Cozyphones Headband Headphones: Everything You Need To Know [A Review]
With laptops, tablets, and smartphones the size of tablets, watching television (or listening to music or podcasts) in bed has never been easier. Now we don’t even have to fight with our partner about what to watch–we can just plug in our headphones and tune out the world.
Except for one pesky problem. Those headphones always seem to be in the way, don’t they? They’re poking into my inner ear or sticking out so far I can’t lay on my side.
The struggle is real, y’all.
Headphones need help.
So, when Cozyphones reached out to me and offered to send me a pair of children’s headband headphones in exchange for an unbiased review, I was in.
[We might have Lies in our name, but we’re all about honesty. Thoughts and opinions about this product are our own and in no way influenced by Cozyphones or affiliates. Please read our Affiliate Disclaimer here if you’re actually interested in this stuff.]
But I had one caveat:
I wanted an adult pair to review, too!
Cozyphones obliged my pesky request and immediately shipped out two sets of headband headphones; a pair for my daughter (A unicorn headband, need I say more?) and a more responsible, adult-looking pair for me and my partner to try out.
Order and Delivery
The same day I agreed to review the headphones, I received a shipping confirmation. Shipping was quick and painless, with the Cozyphones arriving USPS First Class Mail. It’s 3-5 day shipping, typically, but ours were at our door in under 72 hours.
Shipping Note: At the time of this review, Cozyphones can be ordered on Amazon.com with 2-day Prime shipping.
Who Are Cozyphones For?
For what it’s worth, I don’t watch that much television, nor do I listen to a ton of music. However, D, my partner, does. When I mentioned the headband headphones to him, he was in. And I could see why. Cozyphones–if they worked–would solve a problem he’s been struggling with for years. His earbuds were always falling out of his ears when we tried to lie down and watch a show. Earbuds poke into your ears when you’re on your side, and I see him constantly adjusting his viewing angle to relieve the pressure on his ears.
The problem, specifically, is how to lie down on your side when you’re listening to something using headphones.
His earbuds were always falling out of his ears when he tried to lie down and watch a show. Earbuds poke into your ears when you’re on your side, and I would see him constantly adjusting his viewing angle to relieve the pressure on his ears.
No bueno.
But the big headphones were not an option either because he always had the same-but-different problem. Often known as noise-cancelling headphones, these big guys cover your whole ear. Lying on your side is just not an option with them. It’s horribly uncomfortable.
[Personally, I was interested in the headband headphones for cold weather running and walking. Alas, it’s 95 degrees here right now, but I’ll update this review in the winter.]
So, headband headphones, like Cozyphones, sound brilliant. Designed to be soft and pliable, they lie almost completely flat against your head when you put them on.
Problem solved. I hope…
Features
If you’re made it this far, you’re likely familiar with what Cozyphones have to offer. The website states that they’re “Super Comfortable and Soft Fleece Headbands”.
Key features of the Cozyphones headband headphones are:
- Suitable for lounging, running, walking, meditation, yoga, and more
- Ideal for shared living situations (families, dorms, shared work and workout spaces)
- Flat design stops ear pain
- No-bulk headphones
- Light-blocking pull-down feature converts headband into a sleep mask
- 4.92-feet of braided cord ensures enough strength and length for everyday use
- 3.5mm stereo plug fits pretty much all of your favorite devices
Benefits
The biggest benefit we found to the Cozyphones headband headphone is the flat fit it provides. Whether
you’re lying down, leaning back, or moving around, the snug and flat fit are ideal headphone alternative.
Other benefits include:
- lightweight
- soft, fleece fabric
- easy to clean
- long, sturdy cord
- flat earbuds (no poking!)
- easy-off
- various options for size and material (kids, adult, adult lycra or fleece material, travel set)
But again, the biggest benefit is the lay-flat design.
How Do Cozyphones Work?
Cozyphones are very simple to use. When the headband arrived, we had to adjust the earbud location within the band to ensure better sound quality when using them.
Cozyphones instructions were clear and simple:
- Put the headband on.
- With a small piece of tape (masking or painting tape is recommended), mark the spots where the two earbuds need to be placed so they are in the middle of your ears.
- Remove headband.
- Wiggle/maneuver the earbuds into place on either side.
- Put on, plug in, and enjoy!
Maneuvering the earbuds into place inside the headband was easy to do; it only took a minute or so to arrange the first time. You just grab them through the headband and wiggle them forward.
