Aura Sleep Mask Review: Total Blackout & Sound Therapy In Action

Aura Sleep Mask at a Glance

With increasingly hectic and stressful lifestyles, how to sleep better has been a key question asked by doctors, sleep tech manufacturers, ordinary people, and researchers for years now.

This has led to the rise of a number of sleep gadgets, such as sleep trackers, smartwatches, lamps, and smart sleep masks, to help people get the most out of their shut-eye.

Research Nester estimated the sleep tech industry to be worth about $24.44 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $170.07 billion by the end of 2036.

But with the wealth of sleep tech choices available nowadays, how do you know which ones are worth the money and, more importantly, are suitable for you?

We engaged in a first-hand Aura Sleep Mask review to help you narrow down the search for the right sleep mask.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. What Is the Aura Sleep Mask?
2. Aura Sleep Mask Features & Specs
3. Aura Sleep Mask Price
4. Aura Sleep Mask App
5. Aura Sleep Mask in Action: Benefits & Drawbacks Explored
6. The Verdict: Should You Buy the Aura Sleep Mask?
7. Alternatives to Aura Sleep Mask
8. The Bottom Line
9. FAQs

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. What Is the Aura Sleep Mask?
2. Aura Sleep Mask Features & Specs
3. Aura Sleep Mask Price
Show Full Guide
4. Aura Sleep Mask App
5. Aura Sleep Mask in Action: Benefits & Drawbacks Explored
6. The Verdict: Should You Buy the Aura Sleep Mask?
7. Alternatives to Aura Sleep Mask
8. The Bottom Line
9. FAQs

What Is the Aura Sleep Mask?

The Aura Sleep Mask is a smart sleep mask launched by Aura Circle, a sleep tech company founded by Andy Chow, who is also the CEO of Netawork, a design and manufacturing consultancy firm.

Inspired by Andy’s own sleep challenges, the Aura Sleep Mask claims to use customizable sound therapy and 100% blackout technology to provide an immersive sleep experience.

This helps users fall asleep faster and experience longer periods of deep sleep, creating what the company calls their “own personal sleep sanctuary.”

The company also claims that this mask helps with issues such as sleep deprivation, poor sleep quality, and insomnia.

The mask targets shift workers who need proper sleep to function better at work, frequent travelers, and new parents who may not get enough sleep time, amongst others.

Aura Sleep Mask Features & Specs

One of the key features of the Aura smart sleep mask is its advanced 100% blackout technology with customizable sound therapy through the Aura DreamScapes app.

The total darkness provided helps regulate melatonin production and the circadian rhythm.

The sound therapy allows users to pick and choose from a variety of soundscapes, ASMR tracks, and meditation tracks and create personalized playlists.

Once connected to the app, the tracks can be controlled with the buttons on the mask, largely eliminating the need to use your phone.

The mask also offers aromatherapy through French lavender-scented slip-ons.

It has a magnetic 3D hug cushion, which claims to protect eyelashes while being comfortable on the face by easing pressure. This cushion is also detachable, so it is easy to clean.

The mask also includes a sunrise wake-up feature, which involves a gradually glowing light imitating sunrise, which can help users wake up more naturally.

It also has an alarm option, which users can set at a specific time, which will wake them up with their pre-selected soundscapes or music.

The Aura Sleep Mask also automatically adjusts speaker volume depending on how a user sleeps and shuts off sounds within 90 minutes.

With a one-week battery life, the product is also ultra-lightweight, weighing 130 grams, making it easy to travel with.

Aura Sleep Mask Price

Currently, the Aura Sleep Mask price on the company’s website is $229 for only the mask, and includes free shipping.

The product ships worldwide and also includes a one-year warranty and a free 30-day home trial period.

The Aura Smart Sleep Mask Starter Kit costs $239 and comes with additional hug cushions and a three-pack of Aura Aroma Air liners.

A single Aroma liner costs $4.99, whereas one hug cushion costs $11.99.

Aura Sleep Mask App

The Aura Sleep Mask app, also known as the Aura DreamScapes app, has meditation and ASMR tracks, as well as nature soundscapes.

Nature tracks, including “Tropical Island Indonesia,” “Tranquil River Tasmania,” “Insect Serenade Night,” “Wind in the Himalayas Nepal” and more, are very relaxing.

For the ASMR tracks, there are options such as “Most relaxing triggers to fall asleep,” “Mystical Moments,” and “Sit Around Dreams,” among others.

The meditation tracks include options such as “Stress Relief Body Scan,” “Box Breathing Meditation,” “Self Esteem and Success Meditation,” and “Release Fear and Anxiety Meditation.”

The app allows you to earmark your favorite tracks and create separate playlists for naps and bedtimes.

