Moonbird Review: Screenless Breathing Tool

I love sleeping – under the cover, rub your feet together like a little cricket, and then you can fall asleep easily. Except for the last part – flowing into easy sleep – it doesn’t always happen to me. As an anxious person with insomnia, falling asleep is a battle. I spent my whole life collecting a kit of breathing exercises, trying a sleep tracker, and developing a regular night to combat sleepless nights. While I’m usually good at breathing in mindfulness practice, the Moonlight Bird device is expected to become a personal breathing coach for further relaxation.

For weeks, I tested the Moonbird handheld breathing coach, using it to relax at night or calm down during anxious moments. While this is a valid tool, I’m not sure if this is worth it. Also, we have to talk about its…interesting design. Here are all my thoughts about Moonbird Breathing Coach.

This is an effective, non-disturbing breathing tool

Despite being a technology-based tool, Moonbird breathing coach does not require any interference-free devices that require screen time. To use it, gently shake the device and secure it to the sensor with your thumb. The device then slowly expands and retracts to signal when you should inhale and exhale. The standard exercise lasted for six minutes and the device was turned off. If you decide to finish your practice as soon as possible, remove the sensor and it will turn off after a moment.

It’s really gratifying to hold the device. The slim silicone swells and the feeling of falling down mimics the image of lung swelling or stomach rise and breathing drops. What I like most is the thinking that will be practiced with the device. I no longer need several breaths. Instead, I focused on the tactile movements of the device, giving my mind a break.

Also, I like the moon birds without screens or light. When I like to adjust for guided breathing exercises on my meditation app or on my phone, I don’t like to do this before going to bed before avoiding screen time. Using Moonbird, I hold the device to start the workout, no blue light exposure. It’s also a huge advantage when I want to use it in bed. My partner went to bed much earlier than I did, so when I finally slipped into bed, I didn’t want to bother them. The dull moonbird let me use it without disturbing them.

Moonbird does work. One night after hosting a group of friends for a movie night, I was still wired despite feeling exhausted. After reading at night, my brain doesn’t turn off, so I reach out to my breathing guide and I’m already vanishing before the six-minute exercise is over. It turns out it does come in handy, otherwise I would be upset.

Use the app to get customizable breathing exercises and biometric feedback

You can set the duration of any exercise through the application.
Image source: Moonbird

Do you like breathing exercises? You can make it in the Moonbird app.
Image source: Moonbird

Moonbird is programmed through a standard six-minute breathing exercise, but there are other options. When connected to the Moonbird app, you can adjust the device’s settings to other breathing modes designed for sleep or classic box breathing patterns. If you have something that already suits you, you can even choose to create your own breathing program. Custom exercises range from 2 to 30 minutes. The only downside is that you have to turn on your smartphone to do so, beating the purpose of a screenless device. I prefer daytime adjustment exercises to avoid exposure to nighttime screen time.

Along with other Moonbird settings, the app offers a library of educational materials on breathing, stress reduction and heart rate. When using the app, you can also access biometric feedback, such as heart rate, so you can actually see the effect of the Moonbird device.

Moonbird needs to be redesigned

It is undeniable that the Moonlight Bird looks, but it is not a vibrator.
Credits: Samantha Mangino/Mashable

We have been walking for so long and it’s time to speak to the elephant in the room. The moonbird looks exactly like a vibrator. When we first saw the device, my colleagues and I thought so, and I touted their opinions to all my friends. Let’s be clear, although the appearance is no Personal massager. While it’s stupid to admit it, its design affects its usage.

In many cases, I would love to bring the moonbird to have some mindfulness during my journey, whether it’s from stress at work or trying to fall asleep while flying. But, knowing what it might have misunderstood, I would have taken it to the plane in total embarrassment.

Moonbird has an alternative design, namely Moonbuddy, which is designed for kids and is very cute. It doesn’t have the same biofeedback or controls as Moonbird, but I still want the flagship device to have a similar design to make it look less provocative and more suitable for public use.

The app is getting smaller and smaller, without tons

You can use Moonbird without the app and you’re totally happy with it, but $199 only costs a lot of money to spend on a single breathing exercise. Downloading the app can unlock heart rate tracking and a new set of customizable breathing exercises, but the app itself is wrong.

Every time I open the app, I need the Moonbird device to reconnect to the app, which takes a few seconds, which is a real pain. Plus, it has a limited knowledge base compared to applications like headspace or calm, so while the included app is an extra bonus, it doesn’t add much value to the $199 price of Moonbird.

Is the moonbird worth it?

If you are desperate for a distraction-free breathing tool, then Moonbird may be worth it.
Credits: Samantha Mangino/Mashable

If you want a distraction-free breathing tool, the Moonbird may be worth it. This works and eliminates thinking from breathing exercises, but other devices with similar functions cost much less. We recently tested Dodow, a light-based breathing device that we thought was expensive and cost $60. Given that Moonbird is $199, it’s hard to justify its cost when we’re skeptical about designs – and you can’t use it in public.

But Moonbird’s screen-free design is a huge boon. If you’ve tried the meditation app, tired of their screen time, and want a silent, distraction-free alternative, Moonbird can be a worthwhile investment.