Buying guide for best earplugs
Any light sleeper knows just how annoying even the softest noise can be when you’re trying to doze off. If you live in a busy neighborhood or have a partner who snores, getting a good night’s sleep can seem impossible. Earplugs can help by blocking out a wide range of noises and enabling you to catch some much-needed sleep.
If you want to rest undisturbed or protect your ears from loud noises, it all comes down to choosing the right earplugs. That means selecting the right material, decibel rating, and fit to make sure that the plugs effectively block out sounds. With so many earplug options on the market, it can get confusing.
BestReviews is here to help make your shopping a little easier. We provide the facts you need to choose the best items for your home, and we make specific recommendations so you can have total confidence in your shopping decisions.
Why use earplugs?
There are many situations in which a good pair of earplugs can help block out noise and/or protect your ears from particularly loud noises.
Sleeping
Many people have trouble sleeping because of noise. If you live in a noisy building, on a street with heavy traffic, or in a dorm, or you have a partner who snores, earplugs can help you get a good night’s rest. Earplugs are also a good option for individuals who work at night and sleep during the day.
Working
Whether you work in a noisy office or you’re a student trying to study in a busy dorm, earplugs can help you block out distractions so you can focus on the work you need to do.
Using equipment
If your job requires you to use power tools, lawn equipment, or other noisy appliances, or you use them around the house, earplugs can help protect your ears and prevent hearing loss.
Hunting/shooting
If you’re a hunter or regularly go target shooting, earplugs help protect your hearing from loud gunfire.
Listening to music
Whether you’re a musician who regularly practices and performs or a concert-goer with really good seats, your hearing can easily be compromised by loud amplified music. Earplugs can help prevent hearing loss.
Swimming
If you swim regularly, earplugs can keep water out of your ears and help prevent infection.
Flying
Traveling by air can cause pressure to build up in your ears with changes in cabin pressure. Earplugs can help keep your ears from popping or hurting when you fly.
Because many people use earplugs to reduce noise while they sleep, we assess them for their ability to block out a wide range of sounds that may be disruptive.
For optimal noise cancellation, it's important that earplugs fit snugly in the ears without being too tight. We look at quality plugs in several size options to suit various consumers.
Some earplugs are designed to keep water out of the ear canals during swimming. We keep this in mind when scrutinizing earplugs for our readers.
In our research, we want to know if earplugs are comfortable. Do they cause ear pressure? Do they adjust automatically for a personalized fit? We aim to answer these questions in our assessments.
When we look at various earplugs, we keep in mind that some consumers use them to minimize the sound of gunfire when hunting or practicing shooting.
Earplugs are made of foam or silicone. We analyze the pros and cons of these two materials.
We evaluate the durability of the earplugs we recommend, noting that some types are made to be used once while others can be used repeatedly.
When we research earplugs, we look at noise reduction ratings, or NRR. The higher the ratings, the better the plugs are at blocking out intense noises caused by loud music, different types of equipment, and gunfire.
Musicians are often exposed to loud music, and they rely on earplugs to protect their hearing. We keep NRR decibel ratings in mind during our research.
When investigating earplugs, we want to know how many pairs are in a pack or if the plugs are available for bulk purchase.
Types of earplugs
Noise-reducing
Noise-reducing earplugs provide protection against dangerously loud noises, usually over 85 decibels (noises that prevent you from hearing normal speech).
Sleeping
Sleeping earplugs are designed to be worn overnight to help you get a good night’s sleep by blocking out snoring, traffic, commotion from neighbors, or other sounds over 30 decibels. Because they’re meant to wear for a longer period of time, these are usually more comfortable than other types of earplugs.
Swimming
Swimming earplugs prevent water from getting into your ear canal when you’re in the water, so you’re less likely to develop an ear infection. These earplugs can also help block the wind, making them an effective option for activities like surfing, sailing, and kayaking.
Musician
Earplugs for musicians are designed to protect individuals who are around loud music on a regular basis. These earplugs don’t fully block noise but soften it so you don’t have to worry about hearing loss. Musician earplugs usually come at several different noise reduction ratings (NRR).
NRR 10 decibels: These work well for softer music, such as acoustic guitar, violins, or other stringed instruments.
NRR 15 decibels: These work well for many instruments and are suitable for all types of bands.
