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Sleep can be tricky. Some nights, it’s a breeze; others, it’s a battle against a buzzing brain or a snoring roommate. The Kokoon NightBuds step into this chaos as a pair of earbuds designed for folks who want some audio company while winding down at night. They’re not your typical wireless buds, think slim design, a neckband, and some tech that tracks sleep and adjusts audio. But how do they actually hold up in the real world? This review breaks it all down, based on hands-on experiences from folks who’ve tested them out. 

What Are the Kokoon NightBuds?

The Kokoon NightBuds are earbuds built with sleep in mind. They’re not here to compete with your daytime headphones for music or calls, they’re all about helping you nod off. At 5.4mm thick, they’re super slim, designed to sit comfortably in your ears even if you sleep on your side. A coiled neckband connects the two buds, with a small control box that rests at the back of your neck. They come with a soft carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, and four sizes of silicone tips (extra small to large).

The idea is simple: play sounds you pick, cover up outside noise, and switch audio when the heart rate sensor in the right bud detects you’re out. They also track basic sleep data via the MyKokoon app. Priced around $250 (£184-£230 depending on where you shop), they’re not cheap, and they need a smartphone to work properly. Here’s what happens when you put them to the test.

Setting Up the NightBuds

Unboxing and First Thoughts

Opening the box, the NightBuds feel lightweight and minimal. The soft case is handy for tossing them in a bag, though it’s not a charging case, you’ll need to plug them in with the included USB-C cable. The earbuds themselves look a bit odd with their neckband and squiggly wires, but they’re not bulky. The silicone tips come in multiple sizes, which is a relief for anyone who’s ever struggled with earbuds that don’t fit right.

Pairing with the App

To get started, you’ll need the MyKokoon app on your phone. It’s straightforward: download it, pair the buds via Bluetooth, and agree to some terms (privacy policy, terms of use, and Bluetooth access). The app’s your control center, think sound options, sleep tracking, and a wake-up alarm. It only works with Kokoon devices, so don’t expect it to play nice with other earbuds. Setup takes a few minutes, and then you’re ready to roll.

How They Feel in Real Life

The Comfort Factor

Comfort’s a big deal when you’re wearing something all night. The NightBuds are thin enough to avoid that awful ear pressure you get with chunkier buds, especially for side sleepers. The silicone tips are soft and squishy, and finding the right size makes a difference. That said, the first night or two can be a little awkward. Some folks wake up with sore ears or find the buds tangled in the sheets after a restless night. After a few tries, though, they start to feel more familiar, less like something foreign, more like just another nighttime thing.

The neckband sits at the base of your neck, and the coiled wires loop around your ears. It’s meant to keep everything in place, and it mostly does. No one’s reported choking hazards, but there’s a chance a tip might pop off if you’re a wild sleeper, keep an eye on those sheets.

Battery Life in Action

Kokoon says these buds last at least 10 hours on a full charge. In practice, that’s about right, enough for a night plus some morning lounging. But it’s not perfect. Forget to turn them off, and you’re charging them daily. There’s no charging case like some competitors have, so you’re stuck plugging them into a USB-C port every couple of days. It’s not a hassle if you’re on top of it, but miss a charge, and you’re out of luck when you need them most.

Sound and Features

What You Can Listen To

The NightBuds let you play audio while you’re settling in for the night. The MyKokoon app offers a small library of soundscapes, meditations, and wake-up tracks, split into categories like “Going to Sleep” or “Feeling Anxious.” It’s not a huge selection, and some options feel repetitive or too short (like the three-minute morning tracks). If you’re picky, you might run through it fast.

The good news? You’re not stuck with just the app’s stuff. Pair it with Spotify, Audible, or whatever you’re into, and you can listen to your own podcasts, playlists, or audiobooks. You can even layer the app’s white, pink, or brown noise over your audio if you like the combo. It’s a flexible setup that works if you’ve got a go-to sleep sound already.

