Science Says This Is the Healthiest Way to Wake Up

Better Report

Mornings are stressful as it is, and noisy, fight-or-flight-activating alarm clocks — especially ones that sound like this — definitely don’t diffuse the stress. That’s why some folks, at least those whose schedules allow for it, choose to wake up with the sun, easing into the day without the stress response triggered by an alarm inserting itself into your day at full volume.

For those of us who are tied to earlier shifts, attend regular events, or care for children or animals, an alarm is unfortunately essential. It’s what, even if you have trouble sleeping past six or seven in the morning, ensures we get out of bed and get going. That said, those of us used to the sound our alarms make grow numb to how they make us feel — and what they might be doing to our nervous systems.

A 2024 study conducted by University of Virginia doctoral research student Yeonsu Kim “showed that the morning blood pressure surge when forced to wake up by an alarm was significantly greater than when waking up naturally.” In simpler terms, abrupt alarm sounds cause blood pressure to spike, trigger a “fight or flight” response, raise cortisol levels, and contribute to higher anxiety levels throughout the day.

An Australian study from 2020 found that more melodic alarm sounds improved alertness (less sleep inertia) after waking while reducing stress, both at the time of waking and later in the day. “Sleep inertia,” it read, “is a potentially dangerous reduction in human alertness and occurs 0–4 hours after waking. The type of sound people set as their alarm for waking has been shown to reduce the effects of sleep inertia… [and] a sound which is ranked as melodic by participants shows a significant relationship to reports of reductions in perceived sleep inertia.”

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Thankfully, there’s a product that blends both approaches: the Hatch Restore 3. To wake you, it slowly illuminates your room, mimicking the sun. Once fully lit, a melodic alarm tone of your choosing guides you into your day. It still triggers the release of cortisol, but not to stress-inducing levels: “By gently waking you up with light instead of sound, the sunrise alarm mimics a natural dawn, moving from red to orange to white before your chosen alarm sound plays. This gradual exposure to light prompts your brain to release cortisol, the hormone that cues your body to wake naturally and gently,” the box reads.

Hatch Restore 3

BUY FOR $170 AT HATCH

The light within typically begins to brighten 15 to 60 minutes before the scheduled wake-up time, depending on your user settings, going from a darker red to a bright white, as explained above, and your chosen alarm gradually gets louder, albeit on a shorter timeline. If you snooze the alarm (as most of us do), the tone stops, but the light stays on, acting as a gentle reminder that it’s time to get out of bed.

When you buy a Restore, it includes the device, its power cord, and a quick-start guide. You need a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection to use it and access to an iOS or Android device to download the accompanying app, which lets you register the device, set your alarm time, choose your tune, and play wind-down tracks, sleep podcasts, or stories. Your original purchase includes a free 30-day trial of the annual plan, which renews at $49.99/year after those 30 days.

Feature Image: Courtesy of Hatch

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Editorial Team

This article is for general informational purposes only.
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Updated: May 20, 2024

Posted In: Health

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Health

These Strangely Smart Earplugs Helped Me Sleep Better

Woman sleeping under duvet at the sunny morning, top view.

My wife is an on-and-off earplug user, but she only ever uses the silicone ones — albeit the trendy, slightly more expensive Loop earplugs. They were dense and blocked out noise — the dull roar of a nearby highway, our air purifier, the heat kicking on, a car parallel parking on our narrow city street, a bar emptying, my snoring, so she says — but regularly disappeared into our bed. And, she has a habit of falling asleep to a podcast — one, I’ll add, that I particularly like. So, when sleep evades her, she’ll ask, “Can we put a podcast on?” Together, her earplugs and my podcast would be an unbeatable force in our bedroom — she’d be fast asleep every night. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. If she wears the earplugs, she can’t hear my podcast. While silence might eventually help her get some shut-eye, the podcast works quicker, and falling asleep to them is an increasingly common habit — there are even dedicated “sleep podcasts.”

Ozlo Sleepbuds

My wife said they worked wonders only a few nights into testing Ozlo’s Sleepbuds. Often on sale, the set comprises your buds, a case (with a non-slip silicone base), four sizes of silicone tips, and a USB charging cable. The accompanying app is free, and stores valuable insights into your rest habits, but also allows you to pick your soundscape, control your regular music, or read more about sleep science.

