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Best sleep supplements for adults, tried and tested by experts
Find the right sleep supplement for you with our list of tried and tested products
- Ruairidh Pritchard
Published: September 3, 2026 at 11:06 AM
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When it comes to our health, sleep is important. It's when our bodies do much of their recovery and renewal, and broken or interrupted sleep can affect our mood and ability to concentrate.
If you're struggling to get to sleep or regularly wake during the night, certain herbal or nutritional supplements may be worth considering. Some contain botanicals, amino acids and minerals that have been studied for their role in relaxation and sleep.
Below, we've rounded up the best sleep supplements tried and tested by our expert team and assessed by a registered nutritionist, from affordable capsules to powders and gummies.
For more expert-reviewed options, see our guides to the best hair, skin and nail supplements, best collagen supplements, best biotin supplements, best fertility supplements and best pregnancy supplements.
Best sleep supplements at a glance
- Best sleep supplement overall: Nutravita Natural Night Complex, £12
- Best tablet sleep supplement: Healthspan Night Time 5-HTP, £23.99
- Best sleep supplement for travel: Together Health Night Time, £11.89
- Best everyday sleep supplement: Vitl Sleep Sweet, £9.99
- Best powder sleep supplement: Ancient + Brave True Nightcap, £25.60
- Best sleep supplement for your evening routine: BioCare Sleep NutriPowder, £31.29
- Best gummy sleep supplement: Nutrigums Night Time Complex, £14.99
How we tested the best sleep supplements Our sleep supplements were assessed by registered nutritionist Jo Williams, looking at their ingredients and the advantages and disadvantages of their recommended doses and delivery formats. We scored each product for taste, nutrient profile, additives, dietary requirements, value for money and sustainability. Our team of testers also assessed taste, smell, packaging and ease of use.
Best sleep supplement overall
Nutravita Natural Night Complex, £12
Best for: capsule sleep supplement
Star rating: 5/5
Why we chose it: This was one of the easiest and most affordable supplements we tested, with a simple one-capsule daily dose that works out at around 16p per day.
What we like
- Just one flavourless capsule per day
- The most affordable supplement we tested at around 16p per daily dose
- Contains a mix of botanicals and nutrients including vitamin D3, magnesium, chamomile, vitamin B12, L-tryptophan and lemon balm
If you're looking for an affordable sleep supplement in capsule form, Nutravita Natural Night Complex is a straightforward option. Its one-capsule dose makes it easy to add to an evening routine, while the price per day was lower than any of the other supplements we tested.
Available from: Amazon (£12), Superdrug (£17.99)
Best sleep supplements for different needs
Healthspan Night Time 5-HTP, £18.39
Best for: tablet sleep supplement
Star rating: 4.5/5
Why we chose it: This tablet combines 5-HTP with several B vitamins and comes in at the more affordable end of the products we tested.
What we like
- Contains 5-HTP alongside vitamins B3, B6 and B12
- Just one tablet is recommended per day
- Works out at around 34p per daily dose
What to keep in mind
- The recommended dose should be taken one hour before bed
This supplement contains 5-HTP, an amino-acid-derived compound involved in the body's production of serotonin and melatonin, alongside several B vitamins. With a single-tablet serving and a daily cost of around 34p, it's one of the more affordable options in our round-up.
Available from: Healthspan (£23.99)
Together Health Night Time, £11.89
Best for: sleep supplement for travel
Star rating: 4/5
Why we chose it: Its compact compostable pouch and month-long supply make this one of the most travel-friendly options we tested.
What we like
- Contains five forms of natural marine magnesium
- Also contains 5-HTP and natural hops
- Comes in a compact, compostable pouch
- The pouch contains a month's supply
What to keep in mind
- The recommended serving is two capsules 30 minutes before bed
- The daily cost works out at around 46p
Together Health Night Time combines magnesium with a selection of other ingredients in a lightweight pouch that's particularly convenient for packing when you're away from home.
Available from: Superdrug (£11.89), bodykind (£13.99), Amazon (£17.33)
Vitl Sleep Sweet, £9.99
Best for: everyday sleep supplement
Star rating: 4/5
Why we chose it: The broad ingredient list and option to buy on subscription make this a practical choice for regular use.
What we like
- Contains vitamin B6, zinc, L-theanine, lemon balm, cherry extract and magnesium
- Available on a subscription basis
- One of the lower-priced products in the round-up
Vitl Sleep Sweet has a rounded ingredient list and is designed to fit easily into a regular routine. The subscription option may also suit those who want to avoid running out.
