These headphones are actually comfortable to wear in bed, but are they worth it?
I’ve never been someone who can fall asleep in just any random circumstances. It needs to be the right temperature, with little to no light and, of course, comfortable. Don’t even get me started on trying to fall asleep in cars or on a plane — it’s just not happening, no matter how tired I am.
I prefer sleeping while it’s quiet, but sometimes you have to deal with the noise. Whether it’s construction work going on outside, dogs barking or, dare I say, a snoring spouse. Or you can drown that out by wearing headphones or earbuds to bed, which comes with its own set of problems.
That is unless you’re wearing specially-designed headphones that are somehow comfortable regardless of whether you’re a back or side sleeper. Yes, they exist — but are these SleepPhones worth it?
SleepPhones Effortless Bluetooth headband
Let me introduce the SleepPhones Effortless from Acoustic Sheep: a Bluetooth-equipped headband with two extremely thin speakers. They have (mostly) one job, and that’s to help you sleep more comfortably while wearing headphones.
That means you can listen to music, your favorite podcasts or ambient noises without waking up looking for your now-missing wireless earbuds or, worse, in pain. And it’s actually not a complicated design.
SleepPhones sent me the Effortless model to review, which consists of a fleece headband (95% polyester, 5% spandex), a rechargeable Bluetooth module and two cloth-enclosed speakers. All the parts are accessible from the backside of the headband through a velcro enclosure.
That module can wirelessly connect to a smartphone, tablet or computer with a range of 15-30 feet away and can last about 10 hours on a single charge. The version I tried is called Effortless because it uses an induction charging method that doesn’t require you to remove the module. It wasn’t exactly “effortless,” but more on that soon.
Getting to know the SleepPhones
Regardless of battery level, when something new arrives, I’m a big fan of charging whatever it is completely before using it for the first time. There wasn’t much to the SleepPhones or charger, so I thought it would be pretty easy to get the process started.
Shopping today? Use this free plugin to potentially save even more with just one click
Online shopping is booming in the past year, and we don’t see that stopping any time soon. Pandemic or not, it’s just plain convenient to buy whatever you want from the comfort of your couch.
What about when sales are reserved for in-store shoppers? Nobody likes to pay full price. But what if you could shop online and find a chance to save?
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold
Welcome to the future, where video calls have become commonplace, drones are actually starting to make package deliveries and artificial intelligence has been weaved into just about every field imaginable.
Oh yeah, and screens have become foldable. Samsung has been releasing new bendable smartphones for a couple of years now, along with a few other manufacturers. LG has TV screens that unroll out of a box.
Need a computer? Kim's recommended laptops and desktops up to 45% off
Working on an outdated, slow computer makes life harder than it needs to be. And if that computer is your main machine for getting your job done, it can make you unproductive, too.
If you own a business or work from home, you need reliable tech that can get the job done. Thanks to our sponsor, Dell, now is the perfect time to upgrade.
Review: Uber Chill Personal Mini Fridge
When you think about the simple things in life of the 21st century, what comes to mind? How about the ability to watch just about any movie or TV show you want through on-demand streaming?
Then there’s the ability to live your entire digital life through the computer you keep in your pocket that also makes phone calls. Even more simple, getting your hands on a cold soda or bottle of water without having to leave your desk, thanks to a tiny appliance you might barely realize is there.
Best tablet for the money: Amazon's new $150 10-inch Fire
Tablets have become more practical and useful than ever, thanks to remote work and education. You can perform virtually any task on a tablet that you normally do on a laptop or PC. These smart devices can also integrate with our other gadgets, giving us control all in one place.
This smart ring isn't like the smartwatch on your wrist - But is it worth it?
When you hear the term “wearable,” it often means tech you wear on your wrist. To a lesser degree, there are also smart eyeglasses and clip-on gadgets, but you don’t hear too much about smart rings.
You might be surprised, but there are actually several out there, including Amazon’s now discontinued Echo Loop. I suppose it’s neat to have Alexa wrapped around your finger until you realize it’s really the other way around.