BUY FOR $299 (ORIG. $349) AT OZLO

They’re Earplugs That Can Play a Podcast, Automatically Switch to Sleep Sounds, and Still Play an Alarm

So, fulfilling my husbandly duties, I sought out a solution: find her earplugs that could play her favorite podcast — I say that sarcastically, though, because, when awake, she does like listening to it too — but power off once she fell asleep. Something with a sleep timer and sound quality like an earbud, but with the ability to block out noise — and not just with omnipresent whirr of noise cancellation tech. The Ozlo Sleepbuds let her choose music, a podcast, a meditation, or an audiobook from separate apps (e.g., Spotify) or one of Ozlo’s pre-loaded white- or pink-noise soundtracks. They’re expectedly fluid, rising and fading within each minute, but actually adjust to your body metrics and what’s happening around you. So, if light is polluting your room, the accompanying case, which you’re supposed to keep at your bedside, detects it and adjusts accordingly, reshaping the soundscape to keep you asleep. The same goes for noise pollution or temperature changes. (It’s a little weird that the pocket-sized case can do this, I’ll admit.)

The best part is that she didn’t have to choose one or the other, so she didn’t have to commit to white noise if she really wanted to listen to a TED Talk instead. She could set herself up, get tucked in, put on the playlist, album, or podcast of her choosing, fall asleep to it, and then be gently switched over to one of their “masking” sounds, which range from Crimson Cloak, a hand gliding across fabric-like wave that evokes the color red, to Soar, which recalls the roar of an airplane cabin, as soon as her Sleepbuds determined she was asleep. She preferred the one that sounded the least like a real-world thing, which meant we went with Crimson Cloak. (This feature was still in a beta phase at the time of testing, but it works by quietly pausing your song or podcast and replacing it with your chosen sleep sound.) And while other earplugs would make her miss her alarm the next morning, the Ozlo Sleepbuds have one, as expected, built in. The chime will play directly in your ears, slightly louder than the sleepscapes, to ensure you do indeed wake up.

They’re Barely There, But Is That a Bad Thing?

Throughout the night, without her noticing (because she was asleep, which, I guess, is the point), it tweaked itself to her body and her environment: her temperature, the room’s temperature, her breathing pattern, the light levels. But, like that famous philosophical thought experiment about trees falling in the forest, can my wife really know the soundscape responded to either if she wasn’t awake to notice? You see, that’s, in theory, the entire point, but we both couldn’t get past this. To date, she’s only used the earplugs when she needs them, so someone who is constantly exposed to the soundtrack might pick up on the subtleties it deploys after midnight better than my wife would, who, so long as the Sleepbuds worked, would never hear other iterations.

As for fit, to her surprise, they were wedgely snugly into her ear. A suite of silicone tips helps you find the right size for your ear, ensuring they don’t feel loose and do indeed create an additional sound-blocking seal. The base of the Sleepbud sits in what she and I called her ear’s “pocket.” Technically, it’s the “concha,” the deep, bowl-shaped hollow in the center of the external ear. The Sleepbud is the right size to sit comfortably in there, even when she sleeps on her side, without pressing into her ear or causing any skull pain. When I tried them on, albeit with one of the larger silicone tips, I thought they were among the most comfortable earbuds I’d worn, even if I have ones with better audio quality.

We could see these events and a snapshot report of her prior night’s sleep in the app as soon as her Sleepbuds were placed back into their smart case, which is only slightly bigger than your regular plastic earplug container. This generated report, which Ozlo calls Sleep Patterns, assigns scores to three essential goals: duration, consistency, and efficiency. Using a mix of self-reporting and app-tracked metrics, you get a holistic sense of how you slept, complete with insights you probably wouldn’t have picked up on — like how your husband’s habit of staying up late to watch sports impacts your nighttime routine. The self-reporting part does have to happen in the AM, though, and typically first thing: when your buds get put back into their case, your sleep data starts to sync. Then, you’re asked to rate how you are feeling and how you slept. Options range from “OK” to “Tired” to “Refreshed.”

Featured Image Credit: Maria Korneeva / Getty Images

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Evan Malachosky

Managing Editor

Evan is a writer and editor based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His work has appeared in GQ, Esquire, Popular Mechanics, Gear Patrol, and more.

