The Best Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids (2026), Tested and Reviewed
Others tested
These were effective, but not as consistently as the choices above. I would still encourage others to try, as bodies react differently to the active ingredients in these over-the-counter sleeping pills.
Photography: Molly Higgins
AGZ Nighttime Sleep Aid for $99: I tested AGZ’s chocolate and mint flavors, which come with a frother, and you can mix the powder with water or milk, warm or cold (although I think it tastes better with milk, like a frothy hot chocolate). The drink does not taste too sweet and has a pleasant rich chocolate taste. The blend is melatonin-free, but contains adaptogens, herbs, and minerals, including magnesium, vitamin B6, L-theanine, ashwagandha, and calming herbs. Thanks to the magnesium and L-theanine, my body felt calmer before bed throughout the tests, but it didn’t consistently push me into complete sleepiness.
Photography: Molly Higgins
Rebalance Dream Sleep Mints (melatonin-free; 31-pack) for $46: These melatonin-free mints are designed to dissolve slowly, with natural sleep-inducing ingredients like L-Theanine, L-Tryptophan, GABA, and slow-release Reishi Mushroom. You can take up to three lozenges each night, and it took me three to feel any calming effects. I like the idea of a slow-melting mint alternative, but I’m currently testing the melatonin version to see how it compares to the non-melatonin version.
Natrol Melatonin Gummies for $9: These contain 10 milligrams of melatonin, about triple the recommended dose, and they don’t contain any of the other sleep-promoting ingredients often found in other sleep gummies. The strawberry flavor has a sort of grainy mouthfeel. But they are cheap and work effectively within half an hour.
Magnesium Water Drops from the Depths of Kona Sea Salt for $12: Kona’s line of sleep and relaxation products use ocean magnesium from Hawaii to promote better sleep and muscle relaxation. I’ve tried a variety of Kona Sea Salt’s Hawaiian water products, including Calm Mineral Spa Bath ($8) and Deep Ocean Magnesium Mist ($18), but found the drops to be the most effective, although I still regularly spritz the magnesium mist before bed. You only need to use one drop per ounce of drinking water, and it’s supposed to be quickly absorbed by the body, with many purported benefits like regulating the sleep-wake cycle and promoting deeper sleep without hangovers. It doesn’t really taste anything except slightly salty, but it didn’t deliver solid, consistent sleepy results like the other choices above.
Photography: Molly Higgins
Osea Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist for $20: This spray aims to create a calming atmosphere to help regulate and prepare the mind and body before bed. The longest cranial nerve in the body, the vagus nerve activates the body’s relaxation response to help regulate stress. Each spray of this mist releases a blend of soothing essential oils of Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemon Tea Tree, Chamomile, and Moroccan Rosemary to help relax the mind and body. The smell is almost hard to describe: it’s light, with faint herbal and citrus notes that made me want to douse all my pillows and bed linens. Maybe it was a placebo effect, but it triggered something in me that made me feel like I was in a spa, and I always felt noticeably more relaxed, more comfortable, and ready for bed.
Not recommended
Photography: Molly Higgins
Grounding Cushion Cover for $130: This grounding pillowcase is believed to serve as a conduit for Earth’s natural electrons, believed to lead to more restful sleep. According to the Earthing website, this electronic grounding is said to “rejuvenate, reduce inflammation” and help you “reconnect with the earth.” In reality, it’s a carbon pigment-infused synthetic and plasticized faux leather pillow cover that needs to be plugged in while you sleep. There’s an important safety warning and it even comes with a plug safety test to ensure it doesn’t cause an electrical fire while you sleep. So that’s reassuring. I found the faux leather material far too hot, sticky and uncomfortable, and woke up feeling really unanchored.
Photography: Molly Higgins
ImmunizeLabs DeepSleep Formula for $129: These capsules use a blend of valerian root, GABA, L-theanine, melatonin, magnesium, glycine, and other ingredients like amino acids and herbs to promote falling asleep faster, reduce racing thoughts, relax the nervous system, and support a healthy REM cycle. You will need to take three capsules approximately 30 minutes before bed. These worked very well; I felt drowsy and slept soundly throughout the tests. However, the pills are gigantic and you will have to take them one at a time (and I could feel them in my esophagus). But more than anything, I can’t recommend them, because they don’t give the consumer any detailed information about the actual serving sizes of the ingredients. It simply lists a “multi-way proprietary blend,” but does not detail how many ingredients are listed. It’s a bit dangerous not being completely sure of the quantities of what I’m ingesting. Plus, the price is downright exorbitant.
