30+ things you need to sleep better

March 13, 2023

Photo of Nest Bedding’s Organic Cotton Luxury Bed Sheet, courtesy of Nest Bedding

While it can be exciting to live in The City That Never Sleeps, you are not the city, and you do, indeed, need to sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend at least seven hours of sleep per night. A good night’s sleep helps the body to rest and recuperate, and it even positively affects your mental health. However, work and family stress, unhealthy habits – and yes, living in The City That Never Sleeps – can all wreak havoc on your ability to sleep soundly. These are the best items you need to sleep well at night and awake refreshed the next day.

All of these products have been hand-selected by Team 6sqft. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these affiliate links. All prices reflect those at the time of publishing.

Mattress & mattress accessories

	A good mattress is essential for a good night’s sleep. The Saatva Classic Mattress is available in heights of 11.5 or 14.5 inches, and you can also choose between plush soft, luxury firm, and firm comfort levels. The mattress provides enhanced back support with responsive coils designed for better airflow to keep you cool when you sleep. In addition, the organic cotton pillow top includes Lumbar Zone quilting for additional support. And Saatva provides free white glove delivery, set-up, and removal of your old mattress. Saatva 11.5” Classic Mattress, $1,445 at Saatva
	If you can’t get a new mattress – or you just need a cushier one, this Sweetnight gel-infused memory foam mattress topper is soft, but not too soft that you sink into it. The mattress topper is just firm enough to provide the right level of support to relieve pressure points. The gel helps the topper to adapt to your body and it also regulates your body’s temperature so you can stay cool while you sleep. The topper has elastic straps on all four corners to keep it in place. Sweetnight 3-inch Gel Mattress Topper, $166/Sale $129 at Amazon
	Prevent spills and stains with the Nolah Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector, which has a thin poly barrier that protects against spills, stains, and sweat. The top layer, which is made of organic cotton, also protects against dust mites and other allergens and helps your mattress last longer. The soft, stretchy material is breathable, and also machine washable. Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector, $99/Sale $50 at Nolah
	The FlexiSpot Adjustable Bed Base lets you raise and lower your head and legs/feet for a more comfortable position, and in zero gravity mode (which raises your legs above your heart), you can reduce pain and snoring, and improve blood circulation. Using the remote control, you can easily make adjustments, and the bed base can hold up to 750 pounds. There are also four adjustable bed leg heights (ranging from 3 inches to 12 inches) to accommodate everyone from kids to tall adults, and the bed base includes a side pocket and an under-bed light on both sides. Adjustable Bed Base, $449 at FlexiSpot

Sheets and duvet cover sets

	Sleep in pure luxury with these 100% Egyptian cotton sheets by Pure Parima. The 400 thread count sheets have a premium sateen weave and the deep pocket design fits up to an 18-inch mattress. The double hem-stitch sheets are soft and silky to the touch, and also breathable, so they won’t trap heat. Color choices are plentiful, and include linen, tan, white, ivory, spa, icy blue, canyon, olive, gray, charcoal, and midnight. Pure Parima Luxury 100% Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set, $230 at Amazon
	Another crisp set of sheets for those who tend to get hot while sleeping, the Coyuchi Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set is made of 100% organic cotton and is designed to create better airflow and keep you cool throughout the night. The breathable, 300-thread count sheet set is available in laurel, steel blue, fawn, white, and undyed. Coyuchi Organic Cotton Percale Sheets, $198 at Amazon
	If you like sateen sheets, this Brooklinen Luxury Sateen Core Sheet Set is wrinkle-resistant and has a slight shine, so the sheets also look fantastic and are soft to the touch. Cold sleepers may also prefer the heavier feel of the buttery-smooth sheets, which are made of 100% long-staple cotton and have a 480 thread count. Color choices are graphite, white, cream, and windowpane. Brooklinen Luxury Sateen Core Sheet Set, $189 at Amazon
	The Casper Percale Sheet Set is made of 100% organic cotton, and the percale weave provides durability as well as breathability since it’s designed to be light and airy while maintaining a crisp look. The 300 thread count sheets are available in oat, indigo, gray, olive, and white. There’s also an optional matching duvet cover, that’s also made of 100% organic cotton with a percale weave. Percale Sheet Set, $139 at Casper
	With a blend of 95% cotton and 5% Mongolian cashmere, this luxurious Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cotton Duvet Set is lightweight, yet cozy. The set includes a duvet cover and two shams (only 1 sham with a twin size). The duvet has both button closure and corner ties to keep the duvet insert in place. The envelope closure on the shams provides a clean, polished look. The machine washable duvet set is available in grey and natural. Mongolian Cashmere Cotton Duvet Set, $149 at Quince

