“Which Sleep Accessories Are Actually Worth the Investment? I Used Them for a Year to Find Out”
After a year of serious sleep experimentation, I've discovered which accessories actually help me drift off – and which ones just collect dust while judging me from my nightstand.
As someone with a sleep disorder, I've amassed a large bedtime accessory collection. So much so, I lovingly refer to my bed as "the sleep lab." After spending thousands of dollars on gadgets and gizmos, I decided enough was enough. So, over 365 nights of rigorous testing, I've compiled the definitive cost-per-use breakdown of what's actually worth mine (and your) hard-earned Zzzs.
Save your cash (the disappointment drawer)
Mouth tape ($120 per year, 33 cents per night)
After hearing a gym bro podcast rave about mouth tape (that should have been my first clue), I bought, like, four packs off Amazon, and I’m sorry to say, it’s not for me. I’ve used it maybe three times? Call me a scaredy cat, but I don’t love binding my main airway shut. Also, I didn’t realize how much I adore having my little sips of water throughout the night. Anyone want my leftover packets?
Melatonin ($515 per year, $1.41 per day)
It’s a hormone that secretes from your brain to signal it’s time for sleep, and despite sincere promises from TikTok influencers, this supplement left me feeling drugged, headachy, and the unique sensation of being ‘tired but wired.’ I’m sure it works for some people, but I think unless you’re flying across the globe or doing night shifts (or your doctor prescribes it, of course) – give it a miss. Remember kids, ‘well slept’ doesn't mean ‘well rested,’ and we’re aiming for rested.
Apple Watch ($649)
In my waking hours, I adore my Apple Watch. But she is just not a sleep-time girlie, no matter what anyone says. One time, my Apple Watch texted a friend for coffee while I was asleep, which should be considered a crime. I’m an introvert! Steve Jobs; don’t test me.
Also, it sounds obvious, but nothing amplifies sleep anxiety quite like being told by a wrist computer that you slept terribly. "Congratulations, you got seventeen minutes of deep sleep, but you probably already know that because you feel like garbage. Now, charge me!”
Salt lamp ($35)
I’ve had this bad gal since it was the height of chic back in 2018 when it promised air purification and REMs. Nearly a decade later, it's a sweaty nightlight that my dog licks when I'm not looking. Attractive? I guess. Sleep-transforming? Not even close.
Worth every penny (my nightstand MVPs)
3D Contoured Sleep Mask ($6)
My room is already really dark, but apparently even minimal exposure in the bedroom at night can still penetrate your lids and will decrease the amount of deep sleep. This particular eye mask, with indents for your eyeballs, is like a gentle hug for your face that says "shhh, it's sleepy time now" in a way that's so effective, I’ve gotten a few to keep in my overnight bag, at my parents place, and in my car if I’m in need of a disco nap on the go. At 0.01 cents per night, it's cheaper than breathing.
Freddy Anne Wray Luxury Reversible Satin Bonnet Non-Slip Tie® ($68.68)
Initially, in my sassy little bonnet I felt like I was channeling my grandmother… if my grandmother was a billionaire – nearly $70 worth of satin just didn't feel justifiable! You can get $3 ones online and that’s just as good. But after using it for a year, I can well and truly justify the price. Whatever type you choose, I wholeheartedly recommend the investment. They protect your hair and keep it off your face. Plus, my morning hair routine has shrunk from 30 minutes to simply removing the cap; and boom! I look like a goddess. Need proof? My pilates teacher once asked me how I “had time to do a blowout before our 6am class?” Being able to honestly reply, “Oh, I woke up like this” was worth more than anything.
Quality buttery soft sheet set ($504 or $1.40 per day)
After a really bad heartbreak, my mom gifted me with a “proper set of fresh sheets” after I’d spent years convinced GSM was a conspiracy to make me spend more money on what is essentially just fabric. I was wrong. My French Flax Linen Sheets feel like sleeping wrapped in a cloud handwoven by angels. It was the self-worth boost I needed, plus they regulate temperature better than my ex-boyfriend ever could, and they actually get better with age.
LED Red Light ($150)
Switching my harsh bedroom lighting for a soft red glow has transformed my bedroom from "medical examination room" to "dreamy nocturnal sleep den." Science backs this up – any sort of blue light is the enemy of melatonin, while red light is basically a lullaby for your brain. For the price of a round of negronis, this simple change has dramatically improved how quickly I drift off. I switch it on an hour or so before bed, which I've coined my “turn down service”. I also use it as a transition light before dawn when the ceiling lights are way too harsh.
At the end of the day (literally), I think the best sleep investments create a consistent routine that signals to your body it's time to rest. Some might work wonders for you that didn't for me – sleep is frustratingly personal that way. But if my year-long sleep experiment taught me anything, it's that the simplest solutions are usually the most effective.
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