ZenBud Series 2
4.6 · 23 verified reviewsGentle ultrasound activates your body’s natural calm response in fifteen quiet minutes. No setup and no app: just put it on and plug it in.
- Focused ultrasound at the ear, aimed at the auricular vagus nerve
- No setup: put it on, plug it in, and that’s all
- Sessions from 5 minutes, powered by your phone or laptop over USB-C
- Play your own music or meditation while you go
Series 2 headset · USB-C cable with built-in controller · Silicone pads · Zip travel case · User Manual
Most US orders ship within 7 business days, with tracking by email. Try it at home for 45 days, counted from the day it arrives.
No setup. Just put it on and plug it in.
There is no setup. No app to download, nothing to pair and no button to press. Put the headset on, plug it in, and that’s all.
Put it on
Place the headset comfortably over your ears, like regular headphones. The silicone pads sit just above the ear canal.
Plug it in
Plug the USB-C into your phone or laptop. That’s it. It starts working the moment it’s plugged in.
Look for the blue light
No app, no pairing, no charging and no button. Turn the controller around: a blue light means it’s working.
Relax
Keep listening to your own music or podcast. You can forget it’s running: it switches itself off after 30 minutes, the most we recommend for one session, and the headphones keep playing.
Calm without friction.
ZenBud uses gentle focused ultrasound at the ear to support your body’s natural calm response. No app to fight with, no gel on your neck, no shocks or tingling. Just the reset.
Gentle, not electric
Focused ultrasound instead of electrical current. No shocks, zaps, tingling or conductive gel.
Fits into real life
Between meetings, before bed or as a passenger on the go. Fifteen minutes is where it starts.
No setup, no app
Nothing to download, pair or charge, and no button to press. Put it on, plug it in, done.
Built for comfort
Over-ear cushions with the transducer behind soft silicone pads. Designed and built in Rochester, NY.
Everything you need. Nothing you don’t.
No app. No account. No gel. No battery to charge. No subscription. Nothing to learn.
- Auto shut-offSessions stop on their own after 30 minutes. Take five, fifteen or the full thirty.
- Silicone padsSoft, comfortable fit at the ear.
- User ManualEverything you need to know to get started.
Series 2, in detail.
The headset
The controller
Your routine
iPhone with Lightning? A USB-C to Lightning adapter is available separately.
of pilot study participants said daily sessions somewhat or greatly impacted their quality of life.
After 4 weeks of 5-minute daily sessions. ZenBud is built on peer-reviewed research into focused ultrasound and the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.
Explore the science Pilot study: n=28, single-arm, 4 weeks. Individual results vary.Quiet evenings,
in their words.
from real people
at home
“Enter a really deep meditation state, just entirely effortlessly.”
Pedro J. · FounderSo far I’m loving the Zen Bud
“After just a few days I’m noticing that my sleep is better. It’s a calmness that steals upon your being in an unsuspecting way. Also, love that it’s not tied to an app on my phone.”
“There’s no shocking… and not have to put gel on my neck.”
Michael D. · Switched from an electrical device
“I just felt very in the present moment.”
Amber S. · Program directorA well-designed, very comfortable device
“No need to program anything, just wear and switch on. Much more comfortable than the electrical stim device.”
“I use them for five minutes every day while I listen to a podcast.”
Maria T. · Attorneyworks fantastically
“It takes a little bit to settle in, but the feeling of calm is palpable.”
“Every time I’ve used it, I feel a lot calmer.”
Awais S. · Integrative medicine practitionerCalming and great for sleep
“Calming and great for sleep, while allowing to listen to your favorite music.”
“Overall, I feel really grounded.”
Aaron · Wellness practitionereasy to use-no friction to this habit
“Easy to use, has an indicator light, no need for subscription and techy app.”
“It’s been a long weekend, but I feel really good.”
Aimee A. · Occupational therapy clinicSignificant improvement
“Benefits of deep meditation without the effort. I have been biohacking for 10 years and not many things have moved the needle as quickly as this.”
“If you’re not doing something to regulate your nervous system, you probably should start.”
Dr. Aumatma S. · Holistic practitionerWorth it
“I really enjoy using the Zenbud and have been using it for months. I normally use it before bed while listening to a meditation track on my phone.”
LOVE! Very comfortable
“LOVE! Very comfortable with the headphones. Love you can plug it into your phone.”
Vagus nerve stimulation, without the shocks.
