I Tried To Improve My Sleep Quality With The Manta Sound Sleep Mask. Here’s What Happened

8.0

Manta Sound Sleep Mask

Like it

• Comfortable and lightweight
• C-shaped cups for side sleepers
• Battery life up to 20 hours
• Impressive sound quality
• Machine washable

I dislike

• Duration
• Velcro is not very sticky
• Not 100% total blackout

If you regularly struggle to get enough rest (like me), you know that finding comfortable, reliable, and effective sleep products can be tough. Over the years, I’ve tried countless sleep hacks and products, from sleep supplements to sleep masks to headphones. When I heard about the Manta Sound Sleep Mask, I was immediately intrigued, but I was still hesitant: Would it work? Actually How can I improve the quality of my sleep?

Watch me test the Manta Sound Sleep Mask during an afternoon nap.

What is Manta Sleep?

You may have come across Manta sleep on Instagram or TikTok, as it has quickly gained popularity. The original Manta Sleep Mask has almost 13,000 reviews on Amazon alone and the brand says it has helped more than a million people improve their sleep.

Manta offers a variety of sleep masks at a range of prices, ranging from $35 for the original sleep mask to a $69 silk mask. It also offers therapeutic options, such as weighted, cooling, or steaming eye masks. Additional sleep accessories and products, such as blue light glasses, earplugs, and travel pillows, are also available.

Will this mask solve my sleep problems?

My bedroom has large windows and only sheer curtains, so at night a fair amount of city light shines through. While my husband doesn’t mind, it does keep me awake. Before I bought and installed blackout curtains, I wanted to see if a blackout sleep mask would help.

I am also a light sleeper and wake up at the slightest noise, whether it is my cat purring, cars honking or the TV next door. Masking those strange noises with sleep headphones seemed like a no-brainer.

This led me to try the more expensive Manta Sound Sleep Mask, which costs $143. In addition to being supposedly 100% blackout, this sleep mask has built-in ultra-thin headphones. You can connect to your phone or other device via Bluetooth and listen to music, podcasts, or soothing sounds. This mask is specifically designed with side sleepers in mind, which is another plus for me since I primarily sleep on my side and stomach.

First Thoughts on the Manta Sound Sleep Mask

The mask is comfortable. The eyecups are cushioning and roomy, so my lashes don’t feel pressed against the mask — something I’ve found uncomfortable with other sleep masks I’ve used. The adjustable hook-and-loop closure allowed me to wrap the mask securely around my head, and it didn’t seem to move around much (at first).

It’s also surprisingly light and thinner on the sides than expected, and the materials feel high-quality. After trying it out and reading the instructions, I plugged the mask in with the included charging cable until the battery was fully charged, which took about 2.5 hours.

How did I sleep with the Manta Sound Sleep Mask?

I’ll be the first to say it: I’m not good at sleeping. My sleep latency, or the time it takes to fall asleep, is usually pretty high. It takes a while for my brain to calm down and for me to fully relax. I also usually wake up four to five times a night, sometimes more.

I connected the mask’s Bluetooth to my phone and was finally ready for the first night of testing. I selected a brown noise soundscape from the Calm app and set up the speakers using the sliding blue tab on the sides. The audio quality was impressive. It floated gently around my head, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

I turned the volume down to a comfortable low level and I could still hear sounds around me, including the air purifier running in the corner of the room, but they were faint and distant. The last thing I remember is asking my husband if he could hear the sounds coming from my mask (he couldn’t), and then I fell into a peaceful sleep. If my husband snored that night or my cat purred on my head, I didn’t notice.

Either I took it off unconsciously, or the mask slipped off at some point because it was lying next to me when I woke up. It didn’t seem to matter, I still slept great. It only took a few minutes to fall asleep, and I didn’t wake up until the next morning, 6.5 hours later. Thanks to the airy design and perforated materials for ventilation, I never felt too warm with the mask wrapped around my head, which surprised me.

