Anker just announced its new Soundcore Sleep Earbuds 4 and 4 Pro for side-sleepers. They include the same audio masking tech found on last year’s A30 sleepbuds (that can really silent a snoring partner) only now with longer battery life and improved ANC to help silent other noises in the environment. Both sets of buds feature a “20 percent smaller contact area” than the A30 buds, which should reduce pressure and make them more comfortable to wear. They also come with new cases that can be charged on a wireless charging pad, but only the 4 Pro’s case has a display because Anker can’t stop putting screens on things.
When streaming music, podcasts, or audiobooks over the buds’ upgraded Bluetooth v6.0 radio, you’ll now get 8 hours of life with ANC on or 11 hours with ANC off, according to Anker. Local playback of audio soundscapes is estimated at 9.5 hours (ANC on) or 14.5 hours (ANC off).
The SleepHub case that comes with the 4 Pro buds can control the buds without a phone. That means you can use the integrated OLED display to swipe through preset soundscapes, check your sleep stats, set an alarm, and more. Both the SleepHub case and regular Earbuds 4 case (that still requires a phone) support wireless charging pads for added convenience.
The Earbuds 4 Pro add an in-ear PPG sensor like modern earbuds sold by Sennheiser, Bose, Apple and others to measure real-time stress, fatigue, and recovery levels. Anker will use it to monitor your sleep state, heart rate, and HRV to assess your sleep status and then “facilitate relaxation into sleep” by playing “adaptive soothing audio tracks using Soundcore’s BioSync feature.” That’s something we’ll have to test.
The Sleep Earbuds 4 model will launch in October for $229.99 / £199.99 in choice of white and blue, with a pink option coming at a later date. The Sleep Earbuds 4 Pro will arrive a bit later in November in slightly different shades of white and blue, for $349.99 / £299.99.
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