Look up “binaural beats” on YouTube, and you’ll find a growing number of YouTubers offering the “best binaural beats” for better focus, deeper sleep, a faster metabolism, etc.
Binaural beats work by sending different frequencies to each ear (via headphones) because what your brain receives is the difference between those frequencies.
However, not all videos with the words “binaural beats” in the description are worth your time and attention.
So, how do you find those that are?
9 Best Binaural Beats for Meditation
Now that you see the benefits of adding binaural beats to your meditation practice (at least some of the time), we’ve found some of the best options online for you to try.
To make it even easier, we’re focusing on free binaural beats (many on YouTube) or websites offering free sample downloads.
1. Wake Up Without Caffeine with Binaural Beats by Jason Lewis / Mind Amend (YouTube)
This YouTuber offers a large selection of binaural beats and isochronic beats audio tracks created to entrain the mind for a specific desired mindset.
This particular track is designed with binaural beats rising to a simple 18 Hz frequency to induce beta brainwaves, ideal for helping you feel more awake and energized.
As with all binaural audio files, headphones are essential since different frequencies are sent to each ear.
In the video description, Jason Lewis includes information on using this video to get the desired effect.
2. Binaural Beats Meditation
Sign up to get free 10 minute downloads of some of their most popular tracks:
- Chill Pill
- Sound Asleep
- Mindfulness Meditation
- Abundance Meditation
The downloads include a User Guide to help you get the most out of each audio sample.
The frequency guide explains why they use Solfeggio frequencies to induce the desired brainwave frequency.
3. myNoise: Binaural Beat Machine
With myNoise, you have various background soundtracks to choose from “to mask noises you don’t want to hear.” Select “Binaural Beat Machine and then select from several preset beat tracks.
On the left margin, further down from the presets, you’ll see a few suggestions to try, “if you [heart] Binaural Beats Machine.” Clicking on any of them plays the sound in a separate window, letting you overlap any of the tracks with the binaural beats.
You can also adjust the volume levels for each player to make it more comfortable.
4. Gamma for a Genius Brain by The Power of You (YouTube)
This YT channel provides free audio files with hour-long tracks that begin by illustrating the frequencies used and the difference between them.
This alone shows the creator understands what binaural beats are and hasn’t simply thrown those words in to get more subscribers.
Each video’s description includes a “Suggestion on how to use this” to ensure you’ve chosen a frequency that fits your intention.
It describes gamma waves as “the stimulus vibration” and recommends you use it when you’re working on your computer, playing a game, studying, exercising, or working around the house.
5. Trypnaural
Designed by Niraj Naik — one of the world’s favorite breathwork experts — Trypnaural is recommended by world-renown inspirational leaders like Marisa Peer and Wim Hof.
Click on the download link for a free sample and sign up for a free masterclass that involves breathwork, visualization, and music — and get a free 40-minute course on SOMA Breath.
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6. Meditation: Extra Deep (60 Minutes) — The Best Binaural Beats
Jody Hatten’s videos (YouTube) show the exact frequencies sent to each ear, along with the difference between them.
It also features a cautionary message to keep the volume low (20-40% max).
We have a deep appreciation for people who include the science behind their discoveries and creative work. Hatten’s YouTube channel features a variety of binaural beats videos along with some videos on the science behind them.
7. Zen12
Promises the effects of an hour of meditation in just 12 minutes of listening to one of four different versions: guided meditation, relaxation music, sounds of nature, or white noise.
The free trial starts at Level 1, and on the page with the links, you’ll also find a Quick Start Guide, a User Manual, and an audio recording of a 1-hour Zen12 training call.
The program is based on “Brain Entrainment,” which includes binaural beats and isochronic tones.
8. Gaia Meditation Music (Theta Binaural)
Choose from a selection of meditation tracks with binaural beats for full and new moons and related subjects like the Schumann Resonance (7.83 Hz). Most, if not all, of these videos, feature theta binaural beats, which are ideal for deep meditation.
You can access their videos on YouTube as well as on their website. Their online store also features audio MP3s with alpha binaural beats for relaxation, delta binaural beats for sleep, and various tracks with isochronic tones and ancient Solfeggio frequencies.
Most everything is in French, but the language difference is not an issue.
9. FreeBinaural.com
Choose from various binaural beats tracks based on specific goals and concerns — from creativity and intelligence boosters to headache relief to lucid dreaming and astral projection.
Click on any of them to open a new page featuring the video and a detailed description with benefits and “how to use” information. You’ll also see a selection of related audio tracks at the bottom of the description.
This website doesn’t allow you to download the audio tracks, but you can stream them from the site.
Common Questions About Binaural Beats for Meditation
With the different types of binaural beats available, many questions come up as to which ones will do you the best.
Is it good to meditate with binaural beats?
Binaural beats can help you get into a meditative state more quickly than you otherwise might since your brain will work to sync itself with the difference between the frequencies.
If your aim is relaxation or deep meditation, choosing a binaural beats audio track with alpha or theta waves will help get you there despite your wandering mind.
Gamma waves help strengthen your focus and concentration, and beta waves boost mental clarity and awareness.
Also, with your headphones on, the brain entrainment gets both sides of your brain working together to reach a specific range of brainwave frequencies.
Which brain waves are best for meditation?
We’ll start with the short answer: It depends on what kind of meditation you want to practice, which relates to the mindset you want to achieve.
That said, alpha and theta waves — and sometimes gamma — are the most popular brainwaves to aim for with binaural beats. That said, it’s more helpful to focus on your specific purpose for meditation:
- Theta — reduced stress and creative thinking;
- Delta — pain relief or help with sleeping;
- Alpha — more physical or mental energy;
- Beta — sharper focus and more productivity;
- Gamma — deeper insight, peak focus, and expanded consciousness
What are the dangers of binaural beats?
Binaural beats influence both your brainwave patterns and your concentration, so don’t use them when you need to focus with particular care on what you’re doing and on your immediate surroundings — like when you’re driving or operating dangerous machinery.
This technology is powerful because when you listen to sounds of a particular frequency, your brainwaves synchronize with that frequency, just as they synchronize with external stimuli like ocean waves and a crackling fire.
Anything that influences your ability to focus on the task at hand (even if it’s supposed to enhance your ability to focus) can take your attention away from the task and turn it inward.
Can binaural beats damage your brain?
Binaural beats change your biochemistry by reducing cortisol levels by up to 70% and boosting melatonin production by nearly 100%. They can also raise dopamine levels.
Studies have even linked binaural beats to measurable benefits for people struggling with ADHD, behavioral disorders, migraines, PMS, poor quality sleep, high blood pressure, chronic pain, and cognitive decline. They can also help with anxiety and depression.
The only thing to worry about for many of us is to ensure you don’t set the volume too high — at or above 85 decibels — which can lead to hearing loss.
Since brainwaves and heart rhythms are both electrical patterns, binaural beats can pose problems for people with irregular heartbeats or epilepsy.
Also, to be safe, pregnant women and children should avoid binaural beats since the science is still unclear as to whether prolonged listening is safe for them.
So, if you have any concerns related to heart or brain health, talk to your doctor before using binaural beats. And if you try them and feel any dizziness or a racing heartbeat, please stop and talk to your doctor before trying them again.
Now that you’ve looked through the nine options described above, we hope you found one you’ll want to listen to regularly, maybe as part of your morning meditation or possibly before you settle down to sleep.
Try listening to one today for a few minutes at a comfortable volume. And pay attention to how you feel while you’re listening.
