My wife asked for a pair of headphones last Christmas, but the ones she had her mind set on were SleepPhones from Acoustic Sheep. They look like a fuzzy headband and use the tagline “pajamas for your ears.” I tried to talk her into a pair of Sennheiser Momentums instead–they were priced the same as the wireless SleepPhones on Amazon at the time as part of a flash sale–but she wasn’t interested. As something of a music geek, I couldn’t fathom choosing snugly over sound, but she ended up with the SleepPhones and has been absolutely thrilled with them.
Sound Quality
Let’s get this out of the way first. Sound quality is not the primary feature of these headphones. They aren’t terrible, but they aren’t really in the same league as other $100 headphones I’ve tried. In particular they fall short in the way of high frequency response, maximum volume is lacking and they sound a little muffled. That last part is understandable, given the fact that the drivers are covered by fleece.
Setup
Setup is the usual process for pairing a set of Bluetooth headphones. There’s a raised button you can feel beneath the fabric that is held for five seconds. The headphones verbally announce they are ready to pair, then you select them from your device. Done.
Comfort
This is the big selling point of the SleepPhones headphones. They are crazy comfortable, especially when you’re lying down. The drivers are very thin and sewn into little felt squares that are in turn covered by the elastic fleece of the headband. Slip them on, adjust the headband so the speakers are over your ears and you’re good to go. You can even fall asleep with these on without worry about damaging them or hurting your ears.
My wife keeps the volume below 50 percent and I can’t hear any noise bleed while lying beside her. Wired versions are also available (and are considerably less expensive at $39.95), but I think not having a tether is worth the premium–especially when these things are all about comfort.
The headband is elasticated, but not adjustable. So choose the size wisely…
Battery
The fussiest part about these headphones is charging the battery. This involves removing it and the speakers from the headband and plugging them into a USB power source using a microUSB cable. It’s a little fiddly and the wire connecting to the speakers is thin, so care needs to be taken.
Fortunately, battery life is pretty good. My wife recharges them every four days (it takes two hours) and that covers her nightly use. In an extended session, the battery is rated for 12 hours of use.
Great Mother’s Day Gift
If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift, the SleepPhones wireless headphones come highly recommended by my wife–who is all about a balance between falling asleep to music and being comfortable. The headbands are also machine washable and come in several colors, including lavender. SleepPhones go for $39.95 in the wired version, and the Bluetooth wireless version is $99.95.
Wired isn’t a bad deal, if you’re among the percentage of the population who has to use a CPAP. Just use an elastic to keep the cord connected to the hose – “cable management” of a sort.
Looooove my sleep phones, especially with a deep sleep meditation (I like the apps by Andrew Johnson). Def spring for the wireless, though, unless you don’t mind sleeping with your phone under your pillow.
Question: Ive read reviews that the battery doesn’t last the full 12 hours and tends to wake people up. Is this true? or could it possibly be a bad battery that caused these reviews? Thank you for this review. Ive been scared to buy some sleepphones but now Im feeling more hopeful.
Hi, I checked with my wife, who’s been wearing hers for well over a year now. She’s never used then for 12 consecutive hours, but has forgotten to switch them off as she was falling asleep multiple times and says they are still playing in the morning when she gets up (so 7-8 hours). On average, she says she charges them once every 3-4 nights. Hope that helps… Brad.
wow!!! thank you so very much!!! I think I’ll get me a pair! 🙂
Hugh question. I need to know how much sound does this keep out. My husband snores. I NEED sleep!!!
I have the original sleepphones with a wire and my partner doesn’t snore loudly- more like a heavy breathing sound than snoring. That being said I live in Chicago and it can be very loud at any given moment. I’d say these do a 70% job at blocking out noise depending on what you’re listening to and how loud your partner snores.
My sleep phone broke within a month. Very cheap. Battery wouldn’t recharge. Piece of crap
I’ve used mine for over three years. I love them. There is no need to remove the speaker to charge. The bluetooth module can be pulled out, left attached and plugged in. The module can also be unplugged from the speakers, unless they’ve changed the design recently.