This article is for general informational purposes only.
Affiliate Disclaimer Medical Disclaimer Financial Disclaimer

Updated: May 21, 2024

Posted In: Health

Featured Image Credit: Maria Korneeva/Getty Images

Hero Image Credit: Woman sleeping under duvet at the sunny morning, top view.

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Sleep Hot? You Don’t Have to Crank the AC

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All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. Better Report may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

For most of my life, I’ve not been a fan of summer. Despite the joy of outdoor activities and beach shenanigans, I run very warm and struggle with the heat. However, I want to use my air conditioner less in hopes of reducing my electricity bill, improving my dry skin, and simply getting more comfortable with the heat. During the day, I might be able to deal, but I am also a hot sleeper and want to ensure I’m cool enough to fall asleep without cranking up the AC. Making my bed a cool place to power down at the end of the night will hopefully help my journey, and anyone else who’s a hot sleeper.

Start Here

There are plenty of practical steps you can take to sleep cool. Avoiding big meals, alcohol, and late-night exercise is a good start. Changing your sheets regularly and fluffing your pillows can also help. In addition to these steps, I’ve compiled a few products to integrate into your bedtime routine to promote coolness and comfort.

_{Prices are accurate as of May 15, 2025. Subject to change.}

3D Cooling Eye Mask for Sleeping — Courtesy of Amazon

Try Cooling Accessories

Wearable ice packs help reduce swelling from injuries, but you can also use them to cool down. Placing them on your pulse points on your wrists, ankles, and the backs of your knees for about 20 minutes will cool down your whole body before you fall asleep.

This cooling eye mask not only helps cool down your temperature as you doze off, but it can also help with migraines or dark circles. Put the mask in your freezer for about one to two hours before bedtime, and it should stay cool long enough for you to comfortably fall asleep. Once it returns to normal temperature, you still have a comfy sleep mask to block out light.

Cozy Earth bamboo pajamas — Courtesy of Cozy Earth

Get Breathable Pajamas

Breathable fabrics like bamboo, linen, and cotton are crucial for promoting cooler sleep as well. Cozy Earth’s bamboo pajamas — for men and women — are light and provide comfortable stretch to help avoid nighttime sweating.

Black and Decker dehumidifier — Courtesy of Amazon

Use a Dehumidifier

When you sweat, your body typically cools down as the sweat evaporates, taking heat from your blood with it. Sweating at night is never fun, but if your bedroom is more humid than usual, it’s harder for sweat to evaporate, and your body struggles to cool down. Turning the dehumidifier on about an hour before you plan to go to sleep will create a better sleeping environment for you.

Garnet Hill bedding set — Courtesy of Garnet Hill

Switch Your Bedding and Pillows

Linen sheets are a constant recommendation for hot sleepers. If you’re comfortable with your sheets looking a little more wrinkled than others, you’ll enjoy the benefits of the natural fiber. In general, hot sleepers should also try to launder their sheets more so they stay fresh and don’t stifle you. If linen makes you itchy, consider bamboo sheets like this set from Cozy Earth.

A dense mattress, like one made with memory foam, might be keeping you warm at night. However, a mattress is a big purchase, so if you don’t want to immediately replace it, a cooling topper is a good compromise. This one is also a protective cover that you can clean in the washing machine and dryer.

Just like memory foam mattresses can overheat, a memory foam pillow could cause you to feel warmer when you’re trying to sleep. Instead, try a down pillow. The fluffy, breathable filling is great for hot sleepers. If you’d like to skip down, latex pillows are another effective option that bridge the gap between memory foam and cooling materials. It works for sleepers who want more head support, and Purple’s pillow comes in three different heights for your preference.

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Upgrade Your Mattress

If all else fails, you may need to consider upgrading your mattress. Manufactured to promote coolness and airflow, Purple’s mattress promises chilly sleeping and comfort. Purple specifies that the medium firmness is best for those who sleep on their back or side. The foam layers should be able to provide support without pressure.

If you’re looking for a less pricey option, Tuft and Needle’s Original mattress is a good alternative. It’s also manufactured with cooling gel and has a medium firmness for supportive sleeping. Tuft & Needle also promises moisture-wicking to assist with sweaty sleepers.

Feature Image Credit: Alina Bitta/ iStock

Julia Rittenberg

Writer

Julia Rittenberg is a culture writer and content strategist driven by a love of good stories. She writes most often about books for Book Riot. She lives in Brooklyn with a ton of vintage tchotchkes that her cat politely does not knock over.

