Ozlo Sleepbuds review: can they really help you sleep better?
Being behind major reports like The Mother of All Breaches and RockYou2024, our in-house cybersecurity experts and journalists provide unbiased, real-world testing and in-depth analysis.
We maintain complete transparency by openly sharing our testing methodologies with our audience.
Learn more
Trying to function on low energy is one of the toughest challenges you can face, yet stress and general lack of sleep have made it incredibly common. Therefore, it’s no surprise that so many people are seeking assistance for relaxing and dozing off.
Among the many solutions introduced recently, noise-masking sleepbuds have gained the most traction. Ozlo’s sleek, tech-driven gadgets have been especially popular, promising an easy, non-invasive solution without adding bulk or discomfort. To see whether they’re worth the buzz, I teamed up with Cybernews tech experts to do the research.
We’ve dug deep into the market, read piles of user comments and testimonials, and considered various expert reviews. You can find everything we’ve learned in my Ozlo sleepbuds analysis below.
Quick overview of Ozlo Sleepbuds
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of my Ozlo sleepbuds review, let’s look at the basics. I’ve laid out all the essential information in a table to give you a clear picture of what these gadgets offer and how it all stacks up against the competition.
| Rating | 4.6 |
| App integration | Yes, compatible with Android and iOS |
| Features | Bluetooth connection, custom audio amplifier, sleep-tailored audio EQ, biometric sensors, personal alarm, auto-play feature, and more |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 1.6g each |
| Price | $349 |
| Payment in installments | Available at $26/month |
| Money-back policy | 30 days |
| What we liked |
|
| What we didn’t like |
|
Our team of in-house researchers, writers and editors reviews and analyzes health tech products using a research-driven approach. We gather data from multiple sources, fact-check all information, and conduct our research based on peer-reviewed studies, expert opinions, consumer ratings, and regulatory approvals.
You can learn more about how we test health tech products here.
What are the Ozlo sleepbuds and how do they work?
If you’ve got no experience with sleep buds, you’re likely wondering what they are and how they work. The concept is pretty straightforward.
Ozlo is an audio-technology company that launched in 2023. Their first products were sleepbuds, the noise-masking earphones that help you sleep without interruptions.
These work a lot like old-school earplugs, in that they’re tiny buds you place in your ear so that you can drown out outside noise while you’re sleeping. But thanks to modern design and built-in technology, they’re a few steps ahead of their traditional counterparts.
Ozlo sleepbuds are shaped to fit your ears snugly and play relaxing sounds at a specific frequency that cancels out background sounds. This makes them comfortable for long-time night wear and perfect for soothing you to sleep.
Ozlo pairs them with a mobile app for even more flexibility. The app offers multiple sleep sounds to choose from as well as an auto-play, alarm, sleep timer, and other features to help you fine-tune your sleep routine.
Reasons to invest in Ozlo Sleepbuds
Ozlo’s sleepbuds aren’t the most affordable solution for a sleepless night, so why choose them? The answer lies in the many benefits this gadget offers.
- Expert design. This product was designed by the lead creators of Bose Sleepbuds, which revolutionized the field. The team of experts drew on the previous experience, as well as Bose sleepbuds reviews, to come up with an improved and more effective device.
- Medication-free sleep. Sleepbuds are a tech device, rather than a medication-based sleep aid. This makes them a great option for users hesitant about the idea of taking sleeping pills, particularly on a regular basis.
- Noise-masking feature. Ozlo sleep buds cover rather than block the background sound. According to users, this method tends to be more consistent overnight and less jarring at waking up.
- Comfortable design. Ozlo’s buds are small, light, and enhanced by silicone wings so they can fit snugly into the ear canal. This makes them comfortable for side-sleepers and secure for anyone who tosses and turns during the night.
- App integration. This device comes with an app that allows you to customize your experience. You can switch between sounds, set timers and alarms, and more.
- Long battery life. Ozlo Sleepbuds’ battery will last up to 10 hours, so you can use them throughout the whole night. You’ll be able to play white noise, your favorite podcast, or even YouTube videos without any interruptions.
Ozlo Sleepbuds: battery life
If you use regular Bluetooth earbuds, you’ll find Ozlo’s product easy to get used to. They also charge within a case, which plugs in through a USB-C cable.
The need for constant charging can be annoying, especially since you have to keep track of both the case and the buds. That said, most people only use them at night, which makes daytime the perfect window to recharge. By the time evening rolls around, both the buds and the case are usually back at 100%.
As for the battery life, it’s on par with both traditional chargeable earphones and Ozlo’s main competitors. Most users confirm the company’s claims that the buds last up to 10 hours and the case up to 32 hours. They report waking up to a 15% to 20% charge, regardless of the type of media played.
Naturally, white noise drains the battery slower than a YouTube video, but the buds still survive the night.
Ozlo Sleepbuds: app and features
When studying Ozlo Sleep buds’ performance, my colleagues at Cybernews and I focused on their features and how well they worked with the companion app.
The setup is pretty simple – you can turn on and connect the buds and the app in a few simple taps. However, the buds must be in the case for this to happen, something a few users have found inconvenient. Still, once they are connected, most customers report a smooth listening experience across the board.