NRR 20 decibels: These provide effective, high-level protection for nearly any music environment.
- NRR 25 decibels: These are the strongest option for softening but not blocking music completely. They work best for individuals who are exposed to very loud music for prolonged periods of time.
Earplug features to consider
Material
Earplugs are usually made of foam or silicone. Both materials can be very effective, but one option may be better for you based on your needs.
Foam earplugs
Available in many sizes for comfortable fit
Block sound effectively
Decibel rating of 30 dB or above
Easy to use
Unlikely to fall out
Can be itchy if worn for long periods
Not very durable (one-time use)
Less expensive than silicone
Silicone earplugs
Softer than foam
Less effective at blocking noise than foam
Lower decibel rating than foam
Less likely to hurt the ear canal
Antibacterial (some brands)
Moldable for better fit
Can sometimes fall out
Unlikely to irritate skin
More durable (can be reused)
More expensive than foam
Durability
Some earplugs hold up well to repeated use and can last through several uses. Others are meant to be disposable, which means you should throw them away after you use them once. Silicone plugs are usually more durable than foam. It’s important to clean silicone earplugs regularly because the wax from your ears can cause the silicone to break down.
Comfort and fit
Earplugs should fit comfortably in your ear. You want them to be tight enough that they don’t fall out but not so tight as to put pressure on your eardrum. Most earplugs have some type of contoured tip to help them fit more securely in the ear. If your ears and skin are particularly sensitive, silicone earplugs are softer than foam and may be more comfortable for you.
Foam earplugs are self-adjusting, which means that the foam expands inside your ears for a secure fit.
If you have trouble with earplugs staying in your ears, look for pairs that come in specific sizes, such as small, medium, and large. This can help make sure that the earplugs sit well in your ears without slipping loose. If your earplugs feel uncomfortable, it can be a sign that they’re too big or small for your ear canal.
Decibel rating
Earplugs are rated with the decibel level protection they provide – most pairs intended for sleeping are rated for 30- to 40-decibel protection. In order to choose the right pair for your needs, it helps to have an idea of the decibel level of certain noises.
50 decibels: Conversation
100 decibels: Lawn mower, jackhammer, garbage truck
110 decibels: Live music
120 decibels: Chainsaw, thunder
Quantity
Most earplugs are sold in bulk, not by the pair. You can find sets that include anywhere from two to a few hundred pairs – the number typically depends on the durability of the plugs. Disposable earplugs come in packages with more pairs because you should throw them out after each use. In most cases, you’ll get the best value by choosing the larger packages with more pairs.
Caution
Regular exposure to extremely loud noises can damage the nerve endings in the inner ear, causing hearing loss.
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Earplug prices
Earplugs vary in price based mainly on the material used, as well as how many pairs are included in the set. In most cases, you can expect to pay between $4 and $30.
Soft foam earplugs are the most budget-friendly option, ranging from $4 to $19. For approximately 10 to 50 pairs, you’ll usually pay between $4 and $10. For 100 to 200 pairs, you’ll usually pay between $10 and $20.
Silicone earplugs are more costly, and the packages usually don’t include as many pairs as foam options. For three to six pairs, you’ll usually pay $6 to $15. For 10 to 15 pairs, you’ll usually pay $15 to $30. However, some higher-quality silicone earplugs cost as much as $19 for a single pair.
FAQ
Q. Are earplugs safe?
A. While earplugs are typically used to protect your ears, it’s important to use them properly. Take care not to push them too far into your ears or you may damage your ear canal. Foam earplugs don’t allow ear wax to flow out of your ear, so the wax can become impacted and cause an infection. If you plan to use earplugs long term, a silicone pair is your best bet.
Q. How do I know what size earplugs to choose?
A. Most earplugs are one size fits all because they’re self-expanding or moldable to fit a wide range of ears comfortably. However, there are some brands of earplugs in small, medium, and large sizes, so it’s often a matter of trial and error to discover which option works best for your ears. Keep in mind that most earplugs are sized for men’s ears, so women usually do better with small or medium sizes.
Q. How should I clean my earplugs?
A. It’s important to clean reusable earplugs regularly because wax, bacteria, and other debris can build up on the surface and cause an infection. Foam earplugs should be thrown away after each use, but silicone earplugs can be cleaned with mild soap and water and an old toothbrush.
