QuietOn 3

30-second review

A successor to the original QuietOn Sleep, the QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs use the same noise-cancelling tech you'd find in a pair of true wireless headphones to mask the annoying ambient sounds that can stop you getting a good night's sleep.

They don't play music, and unlike the Bose Sleepbuds II, there are no relaxing sounds to help you drift off at night. The QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs are simply about blocking out unwanted noises so you can fall asleep (and stay asleep) naturally.

So why invest in these, rather than simply picking up a pair of regular foam or silicone earplugs? Not only does the active noise cancelling block out more low-frequency sound (such as your partner snoring, or nearby traffic noise), they also allow higher frequency sounds through, so you can still hold a conversation or hear your alarm clock in the morning.

The QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs are much smaller and lighter than a pair of true wireless earbuds (Image credit: Future)

They're certainly not cheap, though. If you have trouble getting to sleep at night and are on a tighter budget, it's worth checking out a white noise machine like the Homedics Deep Sleep Mini instead. It doesn't work in the same way, and may not be quite as effective, but costs about a quarter of the price.

Price and release date

• Same price as Bose Sleepbuds II
• Couples pack available

The QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs began shipping in May 2021 following a successful crowdfunding design on IndieGoGo. They cost $269 / £229 (about AU$370) direct from QuietOn. That's much more than a typical pair of silicone or foam earplugs, but they're durable and should last much longer. It's almost exactly the same price as the Bose Sleepbuds 2, and if they don't work out for you, there's a 14-day money-back guarantee

If you and your partner both struggle to sleep, there's also a couples pack with two sets of earplugs available for $439 / £379 (about AU$600).

At the time of writing, QuietOn estimates that it'll take between four and six weeks for your earplugs to be delivered due to demand and a global silicon shortage.

There's a choice of four different tips sizes (Image credit: Future)

Design

• Small and lightweight
• Four sets of foam tips
• Smart charging case

The QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs look similar to a pair of true wireless earbuds, but are much smaller and lighter due to the absence of the typical speaker components and Bluetooth transmitter. Each one weighs just 1.8g, and is made from hard white plastic, with four pairs of soft polyurethane foam tips in different sizes.

This is important, because the earplugs only work effectively when they fully seal your ear canal. You might be able to get away with an imperfect fit when using earbuds, but it pays to spend time experimenting with the different tip sizes here to ensure you get a complete seal.

The sleep earplugs come with a smart charging case to keep them powered up (Image credit: Future)

The earplugs are supplied with a white plastic charging case, which has a smart brushed stainless steel finish inside and holds the plugs in place magnetically. A set of lights on the front to the case indicate the earplugs' current charge level, and it comes with a USB-C charging cable.

Our review sample also came with a padded sleep mask, which blocks out light without putting pressure on your eyes, though this doesn't seem to be available to buy through QuietOn's website at the time of writing.

Our earplugs came with a padded sleep mask, but this doesn't seem to be available through QuietOn's website at the time of writing (Image credit: Future)

Performance

• Getting the perfect fit takes a little time
• Block low-frequency noise
• Allow you to hold a conversation

The QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs work in two ways: firstly the foam tip dulls noise passively, then the active noise cancelling tech cancels out the remaining noise.

Whereas most noise-cancelling headphones have smooth silicone tips, the QuietOn 3's are made from a type of durable foam. You need to make sure you get the left and right plugs the right way round, compress the foam between your thumb and forefinger, then insert the earplug and allow it to expand to fill your ear canal. QuietOn advises gently pulling your ear back to make this easier. If you try to force the earplug in without squashing the foam you'll get a poor seal and the earplugs won't work correctly.

The lights on the case indicate the current battery level (Image credit: Future)

At first you may be uncertain that the active noise cancellation is working, but you can confirm it by bringing the case close to your ear, then drawing it away slowly. If you hear a faint 'snap' sound, everything is working as it should. The noise is very quiet, so you'll need to pay careful attention.

We found that the earplugs lasted around four nights between charges, returning them to the case each morning. This tallies with the company's estimated 48-hour battery life.

The effect is distinctly different to a pair of standard earplugs. Annoying ambient sounds such as snoring, the rumble of traffic, or the turning of a washing machine are effectively muted, but higher frequency sounds like your alarm clock come through quite clearly. It's a good balance, and eliminates the worry that you'll accidentally oversleep.

In our tests, the earplugs blocked out all the standard noises of living in an apartment, including neighbors' footsteps, the sound of other people's TVs, and passing cars. They also muted a partner's snoring, though we were still able to wish them a good night without removing them.

The case comes with a USB-C cable for charging (Image credit: Future)

Unlike the original QuietOn Sleep, there's no optional conversation mode. This is actually a benefit, as we found this setting fiddly to activate when testing the first-generation earplugs. Instead, conversation mode is effectively active all the time, so you can have a chat without removing them.

They stayed firmly in place overnight, unlike standard earplugs, which have a tendency to fall out when you sleep on your side. It's worth bearing in mind, however, that the hard plastic of the QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs can be uncomfortable for side-sleepers if they're not fitted perfectly before you settle down for the night.

First reviewed October 2021

Buy them if

You live near a road or railway line
The QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs are ideal for cancelling out the low-frequency noise of trains and traffic, and could be a game-changer if your living situation makes that unavoidable. They're also ideal if you want to sleep on a train or bus.

You enjoy the sound of silence
Most sleep aids use soothing sounds to block out noise, but the QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs work by cancelling it instead. White noise and simulated thunderstorms aren't to everyone's taste, and the QuietOn 3 are a great alternative.

You and your partner struggle to sleep
You can pick up a couples pack containing two sets of QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs at a steep discount.

Don't buy them if

Money is tight
The QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs are one of the most expensive ways to get some peace and quiet at night. They're sophisticated and thoughtfully designed, but a pair Pluggerz reusable silicone earplugs may be a better choice if you're on a strict budget.

You like nodding off to relaxing sounds
The QuietOn 3 sleep earplugs are all about cancelling out noise, not masking it with white noise or nature sounds. If that's what you prefer, check out our guide to the best white noise machines.

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