Therabody's new SmartGoggles could transform your sleep routine

Priyankaa Joshi, Kim Hawley
·9-min read
therabody smartgoggles 2nd gen review
We put Therabody’s new SmartGoggles to the test Hearst Owned

Confession: I spend far too long staring at a screen each day, whether it’s my computer, my smartphone or the TV. You’ll often find me beavering away on my laptop or scrolling on social media come 10pm, instead of unwinding with a book like I know I should.

It’s hardly surprising, then, that I suffer with eye strain and dryness, and find it extremely difficult to switch off and relax my mind before bed.

So, when I discovered that one of my favourite massage gun brands, Therabody, had launched a new and improved version of its viral SmartGoggles, I was keen to give them a whirl. Combining heat, vibration and facial massage, the futuristic-looking gadget is designed to relieve eye tension and headaches, and help you nod off effortlessly. Just what I need.

But does it actually work and is it worth the £175 price tag? I enlisted a panel of fellow poor sleepers to help me put it through its paces. Read on for our honest review.

What are the Therabody SmartGoggles (2nd Gen)?


SmartGoggles (2nd Generation)

Hearst Owned
Hearst Owned

$175.00 at therabody.co.uk

Therabody is best known for its powerful, well-made massage tools (the affordable Theragun Relief is my favourite) but in 2022, the brand ventured further into the self-care market and launched its debut SmartGoggles, following up with a second-generation model in September 2024, which has a host of exciting upgrades.

The wearable may look like a VR headset, but in simple terms, it’s a large, padded eye mask that combines heat, vibration and compression massage. The device boasts a built-in biometric sensor to measure your pulse and provide personalised treatments and it’s Bluetooth-enabled, allowing you to track your progress and access soundscapes via the Therabody app.

You can use the goggles during the day to boost your focus, soothe tired eyes or help you find a moment of zen, or pop them on before bed to clear your mind and help you drift into a deep sleep.

What's the difference between the SmartGoggles and SmartGoggles (2nd Gen)?

We tested the first-generation SmartGoggles (currently reduced to £99) at the Good Housekeeping Institute last year and they scored a respectable 72/100 in our tests. According to Therabody, it has responded to customer feedback and revamped the design to improve the user experience, without hiking up the price.

Key updates include a new 100% blackout design, softer padding and contouring around the eyes, and a new curved adjustable strap for comfort and ease of use. The second-gen model is also 10% lighter and quieter than its predecessor.

How do Therabody’s SmartGoggles work?

There are three modes to choose from, depending on your needs: SmartRelax, Headaches & Eye Strain and Sleep Prep.

therabody smartgoggles 2nd gen review
Hearst Owned

Here's a breakdown of each setting.

SmartRelax: This is the one to go for when you’re feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Along with a gentle heated massage around the eyes and temples, it uses a biometric sensor to measure your pulse and create the right vibration pattern. According to Therabody, this will help slow your heart rate and lull you into a sense of tranquility and calm. To see if it has had an impact on your stress levels, you can compare your starting and finishing heart rate in the app.

Headaches & Eye Strain: If staring at a screen has left you with a headache or tired eyes, this setting provides a soothing combination of vibrations and heat to ease the tension and help you find your focus.

Sleep Prep: Sleep mode softly massages the area around your temples and delivers slow-wave vibrations to help you fall into a deep sleep. As your body’s core temperature should drop before bed, no heat is used in this setting, but you can turn it on if you prefer.

The standard cycle time is 15 minutes, but you can increase or decrease this in the app if you’ve only got five minutes to spare or fancy a longer session. You can also switch between the three heat and four vibration settings to find what works best for you.

For a complete sensory experience, there are a host of audio tracks to choose from via TheraMind section of the app, including meditations, soothing music and white noise.

How we test

We tried the device on a panel of people (me included) who struggle with eye strain, tension headaches or find it difficult to unwind before bed.

Each tester used the SmartGoggles for at least seven nights before providing feedback. They considered design, clarity of instructions, ease of use, and performance, noting whether they felt more relaxed after using them and if their quality of sleep improved.

Our experts analysed all the feedback to award a final score.

Our Therabody SmartGoggles review

Scoring 77/100 overall, here’s how the eye massager performed during testing.


