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The best earplugs for sleeping for 2024, tested and reviewed
Our top picks for nighttime earplugs held up against a snoring partner and three meowing cats to prove that they really do work.
On a quest to save my relationship, I set out to find the best earplugs for sleeping. OK, maybe that's a little dramatic, but if you have a partner who snores (or live on a busy road), I don't have to tell you how annoying it is to be jarred awake by loud noises in the middle of the night.
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The detriments of nighttime noise go beyond annoyance too. Studies show that exposure to nocturnal noise can trigger a stress response that negatively affects your heart rate, blood flow and immune system, even if you don't fully wake up. Of course, it can affect sleep quality too, leaving you feeling tired and cranky the next day. Over time these short-term effects can contribute to chronic sleep disruptions and more serious issues like heart disease.
Fortunately there's an answer. "Consistent use of earplugs can help block out noises which can help keep distractions to a minimum and help you go to sleep," says Ross Cushing, audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance. And if you're worried about their safety, don't be. Cushing adds that earplugs can actually protect hearing and are generally safe to wear every night, as long as they are used correctly and cleaned regularly.
But if you've tried earplugs in the past, you know that some just flat-out don't work well. Others may be effective but are so uncomfortable that they disrupt your sleep anyway. To help you find the best earplugs for sleeping, I talked to an audiologist and an otolaryngologists (an ENT doctor), researched more than 15 brands and tested eight options over the course of three weeks. Here are my five favorites.
Best overall earplugs for sleeping
Cost: $35 | Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 24 dB | Materials: Silicone | Disposable/Reusable: Reusable | Sizes available: One size with four tips (extra-small, small, medium, large)
The Loop Quiet 2 earplugs are hands-down my favorite for several reasons. Perhaps most important, they worked really well. They formed a tight seal that blocked out most sound and turned my partner's jarring, chainsaw-like snoring into a dull background noise, allowing me to comfortably drift off to sleep.
When wearing them, I couldn't hear my partner's alarm, which was on the other side of the bed, but I could hear mine. This worked great for me since I keep my alarm on my nightstand, but if you keep yours on the other side of the room, be warned that you'll probably need to turn it up to max volume or you'll end up running late in the morning.
The Loop Quiet 2 is also extremely comfortable. The entire earplug, including the tip, is made of flexible, soft-touch silicone and I barely noticed they were there, yet they stayed put all night. I'm a combination sleeper, but I tend to favor my side at night. Sometimes, when I'm wearing earplugs, this can put extra pressure on my ears, making them feel sore in the morning — similar to the sore feeling some of you may get when you wear plastic earbuds too long. I didn't have that experience at all when wearing these because they're so small.
These earplugs also come with four tip sizes — extra small, small, medium and large — which I thought was a nice touch. This is the first time I've seen an extra-small option, and the choices allowed me to get the right fit. They also have a loop shape (hence the name) that makes them easy to pull out in the morning.
- Effective noise reduction
- Comes with 4 size tips for the ideal fit
- Comfortable
- May not work well for very loud environments
- May block out alarm
More earplugs for sleeping we like for 2024
Cost: Starts at $6 | Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 32 dB | Materials: Foam | Disposable/Reusable: Disposable, but you can use a few times | Sizes available: One size
I've tried a lot of fancy earplugs, and yet I often find myself reaching for these budget-friendly Snore Blockers Soft Foam Earplugs from Mack's. True to their name, they effectively block out my partner's snoring (and my cats' early-morning meowing), and I get a better night's sleep every time I wear them. Typically, I wake up in the middle of the night and take out my earplugs if I think the coast is clear (meaning the snoring has stopped), but these don't bother me at all, and I often keep them in the entire night. They're made of a super-soft foam that's really comfortable, and they have hollowed ends that are designed for side sleeping.
Just be aware that they do take some trial and error to place correctly, but if you follow the directions exactly as written, they form a tight seal in your ear, stay in place and truly block out noise. However, if you have smaller ears, you may want to go with the slim fit instead, as this model is on the bigger side.
The Snore Blockers also have a noise reduction rating of 32 dB, which is pretty high for foam earplugs — many cap out in the 20s.