It also comes with a wake-up alarm and glow function, which you can turn on or off if needed. The glow brightness is also adjustable, as is the audio balance feature while sleeping.

The app also has a basic sleep diary function.

Aura Sleep Mask in Action: Benefits & Drawbacks Explored

I tested the Aura Sleep Mask for two weeks, at the end of July and the beginning of August, in London, United Kingdom.

I tested it for:

• sleep at night
• winding down before bed
• meditation sessions throughout the day.

Although I was very excited to try it out, using the aura mask while sleeping was quite uncomfortable for me, mainly due to its bulkiness.

While it did feel comfortable on the face and eyes while sitting, this was not the case while sleeping, when it irritated the bottom of my eyes.

This, along with the bulkiness, also meant that it was quite difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position, even while sleeping on my side, and significantly restricted movement during the night.

It was also an adjustment, given that I am usually a front-sleeper.

Taking off the hug cushion while sleeping helped somewhat but made the mask looser, meaning it didn’t hold its position throughout the night and kept coming off.

However, I did find the velcro strap quite convenient and easy to use.

The app, which connects with the mask via Bluetooth, has a good concept and innovative use of ASMR.

I could create my own playlist of soundscapes, meditation, and ASMR tracks. This is an added bonus for some users who may prefer to use their own soundscapes and meditation tracks rather than what the DreamScapes app offers.

However, there are still a few glitches to iron out, especially those related to user functionality, which was not very intuitive.

The playlist kept pausing randomly in the middle of playing despite me having set the timer to 30 minutes or more. This disrupted the experience of a relaxing meditation or wind-down routine and often meant that I had to keep checking what was wrong or restart a track.

I also found the list of available soundscapes and tracks to be somewhat limited.

While I eventually got better used to it over these two weeks, the above issues still caused me to have more disturbed sleep than I usually do.

On the other hand, the sound quality is quite good, albeit with a little spillover, and the gentle wake-up light simulating sunrise and alarm features are also helpful, especially for deep sleepers who may not want to wake up abruptly.

The Aura Sleep Mask was also very helpful for meditation and unwinding. I used it to take small 10-minute breaks during the day, helping me refocus and rest my eyes.

As I have a desk job with long hours and a lot of typing work, this was particularly helpful for feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and gave me an extra boost of energy on busy days.

I especially enjoyed the Aura Aroma Air liners, which currently come in lavender and provide a soothing aromatherapy experience.

The fragrance is not too strong either, which can make it suitable for people with smell sensitivities. However, I wish these air liners would come in some more fragrance options.

The Verdict: Should You Buy the Aura Sleep Mask?

Personally, at $229, I would not feel inclined to buy the Aura Sleep Mask, as the cost would not justify the features included.

This is especially because to use the mask, I had to really focus on its app, which, at the moment, is still quite basic and glitchy.

It also needs to include a few more sensory features to truly compete with other smart sleep masks, which provide functions such as heart rate and sleep monitoring, massages, and even brainwave monitoring, often at a lower price.

Although I don’t tend to move too much most nights, the restriction in movement may prove to be an issue for more restless sleepers. The mask may also work better for side sleepers, as the company suggests.

However, this is my opinion as a person who has never really had too many sleep issues, nor have I needed to use sleep masks in the past.

As such, the Aura Sleep Mask may still be a good option for people who struggle with insomnia and sleep deprivation.

Alternatives to Aura Sleep Mask

Apart from the Aura Sleep Mask, these are some of the best sleep masks on the market:

Therabody Smart Goggles

Therabody Smart Goggles has built-in biometric sensors to help reduce your heart rate and enhance relaxation.

It also offers heated temple and eye massages with vibration for better sleep and comes with three modes or treatments: Focus, SmartRelax, and Sleep.

Treatments can also be personalized through the Therabody app, which also provides sound therapy content.

On the other hand, one drawback is that it only has a battery life of approximately 120 minutes, depending on which mode it is being used in.

Lumos Smart Sleep Mask

The Lumos Smart Sleep Mask uses patented light therapy technology to help regulate users’ circadian rhythms and body clocks.

This can help immensely when dealing with jet lag or traveling across time zones. Based on studies from Stanford University, the mask uses short light pulses to regulate circadian clocks.

Users select a program on the Lumos App, which is catered to a range of functions such as wanting to fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer, transitioning for night shifts or travelling, amongst others.

They then input their schedules into the program. Based on this, the mask gives out instructions on when to put the mask on.

Following this, users only need to put the mask on before bed and keep it on throughout the night.

The Bottom Line

The Aura Sleep Mask offers 100% blackout technology, customizable sound therapy, and aromatherapy. It could bring an outstanding experience for meditation and unwinding.

Still, its bulkiness and sometimes glitchy app performance might impede its effectiveness as a sleep assistant, especially regarding its premium price tag.

FAQs