10 Best Sleep Supplements

Searching For The Best Sleep Supplement

It’s harder than ever to get a good night’s sleep. Nearly everything in the modern world is working against our sleep patterns; working from home makes it that much easier to burn the midnight oil, screens everywhere mean our eyes are always looking at blue light, and there’s always a new show on Netflix to binge before laying in bed. 

That being the case, I wouldn’t blame you for looking into ways to help you fall asleep. While there are a plethora of strategies you should implement before turning to pharmaceuticals, like avoiding caffeine after noon and reading a book before going to bed, I’m assuming that you already know or use them. 

As such, I’ll tell you about the 10 best sleep supplements on the market today. Through this list, you’ll learn how these sleep aids compare when it comes to their ingredients, prices, uses, and more. 

The value of the best sleep aids is that they fill gaps that we cannot fill with our regular routines. Some people work all hours of the night while others have irregular sleep schedules. Families, traveling, and business can all interfere with how much we sleep. 

The worst part is that re-establishing a good sleeping pattern is like getting back on an exercise program: there’s always tomorrow. Sadly, tomorrow never comes. 

If any of that applies to you and you’re looking to take more control back when it comes to your sleep, then keep reading through my list of the 10 best sleep supplements. 

10 Best Sleep Supplements

1. Liquid I.V. Sleep Multiplier

Liquid I.V. isn’t primarily known for its sleep aids. Liquid I.V. is a hydration brand first and foremost, with a noted interest in give back efforts, believing that equitable access to clean and abundant water is the foundation of a healthier world. To date, they have donated more than 36 million servings of their powdered hydration sticks across the United States and globally through their humanitarian partners and have a goal to donate 150M servings by 2032.

You may be asking what that has to do with the Liquid I.V. Sleep Multiplier being named one of the 10 best sleep supplements. 

The technology behind the powdered hydration mix – Cellular Transportation Technology (CTT®) allows our bodies to absorb nutrients faster than water alone – is what makes the Liquid I.V. Sleep Multiplier so effective.

This sleep aid uses melatonin, valerian root, and L-theanine alongside sodium, potassium, and glucose to help you fall asleep quickly. 

The blueberry lavender flavor blend uses salt, dextrose, vitamin c, and natural fruit flavors for a refreshing pre-bed drink. The flavor may seem like a superfluous aspect of a sleep aid, but we tie taste and sensations to moods. A calming yet fruity flavor is what many people envision as the perfect before-bed drink as it helps them relax (you can thank the lavender for that).

The cognitive connection between flavor and rest can ease our minds to power down. The Liquid I.V. Sleep Multiplier builds on that connection with potent sleep-promoting ingredients. 

You’ll also be more hydrated while you sleep thanks to the sodium, potassium, and glucose. It’ll ensure your body is functioning properly. 

A 10-pack of Liquid I.V. Sleep Multiplier costs $24. But if you shop now you can get 20% Off Sitewide with Code HBR20 (Valid 3/13-3/31).

Customers say: “Every time I drink this before bed it is because I don’t feel tired, but I know I need to sleep! I literally fall asleep within 10 mins of me laying my head down haha! I don’t know what it is about this stuff but it works wonders for me.”

Highlights

• Drink mix made from clean ingredients
• Non-GMO
• Free from gluten, dairy, and soy
• Fast-acting sleep aid 

2. Afterwork Sleep Drinks

Afterwork Sleep Drinks are a single-serving sleep aid with a fast absorption rate. It should enter your bloodstream within half an hour of ingesting it. 

At their heart are plant-based ingredients that shouldn’t form a dependency. These include melatonin for relaxation, chamomile, 5-HTP, L-tryptophan, and GABA.

They’re also sweetened with sucralose, but their serving size is so small (each bottle is only 57mL) that they’re tasteful rather than overpowering. On the subject of flavor, here are the four available:

1. Strawberry
2. Cherry
3. Grape
4. Blue Raspberry

Afterwork is a relatively young company, establishing themselves in 2021. The American company makes all their products in the US, which helps them keep fees low for customers. 

Speaking of fees, you can pick up a dozen Afterwork Sleep Drinks for $26 from Amazon. 

Customers say: “I work night shift and when I get off in the morning its really hard for me to go to sleep in day light, but this little shot did the trick for me. It will put you to sleep whether day or night. Really love this product.”

Highlights

• Sugar-free
• Zero calorie drinks
• All natural ingredients
• Four flavors available
• Drug-free 

3. Tonic Health Night Time Immunity Drink

If you’re already looking into the 10 best sleep supplements, why not pick one that’s a solid multivitamin? 

The Tonic Health Night Time Immunity Drink is a nightly wind-down drink that provides servings of non-GMO vitamins to improve your immunity. The main ones are vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc, though this drink mix also contains inulin.

Tonic Health is a UK company dedicated to improving customers’ health through sustainable means. They’re a carbon-negative company that removes twice as much plastic from supply chains as they produce. 

If you’re looking to align your environmentalist beliefs with a better night’s sleep, then the Tonic Health Night Time Immunity Drink is for you. You can pick up 30 servings for $30.

