I believe in the power of a good night’s sleep. That’s because I’ve made some of my worst decisions when being angry or tired. I think that sleep is something that people should invest in because the mental and physical benefits make sleep one of the best forms of therapy out there.
When you’ve had your fair share of testing the different mattress and bedding-related items, there’s rarely a new item that has all the right tools to surprise you. For me, it’s recently been the SleepPhones Effortless, a product that helps solve a decade-old problem: how can I possibly enjoy some music before I fall asleep?
A Closer Look at the SleepPhones
I wanted to share the story of how SleepPhones was created because I’m a sucker for a good brand story. Back in 2007, Jason Wolfe (video game developer) and his wife, Dr. Wei-Shin Lai (family physician) founded AcousticSheep LLC, the company behind this product.
Dr. Lai used to receive a lot of phone calls during the night, from patients who needed medical help. After each call, she has trouble going back to sleep, and always turned to calming music to put her in a state of calm. But if you’ve ever tried sleeping with your headphones on just one, then you understand the struggle. It simply wasn’t comfortable.
Because there was no product on the market that could allow her to listen to music and sleep, Dr. Lai invented her own. When she discovered how useful the SleepPhones were, she decided to recommend them to a few patients that were taking sleeping pills at the time.
Her husband created 500 pieces all by himself, on the kitchen table. The response and feedback that the two received were amazing, so it was only natural for demand to rise. And so, a new business was born.
During the first six years, the couple created the SleepPhones at home, but all the financial results indicated that it was time to take the business to the next level. And after having sold 100,000 headphones, so they did.
Since they needed more help, they hired their first employee and set up a warehouse in Erie. They both left their day jobs in 2013 and have dedicated their entire time to growing the business. They have won several techs and entrepreneurship awards.
Pros:
- International availability.
- Great and comfortable headband material.
- Package complete with charger.
- Compatible with most common Bluetooth devices.
- Up to 10 hours of battery life.
- One year warranty.
- 30 day return policy.
- Two fabric options are available.
- Wide range of colors.
- Multiple uses.
- Built-in playback controls.
Cons:
- Bluetooth module could feel bulky.
- Fleece headband can cause sweating.
- Speakers can move inside the headband.
Product Overview
A very trivial definition of what SleepPhones delivers is headphones integrated in a headband. But the products that the company provides are way more complex and feature-packed, going way beyond such a simple definition.
Take the SleepPhones Effortless, for example. This is a product that provides a wireless music-listening experience, through integrated technology and a cool-looking headband that can be comfortably worn while you are sleeping. Paired with a great sleep mask, these create the best sleep experience.
Because of the design and utility of the SleepPhones Effortless, they can be used not only in bed, but are also suitable in the car, on camping trips, while riding a bike, traveling by bus or airplane, and more. It’s up to you where you use them, really.
Sizing & Colors
Naturally, to feel comfortable while wearing a headband, you have to purchase the right size first. While the medium is the flagship size for a lot of customers, and the one I tested, here’s the info you need to know to determine which option is the best one in your particular case:
- The small size is best suited for people with a hat size of up to 6 ¾, measuring 20 to 21 ⅜ inches.
- The medium size, which is also the best-selling one, is best suited for hat sizes of 6 ⅞ to 7 ⅜, and measures 21 ½ to 23 ⅜ inches.
- The large size is for hat sizes starting with 7 ½ and up, measuring at least 23 ½ inches.
Since the headband is elastic, my advice to those who are in between sizes to go for the smaller size. Having a snug fit is really important for comfortable sleeping because you want the headband to stay in place even as you toss and turn. A snug fit will also ensure better audio quality, as the speakers won’t move around.
I’m not the type of person to care much for what color my PJs are, as long as they are comfy and keep me warm or cool during the night. But if color is important to you, you probably want to know the color options you have at your disposal before buying the SleepPhones Effortless.
First off, let me start by saying that you have two fabric options with the Effortless. There are breeze headbands, which are made to wick away moisture and be highly breathable. This is, in fact, a combination of 95 percent polyester and 5 percent spandex. I’d recommend this to people who tend to sleep hot, as the fabric gets rids of that nasty nocturnal sweat.
The fleece headband is best suited for people who like to feel warm and toasty while they sleep (myself included), and the fabric feels really soft and fuzzy-like.
That being said, those of you who want the fleece headband can buy one in midnight black, quiet lavender or soft gray. Those who want the breeze headband can look forward to the following color options: graphite gray, royal blue, pitch black, and white orchid.
Features
Some would argue that the price of the SleepPhones Effortless is too high, but I would say it’s just about right considering the utility it brings and the features it packs.
- Thanks to the integrated Bluetooth module, the speakers inside the SleepPhones can easily be connected to whatever device with Bluetooth connectivity you have at hand, such as a smartphone, tablet, or a computer. Then, just play your favorite tunes until you’re ready to doze off. I think this feature is awesome because I can listen to an audiobook by pairing the Effortless with my tablet, and just lie in bed while I do so.
- The battery of the Effortless is rechargeable, which means that this device does not require any further battery replacement or purchase.
- It only takes three hours for a full charge.
- You can expect the battery to last for about 10 hours on a full charge. I think this is super important, particularly if you use this headband throughout an entire day, and don’t have the possibility to charge it all the time.
How to Use
When you order your very own SleepPhones Effortless, you will receive the charging base, one USB power cord, a wall adapter, a Bluetooth module, and the wireless speakers. Charging the module requires following just a few easy steps:
- Grab the USB adaptor and plus the micro USB port into the charging base.
- Then, connect the other end of the USB into the wall adapter.
- When the wall adapter is connected to a power outlet, you will notice an orange light indicator that informs you that the base is successfully connected to the power source.
