Bose Sleepbuds II: Unique Earbuds Reduce Distractions and Improve Sleep Quality
Bose Sleepbuds II. Unique Earbuds that Reduce Distractions, Improve Sleep Quality. Bose Sleepbuds II is an upgraded version of foam earplugs. This sleep aid was tested for 147 hours. I found that consistent usage led to better sleep.
We like this
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Case for charging and carrying your card in an attractive way
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Built-in alarm and timer functions
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There are three sizes of eartips
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Prices high
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There are no onboard controls
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It takes a while to recharge fully.
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Sound library is limited
Bose Sleepbuds II are a permanent and more effective way to change your sleep pattern, but at a higher price.
Lifewire bought the Bose Sleepbuds II to be tested by our expert reviewer. Continue reading to learn about our review.
Bose Sleepbuds II are designed for customers with sleeping problems. Although a pair or noise-isolating foam headphones is an excellent way to block out distracting noises, the more expensive earbuds offer a longer-term solution. They are made by a company who knows all about noise blocking. While the Sleepbuds II do not use the same active noise cancellation (ANC) technology found in Bose headphones many of which are also the most noise-canceling headphones on the market, they still offer the best quality. These tiny, wireless earbuds provide decent passive noise cancelling and access to an extensive library of noise-masking sounds that have been tested in a lab to help you fall asleep.
These earbuds can be a great investment and will become your nighttime sleep aid. After about one month of continuous use, I can confirm that this is what my earbuds did for me.
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Design: Simple, light-weight elegance
Sleepbuds II make a great addition to any bedtime routine and help you sleep better. Bose says that the buds are about as small as a pencil eraser. They come in standard white tones with soft, pillowy silicone builds. Standard eartips with fins are medium-sized, but there are also small and large choices.
This round, aluminum carrying/charging case is an amalgamation of gray and gold. Warm yellow LED indicators are used inside the case to indicate the charging level. They blink and provide solid lighting patterns. They click in place using a charging contact that fits into the slot. The lid also slides smoothly back and forth.
Only one accessory, a USB C to USB A charging cable is available. There aren't any physical buttons or controls on either the case or the earbuds. It may take some getting used to this, particularly if you are used to wireless headphones with touch controls. But the lack of a need to interact with the earbuds makes the close fit of the Sleepbuds possible, which serves to offer strong passive noise cancellation and a comfortable fit—even for side sleepers.
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Comfort: A very close and mostly stick-put fit
The Sleepbuds II, unlike earbuds with music capability, are designed to fit snugly into the ears and provide a comfortable, low profile sleeping environment. Although the eartips are made of soft silicone, they can be uncomfortable and easy to use. After two nights of wearing the eartips, it became very annoying to feel like my heartbeat was being heard. I was able to fix my initial problems by changing my sleeping tone, and trying smaller eartip sizes in each ear.
The third night I found the perfect fit, although not too tight. Except for the rare instance when one of my earbuds fell out, which is a common occurrence with back sleepers who shift a lot, they stayed put and were almost invisible. Even though I found that I preferred one side of my body and moved very little on certain nights, the earbuds were a bit too close to me for comfort. The earbuds were a good choice and helped me to fall asleep.
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Sound quality: Enough to soothe and mask any noise
The sound quality of these headphones is not the same as those of Bose noise cancelling over-ear or wired earbuds. Although they can produce a lot of volume, it is not about how loud the sound quality.
Noise-masking tones are used to mask traffic noises, voices and other noise sources. Nature noises and tranquility options can be used to help you relax for a more peaceful and prolonged sleep.
This sound library contains tested ambient sounds and soothing sounds. It is divided into three groups: Nature, Noise Masking and Tranquilities. Noise-masking sounds effectively block noises such as traffic or voices. Nature noises and tranquility options aim to relax the body and mind for more peaceful and prolonged sleep. Bose's sleep study found that the combination of passive noise-blocking earbuds and the library of tones can provide another protection against distracting sounds, encouraging relaxation.
Sometimes, the earbuds would become out of tune when you played sounds or the alarm went off.
Although the library's current size is not sufficient, Bose has committed to expanding it. Though I struggled at first with finding the right tones and volumes, the strong passive noise cancellation and the noise-masking sound options—which include white, brown, and pink frequencies—tended to be my go-to sounds for effectively obscuring disturbances such as noisy street traffic, neighbors, and even snoring sounds from my spouse.
