I tried the Snoozeband silk sleep mask and it has completely changed my bedtime routine

I've been a devoted eye mask user for years. I struggle to fall asleep unless my bedroom is completely dark, so covering my eyes has long been one of the easiest ways for me to create the right environment for sleep.

But sometimes, even complete darkness isn't enough. I can get into bed with the best intentions of having an early night, only to find my brain is still buzzing with thoughts from the day. I'd lie there for at least half an hour before finally drifting off, to the point where I'd actually started building that extra 30 minutes into my bedtime routine.

So when I came across the Snoozeband Silk Sleep Mask with Built-in Bluetooth Headphones, I was intrigued. It's essentially an eye mask and headphones combined, with ultra-thin speakers built into 100% Mulberry silk. The idea is that you can listen to soothing sounds, music or meditations as you drift off without having to wear conventional headphones.

I'll be honest, I was initially sceptical. I hadn't tried listening to music to help me sleep since I was a teenager, when I was swiftly put off by waking up with wires tangled uncomfortably around my neck. It didn't feel particularly safe either.

Snoozeband is completely different. There are no wires, the speakers are incredibly discreet and the whole thing feels much more like a luxurious eye mask than a piece of tech.

After almost a month of using it, it's become my new favourite beauty accessory. In fact, I now don’t go to bed without it.

What I like about this Snoozeband Silk sleep mask

The first thing that surprised me was just how slim the mask is. I expected the built-in headphones to make it considerably thicker and bulkier than a standard eye mask, but it's not much thicker than the one I was already using.

And I can't feel the speakers when I'm wearing it. That's particularly impressive because I'm a side sleeper. I know I'm lying directly against the headphones, but all I feel is the soft, cushioned silk. There are no uncomfortable pressure points and no hard components digging into my head as I move around.

The 100% Mulberry silk also makes it feel like a proper luxury product. It's incredibly soft against the skin and much nicer to wear than some of the more basic eye masks I've tried previously.

The first time I properly tested it was actually one Saturday morning when I'd woken up earlier than I wanted. My brain had decided it was time to start the day, despite the fact I really wanted more time in bed.

I put on the Snoozeband, selected the built-in white noise setting and hoped it might help me doze for another half an hour. I was truly shocked when I woke up again 90 minutes later.

Rather than lying there thinking about everything I needed to do that day, I had completely switched off. I felt calm and surprisingly well rested. That was the moment I realised this might actually work for me.

I now use it most nights when I get into bed. Instead of spending that familiar half hour thinking about the day, I put the mask on, choose a sound and let my attention focus on that. Quite often, I don't even remember falling asleep now.

Even on nights when I don't immediately drop into a deep sleep, I find that I'm listening to the sound rather than getting caught up in my own thoughts. That alone has been a revelation. I feel calmer as a result, and that puts me in a much better state for then falling into a deeper sleep.

The built-in sound library is another major advantage. There's access to lots of sleep sounds through the free app, including white noise, nature soundscapes, water sounds, binaural beats, sleep music and meditations. There are also 10 pre-loaded sounds available offline, which means you don't have to have your phone or Wi-Fi nearby to use it either.

I particularly like having so much choice because what I want to listen to can depend on my mood. Sometimes white noise is exactly what I need, while other nights I'll choose something more musical or relaxing. The app is free to use with no subscription, which is another big plus.

If you do have favourite music, or even an audiobook, that you know will help you rest better you can also play sounds of your choice through Snoozeband by connecting the mask to Bluetooth and pairing with your phone or any other device, so you’re not restricted by the in-built library either.

The sound quality has impressed me too. It's clear enough to be enjoyable without feeling harsh or intrusive, and I love how contained the audio is. When I'm wearing the mask, I can hear the sound clearly, but my partner can't hear what I'm listening to. That means I can use it without worrying that I'm disturbing him.

The battery life is also fantastic. Snoozeband offers up to 20 hours from one charge, but because I use the auto shut-off timer, I don't have to charge it every couple of nights. I normally set it to switch off after an hour or two, and I've found myself charging it roughly every 10 to 14 days.

The auto shut-off is one of my favourite features because I know it will turn itself off once I'm asleep, preserving the battery rather than playing all night.

The adjustable Velcro fastening is another thoughtful touch. I can get the fit exactly how I want it and, unlike some of my previous elasticated eye masks, it stays securely in place throughout the night. I don't wake up to discover the mask has slipped off my eyes or ended up somewhere around my neck.

It is a luxury piece of beauty tech rather than simply a sleep gadget.

What I don't like about this Snoozeband Silk sleep mask

There's very little I don't like about Snoozeband, which surprised me because I wasn't convinced I'd even enjoy sleeping with headphones in the first place.

The only thing I've found slightly fiddly is using the three physical control buttons when the mask is already on my head.

Because you can't see the controls, it can take a little trial and error to find the right button and setting while you're wearing it. I've found it's much easier to decide what I want to listen to, adjust the volume and set the timer before putting the mask over my eyes.

Once it's on, I generally leave it alone anyway, so this isn't something that has bothered me enough to detract from the experience.

The other consideration is the price. With an RRP of £99, this is considerably more expensive than a standard silk eye mask. But for me, it has been worth it.

It's not simply an eye mask. It's a comfortable silk sleep accessory, a pair of built-in headphones, a sleep sound library and a relaxation tool all in one. Given how much it has changed my bedtime routine, I feel the money spent is more than justified.

It’s also worth noting that you will need to download and use the app to be able to access the full range of features, such as the complete sound library. It is possible to hear the white noise sound, for example, without the app but your experience will be limited without it. That hasn’t been a problem for me as I’m very used to using apps, but it is something to think about.

My Verdict

After almost a month of using Snoozeband Silk, I can't imagine going back to a normal eye mask What started as an experiment has become something I look forward to using every night. The combination of complete darkness, incredibly soft Mulberry silk and soothing audio gives me exactly the environment I need to switch off.

The biggest difference is that I no longer feel like I have to allow an extra half hour in bed simply to give my brain time to wind down. I put Snoozeband on, choose my sound and quite often the next thing I know I'm waking up refreshed the next morning. It has been a revelation.

For anyone who struggles to switch off at bedtime, finds themselves distracted by their own thoughts or simply wants to create a more relaxing sleep routine, I think this is a brilliant piece of beauty tech.

At £99, it is an investment, but after using it almost every night, I'd happily pay it again. Sleep is one of those things where, if you can find something that genuinely helps you rest better, it's difficult to put a price on it.

Snoozeband Silk has gone from something I wasn't sure about to my new favourite beauty accessory, and that's the strongest recommendation I can give it.

• Please note that delivery charges may apply.