Skip the snooze button, because you won't want to miss this: Shop TODAY's inaugural Sleep Awards are here!
For the first-ever Shop TODAY Sleep Awards, our editors turned our own bedrooms into our test labs, personally trying and evaluating dozens of contraptions to find out which gear actually helps people achieve better sleep.
Our award winners cover everything from wind-down routine must-haves to the alarm clocks you won't dread going off in the morning. To kick off the launch, Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach stopped by Studio 1A with a few of the winners. From buzz-worthy new tech finds to tried-and-true bedding, these products minimized tossing and turning and actually helped us sleep better.
Ready to catch some Z's? To see our editor-tested and approved sleep products, just keep scrolling. And don't forget to check out the full list of award winners here.
2025 Sleep Awards winners seen on TODAY
Experts say you should be replacing your pillow every two to three years. If it’s time to upgrade, the right pillow for you might depend on your sleep style, since you want to keep your head, neck and spine aligned, experts previously told Shop TODAY.
For side sleepers, the editor-loved Osteo pillow is our pick, because it fills in the hollow between your shoulder and neck and cradles your head.
No matter your pillow, a satin pillowcase is a must to reduce friction and hair breakage — this editor-approved set of two is just $10.
Our picks for best pajamas include this 95% modal short set, which senior social media editor Kate McCarthy has owned multiple pairs of over the last five years.
Do you use a white noise machine? They can really help you fall asleep and drown out outside noise (or fill the silence when your mind wants to race). It’s so easy to use, thanks to a ton of different white, brown and pink noise options you can choose between and timers to have the machine auto-off once you drift into sleep.
For all types of sleepers, we recommend this Coop adjustable pillow, because you can customize how much fluff you put in it to nail the perfect height.
To go with your new pajamas, step into a pair of these comfy indoor-outdoor slippers. Dearfoams is a female-founded brand that has been around for over 75 years, and this cushioned winner is made with memory foam and genuine shearling to be extra cozy. One of our testers said these were just like trendy, pricier slippers, but at a fraction of the cost.
The Oura Ring is a sleek, mega-viral health tracker that goes on your finger instead of your wrist, so it's comfy enough to wear to bed and blends in with your other jewelry in the daytime. It has sensors along the inside of the band that track things like changes in body temperature, heart rate, respiration and movement to give you scores of 0-100 in categories like 'sleep,' 'activity' and overall 'readiness' for your day ahead.
"I personally own this and love it," Brach vouches. "While you can use it as a fitness tracker and to monitor stress levels, we love it most for tracking sleep stats and getting useful insights to improve our rest."
While men can be notoriously hard to shop for, these L.L.Bean sleep pants convinced a couple Shop TODAY staffers’ significant others to ditch their old basketball shorts.
Sleep Awards winners seen on the 3rd Hour of TODAY
Did you know that you're supposed to change your sheets every 18 to 24 months? Besides visible signs of wear, like thinning and fading, you might actually feel when your sheets are past their prime, which can disrupt your sleep.
If it's time to refresh your set, this affordable award-winner is our recommendation. The cooling sheets are temperature regulating, per the brand, meaning that they'll keep you cozy in the winter and cool in the summer. According to the brand, they're resistant to wrinkles and pilling. Plus, they've got over 300,000 customer ratings on Amazon.
For under $15, this motion sensor light is the affordable home upgrade that wins for the title of best night light. It turns on when it detects motion up to 25 feet away, and automatically turns off after 90 seconds of no motion detection.
“I love this as someone with low night vision,” Brach says. “It’s also great for guests, grandparents, kids or anyone trying to make it to the bathroom at night... think about those dark hallways, stairs and more spaces.”
Sleeping in on the weekends is no easy feat, but associate social media editor Dani Musacchio got these blackout curtains on Amazon and said she wishes she had bought them sooner, because they made such a difference in her sleep. Plus, they help to cool down her apartment in summer and they'll keep heat in during winter, thanks to the thick, insulating triple-weave fabric.
Associate editor Shannon Garlin put our winner for best earplugs to the test in her noisy New York City apartment and said they helped her block out noise and sleep so much better. She notes that the Loop earplugs are especially great for side sleepers because of the slim profile and four tip sizes that stay put through tossing and turning.
They're not just for the nights you're home, either — some folks might love these for loud concerts, travel and airplane rides to help you get rest.
