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In the photo above, you can see eight of the sleep gifts I’ll be recommending. The other two were a bit too big for the pic, but you can see them later in the article.
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As an insomniac myself, I’m always happy to receive a gift that upgrades my bed or helps improve my sleep in some way. I mean, I love chocolates and the latest gadgets, but I love my sleep even more!
I focus a lot on practical solutions to common sleep problems on my website, so I’ve tried to include gift ideas that I think are genuinely useful and that people will love and use for a long time to come.
For that reason, you won’t find anything I consider gimmicky in this list. Reindeer print pyjamas are cute, but they aren’t going to help someone sleep better unless they’ve been wearing handmade nettle pants. And I haven’t included anything that requires an ongoing subscription, which is a growing trend in sleep tech.
While there are a couple of luxury products at the end of this article, it’s sometimes the little things that make the biggest difference. So no matter what your budget, if you know someone who has trouble sleeping, you should find a gift here that they’ll appreciate.
1. Alaska Bear Silk Sleep Mask
A simple and effective way to sleep in complete darkness.
In the photo above, I’m wearing the Alaska Bear sleep mask. It blocks out all light and feels comfortable in all sleep positions.
If you’re a sensitive sleeper, the tiniest slither of light through the curtains or the glow of electronic devices is enough to keep you awake. And if you’re fond of daytime naps, it’s even more likely the room will be too bright to completely switch off.
The Alaska Bear was my favourite sleep mask when I tested a wide range of different shapes, sizes, and materials. Most importantly, it does an excellent job of shutting out the light. The silk material feels soft on the skin, and the adjustable strap holds it in place without feeling too tight.
The mask is breathable, which is great in hot weather, and it’s easy to clean. For those who need complete darkness to fall into a deep sleep, this is a sleep mask that will draw the curtains on the world for a short while.
At just under $15 in the US and £10 in the UK, it’s the most budget-friendly sleep gift on the list, while still being one that many people will appreciate.
Find out more in my sleep masks comparison and video.
2. The Circadian Code by Dr Satchin Panda
A fascinating look at how understanding the natural rhythms of the body can improve our sleep and health.
I bought the paperback version of The Circadian Code, which you can see on my nightstand in the photo above. I take the idea of bedtime reading very literally…
The Circadian Code is full of practical advice that can make a real difference to our sleep and health in general, all achievable through lifestyle adjustments that the author guides you through step by step.
Dr Satchin Panda is an expert in the field of circadian rhythm research, and he explains how our body’s internal clock regulates sleep, and its impact on other aspects of our lives.
You may have heard advice like spending time in morning light is beneficial, or that strong artificial light and snacking late at night aren’t ideal. In The Circadian Code, he explains the scientific research behind those concepts and exactly how you can use them to improve your sleep and overall health.
There is a strong emphasis on time restricted eating, which is where the losing weight aspect is covered in depth. However, the author acknowledges that this may not be suitable for everyone, such as those with a history of eating disorders. Interestingly, even though weight loss isn’t a goal of mine, I do have digestive issues, and following his advice has been positive so far.
While I think you need to be slightly careful who you give this book to, it’s one I found accessible, fascinating, and genuinely useful for my sleep. And it was the final push I needed for dinner to be the last thing I ate in the evening, as much as I love salt and vinegar snacks with a good series or movie.
If you’d like to find out more before getting the book, there’s an interesting interview with him on the Feel Better, Live More podcast, which is my favourite health podcast if you haven’t heard of it before.
There are audiobook, Kindle, paperback and hard cover versions, with the price varying accordingly.
3. Loop Earplugs
Comfortable earplugs, with stylish versions made for loud social events.
In the photo above, you can see the three versions of the Loop earplugs I tested. Left to right: Experience 2 Plus, Dream, Quiet 2. Once you see the smiley face the case and earplugs make, you can’t unsee it!
Loop appears to be on a mission to reinvent the earplug. They’ve moved away from basic foam and created a wide range of very comfortable and modern silicone earplugs for different situations.
I recently bought three different versions to test, and was particularly impressed by how comfortable the Loop Dream were to wear in bed.
They have the highest noise reduction rating of the three I tried, with a noise reduction rating of 21 dB in the American system. This isn’t as much as my foam earplugs, but they still blocked out a good amount of noise, such as distant traffic and light snoring.
In the photo above, you can see how the Loop earplugs fit and look in my ear. Like many headphones, they come with four different tip sizes so you can get the best fit.
The Quiet 2 were also comfortable, but perhaps better to use in the daytime, such as when studying or if the world around you feels overwhelmingly loud.
I was surprised by how much I liked the Experience 2 Plus. I took them to an extremely loud parade and fireworks night where people throw bangers in the street for hours on end. They did a great job of reducing the noise to a tolerable level and I didn’t go home with my ears ringing.
So if you happen to know someone who struggles with noise, but finds foam earplugs uncomfortable, a pair of Loop earplugs might be the answer. And if you know someone who should probably wear earplugs more often to protect their hearing, but they don’t think it’s cool, perhaps they’d accept the stylish Experience 2 Plus.
