The 8 Best Sleep Gadgets, Tested by Lifestyle Editors
Lifestyle
Best Overall
Lifestyle Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Handsome retro-mod design
- Premium look and feel
- Versatile all-in-one device packed with features
- Gentle wakeup/wind-down display and alarms feel more natural
- Powerful, easy-to-use smartphone app
Cons
- A little pricey for an alarm clock
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 |
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Dimensions | 8.43 x 7.77 x 3.66 inches |
Best Weighted Blanket
Lifestyle Bearaby Tree Napper Weighted Blanket
Now 10% Off
Pros
- Luxurious look and feel
- Weighted fibers distribute weight evenly and consistently
- Made from plant-based TENCEL sourced from eucalyptus
- Doesn’t overheat like typical weighted blankets
- Available in a variety of weights and colorways
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.
Wearable | No |
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Dimensions | 15 lbs (40”x72”), 20 lbs (45”x72”), 25 lbs (48”x72”) |
Best Sleep Earbuds
Lifestyle Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 Sleep Earbuds
Pros
- Effective at blocking unwanted ambient noise, even when turned off
- Soft, pliable tips are comfortable for all-night wear
- Multiple tip sizes included for a perfect fit
- Included charging case provides up to 80 hours of battery life
- Compact design is travel-friendly
Cons
- No active noise-cancellation
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 |
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Dimensions | 0.98 x 0.69 x 0.61 inches |
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Best Wearable Sleep Tracker
Lifestyle Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon
Pros
- Hospital-grade sensors are very effective at tracking sleep patterns
- Tracks hear rate, respiration, body temperature, and movement
- Modern, handsome design
- App clearly breaks down all phases of sleep into a sleep score
- Available in a handful of attractive colors
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
Lifestyle Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Pros
- Simple, voice-only user interface
- Ultra-clean design feels almost futuristic
- Easily expandable to add hundreds more features
- Versatile, multi-purpose design
- Great value for the price
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 |
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Dimensions | 5.7”W x 5.7”D x 5.2”H |
Best Sound Machine
Lifestyle LectroFan EVO Non-Looping Sleep Sound Machine
Pros
- Dozens of unique, non-repeating sounds
- Extremely simple, compact design
- Can be turned up to a very loud 85 decibels
- Great price
Cons
- Too basic for tech-lovers looking for more smart features
- Bland design
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 |
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Dimensions | 4.7 x 4.7 x 3.3 inches |
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Best Total Sleep System
Lifestyle Eight Sleep Pod 4 Cover + Hub
Pros
- Extremely high-tech and packed with features to help you sleep better
- Automatic temperature adjustments and snoring mitigation
- Dual-zone “autopilot” maximizes sleep for you and your partner
- Very accurate sleep tracking
- Streamlined design is basically invisible once installed
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 |
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Dimensions | Full, Queen, King, California King |
Most Unique Pillow for Side Sleepers
Lifestyle Pillow Cube Side Cube
Pros
- Unique design supports the head and neck for side sleepers
- Just-right firmness for most sleepers
- Soft, stretchy, breathable pillowcase
- Great price
Cons
- Not meant for back, stomach, and some combo sleepers
- Noticeable off-gassing (goes away after a few days)
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.