The Best Sleep Sprays

If you have a hard time winding down in the evening, a sleep spray can help you prepare for bed. Sleep sprays contain ingredients that promote feelings of relaxation and tiredness. Melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone naturally produced in the brain, is commonly found in supplemental form in sleep sprays, but some use a melatonin-free recipe with alternative ingredients.

Edible sleep sprays are usually applied under the tongue before your scheduled bedtime. The term “sleep spray” can also apply to non-ingestible scented sprays you can spritz on your pillow and sheets, which provide a relaxing smell to help you relax before sleep. Most sleep sprays do not require a prescription and can be obtained over the counter. These sprays are also fairly inexpensive, and many companies that sell sleep sprays offer discounts when you opt for a subscription plan.

Product Details

Best Overall

Baloo Living Pillow Mist

Price:

$18

• Who it’s best for

  1. Consumers who prefer to buy and use animal-free products
  2. Those who are seeking a non-ingestible sleep spray
  3. People who tend to feel anxious before falling asleep

• Highlights

  1. Made from a soothing blend of lavender, lemon, rosemary, and chrysanthemum oils
  2. Spritz on your pillows and sheets to create a relaxing sleep environment
  3. Spray does not contain any artificial fragrances

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

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Some sleep sprays contain ingredients like melatonin and are meant to be ingested, while others provide soothing aromatherapy. The Baloo Living Pillow Mist falls into the latter category. Four essential oils that promote relaxation — chrysanthemum, lavender, lemon, and rosemary — form a soothing blend that also smells quite nice. The formula does not contain artificial fragrances, animal-based materials, mineral oils, or silicone.

For best results, lightly spritz your pillow and sheets before getting into bed. The spray is immediately noticeable, but you may need a few minutes for the aroma to take full effect. Since the formula is water-based, it shouldn’t cause permanent damage to your bedding if correctly applied.

Each shipment includes a 3.4-ounce bottle. You don’t need much spray to achieve the desired effect, so one bottle could potentially last months. Baloo Living offers free delivery for orders of $100 or more, but flat-rate shipping is reasonable if you don’t reach this benchmark.

Best Value

Plant Therapy Blissful Dreams Lavender Pillow Spray

Price:

$15

• Who it’s best for

  1. Those who foresee ongoing aromatherapy needs
  2. People who enjoy lavender scents
  3. Shoppers looking for a non-edible sleep spray

• Highlights

  1. Relaxing aroma blends floral and citrus scents
  2. Third-party tested for safety with common bedding fabrics
  3. Subscribers receive a discount at checkout

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

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Lavender-scented sprays aren’t for everyone, but those who enjoy this aroma should definitely check out the Blissful Dreams Lavender Pillow Spray from Plant Therapy. The smell is light and crisp, which may be ideal for those who have found other sleep sprays too overwhelming. Since the aroma is somewhat faint, you may need a few extra spritzes on your pillow and sheets to experience the full effect.

In addition to lavender oil, which has been shown to have a relaxing effect, the spray contains oil from the vetiver and Roman chamomile flowers. Some added bergamot peel also gives the aroma a citrusy finish. This is a water-based spray, so it shouldn’t stain or otherwise damage your bedding. The spray has also been third-party tested for safety when used on common sheet and pillowcase fabrics such as cotton, silk, and rayon.

Your order includes an 8-ounce bottle, ensuring you won’t run out for months even with nightly spritzes — though the spray has a shelf life of 2 years if you use it infrequently. This spray is designed for adults only. You can pay full price at checkout for a one-time purchase, or sign up for an ongoing subscription and receive a 5% discount.

Best Lavender Scent

Swanwick Linen Spray

Price:

$22

• Who it’s best for

  1. Those who enjoy the smell of lavender
  2. People who use sleep sprays when they’re on the go
  3. Anyone who wants to freshen up their living room

• Highlights

  1. Natural lavender creates a soothing aroma without any chemical odor
  2. Aluminum packaging is lightweight and convenient for travel
  3. Spraying on your bed linens can help you relax as you fall asleep

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

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Lavender is a popular choice for aromatherapy because of the plant’s natural relaxing properties. Unfortunately, a lot of lavender-scented products are cut with chemicals that harshen the smell and make it less pleasant. The Swanwick Linen Spray exclusively uses natural lavender produced in small batches from an organic farm in Canada. Although the lavender is distilled with copper, the spray smells refreshing without any chemical odor.

Swanwick recommends one to three spritzes on your pillowcase and sheets before bed, depending on your desired intensity level. Allow the spray to dry before your skin comes into contact with the bedding. You can also use the spray on your living room furniture to stave off stale odors. The container is made of aluminum and exceptionally lightweight, so you can pack the spray in your luggage next time you travel.

When not in use, store the spray in a cool, dry place where it won’t be exposed to direct heat, light, or oxygen. Keep the spray out of your children’s reach at all times. If you purchase three or more containers, Swanwick covers the shipping charges. You may return the Linen Spray unopened within 30 days of the delivery date.

Best Melatonin Spray

Onnit Instant Melatonin Spray

Price:

$13

• Who it’s best for

  1. People who foresee an ongoing need for a sleep spray
  2. Anyone who enjoys mint or lavender flavors
  3. Those who don’t need large doses of melatonin before bed

• Highlights

  1. Customers can choose between one-time purchases or a subscription
  2. Lavender variety includes stevia leaf extract and lavender oil
  3. One canister can last one to six months

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

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For many people, sleep sprays become a crucial component of their nighttime routine, and replenishing their supply can be a hassle. Onnit offers customers two options when they purchase the Instant Melatonin Spray. You can choose a one-time purchase or sign up for a subscription and receive a 15% discount on your order. Subscribers can choose from seven plans, with delivery schedules ranging from once a week to every three months.