They are more expensive than standard foam, wax, or silicone earplugs, but you can get 100+ uses out of them and then pick up some new tips rather than needing new earplugs.
The Dream typically cost around $50 in the US, and £45 in the UK. The Experience 2 Plus are around $49 in the US and £45 in the UK. The Quiet 2 are typically cost just under $25 in the US and £25 in the UK.
Find out more in my in-depth Loop earplugs review.
4. Snooz White Noise Machine
A real fan inside creates a relaxing sound that blocks external noise well.
Above, you can see the Snooz, which is one of the few white noise machines that creates a soothing fan sound with an actual fan rather than recordings.
Some insomniacs (myself included) struggle to sleep if there’s even the slightest noise in the house. While earplugs and headphones can work well, there’s an alternative for those who find earplugs uncomfortable: a white noise machine.
White noise is a simple and effective way to mask sound coming from outside the bedroom. Some people also find it helps them concentrate while studying or working if the outside world is full of distracting sounds.
The Snooz is an excellent little device that has a surprisingly powerful fan inside considering its small size. But with ten volume levels, I like how you can have a soft fan sound in the background or speed the fan up if you need to block out your neighbour’s annoying music. And unlike a normal fan, it doesn’t blow cold air around your bedroom in the winter.
It might not be everyone’s idea of peace and quiet, but some people will much prefer it to the sound of cars, music, dogs, television, or even that creaking pipe somewhere under the floorboards.
In a recent test of seven fan-based white noise machines I did, it was my equal favourite overall because of the balance between effective noise masking and pleasant sound.
It usually costs just under $100 in the US and £150 in the UK. This does make it one of the more expensive white noise machines, but those with a real fan do tend to cost more than the basic ones with recordings.
See the Snooz in action in my fan white noise machines comparison.
5. Ozlo Sleepbuds
Comfortable sleep headphones with excellent built-in noise masking sounds.
In the photo above, you can see the stylish and ergonomic design of the Ozlo Sleepbuds. They have four tip sizes to help get a good fit in different ears.
The only category with two places in this article is the sleep headphones. This is because many people enjoy listening to audio in bed, but some prefer the higher audio quality of earbuds rather than the headband style (coming up next).
The Ozlo Sleepbuds are the latest I’ve tried and they really impressed me, both with the comfort and the audio quality, which is so often lacking in headphones that were designed specifically with sleep in mind.
Their tiny size, soft silicone wings and ergonomic design mean I’m able to lie on my side for much longer than I can with normal headphones, such as my AirPods Pro 2.
In the photo above, you can see how snugly the Ozlo Sleepbuds fit in my ear. Their flat profile makes them suitable even for side sleepers.
Interestingly, they are made by a team of former Bose engineers, who have evolved the Ozlo from the Bose Sleepbuds. One key difference is that you can stream your own audio and video, which you couldn’t with the original Bose design.
They don’t have active noise cancellation, but they do have a wide range of excellent noise masking sounds on the Ozlo app that you can download directly onto the earbuds to use with your audio device switched off.
I tested them extensively and found I could mask noise such as snoring and other people’s music very well with the app sounds. They recently released some new sounds, with 20 in total now. I love the new rain and brown noise tracks, which are very well done.
The main downside is the price – they are more expensive than many standard high-end headphones even. They cost $349 in the US, £299 in the UK, $399 in Canada, or €349 in Europe. If that’s a stretch, perhaps check out my Soundcore Sleep A20 review. I personally prefer the Ozlo, but the more affordable A20s are also pretty good.
Find out more in my in-depth Ozlo Sleepbuds video and review
6. SleepPhones Headphones
Comfortable headphones that will rock you to sleep.
In the photo above, I’m using the Bluetooth version of the Sleepphones. The headband design is a good alternative for those who prefer not to have anything inside their ear canals while sleeping.
If you enjoy falling asleep while listening to music, radio, or podcasts, the SleepPhones are a unique way to make it a more comfortable experience. They are particularly good for side sleepers who have found normal headphones uncomfortable to use in bed in the past.
The SleepPhones are made with flat, individually padded speakers that are tucked away inside a soft fabric headband. The flat shape and double padding combine to let you lie in any position, whether just for a short while or the whole night.
I’ve found that the speaker quality is good enough to listen to music, radio, podcasts or video quietly in bed. And since they work via Bluetooth, you don’t have a cable in bed connecting to your device like some other headbands.
You can choose between a cooler fabric for hot sleepers or cozy fleece for the winter months. The headband is conveniently machine washable as you can remove the speakers and control module.
I wouldn’t recommend them for noise masking as they don’t block nearly as much as the Ozlo Sleepbuds. But their comfortable design and reasonable speaker quality make the SleepPhones a great way for insomniacs to drift off to sleep in a private little audio cocoon.
They cost just under $100 in the US or £100 in the UK for the original Bluetooth version.
