16 Gifts for People Who Just Need a Good Night’s Sleep
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Between anxiety and insomnia, I've always had trouble sleeping, and I'm not alone. Chances are you or someone you know is not getting enough sleep, and that can have a serious impact on your health. In the past few years, a few of us on the Gear Team have worked tirelessly to transform our bedrooms into the comfiest, coziest places possible to help coax ourselves into that ever-elusive restful night of sleep.
We've tested dozens of sleep products for various guides and reviews—everything from sheets and weighted blankets to sound machines and sex toys. The best of the best are listed here, and we can attest that each one of these has helped us sleep a little better at night. I hope they help you, or a loved one, too.
Updated November 2024: Updated pricing and availability and swapped in a few new products, including a wearable blanket hoodie, an essential oil roller, and a couple of sleep masks.
Be sure to check out our many other buying guides this season, including the Best Viral TikTok Gadgets, Best White Elephant Gifts, and Great Gifts for PC Gamers.
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- Photograph: Casper
Twin 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 $249 (full price) 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 sunlike 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 gradually 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: Ember
Bedside Tea Service
Ember Mug 2 (14 Ounces)Ember's smart mug is a great choice for coffee in the morning, keeping your cup of motivation warm throughout your workday. But it's also 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: Amazon
Bedside Humidifier
HealthSmart Cool Mist Humidifier LampWhen you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep, the right lighting is super important. The HealthSmart humidifier lamp is an LED lamp that sheds gentle multicolored light that can help you wind down at 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: Gravity Blanket
Cozy Weight
Gravity Blanket Original Weighted BlanketWeighted blankets are just one of many ways to manage your anxiety, but they're the only one that actively encourages you to take a nap, which is a big plus in my book. My absolute favorite weighted blanket is definitely the Original by Gravity Blankets. Its covered in a plush exterior that's super soft to the touch, and it's securely stitched throughout so you don't lose any of that interior sand (that's the part that weighs you down).
If you've never tried one, weighted blankets give you a comforting sense of being gently held—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!).
For more picks check out our Best Weighted Blankets guide!
- Photograph: Adrienne So
Earbuds to Sleep In
Beats Fit ProThese are designed for being active, not sleeping, but they’re surprisingly comfy to sleep in. The little ear hook keeps them in place even when you toss and turn, and they do a great job of drowning out background noise without sealing up your ears too tight (that awful feeling earbuds can give, like they're sucking the air out of your head). Plus, they produce deep rumbly bass and richly layered audio.
For more picks, check out our Best Earbuds for Working Out guide.
- Photograph: Google
Mini Noise Machine
Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen)Just 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.
If you're in the Apple ecosystem, the HomePod Mini is also great for this!
Check out our favorite sound machines for more help with "white noise."
- Photograph: Jambys
Snuggle 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 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: Parachute
Modern, 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: Nest
Heavy but Comfy
Nest 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.
- Photograph: Dame
An 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: bilalulker/Alamy
The 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 YouTube 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.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
A Cooling Eye Mask
Opal Cool Eye MaskFew things are as unpleasant as trying to fall asleep when you’re too hot—especially if you’re like me and need the weight of a blanket no matter how stifling a room is. This Opal sleep mask comes in handy for exactly these situations. It’s filled with plant-based phase change material which, in my testing, maintained a temperature of around 58 degrees Fahrenheit for a little over half an hour. That’s enough time for me to pass the heck out when I’m overheated, but the mask also doubles as a soothing companion when I’ve got a bad headache. It doesn’t fit too tightly and it stays in place while I’m sleeping, and the cloth barrier keeps things cool without giving me a brain freeze or making me too cold too fast. The only downside is having to keep it in the fridge or freezer between uses, but I’m willing to sacrifice the space.
An Eye Mask / Speaker Combo
Manta Sound Sleep MaskThe Manta Sound Sleep Mask has been a necessary camping companion ever since I first started testing it. I’ve used it at home, on camping trips, on overnight hotel stays, and in the middle of the afternoon sun. It creates a complete blackout with zero eye pressure. The hollow C-shaped eye cups are adjustable so you can ensure that no light gets in. The real magic is in the accompanying Bluetooth headphones. They’re super-thin—I couldn’t ever feel them, even though I sleep exclusively on my sides like a human rotisserie chicken—and adjustable using the handy loop on the sides of the mask. Simply connect your phone and pipe in box fan noises, ASMR, or whatever helps you drown out the sounds of your snoring partner or that barking dog next door. The rechargeable battery lasts around 20 hours.
The mask is double-layered so you can safely machine wash it, and there are three buttons at the front of the mask for power and volume that are easy to find and use while you can’t see anything. The mask isn’t super padded or particularly soft, but I found it comfortable, and while it lacks noise cancelation, I was still able to use it to fall asleep in a hotel room with a TV blaring and two friends talking—an environment where I’d normally be tossing and turning. I would have paid several hundred dollars to have had this sleep mask around when I worked third shift. It’s pricey, but I think the investment is worthwhile. The mask comes with a charging cable and a carrying case.
- Photograph: Big Blanket Co
A Wearable Blanket
Big Blanket Co Hideout HoodieThis oversize hoodie is like a portable nap. It’s essentially a wearable blanket, and it instantly makes me cozy and sleepy whenever I put it on. The inner sherpa lining is soft and warm, and there are tons of fun patterns available for the velvety-soft outside. (Mine is covered in unicorns.) The giant oversize hood is like a visual “do not disturb” mode, and there’s even a built-in shade to help shield your eyes from any stray light. I also really like the oversize kangaroo pocket since it has built-in zippers. I can safely stow my phone or Kindle as I move from the couch to the fridge and back again.
I’m 5'1", so it comes down to below my knees, but that isn’t a deterrent for me. If you’re taller, this will fit more like a big hoodie and less like a dress. The thumb-holed cuffs on the arms help me maintain some dexterity despite being thoroughly encased in fabric. I think this is the perfect winter hibernation accessory and I wish it were socially acceptable to wear it all day, every day. The only downside I’ve managed to find is that this thing takes forever to dry after you machine wash it. I suggest an extra spin cycle and a few dryer balls to help speed things along.
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- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
Olfactory Support
Candier Girl Go To Sleep Essential Oil RollerThis essential oil roller contains a blend of lavender and ylang-ylang that made my eyes droop as soon as I smelled it. I suffer from insomnia, and I sleep next to someone who often goes to bed much later than I do. This oil has been a huge help in drifting off when I just can’t make my brain quiet down. I pop some on my wrists and temples, and I’ve also rolled it across my sheets. The smell doesn’t linger for days and days, but it certainly lasts long enough to help me get to sleep. I also appreciate the travel-friendly 10-millileter size. Aromatherapy is nothing new when it comes to getting good shut-eye, but I think having all the tools in your arsenal is a good thing, and for me, that includes this oil on my nightstand.
A Goldilocks Comforter
Buffy Breeze ComforterThe eucalyptus Buffy breeze comforter strikes the perfect balance between thickness and temperature. It's extra cooling and comfy, but still keeps you warm. It's not particularly thick or heavy, but it still provides that “blanket” feeling. It's hard to put my finger on what makes it so magical. All I know is that it's been my base blanket layer ever since it first arrived on my doorstep a couple years ago—no matter whether it's the dead middle of summer or the negative-degree winter. If your giftee struggles with staying asleep because of temperature issues, this blanket might be the thing that finally helps them regulate.