There are also an array of quantities to choose from — you can get them in a five-count pack or you can buy in bulk for as many as 100 pairs. I personally like the 12-count since it comes with a travel case, and I rely on them whenever I stay at a hotel. While these are disposable, I can typically get at least a few nights' wear out of each pair. Mack's recommends throwing them away when wax or dirt starts to build up.
- Comfortable, even when side sleeping
- Can use several times before disposing
- Budget-friendly
- Placement takes some trial and error
- May not work for small ears
Cost: $7 | Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 31 dB | Materials: Foam | Disposable/Reusable: Disposable, but can use a couple times | Sizes available: One size
A slimmer version of the Snore Blockers, these Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs are my pick for small ears. While larger foam earplugs can fall out in the middle of the night if they're too big for your ears, these mold to smaller ears and provide a secure, comfortable fit. At 31 dB, the NRR is slightly lower than some of the other options from the brand, but they are still highly effective when they're inserted properly. If you're in a really loud sleeping environment, you may want to consider some of the options with a higher NRR, but these should work well for most people trying to block out mild snoring or other ambient noise.
The Slim Fit earplugs are made with the same super-soft foam as the Snore Blockers, and during testing they felt just as comfortable. I wouldn't classify my ears as small, but they're definitely on the smaller side, and these worked well for me. They stayed secure in my ears and didn't cause any soreness, even after sleeping on my side all night.
They don't seem to hold up as well as some of the other foam plugs I've tried, but I can still get a couple of uses out of each pair, so I felt like I was getting my money's worth. And if you protect them in a carrying case, you may be able to make each pair last a little longer.
- Provide a secure fit when inserted properly
- Super comfortable
- Budget-friendly
- Lower NRR than some other options from the brand
- Only lasts a couple uses
Cost: $20 | Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 30 dB | Materials: Silicone | Disposable/Reusable: Reusable | Sizes available: Extra-small, small, medium, large
These Curvd Everyday Earplugs were a close second to the Loop Quiet 2. Despite the higher NRR rating, they didn't block out as much sound for me, but they did muffle my partner's snoring well enough that I could fall asleep. They have a similar silicone construction, with an ergonomic curved design that's meant to nestle comfortably into your ear — and it did. I could barely feel them when they were in. There was no soreness, even when sleeping on my side.
The design also makes them easy to correctly place and remove. In addition to the curve, they have a loop shape so you can pull them right out when needed. I liked that they aren't as small as some other earplugs, so I didn't misplace them as much. Even still, they didn't feel bulky in my ear.
Like the Loops, these earplugs also come with four tip sizes, so you can get your ideal fit. I normally do well with the medium, but I did need the smaller tips for these to get that airtight fit, so don't be afraid to experiment with them. The correct fit is vital to sound reduction.
- Blocked out sound well
- Easy to insert and remove
- Comfortable, even when side sleeping
- May not work well for really loud environments
- Sizing might be a bit off
SoundOff Sleep
Cost: $180 | Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): Variable | Materials: Foam, plastic | Disposable/Reusable: Reusable | Sizes available: Comes with three different-size ear tips
Regular earbuds can block out some sound, but they don't actively mask noise like electronic options can. If you have a particularly loud sleeping environment, or you just find fan-like noises soothing, I recommend the SoundOff Sleep Earbuds. They play pink noise, which is softer and more soothing than white noise, and has also been shown to improve sleep more.
I typically don't like sleeping with a white-noise machine or having a fan running, but I thought the noise from these headphones was just the right amount of calming without being too overwhelming. And it was necessary on those nights when the snoring was just too loud.
There are eight volume settings that you can easily toggle through with a touch of the button that's right on the earbuds. I kept it at about two or three, and that felt plenty loud. There's no decrease-volume button, though, so if you turn them too loud for your preference, you have to go through all eight settings to get back to the one you want.
I liked that there was only one sound option. I've used more complicated earbuds in the past (looking at you, Bose Sleepbuds), and the sheer number of noise options were too overwhelming, especially when I put them in in the middle of the night.
Based on the SoundOff's bulky size, I was worried they wouldn't be comfortable, but they fit nicely and didn't bother my ears too much. Some nights I did get a little soreness behind my ears where the ear hoops lie when sleeping on my side, but it wasn't too bad. And while you do have to charge them regularly, they come in a charging case that holds its juice for three nights, reducing how often you have to actually plug them in.