Note that the further in you place the earbuds, the less cord you have… but we’re talking a few inches, which did not affect our listening or comfort at all.
Pricing
Not expensive.
At the time of this review, adult fleece Cozyphones were listed for sale on their website for under $20. Checking similar headband headphones on Amazon.com found very similar pricing.
It’s worth mentioning I was very impressed with how quickly they shipped and the follow-up Cozyphones offered. I like knowing there are real people behind a company, and not just a manufacturer churning a product out.
The owners of the company seem compassionate and interested in making the best it can be, which I appreciate.
Pros and Cons
Pros of the Cozyphones Headband Headphones
Fabric
We tested the adult-sized fleece model and found the fleece to be super soft. The lie-flat design was exactly what we hoped to receive.
Flat Design
The flat design of the headband was expected and appreciated. It does not have any padding inside of it, but we didn’t think it needed any. There’s a slit in the inside back of the headband that allows you to take the earphones in and out.
A bonus was the flat design of the actual earphone inside the headband. Lying on our sides, we appreciated the lack of pain and poking that we experience with traditional earbuds and headphones.
Usability
Cozyphones take very little time to set up. Maneuver the earbuds into place, put on the headband, plug in, and go. Pretty simple. The instructions were clear and to the point.
Sound
Okay, sound. The first or second most important thing, depending on your POV. I hope you’re not buying fleece headband headphones expecting Bose sound quality because you’ll be disappointed. However, if you go in with the right expectations, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
I hope you’re not buying fleece headband headphones expecting Bose sound quality because you’ll be disappointed. However, if you go in with the right expectations, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
I was very worried the sound would be muffled by the fleece. And honestly? The sound is a bit muffled–but I mean the teensiest, tiniest bit. No one in our family had a problem once we turned the volume up an extra notch (which makes sense if you’re going through two layers of fabric, right?).
All in all, the sound was exactly what I expected. My partner, too. Would we have loved the super-high quality sound coming from super soft fleece headphones? Of course. But the technology just isn’t there yet.
For the price and the quality, Cozyphones exceeded our expectations. We recommend them for casual television view and music/podcast listening…which is what they were designed for.
Durability
Having only had them a few weeks, I can’t attest to the long term durability. So far, they’ve been great. My concern about durability is that, over time, stretching the fleece headband repeatedly on and off will deteriorate the seams.
But the seams appear well-constructed (I sew a lot), and I think they’ll hold up for a few years with no problem. By then you’d probably want a new pair anyway.
The cord is braided cable, which is great, as it is much more durable than coated cable. It should not kink or break unless you’re really, really rough with it (if you are, I fear for your tablet or smartphone).
Cons
Now for the drawbacks. There aren’t many, and overall we were pleased with this product and would buy it for ourselves, or as a gift for others (Father’s Day Amazon gift perfection when paired with a new movie or
video gift card!)
Sound
As discussed in the Pros section, the sound was a tad muffled at first. When the volume was increased a bit the issue pretty much disappeared. Are Cozyphones superior listening devices? No. Are they great for the casual listener? Absolutely.
Getting Them On
We found was that it’s a bit tough for some people to put them on. Me (5’10” tall female with a regular sized head), I had no problem pulling them on or off. They were snug without being tight.
D felt they were almost too tight, but in Cozyphones defence, he’s 6’5″ and has a huge head. He admitted as much and did not feel that Cozyphones did anything wrong with the design. It’s simply that most things don’t fit people sized like him.
We would love to see a size selection in future versions. Just two sizes should do it: Small/Medium and Large/Extra Large.
But for now, we’re happy with what Cozyphones has to offer and recommend them to anyone with mostly normal-sized head. 🙂
Warmth
So I’m always hot and D is always cold. But for some reason, we flipflopped temperature gauges when wearing the Cozyphones. D found them warm, but was quick to say it’s the middle of summer here and he’s hanging out in the hottest room of the house. I didn’t have a problem with the headband feeling warm.
If being too warm is a concern, be sure to check out the Lycra version of Cozyphones. I imagine the lighter material is a lot cooler.
Wrapping It Up
So, are Cozyphones worth it?
Definitely, if you’re looking for a casual listening device that will let you snuggle up, roll over, stay warm, move around, lie flat, lay back, or any combination thereof.
Realistic expectations are the key to enjoying these Cozyphones. The sound is good, but don’t expect super-star great.
But the comfort and durability make the purchase worth it.
Grab a pair for you and/or the kids on Amazon now!