Product test
Bose QuietComfort Ultra review: how ultra are they really?
by Florian Bodoky
Trying to fall into a deep sleep, but someone’s snoring? These Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds can make it happen
9-10-2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Siri Schubert
Want deeper, calmer, more restful sleep? Dealing with loud snoring or traffic noise? Soundcore’s Sleep A30 earbuds promise exactly that kind of slumber. I gave them a go.
I’d tried the previous earbuds, the Sleep A20, a few times, but wasn’t entirely satisfied with them. They dug into me while I was sleeping and couldn’t do much to counteract snoring noises.
So my hopes for the Sleep A30 were all the higher. Soundcore says the earbuds’ active noise cancelling, smart sleep detection and snore masking features help them adapt to your surroundings. What’s more, they’re seven per cent flatter than the Sleep A20 buds, apparently making them suitable for side sleepers like me.
First impressions: no success without adjustments
When I first pick up the Sleep A30 earbuds, I’m impressed by their flat shape and lightness (three grammes). Now these are earbuds for side sleepers, I think to myself.
Alas, disappointment sets in during my first night with them. When I’m lying on my side, the buds press so hard into my ears that I whip them out just under two hours into the night. I know from testing other earphones that the inside of my ears are really sensitive. On the bright side, Soundcore provides an array of different silicone and memory foam tips so you can find a shape that fits you. Actually doing this, however, is no easy feat.
It takes me four nights to find the perfect fit. I try the memory foam tips first, as they do a better job of covering your ear canal and supposedly block out more noise. But they’re not a good fit for me. In the end, I manage to get to sleep wearing the little silicone tips. They do dig in just a little, but I’m sure that’s partly down to my sensitive ears. All this considered, it’s definitely worth experimenting with different tips.
Countless sound variations
To be honest, my first few nights with the new sleep earbuds are anything but restful. I opt to follow the app’s background noise recommendations, but these turn out to be as unsuited to me as the memory foam tips. The birdsong wakes me up randomly and the sound of running water nags at my bladder. Let’s face it, running back and forth to the loo isn’t exactly conducive to a good night’s sleep.
During my own little experiment, I find out that brainwave audio doesn’t exactly have a sleep-inducing effect on me. In fact, I actually feel weirdly alert and focused. Listening to the same sounds the next day at work, I get a perfect combination of undisturbed focus and nice background noise.
Does a good job of masking snoring
Now here comes the real test. How well do the earbuds manage to neutralise snoring noises? The Sleep A30 earbuds use three methods to clamp down on sleep-busting snoring. First, your ear canal’s covered by the silicone or memory foam tips. Then there are the soothing sounds. And last but not least, there’s the earbuds’ most powerful weapon: active noise cancelling.
This works by way of a microphone built into the charging case, which measures the frequency, volume and rhythm of the snoring. Basically, the earbuds then play an opposite acoustic signal that’s supposed to neutralise that annoying sound.
To test this feature, I play Realistic Snoring Sounds – an eleven-hour YouTube video of uninterrupted snoring. (Yes, such a thing actually exists!)
Despite my super focus on the snoring noises for the purpose of my review, the Sleep A30 buds make them fade further and further into the background. It eventually gets to the point where I still notice them, but they don’t bother me. The volume of the Himalayan cloudburst automatically adjusts to the snoring. Soothed by the sound of wind drowning out the rain, I slowly drift off to sleep. Another successful experiment!
Still, you can tell that the earbuds have been designed with sleep in mind on account of the charging case’s discreet lighting. This helps you find the buds in the dark – as long as they’re within easy reach on your bedside table.
I’m also awarding some bonus points for the sleep analysis feature. Now, this took me by surprise, because I generally consider sleep tracking to be a pointless gimmick. I mean, I know myself whether I’ve slept well. Seeing as I was there the whole night, I know if it’s been a tossing-and-turning or an out-like-a-light situation.
But this sleep-tracking feature’s different. Not only does it show you how much time you’ve spent in deep sleep (18 per cent in my case), but it also gives you a typical range (13 to 23 per cent). A little more context gives the analysis more value in my book. It also provides information on each sleep phase, tossing and turning during sleep and the benefits of REM sleep. If you ask me, this background is more helpful than numerical data alone.
The earbud controls have been optimised to suit being worn in bed. To switch modes or adjust the volume, you have to tap the buds at least twice. This is useful, as it stops you from accidentally switching modes when you roll over in bed. I initially found the controls to be fairly unreliable, but now they work well. I’m unsure whether that’s down to a firmware update or the fact I’ve had more practice at using them now.
You can make calls with the earbuds too, but I didn’t try that feature out. Gabbing on the phone in the middle of the night wouldn’t have been that helpful in sending me off to sleep, would it?
In a nutshell
The Soundcore Sleep A30 creates good conditions for peaceful sleep
When I’m trying to sleep, I prefer my surroundings to be quiet. Having the TV on or playing background noise to help me drift off isn’t my thing. So I’d only really wear the Sleep A30 earbuds while staying in hotels or B&Bs, dealing with noisy neighbours or on nights when the whirr of thoughts buzzing around my head keeps me awake. I’d also wear them if I wanted to finish off a podcast before going to sleep. If it’s just occasional use we’re talking about, the earbuds are seriously pricey.
Anyone who likes to fall asleep to background noise will be keen on the Soundcore Sleep A30. The buds’ numerous customisation options, small fit and active noise cancelling all stack up in their favour. In my view, the fact that podcasts and music switch off automatically when you nod off is another plus point. Even more so when you consider that the feature puts less strain on your hearing than continuous background noise. In fact, sleep researchers believe background noise being used for sleep could become an issue in the long run. If you’re keen to get into the nitty-gritty of sleep quality, you might appreciate the sleep analysis provided by the app.
Overall, I’m impressed by the Soundcore Sleep A30. Compared to the previous version of the earbuds, they’re a step up in terms of fit and noise cancelling. Once I’ve done a little experimentation and grown used to them, they help me get deep, peaceful sleep and even minimise snoring noises. Pretty much the best sleep support you could expect from a pair of earphones.
Pro
- Small, flat earbuds, suitable for side sleepers too
- Active noise cancelling
- Smart snore masking
- Can be used with Bluetooth and local audio
- Customisable shape and sound
- Can be used during the day for calls and focused work
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
