Sleep Awards 2023: The Top 36 Products For Better Sleep

IN THIS ARTICLE

• How We Chose the Winners
• Pillows
• Pillowcases
• Sheets
• Blankets
• Beds, Mattresses, and Toppers
• Sleepwear
• Footwear
• Sleep Masks
• Night Skincare
• Gadgets and Accessories
• Samsung Galaxy Watch6
• Meet the Health 2023 Sleep Awards Experts

Sleep is a vital part of life as it helps our bodies to restore, recuperate, and regenerate. It impacts various aspects of our health, including cognition, weight and stress management, and immune system function. 

Although the general recommendation is that adults get seven to nine hours of shut-eye a night, as we age, we tend to produce less of the sleep-regulating hormone  melatonin, which can make it more difficult to rest.  

 Your melatonin levels typically begin declining in the late teenage years and continue to decrease gradually throughout adulthood, said Pedram Navab, DO, FAASM, the author of “Sleep Reimagined: The Fast Track to a Revitalized Life.” This is particularly true for individuals in their 60s and 70s.

“In our teenage years, we need more hours of sleep, but when you’re older [70 and up] , that can go down to six-and-a-half to seven hours and still be in the ‘normal’” range,” added Jerry Hu, DDS Dentist of Nevada Dental Sleep in Henderson, NV. Dr. Hu is triple-board certified in dental sleep medicine and is a clinical faculty member at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.

For optimal sleep, Dr. Navab advises limiting screen time, avoiding caffeine and heavy meals before bed, staying active, and managing stress. Dr. Hu, who always gets at least seven hours of sleep a night, suggests creating a cool, dark environment in your bedroom (between 67° to 69° F) and sleeping with minimal clothing.  

How We Chose the Winners

To select our top products, we relied on the insights of Health‘s editorial team and sought the expert guidance of medical professionals and interior designers. Their recommendations are based on what they use in their own homes, and years of experience. Additionally, we conducted thorough research and editor testing, meticulously fact-checking our choices to ensure that we picked quality items.. We reviewed over 125 products, including sheets, pillows, mattresses, gadgets, and gear, ultimately presenting you with 36 winners.

Our goal is to provide you with a range of options that will enhance your health and wellness, while offering tips for optimal sleep.

Here are the winners of Health‘s 2023 Sleep Awards.

Pillows

Hotel Sobella Hypoallergenic Medium Pillow

Designed for side sleepers, the soft gel fiber-filled Hotel Sobella Hypoallergenic Medium Pillow boasts a 300 thread count and a 100 percent cotton cover, providing coolness and breathability. Dr. Hu recommends sleeping on your side, explaining that it offers “better oxygenation and better sleep” for most people, especially those with positional sleep apnea.

SHOP

Casper Foam Pillow

“I’m a side sleeper—alternating between the left and right—as I find this to be the more comfortable position for me,” said Dr. Navab. “I use a low loft memory foam pillow by Casper that eases pain in my neck, provides excellent support, and keeps the spine in a neutral alignment.” Seeping on the left side is considered optimal, he added, as it “keeps pressure off your internal organs and promotes healthy blood flow.”

SHOP

Sleep Awards 2022: 30 Products to Help You Sleep Better

Juvea Essential Low-Profile Talalay Latex Pillow

Interior designer Shivani Vyas, the owner of Studio Vyas, in Macon, Georgia, prefers to sleep on her stomach—and she loves her organic, natural plant latex Juvea pillow. “It’s flat and flexible enough to support my head and neck as well as my sleeping positions throughout the night,” she said.

SHOP

Pluto Pod Travel Pillow

If you have ever fallen asleep in an airplane or car and had your head sway from side to side, resulting in a sore neck, you’ll appreciate the comfort of the Pluto Pod travel pillow. Its padded hood lets you rest your head comfortably against a window, and its built-in eye mask blocks out all forms of light.