A minor issue with sound quality was that my earbuds occasionally became out of tune when I cycled through the sound library, or when the alarm went off in the morning. The issue wasn't always present, but it was a common problem for users of both Android phones and iPhones, as reported by the Bose forum. There doesn't appear to be any known fix or cause as of writing.
Software: Rely on an app with room to improve
Bose Sleepbuds II heavily depend on the Bose Sleep companion app mobile app. This allows you to set and disarm alarms and change the tone. It also lets you make adjustments such as changing the volume, setting a timer, and making space in your sound library. You can even turn the headphones on when it's time to go to bed.
The app was slow to connect: It took me 8 seconds for the app to detect that my earbuds had fallen out.
After establishing a connection, there were no connectivity problems. However, I chose to use my earbuds in phone free mode so that they would work for as long as I needed them to.
Sometimes, the volume or sound didn't work for me on certain nights. It was an inconvenience to need to grab my phone. The process is not the same as playing any sound from the library. They must be downloaded onto your earbuds. The app does not allow you to remove or replace tones as easily, but it will only let you do this if there isn't enough space.
The alarm is still the best feature, despite its flaws. Because I slept better, the alarm sound (but not too loud) was more effective in waking me up in the morning. This helped me to stop hitting the snooze button. In my case, I would often take out the earbuds to get me started.
Battery life: Takes at least 6 hours to fully recharge
While any headphones can have a problem with battery life, the Sleepbuds II will need more to keep you awake at night. The case will automatically turn the headphones off to conserve and charge the battery. But if you're not mindful of the case battery life, you could be left stranded waiting for the case and the earbuds to charge—which is what happened to me one evening. They were good enough to use all night with a little bit of plug-in charging. However, I would recommend that you check the charge level early in the morning.
Although the case provided power for three nights before it needed to be recharged, Bose says that the process takes six hours. The original model's battery and connectivity problems and the reasons for its discontinuation led me to believe that the Sleepbuds II battery consistency is an excellent improvement.
Pricing: A niche product at a high price
It's hard to deny that the Bose Sleepbuds II cost around $250. Some might find that this price is too high. They lack true ANC and the ability to download or play additional sounds. Also, they don't have the same battery life as other Bose earbuds.
Sleepbuds II are a smart investment in high quality sleep.
This investment could yield significant benefits in terms of quality sleep hours for those who are struggling to feel more relaxed or less distracted by external noises at night.
Bose Sleepbuds II Vs. QuietOn Sleep Earbuds
While the Bose Sleepbuds II may be the most popular in this space of sleep earbuds, the QuietOn Sleep Earbuds are the best in terms form and function. The QuietOn Earbuds are $174 and offer an in-ear, low profile fit similar to foam earplugs. The earbuds come in three sizes and have soft foam tips. These tips, instead of being inserted into the ear canal via an extension to the earfin, are placed directly in the ear, more like an earplug. The active noise cancelling technology in these buds is ideal for neutralizing low frequency sounds such as snoring and voices.
The QuietOn earbuds are not as noise-canceling as the Sleepuds II. However, they do play some relaxing sounds that can be added to the ANC. The battery can last up to 20 hours between charges and they don't need a smartphone for pairing. If ANC is a more important priority for you, then the QuietOn might be a better option. However, it is hard to forget the scientific foundation behind Bose Sleepbuds II and the extensive sound library the brand has committed to expanding.
Final Verdict
An audio accessory that is worth the price for those who are struggling to sleep.
Bose Sleepbuds II Earbuds promise a more restful night at an affordable price. Although cost may be a deterrent for some people, those with sleep problems could find the earbuds to be a useful accessory that helps them get better rest and have more productivity.
Specifications
- Sleepbuds II Product Nom
- Bose Product Brand
- UPC 017817811668
- Prices from $250.00
- Oct 2020 Release Date
- Weight 0.08 oz.
- Product dimensions 0.98x1.1x0.5in
- Colour White
- Battery life up to 10 hours (or 30 hours with the case).
- Wired/Wireless wireless
- Wireless range up to 30 feet
- 1-year warranty
- Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0
- Android and iOS compatibility
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