Anker Japan will launch “Anker Sleep Earbuds 4,” a new model of fully wireless earbuds designed to be worn while sleeping, in January 2027. The price is ¥34,880 (approximately $220), tax included. In the “sleep earbuds” market aimed at improving sleep quality, the new model improves both fit and noise reduction performance over the previous model.
The color lineup consists of three options: off-white, pastel pink, and pastel blue. Off-white will go on sale in January 2027, with pastel pink and pastel blue expected to become available from February 2027.
Contact area with the ear reduced by 20%
The new model is positioned as the successor to the “Sleep A30” developed under the Soundcore brand. While the weight per earbud is unchanged from the previous model at about 3 grams, the housing shape has been redesigned. Based on ear-shape data from more than 10,000 people, it adopts a two-tier structure with a stepped design. The contact area with the ear is reduced by about 20% versus the previous model, making the ears less likely to hurt even when sleeping on one’s side.
In terms of sound quality, the placement of the driver unit and microphones has been optimized. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) function, carried over from the previous model, has been enhanced, particularly in reducing low-to-mid frequency noise such as the operating sounds of home appliances, outdoor traffic noise, and people’s voices. The reduction amount reaches up to 5dB versus the previous model, according to the company.
Two connection methods can be used selectively. The earbuds feature a “Bluetooth mode” for pairing with a smartphone and other devices, and a “local playback mode” for playing sleep-inducing music or noise stored in built-in memory. They support Bluetooth 6.0 and the SBC and AAC codecs.
With ANC on, continuous playback time is up to about 8 hours for the earbuds alone in Bluetooth mode, and about 32 hours with the charging case. In local playback mode, it is up to about 9.5 hours for the earbuds alone and about 38 hours with the case. The charging case now supports wireless charging. Weight including the case is about 58 grams. The earbuds come with five sizes of silicone ear tips and four sizes of ear wings. A separately sold dedicated foam ear tip is also available.
Sleep-support functions have also been expanded. The charging case is equipped with a “snore masking function” that, when it detects snoring nearby, plays a masking sound at a volume and pitch suited to covering the snoring while adjusting it in real time. The earbuds also feature an alarm that sounds only from the earbuds themselves, a sleep report based on built-in sensors, automatic stopping of music at sleep onset, and a function that plays a sound to help locate the earbuds. Settings are configured through the “Anker Soundcore” mobile app. The earbuds have IPX4-equivalent splash resistance.
Key specs compared with the previous model are as follows.
| Item | Anker Sleep Earbuds 4 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Launch timing | January 2027 (some colors in February) | Off-white first |
| Price (tax included) | ¥34,880 (approximately $220) | — |
| Weight per earbud | About 3 grams | Unchanged from previous model |
| Contact area with ear | About 20% less than previous model | Two-tier housing |
| Low-to-mid frequency noise reduction | Up to 5dB better than previous model | ANC equipped |
| Continuous playback (ANC on) | Bluetooth about 8 hours / local about 9.5 hours | About 32 hours / about 38 hours with case |
| Charging | USB-C, wireless charging | Wireless is new |
| Splash resistance | IPX4 equivalent | — |
Note: Based on the company’s announcement. Continuous playback times are figures for the earbuds alone.
The company has also announced the launch of a higher-end model, “Anker Sleep Earbuds 4 Pro.” It adopts a high-precision sleep analysis function using an optical heart rate sensor and a case equipped with an AMOLED display that can show sleep data and settings. It is scheduled for release around spring 2027 at ¥49,990 (approximately $310), tax included.
Headphones and ear-cuff earbuds also introduced
Anker Japan also brought audio products other than sleep-oriented ones to market the same day. The wireless headphones “Anker Space 2 Pro” are priced at ¥32,990 (approximately $210), tax included, and the ear-cuff earbuds “Anker AeroClip 2” at ¥22,990 (approximately $140), tax included; both went on sale on November 12.
The Space 2 Pro is equipped with the company’s proprietary AI chip “Thus” and eight microphones, raising noise cancellation performance to about 1.5 times that of the previous model (20Hz–2kHz). It features 35mm drivers and supports LDAC and 3D audio. Playback time with ANC on is up to 30 hours.
The AeroClip 2 is the successor to the “Soundcore AeroClip,” with the part that clips onto the ear made about 20% thinner to improve fit. It is equipped with 12mm drivers and supports LDAC, and uses the AI chip “Thus,” four microphones, and two bone-conduction sensors to reduce noise during calls. The charging case is about 20% smaller and supports wireless charging.
In the sleep earbuds space, companies are rolling out products amid growing demand for better sleep. Anker Japan is moving its sleep-specific “Sleep” series from the Soundcore brand to the Anker brand, broadening its price range with a two-model lineup that includes the higher-end model. With the main unit priced in the upper ¥30,000 range—above typical fully wireless earbuds—the key to sales will be how much consumers recognize the value of the sleep use case. For the company, the aim appears to be to solidify its position in the sleep earbuds market, including steering customers toward the Pro model with its sleep data analysis and display functions.