Can the Manta Sound Sleep Mask Improve Your Rest? I Tested It to Find Out

8.0

Manta Sound Sleep Mask

Like

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

Don’t like

• Expensive
• Velcro strap is not very sticky
• Not 100% total blackout

I’m particular about anything that goes on or around my head — especially sleep masks and headphones. It’s been a challenge for me to find sleep products that are comfortable, reliable and effective. Hearing about the Manta Sound Sleep Mask immediately piqued my interest, but hesitations remained: Would it actually help me get better sleep?

Will this mask solve my sleep problems?

I recently moved into a new apartment where I have a few problems with getting quality sleep. Our bedroom has large windows and sheer day shades only, so quite a bit of city light shines through at night. This does not bother my husband, but it keeps me up. Before buying and installing blackout curtains, I wanted to see if a blackout sleep mask would help. 

I’m a light sleeper and wake up to the slightest of noises, whether it’s my cat purring, cars honking or our neighbor’s TV. Masking those extraneous 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 supposedly being 100% blackout, this sleep mask has built-in razor-thin headphones. You can Bluetooth connect to your phone or another device and listen to any music, podcasts or calming sounds of your choosing. This mask is specifically designed with side sleepers in mind, which is another bonus for me because I sleep primarily on my side and stomach. 

Initial thoughts on the Manta Sound Sleep Mask

The mask is impressively comfortable. Its eyecups are cushioning and spacious, keeping my eyelashes from squishing against the mask — something I don’t like about other sleep masks I’ve used. The adjustable velcro strap allowed me to wrap the mask snuggly around my head, and it didn’t seem like it would slide around much. 

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

I turned the volume down to a comfortable low level and I could still hear noises around me, including the air purifier running in the corner of the room, but it was faint and sounded far away. The last thing I remember is asking my husband if he could hear the sounds coming from my mask (he couldn’t, by the way), then I drifted off into a peaceful slumber. If my husband snored or my cat purred on my head that night, I didn’t notice. 

I fussed with the mask for a while, trying to fit it properly, but I could still see a sliver of light coming through the bottom of the eyecups. I decided it wasn’t enough to bother me, but it’s worth noting that I wouldn’t consider it a complete blackout effect in full daylight. 

Heading into this nap, my mind was busy sending unsolicited reminders of all the other tasks I should have been doing instead: Walking the dog, running an errand, sending that email, doing the dishes — you know how it goes. With relaxing rainfall sounds and meditative music surrounding me, I took a few deep breaths and eventually drifted off to sleep. 

After what felt like only a couple of minutes, I woke up to my phone alarm. The nap test was a success. The mask kept me from being tempted to open my eyes and scroll on my phone, and the gentle music kept away most of the extraneous noises from the outside world. I woke up energized and ready to continue the day. 

Washing the Manta Sound Sleep Mask

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

Fortunately, Manta Sleep offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, a six-month warranty for non-electronic products and a one-year warranty for electronic products, so replacement straps should be an option. Manta Sleep’s customer support seems to respond quickly to complaints and questions on social media, which is a good sign. It also offers free shipping for all orders within the US.

Final thoughts on the Manta Sound Sleep Mask

I am pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed the Manta Sound Sleep Mask. It’s been a positive addition to my sleep routine, and I look forward to wearing it at night. I’m excited to mix and match Manta’s various eyecups and straps. 

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

You should try the Manta Sound Sleep Mask if:

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

You should skip the Manta Sound Sleep Mask if:

• You require complete and total darkness to sleep
• You constantly toss and turn while sleeping 
• You don’t care about listening to music or sounds while sleeping 
• You’re looking for a budget sleep mask