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Ever tried falling asleep while the neighbor’s dog barks or your partner scrolls through loud videos? It’s tough. That’s where something like the HoomBand Bluetooth Headband fits into the picture. It’s a fabric band with tiny speakers built in, designed for listening to audio in bed without the hassle of regular headphones. They’ve been giving it a go, and it’s got some neat tricks up its sleeve. No bulky earbuds digging into your ears, just a soft strip of fabric that streams stories, sounds, or whatever else helps quiet the mind. Here’s what they found after putting it through its paces.

Breaking Down the HoomBand Basics

The HoomBand isn’t your average pair of headphones. It’s built for people who like audio in bed, whether that’s for winding down or blocking out noise. Let’s unpack what it’s all about.

What You Get in the Box

When they unboxed it, here’s what they found:

1. The Headband Itself: A stretchy fabric band with flat speakers tucked inside.

2. A Charging Cable: It’s a micro-USB (not USB-C, which some might notice).

3. An App Access Code: This unlocks a bunch of audio content tied to the HoomBand app.

It’s pretty straightforward, nothing fancy, just the essentials to get started.

How It’s Put Together

The headband’s made from a 3D mesh fabric that’s soft and light. It’s designed to feel breathable, so your head doesn’t get all sweaty overnight. Inside, there’s a thin layer of foam wrapping the speakers, which are super flat, barely noticeable, even if you’re lying on your side. The whole thing weighs about 54 grams, so it’s not like wearing a helmet to bed. Plus, it’s hand-washable in cool water, which is handy since it’ll pick up some grime over time.

They noticed it comes in two sizes: Small and Medium/Large. It’s stretchy, but not infinitely so, folks with bigger heads might find it a snug fit. The Bluetooth 5.0 module sits in there too, letting it connect wirelessly to your phone or tablet without cords getting tangled in the sheets.

Getting It Set Up and Running

Setting up the HoomBand isn’t rocket science, but it takes a couple of steps. Here’s how they got it going.

Pairing It Up

It uses Bluetooth 5.0, so it hooks up to most phones or tablets that support it, think Android 7 or higher, or iOS 10+ (iPhone 5S and up). They turned it on with a little power button tucked into the band, paired it through their device’s Bluetooth settings, and it was good to go. The connection held steady, no dropouts during their testing.

Charging the Thing

The battery lasts about 10 hours after a 2-hour charge via micro-USB. They plugged it in with the included green cable, nothing special, just a standard setup. Some folks might wish it was USB-C, especially if they’ve got a bedside full of those cables already. Charging it in the morning worked fine to keep it ready for night.

Adjusting the Fit

The speakers can slide around inside the foam layer. They flipped the band inside out, moved the speakers to line up with their ears, and it took maybe five minutes tops. Not a big deal, though it might feel fiddly the first time.

The Audio Experience: What’s It Sound Like?

The HoomBand’s whole point is audio, so how does it hold up? They tried it with the app and other stuff too.

The HoomBand App Content

The app comes with a bunch of free audio, over 100 hours, according to the box. Here’s what’s on offer:

• Hypnotic Stories: These mix storytelling with a slow, calming vibe. They start with an intro, ease into relaxation techniques like breathing or body scans, then fade out. The app shuts off when the story ends.

• Guided Meditations: Focused on breathing and unwinding, these are shorter but follow a similar chill pattern.

• Ambient Sounds: Think rain, waves, or binaural beats. These loop all night if you want, good for drowning out background noise.

• White Noise: Steady, continuous tracks, like a fan hum or soft static, that keep playing till you stop them.

They found the stories engaging enough to follow but mellow enough that they felt ready to wind down after 10-15 minutes. The ambient stuff was hit-or-miss, some liked it, others didn’t. You can download tracks for offline use, which is clutch for travel when Wi-Fi’s spotty.

Using It with Other Apps

It’s not locked to the HoomBand app. They streamed YouTube, Spotify, podcasts, even Netflix through it. The sound quality’s solid, clear enough for voices and music, though don’t expect booming bass. It’s quiet enough that someone sleeping next to you won’t hear it, even at higher volumes.