- Easy to use
- Comfortable
- Comes with charging case
- Pricey
- No down-volume button
Types of earplugs for sleeping
There are several types of earplugs you can use for sleeping. For this round of testing, I tried every category except custom-molded earplugs. While my personal experience was dependent on the specific brand I was testing, the general pros and cons of each are outlined below.
Foam earplugs: Maybe the most recognizable type, foam earplugs are made of a squishy memory foam material that's designed to completely seal your ear canal to effectively block out noise. These often have the highest noise reduction rating and they're some of the most affordable. Some may find them uncomfortable, though, and you can only use them a few times before you have to throw them away.
Silicone earplugs: There are two types of silicone earplugs. The first are small pieces of moldable wax or silicone that resemble putty (these are sometimes called wax earplugs). You can shape them to fit your ear for a tight seal and they offer good noise reduction. However, they can be difficult to use and less durable than other types. Dr. Gregory Smith, ENT and surgeon at NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, says they may also get stuck or break apart, leaving fragments behind in your ear. The other type of silicone earplugs are made of soft, flexible silicone that's already formed to fit the natural shape of your ear. These are often very comfortable and offer moderate noise reduction, but they may not mask sounds as much as foam earplugs.
Flanged earplugs: Flanged earplugs are cone-shaped earplugs that have multiple ridges (called flanges) that are designed to fit snugly in the ear canal. These offer decent noise reduction, but many flanged earplugs also have extra material that protrudes past the ear and can be uncomfortable (and not recommended) for sleeping.
Custom-molded earplugs: Custom-molded earplugs offer the best fit, which means they're typically more comfortable and have excellent noise reduction too. However, they require a custom fitting and are considerably more expensive than some other options.
Electronic earplugs: Electronic earplugs are those that play colored noise (like white or pink noise) or have some other active sound masking technology, like music. This gives you more control over the level of noise reduction you experience and can be great for those in especially loud environments. The downsides are that they're among the most expensive types and require charging. You can also run into technical issues when using them. Case in point: I used to sleep with the now-discontinued Bose Sleep Buds, and after about a year, they just stopped charging and I couldn't use them anymore. Additionally, Smith cautions against using them too often. "These [types of earplugs] run the risk of introducing too much volume, which may cause some damage to the inner ear if utilized too much," he says.
Factors to consider when making a purchase
Noise reduction rating (NRR): Noise reduction rating, which is given in decibels (dB), measures how much sound an earplug can block when used alone. The higher the NRR, the more effective the earplug is. "When earplugs are inserted correctly they can give the user 20 to 30 dB of sound attenuation," says Smith. For context, he adds, "Most snoring averages between 40 to 50 dB with ambient sounds ranging from 15 to 30 dB." If you have a snoring partner, you may want to get the highest rating you can find to muffle out as much sound as possible. On the flip side, if you're trying to block out quieter sounds, like someone talking in the other room, you may be able to get away with a lower NRR.
Comfort and fit: All of the experts I spoke to stressed that for an earplug to work well, it has to fit properly. The earplug should be airtight in your ear — this creates a hermetic seal that effectively blocks out noise. A proper fit also means they'll be more comfortable and won't fall out in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, there's no surefire way to know what size you need without trying them. However, there are some general guidelines you can go by. For starters, women's ear canals are typically smaller than men's, and most sizing goes by men's ears. If you're a woman, you'll likely want to choose a smaller or slim-fit earplug. If you've used Apple headphones in the past and found them too big, get a smaller-size earplug.
Material: Material is partly a personal preference, but it can also affect the fit, which also affects the NRR. Foam earplugs are comfortable for the most part, but can cause discomfort in those with smaller ear canals, according to Cushing. They tend to have the highest NRR, but you have to change them out every three to five days. In my experience, silicone is the best of both worlds because it has a high NRR and is comfortable and reusable. You can also opt for wax, but there's more of a learning curve involved to get the right fit.