One spritz of the spray contains 0.5 milligrams of melatonin. This is a rather small dose, and the recommended serving size is six individual spritzes, but you may find that one or two is enough to help you relax and unwind before bed. Onnit recommends experimenting with your optimal nightly intake. Each canister contains about 180 spritzes, so one shipment could sustain you anywhere from one to six months. 

You can choose between mint and lavender flavors. If you opt for a subscription, note that your credit card will be charged automatically on the date your order is processed.

Best Melatonin-Free

Bach Rescue Sleep Spray

Price:

$26

• Who it’s best for:

  1. Those looking for a sleep spray that doesn’t contain melatonin
  2. Vegetarians and vegans
  3. People who are intolerant of or allergic to gluten

• Highlights:

  1. Natural tincture derived from six floral essences
  2. Does not contain melatonin, gluten, or artificial flavors
  3. All orders backed by a 45-night satisfaction guarantee

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Bach products

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Melatonin has proven to be an effective sleep aid for many, but it’s not the only option if you’re in the market for a sleep spray — especially if your doctor has advised against using melatonin. The Bach Rescue Sleep Spray forgoes melatonin entirely and instead uses natural floral essences to induce relaxation and sleepiness. Additionally, the spray does not contain gluten or artificial flavors and is considered vegan-friendly.

The floral essences are produced from hand-picked flowers and include cherry plum, impatiens, rock rose, and white chestnut. While the role these ingredients play is based on homeopathic practice, not medical evidence, some may find the spray effective at reducing nighttime stress and anxiety. The manufacturer recommends applying two spritzes on the tongue before bed, though you may need additional doses to feel tired.

If you order the Rescue Sleep Spray from Amazon.com, you can choose between a 7-milliliter bottle that contains about 75 doses or a 20-milliliter bottle with roughly 190 doses.

Best for Young Children

Plant Therapy Monster Away Spray

Price:

$15

• Who it’s best for

  1. Children aged 2 or older
  2. Kids who are afraid of the dark
  3. Parents who foresee ongoing sleep spray needs

• Highlights

  1. Kid-friendly spray is both citrusy and earthy
  2. Does not contain ammonia, parabens, phthalates, or sulfates
  3. Shoppers save money by signing up for a subscription

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Plant Therapy products

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Many sleep sprays on the market are intended for adult use, but the Monster Away Spray from Plant Therapy was created with kids in mind. An essential oil blend of orange, cedarwood, ho wood, chamomile, and vetiver creates a scent that’s both citrusy and earthy with a bit of sweetness. The spray is intended for children who are 2 or older. 

As its name implies, the scent can be particularly beneficial for children who feel lonely, anxious, or scared in their bedroom at night. Parents should spritz their child’s pillow and sheets before bed, and prohibit kids from handling the bottle themselves. This is a water-based spray, so it won’t stain or damage your child’s bedding. 

Each order includes an 8-ounce bottle, which could potentially last for months even with nightly application. Customers may pay full price for a one-time purchase, but those who subscribe to Plant Therapy receive a 5% discount.

What Is a Sleep Spray?

A sleep spray is a liquid in a bottle that, when spritzed, is designed to enhance a person’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Some sleep sprays are applied in the mouth and are considered a dietary supplement. These sprays may contain melatonin, magnesium, or other vitamins or minerals intended to facilitate sleep.

Other kinds of sleep sprays are made with essential oils intended to provide calming aromatherapy around bedtime. These sprays are meant to be applied to fabrics or the skin and can involve scents like lavender and chamomile.

Who Are Sleep Sprays Good For?

Sleep sprays may be a good option for people who occasionally have difficulty sleeping. They are not intended to be a treatment for serious conditions like chronic insomnia or anxiety.

Ingestible sleep sprays may be most helpful for people who have a hard time swallowing pills, chewing gummies, or taking other forms of dietary supplements. While these products can be purchased without a prescription, it’s best to speak with a doctor about the potential benefits and downsides of any specific sleep spray.

Aromatherapy sleep sprays may be helpful for people who want to create a more relaxing sleep setting. Sprays containing calming scents like lavender and chamomile may help people wind down at bedtime. People who have significant smell sensitivities, allergies, or asthma should look closely at the ingredients before using an aromatherapy sleep spray.

What to Look For in a Sleep Spray

Sleep sprays are generally either an ingestible dietary supplement or a method of aromatherapy. In some cases, sleep sprays containing magnesium or other natural sleep aids are designed for topical application to the hands or feet. It is important to be aware of the type of sleep spray you are buying and to use it as directed.

Ingredients and Strength

A sleep spray’s ingredients are fundamental to how they may affect relaxation and sleep. For ingestible sleep sprays, ingredients may include melatonin, magnesium, or different minerals, vitamins, or natural extracts. Aromatherapy sprays generally include one or more types of essential oils with a scent intended to promote calmness and relaxation.

The strength of a sleep spray depends primarily on the ingredients used and their concentration. With ingestible sleep sprays, the strength can influence how intensely you may feel its effects. With aromatherapy sprays, the strength and concentration can dictate how potent the smell will be.

Look closely at the label of any sleep spray, including the list of ingredients and any suggested directions for use. Reviewing the ingredient list with a doctor can help reduce the risk of side effects or unwanted interactions if you take other medications.

Scent

Sleep sprays that rely on aromatherapy may contain a number of essential oils. Research has shown that exposure to certain smells may promote relaxation and aid sleep.

Examples of scents that may be found in aromatherapy sleep sprays include lavender, rose, chamomile, cedarwood, and bergamot. Some sprays may involve a blend of different smells or essential oils.

Still have questions?

Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we'll help you find exactly what you're looking for.