As I regularly create and listen to hypnosis and relaxation recordings, finding a comfortable way to listen in bed matters to me.
Ordinary headphones can feel bulky against a pillow, while earbuds may become uncomfortable if you sleep on your side. Loose cables are hardly ideal when you are trying to settle either.
That is why I decided to try the Snoozeband: a soft fabric headband containing flat wireless speakers.
It seemed like a practical idea for listening to spoken audio at bedtime, but comfort is a very personal thing. Here is what I found useful and what I think you should consider before buying one.
What is a Snoozeband?
The Snoozeband looks much like an ordinary fabric headband, with small speakers positioned inside it.
It connects to your phone or another compatible device using Bluetooth, allowing you to listen without wearing conventional headphones or having a cable running into the bed.
The flat speakers are intended to make it more suitable for lying down. You can move their position inside the band so that they sit over your ears.
It can be used with:
- Hypnotherapy recordings
- Guided relaxation
- Sleep stories
- Audiobooks
- Podcasts
- Quiet music or ambient sounds
The Snoozeband is simply the listening device. You choose the audio you want to play through it.
What I like about it
The main advantage for me is that the speakers sit inside a soft fabric band rather than directly inside your ears.
Once the speaker position is adjusted, you can lie down and listen without the bulk of ordinary over-ear headphones. There are also no loose headphone cables to become tangled during the night.
Pairing and operating it is fairly straightforward once it has been set up. If you regularly listen to spoken recordings in bed, it provides a convenient alternative to playing audio through your phone’s speaker and potentially disturbing somebody else.
The sound is perfectly suitable for spoken voice, which is what matters most when listening to hypnotherapy or relaxation recordings.
How comfortable is it?
This is probably the most important question, and there is no answer that will apply to everybody.
The fabric is soft, but you are still wearing something around your head. Some people will barely notice it, while others may find any headband uncomfortable after a while.
Your sleeping position also makes a difference. If you sleep on your side, you may need to spend a little time moving the speakers until they sit comfortably between your ear and the pillow.
The fit of the band, the firmness of your pillow and the exact position of the speakers will all affect how it feels.
It may also feel warm, particularly during warmer weather or if you naturally become hot at night.
I would describe it as a useful option rather than something I can promise everybody will find comfortable.
What is the sound quality like?
The Snoozeband works well for spoken audio, audiobooks and quiet background listening.
It would not be my first choice for somebody looking for detailed music reproduction or the sound quality of a good pair of conventional headphones. That is not really what it has been designed for.
For a guided hypnosis recording, the most important things are that the voice is clear, the volume can be kept comfortable and the speakers stay reasonably close to your ears. It handles that purpose well.
Remember to keep the volume low enough for comfortable listening, particularly if you may fall asleep while the recording continues.
A few things to consider
Before buying, it is worth knowing that:
- The Snoozeband needs to be charged
- Your phone or device must connect through Bluetooth
- The speakers may need repositioning before they feel comfortable
- The fabric can feel warm
- The controls may take a little getting used to in the dark
- Its sound is better suited to voice and casual listening than critical music listening
- Sleeping in any wearable device will not suit everyone
Products and specifications can change, so check the manufacturer’s current description, materials, sizing, charging instructions, warranty and returns policy before ordering.
Using the Snoozeband with hypnotherapy recordings
A headband like this can make it easier to listen privately to a hypnosis or relaxation recording in bed.
It does not make the hypnosis more powerful, and the Snoozeband itself does not treat insomnia or create a health benefit. Its role is simply to make listening more convenient and, for some people, more comfortable.
You also do not need special headphones to use hypnosis audio. Your phone’s speaker, a bedside speaker or ordinary comfortable headphones can all be suitable. The important thing is that you can hear the recording easily without the equipment becoming a distraction.
If you fall asleep while listening to a bedtime recording, there is usually no need to replay it or worry that you missed the ending. The listening time has already given you an opportunity to settle and relax.
Never listen to hypnosis or sleep audio while driving, cycling, operating machinery or doing anything that requires your full attention.
Would I recommend it?
If you enjoy listening to spoken audio in bed and find ordinary headphones or earbuds uncomfortable, the Snoozeband is worth considering.
Its main strengths are the soft design, flat speakers and lack of loose cables. The possible drawbacks are the warmth of the fabric, the need for charging and the time it may take to find the right speaker position.
I would not describe it as essential. It is a practical accessory that may make bedtime listening more comfortable for some people.
Watching my video review may help you decide whether the design looks suitable for the way you sleep.
A note about ongoing sleep difficulties
Relaxation recordings and comfortable listening equipment can be useful parts of a bedtime routine, but they cannot diagnose or treat a sleep disorder.
If you have persistent sleep problems, severe daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, gasping or pauses in breathing during sleep, speak to your GP.
If your main difficulty is a busy mind, bedtime worry or difficulty relaxing, you may also find my sleep hypnotherapy page or 10 Day Sleep Reset useful.
Everyone responds differently, so neither an audio programme nor one-to-one hypnotherapy can promise a particular sleep outcome.