Club Benefits
Tom's Guide Verdict
The QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds offer distraction-free active noise cancelling (ANC) and a soft foam design that feels comfortable in any sleep position. Coming in a stylish portable charging case, the QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds are also lighter and three times smaller than leading noise-cancelling earbuds from Apple and Bose. It's worth noting that its ANC can only be activated within 15 seconds of taking the earbuds out of their case, but I soon got the hang of that. The $299 price tag may also be a turn-off, but we think the world's smallest ANC sleep earbud — and its outstanding ability to mask loud sounds — is well worth the premium cost.
Pros
- +
Outstanding ANC
- +
Soft side-sleeper friendly design
- +
Case acts as a portable charger
- +
Three times smaller than Air Pods
- +
Come with different size tips
- +
No Bluetooth or apps required
- +
28-hour battery life
Cons
- -
Short ANC activation window
- -
Higher priced than rivals
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As a side sleeper who needs complete and utter silence to drift off, I'm pretty much the ideal candidate to test out the best sleep headphones — especially ones that purport to have cutting-edge ANC to drown out distracting noise.
The QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds, billed as the "world's smallest ANC earbud the designed specifically for sleep", came to my attention after reading glowing customer reviews. Deigned in Finland and engineered specifically for sleep, the QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds shot straight to the top of my to-test list.
After testing the ANC earbuds during a heatwave where my bedroom window was constantly open (allowing the racket of the busy city noise to stream in), I can honestly say these are the most comfortable sleep headphones I've ever tested. The QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds feel soft and non-invasive even when sleeping on my side, and the long 28-hour battery life is a big drawcard.
With an MSRP of $299, they are a premium purchase. For context, the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds, which we rate as the best earbuds for sleep you can buy, cost $229 at full MSRP. However, with their ultra tiny and comfortable design for all sleep positions, outstanding ANC and long battery life, I think the QuietOn 4 are well worth the investment. Here's why...
QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Cheat sheet
What is it? The world's smallest ANC sleep earbuds that offer extensive sound reduction and long battery life
Who is it for? Side sleepers looking to block out noise and replace it with soothing sound, alongside gaining sleep tracking insights
What does it cost? From $299 at full price but some retailers offer discounts
What do we like? Excellent ANC, 28-hour long battery life; soft, side-sleeper friendly design
What don’t we like? Premium price, 15-second activation window
QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Specs
Price | $299 |
Connectivity | No |
ANC | Yes |
Warranty | One year for customers outside EU |
Battery | 28 hours |
Weight | 1,8g (earbud) / 59g (case) |
Dimensions | 0.5 x 0.6 x 0.7" (buds), 3.1 x 3.1 x 1.1" (case) |
Colors | Black |
Compatibility | No devices required |
QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Price & availability
- $299 to $315 at MSRP, putting the QuietOn 4 firmly in the premium price tier
- Small discounts at some US retailers, reducing the earbuds to $280
- Free one-year warranty included, but shipping is $15+
The QuietOn 4's streamlined design, long battery life, and state-of-the-art ANC mean that you're looking at a premium MSRP of $299. QuietOn is a Eurocentric brand, so US customers won't find the 4 Sleep Earbuds at major retailers such as Walmart or Target.
In the US, the earbuds are sold at two retailers: HearFIT and Native American-owned Salish Medical & Dental Supply.
At the former, there is a small 6% discount that takes them down to $280, and QuietOn's one-year warranty for international customers. However, expect to pay at over $25 for shipping. At the latter, the MSRP is higher at $315, but shipping is $10 cheaper.
Return policies differ depending on which retailer you purchase from, but HearFIT offers a 30-day returns policy. This means that unopened QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds are eligible for a full refund while opened QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds may qualify for a refund minus a restocking fee. (QuietOn's own official web shop offer 30 days to return from delivery date.)
In comparison, the app-controlled Fitnexa SomniPods 3, which features an AI sleep coach, ANC, sleep tracking and soundscapes, are $189.99 at MSRP (and are often $30 off in the sales). However, the SomniPods have one glaring flaw: they only offer 6.5 hours of ANC on a single charge. For the average sleeper, this sound proofing won't cover a whole night's sleep.
Meanwhile our top-performing pick, the Soundcore Sleep A30, offers up to 10 hours of continuous ANC on a single charge and is priced at $229 (often reduced to $199 in the sales).
While there's little doubt that the QuietOn 4 Earbuds are a splurge (especially if you want sleep earbuds that come with a variety of additional features, such as sleep tracking and soundscapes), the longer 28-hour ANC playtime on a single charge makes them a foolproof sleep tool. The absence of apps and Bluetooth, also means there's no hidden costs or subscriptions.
QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Design & comfort
- Soft foam tips feel comfortable in ear canal
- Side-sleeper friendly, customizable, and compact
- Ultra-small dimensions for an ANC earbud
In terms of design, I'm going to begin with QuietOn 4's unique selling point: they are the world's smallest ANC sleep earbuds.
Three times smaller than the best wireless earbuds (such as Apple's Air Pods earbuds), the QuietOn 4 are barely an inch in length and the default earbud tips have a diameter of just 0.375" — and the tiny, streamlined size means the earbuds are incredibly comfortable and have a forget-they're-there feel.
The earbud tips are customizable and come with four different sizes. For me, the default Small (S) pair are a great match for my ears, but you can try the Extra Small (XS) , Medium (M), or Large (L) if needs be. The tips are made of a soft, spongey foam and they are easy for me to clean with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water.
