I can't switch off at night
For the brain that starts its best work at 11pm. Heavy, dark, quiet things.
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Guides for this shelf
- Sleep earplugs and headphones for side sleepers: Loop, soundcore and headbands comparedFor side sleepers, the best earplugs sit flush and feel soft on the pillow: Loop Dream (27dB SNR, oval foam tips) is built for it, and Loop Quiet 2 is the cheaper all-rounder.
- Sleep masks that don't press on your eyes: Manta and Drowsy comparedA sleep mask that doesn't press on your eyes either has cups that sit around the eye socket or thick padding that rests on the bone above and below.
- Sunrise alarm clocks compared: Lumie, Philips and cheaper optionsThe Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150 (about £119) is the sunrise alarm clock to buy if you want to choose the sunrise length and have a display that switches itself off at night; the Philips HF3519 (under £150) adds FM radio and 20 brightness levels.
- White noise machine or app? What to buy in the UKA white noise machine is worth buying if you want the same steady sound every night without your phone by the bed; an app is fine if you only need it now and then.
On the shelf: 22 finds
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Bodyclock Glow 150 Wake-up Light
By Lumie
Light that builds slowly before your alarm, so you wake to a sunrise rather than a sudden noise. Sunset mode too.
£119See it at LumieAffiliate link -
Emma Hug Weighted Blanket (7kg or 13.5kg)
By Emma, sold by Emma Sleep
Seven kilos spread evenly in glass-bead pockets, so it feels like a steady hug. The cotton cover comes off to wash.
from £88.40See it at Emma SleepAffiliate link -
Silk Sleep Mask, Midnight Blue
By Drowsy Sleep Co
Wide, padded silk that blocks light completely without pressing on your eyes. Wraps round your head, no thin strap.
Affiliate link -
Sleep A30 Sleep Earbuds
By soundcore (Anker), sold by soundcore
Tiny earbuds built for side sleepers: noise cancelling plus soundscapes, and a case that listens for snoring and masks it.
£199.99See it at soundcoreAffiliate link -
Loop Dream Earplugs
By Loop, sold by Loop Earplugs
Soft silicone earplugs shaped for side sleepers, so they turn the volume down without digging in when you roll over.
£44.95See it at Loop EarplugsAffiliate link -
Wellbeing Kids Weighted Blanket 3kg
By Silentnight
A lighter 3kg weighted blanket sized for a child's bed, and the whole thing goes in the washing machine.
Affiliate link -
Bedtime Routines Visual Timer
By Fledglings, sold by Fledglings
A moon night light that counts down each bedtime step with light, not beeps. Stickers show what comes next.
£35.99See it at FledglingsAffiliate link -
Dohm Uno White Noise Machine
By Yogasleep, sold by Amazon
A real fan inside makes a steady whoosh, so doors, traffic and snoring blur into the background. No looping tracks to notice.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Manta Sleep Mask
By Manta Sleep, sold by Manta Sleep
Adjustable eye cups sit around your eyes, not on them, so it goes properly dark with nothing pressing on your lids.
Affiliate link -
Wake-up Light HF3519/01
By Philips, sold by Amazon
The lamp brightens gradually before your alarm, so you wake to a light room rather than a beep in the dark.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Sleep Headphones Headband
By MUSICOZY, sold by Amazon
Thin speakers inside a soft headband, so you can lie on your side listening with nothing digging into your ears.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Calm and Cosy 7kg Weighted Blanket
By Fogarty (Dunelm), sold by Dunelm
Glass bead filling under a soft microfibre cover, machine washable, and a lower-cost way to find out if weight suits you.
Affiliate link -
Hybrid Pillow
By Simba, sold by Simba Sleep
Pull layers out or put them back until the height and firmness feel right. Handy if every pillow has been wrong.
Affiliate link -
Summer Hybrid Duvet (4.5 tog)
By Simba, sold by Simba Sleep
A light 4.5 tog duvet for anyone who kicks the covers off at 2am. Something over you, far less heat.
from £129See it at Simba SleepAffiliate link -
Sunrise Alarm Wake-up Light
By Lumie
The lamp brightens over 30 minutes before your alarm, so the room is light when it goes off. Sounds are optional.
£49.98See it at LumieAffiliate link -
Bodyclock Shine 300 Wake-up Light
By Lumie
Set a sunrise anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes, then wake to the light, one of 15 sounds or FM radio.
£149See it at LumieAffiliate link -
LectroFan Evo White Noise Machine
By Adaptive Sound Technologies (LectroFan), sold by Amazon
Plays fan sounds and white, pink or brown noise that never loops, with a sleep timer. Runs from mains or USB.
See priceat AmazonSee it at AmazonAffiliate link -
Manta PRO Sleep Mask, Classic
By Manta Sleep, sold by Manta Sleep
C-shaped eye cups taper at the temples, so it stays dark with nothing on your lids when you lie on your side.
Affiliate link -
Manta KIDS Sleep Mask
By Manta Sleep, sold by Manta Sleep
A child-sized version of Manta's cup mask for ages 6 and up. Adjustable, fully dark, and nothing presses on the eyelids.
Affiliate link -
Insight Timer: Meditate, Sleep
By Insight Network Inc, sold by App Store
Thousands of free guided sessions, music and ambient sounds, plus a meditation timer. Optional paid tier.
Affiliate link -
Calm: Sleep & Meditation
By Calm.com, Inc., sold by App Store
Sleep Stories read aloud, guided sessions, breathing exercises and music. Premium is £12.99 a month or £69.99 a year.
£69.99a yearSee it at App StoreAffiliate link -
myNoise
By myNoise (Stéphane Pigeon), sold by myNoise
Free, advert-free noise generators with sliders, so you can turn down the parts of the sound you do not like.
Affiliate link
