Ozlo Sleepbuds Review: They're Back and I've Slept Wonderfully.

Bose's Sleepbuds are back, but with a notable change. After Bose decided to discontinue this product in 2023, three former engineers from the company decided to acquire the technology and relaunch the device under the name Ozlo. Although these earbuds were already available through a crowdfunding campaign, they can now be officially purchased for a price of $299.

Fans of Bose's Sleepbuds will be pleased to know that the new Ozlo earbuds retain the standout features of the originals, but with a significant improvement: it's now possible to play your own content, in addition to a limited selection of white noise sounds. An interesting feature allows the earbuds to automatically switch from the currently playing content to white noise sounds once they detect that you have fallen asleep.

The results on the nights I've tried them have been variable. Some nights I managed to fall asleep listening to an audiobook and briefly woke up to the sound of a stream, which was a success. However, on other occasions, I woke up without remembering what had happened, even though I had progressed several chapters in my book.

The design of the new Sleepbuds has not changed much. At first glance, they are almost identical to the originals, except for the Ozlo logo on the case instead of Bose's. If you liked Bose's Sleepbuds, you'll be pleased to know that these are just as comfortable. Although the experience may vary from person to person, they are lightweight, and as a side sleeper, I didn't feel any discomfort. Moreover, they didn't fall out of my ear, unlike other models like Anker's.

On the other hand, the Bluetooth pairing process is somewhat complicated. It's necessary to keep the earbuds in the case to pair them before putting them in your ears. Even though they now allow you to listen to personal content, they are still exclusively sleep earbuds, so they cannot be used for calls and lack active noise cancellation. Battery life remains at 10 hours, and it's still possible to set private alarms.

Both the earbuds and the case have biometric sensors for sleep tracking, although this function is not yet active, so I haven't been able to test it. According to a statement from a representative of Ozlo, the buds are equipped with accelerometers, while the case has sensors for light, sound, and temperature. The sleep tracking function is expected to be available in early 2025, allowing for the detection of movement, breathing rate, sleep stages, snoring, disruptions caused by noise, and fluctuations in light and temperature in the room.

One of my main criticisms of the old Bose Sleepbuds was their high price for a product designed solely for sleep. The new Ozlo Sleepbuds cost $50 more, reaching $299, although they include more technology. Additionally, Ozlo offers an experimental beta program called Ozlo Flex, which allows you to "subscribe" to the buds for $20 a month with the option to cancel anytime and make returns free of charge. Those who choose to pay the full price will not have to pay a subscription.

I still need more time with the Ozlo Sleepbuds to issue a definitive verdict, especially because the sleep tracking is not available yet. However, I have already enjoyed some good nights of sleep and can't help but wish them the best. It is uncommon for products that have been discontinued in the past to return, let alone come back improved. There are still certain details that need adjustment, but overall, fans of the old Bose Sleepbuds have reasons to be excited.