Soundcore Sleep A10 Earbuds Are a Compelling Audio Sleep Aid

If you've ever tried to sleep with earbuds in your ears, you know how uncomfortable they can be. I've attempted to fight through the earaches at various times when I really wanted to block out distractions with sound, but it's never been satisfying. One solution to this problem is specialty earbuds like Soundcore's new Sleep A10, which are tiny enough to tuck inside ears without putting pressure on them.

The Sleep A10 aren't the first audio sleep aid device like this. In fact, they resemble Bose's Sleepbuds quite a bit. I've tried similar, tiny earbuds or noise-blocking devices, but those either used wires, which got tangled, or didn't provide the same Bluetooth connectivity as these.

I was hopeful the Sleep A10 earbuds would be able to lull me to sleep and rest comfortably in my ears until morning. Only one out of those two things ended up being true, but I'm still very much a fan of this type of product. I think plenty of people could benefit from what's being offered here.

TL;DR

Pros:

• Stream music, sounds or podcasts from your phone
• Tracks sleep (in sleep mode) inside Soundcore mobile app

Cons:

• May be uncomfortable for entire night use, despite tiny size
• No wireless charging case

Buy at Soundcore.

Features of Sleeping Earbuds

The most impressive part of the Soundcore Sleep A10 earbuds are their small size. They're tiny enough that I occasionally had trouble getting them in and out of my ears, or getting them situated correctly. Their size means that they don't create the same pressure points in your ears while lying on your side.

Still, that's not their only benefit. Soundcore advertises that the Sleep A10 block up to 35 decibels of sound, but your results may vary based on the seal and fit inside your ears.

The Soundcore mobile app also has the capability to monitor your sleep—while in sleep mode. It can show your different sleep stages throughout the night. There are a dozen or so included nature sounds and ambient music options available from the company in its sleep section. And if you don't want to disturb a partner, there is an option to set an alarm that will only come through the earbuds.

Sleep Earbuds Versus Music Earbuds?

On a technical level, these are simply wireless Bluetooth earbuds—while in music mode. The Sleep A10 can play any songs from Apple Music or Spotify that you want to fall asleep to. Of course, the sound is not anywhere close to being as full-bodied as other earbuds from Soundcore, but its internal audio components manage to be good enough for their shallow housing.

Since I live in a quiet neighborhood, I would keep the volume under 20 percent (and usually closer to 15 percent) while listening to music to fall asleep. The sound quality wasn't a problem at low volumes. Acoustic guitars were crisp and present. Recordings of the ocean sounded full enough that waves crashing weren't simply static noise.

Listening to music in bed might be one use case for these, but I bet most people will want the Sleep A10 for blocking out noise. Whether it's a loud apartment complex or daytime sounds keeping a nighttime worker up, the earbuds could help silence a raucous environment. Be aware, however, that these are not noise-canceling earbuds.

I simulated several different noisy environments with specialized audio tracks on speakers. I tried to take a nap while loud car sounds (honking and revving engines) played. The earbuds did help reduce the disruptions. I also used other scenarios like the roar of an airplane cabin. I needed to turn the volume up over 75 percent to drown out the other noises, but the Sleep A10 were pretty effective for me. They're a natural way to help induce sleep, too, but results will depend heavily on the circumstances and environment they're being used.

I found the split modes between music and sleep inside the mobile app to be curious. When you're in music mode, Bluetooth is active and you have access to EQ controls. In sleep mode, Bluetooth is disengaged, and you're left with the Soundcore sounds downloaded to the Sleep A10.

Fit and Comfort

Based on my experience, I'm guessing the comfort of the Sleep A10 will vary among people tremendously. The way people sleep will also have a big impact on how comfortable the earbuds are to wear to bed.

I had no problem falling asleep on my side wearing the earbuds, but I usually couldn't make it until morning with them in. I have found them to be the most comfortable option of the several sleep earbuds I've tried, but my ears tend to be sensitive to wearing earbuds for prolonged periods of time. I would absolutely use these for sudden occurrences of disruption, or maybe travel, but I couldn't wear them every single night.

Should You Buy Soundcore Sleep A10?

Soundcore's Sleep A10 offer the opportunity for side sleepers to wear earbuds in bed, but the overall comfort will depend on a number of personal factors. I liked these for falling asleep, but my ears wouldn't tolerate using them for the entire night.

Still, I have no doubt these will be a solid option for certain people. There are several different ear tips in the box to help with the fit. The Sleep A10 are a robust choice for those who really want personal audio while snoozing on a pillow.

Buy at Soundcore for $179.99.

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