Better than an app: 5 weather stations for more accurate forecasting
The weather changes unexpectedly, so who better to trust with accurate forecasts than your own personal meteorologist?
When you need to be prepared for inclement weather, turn to the weather station right on your doorstep. Set up the sensors around your home and read the display to see if you should expect humidity, impending storms or sunny skies.
Protect your vaccine card with these affordable, durable sleeves
Vaccines have been rolling out in the U.S. at a blistering pace. But records aren’t being kept digitally as to who has received a dose. The only way right now that someone can prove their protection is with the issued paper vaccine cards.
Mother's Day 2021: 13 gifts mom will love
Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Did it sneak up on your this year? It’s time to choose the perfect gift for her.
Some moms can be picky, while others will say they love whatever you give them. Either way, picking out the right present can be tough. So, where should you start? How about the best tech gifts that won’t be hard to learn to use?
This digital photo frame has unlimited storage, but is it worth it?
Remember when digital photo frames were all the rage? For years, they were the default gift to give at Christmas, birthdays and other special occasions.
Then tech evolved and the ability to display your photos got easier. Now you can turn your tablet into a makeshift digital frame or build in slideshows into your smart displays from Amazon or Google Nest. You can even turn your TV into a big photo frame.
This gadget turns your tabletop into a phone charger - Is it worth it?
Your desk is a mess. OK, maybe not your desk specifically, but think about all the things you’ll find in the average workspace. Tap or click here to give your home office a high-tech makeover.
Start with your computer and then there’s a monitor or two (or three?) along with a keyboard and mouse. You might have a set of speakers, wireless earbuds and of course, the all-important phone charger.
These cases keep your tech organized on the go - Are they worth it?
No matter where you go, your phone goes with you, right? And when I’m traveling, that also often includes a tablet, wireless earbuds and perhaps even my laptop.
Then you have to consider everything to bring along to keep your gadgets up and running, from charging cables to wall adapters. Not wanting to lose them, I keep everything together in one bag or case.
8 electric landscaping tools to transform your yard
Maintaining an immaculate lawn takes more than love and dedication — it requires the right tools to get the job done quickly and efficiently. But with so many machines on the market, how do you decide which are right for you?
This hub expands what your laptop can do - Is it worth it?
When businesses started shifting workforces to remote work a year ago, many employees had to figure out how to set up a home office quickly. Even if you had the perfect space or decided the couch would do, having the right tools is even more important.
Review: Stealth Core Trainer
Working from home over the past year, I’ve tried to put a bigger focus on my overall fitness level. Even with nowhere to really go, the motivation still isn’t always there to just go workout.
Still, months ago, I bought a compact under-desk elliptical from Cubii that I could use while working or watching TV. It’s been a success story because I’ve used it every day since late last September.
15 things under $25 you’ll use again ... and again
We’ve all heard the old saying, “Quality over quantity.” But other than big-ticket items, no one really talks about which quality products everyone should keep around the house.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve just moved into your own place or if you’ve been in your home your entire life — these products are must-haves. They’ll save you time, keep you comfortable and might even help you discover your inner interior designer.
Is this premium iPhone dock with MagSafe worth it?
Go to Amazon and search for iPhone charging stand and you’ll be presented with thousands of results, ranging from under $10 to north of $50. From compact to desktop, wired to wireless, there are so many options to choose from.
Best tax software to get the job done yourself
Two things in life are guaranteed: Death and taxes. Unless you’re an accountant, you’ll likely dread tax season like the rest of us.
The good news is there are multiple programs out there that take the headache out of tax preparation and streamline the process, turning even the most novice employee into a tax professional with the press of a few buttons.
Review: Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro wireless earbuds
Let me start by saying I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to wireless earbuds and over-the-ear headphones when it comes to premium features like active noise cancellation (ANC). For earbuds, arguably the product that comes up most is Apple AirPods Pro. Tap or click here for nine cool AirPods tricks.