Anker, a global electronics brand known for power banks and ultra-fast chargers, released the A30 sleep earbuds in Oct. this year. The standout feature is the addition of active noise canceling (ANC) to its predecessor, the A20. The inclusion of real-time translation, like Apple's AirPods Pro 3, also stands out. However, the price, which is close to 300,000 won, is seen as disappointing.
Sleep earbuds are earbuds specialized for sleep and rest. In addition to the music-listening function like regular earbuds, they enhance external noise blocking, and some models offer sleep-inducing music.
◇ Equipped with ANC to block electronic device noise
According to Anker, the A30 is the world's first sleep earbuds equipped with ANC. ANC is a technology in which a microphone detects ambient noise and generates an opposite-phase sound to reduce noise through destructive interference. Instead of physically blocking noise, it creates sound inside the earbuds. It is also installed in Apple's AirPods wireless earbuds and Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Buds wireless earbuds.
Until now, many sleep earbuds offering white noise or brainwave audio have been released, but this is the first product with ANC, Anker said. It comes in white and green, and the price is 279,900 won based on the Korea launch. With both Bluetooth and ANC enabled, battery life is about 6 hours and 30 minutes.
The first impression of the product was "neat." The lid of the round case is designed to slide upward, and the battery level is indicated by a small light at the bottom. When taking out and wearing the product, it felt light and soft. The tip that goes into the ear is made of foam, and the part that touches the outer ear is silicone. When worn while sleeping, it did not fall out even after tossing and turning all night, and it was comfortable when lying on one's side without pressure. It weighs 3 grams, which is 2.5 grams lighter than the 5.5-gram AirPods Pro 3. AirPods Pro 3 is Apple's next-generation wireless earbuds released in Sept.
◇ Measures sleep score and also includes translation
By installing the Anker application (app), users can fully use the sleep features. After enabling ANC and lying down, there was a noticeable difference compared with before using the feature. It felt like a thin film was covering the ears to block noise. Turning on "brainwave audio," the sleep-inducing music provided by the Anker app, or "white noise," such as rain sounds or campfire sounds, maximizes the noise-blocking effect. When sleep is detected, the audio turns off automatically.
The product completely blocked noise coming from devices like a humidifier or refrigerator. However, the sound of a nearby person snoring or a pet crying came through the product. Subjectively, it blocked about 60% of the noise heard before wearing it.
By linking the product with the app, users can receive a daily sleep report. The company said it monitors sleep stages, sleep posture, and even snoring habits. Like the Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch, users can also receive a sleep score. For example, the sleep score was 84 points. A total of 6 hours and 16 minutes were spent in bed, of which total sleep time was measured at 5 hours and 27 minutes. The report showed 3 hours and 36 minutes of light sleep and 1 hour and 50 minutes of deep sleep. It also showed that there were 2.7 tosses and turns per hour, for a total of 17.
A surprisingly notable feature is the real-time and face-to-face translation. After turning on real-time translation, an interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook was played. Although there was a lag of about 10–20 seconds, it was possible to experience real-time Korean translation playing in the ear. However, the translation was closer to literal than expert-level smoothness, making it seem more suitable for everyday use than lectures or business. For face-to-face translation, the level of translation and speed were sufficient for tasks like asking for directions or restaurant recommendations abroad.
However, the high price makes buyers hesitate. The A30 costs 279,900 won, placing it among high-end earbuds close to 300,000 won. Priced between Apple and Galaxy, it is 110,000 won cheaper than Apple's AirPods Pro (369,000 won) and 50,000 won more expensive than Galaxy Buds Pro 3 (229,000 won). Even considering that it can be used as Bluetooth earbuds with calling functions, investing about 300,000 won in a product specialized for "sleep" felt somewhat pricey.
Anker is an electronics manufacturers founded in 2011 in China and is a relatively unfamiliar brand in Korea. It is currently expanding its business mainly in the United States, Europe, and Japan. After selling domestically through distributors, it established Anker Innovations Korea last year and entered Korea in earnest.