Experts share 5 effective sleep aids for 2025

Sleep is not just a “nice-to-have” — it’s a biological necessity, a nightly reset that allows our bodies and minds to repair, consolidate memory, regulate hormones and reset emotional balance.

Sadly, millions of Americans wake up feeling more exhausted than when they went to bed. According to a large-scale U.S. study examining sleep habits from 2017 to 2020, nearly 29.8 % of adults reported trouble sleeping, and 27.2 % experienced daytime sleepiness. In older populations, disturbed sleep affects an even higher share: one study found that 33.7 % of adults aged 60+ reported significant sleep disruption.

When sleep is elusive night after night, people often turn to sleep aids that work — but with so many options, how do you choose the best sleep aid for your needs?

“Limiting screen time before bed can boost your body’s natural melatonin production, and keeping your bedroom dark and cool sets the stage for restful sleep,” Brittany Ghosn, MS, RDN, LDN, CPT, registered dietitian nutritionist, shared with Post Wanted. “Behavioral strategies, like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and consistent sleep routines, remain some of the most effective ways to improve sleep. Environmental tools, such as sunrise alarm clocks, smart rings that track sleep or simple eye masks, can further enhance sleep quality by supporting both your habits and your environment.”

In this guide, we’ll walk through the landscape of natural, over‑the‑counter and targeted sleep solutions — from the mildest natural sleep aid to the strongest sleep aid for over-the-counter use, always bearing in mind safety and suitability. Whether you’re wrestling with insomnia, anxiety, aging or pregnancy, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people reach first for a melatonin sleep aid, others explore magnesium sleep aid options, and yet others consider CBD sleep aid supplements.

Still, for those with anxiety, the best sleep aid for adults with anxiety may look very different from that for someone simply seeking occasional rest. And for populations like children, expecting mothers or seniors, the balance between efficacy and safety is especially critical.

We’ll cover non-habit-forming sleep aid options (because nobody wants a new dependency), consider sleep aids for elderly brains and bodies and even touch on sleep aid while pregnant (always under medical supervision, of course). For parents, we’ll discuss what science says about a natural sleep aid for kids — though with extra caution and nuance. Throughout, we’ll zero in on what evidence supports each approach and where gaps remain. Ultimately, our goal is to help you navigate toward the most effective sleep aid for your situation: one that truly helps you drift off and stay asleep without waking up to regret.

So before you resign yourself to another restless night, let’s explore the pros, cons and science-backed strategies behind sleep aids. Whether you’re reaching for a pill, a supplement or something more holistic, this guide will help you make sense of terms like “best over the counter sleep aid,” “strongest sleep aid for over the counter,” and “most effective sleep aid” — and figure out which ones might genuinely serve you (versus those that overpromise and underdeliver).

Sleep supplements often lean heavily on melatonin, but AGZ Nightly Rest & Restore takes a different path. Created by AG1, the trusted name behind the popular daily wellness formula, this melatonin-free nighttime drink is thoughtfully designed to support deep, rejuvenating rest. With a blend of clinically studied key ingredients like Magtein magnesium L-threonate, saffron, Ashwagandha, L-theanine and valerian root, AGZ delivers a powerful sleep solution without the foggy mornings or risk of dependence.

AGZ is carefully formulated to support all three essential stages of rest: easing the mind before bed, encouraging restorative, uninterrupted rest, and helping you wake up feeling clear and energized. Its mix of calming herbs and adaptogens works in harmony to help support the body’s natural melatonin rhythm and gently guide you into restorative sleep — without disrupting your internal clock.

Beyond function, AGZ is a ritual in itself. It’s NSF Certified for Sport, meeting strict standards for quality and safety. Completely free from GMOs, gluten, dairy and artificial additives, it fits effortlessly into a variety of lifestyles. Choose from three soothing flavors — Mixed Berry, Chocolate Mint or Chocolate —and enjoy it hot or cold as part of your wind-down routine. With AGZ, sleep becomes both a necessity and a self-care ritual.

Ingredients: Magnesium, Ashwaghanda | Size: 30 individual travel packs

---

Imagine a softly glowing night-light that moon‑walks your child gently from slumber into daytime — and that’s exactly what the LittleHippo Mella Kids Alarm Clock Sleep Trainer delivers. Mella isn’t just a clock; it’s a silent bedtime storyteller and wake‑up hero rolled into one: at “lights‑out,” it turns red and shows a sleepy face, then shifts to yellow for quiet playtime and finally bursts into a friendly green when it’s time to bounce out of bed.

