Review: Morphee’s $146 device might help you sleep, but don’t take this in your carry-on luggage

Technology to monitor our sleeping habits is big business. While some opt for a spot on the wrist, others, like Morphee, have opted for the bedside table.

The Morphee is a gadget designed to lull users off to sleep.

Travellers beware: a good night sleep when away from home isn’t as easy as bringing this device along. In fact, it might not even make the journey.

On a recent 11.05pm flight from Perth to Melbourne, it wasn’t the 12-pack of disposable razors that cost me an awkward conversation with airport security, but rather a small, round device about the size of a cereal bowl with three large gold-coloured twistable knobs. Yup, that’ll do it.

As a thorough but polite airport security officer explained, the device does resemble something that could do a lot more damage than putting someone to sleep.

Neither should have been in my carry-on – which would have been checked had I not missed baggage drop – and after reading this, they’ll hopefully no longer be in yours too.

OK, moving on. Does the sound of a cat purring put you to sleep?

No? Me either. Nor does the sound of fire, birds in a forest or crickets chirping.

The sound of classical music, however, does do the trick, as does a thunderstorm at low volume.

These are but just a handful of sounds available on Morphee’s sleep device, a $146 item which is meant to put you to rest fast and keep you that way.

Whoever said sleep is for the weak couldn’t be more wrong.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says the average Australian aged 18 to 64 needs between seven and nine hours a night, and those above that age bracket can settle for an hour less.

But getting to sleep is an issue affecting as many as 60 per cent of the nation, who reported struggling to fall asleep on a regular basis.

Technology is increasingly moving into the space and the brand Morphee is among them. Rather than opt for a spot on the wrist via a smartwatch, Morphee chose something a little more on brand: a device which can play the sound of cats purring, ocean noises, birds in a forest and crickets chirping.

The Morphee is a gadget designed to lull users off to sleep.

Morphee believes its relaxation device will help you “fall asleep quickly, sleep deeply.” It hedges its bets on the device doing well in a number of countries with several pre-programmed languages and over 200 meditation programs preloaded. The Australian put one to the test.

Does it help? Some modes, yes. The best by far was the music setting, the second last on the left-hand dial.

While the sound of waves may sound nice, in reality, when you’re going to sleep in a home 13km from the beach, it’s not cute or relaxing — it’s a tease.

In its marketing campaigns, Morphee shows the device within arm’s length of the user, which in real life is far from ideal. In fact, the device’s lowest volume was high enough that we needed the device over a metre away.

While the device looks good, $146 is a little steep for what it actually offers, especially in an age where sleep playlists are plentiful on YouTube Music, Spotify and Apple Music.

The device did help to calm us, especially when playing music in the background. We found the best use case was to start it about 30 minutes before bed to help wind down. Seven of its eight music settings were easy enough to read to or write to, as was the case while writing this review.

The verdict? For those who loathe technology in the bedroom, yes. Anyone else might be better off with a smart alarm clock.