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Sleep can be tricky for a lot of folks. Whether it’s a snoring roommate, a noisy street, or just a brain that won’t shut off, getting a decent night’s rest isn’t always straightforward. That’s where the Amazfit ZenBuds come in, small earbuds designed with sleep in mind. They’re not for jamming out to music or catching up on podcasts; instead, they play calming sounds and track how someone sleeps. One tester gave them a whirl to see what they’re all about, and here’s what they found after spending some time with these little gadgets.

What Are the Amazfit ZenBuds?

The ZenBuds hit the scene back in September 2020 after a crowdfunding push on Indiegogo. Now, anyone can grab a pair for $149.99 (or £119 in the UK, AU$229.90 Down Under) straight from Amazfit or places like Amazon. They’re a cheaper option compared to something like the Bose Sleepbuds II, which run closer to $250. So, what’s the deal? These earbuds are tiny, think 1.78 grams each, and come with a charging case that’s got a cool rotating lid. They’re designed to sit in someone’s ears all night, playing preset sounds while quietly collecting sleep data.

How They’re Different from Regular Earbuds

Unlike the wireless buds someone might use for a workout or commute, the ZenBuds don’t stream audio from a phone. There’s no Bluetooth hookup for Spotify or Audible here. Instead, they’ve got a library of built-in soundscapes - rainfall, whale calls, that sort of thing - controlled through the Zepp app. The focus is narrow: muffle some noise, play preset sounds, and track sleep patterns. It’s a gadget with a clear purpose.

Getting Started with the ZenBuds

Out of the box, the ZenBuds feel simple but thoughtful. The tester found a small white case with a silicone ring on the bottom to keep it from sliding around, plus the earbuds themselves, a USB-C cable, and four sizes of silicone tips. Setup’s pretty basic: peel off the battery stickers, let them charge in the case for about an hour, and pair them with the Zepp app on a phone. The app’s where everything happens, picking sounds, checking battery levels, and digging into sleep stats.

First Impressions of the Design

The earbuds are gray, super light, and barely noticeable once they’re in. The silicone tips have little fins that hook into the ear to keep them steady, even during a night of flipping around. The tester tried a few tip sizes before landing on the right fit, smaller ones worked better for side-sleeping without feeling bulky. The case has three LED lights up front to show charge status, and it uses magnets to hold the buds in place. One hiccup: sometimes the right bud didn’t line up perfectly with the charging contacts, so a little nudge was needed to get it going.

How They Work at Night

Once they’re charged and ready, the ZenBuds start doing their thing as soon as they’re pulled from the case. No buttons, no fuss, they just play whatever sound was last picked in the app. The tester found this handy; no need to mess with a phone right before bed. Here’s a rundown of what they do:

1. Sound Options: The Zepp app offers a bunch of choices - pink noise, forest birds, beach waves, even a snoring cat. Each clip is long enough that it doesn’t feel like it’s looping over and over.

2. Playback Modes: There’s “Unlimited” (up to 8 hours or until the battery dies), a timed option (15 minutes to 4 hours), or “Smart Playback,” which stops the sound once it detects sleep.

3. Noise Blocking: They don’t have active noise cancellation, but the silicone tips muffle outside sounds decently, think traffic or light chatter, though loud snoring might still sneak through.

Using the Zepp App

The app’s the control center. It shows each bud’s battery level, lets someone tweak the volume (even down to a whisper-quiet 5%), and offers a “Music Library” with extra sounds like ASMR or flute melodies. Downloading new clips takes a few minutes, but once they’re on the buds, switching between them is quick. There’s also a “Rest” mode for short naps and a “Focus” mode that acts like a timer for work breaks, handy for daytime use if someone’s into that.

Setting an Alarm

One neat feature: the buds can play a soft in-ear alarm. It’s subtle enough not to jolt anyone awake or bother someone else in the room. Tapping the buds or popping them back in the case turns it off. The tester liked that it didn’t rely on a phone blaring across the nightstand.

What It’s Like to Sleep with Them

The big question: are they comfy all night? For the tester, the answer was yes. The slim design and soft tips meant no sore ears, even after hours on their side. They stayed put, too, those fins really do their job. Here’s how it broke down:

• Comfort: Barely noticeable, even on a pillow. No morning earaches.

• Sound Experience: The tester picked “beach and waves” and found it relaxing enough to doze off without feeling repetitive.

• Battery Life: The buds last about 8 hours on their own, and the case adds another 56 hours total. A week of use didn’t drain the case completely.

Noise Blocking in Action

The silicone tips cut down on ambient noise, like a neighbor’s TV or wind outside, but they’re not a total soundproof wall. Someone with a partner who snores like a chainsaw might still hear it faintly. The sounds from the buds play over that, especially at a low volume.

Another Option to Try for Comfortable Sleep

Ozlo Sleepbuds®

An amazingly restful and peaceful sleep every night, free from distractions and noise, is the greatest gift you can give!

What are Ozlo Sleepbuds?

Ozlo is a science-driven, one-stop-shop for the best sleep of your life. Unlike other headphones and earbuds, our tiny Sleepbuds® are engineered to be super comfy, even for side sleepers, while blocking out sleep-disrupting sounds.
Sleepbuds® play audio for up to ten hours, letting you enjoy our noise-masking tracks or stream anything you like, including audiobooks, podcasts, white noise, and YouTube.

