SilkSound Bluetooth Sleep Mask review: A must for busy dorm rooms and noisy homes

Back Bay SilkSound Bluetooth Sleep Mask: Specs

Back Bay SilkSound Bluetooth Sleep Mask: Performance

I'm a sleep mask devotee, as light is one of my main sleep disruptors. But recently a combination of noisy neighbors and open windows have left me plugging my fingers in my ears. Could the SilkSound Sleep Mask, a Bluetooth enabled eye mask with integrated speakers, be the solution?

First impressions, I was pleased by how gentle the SilkSound feels against the skin. Plus, the elasticated back means my hair doesn't get stuck in velcro. As you need to pull the mask over the head the band is likely to wear out at some point... but that's the same for many sleep masks.

Wide eye coverings means the mask plunges me into almost total darkness. A tiny amount of light creeps in around the nose. As a diehard sleep mask user, I consider it a normal amount of light leakage. However, if it's total blackout you're after, a 3D mask like the MUSICOZY Sleep Headband is better.

A stripped back design keeps the SilkSound eye mask surprisingly breathable. I thought the tech would weight it down but during a hot summer, I've been able to wear it without excess sweating. The MUSICOZY, on the other hand, creates a sauna on my face.

Nestled in the silky mask is the audio equipment. That's a pair of mini speakers and a central control panel. I normally sleep with one ear pressed against the pillow and I found the speakers largely comfortable all night long. I have a soft pillow, however; a firmer design might cause some pressure build-up.

Connecting to the SilkSound Bluetooth V5.0 was quick and I haven't experienced any sound dropouts. Basic controls are printed discreetly onto the mask. But perhaps a bit too discreetly. In the middle of the night, it takes some fumbling to hit the right button.

For audiophiles, the SilkSound Sleep Mask can't compare to the best headphones. But I wouldn't expect it to. There's good clarity and mid-tones, even if the sound is thin. Speech comes through clearly, which means you can hear guided mediations and sleep stories, and it nails the deep rumble of brown noise (which comes preloaded, along with five other sleep sounds).

And the playback time is immense. SilkSound estimates 24 hours for built-in sounds, 20 hours over Bluetooth. That's around two full nights. From my testing, that's accurate. I've been playing brown noise non-stop for the past day and after 24 hours, it's going strong.

You probably don't want non-stop brown noise, however. This is where the sleep timer comes in. You can set the sound to turn off after a set timer (30 minutes, one hour, two hour) by pressing both volume buttons at the same time. This is a little tricky — I've changed the volume every time I've tried it — but there's a voice recording to let you know it's set up.

I recently shared a hotel room with my mom and as much as I love her, she snores up a storm. With the SilkSound playing, I could just about hear her, as there's no noise cancellation. But the audio did mask the sound, no pun intended, and stopped me from paying attention to her rumbles. We're planning another trip next month and the SilkSound will be coming with me.

That brings me neatly to my main reasons for buying the SilkSound. First, for traveling. The sound and light blocking, alongside the breathable design, make it perfect on the go. It's also super portable. I'm a light packer and I'd happily find room for this in my carry on. I can even fold it into a jacket pocket.

Second, for college students. Dorms are busy places almost 24/7, even if you don't have a roommate. I became a dedicated sleep mask user during college, to combat the disruption from lights going on and off at all hours. I wish I'd had the SilkSound, so I didn't have to hear the microwave beeping at 3 a.m.

These kinds of accessories are often overlooked by freshman (or their parents). But it's a small purchase that can transform the college experience.

Back Bay SilkSound Bluetooth Sleep Mask: Verdict

Bluetooth sleep masks are often bulky to accommodate the tech, and the result can be uncomfortable at night. The SilkSound Sleep Mask keeps things light. A mulberry silk finish is soft against the skin and allows air to circulate, so you don't overheat.

The sound quality is... passable. It's not a rich listening experience but as the aim is to fall asleep, it doesn't need high fidelity audio. You'll get the best experience with the built-in white noise selection.

Without a total blackout, it lacks the immersive, cocoon-like comfort of the MUSICOZY Sleep Headband. But on the flipside, the SilkSound is more breathable and discreet, making it a better travel companion.