SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones review: I'll never use ordinary earphones at bedtime again

Telegraph

2 days ago

Score: 9/10
We like:
Comfortable
Fully light blocking
15 day money back guarantee
We don't like:
Expensive
Headphone positioning requires adjustment before use
What are the SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones?
If you like to listen to music or podcasts as you start to drift off each night, you've probably found that your earbuds or headphones can start to cause some discomfort or earache, especially if you're listening for longer periods. I find that I can have my earphones in for around an hour before my ear canals start to protest. But this innovative mask with headphones from SnoozeBand offers an interesting solution to that problem, while also providing cushioning and blackout properties to help you get a good night's sleep.
This Deluxe option – priced at £69.99, but sometimes discounted – stood out when I was putting the best sleep masks to the test. Even though it's definitely an investment, it is still considerably cheaper than its main competitor, the Manta SOUND Sleep Mask, which costs more than twice as much. If you've been unsure which of the two would suit you best, you might be interested to read my comparison of the two below.
Available in four colours, the SnoozeBand Deluxe combines a soft and adjustable blackout design with ultra-thin 4mm headphones, allowing you to pair it via Bluetooth with your smartphone or tablet to listen to your choice of music, audiobooks or podcasts. It also has some interesting additional features, more on which below.
So, if you've already tried the best earplugs for sleeping, share a bed with a snoring partner or are looking for a better option for listening to music for side sleepers, here's everything you need to know about one of SnoozeBand's best selling devices.
How we test
To test the best sleep masks, I wore each one for several consecutive nights to account for any discrepancies or disruptions in my sleep. Primarily, I was concerned with the comfort, blackout properties and how secure it felt on my head through the night. I also assessed how soft and breathable the fabric was, plus how easy it was to wash and keep clean.
Given the additional features of the SnoozeBand Deluxe, I tried both the built-in sounds – which allow you to listen offline, providing a nice alternative to the best white noise machines – as well as connecting it via Bluetooth to my phone to play music playlists and podcasts. In addition to this, I assessed how long one full charge lasted and whether or not I was happy to wear the sleep mask for a full eight hours overnight, taking into consideration whether it positively or negatively impacted the quality of my sleep.
Even though I was a big fan of the Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask – with it taking the title of best overall sleep mask – the SnoozeBand Deluxe is my go-to most nights. In fact, I've stopped using traditional earphones at bedtime altogether since trying it, no longer experiencing any earache, pain or discomfort as a result.
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Fabric
Score: 8/10
The fabric of a sleep mask can make or break its wearability. Given that you'll be wearing it for a good number of hours every night, it's important to choose the right type for you. This sleep mask is made from a combination of a cotton outer and nylon inner, both of which look and feel pleasant.
I found the padded cotton outer to be nice and plump, but it was the inner nylon fabric that I enjoyed the most. Even though it might not be as breathable as cotton or silk, it has a silky soft feel to it which is rather cooling on the eyes and skin too. I certainly appreciated this on warmer nights, or when I had the heating cranked up.
Overall, the mask has a nice heft to it while still being relatively lightweight. Considering that it houses the electrics to power the headphones and the headphones themselves, it doesn't add much weight or bulk around this delicate area of the face.
Score: 9/10
Most sleep masks are one size fits all, which is why it is so important that they are adjustable to provide a good fit, no matter the shape or size of your head. Thankfully, the Velcro wrap design here allows you to snugly, yet comfortably, secure it around your eyes and head.
It isn't overtly obvious that you need to unfurl the Velcro closure from under a flap of fabric when you first take it out of the box. In fact, if I hadn't checked the website beforehand, I might have been left wondering why I couldn't close the mask around my head. However, when you do have the Velcro closure in place, it was actually one of the strongest Velcro fastenings out of all the sleep masks that I've put to the test. This does mean that it can sometimes take a bit more strength to unfasten the mask each morning. But that's a small price to pay for a closure that seems fit to adhere and hold for many years to come.
Blackout properties
Score: 10/10
While other blackout sleep masks have a cutout around the nose which allows them to nestle in and block out light, this model has an extra piece of fabric around the nose to account for possible gaps. This, in combination with the snug and cosy fit, blocks out all light. I tested it out in the daytime and with artificial lighting to see if any seeped in, and I was pleased to discover that it provided true blackout qualities, with no light ingress whatsoever.