Its built‑in white noise and lullaby modes cocoon the room in calm, while the shape, color and facial cues teach toddlers the language of time before they really understand hours and minutes. That’s why parents call it “the bedkid,” because their little ones consult Mella like a wise bedtime oracle.

The genius of Mella lies in how perfectly it aligns with the philosophy of our expert, Ghosn, who advocates for gradual-wakeup alarm clocks as a science-backed alternative to supplements for kids. Instead of relying on melatonin gummies or sleep drops, Ghosn recommends teaching children’s bodies to wake gently — just like Mella does. With its slow, color-shifting glow and calm facial expressions, Mella cues the brain to rise naturally, easing kids into the day without jolts or stress. It’s a sleep mentor in disguise (the happiest one, too, may we add), helping children build lifelong habits that support their internal clocks, no pills required.

---

If you’ve ever tried to fall asleep while your partner scrolls TikTok at full brightness or your neighbor’s porch light is basically a second moon, you need the MZOO Luxury Sleep Eye Mask in your life. This isn’t your average flimsy blindfold; instead, it’s like placing memory foam pillows on your eyelids.

The 3D contoured design means no pressure on your eyes, no weird lines on your cheeks and most importantly, no light. It’s like flipping the “off” switch on the world. Whether you’re a side sleeper, a back sleeper or a nap-on-the-couch-during-Netflix kind of sleeper, the MZOO mask stays put and keeps things pitch black. Honestly, it’s the sleep cheat code you didn’t know you needed.

And if you’re still on the fence, our in-house sleep expert Ghosn is a huge fan of these. She says a great sleep mask is an excellent sleep aid outside of supplements, and MZOO is the one. It’s a small addition to your routine that makes a huge difference. Think of it as a little nighttime ritual: mask on, brain off, dreams engaged. No supplements or melatonin gummies here — just total darkness and deep ZZZs.

---

Imagine this: you’re deep in the third trimester, your belly’s doing its best beach ball impression and sleep feels like a mythical creature you only hear about in lullabies. Enter the Oura Ring 4: a sleek, barely-there powerhouse that’s not only jewelry but your nighttime co-pilot as well.

While you’re navigating midnight snack cravings and those charming 3:00 a.m. bathroom runs, this tiny wearable is tracking your heart rate, temperature shifts and sleep stages like a digital doula. It collects data and understands that your body’s on a nine-month rollercoaster, and it rides shotgun with compassion and insight. Ghosn recommends sleep trackers as a key category of sleep aids, too.

Here’s where it gets clever: Oura’s Pregnancy Insights mode was literally built for this. It knows your body is working overtime, so it customizes its feedback to your trimester, adjusting how it interprets everything from your rising heart rate to your shifting temperature. Instead of spitting out generic fitness advice, it offers trimester-aware insights — like a calm, science-savvy friend who’s been through it all. Whether you’re wondering if your fatigue is normal or if that restless sleep is worth worrying about, Oura gives you real-time, personalized info that actually makes sense.

And when everyone’s telling you to “just get more rest” (as if that’s helpful), the Oura Ring actually shows you how. It breaks your sleep into light, deep and REM cycles, giving you a Sleep Score that reflects how restorative your night really was. But it goes beyond the numbers: with its Readiness Score, it gently advises when to go easy, when to move more, and when to cancel everything for a nap-and-snack double feature.

In short? Oura tracks and tunes in to your pregnancy journey, helping you feel seen, supported and a little more in control for better rest during a time when your body seems to have its own agenda.

---

Relaxium Sleep Aid stands out as an exceptional sleep supplement for the elderly, combining a thoughtfully curated blend of ingredients to promote restful and rejuvenating sleep. Formulated by neurologist Dr. Eric Ciliberti, this non-habit-forming supplement features 5 mg of melatonin, 100 mg of magnesium (from magnesium oxide, citrate and bisglycinate), and Ashwagandha.

“The strongest evidence supports melatonin, Ashwagandha and magnesium for sleep improvement,” Ghosn told The Post.

These ingredients work synergistically to support the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, relax the muscles and calm the mind, making it an ideal choice for seniors seeking a natural solution to sleep disturbances.

The inclusion of calming botanicals such as chamomile, passionflower, and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) complements the formula, providing a comprehensive approach to nighttime tranquility. This holistic blend not only aids in falling asleep faster but also supports staying asleep longer, ensuring seniors wake up feeling refreshed and alert. With its expert-backed formulation and targeted benefits, Relaxium Sleep Aid is a top recommendation for elderly individuals seeking improved sleep quality.

Ingredients: Magnesium, Melatonin, Ashwaghanda | Size: 60 capsules

---

---

For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

---