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
zDen Personal Sleep Sanctuary none-selected
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.
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Manta Sound Sleep Mask
Priced on the higher end, this mask is thoughtfully designed and effective. It may look bulky, with chunky eye cups, but I could actually barely feel them, even with one side of my face smooshed into my memory foam pillow, and they seal out light completely without putting pressure on the eyes. The mask shuts itself off after 30 minutes of no audio to preserve battery life, and it won’t disrupt your sleep with an audible notification if the battery does get low.
Why we love it: It’s highly customizable to fit your face: Slidable tabs on either side of the strap make it easy to adjust the position of the speakers, and you can also adjust the position of the eye cups. An optional over-the-head elastic strap lets you position the earphones directly over your eardrums without the mask sliding down around your neck. When I slept in the Manta, I went to bed listening to white noise and woke up seven hours later with the mask still firmly in place.
It’s a shame that ... The controls, over the bridge of your nose, are a little tricky to locate once you have the mask on. And users report that the Velcro strap can lose its stickiness over time (though Manta does offer a six-month warranty).
Weight: 3.8 oz.
Type: Contoured, with soft foam eye cups.
Battery life: 24 hours.
Material: 100% modal outside, 75% nylon/25% spandex inside (head strap); 56% Tactel/27% polyester/17% spandex inside, 100% polyester outside (eye cups).
Care: Machine-washable after you remove the electrical components.
Suitable for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers.
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.
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Bluewave Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow
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.
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BedJet 3
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.
If you’re curious if this $500 device is worth its price tag, read the full story.
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Elemind Headband
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.
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Jabees Pillow Speaker
Jabees Pillow Speaker none-selected
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.
Get involved: [email protected]
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:
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The best bath towels of 2026 in the US, from fluffy to quick drying – tested
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Biogents Mosquitaire review: the Mercedes of nontoxic mosquito eradication is worth the price
