8 Best Sleep Gadgets in 2024 to Help You Fall Asleep Fast
<p>No matter what type of “sleeper” you are—a back sleeper, a side sleeper, a thunderous snorer, a constant tosser … you get the idea—this list has something that’s likely to improve your nightly nap. Get the rest you deserve with the eight best sleep gadgets and sleep tech products on the market in 2024, including winners from our latest <a href=” target=”_blank”><em>Men’s Health</em> Sleep Awards.</a><br></p><h2 class=”body-h2″>What to Consider</h2><p>There are thousands of gadgets on the market, all promising to help provide better rest. But all that choice makes it hard to decide which one (or <em>ones</em>) is right for you. Here are a few essential things to consider:</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Wearability</h3><p><em>To wear or not to wear</em> … That’s something you’ll need to decide when shopping for the right sleep gadgets. There’s no one right answer, of course, as it’s entirely personal and dependent on how you like to sleep. Wearable options include things like sleep-tracking rings and sleep-centric earphones. Non-wearable options are smart alarm clocks, specialty pillows (for cooling, back and <a href=” target=”_blank”>neck pain relief</a>, or treating conditions like TMJ), and sleep-tracking mats designed to fit on or under your mattress. The options are almost endless.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Dimensions</h3><p>Many of the best sleep gadgets are compact and portable, so they blend into your current bedroom setup without taking up too much space. That includes things like sleep-tracking watches, unique alarm clocks (like the <a href=” target=”_blank”>Hatch Restore 2</a>), and specialty pillows to replace your existing pillows. But, if you’re shopping for anything larger, like a <a href=” target=”_blank”>BedJet climate control system</a> or an oversized body pillow, you may want to consider how much you have (or not) in your bedroom. Some of these options take up a lot of space, which could be an issue for apartment dwellers or anyone tight on square footage.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Price</h3><p>As with any health- and wellness-related products, better-sleep gadgets vary widely in price. A decent set of earplugs will run you a few cents, while an ultra-premium, bleeding-edge mattress system (like the <a href=” target=”_blank”>Eight Sleep Pod 4 cover</a>) costs north of $2,000. Bottom line: You can spend a small fortune on high-tech gadgets that promise to help you sleep better. Just know that, if budget is a concern, you don’t <em>have to</em>.</p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How We Selected</h2><p>Our team of lifestyle and gear editors spent the last year researching hundreds of sleep-related gadgets and personally testing dozens more. We sat through long-haul flights with best-selling travel pillows, braved brutal South Florida heat with pillows that promised to keep us cool in any climate, and meditated in bed with mobile apps like Calm—all to find the best of the best sleep gadgets that actually work, all so you don’t have to.</p><p>Here, we present our roundup of the best sleep gadgets worth buying in 2024 (and don’t forget to shop our extended list in the annual <a href=” target=”_blank”><em>Men’s Health</em> Sleep Awards</a>!).</p>”/>
We loved Hatch’s OG Restore sleep machine, and the next-generation Hatch Restore 2 is no exception (which is why it made our shortlist of the very best sleep gadgets in last year’s Men’s Health Sleep Awards). It’s an all-in-one bedside sleep guru that’s packed with genuinely useful features. Not only is it an alarm clock and a sleep sound machine, but that orange glow isn’t just for show. The light from the device mimics the sunrise, helping you wake up naturally and with more energy.
After testing the Restore 2 for more than three months, I personally love everything about this device. The background noise generation, especially the nature sounds and both pink and brown noises has made a significant difference on the days that I nap. I also appreciate the gentle wake-up and wind-down design for both the display and the alarm sounds, which is a nice change from the jarring design of most other alarm clocks.
Plus, all of these features are wrapped in a handsome, retro-mod design that works with any decor. It’s clean, minimal, and adds a dash of warmth (especially in the pictured Putty colorway) that feels like a distinct and welcome departure from most typical high-tech sleep gadgets we tested this year. Rather than pepper the case with buttons, switches, and a complicated display (like most traditional alarm clocks), Hatch wisely moved most of the controls to the dedicated mobile app where you can customize and control everything.
Our only real gripe is the price. It’s not that expensive, but it’s not exactly cheap either, especially if you consider that there are smart alarm clock apps for your smartphone that offer many of the same features.
Read more: Best Alarm Clocks
Wearable
No
Dimensions
8.43 x 7.77 x 3.66 inches
Best Weighted Blanket
Bearaby Tree Napper Weighted Blanket
Now 10% Off
Credit: Courtesy of Retailer
Cons
Pricey compared to most traditional weighted blankets
If you’ve never experienced the joy of sleeping with a weighted blanket, we’re here to tell you they’re the real deal. There’s no better option for our money than Bearaby’s Tree Napper. Unlike most ordinary weighted blankets that use weighted glass beads (which can shift, slide, and leak over time), it’s made with premium, weighted TENCEL fibers. They’re soft, plant-based, and help distribute the blanket’s weight far better than the competition. That same woven design also makes for a more handsome, better-looking blanket that you won’t mind leaving draped over the back of your sleeper sofa or the foot of your bed. Plus, because it’s more “open,” it doesn’t overheat like other blankets, either, making it a great option for hot sleepers and general year-round use.