This makes it an excellent choice for travel or if you happen to work night shifts and need to get some shut-eye during the day, when even the best blackout blinds still let in some light.
Design
Score: 9/10
One of the standout features of this mask is audio via its built-in headphones. You may need to take some time to adjust exactly where the headphones are, in relation to your ears, as they were a centimetre or two off for me at first. But, after taking a few seconds to get them in the right position, I haven't needed to move or readjust them since.
The headphones themselves are made of soft foam and are incredibly slim. You can't feel them at all and they almost mould to the ear area, so they're ideal if you mostly sleep on your side. Add in one the best pillows for side sleepers, and you've got yourself a great setup.
I didn't feel or notice the controls at the front of the sleep mask either, which surprised me as I thought that they might protrude or press down on the forehead area.
If you plan on using this mask when travelling or on-the-go, you can roll up and secure the mask with its elastic strap. It's a nice touch, especially given that travel sleep masks I've used in the past tended to get crushed or take up quite a bit of space in my bag.
Performance
Score: 9/10
I was more than happy to wear this sleep mask for a full night's sleep, even when I had turned off the headphone function. It didn't slide or move around as I tossed and turned during the night, and it didn't feel particularly obtrusive.
After switching from my traditional earphones to the SnoozeBand for just one night, I quickly realised that I wouldn't be going back to that way of listening to music or podcasts in bed. I had no earache and could easily turn the volume up or down as needed.
In the past few months I've truly invested in my sleep routine and what I do to get ready for bed, utilising the best pillows and best mattresses – including the best mattress for back pain – to ensure that I wake up refreshed each morning. The SnoozeBand has certainly contributed to helping me drift off at night.
If you're worried about it continuing to play after you fall asleep, and in turn running the battery down, you can select an automatic shut off timer for one, two or three hours. Speaking of the battery life, you get around 15 hours playback on a single charge, which should last you for at least a few nights before you need to recharge it.
Technical specifications
SnoozeBand isn't the only brand to sell sleep masks with built-in headphones. Their biggest competitor, Manta, also has a similar offering. But, at more than double the price, is the Manta SOUND Sleep Mask worth the extra expense over the SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones? I've compared the two, and both seem to be a hit with shoppers and reviewers.
Should you buy the SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones?
If you're looking to add a sleep mask to your bedtime or travel routine, and also want to be able to play music, relaxing sounds, your favourite podcast or latest audiobook, these are an excellent option.
Being fully blackout and comfortable enough to wear all night quickly made the mask a must for me. I continue to use them to this day, and I'm not sure that I could go back to sleeping with a traditional pair of earphones after using this clever design.
Yes, if:
You want to comfortably listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks or white noise without worrying about earache
You're looking for a fully blackout design
You want to try it out before you commit to keeping it – thanks to the 15 day money back guarantee
No, if:
You need a more budget-friendly option
You don't listen to music or podcasts before bed
SnoozeBand Deluxe Sleep Mask Headphones FAQs
Do SnoozeBands block out snoring?
Sleeping close to someone who snores can wake you up in the middle of the night, disrupting your sleep cycle and making it difficult to get back to sleep.
A SnoozeBand Deluxe headband might not completely eliminate especially loud snoring, but it can dampen the sound and reduce awakenings and make it easier to fall back asleep thanks to their audio capabilities and cushioned fit.
How do you set a timer on a SnoozeBand?
There are three automatic shut-off timers to choose from, deactivating the audio after 60, 120 or 180 minutes. You press the middle button on the front of the mask twice to cycle through the available settings. A voice prompt, which you will hear through the headphones, will confirm the selected timer setting.
How long does it take to charge a SnoozeBand?
Fully charging the SnoozeBand Deluxe typically takes between one and two hours.
Does the SnoozeBand help with tinnitus?
SnoozeBand claims to have 'received a lot of positive feedback from customers with tinnitus who have found SnoozeBand extremely helpful in managing their symptoms,' and that its team has 'previously worked with an NHS sleep facility that supports patients suffering from tinnitus.'
Tinnitus has various causes, including exposure to loud sounds, ear infections and abnormal bone growth in the ear. Although using a SnoozeBand might feel helpful, it's important to consult with your GP to identify the cause of your tinnitus and get the right treatment.