Yes, you’re probably thinking I have a dream job (pun intended). As the Sleep Features Editor for Tom’s Guide, my role is to help you sleep better. Whether that means trying out new sleep hacks or interviewing neuroscientists, I report on everything you need to enjoy good sleep, night after night.
Part of that means trying the latest sleep products to find out which ones actually help people fall asleep fast, and sleep through the night. In the past year, I’ve tried over 30 sleep accessories, ranging from mouth tape, to nose tape, to sleep trackers.
Some have genuinely transformed my rest… others are a waste of time and money. So, with the Black Friday mattress deals already live, here’s what’s worth your money, whether you’re in the market for this year’s best mattress or just some luxury pajamas, there’s something for everyone
The top 10 sleep products I’ve tried this year
1. DreamCloud mattress
For great sleep, you need to nail the basics. That means ensuring you’re sleeping on the right mattress for your body — one that supports your sleeping position and keeps you comfortable throughout the night.
I’ve tested and reviewed my fair share of mattresses. But the one that’s impressed me most (partly because of the excellent value for money) is the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid mattress.
At $699 for a queen, I was expecting a decent mattress. But the DreamCloud competed against even the most luxury mattresses I’ve tried. It has a hybrid build which combines individually wrapped coils with therapeutic memory foam — with a medium feel, you sleep on top of this mattress, rather than sinking into it.
As a side sleeper, it was perfect for me. Responsive so I could move around easily but cushioning so I didn’t feel any pressure build up in the night. It’s no surprise it’s made it into our best hybrid mattress of the year guide.
2. Yana Sleep 360 degree body pillow
As a side sleeper, I’m constantly bunching duvets and pillows between my knees to stop pressure building and to keep my spine aligned.
I’ve tried body pillows before but as someone who tosses and turns throughout the night, they were cumbersome and always led to me waking up every time I moved.
But when I tried the Yana 360 Degree Body Pillow, I realised it was the solution. The pillow wraps around your head and down both sides of your body, which means you can use either side for support.
The result? Feeling comfortable throughout the night, no matter what position I sleep in.
3. Alpine silence earplugs
As someone who sleeps next to a snoring husband, earplugs are essential. While I’ve previously used foam plugs, I found that they hurt my ears too much and I’d wake up from the pain. I then swapped to Loop Earplugs which were a marked improvement.
However, when I tried Alpine Silence earplugs, a competitor of Loop, I was even more impressed. Made from thermoplastic rubber with soft tips and an arrow head design that keeps the earplugs fitted throughout the night, they block out an impressive amount of noise.
I woke up with the earplugs still fitted and no pain whatsoever. That’s a win in my books.
4. Bamboo pajamas
My temperature seems to fluctuate a lot in the night. I go to bed cold and wake up boiling hot in the night — or vice versa. But since wearing bamboo pajamas, I’ve managed to stay at a neutral temperature throughout the night.
Bamboo is naturally moisture wicking, which means it absorbs sweat and wicks it away from your body —- helping you stay cooler and your bed fresher for longer. It’s also a breathable fabric, allowing air flow.
You can pick up a set for as little a $20, so it’s a cheap and easy fix if you’re sleeping in a climate where the temperature fluctuates a lot.
5. Lumie BodyClock Shine 300
I’m not the only one who struggles with dark mornings in the winter. Seasonal affective disorder affects thousands of people when daylight hours are reduced, and this can lead to groggy mornings, disrupted sleep and low mood.
Since incorporating a sunrise alarm clock into my morning (and evening) routine, I’ve found it so much easier to get going and feel energized right away. The Lumie BodyClock Shine 300 means you can customize your sunrise — including sounds, brightness and duration.
On top of this, the clock has a sunset feature which means the light decreases over a 30 minute period to simulate a sunset and help you gradually wind down at the right time.
6. Breathe Right Nasal Strips
One of the most common sleep issues we face in the winter is congestion. Sleeping with a blocked noise can feel impossible — and mouth breathing at night can lead to poorer sleep quality.
Plus, as I mentioned, my snoring husband keeps me up. So, we decided to try nasal strips. Some people swear by them, but I was dubious about how effective a little strip could be.
Well I was wrong. The extra strength nasal strips from Breathe Right sit across your nose and gently pull your nasal passages open, increasing airflow. It immediately stopped my husband from snoring and we both spoke about how much easier it was to fall asleep. These are our go-to sleep accessories now if we’re struggling with a cold or flu.
7. Silk eye mask
The first thing I reach for if I’m struggling to sleep is my eye mask and my earplugs. Ambient light and sound can make it difficult to fall asleep and wake you up in the night.
Previously, I haven’t liked the way eye masks feel against my face — the pressure feeling too uncomfortable for me to actually relax.
When I tried a padded silk mask, it was comfortable and provided complete black out. This, paired with my earplugs, meant I slept very deeply and often didn’t even realise when my husband came to bed.
8. YnM Bamboo Weighted Blanket
As someone who’s struggled with nighttime anxiety, a weighted blanket has been the gift that keeps on giving. Filled with small glass beads, I chose the YnM blanket that weighs 15lbs.
This helps deliver ‘pressure therapy’ which is said to calm the nervous system.
I’ve found that not only does it make your bed extra cozy, but the weighted blanket helps me relax when I’m trying to sleep.
And I don’t have to worry about overheating. This YnM blanket uses breathable, moisture wicking bamboo to remain temperature neutral.
9. Bamboo sheet set
Okay, it’s becoming clear that I like bamboo… so what was next? A bamboo sheet set obviously.
With a super silky feel, bamboo is cool-to-the-touch and incredibly soft — it immediately gave my bedroom a luxury hotel room feel.
For a relatively low price (compared to other natural materials like silk), I enjoyed a breathable, moisture wicking bed that felt incredibly indulgent.
10. Lumie SAD lamp
Our circadian rhythm (also known as our body clock) is regulated by daylight. This means that sunlight gives us energy and when the evenings become dark, we release melatonin (the sleepy hormone).
But in winter, often we don’t get enough daylight to keep our body clock ticking correctly, leading to disrupted sleep.
The solution? A SAD lamp can help — the Lumie Vitamin L Light Box produces over 10,000 lux of light, it simulates sunlight and can help boost mood and energy. This has helped me stay awake and alert throughout the day, and fall asleep easily at night.