Blankets

	This Cariloha Plush Throw Blanket is great whether you’re lying in the bed or taking a nap on the sofa. The bamboo-viscose blanket is soft and thick, and it is free from harmful chemicals. And the blanket is available in three colors: coconut milk, blue lagoon, and onyx. Cariloha Plush Throw Blanket, $119 at Amazon
	Weighted blankets gently cradle you, and the Baloo 15-pound Weighted Blanket contains glass microbeads to provide a slight amount of even pressure that relaxes your nervous system and helps you achieve a deeper and more restful level of sleep. It’s made of 100 percent breathable cotton and is also available in heavier and lighter weights, as well as two color choices: pebble white and clay. Baloo 15lb Weighted Blanket, $199 at Amazon
	If you prefer chunky weighted blankets, the 12-pound California Design Den Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket is made of 100 percent cotton that is hand-knitted and sustainably sourced. It doesn’t contain fillers, and the cotton fibers are soft and designed to keep you from getting hot. The blanket is available in light gray, gray, and blueberry and in three weights. California Design Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket, $190 at Amazon
	If you like the look and feel of fur, this Quince Luxe Faux Fur Throw is a sustainably-sourced option. It has a faux fur front made of 85% acrylic and 15% polyester. The velvety back side is made of 100% polyester. The throw is also machine washable. It’s available in 50” x 60” and also 60” x 80” and in three colors: timber wolf, silver fox, and arctic hare. Luxe Faux Fur Throw, $89 at Quince

Pillows

Photo courtesy of Pluto Pillow	Want a pillow designed just for you? The first step in getting a Pluto Pillow is to fill out a questionnaire on your body stats (height/weight) and sleep preferences (for example, back/side/stomach sleeper, if your head gets hot while sleeping, or if you prefer a soft or hard pillow). This information is put into an algorithm that creates the best pillow for you based on your responses. Pluto Pillow $95 at Pluto
	Hot sleepers will love the Casper Sleep Foam Pillow with Snow Technology. Using HeatDelete Bands and a cool outer touch on both sides, the pillow is designed to help you sleep cooler while also providing support for your head and neck, regardless of whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach. Casper Sleep Foam Pillow, $80 at Amazon
	For those who struggle to find the right pillow, this SweetNight Cooling Gel Infused Memory Foam Adjustable Pillow comes packed with fill, and it has a zipper, so you can unzip the inner cover and remove as much fill as you desire. The 100% gel-infused memory foam has cooling properties and is designed to be both soft and supportive to prevent neck pain. The outer cover is also machine washable. The pillow comes in standard, queen, and king sizes. The Original/Cooling Gel Infused Memory Foam Adjustable Pillow, $64 at SweetNight

Other soft fabrics

Photo courtesy of Crane & Canopy	A nice warm bath can certainly help you to wind down, and this Crane & Canopy Plush Towel Bundle includes everything you need to get started. The luxurious towels are made of Turkish cotton and have a diamond dobby trim to avoid unraveling. The towels also have a loop so you can hang them on a hoop. The bundle includes 2 wash, 2 hand, and 4 bath towels, and color choices include white, light beige, and ice blue. Plush Towel Bundle $169 at Crane & Canopy
	A beautiful Camellia Jade Rug can help you sleep in two ways. If you walk around in bare feet, a cold floor can actually stimulate your senses – and that’s not what you need when trying to go to sleep. On the other hand, a soft rug provides soothing warmth. A pleasing, neutral-colored rug also contributes to a calming environment, which puts you in the mood to go to sleep. Camelia Jade Rug, $219 at Ruggable
	If you struggle to sleep during daylight hours – or you have privacy issues and prying neighbors – these Quince European Linen Blackout Curtains have blackout opacity to block light and keep others from seeing into your bedroom. And unlike traditional (ugly) blackout curtains, these are also stylish and come in grey, blue, light grey, sand, flax, cloud, and sand. The curtains also have both back tabs and pole tops to fit your curtain rod. European Linen Blackout Curtain, $89 at Quince

Body therapy

Photo courtesy of Nest Bedding	If you have unavoidable light in your bedroom, this Nest Silk Luxury Sleep Mask can block it out, which helps you fall asleep faster. The lightweight mask also provides gentle, therapeutic pressure, like a hug, which further helps you relax. It’s available in two colors: pearl and stone. Silk Luxury Sleep Mask, $29 at Nest Bedding
	For tired, strained eyes, the Renpho Eye Massager has 16 silicon massage heads that massage the area around your eyes in a motion that mimics fingers, and there are four modes (tension, retinal protection, youthful radiance, and regeneration). The eye massager also has a vision window so you can even watch TV while using it, or listen to music via the wireless connection. Renpho Eye Massager, $79.99 at Amazon
	How you start the day can often determine how you’ll end it. The Ritual Kit by Wellness East helps you establish a morning routine that leads to a more focused day. The kit includes Hako mood-enhancing incense that encourages deep breathing, Shikuwasa lime powder that’s rich in antioxidants and vitamins, Hinoki Wood Body brush for dry brushing to exfoliate skin and stimulate your nervous system, and Alpinia Shell Ginger Glow Oil to seal in hydration and promote cell turnover. The Ritual Kit, $98 at Wellness East
	Easing those achy muscles can help you relax and sleep better. The Bob and Brad Deep Tissue Percussion Massage Gun is quiet but powerful. It has a professional-grade brushless motor and a stall force of 35 pounds. The cordless massage gun has an ergonomic handle and 5 intensity levels. There are also 5 interchangeable massage heads to target different parts of your body. Bob and Brad Massage Gun, $169/Sale $99 at Amazon