This article is for general informational purposes only.
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Updated: September 26, 2024

Posted In: Home

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Health

Our Favorite Things to Help You Get a More Restful Sleep

Better Report

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. Better Report may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Getting enough sleep is vital to your overall health. For adults, it’s recommended to get between seven and nine hours of shut-eye every night. But if you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help.

To get a good night’s sleep, try creating a calm and cool environment in your bedroom so that going to bed and waking up around the same time every day isn’t a challenge. Additionally, you can invest in the best sleep products designed to help you create a sleep routine, catch some zzzs, and promote better sleep habits. From sound machines to air purifiers, here are our favorite sleep essentials to get a better night’s rest.

_{Prices are accurate as of September 7, 2025. Subject to change.}

Sunrise Alarms
Humidifiers
Blackout Curtains
Weighted Blankets
Ear Plugs
Sleep Masks
Cooling Mattresses
Cooling Sheets
Air Purifiers
Sound Machines

Sunrise Alarms

Do you have to drag yourself out of bed every morning? Maybe you should give your body a little more time to transition into wakefulness. Sunrise alarms mimic the light output of an actual sunrise, targeting your body’s natural rhythm instead of jolting you out of bed with a blaring alarm. Many of them can help you fall asleep, too, with sunset simulators and other bells and whistles.

Hatch Restore 3

If you want a bedside light that does everything, get the Hatch Restore 3. It has a sleep-friendly sunset simulator or any colored light setting you might prefer, and cozy sounds to listen to as you drift off. Plus a sunrise alarm with gentle sounds like forest birds greet you as the day breaks. If you subscribe to Hatch’s monthly membership, it unlocks more features like sleep meditations.

BUY FOR $170 AT AMAZON

Phillips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light

The Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light is an enduring classic, which uses light and sound to wake you up in the morning and ease you into bed at night. It comes stocked with five preset sounds but also has access to FM radio. For weekend mornings, you can silence these with a one-tap snooze button.

BUY FOR $146 AT AMAZON

WiZ LED Smart Bulbs

If you’re on a budget, use affordable smart bulbs to turn any lamp into a sunrise alarm. Smart bulbs, including WiZ LED Smart Bulbs, can be controlled with an app where you can create schedules that turn the lights on and off at set times with options that allow the light to fade in and fade out. Create a schedule for your desired wakeup time and you’ll be able to rise and shine as peacefully as you would with a sunrise alarm clock.

BUY FOR $12 AT AMAZON

Humidifiers

It’s true: If you wake up feeling dry or with a dry mouth, it’s unlikely that you slept well. To counteract this, you can introduce a humidifier, which will regulate the moisture levels in your bedroom, ensuring that you feel refreshed (and hydrated) by the time morning comes around. A humidifier doesn’t just deliver moisture to your skin. It can alleviate respiratory discomfort, reduce nosebleeds, and even act as white noise given most machines give off a subtle hum while they work.

Dreo HM311S Smart Ultrasonic Humidifier

The Dreo HM311S Smart Ultrasonic Humidifier is one of our favorite humidifiers, thanks to its smart features and budget-friendly price. It creates a soothing, comfortable environment with a cool mist that can run for up to 32 hours and is easy to clean. Use the app to adjust mist settings, set timers, and create schedules — which is perfect for running while you’re asleep and setting a timer or schedule to turn off when you wake up (even better if you time it with your sunrise alarm).

BUY FOR $45 AT AMAZON

Levoit OasisMist 450S Ultrasonic Humidifier

The Levoit OasisMist 450S Ultrasonic Humidifier offers both a cool and warm mist that makes you and your bedroom more comfortable. With triple noise reduction technology, it adds humidity without being too noisy, making it perfect for running while you sleep. It also doubles as an essential oil diffuser, so you can add a few drops of relaxing lavender essential oil to help you doze off.

BUY FOR $90 AT AMAZON

Blackout Curtains

If you live in a city, light pollution could be affecting you more than you realize. It might be time to upgrade your window shades. Blackout curtains are exactly what they sound like: curtains designed to block out most exterior light. They’re also useful for people who have to go to sleep when it’s still light out.

NICETOWN Blackout Curtains

These blackout curtains come with two panels that are easy to install and block out unwanted light. Since they’re heavyweight, they also help reduce noise and balance room temperature, making them a sleep-friendly home upgrade.

