Looking to buy Pillow Speakers?
You’ve come to the right place!
A pillow speaker is a perfect addition to your modern bedroom to add that element of fun and excitement to your room.
As you might have guessed, a pillow speaker is basically just a pillow with speakers inside or speakers you can put around or underneath your pillow.
Pillow speakers are ideal for sound therapy. They help relieve insomnia and numerous other conditions, keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep.
A relaxing environment in the bedroom has many benefits for your sleep schedule, overall health, and even your sex life.
Dive in the article to find out more about our favorite picks and everything you need to know about pillow speakers.
What's in this Buying Guide
This article includes a list of some of the best pillow speakers and their honest and detailed reviews, along with everything else you need to know to purchase sleep speakers.
We list the factors you need to look out for, along with the different types and working mechanisms of speaker pillows.
In the end, we answer some frequently asked questions, so be sure to check them out.
Best Pillow Speakers and Speaker Pillows
Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com
- Best Sound Quality: Sangean PS-300
- Most Comfortable: C. Crane Soft Speaker 3
- Best Value: Conair Sound Therapy Pillow
- Best Pillow Speaker with Amplifiers: Sound Oasis PA-100
| Product | Timer | Warranty | Amplifier | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sangean PS-300 | No | None | Yes | Best Sound Quality |
C. Crane Soft Speaker 3 | Yes | 1 year | Yes | Most Comfortable |
Conair Sound Therapy Pillow | Yes | 1 year | No | Best Value |
Sound Oasis PA-100 | No | 1 year | Yes | Best Pillow Speaker with Amplifiers |
1. Best Sound Quality: Sangean PS-300
The Sangean PS-300 is a top-tier pillow speaker. The full-range speakers have a flat chamber design that enhances the sound quality and reduces the annoying frequency range.
With a controllable amplifier, you can use it as a regular speaker or as a pillow speaker, which only emits sound for you. It is also compatible with any device with a standard 3.5mm jack.
Pros
- Compatible with every gadget with a 3.5mm jack
- Features an in-line volume control
- Distinct extra-flat speaker design reduces frequency range
- Built-in controllable amplifier
Cons
- With high volume and amp feature on, music with high bass may sound a little distorted
- Must be placed on top of the pillow if you have hearing issues and/or a very thick pillow
Our Review
To provide you with supreme and crisp sound quality, Sangean has integrated the PS-300 with 2¼-inch full-range speakers with a rating of 16 ohms that give 50mWpower.
Since it doesn’t have any padding, it is designed for use under the pillow or anywhere else where it is not directly beneath your head. Pick your favorite position, and enjoy quality audio and comfort all day and night.
The PS-300 speaker is not only high quality but also convenient. It features an in-line adjustable volume level, allowing you to choose just the right level where you can fall asleep.
If you and your partner both would like to listen to something, you can use the amplifier. It is also fully compatible with most devices with a standard 3.5mm jack.
The design of the PS-300 speaker is such that it cuts down the irritating frequency range due to its extra-flat chamber, so you can be the only one listening to your music.
You can put it underneath your pillow, inside the pillow cover, or just about anywhere, and it will work perfectly well for music, nature sounds, and even spoken word.
The cable is also quite long at 47 inches, so you can easily place it on your nightstand or side table, even if it is not particularly close to your bed. It is also reasonably priced, especially compared to other Bluetooth speakers and headphones in the market.
2. Most Comfortable: C. Crane Soft Speaker 3
The C. Crane cushioned speakers ensure excellent comfort that is not usually seen in pillow speakers. It also has superior sound quality because of the neodymium magnet speaker, controllable volume levels, adjustable sleep timer, different modes, and a one-year warranty.
Pros
- Compatible with all gadgets with a standard 3.5mm jack
- Allows in-line volume control
- High-quality sound is 3x higher than a non-amplified pillow speaker
- It has an adjustable sleep timer
Cons
- Requires 2 AAA batteries to work
- Multiple cords
Our Review
The C. Crane Soft speaker comes in a removable and cushioned casing. This makes it perfect for keeping it right beside your head or ear instead of placing it inside your pillow cover or under your pillow, especially if you have hearing problems or have a thick pillow.