SHOP

Wiggle Pillow

Body pillows are great for providing bedtime support, and the nearly 7-foot-long Wiggle Pillow offers an added bonus as it is created from sustainable wood sources like eucalyptus and air-blown fiber from recycled plastic, making it also environmentally friendly. This editor’s favorite was soft and mushy, making it an excellent vehicle for catching quality zzzs. 

SHOP

Pillowcases

Grace & Company Serafina Vegan Satin Pillow Case

The Grace & Company Serafina Vegan Satin PillowCase offers a beautifully designed way to safeguard your skin. “Silk pillowcases can help reduce friction between your skin and the pillow, which may help minimize the development of sleep lines and wrinkles,” said board-certified dermatologist Tiffany Libby, MD, FAAD, FACMS, a Mohs surgeon at Brown Dermatology in Rhode Island. “Silk also absorbs less moisture than cotton, so it may help keep [your skin] more hydrated overnight.” Bonus: The smoothness of the pillowcase also discourages hair breakage and frizz.

SHOP

Sheets

Buffy Breeze Sheet Set

Indulge in the cooling comfort of the Buffy Breeze Sheet Set, which is made from eco-friendly eucalyptus. Its soft fibers are colored with OEKO-TEX-certified botanical dyes, made from plant sources such as turmeric and pomegranate. This lowers the possibility of irritation for people with sensitive skin.

SHOP

Pottery Barn 700-Thread Count Sateen Sheet Set

Laura Botelho, the founder of Laura Botelho Interiors, in Frisco, Texas, loves “a crisp white, cotton sateen sheet set in a higher count”—and Pottery Barn’s is among her favorites. . The company’s 700-Thread-Count Sateen Sheet Set has the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, which guarantees that it is has been tested for up to 350 harmful substances.

SHOP

Tuft & Needle

“Crisp,” “cozy,” and “breathable” are three descriptors used to describe the Tuft & Needle Organic Percale Sheet Set. It comes in a variety of colors, is pre-washed to reduce shrinkage, and contains strong elastic to keep its fitted sheet in place.

SHOP

Blankets

UnHide Marshmallow Blanket

“Layer your bedding textiles using soft quilts, throw blankets, and sheets. These cozy sleeping companions can moonlight as decor during the day and an extra pop of support at night,” Vyas. This UnHide- Marshmallow Blanket is an editor favorite, offering guilt-free luxury and comfort after a long day. Its extra soft faux fur creates the sensation of being enveloped by a marshmallow—perfect for a cold winter day.

SHOP

Sleep Number Horizontal Channel Coverlet Set

Transform your bed into an inviting place to be by adding the Sleep Number Horizontal Channel Coverlet Set into the mix. It works well in the spring on those lingering cool days, during the fall when the air is crisp, and is perfect for those who run a little warm and need only lightweight coverage in the winter.

SHOP

Beds, Mattresses, and Toppers

Serena & Lily Tall Hyde Bed

Vyas sleeps in a Serena & Lily Tall Hyde Bed, which she said she was drawn to because of its regal height ( 62″ tall). Her color choice for the bed’s soft headboard? A sky-hued washed linen. “Incorporating blues in interior design is known to soothe and boost serenity,” she explained.

SHOP

Sleep Number p5 Smart Bed

The Sleep Number p5 Smart Bed is available with or without head and foot adjustments and boasts a 10-inch mattress with customizable firmness on each side. Dr. Hu recommended getting a bed with a small incline, which will keep you from lying flat on your back during REM sleep. “If you’re on your back and your tongue and jaw and the muscles in that area lose tonicity, gravity becomes your biggest enemy,” he explained. “It can pull your jaw down and obstruct your airway. When that happens, your body goes into fight-or-flight, and releases cortisol and/or adrenaline while you’re sleeping, which you don’t want. If this happens night after night, your body is basically going through trauma.”

SHOP

Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Luxe

Crafted with six inches of individually encased coils, Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Luxe is the mattress of choice for Dr. Navab. “It avoids heat retention and does not tend to sink,” he noted. “Less sagging allows the body’s weight to be evenly distributed.” This makes it easier to avoid putting excessive pressure on any one part of your body during sleep.

