From pillow speakers to acoustic headbands, five weird sleep products our writers have tested
Each week the Filter newsletter cuts through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.
I don’t function without a good night’s rest. So, unlike proteinmaxxing, sleepmaxxing is a trend I can get behind.
While I’ve tested basic strategies such as breathwork and a sleep mask, our photo editor, Tracy Allison, is far more adventurous. Recently, she shared the item she swears by for improving her sleep – a blackout tent.
“The zDen became part of my nightly routine in May 2025, after a short-lived attempt at taping up silver-backed blackout photography panels to my bedroom windows, which, as a neighbor pointed out, was giving my house a very distinct ‘a-conspiracy-theorist-lives-here’ look,” writes Allison.
Read the story: If blackout curtains aren’t enough, tuck yourself into zDen’s pop-up blackout tent
zDen
Personal Sleep Sanctuary
from $99
Have a product you swear by for getting to sleep? Keep reading to learn how you can be featured in next week’s newsletter.
Aside from the zDen, we’ve tested other niche sleep products. Here are five items you should have on your radar, including one straight out of a sci-fi film.
Manta
Sound Sleep Mask
from $143.10
Bluetooth sleep masks kill two birds with one stone: blocking both light and noise.
After our writer Juno DeMelo tested four different models, she named this one from Manta her favorite. “I went to bed listening to white noise and woke up seven hours later with the mask still firmly in place,” she writes.
Bluewave
Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow
from $39.95
Another recommendation from Allison, is a pillow that lets her keep her head “as non-propped-up as possible”, her preferred way to sleep. “I am only one night into using it, but I love it so far,” she said.
BedJet 3
from $498
Filter contributor Richard Baguley recently reviewed this high-end solution that pumps climate-controlled air between your sheets. “A cool breeze on hot nights and a warm puff on cold ones is a luxurious way to fall – and stay – asleep.” he wrote. One caveat: your pets may hog it for themselves.
after newsletter promotion
If you’re curious if this $500 device is worth its price tag, read the full story.
Elemind
Headband
$399
For those looking to invest in their sleep, Filter contributor Prakhar Khanna recommends Elemind’s neurotech headband, which uses acoustic stimulation synced to your brainwaves. Yes, it works. “If you are a frequent traveler like me, the Elemind is perfect paired with noise-canceling earbuds on a plane. It also helps with jet lag, when you land in a new time zone and find it impossible to sleep,” he said.
Jabees
Pillow Speaker
from $35.99
I struggle to fall asleep with anything in my ears. For soothing sounds sans earbuds, Khanna recommends this tiny speaker you can place under your pillow. “At just over an inch thick, it doesn’t cause any discomfort, especially for side sleepers,” he writes.
If you have a sleeping trick you think we should know about, we want to hear from you. Email us to potentially be featured in next week’s newsletter.
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
The best bath towels of 2026 in the US, from fluffy to quick drying – tested
This $30 sleep mask helps me nap anytime, anywhere
Biogents Mosquitaire review: the Mercedes of nontoxic mosquito eradication is worth the price
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
Whether you’re having difficulty falling asleep or looking for a deeper rest, this pillow, eye mask and other products are tried and tested by our staff. The best sleep masks and…
This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.
Each week the Filter newsletter cuts through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.
I don’t function without a good night’s rest. So, unlike proteinmaxxing, sleepmaxxing is a trend I can get behind.
While I’ve tested basic strategies such as breathwork and a sleep mask, our photo editor, Tracy Allison, is far more adventurous. Recently, she shared the item she swears by for improving her sleep – a blackout tent.
“The zDen became part of my nightly routine in May 2025, after a short-lived attempt at taping up silver-backed blackout photography panels to my bedroom windows, which, as a neighbor pointed out, was giving my house a very distinct ‘a-conspiracy-theorist-lives-here’ look,” writes Allison.
Read the story: If blackout curtains aren’t enough, tuck yourself into zDen’s pop-up blackout tent
zDen
Personal Sleep Sanctuary
from $99
Have a product you swear by for getting to sleep? Keep reading to learn how you can be featured in next week’s newsletter.
Aside from the zDen, we’ve tested other niche sleep products. Here are five items you should have on your radar, including one straight out of a sci-fi film.
Manta
Sound Sleep Mask
from $143.10
Bluetooth sleep masks kill two birds with one stone: blocking both light and noise.
After our writer Juno DeMelo tested four different models, she named this one from Manta her favorite. “I went to bed listening to white noise and woke up seven hours later with the mask still firmly in place,” she writes.
Bluewave
Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow
from $39.95
Another recommendation from Allison, is a pillow that lets her keep her head “as non-propped-up as possible”, her preferred way to sleep. “I am only one night into using it, but I love it so far,” she said.
