The Sleep Upgrade I Needed: Ozlo Sleepbuds
Sleep and I have always had a complicated relationship. The slightest noise wakes me up: a neighbor’s dog, a car door slamming, or even my husband moving around. I’ve tried everything from my 3 Tips for Better Sleep, to melatonin (not a fan) and using my AirPods Pro (no noise blocking/easily fall out), but nothing worked.
That all changed after a sleepless night on a business trip to Austin. I was staying at The Line Hotel, and my room was directly above the pool. And if you know The Line, you know the pool is a hot spot for the tech crowd on warm fall nights (loud music, strong bass, and lots of talking). I tried to use my AirPods Max, but they were too bulky to sleep in. And moving rooms wasn’t an option. That night set off my quest to find a different solution (because, let’s face it, it’s not just business trips where this happens). On my flight home, I discovered the Ozlo Sleepbuds.
Image: Ozlo Sleepbuds
Why Sleep Matters So Much
I love my sleep. Sleep isn’t just about rest; it’s the foundation for good health. Research shows that consistent, high-quality sleep supports:
Metabolism and weight management: Poor sleep can disrupt hunger hormones and increase cravings.
Muscle recovery and performance: Deep sleep is when your body repairs tissue and builds strength.
Hormone balance: Especially important for women in perimenopause and menopause, when sleep disruptions are common.
Brain health: From memory consolidation to emotional regulation, your brain depends on deep, uninterrupted sleep.
Longevity: Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
You can eat well and exercise daily, but without sleep, your body never fully reaps the benefits. That’s why protecting my sleep became a non-negotiable, and why I was looking for a solution that actually worked.
What I Was Looking For in A Solution
I needed something that would:
Stay in my ears all night without falling out
Be comfortable for side sleeping (no hard plastic poking me, causing me to sleep strangely)
Block noise so I could sleep
Still let me hear my alarm in the morning
What I Experienced
Sound Blocking: This is where Ozlo shines. In my experience, 99% of external sounds disappear. My snoring partner? Can’t hear him. Dogs barking? Nope. The garbage man arriving early? Not at all. Why not 100%? Because when our smoke detector went off one night, I could hear that (thankfully). For travel (noisy hotels, others in the room, city chaos), they are a game-changer.
Fit: Each pair of Sleepbuds comes with four sizes of soft silicone tips. I quickly found the right size, and once they are in, they sit flush against your ear. Nothing sticking out. Super comfortable. They’re smaller than the Bose SoundbudsQ, which is one of the reasons I chose them. Comfort is key when you’re trying to sleep, and these deliver.
Stay in Place: These are not your standard earbuds. There is an extra piece that helps them lock into place. Even as a restless sleeper, I’ve never had one fall out.
The Alarm: Pro tip: don’t assume your phone’s alarm will pipe through the earbuds. Mine didn’t. You need to set the alarm in the Ozlo app. Once I figured that out, I was set.
Sounds & Playlists: The app comes with a sound library, and my favorite of their sleep sounds is “Beach Walk.” That said, I don’t love the sounds of nature when I’m trying to fall asleep, so I connected my Spotify deep sleep playlist at a low volume. You can also connect to podcasts, meditations, audiobooks, whatever puts your brain in a calm, happy place.
Battery Life: The marketing says 10 hours, and that seems about right. I wish they charged for longer so I didn’t need to bring yet another cord on short trips, but it’s not a deal-breaker for me.
Sound Quality: If you’re an audiophile, these won’t wow you. The quality is fine for sleep sounds, but they aren’t a suitable substitute for your standard earbuds.
My Takeaway
All in all, I love my Ozlo Sleepbuds. I use them nightly, and the difference in my sleep is obvious. On nights I skip them, I pay the price. The only thing I wish? That they’d integrate with my Oura ring so I could compare/track my sleep biometrics. The Ozlo team claims biometrics are on the way, so we shall see. If they don’t connect to Oura, it will be interesting to see the comparison between the two.
If you’re a light sleeper like me, travel often, or want a solution for a snoring partner, Ozlo Sleepbuds are worth every penny. Because at the end of the day, better sleep means better health, and that is always something I’ll invest in (Ozlo Sleepbuds run $299 before discounts).