- The Bluetooth module is located at the right of the seam with the company’s logo. You should be able to feel the buttons of the module through the fabric. Place the headband on the charging base, with the buttons on the adapter facing the base. If the position is correct, you should be able to feel a magnetic pull.
- When the module starts charging, the orange light will turn to a pulsating green light. Once the charging process is complete, the green light stays on, without further pulsations.
- Simply pull the headband away from the charging base, and you’re ready to relax your way to sleep.
How It Feels
I’m not going to insist on this topic very much, mostly because feel has always been a subjective chapter in my opinion. But there are two things I’d like to underline here, which I feel are important to mention at this point.
The fabric that you choose for the SleepPhones Effortless is very important. Breeze definitely has better cooling properties, so it’s a good idea for people who tend to sleep hot. I’m a fan of fleece, but that’s because it can never be too warm for me.
Despite fleece being a very comfortable option, there are chances that some people will feel itchy skin under the fabric if they start sweating during the night. It hasn’t happened for me, but if you know you sleep hot, the breeze fabric version of this product might be a better choice.
Now, the right way to sleep with the SleepPhones Effortless is to have the logo at the back of your head, but that’s also the same place where the Bluetooth module resides. If you are mostly a side sleeper, like I am, then you won’t have any trouble with being disturbed by the module at the back of your head. But for total back sleepers? Not so sure.
Any back sleepers here who tested the SleepPhones Effortless and can give me some intel on how these feel?
Other than these two minor POTENTIAL issues, the SleepPhones are a dream come true. No more strangling myself with my earbuds while I watch YouTube videos on my smartphone before sleeping. No more having to worry about falling asleep while holding my phone. It’s all about comfort and utility with these babies!
Cleaning
SleepPhones Effortless is a combination of technology and fabric, and washing that fabric is important. Nobody wants a foul-smelling headband to wear to sleep every night. The speakers inside the headband can be removed through the Velcro opening located on the back of the headband.
The headband can be washed in the washing machine, preferably in warm water. Fabric softener is not a good idea, because it counteracts the moisture-wicking properties of the headband. You should also avoid using bleach or ironing the headband because the fabric will likely melt under such high temperature.
Product Availability
Naturally, there are two places where you’ll be tempted to look for the SleepPhones once you hear about how awesome they are: the brand’s official webpage and Amazon. The product is sold on both these websites, but it’s also available on Slumbersome, Cleveland Clinic Wellness, and Walmart’s websites.
The product is also available in other countries, including Italy, Israel, China, Belgium, Russia, or New Zealand.
There are also several stores throughout the US and Canada, so don’t be surprised if you walk into a bookstore and run into the SleepPhones.
Shipping & Delivery
Since the SleepPhones Effortless are delivered internationally, you can expect a lot of variables to come into play when considering the shipping fees. Here are some bits of information which could be useful if you want to buy your own set:
- The Domestic First Class option shipping fee is $5, but you won’t pay anything if your order exceeds $25 (considering that the Effortless set is priced at $149, you’ll most likely get free shipping. It takes about one or two business days for the company to process the order, three to five days to ship it and, depending on where you live, another seven days max to receive your product.
- The Domestic Priority Option currently charges $9,05 in shipping fees, but delivery is faster, which means that you are bound to receive your headphones in about two to four days from the moment of shipment.
- Domestic Express is priced at $24,05, but it only takes a maximum of two days for the company to ship your order, and another three days to receive it. The delivery date depends on your location.
- International Standard is the cheapest shipping method for international orders. It can cost between $9 and $14, and the package is delivered through your national postal service. This can take anywhere in between one and six weeks, but this service is not available in all countries. Also, it’s the only type of shipment which cannot be tracked.
- UPS Worldwide Expedited is a premium international delivery service. It’s available in all countries, requires one week to deliver your package, but the costs will also be higher. Since these vary depending on your location, the cost of UPS Worldwide Expedited is calculated at checkout.
Customer’s Voice
Comfort
Buyers can all agree that the SleepPhones Effortless is comfortable, PROVIDED you choose the right size. With the information provided above, every potential customer should have all the data required to make the right purchase, and that’s one of the reasons while buyers have not complained about the comfort of the product.
The choice of fabric makes the headband feel very soft, and having the right size makes sure that you can comfortably move around without the headband falling off. Remember that it may take a couple of nights to get used to wearing the headband in bed, particularly if you’ve never slept with products such as a sleep mask before.
Audio Quality
There are generally no complaints about the audio quality of the SleepPhones Effortless, but there are some issues with the speakers that seem to move around at night. Most customers claim that this is a design flaw, but I suspect that at least some of these people just opted for a headband that’s way too large.
Utility
Let’s keep in mind that the SleepPhones Effortless was designed to provide people with a comfortable way of listening to music, in hopes of getting them to relax and fall asleep faster. With that premise in mind, you have to be curious if the product meets its initial purpose.
What I really (REALLY) love is how clever and creative people got with the way they use their SleepPhones, proving once again that this is a device that helps you relax/unwind/but also focus. Some of best use suggestions coming from buyers include using the device to double as a white noise machine when studying, lying on the couch and silently watching YouTube videos, or a mean of disconnecting from annoying subway conversations between strangers.
Bottom Line
By ordering your own SleepPhones Effortless from an authorized seller, you will be able to take advantage of the 30-day refund policy, allowing you to return the product if it doesn’t meet your needs.
In my very own humble opinion, the SleepPhones Effortless does exactly what it’s supposed to do, maybe with a couple of minor design flaws. However, I won’t deny that the entire concept is just mind-blowing because there are so many ways to benefit from the fact that you no longer have to feel the discomfort caused by headphones and earbuds when trying to use them in all sorts of positions.