Soundcore Sleep A20 Review: Your New Bedtime Bestie?

Life can get noisy, whether it’s a neighbor’s dog barking at 2 a.m., a roommate’s late-night chatter, or that low rumble of traffic that sneaks through the window. For folks dealing with noisy nights, the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds bring a handy way to listen through it. Built by Anker’s audio brand, Soundcore, these tiny earbuds aim to keep unwanted sounds at bay while letting users drift off to their favorite tunes or calming noises. Priced at $149.99 in the US and £119.99 in the UK, they’re not the cheapest sleep aid out there, but they pack some thoughtful features into a small package. Here’s what they’re all about, based on real testing and everyday use.

What’s the Deal with the Soundcore Sleep A20?

The Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds stand out from typical ones, built small and comfy for nighttime use with noise-blocking in mind. Unlike regular earbuds that might jab into your ear when you roll over, these sit flush thanks to their low-profile design. They don’t have active noise cancellation (ANC), which keeps them small, but they lean on passive noise-blocking and audio playback to do the job. Users can pick from built-in sounds like rain or white noise, or stream whatever they want via Bluetooth: podcasts, music, you name it. The companion app ties it all together, offering sound options, sleep tracking, and a few extras like tap controls and alarms.

They come with a sleek, beige charging case that slides open, plus a bunch of ear tips and wings in different sizes to fit just about any ear. Battery life is a strong point, clocking in at 14 hours in sleep mode or 10 hours with Bluetooth, with the case adding up to 80 more hours. At 53 grams, the whole setup is light and portable, making it easy to toss in a bag for travel. But how do they hold up in real life? Let’s break it down.

Getting Started: Unboxing and Setup

Out of the box, the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds feel simple but well-thought-out. The round case has a smooth finish and a sliding lid that takes a second to figure out. There's a tiny arrow, but it’s easy to miss. Inside, the earbuds snap into place with magnets, and three little lights show the charging status. There’s a short USB-C cable included, along with a user guide that’s straightforward enough to skim in a minute.

The earbuds themselves are tiny, with soft silicone tips and wings that swap out easily, though it can be a bit tricky to get them on and off at first. There are seven tip styles, some sealed for better noise-blocking, others “breathable” with slits for airflow, and three wing sizes to keep them secure. Finding the right combo takes some trial and error, but once they fit, they feel snug without being intrusive. The app walks users through pairing them up via Bluetooth 5.3, and it’s smooth sailing from there.

Comfort: Can You Actually Sleep with These?

Comfort is make-or-break for sleep earbuds, and the A20s deliver for most people. Their small size and flat design mean they don’t stick out, so side sleepers won’t feel them digging into their ears against a pillow. Testers who switch between back, side, and stomach sleeping found them easy to adjust to after a night or two. They’re not invisible, there’s still a slight sensation of something in your ear, but it’s not enough to keep you awake.

Fitting Different Ears

With so many tip and wing options, they’re flexible for all ear shapes. The double-layer tips help seal out sound, while the wings tuck into the ear’s curve to keep them in place. Heavy side sleepers might need to tweak their pillow or head angle slightly, especially on firmer memory foam, but it’s not a dealbreaker. One tester with larger ears found them snug, while another with smaller ears needed the smallest tips to avoid slippage. They stay put all night, and if one does fall out, the app’s “Find Device” feature makes it beep to track it down in the sheets.

Pillow Test: Soft vs. Firm

On a soft feather pillow, the A20s feel barely noticeable, even when pressed against the ear. With a denser memory foam pillow, there’s a bit more pressure, but it’s still tolerable compared to bulkier earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro 2. They’re not as comfy as a headband-style option or foam earplugs, but they’re close, and the audio makes up the difference for anyone who likes sound over silence.

Sound and Noise Blocking: What You Hear (and Don’t)

The A20s don’t try to compete with high-end earbuds for sound quality, they’re built for sleep, not audiophile listening. Without ANC, they rely on passive isolation from the ear tips and audio playback to mask outside noise. Here’s how that shakes out in real scenarios.

Audio Quality in Bed

For bedtime listening, the sound is solid but not standout. Music comes through clear enough, think podcasts or mellow tunes like “Clair de Lune”, but it lacks the depth of premium earbuds. The bass isn’t punchy, and highs can feel a bit sharp, like Freddie Mercury’s voice in “Bohemian Rhapsody” sounding thin. Compared to other sleep-focused options, though, they hold their own, with better clarity and volume than headbands or cheaper buds. One tester liked the “spaceship” preset from the app, which mimics a distant hum, while another stuck to brown noise from YouTube for its steadiness.

