I’m a light sleeper, which makes getting a good night’s rest while traveling tough. I’ve tried all types of earplugs, but they just aren’t effective enough at drowning out the noises you often find at hotels or on planes. A few years ago, I discovered Ozlo Sleepbuds, which have been a game changer for sleeping at home and on the road. These earbuds are designed to be worn while sleeping, made from a soft silicone material that’s low-profile and comfortable even on your side.
The Sleepbuds play preloaded noise-masking sounds that drown out everything from snoring to street noise, or your own audio. I used the Sleepbuds every night for years, but the original model had a few issues for me, including one earbud dying, which, to Ozlo’s credit, they immediately shipped me a free replacement for (their customer service is great). A recent update to the Ozlo Sleepbuds app was a significant upgrade, letting me use the Sleepbuds without Bluetooth, which increased the battery life to over 10 hours. The newest update automatically turns off Bluetooth after 10 minutes while continuing to stream the pre-downloaded noise-masking sound of my choice (I opt for the rain sound) all night, and can still play your alarm — a great travel feature for when you’re sharing a room and want to get up early without disturbing anyone.
When I saw that Ozlo had released a new model, the Sleepbuds 2, I was excited to try them. I took them on a week-long trip to Canada to test them out in a variety of conditions, including in a loud hotel room overlooking a busy street in Quebec. This is my honest review.
What’s The Difference Between The Original Sleepbuds and Sleepbuds 2?
There are a few key differences between the original Sleepbuds and the Sleepbuds 2:
| Feature / Specification | Original Ozlo Sleepbuds | Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 |
| Battery Life (per charge) | Up to 10 hours | Up to 14 hours |
| Case Battery Drain | Slowly drains while stored in case | Battery stays fully charged in case |
| Sound & Volume | Standard noise-masking | Higher max volume, clearer audio, personalized tuning presets |
| Connectivity | Manual setup steps in app | Automatic connection on case open + physical case button control |
| Sleep Tracking | Beta sleep tracking | Full release (tracks duration, movement, environment noise/light/temp) |
| Notifications | Standard device alerts | Dedicated Sleep Shield mode (blocks calls, alerts, & interruptions) |
Sound Quality
The Sleepbuds 2 have better sound quality, and I find I can play them at a lower volume than the original Sleepbuds. This is the biggest difference I’ve noticed between the two. The Sleepbuds 2 also have:
- Higher maximum volume
- Clearer streaming audio
- Improved masking performance
- Personalized tuning presets to optimize sounds based on what you’re listening to and the environment you’re in
During my test of the Sleepbuds 2, I stayed in a hotel in Quebec City that overlooked a loud, busy street. My husband complained about waking up due to early morning honking and noisy construction, whereas I didn’t hear a thing thanks to the earbuds.
Longer Battery Life
Especially in non-Bluetooth mode, the Sleepbuds 2 last all night and longer. With up to 14 hours of battery life, they’ll even last through an entire long-haul flight. My previous Sleepbuds tapped out at around 10 hours, but these last up to 14, plus the smart charging case stores 2-3 additional charges. The Sleepbuds 2 also remain fully charged while in the case, whereas the previous version’s battery slowly drained in the case, which could be frustrating if you forgot to recharge before bed.
Easier Connectivity
The original Sleepbuds required a few steps in the app to connect, but the new Sleepbuds 2 connect automatically when the case is opened. They also have better Bluetooth reliability and range, though I never had connectivity issues with the old Sleepbuds. You can also use the button in the smart case to start sleep sounds, a nice new feature if you prefer to be screen-free at night, or to snooze an alarm or pause audio.
Sleep Shield
I sleep with my phone on do not disturb, so I haven’t tested this feature, but it’s nice to know the Sleepbuds 2 can be set to block incoming calls, notifications, alerts, and Bluetooth interruptions.
Better Sleep Tracking
The original Sleepbuds launched a beta version of sleep tracking, which has been refined and hard-launched in the Sleepbuds 2. This optional feature can monitor:
- Sleep duration and quality
- Movement and breathing
- Sleep environment conditions, including light, temperature, and noise
Comfort
I don’t notice a difference in comfort/fit between the Ozlo Sleepbuds 1 and 2, which is a good thing. I have small ears, and frequently struggle to find earbuds or earplugs that don’t hurt. The Sleepbuds are comfortable for me, and I don’t experience any discomfort, even when sleeping on my side.
Tips for Using Ozlo Sleepbuds
After using the Ozlo Sleepbuds for years, here are a few tips I’ve learned to get the most out of your Sleepbuds:
- For the longest battery life, skip the sleep tracking, listen to pre-downloaded sleep-masking sounds, and use the Bluetooth-off mode
- Clean the Sleepbuds frequently. The silicone covers can be removed and washed with soap and water (dry thoroughly before putting them back on), and the case can be wiped down with rubbing alcohol. Gently clean the speakers with earbud cleaning putty to keep sound quality high.
- Make sure the Sleepbuds are securely in the case and that the lights on each bud are flashing, indicating that they are charging, before closing it so you don’t find a dead battery when you go to use them.
Are Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 Worth the Money?
The Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 cost $279 and come with a 30-day return policy and a one-year warranty. (You can even use HSA/FSA to pay for them, since a good night’s sleep is so important for health.)
I wholeheartedly recommend the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2. Since using them, I haven’t been able to sleep without them — they make a big difference in my ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, no matter where I am. I’ve had countless nights abroad where my husband has complained about loud noises from other hotel guests or construction outside our window, and I haven’t heard any of it. That said, you don’t have to worry about missing important noises: I had a fire alarm go off while wearing these and absolutely woke up. These work for me in a way that no earplugs have. I’ve also tested the NextSense Smartbuds and the Soundcore Sleep A20, and the Ozlos are the only ones I’ve found to actually be comfortable in my small ears, last a full night, and effectively block noise.
The Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are a worthy upgrade thanks to the extended battery life and better noise masking. I like that I can use them at a lower volume and still block out unwanted sounds, and I never have to worry about them dying on me before I wake up.