BUY FOR $24 AT AMAZON

Primrose Velvet Floor-to-Ceiling Curtains

These curtains are a luxurious bedroom upgrade that look good and help keep unwanted light out of your bedroom. Made of a thick velvet material, they have a blockout rating of 75 to 90%, with darker colors having more of a light-blocking effect. On top of adding texture with a touch of sophistication to your bedroom decor, they also help reduce noise.

BUY FOR $70 AT AMAZON

Weighted Blankets

Do you feel restless when you try to sleep? Weighted blankets can help soothe your nervous system as if you’re being swaddled or held. The general guideline is to get a blanket that weighs about 10% of your body weight — for example, if you’re 150 pounds, get somewhere around a 15-pound blanket — but based on your preference, you can go lighter or heavier.

YnM Weighted Blanket

The YnM Weighted Blanket is one of the more affordable options you can buy. It’s available in a variety of colors, sizes, and weights ranging between 5 and 40 pounds. With glass bead filling and a seven-layer design, it’s made to comfortably contour to your body while evenly distributing its weight for a soothing effect that will have you falling asleep in no time.

BUY FOR $34 AT AMAZON

Bearaby Weighted Blanket

Bearaby’s blankets are designed to spread weight evenly over your body and trigger the release of hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, which help you relax and (hopefully) get deeper, longer sleep sessions each night. They’re available in several weights and materials like cotton, tencel, and velvet, and are quite stylish with a soft, knitted design.

BUY FOR $259 AT AMAZON

Ear Plugs

Whether you live on a busy city block or sleep beside a snoring-prone partner or pet, earplugs come in handy. They help you (literally) seal out the noises around you while your body focuses on falling asleep, not the uncontrollable distractions happening around you.

Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs

With the ability to block out noise up to 24 decibels, the Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs are perfect for keeping out unwanted sounds that might disrupt your sleep. Made of silicone, they’re lightweight and come with four ear tip sizes that you can customize to your comfort. They’re also reusable and come with a convenient carrying case.

BUY FOR $21 AT AMAZON

Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs

Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs have an impressive noise reduction rating of 33 decibels. They easily block out noise to help you sleep and can also be used at concerts or when riding motorcycles. They’re only reusable up to a few times, but they’re inexpensive and one container comes with 50 pairs.

BUY FOR $10 AT AMAZON

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Sleep Masks

If you can’t install blackout curtains, a sleep mask is your next best bet. In some cases, the lightest of sleepers need both. Sleep masks help with dry eyes, can boost your mood, and help you get more REM sleep, which lets you wake up feeling energized.

Alaska Bear Sleep Mask

The Alaska Bear Sleep Mask is soft, silky, and lightweight — all things a good sleep mask should be. With foam inserts in the eye area, it’s made to have a comfortable fit that doesn’t add pressure. The eye mask also features an adjustable strap and has a higher nose curve that forms to your face and blocks out light.

BUY FOR $10 AT AMAZON

Drowsy Sleep Co Mask

Drowsy’s super-soft silk sleep mask offers unprecedented coverage but still keeps you cool. Plus, it’s not just a flimsy strip of fabric. The mask itself is squishy and cloud-like, and easy to wear whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach.

BUY FOR $79 AT AMAZON

Cooling Mattresses

Sometimes the only solution to your sleeping problems is to upgrade to a new mattress. For some, it’s a proverbial white flag they refuse to wave, but we spend an average of one-third of our lives sleeping, so why not spoil yourself a little?

Casper Snow Cooling Hybrid Mattress

Research shows nearly 40% of people battle night sweats, which means nearly 40% of people sleep hot. The Casper Snow offers a solution. It’s ice cold, just like the underside of your pillow, but that sensation never fades, thanks to the top layer, which is cool to the touch, and the embedded tech designed to expel body heat as you release it.

BUY FOR $1,995 AT CASPER

Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid Mattress

The Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid Mattress is packed with cooling comfort. It has a dual spring system with 3,788 springs that help relieve pressure and give the mattress phenomenal motion isolation, making it great for couples. The pillow top is also equipped with phase-change fibers that help maintain a cool and stable temperature while you snooze.