Most vagus nerve stimulators send electrical current through your skin. ZenBud uses gentle focused ultrasound instead.
| Series 2 | Typical electrical VNS | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Focused ultrasound | Electrical current |
| No shocks, zaps or tingling | ||
| No conductive gel or electrodes | Often needed | |
| No setup: no app, pairing or buttons | Often needs app setup | |
| No battery to charge | ||
| Play your own audio during sessions | Varies | |
| Sessions from | 5 minutes | Varies |
| Money-back window | 45 days | Varies |
Comparison with typical electrical (tVNS/taVNS) wellness devices. Features vary by brand and model.
These aren’t our reviews.
They’re our competitors’.
Real 1–3 star reviews from verified buyers of electrical neck stimulators, copied word for word from those brands’ own websites. None of them are about ZenBud.
“I hate the feeling when it’s on. […] Just a weird uncomfortable shocking sensation.”
“I wish it did not involve having to put gel on my neck […] because it’s messy and gets in my hair.”
“Many times it loses the connection with me sitting there with my phone right in my lap!”
“[The] device has charging problems [and] will stop working in the middle of a session without warning.”
“I have to hold it in place even with a towel propping it up. So that deters me from using it.”
“After following the instructions, I used it twice daily for 30 days straight and could discern no difference.”
“My whole neck is twitching.”
“The electrodes contract the muscles in your neck […]”
ZenBud sends no electrical current. Nothing makes your muscles fire.
Read their fine print.
- Application site discomfort
- Skin irritation and redness
- Pain in the face, head or neck
- Toothache
- Muscle twitching
- Muscle contractions in the face, head or neck
- Facial droop
- Lip pull
- Headache
- Dizziness
- “Pins and needles” on the skin
“Including but not limited to.”
One brand’s FAQ says a lip pull means you’re “in the correct position.”
A shock collar isn’t discreet.
ZenBud is.
Stimulate your vagus nerve at your desk, on the train, before a meeting. It looks like headphones, so nobody knows.
- Unzip the bag
- Gel up your neck
- Zap yourself in public
- Put it on
- Plug it in
- Relax
Describes common experiences with electrical (tVNS/taVNS) wellness devices as a category. Features vary by brand and model. Competitor reviews are verbatim excerpts from verified-buyer reviews on electrical VNS brands’ own websites, October 2026; […] marks omitted words and [ ] marks words we added for readability. Competitor side effects are taken from two electrical neck-stimulator brands’ published safety page and FAQ, accessed October 27, 2026. Brands not named. Individual experiences vary.
How do I use ZenBud?
Put the headset on and plug it into your phone or laptop with USB-C. That’s all. There is no setup, no app to download and no button to press, so you can use ZenBud whenever you need a quick reset.
How do I know it’s working?
Plug in ZenBud, and it’s working. The stimulation is subtle, so you should not expect to feel a noticeable sensation during use. A blue light on the back of the Y-connector indicates that the ultrasound is on. You can also play music or other audio through ZenBud just like regular headphones while using it.
How long and how often should I use it?
Aim for 15 minutes, once or twice a day: 15–20 minutes is the sweet spot for your best results. Short on time? 5–10 minutes still lets you feel the shift. Every session switches itself off at 30 minutes.
Is ZenBud safe to use?
ZenBud is compliant with CE standards, and every unit is hydrophone-tested before it ships. It’s a general wellness device, not a medical device, and it hasn’t been reviewed or cleared by the FDA. Use it only as a passenger, never while driving.
Can I use ZenBud if I’m deaf or hard of hearing?
Yes. ZenBud does not rely on your ability to hear. It uses ultrasound for stimulation, which is separate from the audible sound produced by the headphones. This is not binaural beats or a sound track: the ultrasound acts on the auricular branch of the vagus nerve itself, whether or not you play any audio.
Can I pay with my HSA or FSA?
ZenBud is HSA/FSA eligible on qualifying orders, so you can pay with pre-tax dollars. Eligibility depends on your plan administrator. Learn more.
What is the return policy?
Every ZenBud comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee, for any reason. The 45 days start the day your ZenBud arrives, not the day you order. Send it back (return shipping is on you) and we refund the full price. After that, the 1-year warranty covers any defect that isn’t intentional damage, for 365 days from delivery. See the refund policy for details.
Who do I contact for support?
Contact the ZenBud team or email info@neurgear.com.
Fifteen quiet minutes start here.
ZenBud Series 2, with 45 days to try it at home.
$459 · or 4 interest-free payments of $114.75