Tech

Muse S (2nd Generation) review: A meditative drive that senses the brain


Advantages

  • Diverse set of guided and unguided meditations
  • Feel the brain and the app combine to make meditation a habit
  • Detailed sleep tracking data

Defect

  • Establish a lasting connection every time
  • Paid subscription is required to take advantage of all technology
  • Feel the false positive brain

We all know meditation has a wide range of benefits: physical, mental and all the good things in between. But meditation is a practice, not just a “quick fix.” As the antithesis of today’s instant gratification culture, it can certainly be difficult to maintain your mind and body, especially when the results aren’t immediate.

InteraXon’s Muse (2nd Generation) headband has a fix; it incorporates a combination of electroencephalogram (EEG) technology used for built-in brain sensors to provide feedback after meditation. Paired with the app’s goal-based meditation exercises, this accessory has the potential to turn an abstract meditation practice into a more concrete one. I’ve been testing the wearable for the past week, and while Muse is no doubt responsible, I still wonder if the sensors are legit or simply a fake. expensive medicine.

Specifications

Material

Nylon

Head size

Diameter 46-63 cm

Sensor type

Wearable EEG, PPG, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Pulse Oximeter and Smart-Fade technologies

Battery life

10 o’clock

Charger

Micro USB port; Instruction

Compatible devices

Smartphones running iOS 12.2 or later and Android 8 or later

Connection

Bluetooth 4.2

Color

Midnight blue

Price

$399


Design and fit

The Muse S is soft and light, and the impressive thing is that there is a brain sensor block in the center. After adjusting the straps and tying the magnetic buckles together around my neck – like a necklace, I slid the strap over my forehead. To my surprise, the sensor housing did not penetrate my forehead. And although the headband bears a resemblance to the headlights, I found the materials to be relatively flexible when I needed to make adjustments.

Muse S 2 meditation headband

The refined look of the Muse S headband makes it a suitable meditation device.

Christina Darby / ZDNET

Before I start practicing meditation, it’s worth noting that the Muse S also features sleep tracking technology, making the headband applicable for all-night wear. While I’m no stranger wear tech clothes to bed, I was woken up by pressure on my forehead and behind my ears after a few hours of falling asleep. If you sleep with an eye mask, sleeping with a Muse headband feels the same, but with a thicker fabric that sinks deeper behind your ears. Loosening the headband helps reduce build-up, but it also renders the sensors useless.

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Locating disaster

The headband has six sensor points responsible for monitoring heart rate, breathing and brain activity. Once the headband is in place and you’re ready to start meditating, simply pair your smartphone with the app and choose your desired meditation. It’s not as simple as making sure the headband is properly positioned for the sensors to function properly.

Muse . brain sensor signal test

Before each meditation session, you must pass a Signal Quality Test to ensure that all six sensors are connected. This process usually takes a while and is a game of trial and error.

Screenshots of Christina Darby / ZDNET

Unfortunately, each meditation session begins with a “Signal Quality Check”, which takes 5 minutes to calibrate the sensors. Unfortunately, not every test is a guarantee of success, especially those behind your ears. If you use meditation as a natural remedy when you are in a state of confusion, I do not expect the constant adjustment here to make things better.

I would say that once all the sensors are in place and pass the signal test, you are good to go. As long as you don’t touch the headband at the start of your workout, the sensors will stay in place and track accurately.

Than: Best meditation app

Muse App: Basic vs. Advanced

Once you get the green light to start using the headband, there are over 500 different guided, unguided meditation routines and experiences to choose from. You can choose a meditation based on your mood or a specific area (breath, mind, heart, etc.)

Despite the extensive suite of software, the app’s interface is simple and easy to navigate, and saves your previous meditations to your library so you have less to read once you’ve found your favorites. .

However, be warned that without Muse’s $3.99 monthly paid subscription, you will only be able to access 39 options with a basic account. While the free version is pretty extensive, especially if you’re just getting started with meditation, the premium plan is a great option for those who prefer more structure in their routine and/or want to layer negative feedback. bar from app with other app’s feedback. For example, you might like a white noise playlist from Spotify and want it to run in the background.

