Dec 13, 2025

What Are Sleeper Earrings

What are sleeper earrings? Hint: it's in the name. Most earrings are a literal pain in the neck, but sleeper earrings are designed to be secure enough for sleep, while maintaining dreamlike comfort with no pokey backs or sharp points. And, they lock into place for a safe, smooth fit. In this post, we'll cover who they're suitable for, what sets them apart from traditional studs and hoops, and which materials to look for when shopping. Plus, we'll link to a few of our customer favorites so you can curate your own ouch-free earring look. Let's dive in!

We heart this poke-free look featuring Sleeper Earrings from our Opal Earring Collection.

Who are sleeper earrings suitable for?

Well, are you someone who finds themselves living in their jewelry? Do you want to accessorize and add a little dazzling dose of style to everyday activities—we're thinking gym, sauna, perhaps even a bike ride on the boardwalk? Or maybe you are just over the never-ending battle defending yourself from your pokey studs or bulky-backed hoop earrings when lying down to relax for a moment. In short, they're for everyone!

Flat Back Opal Earrings and Huggie Hoops on Model

Clockwise from top: Smooth Sphere, Aurora Opal Row, and Aurora Round Opal Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings, and Essential Locking Huggie Sleeper Earrings

What sets sleeper earrings apart from regular hoops or studs?

Perfect for those looking to stay adorned 24/7, sleeper earrings are designed for all-day, everyday comfort. With secure locking backs and a smooth, poke-free fit, you'll barely notice them—even while sleeping, working out, or wearing headphones!

From glittering flat back studs to smooth, shiny, secure-locking huggies and hoops, Grayling offers a vast array of sleeper styles to suit every mood or occasion.

At Grayling, each huggie and stud is made from high-quality, hypoallergenic materials—such as implant-grade titanium and 14k Solid Gold—and built to go wherever you do, whether you're headed to the shower, the beach, or the gym. That means no more red ears, keloids, or swollen cartilage—just earrings that stay comfortable, look stunning, and outperform the rest.

Shop the above styles + more in our Jet Black Titanium Earrings Collection.

We offer several types of earrings that fall into the 'sleeper' category at Grayling, as they are pieces you can comfortably wear day in, day out. No more frustration over having to sacrifice style for activities you'd usually 'de-accessorize' for! These earrings are designed to be worn and forgotten, with no pain, pulling, or irritation, regardless of how long they are worn.

Shop the hinged segment ring huggie styles featured above + more here!

Our Top Three Sleeper Earring Styles:

Hinged Segment Rings - Seamless, sturdy, and here to stay, this hoop is a continuous ring with a discreet opening that ensures comfort and security. Also known as a clicker hoop or ring, this style of jewelry is entirely smooth, with no sharp edges to catch on. They're a superb choice for those with very active lifestyles.

Stud pairs left to right: Turquoise Solitaire Marquise, Turquoise Fan Marquise, and Turquoise Round Bezel Set Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings

Flat Back Sleeper Earrings - The smooth and secure solution to your standard butterfly back studs. No pokey bits means you don't have to remove them before bed, and they are perfect to wear with headphones, helmets, beanies, scarves, and more!

Essential Locking Sleeper Huggie Hoop Earrings

Locking Sleeper Huggie Earrings: These feature a hidden closure, similar to segment rings, but the post that goes through your piercing is more prominent. This makes them the easiest to open, and they lock with the secure 'click' as you close them.

Authentic sleeper earrings should only be made from materials that you can actually live in, without irritation or fear of infection. Our favorite, ASTM F136 Titanium, is the gold standard for piercing jewelry and sleeper styles. This material is hypoallergenic and safe for sleeping and showering, so you can wear it without worry throughout your busy life. This is the same material that piercers use, so you know it's reliable!

Studs Left to right: Acacia Curved Leaf, Gaia Floating Butterfly, Euphoria Mushroom, and Solitaire Round Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings. Also featured: Wisp Pavé Hinged Segment Ring

14k Solid Gold is also great for extended wear. It's the perfect choice for anyone seeking the best long-term value. Because gold is alloyed with other metals for durability or to achieve a different color tone (e.g., some white gold can contain nickel), it may cause reactions in individuals sensitive to those metals. All solid gold at Grayling is nickel-free. Please note that not every company adheres to the same exacting standards as we do.

