Touch meets technology in Moonbird, a duo of a portable breathing coach and meditation app. The Moonbird breathing device is designed to teach you how to use breathing techniques to reduce anxiety, stress, and sleep better. It fits in the palm of your hand and expands so you can move with your breath. Moonbird connects to a meditation app that tracks your breath, provides biofeedback, and guides you through specific meditations. I’ve used meditation apps before, but whenever I try to meditate, my mind wanders. So much, in fact, that I forget I was trying to meditate in the first place. But this little portable breathing coach breathes with me right in the palm of my hand, so I couldn’t forget my spiritual mission.
For those who want to improve their sleep through meditation and breathing exercises, Moonbird is … [+]
I tested the Moonbird breathing device twice a day for three weeks. I wanted to see if the device would help me fall asleep faster, which is what makes my mind wander, and also help me keep my stress levels in check, especially while traveling. I’m not sure if I’ll use it long-term, but it was definitely more effective than a meditation app and a lot less expensive than an in-person meditation coach (who I used to spend $100/hour and usually fell asleep during). Read our full Moonbird review to find out how it works, why it helps, and if it’s worth a try.
Moonbird Features
A breathing apparatus that fits in your hand
The Moonbird device fits in the palm of your hand and is made from a very smooth material that the company says is 100% biocompatible, medical-grade silicone. It fits snugly in the palm of your hand and feels similar to those shiny “worry” stones you might have in your purse. On top is a thumb sensor that signals Moonbird to start working, which allows the device to provide biofeedback via an app (more on that below).
What I like best is the feeling of “breathing” with you. Moonbird has a high-tech balloon inside that inflates and deflates to simulate breathing. I think it’s similar to holding a little mouse or hamster in your hand and feeling it breathe. I don’t know why it does this, but that’s the best way I can describe it.
This is how you hold the Moonbird without your thumb touching the sensor.
Synchronizing my breathing to the device made it much easier to focus on my breathing instead of thinking about what I wanted to have for lunch. At times, it felt like the Moonbird wasn’t guiding me to breathe deeply enough, or that I’d exhale before I was ready, but maybe that’s the point.
Whether or not you use a meditation app is up to you
You don’t need to use the Moonbird app to use the device. If you don’t have a smartphone or you think sitting looking at a screen isn’t a great way to relax or sleep, you can skip the app. However, if you want a bit more guidance, want to track your data, or are a true biohacker at heart, the app is useful. Personally, I didn’t like using the app much because it felt forced. I preferred to just hold the Moonbird in my hand while reading a book or watching TV and let my breathing sync without having to think too much.
A screenshot from the Guide section of the Moonbird app.
Moonbird connects to the app via Bluetooth and can be synced with different breathing exercises. The “Guides” section of the app has a series of recordings introducing breathing basics, best practices and breathwork education. There are guided meditations for sleep, anxiety and stress, and you can do different breathing sequences by pairing with your Moonbird device.
A screenshot of the breathing exercise from the Moonbird app.
I usually try the anxiety/stress meditation around lunchtime during work breaks, and the sleep meditation before bed. I like that you have the option to turn off the sound in the app and still receive breathing guidance from your handheld device. You can change the duration of the guided meditation and measure your heart rate variability (HRV). I also like that you can set notifications so the app reminds you to practice your breathing throughout the day.
Track your health through an app
If you’re interested in biohacking and tracking your health stats, be sure to download the Moonbird app. Once you sync your Moonbird with the app, it will give you a reading of your heart rate variability (HRV), or the change in the time between your heartbeats.
A screenshot of my HRV reading while box breathing in the Moonbird app.
According to Moonbird, high HRV means you can recover from stress quickly and calm down to sleep. Low HRV means you can’t recover from stress as easily, which can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and pain. I like that the app shows you your HRV for each session, as well as your progress over time, so you can see if you’re making progress in increasing your overall HRV through breathing exercises.
It’s interesting that the app can show this information, but I’m not sure how useful knowing my HRV will be for me. At this point, I think it’s proof that the breathing exercises are working, and seeing the numbers go up is like a reward to keep me going. I’m not sure if this information will be useful to me other than as a quick motivation boost.
A screenshot of stats while using Moonbird.
Moonbird Breathing Coach: Verdict
Given the price of Moonbird (around $200), some may see it as an unnecessary expense when there are plenty of meditation apps available for free, but if you’re serious about learning how to meditate and practice breathing techniques, this can be considered an investment.
If you, like me, have trouble sitting still and breathing, you know that meditation apps and YouTube videos are cheap and easy, but they don’t always work. Having something in your hand that helps keep your breath on track is much more effective. Does my mind still wander? Sure, but my breath naturally follows the Moonbird without me having to think about it too much.
I didn’t find the HRV data particularly useful, and I don’t think you need the app. If you use a free meditation app or video and are happy to follow along, there’s probably no need to spend the money on Moonbird. If you need help and are considering a meditation teacher, Moonbird may save you money in the long run. Moonbird is small enough to fit in a handbag, so I might try using it instead of a worry stone the next time I go to the dentist or get on a plane. I’m very interested to see how long-term use of Moonbird affects my breathing when I’m not using it.
How we tested Moonbird
I tested Moonbird over a three-week period, using it twice a day, around noon and before bed. I recorded my mood and anxiety levels before and after using the device, and timed how quickly I fell asleep each night after using it. I also monitored how long the battery lasted before needing to recharge.
I also tried carrying the device around in my handbag to see how much weight it added and how unwieldy it was, and I also kept an eye on the device itself to monitor any wear and tear over time.
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What is the Moonbird Breathing Apparatus?
Moonbird is a handheld breathing guide that inflates and deflates to pace your breathing, aiming to achieve a better rhythm and ultimately improve sleep and reduce anxiety and stress.
What is the difference between Moonbird and Sensate?
Moonbird is a device that contracts and expands in your hand to aid in breathing exercises and meditation, ultimately designed to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety. Meanwhile, Sensate is a sensory device worn on your chest while listening to audio, using vibrations and sound to reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality. While the goals of these devices are similar, they achieve them in different ways.
How long does the Moonbird’s battery last?
Moonbird claims the battery will last for 2 hours when fully charged, and takes about 3 hours to fully charge. In my testing, the battery lasted just under 2 hours. The charger attaches to the device magnetically, and you can tell the battery is charging by opening the Moonbird app and seeing the battery icon full.
