Picture this: it’s late, the bed’s cozy, but the world outside, or inside, won’t shut up. Maybe it’s a partner’s snoring, the hum of traffic, or an air conditioner rattling downstairs. For anyone who’s tried regular earplugs and still found the noise sneaking through, the QuietOn 3 earbuds might catch their eye. These aren’t your typical earbuds, no playlists or soothing waves here. They’re built for one job: cutting out low-frequency sounds to reduce background noise. This review digs into what they’re like to use, how they work, and what someone might expect if they give them a try, all without the hype.
What Are the QuietOn 3 Earbuds?
The QuietOn 3 earbuds use active noise-canceling technology, similar to what’s in premium headphones, to target deep, rumbling sounds like traffic, snoring, or appliance hums. They don’t stream audio or offer built-in soundscapes; they focus solely on reducing noise. Shipping began in May 2021 following a successful IndieGoGo campaign, and they’ve been available for purchase since.
How They Function
Each earbud combines a soft foam tip with internal noise-canceling tech. The foam physically blocks some sound, while the electronics cancel out lower frequencies, think anything below 300Hz, like a train passing or a neighbor’s muffled TV. Higher-pitched noises, such as an alarm clock or a voice, still filter through. There’s no Bluetooth or audio playback; they’re designed to create a quiet space without extra features.
What Comes With Them
The package includes:
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Two earbuds (left and right).
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A charging case made of white plastic with a brushed metal interior.
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Four pairs of foam tips (extra small, small, medium, large), labeled “L” and “R.”
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A USB-C cable for charging the case.
The case uses magnets to hold the earbuds in place, and lights on the front show their charge status. Some early buyers received a padded sleep mask, but that’s not listed as a standard item on QuietOn’s site anymore.
Size and Build Details
Each earbud weighs 1.8 grams and is made of hard plastic with a foam tip. They’re much smaller than typical wireless earbuds, lacking speakers or Bluetooth components, which keeps them compact and light.
Getting Started with the QuietOn 3
Setting up the QuietOn 3 earbuds is straightforward but requires some attention to detail. They activate automatically when removed from the case and power off when returned, no buttons or apps involved. The key step is getting the foam tips to fit right.
Fitting Them Properly
To work, the earbuds need a full seal in the ear canal. Each tip has a size marking (0 for extra small, up to 3 for large) and a left or right label. Users compress the foam between their fingers, insert the earbud, and let it expand. QuietOn recommends pulling the ear back slightly to ease it in. If the seal isn’t tight, the noise-canceling weakens, so trying all four sizes is a must. Once in, the earbud twists slightly to settle into place.
Initial Feel and Comfort
At 1.8 grams, they’re barely noticeable weight-wise. The hard plastic body is small, and the foam tips add a soft layer. For side sleepers, they sit flush enough that a pillow doesn’t usually push them in too far, though a poor fit can make the plastic edge noticeable overnight.
Adjusting to the Process
It might take a few tries to nail the insertion technique. The foam needs a solid squish, and the earbud has to sit just right. Some get the hang of it quickly; others need a night or two to adjust.
Performance: What They Do in Action
Once fitted, the QuietOn 3 earbuds start canceling noise. They don’t block everything, just the low-end stuff, while letting higher sounds come through. Here’s how they hold up.
Noise Blocking Breakdown
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What they mute: Low-frequency sounds like snoring, traffic rumble, footsteps overhead, or an AC unit’s hum fade or vanish.
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What gets through: Higher frequencies, alarm clocks, voices, or a door knock, remain audible.
The effect isn’t obvious right away. Users can test it by moving the charging case near their ear and pulling it back; a faint snap means the tech’s active. Over time, the missing low hum becomes clear: a washing machine downstairs or a partner’s snores quiet down significantly, while a morning alarm still cuts through.
Nightly Comfort
They stay in place better than standard foam earplugs, which often slip out during sleep. Side sleepers might feel the plastic if they mash their ear into the pillow, but a good fit keeps it manageable. The foam tips cushion things, and their small size avoids the bulk that can bother sleep positions.
Battery Life Facts
The earbuds run for about 28 hours per charge, enough for four or five nights. The case holds three additional full charges. Its lights show:
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One light: at least one night’s charge left.
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Three lights: fully charged.
Charging is via USB-C, and popping them in the case each morning keeps them ready.
Testing in Different Settings
In apartments, they cut out footsteps, door slams, and faint TV noise. In shared beds, snoring drops off while quick chats are still possible. On trains or buses, engine hum softens, though they’re not a substitute for full headphones.
Cost and How to Get Them
The QuietOn 3 earbuds come with a notable price. They’re sold directly from QuietOn’s website for $269 in the U.S. or £229 in the U.K. A couples’ pack with two sets costs $439 or £379. Shipping takes four to six weeks, depending on demand, and there’s a 14-day return option. They started shipping in May 2021 after their crowdfunding debut.
Price Comparison
Regular foam earplugs cost a few dollars, while the QuietOn 3’s price matches pricier sleep tech like the Bose Sleepbuds II, which play audio instead. The focus here is on compact size and noise-canceling, not extra features, which explains the cost difference from basic earplugs.
