I've always had trouble sleeping. Between anxiety and insomnia, I take all the help I can get. And I'm not alone. The world came apart at the seams this year, and that has wrecked many nights of good sleep around the world. Chances are, someone you know is probably not getting enough sleep, and that can have a serious impact on their health.
In my quest to sleep this year, I tested dozens of different products. The best of the best are listed here, and I can attest that each one of these has helped me sleep a little better at night. I hope they help you, or a loved one, too.
Be sure to check out our many other buying guides this season, including the Best Gifts to Relieve Stress, Gifts for New Parents, and Great Gifts Under $25.
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Photograph: CasperTwin Lamps
Casper Glow LampWhen it comes to gentle, glowing bedside lamps, Casper’s Glow is on the high end of the price spectrum, but for $229 you do get two of the little guys. The compact lamp doesn’t feature much in the way of external controls—there’s just one button on top and another on the bottom. You mostly control it with touch gestures. Twist it to brighten or dim, and flip it over to turn it on or off. It sheds a warm sun-like light that gradually darkens when it’s time for bed. There’s also an app you can use to control the lamp. Tell it when you’d like to wake up and the Glow lamp will brighten over time to help you rise and shine.
It's also a great night light. If you have to get up in the middle of the night, you can pick it up off its charging base, give it a wiggle to put it in night-light mode, and carry it around like a little lantern.
Photograph: EmberBedside Tea Service
Ember Mug 2Ember's smart Mug is a great choice for coffee in the morning, keeping your cup of motivation warm throughout your workday. But it's a surprisingly capable sleep aid. Fill it up with a calming herbal tea (I'm a sucker for Sleepytime), and set it up at your bedside. You'll have warm sleepy tea waiting for you if you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep.
Photograph: AmazonBedside Humidifier
HealthSmart Cool Mist Humidifier LampWhen you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep, lighting is super important. The HealthSmart humidifier lamp is an LED lamp that sheds gentle multicolored light that can help you wind down when it’s bedtime.
The humidifier inside plays two roles to help you fall asleep. First, if you’re stuffy or a little sick, a humidifier can help keep your nasal passages from getting too inflamed while you sleep. It can also be used to diffuse essential oils for a little aromatherapy. Just know that some essential oils can be dangerous to pets.
Photograph: GravityA Different Kind of Mask
Gravity Blanket Sleep MaskI wasn’t a sleep mask person before I tried this one out. Something about having a mask on my face always kept me from going to sleep. Even the nice cooling ones full of gel beads felt weird on my face. This one, full of the same kind of heavy material as Gravity’s weighted blankets, feels incredible. Just strapping this 1-pound mask on my head makes me feel sleepy.
Photograph: CasperCozy Weight
Casper Weighted BlanketWhen it comes to modern sleep aids, you’ve probably heard a lot about weighted blankets. They live up to the hype. They’re often filled with weighted sand and give you a comforting sense of being gently held—a little like a swaddle for adults. They’re great for anyone with an anxiety disorder (me!) or anyone who generally has trouble falling asleep (also me!). They can get quite warm though, which is why this Casper model is one of my favorites.
It comes in 10- and 15-pound varieties, which is a lot lighter than most weighted blankets, and it stays very cool comparatively. A lighter weight also makes it approachable for people who are new to weighted blankets and might not know exactly how much weight they prefer. Our household has been sharing this one for a couple weeks now, and it’s a great choice for a wide variety of body types.
If you’re looking for a heavier blanket, I can wholeheartedly recommend the 20-pound option from Gravity. We also have a full list of the best weighted blankets we've tested.
Photograph: GoogleMini Noise Machine
Google Nest MiniJust say, “Hey Google, play rain sounds,” and the Nest Mini will play you a gentle rain shower loop until you tell it to stop. As white noise machines go, that’s about as easy as it gets. You can even set up a routine in the Google Home app to play a particular white noise or music playlist at a particular time to help you go to sleep and a different one when it’s time to wake up.
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to be wary of bringing an always-on microphone into your bedroom, but the Nest Mini really can help you get a better night’s sleep. Having one on a bedside table is nice, because the mute button is within easy reach.
Check out our favorite sound machines for more help with "white noise."
Photograph: KoKoonSleep in Your Headphones
Kokoon Sleep HeadphonesSound is an important component of a good night’s sleep. That’s often white noise like rainfall, the ocean lapping at the shore, or wind whipping through the mountains. Other times gentle music can help. But what do you do when you don’t want to disturb your roommates or someone who might be sharing your bed? That’s where the Kokoon headphones come in. These are super soft, ultralight headphones designed to stay on your head comfortably while you sleep, with minimal sound bleeding.
Sleeping in a pair of regular headphones is an option too, but Kokoon headphones are comfier. They’re sloped on either side, so when you lay down on your side, your pillow isn’t pressing a big boxy ear cup against your head. You might even find yourself using them when you’re not sleeping. The Kokoon headphones produce rich, resonant sound and get about 12 hours of playback on a charge.
