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Tom's Guide
06-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Trouble sleeping? These are the 7 products our editors swear by for a good night's sleep
After our fair share of restless nights, mattress testing, bedding shopping and sleep tech reviewing, we're confident we know what it takes to get a good night's sleep. Optimizing our sleep is part of our day job, after all. As well as sleeping on and testing the best mattresses of the year, there are a handful of products our writers and editors simply can't sleep without. From the humble ear plugs and socks to more technical products, like sleep trackers and sleep headbands, this is a list of the gear the Tom's Guide Sleep Team rely on for a good night's sleep. SPONSORED Sealy Posturepedic Elite Hybrid : Getting the sleep you need improves a litany of issues, but you can't get that sleep if you're waking up stiff and sore. The targeted support of a Sealy Posturepedic® Elite Hybrid mattress helps provide relief where you need it most. This bed flexes to your unique shape, making sure you find the personalized support you need to perform your best in the morning. 7 products our editors swear by for better sleep We'll be honest, not all the products we test perform as well as their makers promise they do. But these aren't the products we're focusing on here. Instead, you'll find our favorite, trusty gadgets that have actually sent us to sleep fast and keep us snoozing all night long... 1. Loop Dream Earplugs: $49.95 at Loop Earplugs Be it a busy street outside your bedroom window, noisy neighbours or a snoring partner, noise pollution is a common sleep disruptor. But with the Loop Dream Earplugs, our Sleep Editor Nicola Appleton sleeps soundly. She says: 'After 14 years of sleeping next to someone who snores, I tried the Loop Dream Earplugs — the first sleep-specific option from Loop — and haven't looked back. With a noise reduction rating of 27dB (SNR), they block out my partner's snoring completely — which means I can finally get an undisturbed night's rest. With their ultra-soft silicone and a flat, closed-loop design, they're also ideal for side sleepers like me. And, with four ear tip sizes, they stay securely in place all night. If someone else's snoring is keeping you awake, these ear plugs will save your sleep.' 2. Samsung Galaxy Ring: $399.99 at Samsung While we're aware sleep trackers don't directly improve your sleep, we use them to learn more about our sleep patterns and tendencies. Our Sleep Features Editor Lauren Jeffries has been testing the Samsung Galaxy ring. Here's what she has to say about it's sleep tracking functionality: "I've never used any kind of sleep tracker before the Galaxy Ring. Yes, I had nightmares and probably didn't get enough sleep most nights, but in general, I felt well rested. The Galaxy Ring has educated me so much that I'm now getting better sleep every night. This is mainly because of the sleep score. I love how detailed it is, looking at every aspect that went into calculating it, from sleep duration and my bedtime, to the amount of REM sleep I got and how long it took me to fall asleep. Since using it, my sleep schedule has become more consistent and I prioritize getting quality rest over quantity, which has also helped my nighttime anxiety." 3. Women's Fine Cashmere and Merino Wool Super Soft Socks: $29.99 at Amazon Wearing socks to bed is a disputed topic on our sleep team. While some say it makes them feel claustrophobic, others enjoy their sleep-enhancing benefits, and science suggests the latter group are right. Nicola says: 'Wearing socks to bed is a simple, science-backed habit with a big payoff — falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer. Instead of making you hot, socks gently warm your feet, triggering vasodilation, which actually helps lower your core temperature — a critical cue for falling asleep. Cold feet, on the other hand, can delay sleep onset and lead to restless tossing and turning. In the warmer summer months always opt for a lightweight, breathable fabric like cotton or cashmere.' This pair from Amazon are reasonably priced and come in 14 color options. 4. Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light: $213.22 at Amazon A top sunrise alarm clock is a staple on my bedside table now, no matter the season. As a sleep tech writer, my current favorite is the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light. In winter, it helps me wake up to light. Even though the mornings are naturally light now, I still enjoys using the sunset simulation as part of my wind down routine. Plus the gentle wake up sounds are much better than a jolting iPhone alarm. The Philips is a more expensive sunrise alarm clock option, but functioning as a bedside reading lamp too, I think it's worth the splurge. 5. Elemind sleep headband: $349 at Elemind The Elemind headband is part of the emerging sleep headband market. Placed over your forehead, the headband measures EEG brain signals and delivers precise acoustic stimulation that moves the brain from wakeful patterns into a deeper sleep. I have been using this headband to get more deep sleep while marathon training. I've slept all night long wearing it and can vouch for its efficiency considering I stayed asleep even when my brother came into my bedroom to steal an iPhone charger plugged in next to my bed (though he was slightly confused by my sleep accessory). At $349, this is a premium sleep product, which will only be worth it if you're really struggling to switch off at night. 6. Feather & Down Sweet Dream Pillow Spray: $17 at Amazon Essential oils like lavender and chamomile are known to calm the nervous system, promoting overall relaxation. Our Senior Sleep Writer, Frances Daniels, uses the Feather & Down Sweet Dream Pillow Spray to make the most of this relaxation technique. She says: "Spritzing my bedding with lavender pillow spray has become a comforting bedtime ritual for me, and helps me to fall asleep faster. It may just be a placebo effect, but studieshave shown that the soothing scent can increase sleep quality and ease anxiety." At just $17, this is an affordable sleep product. 7. MZOO Sleep Eye Mask: was $28.99 now $22.99 at Amazon Light is a major sleep killer for our Senior Sleep Writer, Ruth Jones, so she relies on a comfy eye mask to create the perfect environment for rest, whether she's on her friend's sofa or a cross-Atlantic airline. She says: "My eye mask blocks the lights that plague my bedroom — like the smoke detector and power strip — and it also helps me put my phone away at night. After all, once my eye mask is on, I can't check my messages any more. Just the action of putting an eye mask on has come to signal to my brain that it's time to go to sleep and I find it's weight on my face strangely comforting now." The MZOO is a great value, great quality sleep mask option with 21% off at Amazon now, bringing the price to $22.99. Yes it's a bit more than your average silk mask, but made with soft fabric, it'll be more durable. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
