Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Adaptive Sound Technologies Sound+Sleep Mini

$79.95

The Sound+Sleep Mini offers a variety of sound profiles, from natural to ambient, providing an adaptive sound environment that adjusts to your surroundings.

Our take

An adaptive sound companion for any setting.

So, I got my hands on the Adaptive Sound Technologies Sound+Sleep Mini, and I’ve got to say, it's a pretty nifty little gadget. It’s one of those sound machines that's supposed to help you sleep better by masking disruptive noises. First thing I noticed is how compact it is. This thing is seriously portable, so if you’re someone who travels a lot or stays in hotels often, it’s a good fit for sliding into your overnight bag. But, let’s be real — portability isn’t everything. I was more curious about whether it actually works.

Using it is straightforward enough. You’ve got several sound options like white noise, ocean, rain, and a few others. It’s not rocket science to get it going, which I appreciate. The sound quality is decent, but don't expect concert-hall acoustics. What stands out is the adaptive sound feature, which is designed to adjust the volume automatically based on the surrounding noise level. This is where it shines a bit — it actually does a decent job of leveling things out. But, if you’re a super light sleeper, it might not be a complete game-changer.

Now, let’s talk about the sound variety. There are 12 options, which sounds like a lot, but in reality, some of them feel pretty similar. I mean, how many different ways can you remix rain? The variety is okay, but it’s not going to blow your socks off. It’s more like having a nice selection of background noise to find what suits you best. If you're picky about your soundscapes, you might find yourself cycling through them a bit to find your sweet spot.

Battery-wise, it’s a mixed bag. The battery life is decent but not stellar. It’s rechargeable, which is a plus because you’re not constantly feeding it batteries. However, if you’re using it a lot without plugging it in, you’ll probably find yourself recharging it more often than you’d like. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning on using it for long stretches without access to an outlet.

Overall, the Sound+Sleep Mini does its job well enough. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s a solid option if you're looking for a portable sound machine to help you catch some Zs. It’s got its quirks — like the battery life and the somewhat limited sound variety — but it’s still a handy little device for drowning out the world when you need it. If you’re on the fence, I’d say give it a shot, especially if you’re always on the go and need some consistency in your sleep environment.

Free with in-app purchases