A great hotel doesn’t always guarantee a great night’s sleep. Even in a comfortable room, being away from home can make it harder to settle in and get the rest you need. Fortunately, a few small, travel-friendly items can make a big difference. From products that block out noise and light to small touches that create a more familiar sleep environment, these are some of the best gadgets and accessories to help you sleep better in almost any hotel room.

Sleep Mask

If your hotel room doesn’t get as dark as you’d like, a sleep mask fixes that instantly by blocking out light from hallways, street lamps, or an early sunrise peeking through curtains. Some versions are shaped to avoid pressure on the eyes, which makes them more comfortable for side sleepers in particular. A sleep mask is also easy to pack since it weighs almost nothing and takes up barely any space. For a calming effect, a weighted sleep mask adds gentle pressure that helps some people relax even more deeply. 

Highly rated option: Nodpod’s Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask evenly distributes lightweight pressure with its unique strap-free design.

Earplugs

If you’re sensitive to noise, earplugs can be a life — or rather, sleep — saver by blocking out hallway conversations, slamming doors, traffic, and snoring travel companions. Foam options offer the highest level of noise reduction, while silicone and reusable models provide comfort for frequent travelers. Ear plugs are inexpensive, lightweight, and can easily fit into a pocket or toiletry kit. They’re particularly useful in busy city hotels or on overnight flights. 

Highly rated option: Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs from SnoozePlugs are praised for their comfort and strong noise reduction.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Another way to block out sound is with noise-canceling headphones or earbuds. Many people use them at night with calming music, white noise, or sleep meditations to help them wind down in a new place. The noise-canceling technology helps reduce sounds like air conditioners, street noise, and distant conversations. They’re also handy on flights, helping you feel less drained before you land. 

Highly rated option: Ozlo Sleepbuds are compact and comfortable, even for side sleepers, and they stay in all night. They’re designed to mask noise, and you can also stream calming sounds through the app.

Mini Sound Machine

A sound machine drowns out the sounds of a noisy hotel by playing a steady hum of white noise in the background, like rain, ocean waves, or a soft fan. Most travel versions are small enough to toss in a carry-on bag. They usually run all night on a single charge, and unlike a phone app, they won’t drain your battery or get interrupted by notifications. 

Highly rated option: Yogasleep’s Travel Mini Sound Machine is a compact favorite thanks to its portability and variety of sound options.

Travel-Size Humidifer

The air in hotel rooms can often be dry, particularly in winter or in heavily air-conditioned climates. A travel humidifier adds moisture back into the air, helping prevent dry skin, sore throats, nasal congestion, and irritated eyes. This can be especially beneficial after long flights, which are already dehydrating. Most travel humidifiers are small enough to pack and usually run on USB power, so they’re easy to use anywhere. Some even screw right onto a regular water bottle, which makes them extra convenient. 

Highly rated option: The Pure Enrichment MistAire Travel Humidifier is compact enough to fit in a carry-on and is designed to work with a standard water bottle for easy use on the go.

Sleep Spray

A sleep spray curates a calming bedtime routine when you’re traveling. Most use soothing scents like lavender, chamomile, or cedarwood — a quick spritz on your pillow can make a hotel room feel a bit more like home. They come in travel-sized bottles that are TSA-friendly and small enough to pack on any trip without taking up valuable space in your carry-on.

Highly rated option: The Deep Sleep Pillow Spray from This Works is one of the most frequently recommended sleep sprays.

Portable Fan

A mini portable fan is an overlooked item that can make a hotel room more comfortable when the air feels stuffy or the temperature isn’t quite right. It creates a steady breeze and a soft background hum at the same time, which can help you feel a bit more settled. Most are rechargeable, USB-compatible, and small enough to fit in your luggage.

Highly rated option: The JISULIFE Portable Fan is consistently praised by travelers for its long battery life, compact size, and quiet operation.

Featured image credit: © Iuliia Pilipeichenko—iStock/Getty Images