SHOP

Sealy Posturepedic® Plus Satisfied II 14″ Plush Mattress

Botelho listed the Sealy Posturepedic Plus Satisfied II 14″ Plush Mattress among her must-haves. “It’s a bit on the firmer side, but not too firm, and it gives me a great and comfortable sleep,” she shared. “It also has a stabilizer [so I] feel less movement from my husband if he tosses and turns at night.”

SHOP

Saatva Down Alternative Featherbed Mattress Topper

Mattress toppers offer a fantastic solution; they allow you to extend the lifespan of an older mattress and switch to a softer feel if your current mattress is too firm, then revert to that firmer feel when ready. Saatva’s Down Alternative Featherbed Mattress Topper is like sleeping on a cloud. This editor favorite is also a hit because it is hypoallergenic and comfy for side sleepers—gentle on pressure points.

SHOP

Sleepwear

J.Crew Eco Dreamiest Long-Sleeve Pajama Set

“I adore J.Crew’s dreamiest collection,” said Vyas. “Sleeping in a comfortable outfit regulates my temperature at night and makes me feel happy, calm, and collected.

SHOP

Footwear

Baloo Cloud Bootie

Keep your feet nice and toasty before bedtime with the Baloo Cloud Bootie. These lightweight indoor shoes are soft and comfy, and feature a non-skid sole.

SHOP

UGG Boots

Dermatologist Mona A. Gohara, MD, associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, counts her UGG booties among the products she values for a restful night’s sleep. The UGG Tazzlita is a plush option as it’s made with comfort in mind and crafted from responsible materials, including upcycled wool in the interior.

SHOP

Sleep Masks

Ostrichpillow Eye Mask

Unlike some eye masks that can compress your eyelashes, the Ostrichpillow iteration will do no such thing with its ergonomic design, ensuring no pressure on your eyes. So, all you experience is total darkness.

SHOP

Drowsy silk eye mask

“I need the room to be totally black, as even a sliver of light can disrupt my sleep,” said Dr. Navab. To achieve that goal, he uses a silk eye mask by Drowsy, which he says helps him to fall asleep.

SHOP

Night Skincare

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is an editor favorite as its results are visibly noticeable overnight. It is lightweight and moisturizing, brightening the skin and leaving you looking refreshed. Its two-star ingredients, squalane and hyaluronic acid, are probably the reasons why.

SHOP

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Face Mist

Treat yourself and your skin to a mini spa experience before lights out with La Roche- Posay Thermal Spring Water, just like Dr. Gohara does. This mineral-rich face mist soothes and tones sensitive skin.

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Korres Black Pine Plump-Up Sleeping Facial

Add a little bounce to your skin with Korres Black Pine Plump-Up Sleeping Facial. Just as the rest of our bodies undergo housekeeping while we sleep, so does our skin. Aid in that process by adding a dollop of this velvety cream to your skincare routine.

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SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum

For speedy skin repair, keep SkinMedica TNS+ Advanced Serum top of mind. “It’s full of skin-rejuvenating antioxidants and growth factors, little chemical particles that promote the production of collagen and elastin—two things that begin to fade as we age,” said Dr. Gohara. “ I make sure to incorporate this serum into my routine daily.” 

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Gadgets and Accessories

Urban Apothecary Green Lavender Signature Diffuser

Vyas suggests harnessing the power of scent to create a soothing atmosphere. Urban Apothecary Green Lavender Signature Diffuser delicately permeates the air with the  aroma of lavender, spearmint, lemon balm and clary sage, all of which can help you doze off.

SHOP

Papier The Magic Is In You Wellness Journal

Thinking about what you’re grateful for is an excellent way to end the day. Jotting down negative experiences can also be therapeutic, as it provides a healthy outlet for your emotions, allowing you to set the day aside  and get your proper zzzs. The Papier The Magic Is In You Wellness Journal can be personalized with your name, and has 12 weeks’ worth of daily overview pages plus weekly and monthly check-ins. Its undated pages allow you to start your wellness journey whenever you are ready.

