Kokoon Nightbuds: Your Sleep Oasis in a Pair of Earbuds

The Kokoon Nightbuds may initially resemble ordinary wireless earbuds, but these unassuming devices pack a surprising array of sleep aids that could transform your nights. From ambient noise to mask background distractions, soothing sound stories, guided meditation sessions, nightly sleep tracking, and even the freedom to stream your preferred music or podcasts from your phone, these Nightbuds offer a comprehensive solution to improve your sleep quality. In this review, we'll delve into the design, features, and overall performance of the Kokoon Nightbuds.

Design and Comfort

The Nightbuds are ingeniously designed to provide comfort and stay securely in place throughout the night. The soft "prongs" on the silicone earpieces ensure a snug fit, regardless of your sleeping position. The control unit, measuring 67mm x 29mm, is unobtrusively positioned near the nape of your neck, featuring soft-touch silicone on one side for skin contact and fabric on the other side for contact with your pillow. This unit houses the headphones' Bluetooth receiver, battery, and controls for volume and power.

The Nightbuds are charged via USB-C and come with a power cable. While the cable is relatively short, it's adequate for the task, considering the lightweight design of the Nightbuds. The inclusion of multiple silicone eartip sizes allows you to find the perfect fit, and the unique 12mm silicone prong design prevents the earbuds from dislodging, even if you're a side sleeper.

Comfort and Ease of Use

Setting up the Kokoon Nightbuds is a straightforward process. After installing the companion app and creating an account, pairing the Nightbuds with your device is a breeze. The springy cable, which gently hugs the back of your head, ensures that you won't feel it even when lying on your back. Kokoon advises against stretching the cable out straight to avoid damage. The earbuds are remarkably comfortable to sleep in, and unlike some similar devices, they remain securely in place even when you change positions during the night.

However, it's worth noting that unlike some competitors, the Nightbuds do not come with a charging case. Therefore, you'll need to charge them regularly by plugging them in. There is a battery-saving mode that can help prolong battery life by pausing audio and powering the headphones off when they are removed. It's advisable to activate this mode to ensure a longer battery life.

Performance and Features

The Kokoon app offers an impressive selection of ambient sounds, and the unique feature here is that these sounds are streamed from your phone rather than being preloaded onto the earbuds themselves. This means you have the flexibility to select the sound you want to listen to in real-time. You can choose from various ambient sounds, such as different rain patterns, campfire crackling, whistling wind, and more. Additionally, pink, white, or brown noise options are available. You can opt to have these sounds play continuously through the night or gently fade out once the Nightbuds detect that you've fallen asleep.

The app also offers an extensive library of music, meditation sessions, and "storyscape" sessions, which are reminiscent of the Sleep Stories found in apps like Calm, but without the need for a subscription. These sessions can be combined with your chosen ambient audio for enhanced relaxation. The meditation sessions, in particular, make the Kokoon Nightbuds versatile for daytime use.

While the Nightbuds do not provide in-depth feedback on aspects like breathing control or posture maintenance, they offer a diverse set of functions. In addition to sleep tracking, you can listen to sounds and meditation sessions through regular headphones or your phone's speaker, which can be valuable for concentration or relaxation in other settings.

Sleep Tracking and Analysis

The Nightbuds provide a sleep score each morning, which is based on the time you spent awake after initially settling down compared to your total sleep time. While it doesn't provide detailed information on specific sleep stages, it does offer a pie chart depicting light sleep, deep sleep, REM sleep, and periods of wakefulness. The app allows you to track trends over time, helping you understand how changes in your sleep habits impact your sleep quality.

In the "Insights" section of the app, you'll find general tips to improve your sleep hygiene, such as setting a consistent bedtime. However, the analysis is not as detailed as what you might get from a dedicated fitness tracker or smartwatch.

Subscription and Pricing

The Kokoon Nightbuds were initially released in December 2021 after a successful Kickstarter campaign. They are available for a one-time payment of $199/£183 (about AU$280), including access to the Kokoon app, which is currently discounted from the full price of $249.99/£229.99 (about AU$340). Alternatively, you can opt for an annual subscription fee of $149/£149 (about AU$210), which also includes a lifetime device warranty.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Effective at masking background noise
2. The flexibility to stream your own music or podcasts
3. Comfortable and secure design
4. Comprehensive sleep tracking
5. Impressive selection of ambient sounds and guided sessions
6. Versatile for daytime use
7. Ability to track trends over time
   

Cons:

1. No charging case included
2. Limited in-depth sleep analysis
3. High annual subscription fee for extended features
4. Limited content availability in non-UK territories
   

Final Verdict

The Kokoon Nightbuds offer an all-in-one solution for enhancing your sleep quality. Their ability to block out background noise effectively, comfortable design, and versatile features make them a compelling choice for those seeking a good night's sleep. The diverse range of ambient sounds and guided sessions, as well as the flexibility to stream your preferred audio, adds to their appeal. While they don't offer in-depth sleep analysis, the Nightbuds are well-suited for tracking sleep trends over time.