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How To Choose The Best Sleep Supplement in 2023

A Sleep Supplement Can Benefit People Who Notice Any Of The Following:

Tossing and turning for a long time before falling asleep*
Frequent yawning during the day*
Waking up during the night*
Shorter attention span and irritability*

Feeling a lack of energy and less alert in the daytime*
Finding it difficult to calm down before bedtime*
Feeling tense or stressed*
Waking up feeling unrested*

What’s wrong with most sleep supplements on the market?

Sleeplessness seems to be a more and more common concern amongst people these days. This explains why sleep-supporting supplements are virtually everywhere. Unfortunately, some generic sleep aids may contain harsh ingredients, unnecessary fillers and additives, or are simply overpriced and ineffective. With so many options available, it can be hard to know which one to choose.

What Some can Expect From Sleep Supplements:

*Individual results may vary.

Supplements affect everyone differently and it usually takes time to see results from adding a quality sleep supplement to your routine. Many people generally begin to see results after 1-3 months of consistent use. Sticking to it for a minimum of 3 months tends to be the best way to achieve maximum results.

Spotting the ultimate sleep supplement doesn’t need to be complicated. There are a few key must-haves you need to look for when choosing the right product for you.

What type of sleep supplement is best?

Must-Haves In A Sleep Supplement

Top Sleep Supplements of 2023

Key Ingredients

Ingredients To Avoid

Important Criteria

Melatonin

Valerian Root

GABA

L-Tryptophan

Herbal Extracts

Magnesium

No Diphenhydramine

90d Money-Back Guarantee

Third Party Tested

Primal Sleep

by Primal Harvest

Qunol Sleep

by Qunol

Nature's Bounty Melatonin

by Nature's Bounty

Sleep by Relaxium

Natrol Melatonin

by Natrol Store

90-Day Money-Back Guarantee
With valerian root, melatonin, magnesium and amino acids
Includes 4 herbal extracts
Certified safety & purity testing
2 capsule serving size
Third-party tested
Made in the USA

1. Primal Sleep

by Primal Harvest[1]

PROS

CONS

Only available online
Due to high demand, sometimes runs out of stock

Primal Sleep by Primal Harvest features a blend of premium ingredients including essential amino acids L-tryptophan and GABA, as well as melatonin, valerian root, and a well-absorbed form of magnesium known as magnesium bisglycinate chelate.*

It also features an herbal extract blend of lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, and hops and comes in a convenient two-capsule serving size. Our team liked that the product should be taken only about 30 minutes before sleep as this was easy to incorporate into their usual bedtime routine.

As all high-quality supplements should be, Primal Sleep is third-party lab tested and made in the USA in a GMP-certified facility. Our team felt that the product offered great value for money and liked that the brand has a convenient Subscribe & Save program which means you can order this formula through their convenient and hassle-free subscription service. By signing up for a subscription you get 20% off all products plus free shipping.

Our team also noted the brand’s excellent customer service scores and 90-day money-back guarantee which is why it’s our number one pick.

BOTTOM LINE

2. Qunol Sleep

by Qunol

PROS

Includes melatonin, valerian root, and GABA
Plant-based, no preservatives
1 capsule serving size

CONS

No magnesium
Fewer herbal extracts

BOTTOM LINE

Qunol Sleep Support is a sleep support supplement with melatonin, ashwagandha, GABA, valerian root, and L-theanine. We like that the product is plant-based, features key ingredients, and comes in a single capsule serving size. However, it didn’t contain magnesium and had a smaller selection of herbal extracts which our team found disappointing.

3. Nature's Bounty Melatonin

by Nature's Bounty

PROS

Quick-dissolving tablet
3mg of melatonin per serving
Gluten and dairy free

CONS

Only contains one ingredient
Flavored tablets

BOTTOM LINE

Nature’s Bounty Melatonin is our third pick. One serving contains 3 mg of melatonin and comes in a dissolvable cherry-flavored tablet. While some of our team liked that this product is simple and does not have a ton of extra ingredients, others wished it had a broader range of ingredients like many of the other products on this list. Our team also noted that the flavored tablets may not please all users.

4. Relaxium Sleep

by Relaxium

PROS

Contains valerian root, GABA, and melatonin
Neurologist formulated

CONS

30-day money back guarantee
Some users found ineffective

BOTTOM LINE

Relaxium Sleep by Relaxium is formulated with ingredients like valerian root, GABA, ashwagandha, melatonin, and magnesium. Our team liked that the product features a wide range ingredients and comes in vegan-friendly capsules. However, when examining user reviews we noted that a number of people found the product did not work for them and felt disappointed in their purchase. It’s also worth noting that the product only comes with a 30-day money back guarantee which isn’t as long as our team would like.

