Drifting Off at 35,000 Feet? My honest review of Sleep Zen Mask Sound 3D
As someone who enjoys going on holiday and exploring new places, I’ve learned that sleeping on a plane isn’t a luxury; it’s a survival skill. Over the years, I’ve tried every eye mask imaginable, from the flimsy ones handed out in economy class to the plush British Airways business class version my partner swears by after a trip to North America.
Eventually, I upgraded to Amazon’s most reviewed sleep mask. A memory foam sleep mask, light as air, with a thick head strap that didn’t squeeze my skull and, most importantly, gave my eyelashes room to blink without brushing up against fabric.
But here’s the thing: I love listening to calming sounds while I sleep. At home, I drift off to waves crashing or soft piano music, so why not bring that experience to my flights? The problem? Side sleeper struggles. Earbuds dig into my ears, fall out, or get lost somewhere between the seat cushions. Over-ear headphones? Forget it. So when I stumbled across the Sleep Zen Mask Sound 3D, I had to try it. A mask that blocks out light and plays music? Sounded like a dream.
Unboxing First Impressions
When the Sleep Zen mask arrived, I was impressed. It came in a sleek, professional-looking box with a satin bag to store it in. My first minor hiccup? The mask didn’t actually fit into the bag. Not a dealbreaker, though. I just used my old memory foam mask case instead. The mask came fully charged, so I gave it a test run at home, lounging on my couch with my go-to Spotify sleep playlist. It felt luxurious, the sound was crisp, and the controls were easy to figure out.
One small snag: I couldn’t find the charging port. I scoured the tiny user manual, but no luck. After firing off an email to Sleep Zen’s support team, I got a prompt and helpful reply. Crisis averted.
The Real Test: A Long-Haul Flight
Fast-forward a few days to my overnight flight from Johannesburg to London. 11 hours in the air. The perfect opportunity to put this mask to the test. I love total darkness when I sleep, and the added ability to block out cabin noise with my favourite soothing sounds was a huge plus.
On the outbound flight, I got a solid six hours of sleep, which is practically a miracle for me. The mask was comfortable, the sound was immersive, and I woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed. The return flight was even better. I skipped dinner (thank you, airport lounge dining), put on my mask at takeoff and slept for seven full hours. The only reason I woke up was dehydration, so I grabbed some water and dozed off again.
What I Loved About the Sleep Zen Mask & What Could Be Better
✅ Pros:
Total blackout for uninterrupted sleep.
Soft, cushioned design that doesn’t press against the eyes.
Crisp sound quality, perfect for relaxing sleep sounds or white noise.
Responsive customer service (major bonus!).
❌ Cons:
It’s noticeably heavier than my usual sleep mask.
The Velcro strap is a bit shorter than I’d like, making adjustments tricky.
Not ideal if you’re just looking for a simple blackout mask. I’d still reach for my memory foam one in that case.
Final Verdict of the Sleep Zen Mask
Would I use the Sleep Zen™ – Sleep Mask Sound 3D on another long-haul flight? Absolutely, but only when I want the added benefit of sound to lull me to sleep. If I just need darkness, I’ll stick to my lighter, more adjustable mask.
That said, if you’re a side-sleeping traveler who loves drifting off to music, white noise, or guided meditations, this could be the game-changer you’re looking for.
Now, if only there were a travel gadget that could fix airplane dehydration…
[…] a toothbrush, mini toothpaste, and a pen. However, I skipped the eye mask in favour of my own 3D sound eye mask from Sleep Zen, which was a total […]