Sleenova SoundMask Review: Sleep Mask Speakers Avoid Ear Pressure, but Leak Sound

The reviewer wrote that no matter how small sleep earbuds become, they tend to create pressure in the ears while sleeping on one's side, which can be uncomfortable. With the SoundMask, the speakers sit next to the ears rather than sealing against them, and the reviewer reported no pressure on the ears while listening to audio, including when sleeping on one's side.

The mask's comfort comes from a contoured cavity that lifts the fabric off the eyes entirely, allowing the wearer to blink and move their eyes without anything rubbing against them, according to the review. Ample padding around the eyes and nose let the reviewer sleep face-down into a pillow without discomfort, and the mask blocked out light well enough that nothing could be seen even in a fully lit room. A back velcro strap kept the mask snug enough that it did not slide around during sleep.

The review said the two speakers required some fiddling to align with the ears the first time. Users must move the speakers under cloth slits, place the mask on the face to check alignment and repeat as needed. Because a velcro-like material holds the speakers in place once positioned, the review described this as a one-time adjustment rather than a nightly routine.

The reviewer also found that the SoundMask could get a little hot on the face. The material is not especially breathable and warms up after a while, which the review said might be welcome in winter but led to more sweating during the tail end of summer. The electronic components can be removed, and the fabric portion can be washed in a machine inside the included mesh bag.

For audio, the SoundMask can pair to a phone like regular Bluetooth headphones and stream music, podcasts or audiobooks. It can also download soundscape presets from the Sleenova app for offline playback, a feature the review called handy when a phone is not nearby or on an airplane without Wi-Fi. The companion app was described as simple and easy to use, with Sleep mode and Nap mode each offering their own timer and optional alarm. Onboard controls in the front control unit allow play, pause and volume adjustment without reaching for a phone in the dark.

Because the two speakers sit just outside the ears rather than using sealed ear tips, the listening experience is closer to open earbuds or open-back headphones, the review said. Sound quality over Bluetooth was decent for music, not impressive but good enough to drift off to a light song or podcast at bedtime. Offline soundscapes also sounded pretty good, with water effects coming across as the most natural. The reviewer enjoyed the Stream Flow and Heavy Rain presets most, while the Fireplace preset sounded muffled and washed out, with no clear crackles.

The open design also means a fair bit of sound leakage. A partner lying next to the wearer will be able to hear what is playing, especially at 50% volume or higher, according to the review. Because there is no seal against the ear canal, the mask does not block out noise very well and will not be much help in drowning out a loud snoring partner. The review concluded that the Sleenova SoundMask is worth a look for people whose ears have been left sore by sleep earbuds or who have never found a good fit, trading some noise isolation and sound leakage for a more comfortable way to sleep night after night.