Posted on October 12, 2018 by Brad Moon
I’ve reviewed SleepPhones a number of times over the past few years for GeekDad. In 2015, it was the original Wireless version. In 2016, I tried out revised SleepPhones Wireless (with improved Bluetooth), and RunPhones. This time around, Acoustic Sheep sent the latest evolution in its sleep headphones, the SleepPhones Effortless. These ones bring wireless, inductive charging into the mix.
Like SleepPhones Wireless
If you’re not familiar with SleepPhones, you can get the full rundown from my review of the SleepPhones Wireless.
In a nutshell, these are headphones designed specifically to be comfortable when wearing in bed, kicking back on the couch, or even traveling — situations where traditional headphones are too bulky. They employ flat drivers within an elastic fabric or fleece headband. The wireless versions also have a Bluetooth module with pushbutton controls that slips out of sight within the headband. As their name implies, SleepPhones are a great solution for listening to music, relaxation apps, or audiobooks while lying in bed and drifting off to sleep. Unlike traditional headphones or earbuds, these won’t injure your ears or break if you lie down with your head to the side while wearing them.
Audio quality isn’t exactly at the audiophile level. Besides being nowhere near the price of headphones in that market, the drivers aren’t housed in acoustically optimized ear cups that seal out ambient noise — they’re flat squares positioned over your ears in a comfy, cloth headband. That being said, for the purposes of listening to music while falling asleep, the SleepPhones do a nice job and just as importantly, provide that audio without bleeding sound that might keep the person beside you awake.
The basic setup, specs, and operation of the SleepPhones Effortless are the same as the SleepPhones Wireless. Playback is via Bluetooth so there are no wires to get tangled up in. The same control module is inside the headband. Sound quality seemed identical. You can expect up to 10 hours…