The C. Crane speaker has a control box attached with a cable that allows you to control the amplification as per your requirement. You can boost the volume up to three times more than a speaker that doesn’t have an amplifier.
The Soft Speaker 3 works on 2AAA batteries and has a helpful battery level indicator.
It also includes 3 different sleep timers: one, four, and eight. The timer also helps save battery as it makes sure the device shuts down after the timer goes off. You can also toggle between music mode and voice mode, depending on what you want to listen to that night.
The C. Crane speakers work with any device with a standard 3.5mm jack (such as Kindle, Samsung devices, iPhones, Chromebooks, iPads, smart speakers, etc.). However, if your device features another jack, you will have to buy an adapter.
The sound quality of this Soft Speaker 3 is pretty impressive as it uses a neodymium magnet speaker. The stereo signal is fully combined, which means you don’t experience any drop-out loss from the right or left channel.
The best part is that you get all these features with a one-year warranty.
3. Best Value: Conair Sound Therapy Pillow
If you are looking for a simple yet plush, comfortable, and effective pillow speaker, you really cannot go wrong with the Conair Sound Therapy Pillow. It doesn’t have very fancy features but is equipped with everything it needs to provide premium sound quality and comfort.
It has a 100% polyester filling, 10 preloaded sounds, the option to connect it with your smartphone or MP3 player, and 3 different timer settings.
Plus, you get all of this with a one-year warranty and a reasonable price.
Pros
- 100% polyester filling
- Comes with a 100% cotton cover
- 10 options of melodic and peaceful sounds
- Features a sleep timer with 15-, 30-, and 60-minutes intervals
Cons
- Needs 2 AA batteries that do not come with the product
- Timer doesn’t work when an external device is connected
Our Review
The Conair Sound Therapy is a low-key and super cozy pillow in a standard queen size with a medium support level and a medium profile. It is stuffed with 100% polyester inside and 100% cotton covering outside.
The Conair pillow can fit on every bed size and won't look small or awkward in king-sized bed frames, either. This makes the size rather convenient and usable for everyone.
It is one of the most comfortable pillow speakers because instead of putting the device under your pillow or buying a cushioned cover for it, the speaker comes embedded in the pillow.
This Conair speaker pillow has a timer with 15-, 30-, and 60-minute options. It also has pre-programmed 10 soothing nature sounds like that of falling rain, heartbeat, ocean waves, and a running stream that you can listen to while going to sleep.
You can also connect it to an external MP3 player or your smartphone and control the volume level as per your liking. This way, you can listen to your entire music library or even a selected playlist if you wish.
One of the best parts of this Conair pillow speaker is that it comes with a one-year warranty, so you can rest assured that you put your money in a reliable manufacturer.
4. Best Pillow Speaker with Amplifiers: Sound Oasis PA-100
The PA-100 is perfect for people who like to use their pillow speakers not only for themselves at night but also for loud music or those who have a hearing disability. Its 94 dB output is better than most amplifiers in its price range, and the speaker’s design also allows for a smooth and convenient experience.
Pros
- 73-inch long cord makes it super convenient to place
- Can be plugged into a wall outlet with the included USB cable and power adapter
- With the 94 dB rating, you can use it for loud music too
- Features in-line volume control
Cons
- Sound becomes muffled with a foam pillow
- The power adapter is quite big
Our Review
Sound Oasis has built this set of speakers very smartly.
In terms of design, the PA-100 has 2 ultra-thin speakers connected with a wire, so you can position them around your head such that the sound completely surrounds you. The cord is long enough that you can place the speakers at a considerable distance, too.
The Sound Oasis speakers have a built-in amplifier that can produce a maximum sound level of 94 dB, so you can use it even when you want loud music. The built-in amplifier also makes these speakers ideal for those with a hearing sensitivity issue.
Additionally, the PA-100 features an in-line volume control knob for fine-tuning the volume level rather than going from high to a whisper with just a little turn.