Customers say: “When I have taken it I have slept noticeably deeper all night which is unusual for me. So I have to say it does seem to be effective.”

Highlights

• Use natural ingredients like chamomile, tart cherry, and passion flower
• Sleep aid and immunity supplement
• Mix with hot water for a tea-like experience

4. Recess Mood

There are few sleep aids like Recess Mood. It’s a sparkling water-based drink, perhaps the only one of its kind in the market. Seeing how popular brands like Bubly and La Croix are, Recess Mood can scratch your fizzy-water itch while helping you sleep peacefully. 

The key ingredients are magnesium L-threonate, L-theanine, and lemon balm. The former can boost magnesium levels to help induce sleepiness while the latter two are adaptogens for mood regulation.

You have plenty of Recess Mood flavors to pick from, including black cherry, blood orange, grapefruit tangerine, and peach ginger. 

The only downside is that some are currently unavailable on Amazon, though you can purchase a dozen cans of grapefruit tangerine Recess Mood for $38.

Customers say: “I am obsessed with recess. I love the flavors that have magnesium and this is the best one to me! It’s relaxing to drink and I love having this instead of alcohol to wind down. Highly recommend”

Highlights

• Sparkling water sleep aid
• Available in seven flavors
• Short ingredients list
• Made with real fruit

5. Beam Dream Sleep Powder

The team behind Beam Dream knows how important sleep is. They’re Crossfit enthusiasts, meaning they’re experts in recovery. As such, they founded Beam Dream to optimize their recovery. 

They realized that everyone everywhere could work on repairing their body, so they teamed up with athletes like Danica Patrick, Matt Fraser, and Baker Mayfield to spread their products. 

Arguably their best item is Beam Dream Sleep Powder. It uses a synergistic blend of the most potent sleep-inducing ingredients for a fast-acting and effective nighttime remedy. 

Reishi helps the body destress and unwind, magnesium can help with muscle relaxation and suppressing our nervous system, l-theanine can improve sleep quality, and melatonin is integral to our circadian rhythm. 

Beam Dream Sleep Powder contains although plus hemp powder for quick absorption. A pouch containing 30 servings is available for $95.

Customers say: “Love the taste of this product. My sleep cycle was completely out of whack after having my children and Dream helped get me back on track and doesn’t make feel groggy in the morning. Dream is one of several I use from this company and I am happy with all of them.”

Highlights

• Only 5 calories per serving
• High doses of each active ingredient
• Designed to help you fall and stay asleep
• Safe for vegans, keto, and gluten-free people

6. Dream Water

Dream Water is a Canadian brand that knows how hard it can be to sleep while traveling. Jet lag is very much an issue, and if your job requires you to travel between time zones, then you can kiss your sleep cycle goodbye. 

Thankfully, Dream Water is one of the 10 best sleep supplements because it’s readily available at many retailers and it’s TSA-complaint. You can take it with you if you find that it works better than any other sleep aid. 

A pint-sized shot of Dream Water contains 5mg of melatonin, 135mg of Gaba, and 10mg of 5-HTP. Together, these ingredients help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling rested. 

If you’re dreaming after taking Dream Water, then you know it’s doing its job. You should take a shot half an hour before going to bed.

Though these products are currently sold out on Amazon, you can grab a dozen from the brand’s website for $30.

Customers say: “Was very surprised. Took it about half and hour before bed and woke up in the morning without being groggy or anything.”

Highlights

• Fast-acting sleep aid
• Available at retailers like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Loblaws
• TSA-complaint

7. Goli Dreamy Sleep Gummies

While most items in this list of the 10 best sleep supplements have been drinks or drink mixes, they don’t satisfy the sweet tooth some people have before bed. If that’s you, look no further than the Goli Dreamy Sleep Gummies. 

These vegan and gluten-free gummies contain either 5mg or 10mg of Goli’s sleep blend, which includes melatonin, lemon balm, and magnesium.

All Goli Dreamy Sleep Gummies are made in the United States. You can choose the 5mg option if you don’t have much trouble sleeping, or the 10mg gummies if you really need to revamp your sleep schedule. 

Each order comes with 60 gummies. They’re currently sold out on Amazon, but you can buy them from Goli’s website for $19. 

Customers say: “This is a great product! this is chewable, it has a berry flavor to it, taste great, my wife on the other hand does not like it. I take one about 15 minutes before i lay down and puts me to sleep with in minutes. they say a serving is two, but one works great for me.”

Highlights

• 5mg and 10mg gummies are available 
• Smooth and sweet taste
• More affordable than other sleep aids

8. Natural Vitality Calm

Natural Vitality Calm is the simplest of my 10 best sleep supplements. The only ingredient is magnesium, which is a relief if (like me) melatonin only makes you feel groggy. 

Since it’s so simple, nearly anyone can use this sleep aid without worrying about allergies. Natural Vitality Calm uses magnesium citrate rather than magnesium oxide because the body absorbs the former better, meaning that you can get to sleep more quickly. 

