BACKGROUND Sleep is a basic physiologic process, inevitable for life. Sleep disturbances have consistently been shown to impact all aspects of quality of life. Beta blockers are accused of impacting various parameters of sleep negatively. However, Nebivolol is generally considered separately with unique properties. A study was conducted to compare the influence of Atenolol and Nebivolol onto sleep quality among patients with Stage I hypertension. METHODS Consecutive 50 patients, who were newly diagnosed with stage 1 hypertension, defined as average of seated systolic BPs >140 mmHg but <160 mmHg, and seated diastolic blood pressures (BP) >90 mmHg but <100 mmHg were enrolled into study prospectively, and randomised to either Nebivolol or Atenolol. All patients underwent Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) test before and after the therapy. RESULTS There were 23 patients in the Nebivolol group and 23 patients in the Atenolol group (mean age: 41±6 vs. 41±4 years, p=0.665), completing the follow up. Both treatment reduced blood pressure comparably. PSQI total score was significantly improved (5.78±2.56 vs. 4.48±1.78, p=0.002), by Nebivolol therapy, whereas; PSQI total score was worsened (5.39±2.04 vs. 6.00±1.09, p=0.027) by Atenolol therapy. CONCLUSIONS Nebivolol was shown to improve the sleep quality in terms of PSQI scores, whereas, Atenolol did not, in relatively young hypertensive patients with mild hypertension.