BedJet 3
from $498
Filter contributor Richard Baguley recently reviewed this high-end solution that pumps climate-controlled air between your sheets. “A cool breeze on hot nights and a warm puff on cold ones is a luxurious way to fall – and stay – asleep.” he wrote. One caveat: your pets may hog it for themselves.
after newsletter promotion
If you’re curious if this $500 device is worth its price tag, read the full story.
Elemind
Headband
$399
For those looking to invest in their sleep, Filter contributor Prakhar Khanna recommends Elemind’s neurotech headband, which uses acoustic stimulation synced to your brainwaves. Yes, it works. “If you are a frequent traveler like me, the Elemind is perfect paired with noise-canceling earbuds on a plane. It also helps with jet lag, when you land in a new time zone and find it impossible to sleep,” he said.
Jabees
Pillow Speaker
from $35.99
I struggle to fall asleep with anything in my ears. For soothing sounds sans earbuds, Khanna recommends this tiny speaker you can place under your pillow. “At just over an inch thick, it doesn’t cause any discomfort, especially for side sleepers,” he writes.
If you have a sleeping trick you think we should know about, we want to hear from you. Email us to potentially be featured in next week’s newsletter.
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
The best bath towels of 2026 in the US, from fluffy to quick drying – tested
This $30 sleep mask helps me nap anytime, anywhere
Biogents Mosquitaire review: the Mercedes of nontoxic mosquito eradication is worth the price
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
Each week the Filter newsletter cuts through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.
I don’t function without a good night’s rest. So, unlike proteinmaxxing, sleepmaxxing is a trend I can get behind.
While I’ve tested basic strategies such as breathwork and a sleep mask, our photo editor, Tracy Allison, is far more adventurous. Recently, she shared the item she swears by for improving her sleep – a blackout tent.
“The zDen became part of my nightly routine in May 2025, after a short-lived attempt at taping up silver-backed blackout photography panels to my bedroom windows, which, as a neighbor pointed out, was giving my house a very distinct ‘a-conspiracy-theorist-lives-here’ look,” writes Allison.
Read the story: If blackout curtains aren’t enough, tuck yourself into zDen’s pop-up blackout tent
zDen
Personal Sleep Sanctuary
from $99
Have a product you swear by for getting to sleep? Keep reading to learn how you can be featured in next week’s newsletter.
Aside from the zDen, we’ve tested other niche sleep products. Here are five items you should have on your radar, including one straight out of a sci-fi film.
Manta
Sound Sleep Mask
from $143.10
Bluetooth sleep masks kill two birds with one stone: blocking both light and noise.
After our writer Juno DeMelo tested four different models, she named this one from Manta her favorite. “I went to bed listening to white noise and woke up seven hours later with the mask still firmly in place,” she writes.
Bluewave
Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow
from $39.95
Another recommendation from Allison, is a pillow that lets her keep her head “as non-propped-up as possible”, her preferred way to sleep. “I am only one night into using it, but I love it so far,” she said.
BedJet 3
from $498
Filter contributor Richard Baguley recently reviewed this high-end solution that pumps climate-controlled air between your sheets. “A cool breeze on hot nights and a warm puff on cold ones is a luxurious way to fall – and stay – asleep.” he wrote. One caveat: your pets may hog it for themselves.
after newsletter promotion
If you’re curious if this $500 device is worth its price tag, read the full story.
Elemind
Headband
$399
For those looking to invest in their sleep, Filter contributor Prakhar Khanna recommends Elemind’s neurotech headband, which uses acoustic stimulation synced to your brainwaves. Yes, it works. “If you are a frequent traveler like me, the Elemind is perfect paired with noise-canceling earbuds on a plane. It also helps with jet lag, when you land in a new time zone and find it impossible to sleep,” he said.
Jabees
Pillow Speaker
from $35.99
I struggle to fall asleep with anything in my ears. For soothing sounds sans earbuds, Khanna recommends this tiny speaker you can place under your pillow. “At just over an inch thick, it doesn’t cause any discomfort, especially for side sleepers,” he writes.
If you have a sleeping trick you think we should know about, we want to hear from you. Email us to potentially be featured in next week’s newsletter.
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
The best bath towels of 2026 in the US, from fluffy to quick drying – tested
This $30 sleep mask helps me nap anytime, anywhere
Biogents Mosquitaire review: the Mercedes of nontoxic mosquito eradication is worth the price
Read the full story at The Guardian ↗
This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.
- Whether you’re having difficulty falling asleep or looking for a deeper rest, this pillow, eye mask and other products are tried and tested by our staff.
- The best sleep masks and…