The Ozlo Difference

At Ozlo, we're dedicated to helping you achieve the best sleep possible through innovative audio solutions. Our company, founded by three former Bose engineers, focuses on creating products that not only help you fall asleep, but stay asleep throughout the night.

Ozlo Sleepbuds® simply don’t feel like other earbuds. Sleepbuds stay in place even when you toss and turn. The tiny earbuds, with their comfortable silicone tips and anchor-in-place wings, are designed for all-night comfort, no matter your sleeping position. Sleep on your back, side, or whatever works for you, and Ozlo Sleepbuds® will remain in place throughout the night.

Key Highlights

• Founded by three former Bose engineers with extensive experience in audio tech
• Sleepbuds® actively mask unwanted sounds like snoring, traffic, and environmental noises with calming, science-backed audio.
• Ultra-soft silicone tips designed to support every sleeping position, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
• Up to 10 hours of continuous use with extra charges from the Smart Case.
• Built-in biometric and environmental sensors offering personalized sleep reports
• Personal alarm gently wakes you without disturbing your partner

Learn More

Tracking Sleep: What the Data Shows

The ZenBuds don’t just play sounds, they keep an eye on sleep, too. Using heart rate sensors and motion detectors, they log details overnight and dump them into the Zepp app by morning. The tester woke up to a breakdown like this:

1. Sleep Stages: Time spent in light sleep, deep sleep, and awake, plus a sleep score out of 100.

2. Position Tracking: How long was spent on the left side, right side, or back (supine). It even counts how many times someone rolled over.

3. Extras: Average heart rate for the night, plus comparisons to other users’ sleep habits.

Digging into the Numbers

The app’s chart showed the tester’s night in chunks, mostly light sleep with some deep stretches and a couple of wake-ups. The position data was spot-on; they spent a lot of time on their back, which lined up with what they already knew. It’s not as detailed as premium fitness trackers (no REM sleep info here), but it’s solid for something this small. One quirk: the heart rate is just an average, not a minute-by-minute graph, which might disappoint data nerds.

What the Insights Mean

The app tosses in some basic tips, like “you fell asleep late” or “deep sleep was short”, with suggestions to tweak bedtime habits. It’s not groundbreaking advice, but it’s a nudge to pay attention. The tester found the position stats coolest; not many gadgets can tell someone they flipped over 10 times without sticking a sensor under the mattress.

Who Might Like These?

The ZenBuds aren’t for everyone, but they fit certain folks like a glove. Here’s a quick list:

• People Who Like Background Noise: If rainfall or frog calls help someone unwind, the sound library’s a win.

• Side Sleepers: The slim fit works even with a head smushed into a pillow.

• Data Curious: Anyone who hates wrist trackers but wants sleep stats might dig this.

Who Might Pass?

On the flip side, they’re not a match for everyone:

• Audiobook Fans: No streaming means no late-night stories.

• Loud Environments: If the goal is total silence, these won’t cut it against heavy noise.

The Nitty-Gritty Details

Here’s the tech rundown straight from the specs:

• Weight: 1.78 grams per bud.

• Battery: 10 mAh in each bud, 280 mAh in the case.

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 BLE to the phone via the app.

• In the Box: Earbuds, case, USB-C cable, four tip sizes.

The tester noticed the buds charge fast, about an hour from empty, and the case keeps them going for days without a plug-in. That silicone ring on the case? Keeps it from sliding off a nightstand, which is a small but smart touch.

Any Downsides?

Nothing’s perfect. The tester ran into a couple of quirks:

• Charging contacts sometimes needed fiddling to connect right.

• The app’s a bit cluttered if someone’s just using the ZenBuds and not other Amazfit gear.

• No custom audio support, it’s the preset library or nothing.

Day-to-Day Thoughts

After a few nights, the tester got a feel for how the ZenBuds fit into life. They’re easy to toss in and forget about until bedtime. The sounds worked well for winding down, and the sleep data was fun to poke through over coffee. For someone who sleeps like a rock anyway, they weren’t life-changing, but for a restless type, they could be a solid tool. The comfort stood out, no ear fatigue, even after 8 hours.

Living with the Case

The rotating lid’s slick, though it takes a second to get used to. The tester liked that it doubles as a storage spot and charger, keeping everything tidy. Those LEDs up front? Simple but clear, three dots mean full, one means it’s time to plug in.

Conclusion

So, what’s the final word on the Amazfit ZenBuds? After messing around with them for a while, the tester figured they’re a pretty neat option for folks who like some background sounds at night. They’re not trying to be everything to everyone, just a small, comfy gadget that plays chill sounds and tracks sleep in a way that’s easy to wrap your head around. The data’s fun to peek at, the design doesn’t bug you while you’re snoozing, and they’re simple enough to fit into a nightly routine without much hassle. Sure, they won’t drown out a freight train or let someone binge their favorite audiobook, but that’s not the gig here. For anyone curious about their sleep patterns or into muffling background noise, the ZenBuds keep it simple and straightforward.

The tester walked away thinking they’re a solid pick for the right person, someone who’s cool with the preset sound library and doesn’t need total silence. At $149, they’re not a budget breaker either, especially next to pricier options out there. It’s less about life-altering magic and more about a straightforward tool that does what it says on the box. Whether they’re worth it depends on what someone’s after, but they definitely bring something to the table for those late-night toss-and-turners or data geeks who’d rather skip the wrist tracker.

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