Reusability: Another personal preference, you'll want to decide if you want earplugs that are disposable or reusable. If you choose disposable (foam and wax earplugs), you'll have to throw them out about every three to five days. This eliminates the need for cleaning, but can be wasteful and add up cost-wise over time. If you choose reusable earplugs, you'll have to commit to cleaning them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Reusable earplugs are more expensive upfront, but over time they tend to be a better investment.
Cleaning and maintenance: The decision between disposable or reusable earplugs also goes hand in hand with cleaning and maintenance. Disposable earplugs don't require any cleaning since you throw them away every few days. However, Smith says because of their porosity, they're more susceptible to bacteria and dirt, which can contribute to infections. Because of this, you have to be diligent about swapping them out regularly. If you choose reusable earplugs, make sure you're following the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning. Cushing says silicone, vinyl or wax earplugs can usually be cleaned with mild soap and water — just make sure you dry them off with a clean cloth towel before reuse.
Price: Price is a consideration too. Foam earplugs are the least expensive upfront, but the cost can add up over time since you have to throw them away every few days. Silicone earplugs are a good middle ground that aren't too expensive and can be used repeatedly. Electronic and custom-molded earplugs are most expensive, and can cost as much as a couple hundred dollars. When it comes to price, choose what works best for your budget.
How we chose
Choosing the best earplugs for sleeping was an extensive process that involved lots of research, three weeks of hands-on testing and comprehensive interviews with two ear-care experts.
To start, I interviewed an audiologist and an ENT to get the scoop on what you should look for in a sleep earplug. From there, I also researched 15 brands, most of which make more than one type of earplug. I narrowed it down using a combination of the experts' advice and published reviews — if the majority of real-life users didn't like the earplugs, I eliminated them from my testing pool.
Ultimately, I ended up with eight earplugs that I tested myself. Over the course of three weeks, I spent a few nights sleeping with each earplug. "Fortunately" for me, my partner snores nightly, so I had a great nighttime environment for this test. I also have three cats who rotate through incessant meowing in the wee hours of the morning, so that helped with testing too.
At the end of the test period, I narrowed my recommendations down to five options that really stood out in terms of comfort, performance and ease of use.
FAQs
Are earplugs safe to use every night?
For the most part, yes. "Earplugs are generally safe to use every night, as long as they are used correctly and cleaned regularly," says Cushing. "That said, improper insertion of the devices or poor hygiene can lead to ear infections and/or discomfort." The bottom line: Make sure you're cleaning the earplugs according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Can earplugs damage my hearing?
In a word, no — earplugs do not damage hearing. "Just the opposite actually," says Cushing. "They are designed to reduce noise levels and protect hearing. So unless they are used improperly, like inserting them too deeply, wearing them if you have a history of earwax buildup or ear drainage without getting clearance from your audiologist or ENT or not cleaning them properly (which can lead to infections), then they are generally safe to use."
How do I clean earplugs?
You always want to follow instructions from the manufacturer. That said, Smith says that, generally, warm water and a mild soap detergent, like an unscented dish soap, is the best way to remove any dirt, debris or wax. After cleaning, you should also allow them to dry completely before you use them again. "Solvents and alcohol cleaners should be avoided as these may break down the barrier on the surface allowing more bacteria and fungus to proliferate in the plug," adds Smith.
Can I use earplugs if I have earwax buildup?
You might be able to, but Smith says if you have excessive wax buildup, you should see an ear, nose and throat specialist for clearance first. Earplugs can contribute to your ears getting packed beyond the natural self-cleaning mechanism, and an ENT may be able to help with wax removal.
Other earplugs we tested
Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earbuds: Silicone putty ear plugs are said to provide a better and more comfortable fit than custom earplugs, but I just can't get on board with them. I found these awkward to use, and they didn't feel comfortable. They also have a lower NRR at 22 dB, so I would recommend going for the soft foam over these.
Eargasm Squishes: These are another silicone option that I liked better than the Mack's version, but I still wouldn't choose them over the others I tried. I thought these were more comfortable because you can remove some of the putty to get a more customized fit, but they didn't mask sound as well as others.
Otifleks Earplugs: These were comfortable, but they didn't create the same tight seal as the other earplugs I tried. Because of this, the sound masking was lacking.
Meet our experts
Ross Cushing, AuD, audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance
Gregory Smith, MD, ENT and surgeon at NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery
