If you’ve ever tried to sleep with earbuds in, you know it’s a tricky balance between blocking out noise and actually being comfortable. That’s where Soundcore’s new Sleep A30 earbuds come in. They’re the latest in the company’s sleep lineup and the first to offer active noise cancellation (ANC)—a step up from the passive noise isolation used in previous models like the Sleep A10 and A20.
The A30s are available now for preorder on Kickstarter, with full availability expected in August through Amazon and Soundcore’s website. And while the $229.99 price tag might raise eyebrows, early backers can grab them for as low as $139.
One of the big updates this time around is the design. The Sleep A30 earbuds are 7% slimmer than before, which might not sound like a lot, but it could make a real difference for people who sleep on their side. The idea is to reduce pressure on the ears when your head’s on the pillow.
To help with fit, Soundcore includes a variety of options: four pairs of silicone ear tips, three pairs of memory foam tips, and three sizes of ear wings. The goal is to make sure the earbuds stay in place overnight without digging into your ears.
The biggest feature this year is what Soundcore calls Smart ANC. The earbuds use microphones inside and outside your ears to actively cancel out external sounds, up to 30 decibels, according to the company. That’s enough to take the edge off traffic noise, a loud neighbor, or even a snoring partner.
Speaking of snoring, the charging case now plays a role, too. It includes something called Adaptive Snore Masking. Basically, the case listens for snoring throughout the night, analyzes its volume and pitch, and then prompts the earbuds to play masking sounds designed to help drown it out. It’s not just white noise, either—the earbuds can play more tailored ambient sounds like streams or breezes.
If you’re someone who uses calming sounds to fall asleep, the Sleep A30 has you covered. You can choose from a selection of preloaded soundscapes stored directly on the earbuds, or stream your own music or podcasts from your phone via Bluetooth 5.3. The earbuds also support binaural beats and AI-generated brainwave audio—soundtracks meant to help guide your brain into more restful states.
On top of that, the Sleep A30 includes sleep tracking features through the Soundcore app. It monitors your sleep stages, tracks your position during the night, and gives you a summary of how well you slept. It’s not a full-on medical-grade tracker, but it could offer some helpful insight.
And if you rely on a personal alarm, the A30 includes one with a snooze button and customizable tones. The alarm plays through the earbuds so it can wake you up without disturbing anyone else in the room.
Battery life has taken a bit of a hit compared to the previous generation. The Sleep A20 could go up to 14 hours on a single charge. With the A30, you’re looking at about 9 hours in local mode (playing built-in audio at half volume with ANC on), and 6.5 hours if you’re streaming over Bluetooth. The charging case boosts total time to 45 hours in local mode, or 35 hours when streaming.
That’s probably enough for a few nights of use without recharging, but it’s something to keep in mind if you were used to going longer between charges with the A20.
If an earbud falls out in the middle of the night and gets lost in the sheets, the app has a “Find My Earbud” feature that plays a sound through the missing bud. It’s a small touch, but a handy one for anyone who’s spent early mornings digging through blankets.
The A30 comes in two colors this time: Classic White and a new Mist Green. Each set ships with plenty of fit options in the box, so you can mix and match until you find what works best.
The Soundcore Sleep A30 retails for $229.99 in the U.S. and €249.99 in Europe, with pre-orders available now on Kickstarter. Early backers can get the earbuds for as low as $139 or €149.99, depending on your region. Shipping is expected to start in August, with wider availability on Amazon and Soundcore’s website soon after.
