For anyone who lives in a city, sleeping headphones are a must.
The incessant honking of vehicles and the noise of bystanders and pedestrians can be a giant barrier to sleep, and sleep headphones can help block all of this sound out.
However, purchasing headphones for sleep is a bit tricky as you have to keep in mind the factor of comfort and quality both. They need to be able to drown out the noise and at the same time, be comfortable enough for you to sleep with them on.
To help you make the best decision for yourself, we’ve listed out all the factors you should keep in mind while buying headphones. We want you to have the perfect and most comfortable pair of earphones while you sleep, and this article will help you do just that.
Factors To Remember While Buying Sleeping Headphones
1. Type
The first thing that you need to factor in before you choose the ideal headphones for yourself is the type. When we say type, I mean either in-the-ear earphones, over-the-ear headphones, on-the-ear headphones, or headbands. There is no hard and fast rule to choosing the type of headphones and it all depends on your personal preference. Go with whichever you feel will be the best for you. However, if you’re a side sleeper, stay away from over-the-ear headphones, as they will prevent you from sleeping. Similarly, if you tend to toss around a lot at night, wired earphones aren’t the best for you as there is the chance of them getting tangled up around you.
2. Comfort
Since you’ll be wearing these headphones all night long, they need to be high on the comfort quotient. Otherwise, they’ll end up hurting you and you’ll wake up with swollen ears the next morning. Make sure that the pair you buy has a good amount of cushioning to keep your ears protected and comfortable. But at the same time, it shouldn’t be so thick that it presses your ears and causes discomfort. The foam needs to be soft but firm at the same time. The material covering also needs to be smooth and cooling to the touch. However, it’s up to you to decide what is best since your preferences define what is comfortable for you.
3. Battery Life
If you’re a diligent user of sleeping headphones, chances are that you’ll be wearing them all night long and for that, you need long-lasting battery life. Most of the headphones which are created for sleeping purposes have a battery life of longer than 10 hours, but several of them extend up to 13+ hours as well. The best way to choose the most suitable battery life is to keep in mind your average sleeping time. If you plan to use your headphones outside of the bedroom, then your battery life needs to be long enough to last you most of the day as well.
4. Versatility
Speaking of using it elsewhere, your headphones need to have a certain element of versatility as well. Unless you want to have a pair of headphones specifically for using while you sleep, chances are that you will be using them both in and out of the home. So you need to check their utility in day-to-day life as well. Make sure that the headphones have built-in microphones so that you can use them as headsets. Similarly, they should be compact enough to carry to work and durable enough to last prolonged usage beyond the confines of your home. It’s best to get yourself a versatile pair of headphones since you never know when you’ll need what.
5. Sleeping Position
The way you sleep is also a crucial factor that you must remember before you go ahead and buy a pair of sleeping headphones for yourself. If you’re a side sleeper, you need to opt for either in-ear earphones or sleep headbands. On-the-ear or over-the-ear headphones will prevent you from sleeping comfortably as they’ll serve as a barrier. Such headphones are better suited to back sleepers. Similarly, if you’re a stomach sleeper, over-the-ear headphones may not be as comfortable. If you’re thinking of buying a sleep headband, then you don’t have to worry about sleeping position much since they suit all kinds of sleeping habits.
6. Price
While it is important to keep other things in mind, price is equally crucial. Remember that you don’t have to break your bank simply for a pair of headphones. With the number of options available in the market right now, you can find several affordable yet high-quality headphones both online and in-stores. Make sure that you set a comfortable budget for yourself and decide accordingly. But at the same time, don’t skimp out either. Stay away from overly cheap products as they’re most likely to get damaged a few days in, and you’ll end up spending more on getting a replacement. In short, go for products that give you quality and affordability both.