CNN
07-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNN
I've worn cheap earplugs to sleep for over a decade. I wish Loop's Dream earplugs came out years ago
I first started wearing earplugs in college thanks to noisy dorm neighbors, and now I've been wearing them to bed for over a decade. If you also sleep with earplugs in, you likely picked up a cheap, one-size-fits-all (but actually doesn't) version from the drugstore that you have to force into your ears. Inevitably, these standard earplugs always fall out in the middle of the night because they never fit quite right, which defeats the purpose of wearing earplugs at all. I knew there had to be something better out there, and when I heard multiple Underscored editors talk about how much they love Loop's regular earplugs for concerts and focusing at work, I jumped at the chance to review the brand's newer sleep-specific model: Loop's Dream earplugs. The first night I wore them, I knew I found my forever earplugs — and I wish they came out years ago. Not only are they so comfortable that I forget they're in my ears, they're stylish too. Loop Dream Earplugs Loop's Dream earplugs come in three colors (lilac, black and peach) and have an innovative shape that follows the natural contour of your ear. Best of all, they come with three additional memory foam ear tip sizes that you can swap out to get the perfect fit. Take 15% off with code CNNSLEEP now through March 10. They're customizable The standout feature of Loop's Dream earplugs is that they come with three extra ear tips in additional sizes (XS, S and L), so you can find the best fit for your ears. For some reason, earplugs have been generally been sold as a universal product, but it's no secret that we all have different-sized ear canals. This customization seems like such a simple feature, but it's truly a game changer. The best part is that you don't need any tools to swap out the tips — simply pull the existing foam tips out and pop the new ones on. To pick the best size, I recommend trying the pre-loaded tips first, which are a size medium. They should fit inside your ear and not fall out if you move your jaw and head around. If you need more detailed guidance, I recommend watching Loop's video on how to find your size. I barely notice I'm wearing them When I'm sleeping, the last thing I want is to feel weighed down by extra accessories like a sleep mask, earplugs and all my layers of bedding. I hated how much pressure my old earplugs put on my ears, especially against the daith earring inside my ear. Sometimes, my old earplugs hurt so much that I was forced to take them out and hope no one decided to blast music through my apartment's very thin walls. As soon as I slipped the Dream earplugs into my ears, I didn't even feel them. They nestle perfectly inside my ear without adding extra pressure and feel like they're almost part of my ear anatomy. This is especially crucial if you're a side sleeper like me (or someone who changes up your positions throughout the night). Previously, I'd feel my earplugs pressing into my pillow when I rolled over onto my side, but with these, I don't notice a thing — except how relaxing and quiet my space feels. Aside from the shape, the materials are also a nice upgrade from the thick foam versions I used to wear. The tips are made with a hybrid of memory foam and silicone that work together to block out noise, and the silicone helps keep them in place. They come with a carrying case This is a small detail, but an important one nonetheless. I never knew where or how to store my old earplugs, so I'd throw them loosely in a drawer and every night before bed, I would have to rummage through the drawer to find where they ended up. Now, with this compact carrying case, my earplugs are never lost. I keep them in the bedside pocket made for my Thuma bed, so all I have to do is crawl into bed and reach down for the case. This little accessory is also handy for traveling or while on the go, so the earplugs don't get lost in my suitcase or bag. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the Loop Dream earplugs don't seem to block out as much noise as my old ones (at least when they stayed in my ears). I think this is actually a good thing, in case there's a noise that I need to hear when I'm in a deeper sleep — like a fire alarm or another emergency situation. According to Loop's website, the Loop Dream earplugs feature 27dB of noise reduction, which will likely make noises like your partner's soft breathing or a dishwasher running inaudible, while a louder sound like sirens will still be audible, but at a lower volume (more on this in the FAQs below). If you're looking for total noise reduction, these are not for you. If you've been longing for an alternative to traditional, bulky earplugs, the Loop Dream earplugs are just the thing you need to elevate your bedtime routine. They have a barely-there feel, have never fallen out of my ears and look chic to boot. While they don't eliminate all noises entirely, they muffle annoying sounds like footsteps in my apartment hallway and someone talking in the apartment next to me. Loop offers 100-day free returns and a two-year warranty, but it's not necessary; now that I've been sleeping soundly with these earplugs for the last few months, I can confidently say I'm never going back to my old ones again. How much noise reduction do the Loop Dream earplugs have? How much noise reduction do the Loop Dream earplugs have? The Loop Dream earplugs feature 27dB of noise reduction that helps muffle bedtime noises like your partner's snoring. According to the brand's website, they won't eliminate all sounds but can reduce many sounds significantly. Softer sounds like someone breathing or a dishwasher will likely be inaudible. On the other hand, medium sounds such as a TV in another room will be muffled and louder sounds like a siren will still be audible but at a lower volume. How do you clean the Loop Dream earplugs? How do you clean the Loop Dream earplugs? According to Loop's website, remove the tips and wipe them and the body of the earplugs with a damp cloth and soapy water. Make sure everything is dry before putting the ear tips back on. Loop recommends changing out the tips after 100 nights for hygiene purposes, and because the memory foam can lose its shape over time, which can decrease its efficacy. You can buy a replacement pack of eight ear tips for $15. CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. The writer of this article, senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus, has worn earplugs for about a decade and slept with Loop's Dream earplugs for a few months to see how they compared to others she's tried.