5. Natrol Melatonin

by Natrol Store

PROS

Easy to take dissolvable tablet
Features 5mg of melatonin

CONS

Only 1 ingredient
Contains wheat and soy

BOTTOM LINE

Melatonin by Natrol delivers 5 mg of melatonin per serving in dissolvable tablets. While our team thought these tablets are convenient and easy-to-take, they contain both wheat and soy making them less available to those with dietary restrictions.

Our Pick

2,367 people chose this today

1. Primal Sleep

by Primal Harvest[1]

Valerian Root, GABA and Melatonin
Magnesium and Herbal Extracts
Easy-to-Take Capsules
US-Made in a GMP-Certified Facility
Free Shipping on Orders Over $75

Learn More

Based on 3739 Reviews of Primal Harvest

CITATIONS

DO NOT SELL OR SHARE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with your physician and should not be construed as individual medical advice. The testimonials on this website are individual cases and do not guarantee that you will get the same results. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.

Trademarks utilized on our website belong to their respective owners and no implied or expressed endorsement of our website or services is intended. Rankings can be affected by the relationship Smarter Choices has with our top picks.

[1] we have a financial relationship with some of our top picks and partners

Latest update:

Pulling an all-nighter here and there probably won’t cause much harm to your health, but when you continually begin to skimp on sleep, it may cause some serious health problems over time.

So what’s the most common solution that people turn to when they can’t stop tossing and turning every night? Sleep supplements!

According to the Sleep Foundation, 35.2% of American adults say they sleep less than the recommended 7 hours per night! [1]

What To Avoid In Your Sleep Supplement

1st Month

2nd Month

3rd Month

Can sleep supplements really fix your nighttime troubles? Here’s how to spot the ultimate sleep formula for restful, rejuvenating, and restorative sleep.

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[1] “Sleep Statistics - Facts and Data about Sleep 2023.” Sleep Foundation, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-facts-statistics.

[2] Donath F, Quispe S, Diefenbach K, Maurer A, Fietze I, Roots I. Critical evaluation of the effect of valerian extract on sleep structure and sleep quality. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2000;33(2):47-53. doi:10.1055/s-2000-7972

[3] Abbasi, Behnood, et al. “The Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Primary Insomnia in Elderly: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.” Journal of Research in Medical Sciences : the Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2012, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3703169/.

*We try to update product information as often as we can. Please visit product websites for more information.

OTHER REFERENCES

Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, Rockwell K, Mao JJ, Shults J. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. *J Clin Psychopharmacol*. 2009;29(4):378-382. doi:10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181ac935c

Amsterdam JD, Shults J, Soeller I, Mao JJ, Rockwell K, Newberg AB. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study. *Altern Ther Health Med*. 2012;18(5):44-49.

Culpepper L, Wingertzahn MA. Over-the-Counter Agents for the Treatment of Occasional Disturbed Sleep or Transient Insomnia: A Systematic Review of Efficacy and Safety. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(6):10.4088/PCC.15r01798. Published 2015 Dec 31. doi:10.4088/PCC.15r01798.

Donath F, Quispe S, Diefenbach K, Maurer A, Fietze I, Roots I. Critical evaluation of the effect of valerian extract on sleep structure and sleep quality. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2000;33(2):47-53. doi:10.1055/s-2000-7972

Ferracioli-Oda E, Qawasmi A, Bloch MH. Meta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders. PLoS One. 2013;8(5):e63773. Published 2013 May 17. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063773

Finan PH, Goodin BR, Smith MT. The association of sleep and pain: an update and a path forward. J Pain. 2013;14(12):1539-1552. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2013.08.007.

Friedman M. Analysis, Nutrition, and Health Benefits of Tryptophan. Int J Tryptophan Res. 2018;11:1178646918802282. Published 2018 Sep 26. doi:10.1177/1178646918802282.

Haybar H, Javid AZ, Haghighizadeh MH, Valizadeh E, Mohaghegh SM, Mohammadzadeh A. The effects of Melissa officinalis supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with chronic stable angina. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2018;26:47-52. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.04.015

Hepsomali P, Groeger JA, Nishihira J, Scholey A. Effects of Oral Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Administration on Stress and Sleep in Humans: A Systematic Review. Front Neurosci. 2020;14:923. Published 2020 Sep 17. doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.00923

Koulivand PH, Khaleghi Ghadiri M, Gorji A. Lavender and the nervous system. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:681304. doi:10.1155/2013/681304

Kalmbach DA, Cuamatzi-Castelan AS, Tonnu CV, et al. Hyperarousal and sleep reactivity in insomnia: current insights. Nat Sci Sleep. 2018;10:193-201. Published 2018 Jul 17. doi:10.2147/NSS.S138823.

