I’m always interested in anything that can make falling asleep a little easier, especially when it combines two things I already use: a sleep mask and something to play relaxing sounds. The Sleenova SoundMask takes that idea a step further by putting the speakers directly into the mask, so I was curious to see whether it would actually be comfortable enough to sleep in.
At $129.99, though, I expected the experience to feel noticeably more premium than a regular sleep mask with Bluetooth speakers.
Key Takeaways
- Blocks out light very effectively.
- Built-in speakers are convenient.
- I liked being able to listen without wearing earbuds.
- The mask takes some getting used to.
- The fit and comfort matter a lot, especially when sleeping on your side.
- Expensive compared with ordinary sleep masks.
- Overall, I had a fairly positive but not perfect experience.
What Is the Sleenova SoundMask?
The Sleenova SoundMask is a blackout sleep mask with built-in ultra-thin speakers. It can stream audio through Bluetooth, but it also has built-in storage for sleep sounds, meaning you can use it without keeping your phone connected throughout the night. Sleenova says it offers up to 20 hours of continuous playback and is designed specifically with side sleepers in mind.
Why I Bought It
The idea of combining a sleep mask and headphones into one product appealed to me. I don’t particularly enjoy sleeping with regular earbuds in, and traditional headphones obviously aren’t designed for lying down. The Sleenova seemed like a much cleaner solution, especially because I could use it for both blocking out light and listening to something while I was falling asleep.
I was mainly interested in whether it would actually feel like something I could sleep in rather than another gadget I’d use once and abandon.
My Experience Using the Sleenova SoundMask
The blackout part immediately made sense to me. Once the mask was positioned properly, it did a very good job of keeping the light out, which made it feel much more like a proper sleep mask than a simple fabric eye covering.
The audio was the part I was most curious about, and I actually liked having the speakers built into the mask. I could listen to something without putting earbuds inside my ears, and that alone made the experience more comfortable for me. The speakers are quite thin, so they don’t have the same bulky feeling you’d get from trying to sleep with ordinary headphones.
I also liked the fact that I wasn’t completely dependent on Bluetooth. The built-in audio feature means I could set things up beforehand and then use the mask without having my phone right beside me. That was probably one of the smartest features for me because the whole point of getting into bed is to stop reaching for my phone. Sleenova specifically designed the mask around this phone-free setup.
Comfort was a little more complicated. It isn’t uncomfortable in a way that made me immediately want to take it off, but it’s still a piece of technology sitting across your face, and I was very aware of that at first. The mask has to sit securely enough to block the light while also keeping the speakers in the right position, so getting the fit right made a noticeable difference.
As a side sleeper, I paid particular attention to the speakers. I didn’t have the same pressure inside my ears that I get from earbuds, which was a definite improvement, although I still had to find the position that worked best for me before I could completely forget I was wearing it.
The biggest thing for me was that this isn’t really a conventional sleep mask with a little Bluetooth feature added as an afterthought. It feels like a proper piece of sleep technology, which is both its biggest selling point and the reason it takes a little getting used to.
And then there’s the price. At $129.99, this is definitely not an impulse-buy sleep mask. Sleenova positions it as a premium product, and after using it, I can understand why. You’re paying for the integrated speakers, blackout design, offline audio, app, and rechargeable electronics rather than simply paying for something to cover your eyes.
For me, whether it’s worth that price really comes down to whether you actually want the audio feature. If you’re perfectly happy with a basic sleep mask, this is overkill. If you already use sleep headphones or earbuds and want something specifically designed around sleeping, I think the concept makes considerably more sense.
What I Loved
- Excellent blackout effect.
- No earbuds sitting inside my ears.
- Speakers are thin enough to be comfortable for sleeping.
- Built-in audio is genuinely convenient.
- I liked having the option to use it without my phone.
- The overall concept is much more practical than sleeping with regular headphones.
What I Didn’t Love
- Expensive.
- Takes some time to get used to wearing.
- Getting the fit right is important.
- It still feels like you’re wearing an electronic device to bed.
Product Claims vs Reality
Claim: Designed for side sleepers.
My experience: The thin speakers made it much more comfortable than trying to sleep with ordinary earbuds or headphones, although I still had to find the right position.
Claim: Phone-free sleep.
My experience: This was one of my favorite features. Once the audio was set up, I didn’t need to keep my phone involved.
Claim: Comfortable enough for all-night use.
My experience: It became more comfortable once I got used to the fit, but I wouldn’t describe it as completely unnoticeable. You’re still wearing a fairly substantial sleep gadget across your face.
Is It Worth the Price?
I think this depends heavily on what you’re actually looking for. If all you want is something to block out light, $129.99 is a lot of money for a sleep mask. But if you’re looking for a combined blackout mask and sleep-audio device, and you don’t want earbuds in your ears, the price becomes easier to understand.
For me, the audio functionality is what makes the product interesting. Without that, I’d have a hard time justifying the cost.
Who I Think Will Love It
This makes the most sense if you:
- Like listening to audio while falling asleep.
- Don’t enjoy sleeping with earbuds.
- Need complete darkness.
- Sleep on your side.
- Want to reduce your dependence on your phone at bedtime.
Who Should Skip It
I’d skip it if you:
- Only want a basic eye mask.
- Don’t listen to anything while sleeping.
- Find wearing anything across your face uncomfortable.
- Don’t want to spend over $100 on a sleep accessory.
Alternatives
- Manta SOUND Sleep Mask
- Manta Sleep Mask
- Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds
- LC-Dolida Bluetooth Sleep Mask
Conclusion
The Sleenova SoundMask ended up being more useful than I initially expected. The combination of complete darkness and built-in audio makes sense, and I particularly appreciated not having to put earbuds in my ears just to listen to something while falling asleep.
It isn’t perfect, and I definitely needed some time to get comfortable with the fit. At this price, I’d also expect someone to be pretty serious about wanting the audio functionality rather than simply looking for an eye mask.
For me, though, the concept works. It’s much more convenient than trying to combine a regular sleep mask with headphones or earbuds, and the phone-free audio feature is a particularly nice touch.
Would I buy it again?
Yes, if I specifically wanted a sleep mask with built-in audio. If I only needed something to block out light, I’d save my money and buy a much simpler mask.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, with some reservations. I think it’s a genuinely useful product for someone who wants sleep audio without earbuds, but the price makes it a fairly specialized purchase rather than something I’d recommend to everyone.
Also read my similar review on NivaSleeps Pillow