Low-cost piercing pillow challenges $200 sleepbuds market
A review by The Verge suggests the $55 memory foam pillow provides a durable, cost-effective solution for those using standard earbuds, though dedicated sleepbuds remain superior for masking snoring.
The Verge has published a product review recommending the Blissbury Ear Pillow as a cost-effective alternative to dedicated sleepbuds for side-sleepers. The review highlights that the $55 memory foam pillow, originally designed for ear piercing relief, effectively accommodates standard earbuds such as AirPods, Galaxy Buds, and Pixel Buds while sleeping. The article contrasts this low-tech solution with high-priced sleepbuds from brands like Anker and Ozlo, which typically cost over $200.
The reviewer purchased the Blissbury Ear Pillow for $55, noting it features two ear cutouts to accommodate different sleeping positions, including a "bottom arm extended" and "fetal" position. The pillow’s thickness is adjustable between 4 and 5 inches via a removable insert, and the outer cover is washable. Dimensions are 26 inches (66cm) long by 15 inches (38cm) wide, which is slightly narrower than a US Standard pillow.
The reviewer, a dedicated user of Anker’s Soundcore Sleep A30 sleepbuds for nearly a year, concluded that the pillow offers better value than the $200+ earbuds, citing issues with battery life and driver size in dedicated sleepbuds. After a bumpy start with firmware updates, the reviewer noted that software cannot overcome the inherent limits of devices requiring drivers and batteries much smaller than traditional earbuds.
The review acknowledges that sleepbuds remain superior for masking partner snoring, citing the Soundcore Sleep A30’s masking algorithms as effective for light to moderate snoring. Sleepbuds are specialised audio devices designed to sit flush in the ear, allowing side-sleepers to listen to white noise, podcasts, or music without disturbing partners. However, even the latest models often require side-sleepers to adjust their pillows to ensure pressure is not too acute and audio is not muffled.
Piercing pillows are a niche product category designed with cutouts to suspend the ear and relieve pressure on sensitive tissue following ear piercing procedures. Major tech companies, including Anker, Ozlo, Apple, Samsung, and Google, produce various earbud models, with dedicated sleepbuds often requiring frequent charging and Bluetooth connectivity. The Blissbury pillow is presented as a durable, battery-free solution for those seeking comfort with existing audio devices.
