Bose Sleepbuds 3 Review: What We Know So Far

Let’s talk about the Bose Sleepbuds 3, or rather, what’s been buzzing around them lately. Sleep tech is one of those niches that’s got people curious, especially if you’re someone who’s ever tossed and turned thanks to a snoring partner or late-night traffic. Bose made waves with their earlier Sleepbuds, but as of 2025, there’s no official third generation out yet. Still, there’s plenty to unpack from what’s happened with the line so far, and a new player, Ozlo, has stepped in to shake things up. Here’s a deep dive into where things stand, based on real experiences and chatter from users and insiders alike, about earbuds made for nighttime use.

The Sleepbuds Journey So Far

Bose kicked off the Sleepbuds story a while back, aiming to carve out a spot in the sleep tech world. The idea was simple: tiny earbuds you could wear all night that play sounds to cover noise. They weren’t your typical earbuds, no music streaming or phone calls here, just a focused tool for catching Zs.

From First Try to Second Chance

The original Sleepbuds hit the scene around 2018, born out of a crowdfunding campaign that got people excited. They were small, comfy, and played preset sound loops to mask stuff like city noise or a partner’s snores. But things didn’t go smoothly. Battery issues plagued that first version, some users said they’d die too quick or just shut off randomly. By 2019, Bose pulled the plug, offering refunds and admitting the tech wasn’t quite there.

Not ones to give up easily, Bose came back in 2020 with the Sleepbuds II. This time, they switched to nickel-metal hydride batteries for more reliability, promising about 10 hours of juice per night. They kept the flush, lightweight design and added more sound options, like nature tracks and white noise. People liked them better, users reported they stayed put even for side sleepers, but sales still didn’t take off. Within months, Bose quietly shelved them again, leaving fans wondering what’s next.

Why They Faded Out

So why didn’t the Sleepbuds stick around? Bose hasn’t spilled exact numbers (they’re a private company, after all), but it seems they didn’t catch on with enough people. A spokesperson told The Verge in 2023 that despite a loyal fanbase, adoption just wasn’t high enough. They decided to focus on their heavy hitters, think noise-canceling headphones and speakers, instead of pouring more into this quirky side project. It’s a shame for the diehards, but it left the door open for something new.

Ozlo Sleepbuds: The Next Chapter After Bose Sleepbuds II

Okay, so Bose stepped back from the Sleepbuds game, but the story didn’t end there.Picking up where the Sleepbuds II left off, Ozlo’s version takes the core idea - tiny earbuds built for sleep - and makes it better with more flexibility and a few smart upgrades. Think of it as the sequel Bose didn’t make, but one that keeps the spirit alive with some fresh tricks up its sleeve.

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

How They Stack Up to Bose’s Past

Compared to the Sleepbuds II, Ozlo’s take feels like a step forward in flexibility. Bose stuck to a tight script, only their sounds, no streaming, no tracking. Ozlo’s buds open things up, letting you customize your audio while adding some basic sleep insights. The catch? They still skip active noise cancellation (ANC), relying on sound masking and a snug fit to block noise, just like Bose did.

Living with the Sleepbuds: Real User Vibes

What’s it actually like to use these things? Drawing from folks who’ve tried the Bose Sleepbuds II and Ozlo’s new buds, here’s the lowdown, straight from the trenches.

Comfort Factor

Both versions nail the basics: they’re small, light, and don’t jut out, so side sleepers aren’t left wincing. The Sleepbuds II, at just 1.35 grams each, sit snug with multiple tip sizes to pick from. Users say they barely notice them after a while, and they don’t slip out during a restless night. Ozlo’s buds follow suit, same flush fit, same soft tips. One Redditor from r/bose mentioned loving the originals until they crapped out, and early Ozlo adopters seem to agree the comfort holds up.

Noise Blocking

Neither Bose nor Ozlo go for ANC, so don’t expect silence like you’d get from high-end headphones. Instead, they play sounds to cover up the racket, think waves, static, or rustling leaves. The Sleepbuds II did this well for lighter stuff like traffic hum or faint snoring, but heavier noises could sneak through if the volume wasn’t cranked. Ozlo’s buds keep that approach but let you pick your own audio, so you might find a track that works better for your specific noise woes. It’s not perfect, but it’s solid for most everyday disturbances.

