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Noise has a way of creeping into life when you least want it. Think of a roommate’s thunderous snoring, the low hum of traffic outside, or a neighbor’s dog that’s apparently training for the barking Olympics. The QuietOn 2 earbuds were built to take on everyday noise, mixing active noise cancellation with a techy spin on traditional earplugs. They’re not around anymore, discontinued as newer versions took their place, but they left an impression worth exploring. This isn’t about selling you on them; it’s about laying out what they were like to use, based on real people giving them a spin. From unboxing to late-night testing, here’s the full scoop on how these tiny buds held up in the wild.

Unpacking the QuietOn 2 Experience

What Came in the Package

When someone got their hands on a QuietOn 2 set back in the day, it arrived in a compact, no-frills box. Inside was everything you’d need to get started: a charging case, the earbuds themselves, a short micro-USB cable, and a few extra silicone tips in small, medium, and large sizes. There was also a little instruction booklet, printed in several languages, which came in handy for anyone who likes a quick how-to. The case had a solid feel to it, not too hefty, just enough to seem sturdy, and featured a slot on the back for the cable. Nothing about it screamed complicated; it was all laid out in a way that felt approachable from the jump.

First Look and Feel

Straight out of the box, the QuietOn 2 earbuds stood out for their size, or lack of it. They were noticeably smaller than the wireless buds people typically popped in for tunes, which made sense since they skipped the speakers and Bluetooth tech. The design kept things basic: a hard plastic shell paired with soft silicone tips that fit into your ear canal. The charging case had a couple of blue LED lights on the front, blinking on when the earbuds were charging and switching off when done. It wasn’t a showy setup, but testers noted it had a practical vibe, like something you’d leave on your bedside table without a second thought.

Charging Basics

Setting them up to charge was pretty simple. You’d plug the case into a USB port using the included micro-USB cable, and the earbuds would power up while nestled inside. It took about an hour to get them fully charged, and they were rated to last around 20 hours on a single go. The catch? The case didn’t have its own battery, so you needed a power source nearby, think a laptop, a phone charger, or even a power bank if you were on the move. No wall adapter came with it, but most folks already had something lying around. Testers liked that the long battery life meant less frequent charging, though there was no heads-up when the juice ran low; the noise cancellation just cut out without warning.

The Discontinued Factor

One thing to note right off the bat: the QuietOn 2 isn’t something you can grab off a shelf anymore. It’s been discontinued, replaced by newer models like the QuietOn 3.1. That doesn’t change what it was, a niche gadget aimed at noise-weary folks, but it does mean this review is more of a look back than a shopping guide. People who tested it did so when it was still fresh, and their experiences still shed light on what it brought to the table before it bowed out.

Fitting Them In, Literally

Figuring Out the Fit

Getting the QuietOn 2 to sit right in your ears took a bit of trial and error. They came with three tip sizes - small, medium, and large - and swapping them wasn’t the smoothest process; the tips could feel fiddly to pop off and on. The key was to push the silicone tip into your ear canal, then twist the earbud backward until it locked in snugly. Everyone’s ears are shaped differently, so testers had mixed results. Some swore by the large tips for a tighter seal, while others found medium did the trick. If they weren’t seated properly, the noise-blocking took a noticeable hit, so spending a minute adjusting was time well spent.

Comfort Over Time

When it came to wearing them, comfort depended a lot on what you were doing. Sitting upright or lying flat on your back? No big deal. Testers wore them for hours, working at a desk, napping on the couch, or just kicking back, and found them easy to forget about. The soft tips helped, and their small size meant they didn’t jut out or press awkwardly against your ears. But flip to your side, and it was a different story. The hard plastic body could dig into the ear resting on a pillow, especially if you moved around. Some testers ended up popping one out and just using the earbud on the “up” side, which felt less intrusive.

That Annoying Movement Noise

Here’s something quirky that popped up: when the earbuds shifted against a pillow, the tight seal turned small movements into loud ones. Testers described it as a rustling or thumping sound right in their ear canal, amplified by the snug fit. It wasn’t a constant issue, but if you’re someone who tosses and turns at night, it stood out enough to be distracting. Not a flaw, just one of those real-world quirks you notice when you’re trying to settle in.

Adjusting On the Fly

Another detail testers picked up on was how the fit could shift during use. If an earbud loosened up, say, from rolling over in bed, it let more noise slip through. A quick twist to reseat it usually fixed things, but it was one more thing to think about if you were aiming for consistent quiet. The lesson? Fit wasn’t just a one-and-done step; it needed occasional attention.

Tackling Noise - What They Could (and Couldn’t) Do

The Noise-Blocking Setup

The QuietOn 2 had a two-pronged approach to noise. First, the silicone tips physically blocked sound by filling your ear canal, much like standard earplugs. Second, they layered on active noise cancellation, small tech inside each bud listened to outside sounds and worked to counteract them. They were built with low-frequency noises in mind, like the rumble of an airplane engine or a far-off TV, rather than high-pitched stuff like car horns or sirens.

Putting Them to the Test

Testers ran these earbuds through a bunch of everyday situations to see how they held up. Here’s what they found:

1. Steady background noise: In a room with an air conditioner or purifier humming, the earbuds dialed down the drone. It didn’t vanish completely, but it got quieter, enough that it felt less in-your-face.

2. Music playback: With a track looping at moderate volume, they cut the sound more than foam earplugs but fell short of over-ear headphones. Lower bass tones faded better than mids or highs, which still peeked through.