BUY FOR $2,059 AT AMAZON

Purple RestorePremier Hybrid Mattress

Even though this Purple mattress comes at a higher price point, it has comfort and features that make it worth it. The mattress is topped with a 3-inch GelFlex Grid that contours to your body, along with CoolFlex coils that give the soft mattress some support. Thanks to its breathable design and moisture-wicking cover, it has a cooling effect that’s perfect for hot sleepers.

BUY FOR $3,499 AT PURPLE

Cooling Sheets

Cooling sheets will make your bed more comfortable, whether you’re adding them to your existing mattress or a brand-new cooling one. The right set can help regulate your body temperature, thus improving your sleep quality. And if you’re a hot sleeper, they’re practically essential.

Bedsure Cooling Sheet Set

This Bedsure sheet set is made from rayon derived from bamboo which gives you a cooling and luxurious feel, even on a budget. The sheets are moisture-wicking, help maintain a stable temperature, and are silky smooth. They also come in a variety of colors that will match with any decor style or color scheme.

BUY FOR $70 AT AMAZON

Ettitude CleanBamboo Signature Sateen Sheet Set

Made from Ettitude’s patented bamboo lyocell fabric, the brand’s Signature Sateen Sheet Set is a must for hot sleepers. They’re incredibly soft and cooling with the ability to thermoregulate while you sleep. I can attest to their effectiveness, as they’ve been one of my go-to sheets as a hot sleeper for years.

BUY FOR $344 AT ETTITUDE

Air Purifiers

An air purifier might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the best sleep products, but having good indoor air quality impacts all areas of your life. Running an air purifier helps remove allergens, dust, pollen, and other pollutants that can be irritating and disrupt your sleep.

Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier

This Levoit air purifier is lightweight and compact but gives you fresh, clean air in no time with its HEPA filter that catches 99.97% of ultra-fine particles. The air purifier has a sleep mode with QuietKEAP Technology that reduces noise to 24 decibels, so it won’t keep you up at night.

BUY FOR $100 AT AMAZON

Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Air Purifier

If you have a larger bedroom, try the Coway Airmega Air Purifier. Not only does it have a sleek design but it also has a four-stage filtration system that’s perfect for rooms up to 361 square feet. It captures pollen and other allergens and reduces volatile organic compounds and odor. With a built-in sensor, it detects your air quality on the spot. Plus, it’s quiet and sleep-friendly with noise levels as low as 24.4 decibels.

BUY FOR $207 AT AMAZON

Windmill Air Purifier

Windmill’s air conditioner is a fan favorite, and its new air purifier is equally enviable. It’s pricey, but covers a whopping 1,950 square feet. On its lowest mode, it’s whisper quiet at 16 decibels — but know that boost mode can be quite noisy; make sure to turn on the sleep setting before bed. A helpful app allows you to control the settings, check air quality, and see when you need to replace the filter. Better Report’s editor Medea Giordano has been testing it in her office. She says it keeps cat litter odors and her cat-induced allergies at bay. During a cooking fiasco that resulted in burnt bacon, the app alerted her of the poor air quality, and suggested turning the purifier to high or boost mode. The Windmill looks like a design piece, especially in bamboo.

BUY FOR $499 AT AMAZON

Sound Machines

While a weighted blanket soothes your body, white noise lulls your brain. Think of it like an audio blanket, if you will. When faced with steady background noise, your brain is less disrupted by sudden noises in the foreground, like footsteps from above, doors opening and closing, or even the mid-morning activity of your energized cat or dog. Even more so than external interference, white noise helps drown out your inner monologue, pushing stress, anxiety, and other worries to the side while you doze off.

Magicteam Sound Machine

This compact and portable sound machine is ideal for keeping by your bedside or even while you travel. It has 20 non-looping sleep sounds, including white noise, brown noise, a fan, rain, and the ocean. The sound machine has 32 volume levels to choose from and has multiple timers or continuous play that runs through the night.

BUY FOR $22 AT AMAZON

SNOOZ Smart White Noise Sound Machine

If the light, whirring sound of a fan lulls you to sleep, the SNOOZ Smart White Noise Sound Machine is for you. Its interior fan offers a non-looping, natural white noise that’s designed to help you fall asleep faster. The sound machine has 10 volume settings and can be controlled on the device or through an app where you can also create schedules.