Left to right: Garnet Prong, Arachne Gemmed Spider, and Hammered Disk Flat Back Sleeper Earrings in 14k Solid Gold by Buddha Jewelry, Tiny Twist Double Huggie Earring in 14k Solid Gold

Stainless Steel is great for long-term wear, but you'll want to ensure it's nickel-free to avoid discomfort or irritation. Grayling carries only nickel-free stainless steel locking huggies. And while we absolutely LOVE these, they might not be the best choice for sleeping in, for cartilage piercings, or on extra-sensitive ears.

Essential Locking Sleeper Huggie x2, Dainty Donut, and Narrow Dome Locking Sleeper Huggie Earrings

A little tip! - Sterling Silver is not recommended for piercings other than the ear lobes, as very prolonged exposure to sterling silver may cause a condition called Argyria. This is a dark blue-black staining that is removed by laser (ouch), similar to a tattoo. Take care of your body & choose the right material for yourself!

10 REASONS TO COVET GRAYLING SLEEPER EARRINGS

PREMIUM-QUALITY MATERIALS
1. At Grayling, we exclusively use 14k Solid Gold, ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium, and surgical-grade stainless steel—materials known for their safety, durability, and quality. Our Titanium Jewelry Collection is especially popular because it's 100% biocompatible, meaning it won't cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or any staining. If you have a severe nickel allergy (as our founder does), you'll appreciate the exceptional comfort and peace of mind our titanium pieces provide.

2. LOW MAINTENANCE, HIGH SHINE
Our low-maintenance jewelry is here to keep up with your life—made to be worn all day and all night. Grayling is perfect for effortlessly stylish babes who want to look put-together without the hassle (we see you!). If you never take your jewelry off, our sleeper earrings are a dream—designed for 24/7 comfort and style.

3. NO-POKE PERFORMANCE
Thoughtfully designed, zero pokey pieces. Grayling's Threadless Flat Back Studs and locking sleeper huggie earrings feature streamlined closures and smooth backs that won't dig into your neck while you sleep or exercise. Our seamless huggies put hoop earrings with bulky hooks to shame. You'll kiss your butterfly back studs goodbye after one wear of our incredibly comfortable sleeper styles.

4. ACTIVE LIFESTYLE APPROVED
Tired of flimsy earring backs that constantly fall out? Our locking sleeper huggies and flat backs are designed to snap shut—and stay put—so you can move freely without a second thought. Lightweight, secure, and snag-free, huggies are the ultimate choice for sensitive skin and active lifestyles. Crafted from ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium, our performance sleeper earrings are trusted by elite athletes, swimmers, and medical professionals who need jewelry that works as hard as they do.

5. SAFE FOR HEALING PIERCINGS
Crafted with a high-polish mirror finish, our uncoated, high-polish titanium and 14k solid gol d no-poke sleeper studs are designed to support safe, comfortable healing—even in keloid-prone cartilage piercings. The ultra-smooth surface helps reduce irritation and lowers the risk of scar tissue formation, promoting a faster recovery. One word of caution: our PVD gold-coated titanium should only be used in fully healed piercings according to the Association of Professional Piercers—so go for polished, uncoated titanium backs if you're dealing with a new/unhealed or agitated piercing. Reach out to us if you're unsure!

6. SIDE-SLEEPER'S BEST FRIEND
Designed by a side sleeper, Grayling's sleeper earrings are crafted for all-night comfort. Say goodbye to painful neck pokes and lost earrings.

7. SENSITIVE SKIN FRIENDLY
Founded in 2009 by a woman with a nickel allergy, Grayling was born from a simple belief: everyone deserves modern, comfortable, skin-safe jewelry. Staying true to that mission, our sleeper earrings are entirely free from nickel, cadmium, lead, and other harmful materials. Each material is hand-selected by our founder for its performance, durability, and all-day comfort—so you can wear your jewelry with total confidence. Beautiful design? That's just the bonus.

8. U.S.-BASED SMALL BUSINESS
Grayling is a proudly woman-owned jewelry brand that prioritizes artisan-led, U.S.-based partnerships whenever possible. Each piece is handled with care by our Portland-based team of jewelry artisans, who treat every order with the attention it deserves. To ensure fast, reliable delivery, every package ships directly from our studio in Portland, Oregon.

9. ONE-YEAR WARRANTY
At Grayling, quality and safety are at the heart of everything we do—so you can feel confident in every piece you wear. Our sleeper earrings feature secure, poke-free backs for maximum comfort while sleeping or wearing headphones. Hypoallergenic and made to last, they're the perfect choice for sensitive ears and everyday wear.

10. YOUR HAPPINESS IS #1
Our customers are everything to us—your happiness is our top priority! We're proud to offer exceptional customer service and stand behind every piece we make. When we say your satisfaction is guaranteed, we genuinely mean it.