Canary Nighttime Feeder (60-pack) for $18: I hate doing this because all Canary products are so tasty, but I haven’t felt the effects of these sleep gummies. These vegan tart cherry gummies use natural ingredients like ashwagandha, chamomile, and lemon balm for a more natural foray into relaxation. Although they are very tasty (like all the gummy supplements I have received from the Canary Islands), I did not experience any noticeable drowsy effects from taking them.
BodyHealth Sleep for $36: A three-capsule serving is fortified with “Perfect Amino” (BodyHealth doesn’t give any information on what it actually is), taurine, vitamin C, L-theanine, L-glycine, 5-HTP (I-5-hydroxytryptophan, which is often used for depression, with less evidence for helping insomnia); L-glutamine and GABA (amino acids) and 3 milligrams of melatonin. These horse pills were SO hard to swallow and gave me acid reflux symptoms every time I took them. They may have helped increase sleepiness, but I was too focused on my heartburn to notice.
What else can I try besides sleeping pills?
Before running to the store for a quick fix, Monica Baena, adult gerontology nurse practitioner at the George Washington Center for Sleep Disorders, recommends establishing good sleep hygiene. This includes sticking to a set sleep schedule, creating a bedtime routine, and avoiding screen time, alcohol, and bright lights before bed, as well as making sure to get physical activity during the day and taking care of any other health conditions that may be contributing to insomnia.
Part of the importance of creating a bedtime routine is making sure your bedroom is optimal for your personal sleep preferences, whether that’s temperature or using a sleep mask or sound machine, anything that will make your environment more conducive to restful sleep.
What are the risks of sleeping pills?
“There is potential for dependence and tolerance to sleeping pills — these medications are intended for short-term use,” says Hannah Sagedy, a physician assistant at the George Washington Center for Sleep Disorders. Although sleeping pills can sometimes be helpful in initiating and maintaining sleep, Sagedy describes some of their more serious potential side effects, like drowsiness and memory problems. They can even increase the risk of abnormal sleep behaviors like sleepwalking or sleepwalking.
Generally, people should not drive or operate machinery while using sleeping pills or mixing them with alcohol, and everyone, especially pregnant people or those with pre-existing health conditions, should consult their doctor before using them. The FDA only approves prescription insomnia medications like Ambien, as well as over-the-counter medications, which are often just variations of the same two active ingredients: doxylamine and diphenhydramine. However, over-the-counter medications are not regulated in the same way as prescription medications. Certain active ingredients, such as doxylamine, have been shown to increase the risk of dementia.
What are some common ingredients in over-the-counter sleeping pills?
Although these should be used in moderation, certain ingredients are believed to help promote healthy sleep and appear in most of the sleep aids on this list. Let’s do a crash course.
- Doxylaminefound in over-the-counter medications like Unisom, is one of the most commonly used medications for insomnia and is also used for nausea during pregnancy and allergic rhinitis. It stays in your system longer than other sleeping pills, so it’s more likely to cause that “hangover” feeling of lingering sleepiness the next morning.
- Diphenhydramineused in over-the-counter medications like Benadryl and ZzzQuil, is also one of the most common over-the-counter sleep aids and can also be used for allergies. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine work similarly and have similar side effects.
- Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the brain that helps regulate your internal clock. Increased levels of melatonin help signal that it’s time for your body to sleep. Baena explains that “melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland in the brain. It is linked to the time of day and increases when it is dark and decreases when it is light. This helps synchronize your circadian rhythms.” Sagedy warns that melatonin can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, headaches and strange dreams. Melatonin has been shown to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, but because it is considered a dietary supplement in the United States, it is less strictly regulated by the FDA than a prescription or over-the-counter medication. Melatonin is generally considered safe for pregnant women and children in low doses, but a doctor should be consulted before use.
- Other common ingredients include: vitamin B6believed to help with melatonin production; magnesiumwhich helps regulate the nervous system and the production of melatonin; L-theaninean amino acid that promotes relaxation; And GABAan amino acid that helps calm the brain.
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