A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Say goodbye to interrupted snoozing! This pair of pretty nap earrings has remained our editor's favorite everyday jewelry for nearly two years.
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Nothing makes an outfit like a pair of glitzy, sparkling earrings. However, they come with a painful price: earring backs. What’s more annoying than the painful poke of an earring post on the side of the skull? Sure, you can settle for standard earrings and take them out before bed. But let’s be honest; after a night out, even a makeup wipe can feel like too much effort. Plus, there’s always the risk of losing them while traveling, especially with those unreliable butterfly backings.
That’s why we love the Mint + Lily Opal Trio nap earrings, which don’t compromise looks for nighttime comfort. Whether you leave them in all the time or pop them in when planning a trip, these clever, poke-free pretties add a little sparkle and a lot of peace of mind to any outfit.
In fact, after nearly two years of testing, they’re still our editor’s go-to earrings for daily wear. Here’s why we’re obsessed with these snooze-friendly studs—and you should be, too!
After trying 17 pairs of nap earrings, Mint + Lily sleepers remain our all-time favorite pair.
For those out of the loop, nap earrings are special earring studs designed for snoozing. Instead of the traditional long posts and butterfly closure, these practical jewelry pieces utilize a flat backing. Typically, the front of the earring screws onto a flat backing connected to the end of the post. This prevents uncomfortable pokes and prods during the night, while still offering an attractive, approachable design. Nap earrings also come in a range of styles, including hoops and small dangles.
We originally tested the Mint + Lily Opal Trio nap earrings against 17 other pairs as part of our search for the best nap earrings. Featuring a trio of pretty opal stones surrounded by shining e-coated silver, these earrings are the perfect marriage of pretty and practical. They’re available in both gold and silver, and both are hypoallergenic for sensitive ears.
We also tried a cute pair of Mint + Lily huggie hoops for those who prefer hoops to studs, plus a minimalist pair that fits easily on thinner earlobes. There are also several other flat-back designs available on the brand’s website. That said, the opal studs remain our favorite of the options we tested, thanks to their darling look and durability. Sure, they’re great for sleeping, but they’re also cozy yet cute enough for going out, too.
While they’re a little pricey, the high-quality materials and longevity of these sterling silver earrings make them a worthwhile investment for lobe and cartilage piercings. Even after just a few wears, they became a fast favorite, eventually topping our list as the best nap earrings overall. And now, nearly two years later, they still remain as popular as they were when we first tried them—and they’re just as comfy!
Since discovering this pair of earrings, Deputy Editor Katie Bandurski has worn them almost every day in her cartilage piercing.
“These are so pretty. I love how they’re dainty yet still visible,” raves Katie. “Plus, once you get them in, they truly disappear—I didn’t feel them at all. Of the ones I tried, this is my go-to daily pair.”
Bandurski reports that she’s had one of these in her cartilage piercing since February 2024. No stones have come out despite countless showers, naps and nighttime snoozes. She notes that while the metal has dulled slightly, especially on the post, they still look nice and hold up very well to daily use. That said, she reports they’re a little tricky to put in. Luckily, she only needs to remove them occasionally for cleaning.
“Like most nap earrings I’ve tested, these are a pain to take in and out. The parts are so small that you need incredible dexterity to get them to fit. One trick that has worked well is to take a standard earring, put that in the piercing hole, thread on the back of the nap earring post, push it through and then thread on the front jewel,” says Bandurski. That said, removing them is simple. Simply twist the backing—righty tighty, lefty loosey!
Looking for a new go-to accessory? You can't beat the comfort and durability of Mint + Lily nap earrings.
Our tried and true Opal Trio nap earrings are available on the Mint + Lily website. While they retail for around $80, we find that a pretty fair price considering Mint + Lily’s Lifetime Happiness Guarantee. The brand also runs frequent sales.