Blocking Out the World

Without audio, the A20s cut some noise, think high-pitched birds or a buzzing AC, but low rumbles like traffic or deep snoring still sneak through. Testing showed they block about 30-40 dB of high frequencies (above 2 kHz), like crickets, but only 0-10 dB below 500 Hz, so bass-heavy sounds linger. Playing audio changes the game. At 50-70% volume, sounds like rainfall or a train track can cover light snoring (55 dB) or music from the next room. For louder stuff, say, severe snoring at 65 dB, it’s tougher. Cranking the volume to 80% with brown noise and a train sound works, but it’s loud enough to notice.

Noise Masking Test Results

Here’s what one tester found with different setups:

1. Light Snoring (55 dB): Brown noise at 70% volume blocked it completely; rain at 50% left a faint trace.

2. Heavy Snoring (65 dB): Max volume with mixed sounds covered it, but it was too loud to relax.

3. Next-Room Music: Train and brown noise at 50% volume handled it easily.

4. Street Noise: Low-frequency car rumbles were tricky; white noise at 60% dulled but didn’t erase them.

The takeaway? They’re great for moderate disturbances but struggle with loud, low-pitched sounds unless you’re okay with higher volumes.

Battery Life: Will They Last the Night?

Battery life is a win here. The earbuds run for 14 hours in sleep mode (with onboard sounds) or 10 hours streaming Bluetooth at moderate volume, one tester got just over 9 hours streaming Spotify at 50%. The case adds up to 80 hours, so charging it once a week keeps things going. They shut off automatically when you fall asleep (based on movement), which saves power if you nod off fast. For travel, they’re reliable, no need to hunt for a charger mid-trip.

The App: Features and Frustrations

The Soundcore app is a mixed bag. It’s packed with stuff - sleep sounds, tracking, alarms, but it’s not the easiest to navigate. There are two modes: Bluetooth for streaming anything, and Sleep for offline sounds stored on the earbuds.

Sound Options

The app offers a library of presets: white, pink, and brown noise, plus nature sounds like rain or crickets. You can mix up to three, tweak their volumes, and save four to the earbuds for phone-free use. Some presets, like “Misty Railway,” sound muddy and lack detail, while others, like “Airplane,” feel more immersive. Tuning options (e.g., “soft” for bassier tones) help, but it takes tinkering to find a good fit.

Sleep Tracking

Sleep tracking uses a motion sensor to log positions and stages - light or deep sleep, rollovers, wake times. It’s not spot-on, though. One night, it marked someone as asleep at 10:54 p.m. when they were awake until 11:37 p.m., mistaking stillness for sleep. It doesn’t track REM or sync with health apps, and data only shows up when the earbuds are connected. The rollover count and position stats are neat but not game-changing.

Extras That Matter

• Alarms: Set up to five with gentle tones; they wake you without bothering anyone else. Double-tap to snooze.

• Tap Controls: Double-tap adjusts volume; triple-tap switches modes. They’re handy but finicky, triple taps often miss.

• Smart Volume: Adjusts sound based on room noise, but it needs the phone connected, so most skip it.

The app’s clunky layout hides useful tools like the equalizer, but once you get the hang of it, it’s functional.

Day-to-Day Use: How They Fit In

Over weeks of use, the A20s settle into a routine. They’re a go-to when noise, like a neighbor’s early mower or a partner’s rustling, threatens sleep. They’ve survived a drop in water (dried out and still ticking) and stay secure night after night. For travel, they’re a lightweight companion, and the offline mode is perfect for phone-free naps. They’re not flawless, but they’re reliable for what they’re built to do.

Comparing the Competition

How do they stack up? The 1MORE Z30 Sleep Earbuds ($79.99) are cheaper and smaller but less secure without wings. Bose Sleepbuds II (discontinued) were pricier and simpler, while foam earplugs like Loop Quiet ($24) block more noise but skip audio. The A20s sit in the middle, comfortable, feature-rich, and audio-focused. There is also one more alternative to consider - Ozlo Sleepbuds.

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

What’s the final word on the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds? They’re a good choice for anyone who enjoys audio to cover up nighttime noise. They’ve got a comfy, low-profile design that works for side sleepers and a battery that won’t quit mid-night, plus enough sound options to drown out stuff like a chatty roommate or a distant car alarm. They’re not perfect, low rumbles can still creep in, the app takes some getting used to, and the sleep tracking more of a fun extra than a must-have, but they do what they’re built for pretty darn well. For folks who find peace in podcasts or a steady hum, these could easily become a nightstand regular. At $149.99, they’re a bit of a splurge, but if noisy nights are a regular hassle, they’re worth a try.

They shine brightest in real, everyday messes, like a neighbor’s early lawn mowing or a partner’s restless tossing. Testers found them reliable over weeks of use, and the fact they can go phone-free with offline sounds is a nice touch for travel or unplugging. Compared to simpler earplugs or pricier alternatives, they strike a practical middle ground. The Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds don’t block every sound out there, but they let users listen their way through a noisy night.

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