I didn’t charge the mask right away because I wanted to test battery life, and it lasted nearly three sleeps before dying sometime on the third night. The second and third nights with the sleep mask were similar to the first: I fell asleep quickly and was awake much less than usual. The mask was always off when I woke up in the morning, and I’ve yet to determine if that’s because I take it off while I sleep or if it naturally slides off as I move and change positions.

Did the Manta Sound Sleep Mask pass the nap test?

Manta Sleep proudly promotes afternoon naps. Their website states: “It’s impossible to reach your full potential if you don’t take a nap every day. Everything we do is fueled by our drive to make better lives possible through better sleep and regular naps.”

I can count on one hand the number of afternoon naps I’ve taken as an adult. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t feel sleepy in the afternoon. I do. The afternoon slump often hits me like a ton of bricks, but I usually opt for another cup of coffee to get me through the rest of the day. Inspired by Manta’s pro-napping stance, I decided to give it a try.

On a sunny Monday afternoon, I was preparing for my first power nap in years. I left the window and curtains open in my bedroom, letting in as much natural light and outside noise as possible to test the mask’s blackout and noise-masking properties. I selected a playlist of relaxing sounds on the Calm app, set a 20-minute timer, and put my phone on “do not disturb.”

I spent a while fiddling with the mask to get it right, but I could still see a sliver of light coming through the bottom of the eyecups. I decided it wasn’t bad enough to bother me, but it’s worth noting that I wouldn’t consider it a full blackout effect in broad daylight.

As I drifted off to sleep, my mind was busy sending me unsolicited reminders of all the other tasks I should have been doing: walking the dog, running that errand, washing those dishes, sending that email — you know how it goes. With soothing rain sounds and meditative music playing around me, I took a few deep breaths and eventually drifted off to sleep.

After what felt like a few minutes, I woke up to my phone alarm. The nap test was a success. The mask kept me from opening my eyes and scrolling through my phone, and the soft music blocked out most of the extraneous sounds of the outside world. I woke up energized and ready to continue my day.

Washing the Manta Sound sleep mask

The Manta Sound Sleep Mask is machine washable. This is a great feature, especially for those with sensitive skin who need a sleep mask that they can easily and regularly wash to avoid potential irritation or breakouts.

The sleep mask has simple care instructions. To wash it, I removed the outer layer and placed the inner band (without the headphones) and eyecups in the included mesh carrying case. I machine washed them in cold water and laid them flat to dry completely, which took about 12 hours for the eyecups and less time for the band. If needed, you can also clean the outer layer of the mask with a damp cloth, but it’s important not to put that piece in the washing machine due to the speakers and Bluetooth technology.

Refund Policy and Guarantees

My biggest issue with the Manta Sound Sleep Mask is that the velcro closure at the back doesn’t stay on very well and I’m afraid it will lose its stickiness quickly (especially after frequent washing). I’ve read reviews online from others who have experienced the same thing.

Fortunately, Manta Sleep offers a 60 Day Money Back Guaranteea six-month warranty for non-electronic products and a one-year warranty for electronic products, so replacement bands should be an option. Manta Sleep’s customer service seems to be quick to respond to complaints and questions on social media, which is a good sign. It also offers free shipping on all orders within the US.

Final Thoughts on the Manta Sound Sleep Mask

I am pleasantly surprised at how much I have enjoyed the Manta Sound Sleep Mask. It has been a positive addition to my sleep routine and I look forward to wearing it at night. I am excited to mix and match Various eyecups and bands from Manta.

I have also read several customer reviews about wearing the Manta Sound Sleep Mask while flying. I hadn’t thought about it, but I can’t wait to try it on my next trip.

Try the Manta Sound Sleep Mask if:

• You want to listen to music, podcasts or soothing sounds without disturbing your sleeping partner
• You mainly sleep on your side
• You are looking for a comfortable, machine washable sleep mask
• You want a sleep mask with a long-lasting battery

You may want to skip the Manta Sound Sleep Mask if:

• To sleep you need complete and total darkness
• You toss and turn constantly during your sleep
• You don’t care whether you listen to music or sounds while you sleep
• You are looking for a budget sleep mask