SHOP

SleepPhones

For the times when you want to privately drift off to the sound of your favorite music, audiobook, or meditation but traditional headphones prove uncomfortable and downright painful, the SleepPhones are just what you need. The lightweight headband that supports its speakers can be wired or wireless, making it easy to tune out the world and rest. 

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Dreamland Baby Dream Sound Machine

The Dreamland Baby Dream Sound Machine will help you sleep well—like a baby. Although it was created specifically for little ones, it’s lightweight enough to take on trips so you can settle down the way you would at home. It also features seven dimmable lights and sounds like waves, rain, and brown noise, which is similar to heavy wind.

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Helight Sleep

For those who like to fall asleep with the lights on, the Helight Sleep is a viable option. It emits pure red light on a relaxing wavelength for 14 minutes, then gradually fades out. In fact a small 2012 study ¹found that athletes who received 30 minutes of red light therapy every night for two weeks had improved sleep quality and physical endurance.

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Yogasleep Dohm Natural Sound Machine

Yogasleep Dohm Natural Sound Machine is a must for Dr. Gohara, and it’s easy to see why. This white noise machine replicates the sound of rushing air without its intensity.  Use it to establish a sleep-friendly environment by masking unpleasant noises.

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Hatch Restore 2

“As I get older, I have become more high maintenance with my sleeping requirements—I love my silk eye mask and my Hatch sound machine,” said Dr. Libby, who sleeps at least seven hours a night. The Hatch Restore 2 gently ushers you into dreamland with soothing sounds that block  disruptive noise. It also offers subtly colored lighting in shades like lilac and warm white, which can put you in a mellow mood. In the morning, you’ll wake up to its gentle sunrise alarm.

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The Hatch Restore Completely Changed the Way I Sleep and Wake Up in the Morning

Experience peace three different earplugs in one with the Loop Earplugs Switch. Its trio of settings allow you to toggle between Engage, Experience, and Quiet modes, so you can choose the level of exterior volume you want. Use them to block out noisy roommates or neighbors and get peace and quiet. 

Samsung Galaxy Watch6

While we are all tethered to various devices, there are gadgets like the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 that expressly help you focus on wellness. A Samsung health app works with the watch to facilitate tracking of your blood oxygen levels during slumber, measure your sleep, analyze the amount of time you spend in REM and other sleep cycles, and even monitor your snoring. After seven days of consistency, a sleep coaching program is created around your sleep patterns.

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Skyview 2

From sunrise to sunset, the Skyview 2 replicates outdoor lighting. This keeps you energized during the day and gets you ready for rest at night. The twilight setting starts the morning off right, the blue sky light keeps you alert into the afternoon, and an amber hue helps you wind down in the evening.

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Hey Dewy Wellness Humidifier

Another one of Dr. Libby’s sleep essentials is a humidifier.  The Hey Dewy Wellness Humidifier provides a cool mist that reduces dryness for up to 24 hours. It also has a 360-degree rotating nozzle and an optional mood light setting. Since there is no filter to clean, maintenance is easy.

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Loop Quiet Ear Plugs

Enjoy a restful night of slumber with Loop Ear Plugs Quiet. Their flexible silicone design makes them comfortable from dusk to dawn. Use them to block out noisy roommates or neighbors and get peace and quiet.

Meet the Health 2023 Sleep Awards Experts

Pedram Navab, DO, FAASM:  Author of “Sleep Reimagined: The Fast Track to a Revitalized Life.”

Jerry Hu, DDS Dentist of Nevada Dental Sleep in Henderson, NV. Dr. Hu is triple-board certified in dental sleep medicine and is a clinical faculty member at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. 

Mona A. Gohara, MD: Associate clinical professor of dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, and associate director of DEI and community engagement for its department of dermatology. 

Tiffany Libby, MD FAAD, FACMS: Board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Brown Dermatology in Rhode Island.

Laura Botelho: Founder of Laura Botelho Interiors in Frisco, Texas.

Shivani Vyas: Interior designer and owner of Studio Vyas, in Macon, Georgia.