Though you can grab the Natural Vitality Calm in a few different flavors, cherry is the most affordable option on Amazon. A 16-ounce container costs $22.

Customers say: “Calm magnesium is a fantastic product that has greatly improved my overall health and wellbeing. I started taking it a few months ago, and the results have been remarkable.”

Highlights

• Single-ingredient sleep aid
• Faster-digesting form of magnesium
• Suitable for those with sensitivities to other common sleep aid ingredients

9. InnoSupps Night Shred

Some people sleep to relax, while others use it to burn fat and get peeled. For those folks, there’s the InnoSupps Night Shred. 

It can improve your digestion with chamomile while upgrading your sleep quality with its combination of ashwagandha, 5-HTP, Gaba, and valerian root. 

It also contains appetite suppressants like CLA and L-carnitine tartrate so you’re less hungry at bedtime and in the morning.

30 servings of InnoSupps Night Shred costs $50.

Customers say: “I am using this every night along with 6 weeks of eating way better and exercise. I track my sleep with my Iwatch. I am sleeping much better and feel rested and ready to get up each day. Not sure on the weight loss portion however since I am losing doing the other things, but the sleep agent alone I think is worth it,”

Highlights

• Appetite-suppressant and sleep aid
• Helpful for eliminating late-night food cravings
• Can promote a deeper sleep to help muscle recovery

10. Olly Immunity Sleep Gummy

My final entry on this list of the 10 best sleep supplements combines three of my favorite qualities; immunity, better sleep, and sweet flavors. 

The Olly Immunity Sleep Gummy is flavored with berries for an all-natural taste. On the sleep aid side of the equation, each serving contains 3mg of melatonin (the Goldilocks-just-right amount for me), 100mg of l-theanine, and 20mg of lemon balm extract. 

Meanwhile, elderberry, zinc, and vitamin C come together to provide you with an extra boost of immunity. Seeing as how our bodies repair as we sleep, this is exactly what you’d want to take before you go to bed. 

60 Olly Immunity Sleep Gummies (i.e. 30 servings) can be yours for $18.

Customers say: “ I LOVE these little gummies. They’re so tasty, packed with goodness, and most importantly actually work to help me get sleepy. And believe me, that’s a Herculean task most nights.”

Highlights

• Boosts immunity and improves sleep quality
• Low melatonin content means you shouldn’t feel too groggy
• All-natural flavors

How To Shop For The Best Sleep Supplement

Now that you know what I think are the 10 best sleep supplements available on the market, it’s time to figure out which is best for you. Before you decide, consider these concepts and how they’ll affect your decision.

Brand Transparency

Some supplement companies have the best intentions in mind while others are looking to make a quick buck by underdosing their products. You want to ensure you’re buying from a brand that cares about their customers by seeing what other shoppers have said about them.

Accessibility

Certain brands are only available online, through select stores, or in specific regions. Check to make sure the product you’re looking at is available for you.

Side Effects

I’ve never been too lucky with sleep aids. I’ve dealt with grogginess, oversleeping, and upset stomachs in my quest to find the best sleep supplement for myself. Before you buy a sleep aid, consider its possible side effects.

Ingredient Potency

Returning to what I just said about brand transparency, some ingredients are only potent at higher doses. Check out the effective dose for each main ingredient and compare that to the product label to see if you’d get enough of what you need.

Additional Benefits

A few of my picks for the 10 best sleep supplements made the list because they provide benefits outside of sleep. These may not be worth it for you, but if you suffer from a weak immune system (for example), then it may be worthwhile to look for a product that can help your sleep and your immunity. 

Price

A product’s price serves as a summation of the concepts I just listed. If a sleep aid seems too good to be true for its price, it likely is. It’s better to pay a bit more for a good supplement than to save money on a sleep aid that doesn’t work. 

FAQ

Are sleep supplements effective?

In general, sleep supplements are effective when combined with efforts to improve your sleep hygiene. You should use them as a tool in a toolbox alongside getting enough Vitamin D, a good nighttime routine, and regulating how much caffeine you consume. 

Are OTC sleep supplements safe?

While OTC sleep aids are safe, they come with side effects like dry mouth, lethargy, and confusion. 

Are there any good foods that naturally help with sleep?

Nuts are good for sleep because they contain magnesium and zinc, two minerals often used in sleep aids. They also contain melatonin, so it may be helpful to snack on them before bed. 

What can I take to sleep instead of melatonin?

The 10 best sleep supplements contain ingredients besides melatonin because some people don’t respond well. 

Some of these alternative ingredients include magnesium, GABA, L-theanine, and valerian root. You can usually find these at your local drug or health food store. 

Is it OK to take sleep supplements every night?

You don’t want to depend on sleep supplements every night. They’re best used on a short-term basis to combat jet lag or other situations that directly affect how much sleep you’re getting. 

Final Thoughts

You shouldn’t rely on sleep aids, even the 10 best sleep supplements, to course correct your sleep patterns on their own. 

They’re more like crutches than surgeries; they are necessary at certain times, but ultimately they act as supports until you can develop the skills to discard them. That being said, it’s good to keep them around if you ever need them again.