Photograph: JambysSnuggle Pants
Jambys Pajama ShortsThese are the softest, stretchiest, comfiest boxer-style shorts you're likely to find anywhere. They're plush to the touch and they even have pockets. Even on these cold winter nights they're a constant companion of mine. As a warm sleeper who often kicks off the blankets in the middle of the night, it's nice to have sleepwear that's comfy and breathable without being too warm or stifling.
Photograph: GravityScented Slumber
Gravity Blanket Shredded Memory Foam PillowA good pillow can go a long way toward getting you or a loved one a better night’s sleep. Gravity’s pillow is packed full of shredded memory foam to keep you cool, and it molds to your head and neck while you sleep.
It also has a trick up its sleeve. The pillow has a couple of internal pockets you can fill with Gravity’s proprietary scent packs. These little scent cartridges give the pillow a lavender aroma that can be very relaxing. It’s a light scent, too; I only really smell it when I shift or really bury my face in the pillow. It’s like a gentle background melody, subtle but present enough to set the tone and help you drift off to sleep.
Photograph: CasperLike Sleeping on a Cloud
Casper Nova MattressCasper's Nova mattress has been an absolute joy. I'm a picky sleeper, and a mattress that's too soft or too firm will keep me up at night. Casper's Nova is somewhere right in the middle, fitting for a hybrid mattress with springs, foam, and a plush—but not too plush—pillow top. It's honestly hard to get out of in the morning, it's so comfortable. The springs really make the Nova mattress for me. It's soft but springy and contours to my body perfectly. This one also does an admirable job of keeping me cool in the middle of the night, even when sleeping with a partner.
Check out more of our favorite mattresses here.
Photograph: Tuft and NeedleCool Down
Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress (12-Inch)Getting a great night’s sleep is a lot easier if you have a great mattress. The Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress is designed to relieve pressure, contour to your body, and keep you cool. There’s a lot of technology and materials science in this mattress. From ceramic gel to “heat-wicking graphite,” Tuft & Needle pulled out all the stops to help you get to sleep. We found it very comfortable in our testing.
Our guide to the best foam and hybrid mattresses has other recommendations for a good pad to sleep on.
Photograph: ParachuteModern, Classic Sheets
Parachute Linen Sheet SetIf there's one thing you should invest in when trying to get a better night's sleep, it's a good set of sheets. Linen sheets are kind of an extravagance. They age well, get softer over time, and are extremely durable—but they are pricey, and these linen sheets from Parachute are no exception. They're designed for longevity, and they have a well-earned reputation.
Photograph: NestHeavy but Comfy
Nest Merino Wool ComforterThe right comforter makes a big difference when you're a notoriously restless sleeper. I'm a fan of weighted blankets, and while this merino wool comforter isn't weighted specifically, it does have a good solid weight to it. It's soft, plush, and airy, but heavy enough that sleeping under it feels like wrapping yourself in a warm hug. The wool filling is cozy and warm, but it's also breathable, so you don't get sweaty underneath. Just nice and toasty.
Photograph: ParachuteNapping Companion
Parachute Cloud Cotton QuiltIf weighted blankets aren't your taste but you'd like a good napping blanket, the Cloud Cotton Quilt from Parachute is a killer choice. It's stretchy and soft and just heavy enough that it drapes comfortably over your body without weighing you down. It'd be perfectly at home folded up on the back of a couch, or at the foot of a bed. It's also a great blanket for houseguests sleeping over on the couch.
My favorite way to use this plush and cozy quilt is to fold it up and lay it down on the floor like a big body pillow. Seriously, you'll never have a better nap.
Photograph: ThumaBuild-a-Bed
Thuma Wooden Bed Frame (No Tools Required)A mattress is important, but a bed frame can be just as important. Thuma’s platform bed frame is super sturdy, made from solid wood and fitted together with cleverly designed joints. Those joints offer the bed just enough give to let it settle into itself, but not so much that it creaks or makes noise when it’s getting a good jostling. This bed is remarkably quiet and makes me feel a lot less self-conscious about tossing and turning in the middle of the night.
Did I mention you can build it in about 10 minutes without a single tool?
Photograph: DameAn Adult Lullaby
Dame Pom Flexible VibratorLet's be real here. When you're trying to get to sleep, sometimes the best thing you can do is give yourself a little extra self-care. Dame's Pom vibrator is a personal favorite. It's small, powerful, and versatile. Packed with a wide variety of vibration patterns and intensities, it's a great toy for people of all genders and sexes—whether you're playing solo or with partners. Pom just feels friendly and approachable, and is a good choice whether it's your first sex toy or your hundredth.
Check out our sex tech buying guide for an in-depth look at toys and tech for every body.
Photograph: Olly Curtis/Getty ImagesThe Gift of Music
YouTube Premium SubscriptionMusic streaming services are a great way to help yourself or a loved one get a better night’s sleep. Spotify and Apple Music all have playlists of dedicated rain sounds, ocean sounds, or other white noise that can help you relax and unwind at the end of the day. I prefer these to buying albums of relaxing sounds because streaming services offer a wider variety of tunes.
YouTube Premium is also a great option (and it includes Google Music) if you’re more visually inclined. Having a TV on all night isn’t too bad if it’s just displaying a serene river scene on a 10-hour loop.