The ultimate test for determining a earbud's comfort is side sleeping, as a chunky or hard earbud can feel as though it's digging into your ear as soon as the side of your head hits the pillow.
I found this discomfort when trying out the Fitnexa SomniPods, as the softness of the tips were cancelled out by the hard, metallic body. Meanwhile, testers for the Soundcore Sleep A30 felt the addition of ANC made the A30 model thicker and more uncomfortable than previous models.
However, I never had this problem while testing the QuietOn earbuds. They are small enough not to feel a nuisance and cushioning enough to eliminate any hardness, and the good news is that they are still nestled in my ear every morning.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the travel-friendly QuietOn 4 earbuds' sleek 4.5" black and silver case, which also doubles as a portable charger.
QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Features
- Ultra-quiet ANC, but you have 15 seconds to activate
- No internet connection, Bluetooth, or apps required
- Portable charging case included plus 28-hour battery life
No apps, no AI sleep coaches, no tracking, and no rainforest sounds — the QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds are only here to cancel out distracting noise for a silent sleep space.
And they deliver on that promise. The ANC is outstanding and is designed to eliminate lower frequency sounds, such as snoring or bass of techno music infiltrating through your walls, but still allow you to catch your morning alarm.
In the summertime, I have to open my windows wide to try and sleep cooler when I don't have air conditioning. Open windows mean city noises come flooding in to my room, but I didn't hear a single thing when wearing QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds.
There's a slight nuisance, though: You only have a 15-second ANC activation window. Basically, this window means that, once you take the earbuds out of their charging case, you only have 15 seconds to put them in your ears to activate the ANC. But I quickly got the hang of this.
If you're quick enough, the noise cancellation should begin within a few seconds. (When you first put them in your ears, you hear a slight static sound, followed by silence.)
The ANC, on the other hand, separates it from regular foam earplugs, such as the Loop Quiet 2 earplugs, and noise-masking (rather than active cancelling) earbuds such as the Ozlo Sleepbuds.
That said, if you do want earbuds that offer more than 'just' noise reduction, the Ozlo Sleepbuds do offer an in-ear personal alarms and sleep sounds (such as white noise and nature noises), while the Fitnexa SomiPods can track your sleep and provide an AI sleep coach.
However, as someone who has tried the latter product, I know that these AI powered tools can seem a little gimmicky and the sleep tracking can be rendered futile when the earbuds such as the Fitnexa never seem to still be in your ear upon awakening.
Overall, if you want a no-nonsense pair of ANC sleep earbuds that deliver the quiet night they promise without relying on Bluetooth and internet connection, then the QuietOn earbuds will be the right match.
QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds Review: Battery life
- Lasts up to 28 hours on a single charge
- Charging the case requires USB-C cable
- Charging takes three hours up to twice a week
A huge benefit of the QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds is the long battery life, which lasts up to 28 hours on a single charge (which takes around three hours).
This means that, for the average 8-hours sleeper, the QuietOn 4 earbuds last around three and half nights and require just one or two three-hour charges a week.
Compare this battery life to that of the the Fitnexa SomniPods (6.5 hours of ANC on a single charge) or the Soundcore Sleep A03 (up to 10 hours of ANC on a single charge).
To charge the case, I use the provided USB-C cable (the kind that you use to charge the iPhone 15 and its successors) to charge the portable charging case.
QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds: Should you buy?
While those who want a variety of sleep features from their earbuds, such as sleep tracking or nature sounds, will find the QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds too basic, I can honestly say the quality of their ANC is anything but.
The QuietOn 4's battery life and noise cancellation is a reliable way to create a distraction-free sleep environment all night. They're comfortable and snug enough to stay in your ear until morning, and its lack of reliance on Bluetooth and apps mean it has a failproof, no-fuss operation.
The 15-second ANC activation may seem like a hassle at first, but I got used to it after the first couple of nights. Their ultra small design and sleek portable charging case also makes them travel-friendly and perfect for anyone wanting to get some sleep in noisy environments like a a plane or shared hotel room.
Yes, it is a splurge at around $300 at MSRP, and I would totally understand if you'd rather spend your money on a sleep headphone that provides all the sensor-operating bells and whistles. But if all you're after is a night free of your neighbors' music belting out or or your partner's snoring, then QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds are worth it.
QuietOn 4 Sleep Earbuds: Alternatives to consider
The Soundcore A30 Sleep Earbuds were crowned the top sleep headphone this year thanks to their smart sleep tracking, noise cancellation, and ultra-compact design. The 10-hour battery life is significantly shorter than the QuietOn 4's, but they're around $100 cheaper (they're regularly reduced to $199 at Amazon) and offer more sleep features.
Read more: Soundcore Sleep A30 review
The Ozlo Sleepbuds don't actually have ANC, but they are skilled at noise masking. They also feature built-in sleep sounds and an in-ear alarm for those who wake up earlier than their co-sleeper. However, they are in the same premium price tier as the QuietOn 4, so it depends on what you prioritize most: ANC or number of features.
Read more: Ozlo Sleepbuds review
Consider the Loop Quiet 2 earplugs if you're not into the idea of sleeping with sleep tech in your ear and just want to block out background sounds, such as street noise or someone talking in another room, rather than blasting music or a loud snorer sleeping next you. Their no-tech silicone earplugs that fit snugly in your ear and are a budget-friendly solution that you'll always find at under $25.
Read more: Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs hands-on review
