Review: iHome Zenergy Bluetooth Speaker Offers Light & Sound Therapy

The folks at iHome have a wide variety of speakers that offer a variety of features like Qi-based wireless charging, Alexa integration, radio, alarm clock, etc. but they sent me one, the Zenergy Bluetooth Speaker ($35.08) that has none of those features. Still, for many people, the features it does have will be greatly appreciated. It is a Bluetooth speaker that charges via microUSB but that's not what makes it stand out. The Zenergy is designed to help you sleep better. This is accomplished by an impressive 15 distinct sleep sounds. Unlike traditional mechanical sound machines, this plays recorded and engineered sounds and even incorporates a gentle voice guiding you to sleep or a meditative state with yoga-inspired guided breathing. 

Related: Best Apps & Gear for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

The Zenergy also has four color modes: nightlight, glow, favorite color, and pulse to music. Despite the compact size, about the size of a can of soda, it is best used on your nightstand where it will take up very little space. While the Zenergy can be battery operated for use on-the-go, it lasts for about seven hours, so I would recommend leaving it plugged in so the sleep sounds will last all night.

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

The speaker is compact with a soft rubbery touch and, at around $35, it is reasonably priced. but I would like to see Alexa integration. You could connect an Amazon Echo Dot to the Zenergy via Bluetooth, as there is no line in jack. Finally, the all-white design means the buttons are hard to make out, which could be an issue in the dark.

Pros

  • Compact with a soft, rubbery touch
  • Four color modes: nightlight, glow, favorite color, and pulse to music
  • 15 Sleep sounds including spoken meditation
  • Reasonably priced
  • Battery operated with around seven hours of audio
  • Carrying strap

Cons

  • No Alexa or wireless charging
  • Buttons are hard to make out
  • No line-in audio jack

Final Verdict

If you are need help falling and staying asleep, the Zenergy Bluetooth Speaker from iHome may be able to help.

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Author Details

Todd Bernhard's picture

Author Details

Todd Bernhard

Todd Bernhard is a bestselling (6+ million downloads) award-winning (AARP, About.com, BestAppEver.com, Digital Hollywood, and Verizon) developer and founder of NoTie.NET, an app developer specializing in Talking Ringtone apps including AutoRingtone. And his profile photo is of the last known sighting of Mr. Bernhard wearing a tie, circa 2007!

An iPhone is almost always attached to his hip or in his pocket, but over the years, Mr. Bernhard has owned an Apple Newton, a Motorola Marco, an HP 95LX, a Compaq iPaq, a Palm Treo, and a Nokia e62. In addition to writing for iPhone Life, Mr. Bernhard has written for its sister publications, PocketPC Magazine and The HP Palmtop Paper.