In this video, I put “sleep earbuds” to the test against something a lot of people already own: AirPods. The big question is simple—are dedicated sleep earbuds in the ~$200 range actually worth it, or can you get by with AirPods (or even just earplugs) and save your money? I break down what matters in real life: how they feel in your ears when you’re lying on a pillow, how well they block noise, and how practical they are for nightly use. I also talk through a few different options people keep asking me about—Soundcore’s sleep-focused earbuds, Ozlo Sleepbuds, and Loop Dream earplugs—because “sleep audio” isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re trying to drown out a snoring partner, noisy neighbors, or just quiet your brain at night, the right pick depends on comfort, isolation, and whether you want audio playback or pure passive blocking. My takeaway: the best choice is the one you’ll actually keep in all night—comfort and fit matter more than specs when you’re trying to sleep.