BUY FOR $90 AT AMAZON

_{Featured Image Credit: UnderhilStudio/ Shutterstock}

Pauline Lacsamana

Writer

Pauline Lacsamana is a freelance writer and editor that specializes in commerce, home, design, wellness, travel, and lifestyle. She has bylines in The Spruce, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Hunker, Parade, TheStreet, and more.

This article is for general informational purposes only.
Affiliate Disclaimer Medical Disclaimer Financial Disclaimer

Updated: October 31, 2024

Posted In: Health

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The Best Pillows for Every Kind of Sleeper

Better Report

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. Better Report may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Choosing the right pillow might seem like just another bedtime chore, like flossing your teeth or setting your alarm clock. But here’s a fun fact: Picking the perfect pillow can be the secret ingredient to waking up on the right side of the bed every morning. Whether you sprawl like a starfish or curl up like a cat, the right pillow can be a game-changer, leading to better sleep and even better mornings. Dive into our picks for the best pillows tailored to every type of sleeper and transform your nightly retreat into something truly spectacular. Sweet dreams!

_{Prices are accurate as of January 20, 2026. Subject to change.}

Side Sleepers
Combination Sleepers
Back Sleepers
Stomach Sleepers

Side Sleepers

Sleep on your side? You’re not alone. Right or left, this position is the most common sleeping position, meaning side sleepers can easily find the right pillow. But let’s take your sleep to the next level with thick, firm pillows that fill the gap between your ear and shoulder for optimum comfort.

A photo of the Tempur-Pedic neck pillow — Courtesy of Tempur-Pedic

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow

Specifically designed for side sleepers, the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow features an ergonomic design that helps align your neck and spine while you sleep. The firm material conforms to your body’s contours, offering unparalleled support and comfort through the night.

BUY FOR $109 AT TEMPUR-PEDIC

A photo of the Saatva graphite pillow — Courtesy of Saatva

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow

The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow is another excellent choice for side sleepers seeking extra cervical support. It boasts a high-density memory foam core surrounded by a plush layer of softer foam, ensuring comfort and proper spine alignment.

BUY FOR $165 AT SAATVA

BUY FOR $185 AT AMAZON

Combination Sleepers

Sleep in every position? There’s a pillow for you! The best pillow for combination sleepers is versatile and adaptable, effortlessly adjusting to your every move.

A photo of the Coop original pillow — Courtesy of Amazon

Coop Original Adjustable Pillow

This pillow is a favorite among combination sleepers due to its adjustable nature. Add or remove the shredded memory foam filling to achieve the perfect height and firmness, accommodating all your sleeping positions throughout the night.

BUY FOR $89 AT AMAZON

Casper Original Pillow

The Casper Original Pillow features a unique pillow-in-pillow design that caters to every sleeper. The inner pillow provides support, while the outer pillow adds a soft touch of comfort, making it ideal for those who frequently change positions.

BUY FOR $68 AT CASPER

BUY FOR $68 AT AMAZON

Back Sleepers

Doctors often say back-sleeping is best for posture, but many people find it uncomfortable. This might have something to do with not having a pillow that supports your 8-pound noggin. (We all learned that fact from Jerry Maguire, right?) The pillows below have been designed for long-term sleep and will leave you rested without a crick in your neck.

Purple Harmony Pillow

This pillow combines Purple’s unique grid technology with hypoallergenic Talalay latex to deliver the right balance of softness and support. It’s perfect for back sleepers who need to keep their head and neck properly aligned without sinking too deeply.

BUY FOR $209 AT PURPLE

BUY FOR $209 AT AMAZON

A photo of the LoftAire down alternative pillow — Courtesy of The Company Store

LoftAIRE Down Alternative Soft Density Pillow

Not only is this pillow affordable, but it’s also eco-friendly, made with recycled polyester fiber fill. It’s also available in four densities. We suggest medium for back sleepers as it has just enough give to be comfortable while remaining supportive of the neck and spine.

BUY FOR $48 AT THE COMPANY STORE

Stomach Sleepers

Sleeping on your stomach is the rarest sleep position. But those who do prefer to flop on their belly need a soft yet supportive pillow so their neck doesn’t kink up. Opt for these plush picks.

Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow

For those who prefer a down-free option, Brooklinen’s Down Alternative Pillow is the way to go. It’s soft enough to compress under your head while providing gentle support, ideal for stomach sleepers who need a thinner pillow to avoid neck strain.