How It Sounds in Practice

The flat speakers don’t press into your ears like earbuds do. They’re soft, tucked under foam, and the sound stays personal. They noticed it blocks some outside noise, not everything, but enough to muffle a snoring partner or street traffic when paired with white noise.

Wearing It: Comfort and Quirks

So, what’s it like to actually sleep with this thing on? They wore it for a few nights to find out.

First Impressions

At first, it feels a bit like a forehead blanket - warm, but not unbearable. They turned down the room’s heat, and it got way more comfortable. After a couple of nights, they barely noticed it was there. Side sleepers didn’t feel the speakers digging in, thanks to how thin they are.

Fit and Feel Over Time

The fabric’s soft and stretchy, but it’s not perfect for every head size. They tried the Medium/Large, and it fit snugly without slipping off. The breathable mesh kept their head cool enough, though it might take a night or two to get used to the sensation. Washing it by hand was no hassle just cool water and a quick dry.

Little Annoyances

The micro-USB charging port bugged them a bit, USB-C would’ve matched their other gear better. Also, picking audio in the app can be a slog if you’re indecisive. They spent 10 minutes scrolling once, only to conk out shortly after hitting play.

Real People, Real Thoughts

They dug into what others have said about the HoomBand. Here’s a roundup of experiences, took from official HoomBand website:

1. David S. (May 2023): He wanted something to listen to while falling asleep - music, stories, whatever. He found it did the job without bothering him in bed.

2. Holly B. (June 2022): Her boyfriend used it to watch YouTube on the couch, but now he’s back in bed with it. She uses it for hypnosis tracks and likes it too.

3. J. Earl (April 2020): A lifelong headphone sleeper, he said it’s way comfier than regular ones and loves the app’s stories.

4. Ricky M. (April 2020): He needs steady noise to sleep, and this fits the bill - calming and consistent.

Most folks seem to agree it’s comfy and practical, especially if you’re already into bedtime audio.

How It Fits Into Everyday Life

The HoomBand isn’t just for sleep. They tested it in a few other scenarios.

• Travel Companion: On a plane or train, it’s a lightweight way to listen without earbuds falling out. The offline mode’s a bonus, no Wi-Fi, no problem. They used it for podcasts during a long ride, and it held up.

• Relaxation or Meditation: It works for yoga or chilling out too. They played some guided meditations from the app while stretching, and the headband stayed put without feeling bulky.

• Blocking Noise: If your roommate’s loud or the street’s busy, the white noise loops play over it.  They found it cut down on distractions, though it’s not a total soundproof fix.

Things That Could Be Better

Nothing’s perfect. Here’s what they noticed could use a tweak:

• Charging Port: Micro-USB feels dated. USB-C would be smoother for most people’s setups.

• App Navigation: A “random play” button would save time for those who overthink their picks.

• Size Options: Only two sizes might leave some folks out, more variety could help.

Noise-Busting Alternative

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

Conclusion

So, what’s the takeaway after kicking the tires on the HoomBand Bluetooth Headband? They found it’s a handy little gadget for anyone who enjoys audio at night. It’s not about grand promises, just a comfy fabric band with speakers for listening to stories, white noise, or your favorite podcast without dealing with earbuds or bulky headphones. They liked how it fits into daily life, whether that’s drowning out a noisy roommate, chilling on a plane, or stretching out with some meditation tracks. The app’s got a solid lineup of content, and the battery keeps it going all night after a quick charge. Sure, the micro-USB feels a bit old-school, and picking audio can take a minute if you’re picky, but it does what it’s meant to do without much fuss.

For folks who already enjoy audio before bed, it’s a convenient alternative to traditional setups. They noticed it’s not trying to be everything to everyone, just a simple tool that works if you vibe with audio to relax. Compared to something like the Ozlo Sleepbuds, which go all-in on tiny earbuds and fancy sensors, the HoomBand keeps things low-key with its headband design. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about making those quiet moments a little easier to find, wherever you are.

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