Ozlo, a startup founded by former Bose engineers, has introduced its latest product, the Sleepbuds 2. Announced on Tuesday, this upgraded version of their inaugural product improves on essential features such as battery life, connectivity, and sound quality. The new earbuds are priced at $279, a 12% increase from the original model.
This launch represents Ozlo’s first significant update since debuting its original earbuds and signifies the company’s transition from a subsidiary of Bose to its distinct sleep technology platform.
The original version of the Sleepbuds was launched in late 2024 to fill the gap left by Bose’s exit from the sleep earbuds market. Co-founders N.B. Patil, Brian Mulcahey, and Charlie Taylor, all former Bose personnel involved with the Sleepbuds initiative, recognized the potential to advance the business. They secured the rights to the Sleepbuds’ research and technology for their new venture, Ozlo, ensuring that their first product was a continuation of Bose’s groundwork.
The initial earbuds, which now boast over 200,000 users, were designed to be smaller and more discreet than AirPods, making them especially comfortable for nighttime wear, particularly for side sleepers. Features included built-in sleep sounds, Bluetooth audio streaming, passive noise cancellation, an in-ear alarm, and sleep tracking among others.
The updated Sleepbuds 2 showcases numerous enhancements, particularly a battery life of 14 hours compared to the original’s 10 hours. Also, the new charging case can now support two to three nights of use on a single charge, and features a button that allows users to play sleep sounds or snooze the alarm without needing to reach for their phones.
Among the enhancements addressed is the previous issue with Bluetooth connectivity, which users found unreliable, although software updates had resolved some problems. Ozlo claims the Sleepbuds 2 feature a longer Bluetooth range, improved connection reliability, and dedicated pairing controls for quicker setup, owing to a redesigned antenna and extender.
The audio system in the new model has been refined as well, incorporating a built-in amplifier for enhanced sound masking and overall audio quality. A new feature allows for personalized sound tuning, which optimizes audio for specific scenarios like Spoken Word, Airplane mode, and Focus mode, along with a Balanced mode.
A notable new feature is the Sleep Shield, which can block incoming calls, alerts, notifications, and Bluetooth audio streaming, effective unless the user has activated the phone’s native sleep focus mode.
Ozlo has also expanded its sleep insights, detailing various aspects of sleep patterns. The earbuds monitor breathing and movement, while the charging case tracks environmental conditions like sound levels, light, and temperature, assisting users in identifying which environments promote deeper, more effective sleep.
In an interview earlier this year, the company discussed ambitions to broaden its platform for sleep data, including leveraging AI to analyze users’ sleep habits better. Plans are also underway for an AI-driven “sleep buddy” that would engage users about their sleep data.
As part of the launch promotion, Ozlo is including a sleep mask and travel case free with each purchase for a limited time. The Sleepbuds 2, retailing for $279, also come with four sets of silicone ear tips in various sizes, the charging case, and a USB-C cable.
On a personal note, I purchased the original Ozlo Sleepbuds after seeing positive reviews and found them effective at blocking noise while offering a comfortable alternative to sleeping with regular earbuds. They stayed in place throughout the night.
However, I prefer using the Calm app for streaming sounds over the built-in options of Ozlo, a sentiment shared by others; last year, Ozlo and Calm collaborated on a special case that included a year’s subscription to Calm’s extensive library of sleep-related audio resources.
I am excited to try the new Sleepbuds 2 and see if they justify the upgrade, especially for existing users like myself.
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