Analog Comfort Beats High-Tech Sleepbuds

While companies like Anker and Ozlo market specialized sleepbuds priced over $200 to help side-sleepers listen to audio without discomfort, a low-tech alternative may be more effective. According to The Verge, "piercing pillows"—originally designed to relieve pressure on freshly pierced ears—can be used with standard earbuds such as Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds, and AirPods.

Writing for The Verge, Thomas Ricker tested the $55 Ear Pillow from Blissbury, which features ear cutouts and an adjustable thickness between 4 and 5 inches via a foam insert. Ricker noted that this analog solution avoids the common pitfalls of high-end gadgets, such as battery degradation, Bluetooth connectivity issues, and the need for frequent charging. He compared the Blissbury model to a $59.99 Ikea Klubbsporre pillow, noting the Blissbury's memory foam is slightly less firm.

Despite the convenience of a pillow, specialized hardware still has a niche. Ricker reported that the Soundcore Sleep A30’s masking algorithms are highly effective for canceling light to moderate snoring, though he noted that even the latest sleepbuds often require users to adjust their pillows to prevent muffled audio or acute pressure. Ultimately, Ricker concluded that using a piercing pillow with existing high-quality earbuds is a more cost-effective approach than spending four times as much on specialized sleepbuds.