If you want wireless freedom to stream audio from any 3.5mm jack on planes or gym machines without cords, choose Twelve South AirFly Pro; if you need a soft, flat headband designed specifically for side sleepers to block out noise while drifting off, choose SleepPhones Headphones.
These two devices solve completely different problems for the modern traveler and insomniac. The AirFly Pro is an adapter that turns wired audio sources into a Bluetooth signal, while SleepPhones are actual headphones integrated into a fabric band. Picking the right one depends entirely on whether your goal is connectivity versatility or sleeping comfort.
• Twelve South AirFly Pro: Its greatest strength is converting any old 3.5mm device into a wireless hub with aptX Low Latency support; its trade-off is it offers no comfort features for lying down. This pick is for travelers who want to use their existing AirPods or earbuds on in-flight entertainment systems.
• SleepPhones Headphones: Their biggest advantage is the ultra-thin, sewn-in speakers that allow you to lie on your side without pain; their limitation is they lack a microphone and cannot transmit audio from non-Bluetooth sources like airplane TVs. This pick is for anyone seeking a headphone for side sleepers who wants to fall asleep to white noise or audiobooks.
The Twelve South AirFly Pro is built for people who already own high-quality wireless earbuds but find themselves tethered to wired audio sources. If you travel frequently, this small plastic box becomes essential. You plug it into the 3.5mm auxiliary jack found on most airplane seatbacks, hotel televisions, or older gym equipment, and suddenly your Bluetooth headphones work wirelessly. It eliminates the frustration of tangled wires dangling from your ears while you try to rest during a long flight or lift weights at the gym.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-25 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
What makes this device particularly useful for the mobile user is its dual-mode capability. It functions not just as a transmitter (TX) to send audio from a wired source to your wireless buds, but also as a receiver (RX). In RX mode, you can connect it to a car stereo or boat speaker that lacks Bluetooth, streaming music directly from your phone through the AUX port. This flexibility means one small device replaces multiple adapters, keeping your bag organized and your audio options open.
However, this product is not designed for comfort. It is a hard plastic enclosure measuring roughly 1.75 inches by 1.25 inches. It has no padding, no fabric, and no mechanism to keep it pressed against your face. If you are looking for earphones for side sleepers, this is not the solution. The AirFly Pro is purely a utility tool for audio transmission. It excels at delivering superior sound quality using advanced codecs like aptX and aptX Low Latency, ensuring your movies have perfect lip-sync and your music sounds crisp, but it requires you to wear separate earbuds that might be uncomfortable if you roll over in bed.
SleepPhones are engineered for a single, specific purpose: helping people fall asleep comfortably. Unlike standard headphones that press against the outside of the ear or push into the ear canal, these feature wafer-thin speakers sewn directly into a soft fleece headband. The design philosophy here is radical comfort. The speakers are flat and flexible, allowing you to lie on your side without the hard plastic casing digging into your cheekbone or jaw. This makes them the definitive choice for anyone who struggles with traditional headphones causing pain after ten minutes of use.
The construction uses exclusive SheepCloud fabric, a blend of polyester and spandex that is moisture-wicking and stretchy. This material fits over 80% of adult heads and feels like a soft sleep mask rather than electronic gear. Because the electronics are removable, you can machine wash the headband itself, which is crucial for hygiene when wearing something close to your face all night. The battery life supports a full 24 hours of playback, meaning you can charge it once a week and never worry about it dying mid-sleep session. You can listen to ocean waves, guided relaxation, or audiobooks without ever feeling the pressure of bulky drivers.
That said, these headphones have clear limitations regarding versatility. They do not have a microphone, so you cannot take calls or use voice assistants while wearing them. They also cannot convert a wired signal into Bluetooth; they only receive audio wirelessly. If your goal is to watch a movie on an airplane screen that only has a headphone jack, these will not work unless you have a separate transmitter. They are strictly a "receive-only" device meant to pair with your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5 AAC. They are not for commuting or active listening; they are for lying still and falling asleep.
• Best for side sleepers → SleepPhones Headphones, due to their flat, sewn-in speakers that prevent cheek pain.
• Best for airplane travel → Twelve South AirFly Pro, because it unlocks wireless audio from the 3.5mm jacks on seatbacks.
• Best for battery longevity → SleepPhones Headphones, offering up to 24 hours of continuous play compared to the AirFly Pro's 25+ hours (though AirFly Pro charges faster).
• Best for sound latency → Twelve South AirFly Pro, featuring aptX Low Latency technology to eliminate audio delay in videos.
• Best for washing/maintenance → SleepPhones Headphones, since the fabric headband is machine washable after removing the electronics.
• Best for multi-device pairing → Twelve South AirFly Pro, which allows simultaneous connection to two sets of headphones for partners.
• Best for voice calls → Neither device is ideal for calls; SleepPhones lack a mic entirely, and AirFly Pro relies on your paired earbuds having one.
• Best value for versatility → Twelve South AirFly Pro, as it solves connectivity issues across cars, planes, gyms, and home theaters.
I would buy the SleepPhones Headphones if my primary goal was improving my nightly rest. The ability to lie on my side without discomfort is a game-changer that no other device can replicate. While the AirFly Pro is a clever piece of engineering for travelers, it does not solve the physical problem of sleeping with headphones. For those who struggle to drift off because of snoring partners or city noise, the SleepPhones provide a soft, comfortable barrier that lets you listen to soothing audio without waking up with sore ears. I recommend the SleepPhones specifically for side sleepers who need a dedicated solution for nighttime listening.
No, SleepPhones are Bluetooth-only receivers. They cannot connect to the 3.5mm audio jacks found on airplanes or gym equipment without an external transmitter like the AirFly Pro.
The SleepPhones Headphones do not include a built-in microphone. The Twelve South AirFly Pro does not have a mic either; it simply transmits audio from your source to your paired earbuds, relying on the earbuds' own microphone for calls.
Yes, the SheepCloud fabric used in the SleepPhones headband is designed to be moisture-wicking and breathable, making it suitable for those who tend to sweat at night.
The AirFly Pro takes approximately two hours to reach a full charge via its USB-C cable, whereas the SleepPhones require about three hours to fully power up.
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