Good earbuds are almost always the best solution for blocking unwanted ambient noise (traffic, hard-partying neighbors, snoring partners, etc.) at night. These sleep-centric earbuds from Soundcore (a subbrand of Anker) feature a passive noise-canceling design that can be used on or off. When switched on, they’re perfect for streaming podcasts or listening to nature sounds in bed. The soft, pliable ear tips are ultra-comfortable, even after hours of wear, and several sizes are included to help you find the perfect fit. The compact design and inclusion of a protective charging case also make these an excellent solution for long-haul travelers who can’t be bothered to pack their own alarm clock.
Read more: Best Sleep Sound Machines
Wearable
Yes
Dimensions
0.98 x 0.69 x 0.61 inches
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Best Wearable Sleep Tracker
Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon
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Cons
Expensive compared to most other sleep trackers
Requires a monthly subscription to access advanced features
In our experience, many sleep trackers—even the best sleep trackers—aren’t very accurate. Oura’s latest Gen3 Horizon sleep-tracking ring is a welcome exception. Our months-long tests confirmed that, thanks to its three hospital-grade sensors, it’s incredibly accurate at keeping tabs on our sleep patterns to let us know what’s working and what isn’t. The design of this flagship ring is also sleek and unobtrusive, so it’s not only handsome enough for everyday wear, but it’s easy to forget you’re wearing it all (a plus for fussy sleepers who don’t like the idea of wearable technology while they snooze). It’s pricier than most wearable alternatives we’ve tested. But it’s worth it if it actually works, right?
Best Bedroom Smart Speaker
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
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Cons
Always-on microphone raises some privacy concerns
Response to voice commands could be more accurate
If you limit the amount of tech (including screens and other bright displays) that you allow in your bedroom, a pared-down, screenless smart speaker like Amazon’s Echo is perfect. Like its predecessors, the latest generation eliminates alarm-clock-style screens in favor of voice commands. The hands-free user interface makes for a more stress-free bedroom sitch. Just tell Alexa what you need, and it complies. Set or cancel alarms, play podcasts, listen to audiobooks, relax to nature sounds, or feed your late-night insomnia whims via voice search. The best part about this sleep gadget, though, is the price. The feature-to-dollar ratio is higher than with almost any other product we tested this year.
Wearable
No
Dimensions
5.7”W x 5.7”D x 5.2”H
Best Sound Machine
LectroFan EVO Non-Looping Sleep Sound Machine
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Amid a sea of smart, sometimes expensive, app-connected sleep gadgets, the LectroFan EVO stands out for what it isn’t. There’s no screen, no mobile app, no complicated setup process. There are no unnecessarily complex features. It’s a dead-simple sound machine with 22 unique fan sounds, ocean sounds, and white noise variations—just enough background noise to keep your next night of sleep interesting. The company guarantees that all of the sounds are non-repeating—a feature that might seem trivial, but it’s something that can keep sensitive sleepers awake. It’s all wrapped in an equally simple black plastic box that’s designed to blend into any bedroom decor. The best part? It’s among the cheapest sleep gadgets worth buying right now.
Read more: Best Sleep Trackers
Wearable
No
Dimensions
4.7 x 4.7 x 3.3 inches
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Best Total Sleep System
Eight Sleep Pod 4 Cover + Hub
Credit: Courtesy of Retailer
Cons
Among the most expensive sleep gadgets we’ve ever tested
Ongoing subscription plan required for most features
You don’t have to spend a fortune on high-tech gadgets to find better sleep. But, if you have the means and only the best will do, it doesn’t get much better than Eight Sleep’s Pod 4. It’s a comprehensive high-tech sleep system (a smart cover paired with an internet-connected hub) that fits over your existing mattress and replaces pretty much every other gadget in your bedroom. It tracks and provides detailed feedback on your sleep habits. But it can also automatically adjust the temperature, mitigate snoring, trigger vibrating and thermal alarms, and a whole lot more. You’ll pay handsomely for the privilege, but our team can attest that this sleep gadget does everything it promises. Our biggest gripe is the ongoing subscription fees, which can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars annually.
Wearable
No
Dimensions
Full, Queen, King, California King
Most Unique Pillow for Side Sleepers
Pillow Cube Side Cube
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We wouldn’t call most ordinary pillows “sleep gadgets,” but the Side Cube from Pillow Cube is no ordinary pillow. The unique, angular shape hardly looks comfortable. But it’s a game-changer for side sleepers. I’m a combo sleeper (mostly side, sometimes back) who’s spent many a night on this pillow, and it’s the real deal. The shape is just right for supporting the gap between my neck and shoulder, which has helped alleviate my chronic back and neck pain. It’s also very affordable, but hot side sleepers looking to splurge can upgrade to the brand’s Ice Cube. It’s the Side Cube pillow wrapped in a stay-cool cover that ensures you’re not constantly chasing “the cool side” throughout the night.