Review: The Sound Asleep Pillow

Overview

The Sound Asleep Pillow is designed as a new way to cut down on the issues of falling asleep listening to music on your MP3 player. No more wires, and less chance of ear infections from dirty headphones.

You may remember Jen mentioning this gadget recently. Well, I’ve managed to get my hands on a Sound Asleep Pillow and have put it to the test. As a bit of an insomniac, I hoped for great things from this gadget, and I wasn’t too disappointed.

Just to clarify- this review concerns an original version of the Sound Asleep Pillow, meaning it’s the traditional-version pillow, not the memory foam alternative. We’ve been assured though that they’re exactly the same comfort and usage wise.

Review

The Sound Asleep Pillow is the same size as your standard pillow. I was pleased to find it nice and squashy. Not too squashy- it was firm enough to support my neck as I slept- but soft enough to really snuggle down into. It was a bit too stuffed if I laid on my side as opposed to my back, and it started to hurt my neck after a while, but this may just be because I’m used to thinner pillows and shouldn’t present a problem if you prefer a bit more thickness as you sleep.

The pillow works by connecting it up to a small phone jack. It has a lead included which you can plug into your MP3 player or ipod, as well as your CD player or computer. This then connects to an integrated speaker which plays your music through the body of the pillow. You can even connect it to the TV if you want to watch late night telly and not wake anyone up.

The connection cable is removable for if you just want to use the Sound Asleep as a regular pillow, although I found it was just as unobtrusive if you curl it up and stick it inside your pillow case still attached. Saves losing it! Although yes, I assumed it might be more open to accidental breakage if you’re as lazy as me!

The speaker is incredibly well hidden. I tried to follow the wire back to it, but had to give up when I could no longer feel it through the padding.

Laying on the Sound Asleep Pillow is no different to laying on a normal pillow- you can’t feel a thing except softness!

Once you turn your music on there is a bit of fiddling to do though. I made the mistake of leaving my ipod on full volume, and if you do that it’s very clearly heard across the room. Not good if your partner is laying next to you- although it could be a fun way to play tricks on them.

However, once you adjust the music to a volume you can’t hear when sitting up, you’re sorted. Because of the positioning of the speaker, you can hear it once you lay down without your music annoying anyone else who may be sharing your bed.

So- does it work? Well, yes actually it does! I was playing static through mine (I’ve found it a great help with insomnia in the past) and once the volume and the position of your head are correct for you then sleep does come pretty easily.

I did have to spend time messing around to find my ideal settings, but it appears to be worth it. And it’s a lot safer than using your headphones as there’s less chance of strangling yourself with the wires for a start. There’s also less chance of damaging your ear drums by listening to music that is too loud or developing ear infections from the hotbed of bacteria earphones encourage to grow in your ears according to medical research.

The Gaj-It Verdict

Design 10/10
Usability: 8/10
Features: 8/10
Value: 7/10

We Say

£20 or £30 (depending on if you want normal or memory foam) does seem a bit pricey for a pillow, although the benefits would probably outweigh the cost. You can’t really slap a price on a good nights sleep, and the health benefits are worth it. Plus not having to be subjected to your partners awful taste in music can only be a good thing.

Technical Specs

• Pillow with built-in speaker and MP3-player connection
• Removable 120mm lead with 3.5 mm stereo plug (not suitable for washing)
• Single-size pillow measures approximately 29 x 19 inches (74 x 48 centimeters)
• 100% polyester cosy hollowfibre filling- allergy free and comfortable

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