole, it proved accurate, although one or two testers noted some discrepancies with sleep timings.
For hassle-free sleep tracking at a reasonable price, the Withings Sleep Analyser won’t let you down.
7
Best for breathwork
Moonbird Breathing & Meditation Device
Score: 86/100
This palm-sized vibrating gadget is just what you need to calm your busy mind and unwind before bed. How does it work? Simply choose a breathing rhythm via the app (there are plenty to pick from), put your thumb on the sensor, and breathe along to the vibrations – it’s as simple as that. According to the brand, the exercise calms the nervous system, promotes feelings of relaxation and gets you ready for sleep.
The impressive device lets you track a range of stats, including your heart rhythm, heart rate viability (the time between each heartbeat) and heart coherence (how in sync your heart rate is with your breathing rate) via a colour-coded graph. You can also use the device without the app – just give it a shake and breathe in and out as the Moonbird expands and contracts.
We were surprised by just how much we loved the tiny device. Even our testers who were new to breathwork and sceptical about meditation said they’d happily continue using it. “Holding a physical device in my hands gave me something to focus on rather than just my breathing,” said one tester.
The six-minute “falling asleep” routine proved particularly popular, with panellists saying they felt noticeably less stressed and more zen afterwards. It also scored full marks for portability – it comes with a stylish silk pouch so you can pop it in your bag for on-the-go stress relief.
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8
Best for hot sleepers
Eight Sleep Pod 4 Cover
Score: 85/100
This smart mattress topper, popular with top athletes and celebrities including Mark Zuckerberg and Scarlett Johansen, is designed to regulate your temperature and help you get the best night’s sleep possible.
It has two separate zones so you and your partner can create your own cooling and heating systems (you can make temperature adjustments between 13C and 43C) and once it gets to know you, it will automatically adjust the temperature of your bed to your body’s rhythms and the ambient temperature of your bedroom throughout the night. Clever, huh?
According to the brand, this means you’ll spend more time in deep sleep and less time tossing and turning. It also features undetectable biometric sensors, providing you with heaps of in-depth sleep and health data, including heart rate, HRV and respiratory rate, sleep stages, wake up incidents and even how long you spent snoring!
The Pod 4 is essentially a thick fitted sheet that you slip onto your mattress. It includes a computer hub that’s positioned next to your bed and circulates filtered water through the grid to regulate your temperature. Panellists found the set-up process somewhat arduous, but the step-by-step instructions were clear and the brand’s ‘sleep pros’ provided quick support via the chat function on the app when they got into any difficulties. Once installed, it was easy to use and successfully improved the quality of our testers’ sleep “I get really hot at night and often wake up in a pool but sweat, so the cooling option was revolutionary for me,” one commented.
Other impressive features include a thermal vibration alarm to wake you up gently and tap controls on the side of the topper for easy adjustments in the night. The new and improved design is also extremely quiet, so it won’t keep you up at night, and it’s supremely comfortable to sleep on.
Granted, it doesn’t come cheap (there’s also a monthly subscription fee) but if you’re serious about improving your sleep, struggle with hot flushes or night sweats and you’ve got the funds, we can’t recommend it enough.
Read our wellness writer’s full review.
9
Best massage gun for sleep
Therabody Theragun Sense
Score: 85/100
There’s nothing like a good massage to relax your muscles and send you off into a deep slumber. That’s why the Theragun Sense massage gun is the perfect addition to your bedtime routine. It offers a dedicated sleep programme, complete with step-by-step visual instructions via its LCD screen, to help you doze off peacefully.
Percussive therapy aside, there are also breathwork sessions to calm your nervous system and help you decompress. Simply place your finger on the biometric sensor and haptic vibrations will let you know when to inhale and exhale. There’s soothing music tinkering in the background, and you can compare your pre- and post-session heart rate to see if your body really is more relaxed. Our expert certainly noticed the difference.
The sleek, well-made device is whisper-quiet, so it won’t get in the way of your R&R efforts, and it comes with four different attachments – including a ball to release tension and a thumb to ease lower back pain – to target your whole body. In addition to aiding your slumber, you can also use it to see to your sore, achy muscles or long-suffering joints. Win, win.
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10
Best sleep headphones
Kokoon Philips Sleep Headphones
Score: 83/100
Struggle to drift off due to a snoring partner, noisy surroundings or an anxious brain? These unusual-looking headphones (the thinnest in the world, apparently) are designed to block out the world around you and help you get a solid, rejuvenating night’s sleep. They went down a storm with our panel, with one tester saying, “I loved absolutely everything about this product,” and another telling us, “I’d recommend the headphones to everyone”.
On the Kokoon app, there’s a comprehensive library of soundscapes, meditations and even bedtime stories to choose from, or you can stream your own sleep playlist. Testers loved the vast selection and confirmed they helped them to relax and doze off quicker. No sound leakage was reported, so they won’t disturb your other half, and although not fully noise cancelling, they did a good job of masking heavy breathing and snoring. Thanks to clever sensors, the audio will automatically fade when it senses you’ve nodded off and smart noise masking kicks in to prevent any unwanted wake-ups.