These amplified pillow speakers are also super thin, but they do not compromise on sound quality in any way. You can even place them under a thin pillow, and you will not feel them.
The manufacturer claims that these speakers are pretty useful for sound therapy, and it is hard to argue with that. Their sound quality and customizable design make them a good choice if you struggle with sleeping.
Pillow Speakers Buying Guide
What are Pillow Speakers – and How Do They Work?
As the name suggests, pillow speakers either integrate a speaker in the pillow or are designed such that you can use them under or inside your pillow cover to help you fall asleep.
How they work depends on the type of pillow speaker you buy.
However, generally, a speaker connected to an MP3 player or any external device with a standard jack or via Bluetooth plays the music of your choice.
The speaker design helps to accentuate the purpose. These sleep speakers sometimes have a flat chamber design to reduce the frequency, as is the case with Sangean PS-300.
Other products feature two speakers instead of one connected with a long wire to help you place them around your head in the best position.
They usually also have an in-line volume control feature and an amplifier so that you can use your speaker in a variety of settings.
Types of Pillow Speakers
Pillow speakers are of different types and are more suited to certain uses. They include:
Under-Pillow
The most common, simple, and classic design for pillow speakers is an under-pillow model. It is usually a small flat speaker that you can place under a thick or thin pillow.
Under-pillow speakers emit quality sound without getting too muffled, and you will not be able to feel a prominent bulge under your pillow.
The best part is that despite delivering good sound quality, it will not disturb your partner sleeping next to you.
Portable
Portable speakers typically feature a pocket or some sort of housing to keep your audio device and pillow in close proximity to allow for easy packing. Generally, they use a battery as a power source rather than a cord.
Built-In Speaker
This is the most convenient design, in our opinion. If you want a speaker pillow, why not get a pillow that has a built-in speaker like the Conair sound therapy pillow? Such pillows are plush, comfortable, reasonably priced, and also produce white noise.
Why Buy Pillow Speakers?
Pillow speakers are generally designed for people who have insomnia or have trouble falling asleep. This could be due to any reason, like having an extra active or creative mind that just does not shut off at night.
Since their thoughts keep them awake, such people prefer to listen to some calming music or nature sounds before they doze off since soothing melodies are great at helpingpeople sleep.
Pillow speakers are also used for sound therapy that involves different sounds to treat or help relieve the symptoms of some physical or mental conditions.
Since the sound from the speaker surrounds you, it helps ease the mind as you focus on those sounds to relax and eventually fall asleep.
What to Look for in Pillow Speakers
Pillow speakers may sound like simple and straightforward devices, but they have quite a lot of features and aspects that you should be aware of. These include:
Price
The first thing to consider is your budget, as this dictates the features you get to choose from and helps shortlist products.
Generally, pillow speakers are pretty affordable, and you can find a quality product for $25 or less. On the other hand, speaker pillows cost you at least $60.
To specify the difference between the two, pillow speakers are smaller, so you can easily put them under or on your pillow. Meanwhile, speaker pillows are designed to stream music from an external audio device.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth connectivity is not common to all devices. If you want wireless pillow speakers, you need to look into this option. It will allow you to connect your smartphone or gadget to your speaker via Bluetooth. However, this will hike up the price quite a bit.
Volume
Volume levels for a pillow speaker aren’t typically too loud, as you don’t want to disturb your children or partner sleeping next to you. However, if the product has an attached amplifier, it can be as high as 100 dB.
A pillow speaker with a volume control option is quite common and can be in the form of a knob or something similar.
However, some options, like the C. Crane Soft Speaker 3, have an attached amplifier, too. This is good for those who not only want a sound level that they alone can hear at night but also want the benefits of a more conventional speaker.
Speaker Impedance
Simply put, speaker impedance is the measure of resistance experienced by the audio device for the alternating current when provided with voltage and is measured in ohms.
The impedance ranges between 4 and 16 ohms; however, if you have an attached amplifier, we recommend getting a speaker with a 6-16 ohms rating. In other cases, a lower impedance may also work.