Battery Life Realities

Bose promised 10 hours with the Sleepbuds II, and most users got close, around 8 to 10, depending on volume. The case added another 30 or so hours total. But some griped about drain issues; one guy on Reddit said his died at 6.5 hours after two years, waking him up when the sound cut out. Ozlo’s aiming for the same 10-hour mark, with a case that stretches it to 40 hours. Early feedback suggests they hit that target fresh out of the box, though long-term wear-and-tear stories are still trickling in.

Charging Quirks

The charging case is a mixed bag. Bose’s sleek aluminum puck was a fan favorite, smooth to open, clear lights to show status, but some noticed battery drain even when idle. Ozlo’s case looks similar, just with their logo swapped in, and adds those environmental sensors. It’s got the same magnetic snap for the buds, but no one’s reported weird drain yet. Still, it’s early days, time will tell if it holds up.

The Tech Behind the Buds

Peeking under the hood, both Bose and Ozlo lean on some clever engineering to keep things small and functional.

Sound Setup

The Sleepbuds II used Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to transfer sounds from the app to the buds, where they’d play from onboard memory, no constant streaming needed. Ozlo does the same but ups the ante by letting you send any audio over Bluetooth, not just their library. Sound quality? It’s decent, clear enough for sleep tracks, though don’t expect it to rival your daytime earbuds. Ozlo’s demo at a Manhattan event (per The Verge) showed it’s not audiophile-grade, but it gets the job done.

Sleep Tracking Basics

Ozlo’s big add-on is those biometric sensors. They’re watching your movement and breathing to guess when you’re asleep and what stage you’re in, light, deep, REM, that sort of thing. The case chips in with room data: how loud it is, how warm, how bright. It all feeds into their app for a morning report. Bose never touched this stuff, sticking strictly to sound. Ozlo’s not claiming it’s lab-accurate, but it’s a handy extra if you’re curious about your nights.

The Catch: Limits and Trade-Offs

No tech’s perfect, and these buds have their quirks. Here’s what you’re signing up for.

• No ANC, No Calls: Both Bose and Ozlo skip active noise cancellation, so they’re not silencing the world, just covering it up. If you’re in a super loud spot, they might not cut it. And forget using them for anything but sleep; no mics, no call-taking, no daytime versatility. Bose locked you into their app’s sounds, while Ozlo lets you stream, but they’re still sleep-first gadgets.

• Battery Life Questions: Ten hours sounds great, covers most nights, but some Bose users saw that dip over time. Ozlo’s new batteries aim to dodge past glitches, but it’s too soon to say if they’ll last years without fading. The case helps, but if you’re off-grid for days, you’ll need to plan ahead.

• App Dependency: You’re tied to an app with both. Bose’s Sleep app was simple: pick a sound, set a timer, done. Ozlo’s does more, audio choices, sleep stats, but you still need your phone nearby to tweak things unless you preload and go phone-free. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a step some might trip over.

Who’s This For?

So, who’s the target here? It’s pretty specific.

1. Light Sleepers: If every creak or car horn bothers you, these play sounds to cover them.

2. Side Sleepers: The flush fit’s a win if you’re on your side all night.

3. Tech Curious: Ozlo’s sleep tracking could scratch that itch if you like data.

4. Audio Picky: With Ozlo, you’re not stuck with someone else’s sound picks.

If you just want music buds or total silence via ANC, look elsewhere. These are for folks who need a nudge to snooze.

Conclusion

So, where does that leave the Bose Sleepbuds 3 story? As of 2025, Bose hasn’t dropped an official third version, and it looks like they’ve handed the reins to Ozlo for now. The Sleepbuds II gave people a taste of what tiny, sleep-focused earbuds could do: solid comfort, decent noise masking, and a straightforward approach to quiet nights. Ozlo’s taken that and run with it, tossing in audio streaming and some sleep tracking extras while keeping the core vibe intact. Neither version’s perfect, battery life’s a question mark over time, and they won’t hush a loud world like some fancy headphones might, but they’ve got a niche carved out for folks who like audio options at night.

For anyone keeping an eye on this, it’s less about a big reveal and more about what’s already on the table. Ozlo’s buds are out there, building on Bose’s groundwork, and they’re worth a look if the idea of earbuds made just for sleep clicks with you. It’s a small corner of tech that’s still figuring itself out, and whether it’s Bose or Ozlo carrying the torch, the focus stays on keeping things simple and cozy for those restless nights.

FAQs