3. Snoring nearby: When a partner let loose with some snores, the noise softened but didn’t disappear. How much it dropped depended on the snore’s volume and closeness, louder, closer ones still cut through the tech.

4. Street sounds: Cars rolling by sounded muffled, though sharp beeps or honks punched past the cancellation. It was a noticeable dip, just not a total blackout.

Fit played a huge role here. If the earbuds weren’t snug, more noise leaked in, so testers had to tweak them now and then to keep things dialed in.

The Mode-Switching Feature

Each earbud had a tiny button between its charging pins, letting you flip between “silent” mode (noise cancellation on) and “hearing” mode (more outside sound allowed in). It was easy to find by touch, and the switch was instant, you could hear the difference right away. Some testers liked using it during the day, flipping to silent to mute a noisy space and back to hearing for a quick chat. Others just pulled them out instead. Either way, it worked independently per ear, which gave it some flexibility.

Limits of the Tech

One thing testers noticed: these weren’t miracle workers. They handled low, steady sounds better than sudden, sharp ones. A distant truck rumble? Muted nicely. A siren wailing down the block? Still audible. The makers were upfront about this focus on lower frequencies, and the real-world results lined up with that. It wasn’t about silencing everything; it was about taking the edge off certain noises.

Day vs. Night - Where They Shined (or Didn’t)

Daytime Use Cases

During the day, the QuietOn 2 surprised some testers with how useful they could be. Wearing them while working at home dulled background distractions, think AC units humming or faint TV noise from another room. The mode-switching came in clutch here; you could block out the chatter, then flip to hear someone without fussing with them. Their small size meant they didn’t look out of place if you stepped outside, and that 20-hour battery life kept them going through a full day. For folks in noisy environments, they offered a low-key way to tune out the world.

Nighttime Reality

At night, it was a mixed bag. If you slept on your back, testers found them comfy enough to wear for hours, softening sounds like traffic or a whirring fan. The small size and soft tips made them less bulky than headphones, which was a plus. But side sleepers hit a wall. That hard plastic shell pressed into the ear against a pillow, and shifting around made it worse. Some stuck to using just one in the ear facing up, which cut less noise but avoided the discomfort. Compared to foam earplugs, they didn’t always block as much sound, though folks who hated the expanding feel of foam found these a better fit.

The Travel Angle

No one got to test these on a plane, 2020 travel restrictions put a damper on that, but sitting upright seemed like their wheelhouse. Testers figured they’d soften engine noise on a flight without the side-sleeping hassle, and their compact case made them easy to toss in a bag. For back sleepers or nappers in a reclined seat, they could’ve been a solid pick. Since they’re discontinued now, that’s more of a “what if” than a practical tip.

Comparing to Alternatives

Testers couldn’t help but stack them against other options. Foam earplugs, with high noise reduction ratings like 33 decibels, often outperformed them for raw sound-blocking, especially at a fraction of the cost. But the QuietOn 2 had an edge for people who couldn’t stand foam’s pressure or preferred something reusable with a tech twist. Wax or silicone earplugs fell somewhere in between, less techy, but sometimes comfier for certain ears.

The Nuts and Bolts

How They Operated

Using the QuietOn 2 was about as simple as it gets. Pull them out of the case, and they powered on automatically. Pop them back in, and they shut off. No app, no extra buttons, just that mode switch on each bud. Charging happened inside the case, with those blue LEDs showing the status. One downside testers flagged: there was no clear way to tell if they were on or running low unless you were wearing them and noticed the noise cancellation quit. It was a bare-bones setup that didn’t overcomplicate things.

Price Point Back Then

When they were still on the market, the QuietOn 2 went for around $199 (or 199€/£179, depending on your region). That put them in the same ballpark as noise-canceling earbuds like Apple’s AirPods Pro or Sony’s WF-1000XM4, which also handled music and calls. For a device that only blocked noise, it was a hefty ask, especially next to foam earplugs that cost a couple bucks. They did come with a 30-day return policy, so you could give them a shot and bail if they didn’t work out. Now that they’re discontinued, that price is just a historical footnote.

Design and Storage Vibes

The earbuds had a sleek, understated look, small and simple, with a case that kept them organized. Testers liked that they charged inside the case rather than dangling loose on a cable; it felt tidier and less likely to end up lost under furniture. If style mattered to you, they looked a bit sharper than foam plugs, though that’s not exactly a priority when the lights are off. The case’s magnetic inserts ensured the earbuds stayed put, which was a small but appreciated touch.

Why Discontinued?

While the exact reasons they’re off the market aren’t spelled out here, it’s safe to say newer models like the QuietOn 3.1 took over with tweaks, smaller size, longer battery, better comfort. The QuietOn 2 paved the way but didn’t stick around. Testers’ experiences still hold value, though, showing what worked and what didn’t before the next generation rolled in.

A Different Approach to Quiet

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 final word on the QuietOn 2? They were a cool experiment in cutting out noise without all the extra fluff. Testers liked them for back sleepers or daytime use, noting they dulled sounds like humming AC units or distant traffic, though side sleepers often found the plastic shell tricky. They’re off the market now, replaced by fancier options like the Ozlo Sleepbuds, but they proved there’s room for simple gadgets that cut down noise. It really came down to what you needed, simple quiet or something with more tricks up its sleeve.

Looking back, the QuietOn 2 had its fans, folks who liked the no-fuss vibe and long battery life, and others who stuck with cheaper foam plugs or moved on to newer tech. It wasn’t a one-size-fits-all deal, and that’s okay. Their story’s a reminder that even discontinued gadgets can leave a mark, giving us a peek at what works when the world won’t hush up.

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