Aura Smart Sleep Mask Review

TweakTown’s Score: 90%

In conclusion

The Aura Smart Sleep Mask is a premium sleep mask aimed at people who don’t mind paying more to improve their sleep quality.

Pros

• 100% dimming
• Does not fall off your head during sleep
• speakers
• Can be a tool
• Comfortable

Cons

• Button placement needs work
• “Battery low” beep
• The app needs work
• Price

Should you buy?

AvoidTake into accountshortlistTo buy

Introduction and Specification Details and Close-up

Combining numerous features into a simple and stylish sleep mask, Aura has launched a new mask that can gently and respectfully wake users from total unconsciousness.

Aura’s Smart Sleep Mask is designed for users looking for a premium sleep mask that can produce relaxing sounds through integrated speakers. Additionally, the Smart Sleep Mask can offer users a variety of sounds to help them relax, such as ASMR sounds, meditations, nature sounds, and meditation guides. Moreover, Aura programmed the Smart Sleep Mask to have the ability to gently wake the user with light and sound through a function called “Wake Me Up.”

In addition to sound, the Smart Sleep Mask comes with a blackout design that uses a 3D Hug band that attaches to the mask via a magnet. The material is also designed to be comfortable on the face, and the 3D Hug band is made to eliminate pressure on parts of the face that can typically cause discomfort with a standard sleep mask. Now, it’s worth noting that the Aura Smart Sleep Mask is not aimed at the average consumer, as it’s priced at $358. However, it is regularly discounted to $220. But this still makes it a very high-quality sleep mask.

To close

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Design

Although the Aura Smart Sleep Mask looks like a standard sleep mask at first glance, it is slightly larger and slightly thicker. However, despite its increased size compared to a standard sleep mask, the Smart Sleep Mask maintains a very minimal aesthetic that gives it a stylish visual appeal. The mask is made of thick fabric that has a plush texture when pressed and it cannot be overstated how soft this fabric is, especially when the mask is worn. Unfortunately, the Smart Sleep Mask only comes in gray or black; This is a bit disappointing considering how expensive the mask is and how great it would look in a variety of color options.

Moving towards the front of the Smart Sleep Mask, you’ll find volume buttons, a USB-C charging port, a button to toggle between Bluetooth mode and Zen mode, and two LED indicators. Additionally, there is an invisible button under the front of the mask; I found this to be a pretty stupid button placement because there’s nothing obvious to inform the user of where they are, making it unnecessarily difficult to initialize the mask the first time. On first use I probably had to spend a good 10 minutes trying various ways to open the mask. Aura can put the power button next to the USB-C port or mode button; This would be a huge improvement over the first experience with their product.

The inside of the mask features a Hug pad which, although a standard fit, should work for the majority of users. I tested the sleeping mask on members of my family that age, and they all reported that the mask was comfortable and did not let in light. This means the Hug pillow should work as intended and most people don’t need to worry about light leaking into the interior. The inside of the aura mask features a glow bar that is used to simulate sunrise when the “Wake me up” feature is activated. Although the glow stick is small, it does its job perfectly and when inserted, it can produce enough light to fill the inside of the mask and wake the user.

Overall, the design of the Aura Sleeping Mask is quite impressive; It feels very premium in the hand, the fabric and plush, cushion texture make it extremely comfortable to wear, and the consistent 100% total blackout makes the Aura Sleeping Mask just perfect. At the very least, it’s a reliable and comfortable sleep mask that almost anyone can wear.

APPLICATION

The Aura Smart Mask is best paired with the app, but unfortunately after reviewing the app and testing the mask over 3 weeks, I didn’t find it to be my go-to app for any of its features. The thing I used the most in the app was the “Wake me up” feature; I only got to the internal soundscapes and meditation a few times.

Additionally, Aura needs to calculate when notifications will be sent and whether they are necessary. Most of the notifications were reminders to nap at odd times and didn’t really provide any useful information. At the end of my testing experience, I found that notifications often cluttered my notification center, eventually leading me to mute notifications.

I’d say the only reason to download the Aura app is for its “Wake me up” setting, which allows the user to set a time for when the mask will wake them up. Buy the Smart Mask.

Performance

I think it’s a good way to think of the Aura Smart Sleep Mask as a premium sleep mask that comes with a bunch of extra features that the buyer won’t mind paying for. As I mentioned in the design section of the review, the Aura Sleep Mask is, to say the least, an exceptionally comfortable, 100% blackout sleep mask. But what about these extra features?

The high price tag of the Smart Sleep Mask denies the buyer access to the Aura App and its features. While the app is pretty lackluster and doesn’t offer a ton of features – the Wake Me feature makes it well worth the download, and as mentioned in the App section of this review – it’s something I would consider a main selling point for the Aura Smart. Sleeping Mask. During my time testing the mask, I did not have any difficulty sleeping with the mask on or any general comfort issues. Additionally, there were no visible pressure points on my face in any sleeping position I tried. However, for stomach sleepers, the Aura Sleep Smart Mask may cause some discomfort, but I think this problem will be caused by many, if not all, sleep masks.

The speakers inside the mask are surprisingly good, and since the mask can play any audio via Bluetooth connection, I was able to play whatever audio I wanted for sleep or relaxation.

After testing the mask, I believe a big improvement Aura could make in perhaps the second generation of this product is the inclusion of headphones. These should be for very light sleepers and have an intuitive design that won’t irritate the ears of side sleepers. Since I’m not a product engineer, I’m not exactly sure how this can be done. However, I believe that combining 100% dimming technology with a sound-dampening design will create a very useful product for many people around the world.

Final Thoughts

Should you spend $358 on the Aura Smart Sleeping Mask? First of all, if you are thinking of buying it, I recommend you wait until it goes on sale. Second, I believe you must meet the following criteria.

The Aura Smart Sleep Mask buyer is looking for a premium sleep mask with a 100% blackout guarantee, but also with additional premium features like speakers, App support, and aesthetics. Did the Aura Smart Sleep Mask improve my sleep quality? Unfortunately not, but what it did do was reduce the time it took me to fall asleep, which I believe was equally valuable in its own right. The person purchasing this mask should also consider this aspect of healing and whether this is a problem for him or her in his or her own life.

Overall, I believe the Aura Smart Sleep Mask is aimed at a niche market of people who really struggle with their sleep or want to optimize their sleep as much as possible. Additionally, in both of the categories mentioned above, people will enjoy listening to audio and relaxing meditation sessions while trying to sleep.

If you fit the above criteria, I think the Aura Smart Sleep Mask will be an incredible addition to your sleep routine, which can lead to the elimination of critical sleep problems and improved overall quality of life.