Sleep

Ozlo Sleep Review: Sleepbuds 2 From the Team Behind Bose's Original Sleep Earbuds

Slim, side-sleeper-friendly earbuds that mask noise, stream audio and track sleep, from former Bose engineers.

InhouseHeal editorial teamUpdated 4 min read
Illustrative restful sleep photo for our Ozlo Sleep review
Illustrative photo. Products shown may not be from Ozlo Sleep.
Quick verdict

Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are among the best dedicated sleep earbuds available, designed by former Bose engineers to be comfortable on a pillow and to mask disruptive noise all night. Up to 14 hours of battery and the ability to stream your own audio are big upgrades over older sleep buds. At $279 they are a real investment, so use the 30-day return window to check the fit.

What we like

  • Slim design built for side sleeping
  • Up to 14 hours of continuous battery, enough for a full night with streaming
  • Masks snoring and sudden sounds with a passive seal plus soothing audio
  • Streams your own audio, unlike some earlier sleep buds
  • Free shipping, 30-day money-back guarantee and one-year warranty

Keep in mind

  • Expensive for earbuds that are not designed for daytime music
  • No active noise cancellation, by design
  • Sleep insights depend on regular app use
  • Small product range and nightly charging

When Bose discontinued its Sleepbuds, it left many light sleepers without their favorite tool. Ozlo was founded by former Bose employees who licensed and acquired related sleep technology from Bose and set out to build a better version. The result is Ozlo Sleepbuds, now in their second generation.

These are not regular earbuds. They are small, soft and designed to sit flush in the ear so you can sleep on your side, and they focus on masking noise rather than playing loud music. We looked at what the Sleepbuds 2 do well and where they fall short.

Who is behind Ozlo

Ozlo Sleep is a Boston-based company co-founded by three former Bose employees. Its CEO, N.B. Patil, has more than 25 years in consumer electronics. The company emerged in 2023 with a $10 million Series A round and positions itself as a sleep company rather than an audio brand, using overnight data to personalize its digital sleep tools.

How Sleepbuds 2 handle noise

Many people assume active noise cancellation (ANC) is the answer to a noisy bedroom. Ozlo takes a different approach. A passive seal blocks some sound physically, and soft, consistent audio masks what gets through, which works well for unpredictable noises like snoring, traffic and slamming doors. Ozlo argues that ANC is better suited to steady, low-frequency sounds such as engines and fans.

You can use Ozlo's built-in sleep sounds or stream your own audio, from podcasts to rain recordings. A dedicated button lets you control playback without picking up your phone, and a private alarm wakes you without disturbing a partner.

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Battery, tracking and price

Ozlo rates the Sleepbuds 2 for up to 14 hours of continuous use on a single charge, measured with streaming audio and sleep sounds at 50% volume. That comfortably covers a long night. The smart charging case uses five dot-lights on the front to show battery and update status, plus light bars inside the lid for each bud.

The buds include sensors and pair with the Ozlo app, which offers sleep stage breakdowns, sleep pattern insights and tracking of bedroom noise, light and temperature. The app also includes guided meditations, breathing exercises and bedtime reminders.

Price and protection

Sleepbuds 2 cost $279 as a one-time purchase, with no required subscription. Optional Ozlo Care protection is offered at checkout. Shipping is free, the standard warranty is one year, and Ozlo offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Promotions have occasionally bundled extras such as a year of a meditation app subscription.

Sleep earbuds vs other noise fixes

Before spending $279, it helps to compare the options for a noisy bedroom.

  • Foam or silicone earplugs: cheap and effective for many people, but they block sound rather than masking it, can feel uncomfortable over time and do not let you hear an alarm or play audio.
  • Bedside sound machines: nothing in your ears and easy to share, but they mask noise for the whole room and may not cover a snoring partner lying next to you.
  • Regular wireless earbuds: often too bulky to sleep on, with batteries that may not last the night.
  • Dedicated sleep earbuds: slim enough for side sleeping, designed for all-night battery and built around masking, with private alarms so you do not wake a partner.

Sleepbuds 2 make the most sense when cheaper earplugs have not worked, or when you want to listen to something as you drift off without disturbing anyone else. If you mainly struggle with occasional noise, start with earplugs and see whether that is enough.

Getting the fit right

Comfort makes or breaks sleep earbuds. Try each tip size during the first few nights and choose the one that seals without pressure. Insert the buds a few minutes before lying down so they settle, and start with a lower masking volume than you think you need. If you wake with sore ears after a week of trying different sizes, use the return window.

Clean the tips regularly and let the buds charge in the case during the day, since nightly use means they need a top-up most days.

Who should buy Sleepbuds 2

They are an excellent fit for people who share a bed or wall with a snorer, live on a noisy street, work night shifts or travel often. Former Bose Sleepbuds owners will find them a natural upgrade.

They are also useful for couples on different schedules. Because the alarm plays privately in your ears, an early riser can wake without disturbing a partner, and a night owl can listen to a podcast without keeping anyone else awake. Parents of young children should think carefully, though: masking audio is designed to cover disruptive sounds, so make sure you can still hear a baby monitor or alarm if you need to.

If you mostly need darkness rather than quiet, a blackout mask from Manta Sleep is cheaper, and Manta's SOUND mask combines the two. If you prefer nothing in your ears, a bedside sound machine such as Hatch Restore 3 or the Loftie Clock is the gentler alternative.

Our verdict

Ozlo has taken the best idea from the original Bose Sleepbuds and improved it with longer battery life, streaming and sleep insights. The price is high, but for light sleepers in noisy homes, better nights can be worth it. Buy direct to get the 30-day guarantee and warranty.

Ozlo Sleep products at a glance

ProductWhat it isPrice
Ozlo Sleepbuds 2Side-sleeper-friendly sleep earbuds with up to 14 hours of battery, noise masking and streaming.$279
Smart Charging CaseCase with battery and status indicator lights for overnight-ready charging.Included
Ozlo Sleep appSleep sounds, sleep stage breakdowns, environment tracking and guided wind-down content.Free
Ozlo CareOptional extended protection plan offered at checkout.Optional

Prices as listed on the brand's site at the time of our research and may change. Check the store for current pricing.

Health noteKeep overnight audio at a low volume to protect your hearing, and stop using earbuds if you notice ear pain, itching or discharge. Ongoing insomnia or loud snoring from a partner may have treatable causes worth raising with a doctor.

Ozlo Sleep FAQs

Are Ozlo Sleepbuds made by Bose?

No, but they are closely related. Ozlo was founded by former Bose employees and uses sleep technology acquired and licensed from Bose.

Do Ozlo Sleepbuds have noise cancellation?

They do not use active noise cancellation. They combine a passive seal with masking audio, which Ozlo says works better for unpredictable sounds like snoring.

Can I listen to my own music or podcasts?

Yes. Sleepbuds 2 can stream your own audio as well as Ozlo's built-in sleep sounds.

How long does the battery last?

Ozlo rates them for up to 14 hours of continuous use on a charge, tested with streaming and sleep sounds at 50% volume.

What if they are uncomfortable?

Ozlo offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try different tip sizes first, then return them within the window if they still do not suit you.

Ozlo Sleep · 4.5/5
Light sleepers, side sleepers and anyone sharing a room with a snorer
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Disclosure: InhouseHeal may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. Our score is based on research of the brand's products, evidence, pricing and policies. How we review.

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