Sleepbuds Review: Do Ozlo Earbuds Enhance Your Sleep Quality?

Comprehensive Guide to Ozlo Sleepbuds

Many of us have turned to earbuds to soothe our minds or block out the sound of a snoring partner as we prepare for sleep. For me, bedtime is the prime moment when I usually use earbuds throughout the day. Before this review, my go-to was the first-generation AirPods Pro for listening to podcasts and video essays while drifting off. On nights when I aimed for a quieter experience, I opted for Loop earplugs. Although I was aware that dedicated sleep earbuds existed, I initially doubted they would provide significantly different benefits compared to my existing setup. I often found myself only able to wear one AirPod comfortably as a side sleeper, and frequently woke to find that it had run out of battery.

Fortunately, fate intervened, and when the opportunity arose to test the Ozlo Sleepbuds, I eagerly embraced it.

Having tested numerous pairs of Bose headphones and even owning a model, I was intrigued by the fact that Ozlo was established by former Bose engineers, especially since Bose had discontinued its own Sleepbuds line. After several weeks of nightly testing, I found myself unexpectedly converted to the realm of sleep earbuds — let’s delve into the reasons behind this transformation.

Exploring the Sleep Earbud Market Landscape

If you’ve searched for “best sleep earbuds” recently, you’ll likely encounter a variety of options, including sleep headbands from various retailers, the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds, Loop earplugs, and of course, the Ozlo Sleepbuds.

For those who prefer not to wear a headband and gravitate towards well-known brands rather than lesser-known alternatives, you’ll find that the market for sleep earbuds is relatively less crowded. However, if you’re looking for options under a three-digit price point, be prepared to make some compromises. My research revealed a lack of budget-friendly earbuds that promised a minimum of eight hours of battery life, which is crucial for uninterrupted sleep.

The Ozlo Sleepbuds…
Credit: Ozlo

Compared to the Bose Sleepbuds II.
Credit: Bose

The gap in the market for premium sleep earbuds that offer a longer-lasting battery life throughout the night is precisely what led to the creation of the Bose Sleepbuds in the first place. With Bose’s discontinuation of their Sleepbuds line, the Ozlo Sleepbuds emerged to combine the passive noise cancellation and comfortable design that made them renowned while adding features that allow you to stream personal audio and track sleep data.

As of now, the only other sleep earbuds claiming similar functionality are the Soundcore A20, which interestingly retail for about $120 less at $150. I haven’t tested them yet, so this review will not include a direct comparison, but it is noteworthy that while the Ozlo Sleepbuds have limited competition, they are not completely unique in the market.

Here are some compelling reasons to consider investing in the Ozlo Sleepbuds.

Prioritizing Comfort: The Key to a Great Sleep Experience

First and foremost, the Ozlo Sleepbuds excel in comfort. Their innovative wingtip design ensures that the earbuds stay securely in place without causing discomfort, allowing you to sleep comfortably on either side without any issues.

After experimenting with the four different tip and wing sizes included in the packaging, I found my perfect fit. Once I discovered the ideal size, I never faced issues with the earbuds falling out. In comparison to my AirPods, the Ozlo Sleepbuds completely transformed my experience, making a compelling argument for transitioning to dedicated sleep earbuds.

The variety of four wingtip sizes simplifies the process of finding the optimal fit.
Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

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Tailored Streaming Experiences Designed for Sleep

Additionally, the overall experience of using these earbuds feels custom-built for promoting better sleep. The Ozlo team designed them not only with a focus on comfort but also on effective audio streaming for sleep and relaxation.

Using the accompanying app, you can select your preferred sleep sound, with options like Fireglow, Misty Rain, and Into the Woods, which mask surrounding noises to enhance the earbuds’ passive noise cancellation feature. Personally, I favored the default setting, Crimson Cloak.

In addition to these curated sounds, you can also stream your own audio, adjusting the timing for when you want your selected sleep sound to begin. You have the flexibility to delay it anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours (in 15-minute intervals), or you can choose a Beta feature that automatically switches to your sleep sound once the earbuds detect that you’ve fallen asleep. I opted for this Beta setting during my week of testing and only woke up to a YouTube video once. (Note: Streaming via Bluetooth requires the phone to be within 10 feet of the smart case, but I encountered no issues with that).

A variety of alarm sounds are available for users to choose from.
Credit: Screenshot: Ozlo

Users can also choose from a wide array of sleep sounds.
Credit: Screenshot: Ozlo

The app further enhances the experience by providing a feature that allows users to stop any audio—whether streaming or white noise—at intervals ranging from 15 minutes to a maximum of seven hours and 45 minutes, catering to individual preferences.

The app includes a sleep timer feature that allows users to customize audio playback duration.
Credit: Screenshot: Ozlo

Innovative Alarm Feature for Better Sleep Management

While not the most groundbreaking aspect among sleep earbuds, I must highlight the alarm functionality of the Ozlo Sleepbuds. Living on the West Coast and coordinating with an East Coast-based team has made me acutely aware of the challenge of setting alarms that may disrupt my partner’s sleep. This thoughtful feature effectively alleviated my concerns and gifted my partner an additional hour of sleep. The snooze feature also proved to be reliable and practical.

The alarm functionality operates similarly to a standard smartphone alarm.
Credit: Screenshot: Ozlo

No Bluetooth Required: Enjoy Simplicity with Performance

Deep down, I recognize that my sleep quality improves when I don’t fall asleep while watching videos. This was a significant factor in my initial decision to try Loop earplugs, as I sought the noise cancellation benefits of earbuds without the distraction of YouTube’s autoplay feature.

While the Ozlo Sleepbuds promote the ability to stream your preferred audio, I genuinely appreciated that they function perfectly without the app, making them versatile enough to serve as advanced earplugs. After the initial setup, these earbuds can immediately play white noise the moment you remove them from the case. For those who prefer to keep their phones out of reach while sleeping, this feature is immensely beneficial.

Despite the numerous advantages of the Sleepbuds, a few limitations exist.

Current Limitations: No Sleep Data Available Yet

Presently, the Ozlo Sleepbuds do not provide any sleep metrics. If you already own a fitness tracker or a device like the Oura Ring, this absence may not be a concern. However, considering the $299 price tag, I expected some level of sleep analysis features, especially when cheaper alternatives like the Soundcore earbuds offer such data.