Noise Masking, Not Canceling

These buds don’t have active noise cancellation, they use noise masking instead. That means they play dynamic sounds to cover up things like barking dogs or a partner’s snoring. It’s not perfect silence, but it does the trick for most everyday disturbances. The silicone tips help block some noise too, though don’t expect them to hush everything. They’re built for sleep, not for drowning out a busy train ride.

The Audio Fade Trick

Here’s where the NightBuds get clever. A heart rate sensor in the right bud notices a change and fades your audio, like a podcast or meditation, into colored noise. It’s seamless when it works, so you don’t hear a loud story playing after you’ve zoned out. Not everyone notices it kick in, but it’s a neat touch for folks who like a smooth audio switch at night.

Wake-Up Alarm

You can set an in-ear alarm through the app, meant to wake you gently without bothering anyone else. It’s a cool idea, but it doesn’t always deliver. Some folks sleep right through it, especially if they’re deep snoozers. A sunrise clock or louder alarm might still win out here.

Sleep Tracking: What You Get

How It Works

The NightBuds track sleep using a heart rate sensor and motion detection. The app shows a pie chart of your sleep stages, light, deep, REM, and an overall “sleep efficiency” score. It’s basic stuff, not a deep dive. It uses a method called photoplethysmography (PPG), where light measures blood flow in your ear to guess your heart rate and sleep stage. The ear’s a solid spot for this, but the data isn’t always spot-on.

What You See

Each morning, you get a snapshot: how long you slept, when you fell asleep, and a rough breakdown of stages. There’s an “Insights” tab for trends, but it only goes back two weeks and keeps things simple. Sometimes, the app misses chunks of the night or fails to sync, leaving gaps. It’s not as detailed as a smartwatch or fitness tracker, no heart rate variability or stress stats here.

Is It Useful?

For someone just curious about their night, it’s fine. You’ll see a basic rundown of how long you were out or if you moved a lot. But if you want nitty-gritty details or long-term patterns, it’s too barebones. It’s more of a bonus than a reason to buy these buds.

Living with the NightBuds

Day-to-Day Use

After the initial adjustment, the NightBuds fit into a routine pretty well. Pop them in, pick your sound, and let them do their thing. They’re not for daytime use, sound quality’s okay but not great, and the neckband’s awkward for calls or walking around. Charge them every couple of nights, and you’re set. They’re most handy for those off nights when sleep’s dodging you, not an everyday must-have.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

What Stands Out

1. Slim Design: Thin buds work for side sleepers once you get used to them.

2. Your Audio, Your Way: Play whatever you want, not just the app’s library.

3. Audio Fade: Fades out when you’re asleep, switching to noise masking.

What Falls Short

1. Small Content Library: The app’s built-in options are limited and repetitive.

2. Spotty Sleep Tracking: Misses data sometimes and keeps it basic.

3. No Charging Case: You’re tethered to a cable every few days.

How They Stack Up

1. 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

2. Bose Sleepbuds II: Thicker but polished, with a charging case and better preloaded sounds. No custom audio, though.

3. 1MORE ComfoBuds Z: Cheaper, doubles as regular earbuds, and has a shut-off timer. Less sleep-focused.

4. HoomBand Wireless: A headband instead of earbuds, comfier for some, with more audio options via its app.

The NightBuds mix sleep tracking and flexible audio in a way others don’t, but they’re not the slickest at either.

Conclusion

So, where do the Kokoon NightBuds land after all this? They’re a quirky little gadget that tries to tackle sleep from a couple of angles: soothing sounds and a peek at your night’s rest. For someone who sometimes struggles to settle in, they’re a handy gadget to keep on the nightstand, especially if you enjoy messing with your nighttime audio. The slim design and audio fade trick are neat touches, but the spotty sleep tracking and lack of a charging case might leave some folks wanting more. They’re not a one-size-fits-all fix, but they’ve got their place for the right person.

It really boils down to what you need and what you’re willing to spend. At $250, they’re a bit of a splurge, and they won’t replace your go-to headphones or a hardcore fitness tracker. But for those who’ve tried other gadgets and want something different, the NightBuds bring a new angle to check out. They’re not perfect, but they’re a solid buddy for tweaking your nighttime routine.

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