Available from: Holland & Barrett (£9.99), Waitrose & Partners (£10), Vitl (£11.99)
Ancient + Brave True Nightcap, £25.60
Best for: powder sleep supplement
Star rating: 3.5/5
Why we chose it: This is a useful alternative for anyone who would rather mix a supplement into a drink than swallow a tablet or capsule.
What we like
- Powder format can be mixed into cold or warm water
- The lemon and ginger flavour is strong and punchy
What to keep in mind
- We found it didn't mix completely even with thorough stirring
- We'd recommend using a handheld milk frother to help combine it
Ancient + Brave True Nightcap stands out from many of the products here because it comes as a powder. We tested the lemon and ginger flavour using a heaped teaspoon in water. The flavour was distinctive, although getting a completely smooth drink took a little more effort.
Available from: Ancient + Brave (£25.60), Boots (£32), Amazon (£32)
BioCare Sleep NutriPowder, £31.29
Best for: sleep supplement for your evening routine
Star rating: 3.5/5
Why we chose it: The powder format makes this particularly easy to incorporate into an existing evening drink or bedtime routine.
What we like
- Can be combined with water or an evening tea
- Contains lemon balm, L-theanine, cherry powder, hops powder and magnesium
What to keep in mind
- It's one of the most expensive supplements we tested
- The cost works out at around £1 per daily dose
BioCare Sleep NutriPowder is another alternative to tablets and capsules. We found its format useful for creating a regular evening ritual, as the powder can be mixed into water or another evening drink.
Available from: Amazon (£31.29), BioCare (£31.30), Healf (£31.39)
Nutrigums Night Time Complex, £14.99
Best for: gummy sleep supplement
Star rating: 3.5/5
Why we chose it: This is the option to consider if you'd prefer a gummy format rather than swallowing capsules or tablets.
What we like
- Gummy format may suit those who don't want tablets or capsules
- Contains 5-HTP alongside lemon balm, lavender and chamomile extracts
What to keep in mind
- The gummy format means it is higher in sweeteners than many other products in this list
Nutrigums Night Time Complex offers a different format from most of the supplements we tested. It contains 5-HTP plus several herbal extracts, although the higher sweetener content is worth bearing in mind when comparing it with capsules, tablets and powders.
Available from: Nutrigums (£14.99), Amazon (£14.99)
What ingredients should you look for in a sleep supplement?
Sleep supplements contain a wide range of nutrients, amino acids and botanicals. Ingredients found in the products we reviewed include:
- Magnesium: an essential mineral involved in a range of processes in the body. The original article cites research into magnesium and insomnia.
- Vitamin D: deficiency has been associated with sleep difficulties.
- Vitamin C: some research has examined an association between low vitamin C levels and short sleep. Montmorency and acerola cherries may also appear in supplements, and there is research into cherries and sleep.
- L-theanine: an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves that has been studied for its potential role in relaxation.
- Tryptophan: an amino acid involved in the body's production of serotonin and melatonin, with research examining its relationship with sleep.
- 5-HTP: a compound made by the body from tryptophan and used in the production of serotonin.
- Valerian: a herbal remedy made using the roots and stems of the valerian plant.
- Hops: a botanical that has been studied in relation to sleep.
- Passion flower: a flowering vine that has been studied for its potential effect on sleep.
- Lemon balm: a botanical traditionally used in products designed to support relaxation.
How to take a sleep supplement
Always follow the instructions supplied with your individual supplement, as recommended doses and timings vary between products.
Many of the products in this guide are designed to be taken shortly before bed. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine may also make it easier to remember to take your chosen supplement at the recommended time.
Some supplements are best taken alongside food, depending on the ingredients they contain.
If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an existing medical condition, or are unsure whether a supplement is suitable for you, speak to your GP, pharmacist or another qualified healthcare professional before taking it. Persistent sleep problems should also be discussed with a healthcare professional.
How we test sleep supplements
Our sleep supplements were assessed by registered nutritionist Jo Williams for their ingredients, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of their recommended doses and delivery formats.
When scoring the supplements, we considered:
- Taste
- Nutrient profile
- Additives
- Dietary requirements
- Value for money
- Sustainability
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Each supplement was also tested by our team for taste, smell, packaging and ease of use.
Authors
Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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