Frequency Response
The frequency response range represents the spectrum of sounds the speaker can reproduce in reaction to a stimulus. A speaker pillow should ideally have a frequency response of 20 to 100 Hz. However, it should not exceed 20,000 Hz, even if you have a higher rating.
Cord Length
Cord length is for speakers that do not have Bluetooth or WiFi.
A cord length can vary and be as long as 7 feet. The cord connects your phone or audio device to your speaker, so a long cord length of approximately 6 feet is better if you want to keep your speaker or phone on a nightstand or away from your bed.
However, if you put both devices under your pillow or close by, a long cord will just be bothersome.
Weight
A pillow speaker shouldn’t weigh too much, in fact, the lighter it is, the more comfortable it will feel under your pillow.
Generally, pillow speakers can weigh around 2-4 kg. However, if you want a travel-friendly option, we suggest you stay on the lighter side.
Sound Quality
This is the most crucial feature in any speaker but is even more significant in pillow speakers as you want to make sure it doesn’t get muffled through the layers.
The speakers on our list all have good sound quality, but you have to choose carefully. Some are not suited for thick pillows, while some work best from a little distance.
Warranty
A warranty on any product adds more trust for the consumer but a warranty on electrical products is even more significant.
While not every speaker pillow brand offers a warranty, the ones that usually do offer a one-year warranty. C Crane and Conair pillows from our list come with a one-year warranty.
Pros and Cons: Pillow Speakers
While pillow speakers have numerous cons, they have some drawbacks, too. Here are both aspects so that you can make a better choice.
Pros
The most obvious benefit of a pillow speaker is that it helps you fall asleep. It drowns out other noises in the room and allows you to focus on the music you have put on, relax your mind, and fall asleep. With sound therapy, it can even help with mental conditions like insomnia.
As opposed to other speakers, pillow speakers don’t disturb the person sleeping next to you, but they still provide adequate volume level and sound quality.
Earphones or headsets can be uncomfortable to wear throughout the night. Meanwhile, speaker pillows either come in cushioned casings, can just be placed under your pillow, or sometimes are pillows with built-in speakers, so they are quite comfortable.
Cons
Due to their low weight and small and simple design, some pillow speakers are quite fragile. If they are placed at an awkward angle under your pillow, and you sleep on them, you might inflict irreparable damage.
Care and Maintenance: Pillow Speakers
Pillow speakers don’t have a detailed or hefty maintenance process and don’t have to be disassembled. You just have to keep them clean and properly stored, and they should last you for some while.
You can clean the exterior with an approved disinfectant and cloth and the speaker grill with a toothbrush. Accumulated debris or dirt in the speaker can affect sound quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all pillow speakers come with timers?
Not all pillow speakers come with a timer, but quite a few do. With a timer, you can play music as far ahead in the night as you want to rather than all night and conserve battery too. Products like the C Crane Soft Speakers and Conair Sound Therapy Pillows feature a timer.
Do plastic-covered speakers and fabric-covered speakers deliver different sound qualities?
Plastic-covered speakers are more common in the market due to their inexpensive production cost and adequate build. However, some people believe that they dampen sound quality and make it a little bland.
On the other hand, Aramid fibre is a better option as it reacts to sound vibrations quite effectively. It is also very rigid and adds durability to the speaker.
Can I record personal sounds with my pillow speaker?
No, pillow speakers are not designed to record any custom sounds sincethat doesn’t align with their primary purpose.
Some might have pre-programmed sounds, but if you want to play something in particular, you can just connect them with an external device like your phone. You can also record whatever sound you want on your phone, connect it with your pillow speaker, and then play it.
Final Verdict: What is the Best Pillow Speaker Sold Today?
All things considered, the best pillow speaker on our list is the Sangean PS-300.
It delivers remarkable sound quality and has an adequate impedance of 16 ohms. Plus, it has impressive features like an amplifier and in-line volume control.
And the best part is that all of this is available at a reasonable price!
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