Therabody SleepMask review: soothing vibrations that send you to sleep

Sleep masks are a little like Marmite – you either love them or you hate them. Some people will enjoy the way a sleep mask blocks out external light while others might not like the feel on their face. But as someone who’s gone through phases of both loving and hating sleep masks, I was really intrigued to try the new Therabody SleepMask.

A few months ago, I was invited to Therabody’s Rest to Restore event where I tried a cocooning experience and got to test the new Therabody SleepMask. Since then, I’ve been using the Therabody SleepMask most nights that I’ve had trouble falling asleep – and here’s how I got on.

Therabody SleepMask review: price and availability

The Therabody SleepMask costs £79 / $99 and is available to buy at Therabody and select retailers, like John Lewis, Selfridges and Harrods. It’s currently only available in a dark blue colour.

Therabody SleepMask review: unboxing and setup

As you’d expect from a sleep mask, the Therabody SleepMask is extremely compact and comes with very little additional needs or accessories. But unlike other traditional sleep masks, it does need charging as it uses vibrations to send you to sleep – more on this below.

The Therabody SleepMask comes in a velvet pouch and with a charging cable. There’s a pocket within the bag that holds the charger, so you can take the mask and cable with you on the go in one convenient and stylish package.

Therabody SleepMask review: design and features

While the Therabody SleepMask looks like a regular sleep mask, it actually has technology hidden inside the lining that’s designed to help you relax and have a better night’s sleep. It’s made from soft breathable fabrics that sits comfortably on the face and conforms to your face shape, thanks to its contoured padding around the eyes. It also has an adjustable and non-slip strap at the back so you can get it to better fit your face shape.

The Therabody SleepMask is a 100% blackout eye mask and as it overlaps slightly on your forehead and cheeks, it really does cut out any external light. It features three vibration patterns – wave, constant and pulse – that Therabody states has been scientifically proven to help wearers fall asleep faster, wake up less through the night and improve your sleep quality and quantity.

To control the vibrations, there’s a single button located at the top of the Therabody SleepMask which turns it on and off, and shuffles through the patterns. Next to the button is the charging port for quick and easy recharging.

Therabody SleepMask review: performance

I first tried the Therabody SleepMask at the Therabody Rest to Restore event during a sound bath experience. As you’d expect with an event like this, the effectiveness of the Therabody SleepMask was heightened as I was already in a relaxing setting, but I definitely noticed that the mask itself was contributing to most of my relaxation. Aside from this event, I’ve been using the Therabody SleepMask when in bed to block out light and enjoy the vibration patterns.

I don’t always enjoy the feeling of something on my face while I’m sleeping, which is why I’ve gone through phases of using and not using face masks. But the Therabody SleepMask is made from nice velvety materials that felt nice on my skin and around my eyes. It was easy to adjust and didn’t leave any marks on my face, plus the cushioning was really comfortable and added to the relaxing sensation of the vibrations.

The Therabody SleepMask is simple to use – it only has one button, after all! – and it’s easy to flick through the vibrations. I enjoyed the wave setting the most as it made a nice subtle noise while it’s in action. It’s important to note that the Therabody SleepMask isn’t completely noiseless but this is meant to work alongside the vibrations to relax you – something that I really enjoyed.

One thing to keep in mind though is the Therabody SleepMask can get a bit loud if it touches your pillow. I tend to sleep on my side and the noises did rev up when I moved from my back to my side. It wasn’t hugely disrupting but it was noticeable so if you’re sensitive to sounds, it’s worth noting.

The vibrations were extremely relaxing and sent me to sleep quite quickly. I also noticed that when I had a headache, I put the Therabody SleepMask on and it really helped ease the pain and tension which is an extra added bonus!

Therabody SleepMask review: verdict

If I’m ever struggling to get to sleep, the Therabody SleepMask is the first thing I turn to. It’s easy to use and travel with, and it feels relaxing and comfortable on the face and around the eyes. While it can make a bit of noise which might be distracting to some, it’s an excellent sleep mask that sends you to sleep and alleviates headaches, too.

Therabody SleepMask review: alternatives to consider

The Aura Smart Sleep Mask has a similar design and feature set of the Therabody SleepMask. It’s made from comfortable materials and has a 100% blackout feature to help control your circadian rhythm. It doesn’t vibrate but it does have speakers to play meditation music. It’s also only available in the US currently, and is more expensive than the Therabody SleepMask at $229.

Another good alternative is the Manta SOUND Sleep Mask. It looks more like a headband than a mask but it offers total blackout and Bluetooth speakers for relaxation. At £143, it’s more expensive than the Therabody SleepMask but it’s a pretty impressive offering.