Best OTC Medicinal Sleep Aids of 2025

“I have struggled with sleep for a long time, trying countless supplements and OTC medications. After hearing about the positive reviews, I decided to try these softgels. I took one about 30 minutes before bed, and to my surprise, I fell asleep within an hour—something I never thought would happen! I did feel some tingling in my hands but I just let it happen. I woke up at 6 am feeling refreshed and without any grogginess. This could become my go-to sleep aid!”

“Being an insomniac, I have tried everything for sleep. This product helps me fall asleep within two hours about 70% of the time. I even recommended it to my daughters, and while one found it effective like me, the other struggled a bit more. Still, it’s definitely worth trying!”

“I work overnight and have trouble sleeping on my days off. After starting this product, I take it an hour before I want to sleep, and I now sleep through the night! If I need to get up for a drink, I can easily drift back to sleep. My thoughts feel like they’re in a cloud, allowing me to relax and doze off.”

"I wanted to wait a few months before sharing my thoughts on this product. As I've gotten older, I've struggled with sleep, especially at night. My wife bought this for me, hoping it would help. I’m extremely impressed! I haven’t slept this well in years. It acts quickly but doesn’t leave me feeling drowsy in the morning. I’m finishing my first bottle and ready to order a second. This has truly transformed my sleep!"

"I can honestly say I’m feeling more refreshed than I have in years! I have a high-stress job, and waking up in the middle of the night often leads to racing thoughts about work. Before this product, I averaged only 4-5 hours of sleep. After trying countless over-the-counter sleep aids, none worked as effectively as this. I took one pill at bedtime and woke up feeling refreshed, without any brain fog. Highly recommended!"

"Having only used melatonin before, I was pleasantly surprised by how well this product works. After taking it, I usually sleep straight through the night and wake up feeling okay. It’s definitely potent, and I find I need a full 8 hours to avoid feeling off. But like with any sleep aid, quality sleep isn't guaranteed, though I do fall asleep quickly!"

"I’ve been using this sleep aid for about four years. With a disability that disrupts my sleep, these pills are incredibly helpful. They make me feel drowsy in 20-30 minutes, and I appreciate that they’re non-addictive. Sometimes I take two for a stronger effect, but I’ve noticed that if I use them too often, they don’t work as well."

"After trying these for about a year, I can say they really help me when overthinking keeps me awake. I like that they’re non-addictive and don’t leave me feeling guilty. I sometimes take them daily, but there are times I go a month without needing them. They kick in within 15-20 minutes, but I don’t feel impaired like with stronger sedatives."

"This sleep aid works like magic for me! I can fall asleep without feeling groggy in the morning. I only need one pill, and it’s especially useful when I’m traveling. However, I do wake up with cotton mouth and the urge to use the bathroom during the night, a side effect I seem to have with diphenhydramine."

"I have always struggled with sleep, but these really help me feel drowsy about 30 minutes after taking them. I wake up refreshed and ready to go!"

"After trying RXZELL Sleep Aid with Diphenhydramine HCl, I’m really satisfied. It helps me fall asleep faster and I appreciate having 220 softgels for long-term use. Plus, I didn’t experience any grogginess the next day!"

"I decided to give this sleep aid a try since I've had trouble sleeping, especially on stressful days. The gels are easy to swallow and they helped me achieve more restful sleep. I do feel a bit groggy sometimes, but it goes away quickly."

"A friend recommended these sleep tabs, and I can honestly say they work like magic. I take one, and before I know it, I'm out cold. I wake up feeling refreshed and rested. The pills are very small and easy to swallow. They have no taste to me since I try to swallow them without letting them dissolve. A bottle of 80 pills lasts me about 2 months because I don't use them every night."

"Unisom SleepTabs have been a game changer for me. I can finally fall asleep at a reasonable hour. It's seriously one of the best purchases of the year for a night owl like me trying to fix my sleep habits. I still tend to sleep in more than I should, but now I can actually get to sleep more easily."

"I purchased these for my wife to help her sleep during her second month of pregnancy after they were recommended by our doctor. Surprisingly, the sleeping aid is just a bonus; it also helps alleviate all her pregnancy symptoms. It's truly a miracle pill!"

"I've found this product to be incredible. Unlike some sleep aids, I wake up feeling alert and ready to take on the day."

"For my jetlag, this really does the trick. Just be cautious, it knocks me out! I often wake up a bit dry and thirsty, but it's still worth it for a good night's sleep."

"I had a different experience than others. I found these pills to be about as effective as Tic Tacs. I struggled to fall asleep and ended up having a very light sleep, waking up frequently."

"I usually don’t write reviews, but this product is worthy of recognition! It truly helps induce relaxing sleep and is definitely not addictive. I had a great sleep during the holidays without using it while off work. With my husband having dementia, my mind races at night, but this helps me get a decent night’s rest on workdays. I’m 100% satisfied!"

"My husband and I struggle with sleep issues and have tried everything, from melatonin to home remedies. This product has been a lifesaver! It’s easy to fall back asleep even if we wake up during the night, and we wake up feeling refreshed without side effects."

"I often find it hard to fall asleep, but this has been helpful. I don’t use it nightly, but when I do, I sleep well. The flavor is also quite good, and it was shipped quickly!"

"I've been using this product for over a decade, and it’s incredible. I usually get 5 or 6 hours of deep sleep with just one tablet. It’s inexpensive and I find it works better than anything else I've tried. The taste doesn't bother me at all since it’s so quick!"

"As someone who has struggled with insomnia, I was skeptical at first. The taste was off-putting, and I didn’t sleep well initially. But after consistent use, I can say it’s a little miracle pill! I now sleep through the night and feel less groggy in the morning."

"These pills are amazing for anyone with sleep troubles. They offer great value and I get so many for the price. I highly recommend them!"

"As a wounded veteran, I find this product helps me relax. I only take three capsules at a time, and it definitely makes a difference. The non-drowsiness promise is also appreciated."

"I received my order quickly, and the quality is as described. It's a fraction of the price of national brands, yet just as effective."

"The pills work well for sleep, but I have to dig them out one by one since they tend to stick together."

"I've been using ZzzQuil Nighttime Sleep Aid LiquiCaps for a few weeks now, and I’m genuinely impressed. Unlike other sleep aids, it helps me fall asleep quickly without that groggy feeling in the morning. The 25 mg Diphenhydramine HCl works within about 30 minutes for me, and I wake up refreshed. I appreciate that it’s non-habit forming, making it perfect for those nights when I need extra help, but I won’t rely on it long-term. With the 72-count pack, it’s great for occasional use."

"For an over-the-counter sleep aid, I think it works well. It doesn’t knock me out like some sleeping pills, but it does make me tired enough to fall asleep easier. I switched from a Walgreens brand that didn’t help at all. Now that I’m on CPAP, the noise makes it a bit harder to sleep, so a product like this is a great help."

"I tried ZzzQuil on a trip to the US and absolutely loved it! It helped me fall asleep quicker without any side effects."