The app itself is clean and easy to navigate, which means you won’t waste time learning how to use it or configuring its features. It offers a battery percentage display, sound library with white noise and various nature and ambient sounds, alarm setup, sleep timer, and volume controls.
The 10 sounds available seem a bit lacklustre compared to Bose’s or ZenBuds’ 50+. On top of that, the buds don’t work unless they’re near your phone or charging case (within 3 meters). However, unlike its rivals, Ozlo lets you stream media from other apps, so you end up with more variety. Plus, it features sleep tracking capabilities.
Ozlo earbuds can also detect when you’ve taken them out of the case and immediately play your go-to sound. They also switch to sleep mode once you’ve fallen asleep to conserve battery.
The company has also announced they’ll be able to detect light, noise, and room temperature and offer a sleep report in the morning, after an upcoming update. That seems like a pretty good trade-off to me.
Ozlo Sleepbuds: comfort and fit
Design can make or break a sleepbud brand, so I made sure to take it seriously when evaluating Ozlo. Thankfully, there was nothing that felt worth flagging on this front.
The look of the Ozlo sleepbuds immediately reminded me of Bose's second generation. There are no bulky clip-ons or pieces that stick out of the ear canal and cause discomfort, which is crucial if you’re a side-sleeper like me.
The ergonomic design and lightweight make them sit snugly in the ear without any pressure. The flexible wing helps anchor them in place, while the silicone exterior keeps them comfortable to wear for hours.
You won’t spend hours searching for them in your bed in the morning or have weird earaches wake you up so you can readjust them. Users claim that you’ll barely notice they’re in, as long as you pick the correct size.
Ozlos come in four sizes (XS, S, M, and L), so that shouldn’t be an issue, either. An extra option compared to Anker or Bose might not sound like a big deal, but it really helps fine-tune the comfort.
Ozlo Sleepbuds: audio quality and noise isolation
To be on par with the best sleepbuds on the market, Ozlo had to step up on the functionality end. However, according to expert reviews, noise isolation isn’t their strongest suit.
Ozlo prioritized comfort over full noise cancellation, which makes its product less effective than AirPods or foam earplugs. You’ll most likely still hear muffled sounds without anything playing, or have to turn up the volume with softer tracks, whether you’re trying to block snoring, traffic, or noisy neighbours.
Thankfully, what it lacks in noise masking, Ozlo makes up for in the audio department. The sound is crisp, regardless of whether you’re listening to in-house options or your own music and podcasts. There’s also an auto-equalizer feature, and the volume is fully customizable, although only through the app.
The bass could be better, which may be a downside depending on your preferences. On the flip side, though, it makes more sense for bedtime listening since the audio feels gentler and more calming, even at higher volumes.
Now, the Ozlo sleepbuds price ($349 upfront, or $26 per month for a subscription) might be a bit steep given some of the mentioned compromises. However, from what my team and I gathered during research, they seem to genuinely help people get better sleep through sound.
Other reviews you might be interested in:
Final verdict: are the Ozlo sleepbuds worth it?
If you're sensitive to sound or just looking for a smarter way to fall and stay asleep, Ozlo Sleepbuds are more than worth considering.
After combing through reviews and expert analyses, I’d say they're best suited for light sleepers, frequent travelers, and anyone who wants to wind down without relying on bulky headphones or sleep meds.
They’re not perfect, as they’re noise-masking rather than noise-cancelling sleepbuds. They are also quite dependent on the app and their charging case and on the pricier side of the spectrum for these devices.
However, there’s no denying their comfort, fit, and audio quality all land solid wins. Plus, features like sleep tracking, media streaming, and upcoming updates make them feel like a product built for the long haul.
All in all, I’d say you should give them a try. They might not work wonders for your sleeping routine, but they’ll definitely aid you in falling asleep faster and waking up more rested.
FAQ
Are the Ozlo Sleepbuds safe to wear all night?
There are no clinical studies that confirm or deny that using sleepbuds throughout the night is safe. If you’re worried about any negative effect they may have on you in the short or the long run, I suggest consulting your doctor before you make a decision about purchasing them.
Do Ozlo Sleepbuds completely block out snoring or loud noises?
No, Ozlo Sleepbuds won’t completely block out loud sounds. However, they mask them with whatever you decide to stream. This is supposed to be a better solution than active noise cancellation in a bedroom environment.
Can I use my own music with the Ozlo Sleepbuds?
Yes, you can use your own music with the Ozlo Sleepbuds. These plug-ins will connect to any audio apps you may have on your phone and stream music, podcasts, books, and more.
How does the Ozlo app improve the sleep experience?
The Ozlo app allows you to choose from 10 smoothing sounds, adjust the volume, set an alarm and sleep timer, check the battery of both the buds and the case, and so on. As the company updates its software, the app may also offer sleep reports.
Do the Ozlo Sleepbuds come with a warranty?
Yes, Ozlo sleepbuds come with a 1-year warranty in the US and Canada and a 2-year warranty in the UK and EU. Besides the length, coverage may also vary by region, so it’s worth checking the official Ozlo website for details.
