SK1 pillow speaker keeps partner asleep during alarms and music

People who tend to fall asleep with wireless buds sticking out of their ears or even bulky headphones on will appreciate the new Sleep SK1 speaker by Baseus.

Audio

Its flat design goes under the pillow, and Baseus uses an ingenious technology to transfer the sound only to the intended listener without disturbing their partner. Instead of pushing air through a conventional driver, the SK1 relies on what Baseus calls micro-vibration conduction. It uses a symmetrical, omnidirectional dual vibrator unit that sends sound through the pillow as a medium. Audio is directed toward the listener's ear, so they need to be close to the pillow to hear it clearly. The vibration conduction tech keeps leakage low and avoids waking up whoever sleeps in the same bed. Baseus applies the same directional approach to alarms, so the user can wake up without waking anyone else. The companion app supports up to 10 alarms, too.

Baseus SK1 speaker features

Physically, the SK1 is a flat slab measuring 16.5 x 4.5 x 1.4 cm (about 6.5 x 1.8 x 0.55 in) and weighs roughly 44 g (1.55 oz). The matte coating feels soft and resists fingerprints, and the body is made from fire-retardant material. The slim profile avoids feeling it under your head or having it press on the ear when rolling over like wireless earbuds do. One side houses a digital display that shows the time, the active mode, and the remaining battery capacity.

Inside is a 300 mAh battery, and Baseus claims more than 10 hours of runtime, which should be enough to last the whole night. The app bundles over 100 white noise options, including rain, campfire, ocean waves, and ASMR tracks, to mask background sounds.

SK1 Sleep price and release date

Baseus listed the Sleep SK1 directly on JD.com for the equivalent of $26, and some regions can get it for less after local government subsidies for consumer electronics. Given Baseus's international presence, a global launch is likely to follow shortly thereafter, too.

Pillow speakers are not a new idea, but a price this low makes the SK1 an easy product to try for light sleepers. Of course, the claims about sound isolation and directional audio remain to be tested, but similar solutions like the Drift X pillow on Amazon work as advertised, with the SK1 Sleep speaker's flat shape adding comfort while tossing and turning.