Meditating with a headband

While wearing a Apple Watch forever doesn’t get you a better workout, the idea of ​​closing the lap is enough to motivate you to complete that last sprint or lift. The same phenomenon holds true when meditating with a brain sensing headband.

Knowing that the Muse S was monitoring my vitals during a meditation session encouraged me to stand still, take deep breaths, and really try to relax. After a few sessions, my silence became a habit.

Muse data from meditation

The interface of the Muse app is quite easy to navigate. While the charts are detailed, there can be positive results in terms of false meditation.

Screenshots of Christina Darby / ZDNET

However, looking at my data when I started using it (right image), I was amazed at how much my mind wandered and how low my relaxation was when I first started using it. I first started meditating. But with more practice, my numbers reflect my efforts to stay consistent, both physically and mentally.

Unlike other wearable apps, you can also access the app without connecting the headband to your phone. So you can look at the streamlined charts to know your physiological trends at any time.

The only real issue I have with the app experience is that even when I remove my headband, there are times when the headband will continue to track and record data. Obviously, the false-positive data is unrealistic and affects my overall health metrics, but at least I know more about how stressful my bed covers are right now.

In terms of media content in the app, there are both guided and unguided meditations. I mostly chose the first one, finding it easier to stay with someone telling the story. I appreciate that every instructor’s voice has a sincere, clean tone rather than a stage or robotic sound.

If you’re more comfortable with unguided meditation, there are many unguided meditations that play relaxing sounds instead, like those you’d find on white noise machines. I tried monitoring the Crystal Cavern and found the water to be soothing to the ears and mind.

Than: This wearable actively helps you relax and sleep better

Muse S 2nd generation headband with blue background

The Muse S (2nd Generation) is malleable and soft, with brightly colored sensors around the ears and a sensor knob in the middle.

Christina Darby / ZDNET

Sleep with a headband

Like its predecessor and much of the wearable market, the Muse S integrates sleep tracking data. These insights include the start and end points, as well as the duration of your sleep state (light, deep, and REM). Naturally, users can grasp these points and modify their sleeping habits accordingly.

However, my favorite sleep feature is the digital sleeping pill. The “digital pill” refers to how the headband coordinates your meditation sounds – whether it’s music, narration, or audio scenes – with the different stages of your sleep. For example, the sound will lull you to sleep at the onset of sleep by gradually decreasing the volume. And in the middle of the night, if and when you suddenly wake up, the sensors on the headband will detect the response and play back the sound to help ease you back to sleep.

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As someone who sometimes relies on sleeping pills, I was both skeptical and intrigued by this feature. To my surprise, my suspicions were quickly vindicated. With the digital sleeping pill in use, I fell asleep instantly – and a deep sleep in that moment, according to the tracking feature.

Muse S (Generation 2)

There are two accented sensor bars on either side of the headband.

Christina Darby / ZDNET

Even when I remove my headband in the middle of the night, I feel much more comfortable in my new bedtime ritual. If you’re someone who often leaves the worries of the day in bed with you, I highly recommend using a digital sleeping pill. It is not meant to replace your prescription, but I can guarantee it is an effective and natural relaxant.

Battery life

In terms of battery life, although I was able to sleep through the night with the headband on a single charge, the recharging itself took almost an entire day. So I had to prepare the Muse S hours before I was going to sleep. Besides, the use of MicroUSB instead of the more modern USB-C is a disappointment. It’s 2022!

Conclusion

The Muse S (2nd Generation) turning a traditional abstract practice into a performance-oriented culture. While getting the sensors to read commands can be a bit complicated, using a natural headband feels natural enough to not disturb your meditation or sleep. As for the app, you’ll want to opt for a paid subscription for the most powerful and optimal experience, although I’d recommend exploring the initial batch of 39 meditation routines before you do.

Alternatives to consider

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