BUY FOR $59 AT BROOKLINEN

Parachute Down Pillow

The Parachute Down Pillow is incredibly soft, flat, and designed for stomach sleepers. Filled with premium European down, it offers enough cushioning to be comfortable without elevating the head too much, making it easy to keep the spine neutral.

BUY FOR $160 AT PARACHUTE

_{Featured Image Credit: golubovy/ iStock}

Health

Why Placing an Onion Next to Your Bed Could Improve Sleep

Better Report

Placing an onion next to your bed may sound like an old trick from the Middle Ages for warding off vampires, but this unusual suggestion purportedly offers far greater benefits than that. Some people claim that leaving a sliced onion on your bedside table can improve sleep, promote good health, and even cure or prevent the common cold. While there’s something to be said about the science behind portions of these claims, other elements are dubious myths at best. So before you waste an onion testing out this viral trend for yourself, here’s what you should know regarding the potential benefits of a bedside onion.

How Onions Affect Sleep

Some claim that placing a bowl on your bedside table containing sliced, raw onion can induce quicker and deeper sleep for those who struggle to get to bed at night. This is rooted in the fact that onions contain plentiful amounts of L-tryptophan — an amino acid that acts as a natural sedative. But it’s arguably impossible to reap the benefits of L-tryptophan through breathing alone, meaning that this suggestion isn’t really backed by scientific evidence.

There is something to be said, however, about how consuming raw onion before bed can help people sleep better, at least according to a 2020 study. Onions also contain cysteine sulfoxide, an amino acid found in onions and garlic. According to the study, consuming this amino acid before bed decreases sleep latency, which means it helps people fall asleep quicker. Study participants also saw a drop in stress levels compared to others who consumed a placebo. So if you struggle with getting good sleep, try consuming either raw onion or onion bulb extract before bed to see if it helps.

Do Onions Ward Off Germs?

One of the oldest known home remedies for the common cold and flu is placing slices of red or white onion around the house to ward off bacteria and germs. Others believe putting sliced onion into a pair of socks and then wearing the socks to bed is a great way to promote better health. Both of these suggestions certainly raise eyebrows, so let’s examine whether these claims are valid.

The National Onion Association notes that people used these old folk remedies as far back as the 1500s to absorb toxins in the air and help protect against contracting the bubonic plague. However, the NOA makes it very clear that this method is patently untrue, at least according to the scientific research that we currently have available. As for the onion in sock method, some people believe to this day that it helps you absorb chemical compounds from the onions to purify the blood and kill off bacteria, but this too is false. The good news is that neither of these methods will hurt you, and the worst result will probably be some stinkier feet than normal.

However, there is something to be said for eating onions to boost immune function. Each onion is rich in vitamin C, essential for a fully functioning immune system that protects against bacteria and germs. Another 2020 study found that consuming onions can help lessen inflammation and possibly decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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The Deodorizing Power of Onions

Whether because of a pile of dirty clothes in the corner or sheets overdue for the laundry, bedrooms can stink. Onions can actually be used to help mitigate these pungent odors. Cut an onion in half and place it with the cut side facing up — for larger rooms, use both halves. Onions are naturally porous and will help absorb environmental moisture, which contributes to those bad smells. This is a better plan than using an air freshener, as that only masks the smell instead of eliminating it. If your room smells like onions when this is all said and done, use some fresh lemon juice to help offset that oniony odor.

Onions Keep Bugs Away

Onions are rich in an organosulfur compound known as allicin, a natural bug repellent. When sliced, the allicin emits an odor that deters mosquitoes, ants, and other common house pests that may bother you while sleeping. If you do end up getting bit by a mosquito, don’t worry. Onions have natural antibacterial properties, so just grab a slice and rub it onto the mosquito bite to lessen inflammation and reduce its stinging.

The Verdict

Unfortunately, many of the claims regarding leaving an onion at your bedside are based on myths rather than facts. The good news is that there are a handful of benefits, and it won’t hurt you to try this method. Just be sure to change the onion each night, as leaving a sliced onion sitting for too long will lead to harmful mold in the air that can be harmful.

Bennett Kleinman

Staff Writer

Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Inbox Studio. He is also a freelance comedy writer, devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.

This article is for general informational purposes only.
Affiliate Disclaimer Medical Disclaimer Financial Disclaimer

Updated: July 20, 2023

Posted In: Health

Hero Image Credit: Better Report

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