Find out more in my SleepPhones review and video.
7. Bcozzy Travel Pillow
A comfortable travel pillow with an adjustable 360-degree neck support.
Not my most flattering photo, but at least you can see how the Bcozzy can be used to create different neck heights.
How many times have you picked up a standard U-shaped travel pillow in an airport, only to discover it pushes your head forwards or doesn’t have high enough sides to keep your head upright?
Whenever I fly, I take two or three new travel pillows with me to try (obsessive, I know). After testing more than 20 over the years, the Bcozzy is my favourite, for a couple of reasons.
Most importantly, the coil design wraps all the way around your neck, which helps stop your head slumping forward or to the side uncomfortable when you fall asleep.
The coil also wraps back round on itself to create different heights to lean on, so it will suit both kids and tall adults like me. And the plush cover and fiberfill inside makes it very cozy to lean into on a long journey.
It usually costs around $50 in the US or £42 in the UK, and less for the kids sizes. While you can find less expensive travel pillows (check out my travel pillow article for more), this one makes a good gift for someone who might not think of getting a better travel pillow for themself.
8. Philips Smartsleep Sunrise Alarm Clock
Fall asleep and wake up more gently with a sunset and sunrise simulator.
Above, I’m using the Philips Smartsleep as a reading light. It’s more than bright enough to read by and has 20 brightness settings for the sunrise.
Do you know someone who struggles to wake up early, especially during the winter months? Perhaps they often seem grumpy in the morning, and don’t exactly face the day with a spring in their step. Or maybe they simply work difficult shifts and have to wake up in complete darkness.
Not everyone finds it easy to start the day with a smile, especially when it’s still dark outside or in a blacked out bedroom. That’s where the Philips Smartsleep can make a difference.
A short while before your chosen alarm time, it will turn on with a deep orange glow and slowly increase in brightness over 20-40 minutes. It gently fades through oranges, yellows, and warm whites, finishing on a brightness of your choice.
With a choice of gentle alarm tones or
When I tested five midrange models over a couple of months, the Philips was my favourite overall, with the right balance of realistic sunrise effect, pleasant alarm tones, ease of use, and price.
It costs just under $110 in the US and £150 in the UK, which puts it in the middle of the price range for advanced sunrise alarm clocks. You can find some more budget-friendly models, but the sunrise tends to be less smooth or only use one colour.
See it in action in my comparison of sunrise alarm clocks.
9. Bearaby Napper Weighted Blanket
A stylish and breathable blanket that hugs you to sleep.
In the photo above, I’m relaxing under my Bearaby Napper. The comfy, stylish design makes it a good weighted blanket to use in both the bedroom and living room.
Working on the principle of deep touch pressure stimulation, a weighted blanket applies gentle pressure over your whole body, sometimes described as feeling a little like being hugged.
In my experience, the Bearaby Napper does feel relaxing to use, and I can see where the hug effect concept comes from; the combination of the weight and the way it conforms to the shape of your body has a reassuring feel to it.
The Bearaby Napper is unique in the weighted blanket world in that it doesn’t use artificial filler and thousands of microbeads. Instead, it has a giant organic cotton weave to create the weight. So it’s a more eco-friendly weighted blanket, made by a company that seems to value sustainability.
While the cotton weave and rich color add a touch of elegance to both beds and sofas, the weave’s natural air holes also make it more breathable than standard weighted blankets. In a test I did of various weighted blankets, this one was the most breathable by far.
As for the price, the Bearaby Napper costs between $199 and $299 in the US and around £220 in the UK, which is a typical price for high-quality weighted blankets.
So if you know an insomniac who likes a good hug, and who enjoys a little comfort in life, the Bearaby weighted blanket could be the perfect gift.
See it in action in my weighted blankets for hot sleepers article.
10. BedJet 3
High-tech wizardry that can cool or heat the bed.
In the photo above, you can see how I set the BedJet 3 up in my bedroom. The base unit can be positioned under the bed or next to it, and the tube and nozzle are adjustable to direct airflow to different parts of your bed and body.
Some people find they sweat their way through the sticky summer nights, and then shiver their way into bed in the winter; others just wish that Jedi mind control worked on their body’s thermostat.
The BedJet 3 is a high-tech climate control system for the bed that gives you complete control over the speed and temperature of the airflow. I found it to be an effective bed cooling system in the summer, and a very capable alternative to heated bedding in the winter.
You can use the remote control or companion app to fine tune the fan speed and temperature, as well as program changing temperatures throughout the night. For couples with differing temperature preferences, there’s the option of a dual-zone version, which comes with two separate units and remotes.
If standard fans or heated bedding have let you down in the past, the BedJet 3 will rise to the challenge, giving those who struggle with temperature in bed a reliable way to do something about it throughout the whole year.
Just keep in mind that this is the most expensive item in the article, so it’s not exactly a stocking filler. A single zone typically costs in the region of $500, or a dual zone around $1000 in the US. It’s also available in the UK, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
Find out more in my BedJet 3 review and video.