Availability Notes
Orders go through QuietOn’s site, with delays possible due to demand or supply issues (like the 2021 silicon shortage). The couples’ pack offers a slight discount per set for those buying two.
Who They Suit (and Who They Don’t)
The QuietOn 3 earbuds aren’t for everyone, but they match certain needs. Here’s a factual rundown.
Good Matches
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Low-frequency noise sources: People near roads, railways, or humming appliances notice the most impact.
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Silence seekers: No interest in audio? These focus purely on quiet.
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Side sleepers: Their small size avoids discomfort on a pillow.
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Travelers: Frequent flyers or bus riders can reduce engine noise without bulk.
Not Ideal For
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Tight budgets: Cheaper earplugs exist, even if less effective.
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Audio fans: No music or sounds mean they skip that sleep aid.
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Fit skeptics: If sealing the ear canal sounds tricky, they might annoy.
Specific Use Cases
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Urban living: Traffic or neighbor noise softens.
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Shared spaces: Snoring fades; conversations stay doable.
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On the go: Plane or train hums lessen.
Living with Them Day-to-Day
Using the QuietOn 3 earbuds nightly shows their quirks. There’s no app or controls, insert them, and they’re on. The foam tips need compressing each time, and it becomes routine for some faster than others.
Real-World Scenarios
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Apartment dwellers: Footsteps, muffled TVs, and doors closing quiet down.
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Bed sharers: Snoring’s muted; quick words don’t require removal.
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Travelers: Engine noise on flights or buses drops off.
Adjusting Over Time
New users might question if they’re working at first, the silence isn’t total, with high sounds persisting. The low-end reduction stands out after a few nights, and fitting gets easier with practice.
Maintenance Notes
The foam tips stay put but could wear out eventually, replacements aren’t detailed in the box. Charging’s simple: case to USB-C, earbuds to case. No extra upkeep’s needed beyond that.
Long-Term Observations
After weeks, the battery holds steady, and the case’s lights keep users informed. Side sleepers tweak the fit to avoid pressure, while others find them unnoticeable once settled.
Key Facts to Know
The QuietOn 3 earbuds keep it simple: small, focused on low-frequency noise, and built for quiet. They’re not cheap, skip audio features, and need a proper fit to work. Here’s the core of it.
What Sets Them Apart
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Tiny at 1.8 grams each.
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28-hour battery, plus three case charges.
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Foam tips in four sizes for a custom seal.
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No music, just noise-canceling.
The Trade-Offs
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$269/£229 versus dollars for basic earplugs.
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High sounds stay; total silence isn’t the goal.
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Fitting takes effort upfront.
Alternative for Better Comfort
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
Conclusion
So, after digging into the QuietOn 3 earbuds, what’s the takeaway? They’re a straightforward option for anyone bothered by low rumbles, like snoring or traffic noises. These tiny buds don’t mess around with music or fancy extras; they just hush the deep noises and let higher sounds, like an alarm, sneak through. They’re not the cheapest fix out there, and getting them to fit just right takes a bit of fiddling, but for folks who crave quiet without the clutter of audio, they get the job done. Side sleepers and city dwellers might find them especially handy, while others might weigh the cost against simpler earplugs.
It’s all about what someone wants from their noise environment. The QuietOn 3 earbuds won’t solve every noise problem, high-pitched stuff still gets by, but they carve out a solid pocket of peace where it counts. For comparison, something like the Ozlo Sleepbuds offers a different vibe with audio playback and silicone tips, but the QuietOn 3 sticks to its lane: small, silent, and focused. Anyone thinking about giving them a whirl can expect a practical tool that’s less about flash and more about cutting through the rumble.
FAQs
How do they actually work?
The QuietOn 3 earbuds use active noise-canceling tech, like what’s in fancy headphones, paired with foam tips. They focus on muting low-frequency noises, think snoring, traffic, or a humming AC, while letting higher sounds, like voices or alarms, come through. No audio plays; it’s all about creating quiet.
Are they comfy for sleeping on your side?
Yeah, they’re pretty small, 1.8 grams each, so they don’t stick out much. The foam tips soften things up, and with the right fit, side sleepers usually find them fine. If they’re not snug properly, though, the plastic bit might feel a little annoying against a pillow.
How long does the battery last?
Each earbud runs for about 28 hours, which covers four or five nights for most people. The charging case holds three more full charges, and its lights show what’s left, one light means at least a night’s worth, three means it’s topped off. A USB-C cable keeps the case powered up.
Can you hear your alarm with them in?
Yep, higher-pitched sounds like an alarm clock or someone talking still make it through. The earbuds zero in on low rumbles, so users don’t have to worry about sleeping through the morning wake-up call.
What’s the deal with fitting them?
It takes some trial and error. Users pick from four foam tip sizes, squish them, and slide the earbud in to seal the ear canal. QuietOn suggests pulling the ear back a bit to help. If the fit’s off, the noise-canceling won’t work as well, so it’s worth testing all the options.
How much do they cost, and where do you get them?
They’re $269 in the U.S. or £229 in the U.K. from QuietOn’s website. A couples’ pack with two sets is $439 or £379. Shipping can take four to six weeks, and there’s a 14-day return window if they don’t click for someone.
QuietOn 3 Specs: Small Earbuds, Big Silence