Having a humidifier in your bedroom can help keep your skin, lips, throat and sinuses from getting too dried out at night and contribute to better sleep... especially as we head into the dry fall season. We tested top-rated options and liked this one best because it’s quiet, compact and super easy to use from your phone — you can even set schedules with it.
“It creates an ultra-fine mist and can give you up to 36 hours of uninterrupted comfort at a time,” Brach explains. “And it has an acoustic design that reduces noise level to 28 decibels — that’s about the noise level of a whisper or rustling leaves.”
This under-$6 lavender essential oil bath soak makes for the ultimate wind-down routine. Deputy managing editor Jess Bender says she's been using it on and off for years and loves it for getting better sleep. The brand says it's designed with magnesium salt to help ease aches and pains from muscle soreness.
"Just pour two cups into your bath when the water is running and soak for 20 minutes, breathing deep to reap the aromatherapy benefits and calm the mind," Brach instructs.
More Sleep Awards winners to shop
"This is my overnight hair savior," reveals associate producer Alexa Arent. "Truly the easiest, quickest, and least harmful way to curl your hair. I wrap my hair before bed, and thanks to it’s comfortable design, sleep like a baby just to wake up with the most gorgeous curls."
Block out light and log more hours of sleep in the morning with this pillow eye mask. We love the even layer of cushioning that adds comfort and the satin-based material that ensures your hair and skin will look still their best after you rest up.
Whether you're looking to light up the kids' rooms or make finding the bathroom in the middle of the night easier, we love this night light that casts a soft, indirect glow that won't disturb your sleep. Plus, it has an ambient light sensor that automatically turns on when the room gets dark and an optional motion detection mode.
This viral overnight mask goes on opaque, but as it settles into your skin, the mask turns clear. Editorial assistant Madison San Miguel says her skin is "super moisturized and glowing" on the mornings she wakes up after using one of these sheet masks.
"For being so inexpensive, this is a decent pick for the spring/summer since it’s super light," production coordinator Camryn Privette shares of her new go-to robe. "I actually like it way more than I thought I would!"
If you have to go to bed with wet hair, ditch the heavy, bulky towels that come unraveled and opt for this absorbent pillowcase instead. It's designed to help dry and protect your hair, and the Shop TODAY team has been loving it for years.
If you've been curious about weighted blankets, we suggest giving this budget-friendly option a try. It comes in a ton of colors and a range of sizes, plus it's got cooling glass beads in the fill to be suited to warmer months like summer.
While not overtly marketed as cooling, we think these sheets are so comfortable to sleep in year-round — even in the stuffy summer months. They’re made from 100% cotton, which lends a silky, smooth and soft feel that gets better with every wash.
Do you dread the sound of your alarm going off in the morning? Allow us to shed some light on a better option: this editor-approved sleep gadget, which is a sound machine, bedside clock and lamp all in one. It's designed to gently wake you up with a simulated sunrise and the sound of your choosing so you can start your mornings on a better note.
Editor Vivien Moon swears by this find for her bed’s top layer in the summertime. She says the comforter is actually cooling and super lightweight, making it ideal for hot sleepers, those going through menopause or anyone who just wants to sleep better in the summer.
Purple calls this ‘the greatest pillow ever invented’ — and speaking from personal experience, I think it lives up to the hype. I've yet to find anything quite like the unique gel grid material, which is strangely satisfying to the touch and doesn't trap heat. It’s more than I’ve ever spent on a pillow, but given that we spend a third of our lives in bed and getting good sleep is so important, I think it’s worth every penny.
Meet the experts
- Adrianna Brach is the editorial director at Shop TODAY, with over a decade of experience as an editor covering beauty, fashion and shopping.
- Shop TODAY is a team of shopping editors and writers who spend hours every day finding the best new products, tried-and-true favorites and more that are worth shopping, according to our high standards.
How we chose
We sorted through 150 editor recommendations, products featured in previous articles, new launches, innovative finds and more to curate a list of 47 winners.
Our team of editors and staff members pitched their tried-and-true picks for all things sleep, from sheets and mattresses they’ve sworn by for years to sleepwear and gear that aid in delivering their best sleep ever. To determine our winners, we relied on our team’s previous experience with each item, keeping in mind several factors including quality, special features, value and overall satisfaction. We also tapped into experts to share their feedback on what makes a quality sleep product.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
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