Air monitors & purifiers

Keep pollen, dust, smoke, and other pollutants out of your bedroom with the PURO²XYGEN Air Purifier, which has a mesh pre-filter to trap large filters, HEPA 13 filter to remove pollutants and small particles, an activated carbon filter to remove airborne pollutants and odors, and a cold catalyst filter to decompose harmful gases. The air purifier has touch controls and an air quality indicator. There’s also a child lock to keep kids from tampering with the machine. The air purifier can also be controlled via smartphone.
PURO²XYGEN Air Purifier, $189/Sale $169 at Amazon

If you’d prefer a tabletop air purifier, the Pure Enrichment PureZone Halo Air Purifier can sit on your nightstand to keep allergens, smoke, dust, and pet hair away from you for a restful night of sleep. The machine uses a 2 stage air purification system that includes an activated carbon filter, and a True HEPA filter. There are 3 fan speeds, a mood light, and a sleep mode. The air purifier is 10.4 inches tall and 10.4 inches wide.
Pure Enrichment PureZone Halo Air Purifier, $99/Sale $79 at Amazon

Nightstand sleep aids

	A wireless charging stand might seem like an odd choice for a sleep aid. However, the goal is to put your phone, earbuds, and smartwatch on the Satechi three-in-one Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand and leave them there – instead of running around your home trying to find and charge your various devices. And since the stand is magnetic, it eliminates the clutter of having a bunch of cables on your nightstand. Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand $119 at Amazon
	Another way to decrease the clutter is with the Sandman Doppler Smart Alarm Clock. It has multiple ports, so you can charge up to 6 devices at the same time. The alarm clock also has WiFi and Alexa built-in, so you can set several alarms and also play music and hear the weather. The clock is available in black, midnight blue, and gray. Sandman Doppler Smart Clock, $149 at Amazon
Photo courtesy of Casper	Usually, when you’re trying to go to sleep, the presence of lights is a problem. However, the Casper Glow Light is actually designed to help you go to sleep. It produces a warm hue (2700K) that is not disruptive to sleep and it gradually dims. And it’s also portable if you need to get up during the night to go to the restroom. You can control the light levels manually or on your smartphone via the app – so you can program the lamp to turn on at a certain time in the morning and it will gradually get lighter. The Glow Light, $129 at Casper
	A more economically-priced choice is this tall, slim Sympa Cordless Table Lamp, which also has a carrying handle so you can take it with you to light the way to the bathroom or kitchen. The lamp is easy to operate: tap the top to turn on the light, tap and hold for smooth dimming, and tap two times for RGB mode. You can also tap to select colors. The lamp is 10.8 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide, so it won’t take up much space on your nightstand. Sympa Cordless Table Lamp, $34.99 at Amazon

Sound

	Listening to relaxing music can also calm you down and actually improve your sleep habits. The Soundcore Space Q45 ANC Headphones can help to block out exterior noises and let you listen to soft instrumental music as you wind down. Also, the ergonomic design includes cushiony earcups made from skin-friendly material, and the headphone can easily adjust for users of any size. Controls on the headphones let you operate the multipoint connection headphones, and you can also use the Soundcore App to adjust settings. Soundcore Space Q45 ANC Headphones, $149 at Amazon
	Exercising during the day can also help you sleep well at night. Whether walking, running, or lifting weights, the Motorola Moto Buds 600 wireless earbuds let you hear your favorite tunes. The earbuds have active noise cancellation to drown out the noise, and a single charge can last for 26 hours. Moto Buds 600, $149 at Motorola
	While relaxing music can immediately calm you down, listening to uptempo songs not only help when exercising but can put you in a good mood, which can, in turn, help you sleep better. So go ahead and blast your favorite songs on the Treblab HD Force Portable Bluetooth Speaker. It’s both shockproof and waterproof, so in addition to dancing around the house, you can just grab it by the handle and take it into the bathroom to sing while showering. By the time you finish dancing around, you’ll be exhausted and happy, and sleep soundly through the night. Treblab HD Force Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $139/Sale $129 at Amazon
	If your sleeping environment isn’t quiet, the Soundcore Sleep A10 Sleep Buds are specifically designed to help you sleep by masking noise. And since the earbuds are comfortable, you can wear them all night. You can even use your smartphone and the Soundcore App to play soothing music or white noise. In addition, the earbuds can be used to provide feedback on your sleep habits (sleep duration and quality), and you can even set an alarm to wake you up without disturbing your partner. Soundcore Sleep A10 Sleep Earbuds, $129 at Amazon

Miscellaneous

It’s a lot easier to sleep well when you don’t have to worry about what’s happening in other rooms in your home. With the Aqara 2K Security Indoor Camera Hub, when you hear strange sounds, AI facial recognition can rule out both your pets and your kids wandering around the home but sends an alert if there’s an unrecognizable person. The camera also pans and tilts, and rotates up to 360 degrees. It’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Home.
Aqara 2K Security Indoor Camera, $124/Sale $109 at Amazon $124

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Editor’s note: The original version of this article was published on March 29, 2022, and has since been updated.