We'd all like to cut out the tossing and turning and get straight to the land of nod, but sometimes, it doesn't happen like that. In the UK, there is a growing appetite for sleep aids as sleepless Brits try anything to get the rest they need. In fact, by 2029, the sleep aid market is expected to top £172.9 million.
While getting your nightly rest can seem like a small price to pay, sleep aids can be expensive, whether it's a sunrise alarm clock or a noise machine. But with purse strings pulled tighter than ever, do you need to splash the cash?
Here, we examine some of the most popular sleep aids and investigate whether a cheaper option is just as effective at putting you to sleep.
The UK's most popular sleep aids
Every month in the UK, there are 4,600 searches for sleep aids. But which sleep aids are Brits splashing the cash on?
The table below shows the most Googled sleep aids and how often they are searched monthly in the UK. We know TikTok greatly influences people's buying, so we've included how often they're posted on the platform. We've combined each sleep aid's search and TikTok popularity to create an overall rank of the most in-demand sleep aids.
| Overall Rank | Keyword | Search volume | Peak month for searches | No. of TikTok posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eye mask | 13,000 | December | 71,300 |
| 2 | Weighted blanket | 52,000 | December | 18,900 |
| 3 | Ear plugs | 17,000 | June | 17,800 |
| 4 | Eye massager | 1,100 | December | 30,400 |
| 5 | Sunrise alarm clock | 5,000 | November | 1,969 |
| 6 | Sleep tracker | 2,300 | January | 3,877 |
| 7 | Sleep headphones | 3,700 | December | 2,452 |
| 8 | Meditation app | 500 | January | 282 |
| 9 | Sleep ring | 700 | February | 25 |
| 10 | Bed cooling system | 450 | May | 7 |
Cheaper alternatives to popular sleep aids
Some of the sleep aids listed above can be affordable, depending on the type you're looking for. For example, you can pick up a basic fabric eye mask for a few pounds, but if you're looking for a blackout, heated or massaging eye mask, you can expect to pay more.
Many sleep aids on the list are more costly to buy, but thankfully, we have some cost-effective alternatives for you:
1. Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets have grown in popularity in recent years. They work by applying gentle and even pressure across your body as you sleep. The pressure creates a sense of calm, as if you're being hugged, and can reduce stress and anxiety, helping you fall asleep more quickly.
While cheaper weighted blankets are available, a quality option will cost around £50-£70. However, there is another option that will (potentially) cost you nothing at all!
Weighted Blanket Alternative No.1: Multiple Blankets
One alternative is to pile multiple blankets on top of you as you sleep to mimic the pressure that a weighted blanket applies. If you have a duvet with a removable cover, you may be able to put the blankets inside the cover to keep them all together.
This can be a cost-effective option if you already have multiple blankets around the house that you can use. The only drawback to doing so is you run the risk of getting too hot during the night. Likewise, as a weighted blanket tends to weigh up to 10% of your body weight, you may not be able to achieve this weight with blankets alone.
Weighted Blanket Alternative No. 2: A Wool Blanket
Wool is well-known for its weightiness, not to mention its warmth! In the colder months, placing a heavy wool blanket on top of your duvet as you sleep can mimic the benefits of a weighted blanket. Plus, having it on the outside of your duvet means it won't itch your skin.
Again, a wool blanket may be something you already have at home or something you can borrow from an older relative.
2. Eye Massager
Eye massagers are a type of eye mask you wear to relieve tired eyes. They use vibration, air compression and heat therapy to soothe your eyes, promoting sleep. The only problem? They'll set you back around £70-£100, or even more for a top-of-the-range model. So what can you do instead?
Eye Massager Alternative: YouTube
Of course, you don't necessarily need a fancy gadget to massage and relax your eyes before sleep. Head to YouTube and search for eye massages for sleep. A great option is this video by Rachel Richards, who explains how to relieve eye strain and tension with self-massage.
The video includes tips for applying pressure, gently pinching and massaging to relieve tension around your eyes, forehead and temples. It's super simple, and once you're done, you should feel more relaxed and ready to sleep.
The best bit? It's completely free!
3. Sunrise alarm clock
Sunrise alarm clocks are a great alternative to traditional alarm tones, whether from a clock or your smartphone. It wakes you up more gently by using light to tell your body to wake up naturally. When your alarm goes off, you'll wake up gradually without suddenly jolting from your bed.
One of the most popular sunrise alarm clocks is by Lumie, which will set you back around £50 at full price. However, there is a less expensive solution:
Sunrise Alarm Clock Alternative: Light Awake App
The Light Awake App is free to download. It works similarly to a sunrise alarm clock, emitting a light to wake you without sound. If you have a smart bulb, the app can use a lamp instead of your smartphone light. If you don't have a smart lightbulb, you can pick one up for around £10, a fraction of the cost of a sunrise alarm clock.
4. Sleep tracker
Wearable sleep trackers are expensive regardless of their form, whether a sleep ring or wristband. When you wear them as you sleep, they track how much sleep you get and the quality of your sleep. To help you negate their hefty price points, there are some alternatives available:
Sleep Tracker Alternative: Sleep Cycle App
Sleep Cycle is a clever, free-to-download smartphone app that monitors your sleep. Sounds impossible, right? This ingenious app detects noises like snoring, coughing, and motion to evaluate sleep disturbances. Don't worry if your partner snores; the app knows if the noise is coming from you!
Before you sleep, you'll have access to various relaxing sounds, from rain to white noise, to help you drift off. When you wake up, you'll see stats on how you slept and tips on improving your sleep the next night. If you have a smartwatch, you can connect it to the Sleep Cycle App. Alternatively, you can wear it as you sleep for more accurate recordings.
5. Bed Cooling System
If you're a hot sleeper and enjoy a cooler sleep, you might be interested in a bed cooling system. Options vary, but essentially, a bed cooling system contains a smart cover for your mattress that you can program to your preferred temperature, which it will maintain throughout the night.
However, one of the most popular options will set you back over £2,500! For many Brits, this expense is simply out of the question. So what else can you do?
Bed Cooling System Alternative 1: Choose the right mattress
Investing in the right mattress is one way to save money on a bed cooling system. If it's time for a new mattress anyway, we suggest looking at mattresses with cooling properties.
A memory foam mattress isn't a great option for hot sleepers, as the foam absorbs and retains heat. However, a gel mattress has an open structure that keeps it cool to the touch and aids airflow, keeping you cool as you sleep. A latex mattress is another good option, as it has a similar open structure and is a natural material. Check out our mattress buying guide to make sure you choose the right mattress for your sleep needs.
Bed Cooling System Alternative 2: Choose a lighter tog duvet
We usually opt for the heavier tog duvets in the colder months to keep us warm. However, you mightn't need to if you're a naturally hot sleeper. Why not use your summer duvet in winter or buy a lighter duvet than you currently have? A new duvet costs significantly less than a bed cooling system!
Bed Cooling System Alternative 3: Keep your bedroom cooler
This one is a no-brainer. If you're too hot at night, keep your bedroom cooler. Your options include turning the radiator in your bedroom down or off if you have the heating on before bed or opening a window to cool the room down.
Other factors are at play here, such as the types of duvet cover you have on your bed and the pyjamas you wear! Avoid heavy fabrics that will keep you warm, and opt for lighter cotton duvets and bamboo-infused pyjamas instead.
There you have it! Five ways to get all the benefits of sleep aids without actually investing in them. Which one will you try next time you head to bed?