SmartGoggles (2nd Generation)

Hearst Owned
Hearst Owned

$175.00 at therabody.co.uk

Instructions and ease of use

There are step-by-step instructions on the app, as well as handy video tutorials and a user manual available on the Therabody website.

The set-up process divided our testers, with some finding it a total breeze and others wishing the instructions were a bit clearer. Personally, I was able to get going within 10 minutes – I created an account in the app, connected to the wearable via Bluetooth and I was good to go.

There are three buttons on the device: one to turn it on and off and choose your mode (SmartRelax, Headaches & Eye Strain or Sleep Prep), one to change the heat setting, and one to toggle through the vibrations. It does take a while to get used to which button does what.

If you find this a bit fiddly, however, you can toggle through the modes via the Therabody app, which I found super responsive and user-friendly; I particularly enjoyed reviewing my heart rate data pre- and post-session. I also liked that it automatically turns off after your treatment, in case you nod off during Sleep Prep mode.

Design

therabody smartgoggles 2nd gen
Hearst Owned

There’s no getting around it, the SmartGoggles (2nd Gen) are on the bulky side, and they feel slightly heavy on your head. This isn't a problem if you wear them when lying down, but can be uncomfortable if you're sitting at a desk. On the plus side, they're extremely portable – they can be folded in half and come with a soft case, so you can easily carry them in your bag and whip them out when you need to.

The mask features a padded leather-like interior, so it’s comfy against your eyes and doesn't apply too much pressure. The full-coverage design also means no light gets through and you can fully unwind.

The newly designed strap does make it easier to find the right fit, but it still requires some fiddling around to make sure it’s snug on your face. One tester also said it left indents under their nose and around their eyes.

It's worth noting that, despite improvements, the goggles are on the noisy side and can be a touch distracting when you’re trying to relax. I found listening to one of the accompanying soundscapes or popping in a pair of earplugs stopped the noise affecting the experience.

Performance

Wondering if a fancy eye mask will really help you relax? That's a resounding yes. I absolutely loved the warm massage round my eyes and could instantly feel my tension melting away – it was just incredible.

My favourite setting was SmartRelax, which sets the vibrations based on your heart rate, because it was encouraging to see my heart rate decrease after a speedy 15-minute session. It was particularly handy during stressful days at work and when I was feeling overwhelmed at bedtime. According to my Oura Ring, I fell asleep faster and they helped me feel calmer and more in control, too.

therabody smart goggles
Hearst Owned

Fellow testers also enjoyed the combination of heat, massage and vibrations. “The massage was so relaxing and I felt like it was hitting the right spots,” said one.

Final verdict: are the Therabody Smart Goggles worth it?

When it comes to sleep aids, the Therabody SmartGoggles (2nd gen) are on the pricier side, and they’re not without their flaws. Despite improvements, they’re still louder than you’d expect from a relaxation tool and finding the perfect fit can take some time.

But, there’s plenty to love. It’s a quality piece of kit that ticks the box in terms of comfort, portability and, most importantly, performance. I noticed an instant reduction in my stress levels after using it and I liked how easily it slotted into my routine – you simply put them on and lie back. Plus, the battery was long-lasting (I managed 10 x 15-minute massages before it needed recharging) and thanks to the travel-friendly design, I was able to take them with me on the go.

If you're someone who struggles to switch off, you spend a lot of time glued to a screen or you’re simply looking to boost relaxation before bed, the SmartGoggles (2nd Gen) are worth considering – especially if you enjoy the feeling of a facial massage.

The Therabody SmartGoggles (2nd Gen) are available to buy from Therabody, John Lewis and Boots. The original SmartGoggles are also still available to buy from the Therabody website for £99.

Still sleepy?

Here are some more of our GHI Approved sleep essentials.

  • Want to take the relaxing vibes to the next level? An electric diffuser will pump out heavenly scents and help you de-stress before drifting off. Check out our experts' top picks from The White Company, Neom and more.

  • There's nothing worse than waking up in a pool of sweat in the middle of the night. The GHI recruited a panel of hot sleepers to see if ModiBodi's cooling pyjamas really helped them keep their cool – read their honest review.

  • “I’ve already started forming healthier habits, including reducing my alcohol intake and eating dinner earlier so I can give my body the chance to rest.” Read about the discreet sleep tracker our senior health and wellbeing writer swears by.

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