The lightweight headphones proved extremely comfy, even for the side sleepers among our panel, and were barely noticeable overnight. They also come with a compact travel case, so they’re great for taking with you on the go and they boast sleep tracking capabilities. Just make sure to take the time to select the right ear tips (there are six to choose from) to find the perfect fit.
11
Best electric diffuser for sleep
Rituals Sleep Aroma Diffuser
Score: 83/100
Turn your bedroom into a tranquil haven with this Japanese-inspired electric diffuser from Rituals. You switch it on just before you’re ready to drift off and for 10 minutes, it will pump out a heavenly blend of lavender and sandalwood essential oils, which our testers love. It also emits a gentle glow to calm your mind and prepare you for a restful night. If you scan the QR code on the box, there’s a guided meditation for you to follow, which our testers thought this was a nice touch.
Unlike most electric diffusers, this one doesn’t require water, using a cartridge instead. Panellists appreciated how easy it was to use – simply click the fragrance pod into place and press the button to switch it on. They said the delicate floral scent filled their rooms within minutes and the device itself is super quiet, which is exactly what you want when you’re winding down.
The cable is rather short, and it only comes with one fragrance, so you can’t switch up your scents with the seasons, but on the plus side, the gorgeous white and gold design will sit pretty on your bedside table. Ready to pretend you’re in a luxury spa?
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12
Best portable meditation aid
Sensate Relaxation Device
Score: 77/100
This sleek pebble-shaped gadget – which combines vibrations and soundscapes – is worth considering if you can’t sit still or struggle to focus during meditation. It’s designed to stimulate the vagus nerve (which controls the ‘fight or flight’ response), regulate the nervous system and provide deep relaxation in a matter of moments. But what did our panel think?
They found it a cinch to set up and use – it connects to the accompanying Sensate app immediately and from there, you simply pop it on your chest, select a music track (choose from 10, 20 or 30 minutes), adjust the volume and vibrations and you’re good to go.
Everyone enjoyed the hypnotic music and unusual vibrating sensation on their breastbone, and they rated its R&R benefits too. “I felt more ready to sleep and my racing thoughts had quietened,” said one tester, while another commented: “My Whoop tracker registered that my stress levels had dropped and I was meditating.”
It comes with a lanyard and a travel pouch, so you can keep up your wind-down routine or enjoy some stress relief when you’re on the go. If we had to find fault, it doesn’t come cheap, and you have to pay extra for a Sensate Plus subscription to access the full suite of sounds. Still, if you’re serious about calming your frazzled nervous system and improving your slumber, it’s an excellent choice.
13
Best premium eye massager
Therabody SmartGoggles
Score: 72/100
The second eye massager in our round-up, this one has been created by the percussive therapy pros at Therabody. The VR headset-esque device combines heat, vibration and massage to help bust stress, enhance relaxation, relieve eye strain and help you wind down before bed.
There are three settings to choose from, including Smartrelax, Focus and Sleep, plus a clever biometric sensor to measure your pulse and provide personalised treatments. Focus targets your third eye (the space between your eyebrows), Sleep offers a slow, gentle temple massage while Smartrelax combines heat, pressure point massage and vibrations to help lower your heart rate and lull you into a state of blissful relaxation.
Testers enjoyed the soothing sensations (Sleep proved particularly popular) and rated the goggles highly for the range of customisation available – you can toggle between the heat and vibration settings in each mode to find what works best for you. Via the Therabody app, you can also track your progress (seeing your heart rate lower after a session is incredibly motivating) and access a range of zen soundscapes.
Best of all, they switch off automatically after 15 minutes, so it’s no issue if you drift off while wearing them. They are on the bulky side, though, so they may not be the comfiest if you’re lying on your side.
Testers did note that they were rather noisy, and some found the set-up instructions a tad confusing, but on the plus side, the straps are adjustable, and they come with a neat carry case for portability.
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The verdict on sleep gadgets
If you're looking to track your sleep and form healthier habits to support your snoozing, the Oura Ring is our top choice.
Need some help unwinding before bed? Look to the Morphee Sleep Aid or the Moonbird Breathwork Device for screen-free support.
If temperature regulation is an issue and your budget stretches, Eight Sleep's Pod 4 Cover is a high tech investment.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
At the GHI, we test thousands of products every year to find the very best on the market. We put each and every product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions, to provide unbiased reviews you can trust.
Kim Hawley is the health and wellness tester for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing for a range of products, from yoga leggings to walking boots. She has over 30 years' experience in the fitness industry, with a level 4 personal training qualification and a nutrition qualification. She also spent two decades working in leading health clubs across the UK.
For this test, we also send out the products to a panel of people who struggle with their sleep to get their honest verdicts.
Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.
She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.
Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.