Kalmbach, D. A., Anderson, J. R., & Drake, C. L. The impact of stress on sleep: Pathogenic sleep reactivity as a vulnerability to insomnia and circadian disorders. Journal of sleep research. 2018; 27(6), e12710. doi: 10.1111/jsr.12710.

Koetter U, Schrader E, Käufeler R, Brattström A. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical study to demonstrate clinical efficacy of a fixed valerian hops extract combination (Ze 91019) in patients suffering from non-organic sleep disorder. Phytother Res. 2007;21(9):847-851. doi:10.1002/ptr.2167

Leach MJ, Page AT. Herbal medicine for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Sleep Med Rev*. 2015;24:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2014.12.003

Miraj S, Alesaeidi S. A systematic review study of therapeutic effects of Matricaria recuitta chamomile (chamomile). *Electron Physician*. 2016;8(9):3024-3031. Published 2016 Sep 20. doi:10.19082/3024

Neckelmann, D., Mykletun, A., & Dahl, A. A. Chronic insomnia as a risk factor for developing anxiety and depression. Sleep. 2007; 30(7), 873–880. doi:10.1111/jsr.12710.

Roth T. Insomnia: definition, prevalence, etiology, and consequences. J Clin Sleep Med. 2007;3(5 Suppl):S7-S10.

Schwab, R. J. (2020, June). Insomnia: Difficulty Falling Asleep. Sleep Disorders: Manual Home Edition - Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders. Retrieved July 20, 2020.

Schulz H, Stolz C, Müller J. The effect of valerian extract on sleep polygraphy in poor sleepers: a pilot study. Pharmacopsychiatry. 1994;27(4):147-151. doi:10.1055/s-2007-1014295

Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. *Mol Med Rep*. 2010;3(6):895-901. doi:10.3892/mmr.2010.377

Winkler A, Auer C, Doering BK, Rief W. Drug treatment of primary insomnia: a meta-analysis of polysomnographic randomized controlled trials. CNS Drugs. 2014;28(9):799-816. doi:10.1007/s40263-014-0198-7.

You might begin to notice that you feel calmer and more relaxed before going to bed and are able to wake up feeling more rested.

At this point most people begin to notice more significant changes in their sleep quality. You are more likely to notice this in your daytime activities and might feel more productive, find it easier to concentrate and notice that your mood is better.

You are most likely to see and feel the most changes with daily use of a sleep supplement after three months. At this stage you are most likely to notice that your sleeping habits have improved, you may find it easier to de-stress before bed making it easier to wake up feeling refreshed.

Melatonin: Melatonin is an essential sleep hormone that sends signals to your brain when it’s time to sleep, wake, and eat. Shown to help regulate your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm), melatonin can help regulate your body temperature and other important hormones needed to fall asleep soundly. *
Valerian Root: Valerian root has been used for centuries for its calming, sleep-promoting benefits. Studies show that valerian may help promote the length and quality of deep, restorative sleep, as well as reduce the length of time it takes to fall asleep at night.* [2]
Important Amino Acids: Amino acids like Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and L-Tryptophan are thought to help your body produce the proteins and molecules needed for good sleep and relaxation.*
Calming Herbal Extracts: Look for soothing natural herbal extracts like chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, and hops. These may help promote feelings of relaxation and calm that help you unwind after a long day, decrease stress, and prepare your body for sleep.*
Magnesium: One of the most abundant minerals in your body, magnesium supports over 300 bodily processes, including sleep regulation. Studies show that magnesium supplementation can help promote better sleep quality and quantity. [6]

Unclear or Misleading Labels: A quality sleep supplement should always clearly list exactly what’s included in the formula. Avoid products lacking transparency, such as product labels that don’t list all the ingredients included in their proprietary blend.
Lack of Third Party Testing: Look for a sleep supplement that has been independently third party lab tested. Since supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the United States, these unbiased test results will guarantee that the product is top quality and free from unwanted extras, such as contaminants, traces of heavy metals, or pesticides.
Diphenhydramine: Most people don’t realize that generic sleep aids are nearly identical and contain an antihistamine known as diphenhydramine that’s used in allergy medications like Benadryl. This ingredient can remain in your system long enough to leave you with a sleepy, groggy feeling the next day.