8 Best Ear Plugs

Unlike foam earplugs that require you to roll them into a cylinder for insertion, or silicone earplugs that you have to mold like putty, there’s nothing to do with these. Simply insert them into your ears like in-ear headphones and you’re good to go.

While most reviewers give these earplugs top honors as the best earplugs for concerts (and other raucous activities), Your Best Digs gave them a nod for their sleep friendliness: “they were the best flanged plug to sleep with for the lack of a stem in their design. In place of the stem is a small tab on the bottom flange used for removal.”

The reason these earplugs consistently earn such rave reviews as the best earplugs for concerts or musicians is because, while they do block the surrounding cacophony that comes with playing or listening to music, they don’t degrade the ability to hear the music itself.

It’s one set of earplugs for a pretty steep price. However, these can be cleaned and reused over and over again. So long as they fit your ears well, the price shouldn’t be a problem.

If you’re familiar with the process of rolling the foam earplug into a cylinder and then inserting into the ear canal, you should have no problem with this product. However, these earplugs expanded much more quickly than other brands of foam earplugs, so it may take you a few tries to get it right. That said, once it’s in, expect it to stay put.

While customers often complain about these earplugs feeling stiff, that feature is really what makes these ear plugs so effective. Otherwise, you end up with something too soft and squishy that’s likely to fall out (and that’ll do you no good). Expect to wear these all night, and maybe even into the next day, without any major discomfort.

Not only are these earplugs great for sleeping, but they also work well to block out ambient noises while flying, at school, or at work. While they are effective at muffling loud noises (like the sound of a dishwasher or washing machine that you may prefer to run at night), you can still hear the things that matter… like a kid calling to you or a dog whimpering to go outside.

There are 30 pairs of earplugs in the box, each of which come in their own individual packet (which is awesome for traveling). Needless to say, we find this to be a good product at a great value.

These earplugs are very similar to the style of earbud headphones many people are used to wearing, so you shouldn’t have any issues using or wearing these if you’re accustomed to those. These are also corded, so you don’t have to worry about them falling out and getting lost on you.

Made by SureFire, a company that deals in tactical weapons and gear and knows their audience well, these earplugs have been crafted specifically for the purposes of shooting. Earplugs Guide explains them as such: “They’re made from a soft-yet-durable, hypoallergenic polymer that’s been optimized for both comfort and durability.” And because they leave such a small footprint, they can be worn under other shooting gear, including headphones, a helmet, or mask. 

People who use these for shooting seem to be really satisfied with the ability of the earplugs to block out harmful noise levels while protecting the sounds that matter (like conversations with people nearby). For additional protection, you can apply the extra filter that comes with the EP7 to drown out lower-level sounds too.

You get one set of earplugs in this pack, but they’re going to last you awhile so long as you take care of them.

These were the first pair of earplugs tested out and they were actually a really great introduction to earplugs. Instructions provided on the jar clearly explain how you’re supposed to roll the earplugs up into a cylinder and insert them into your ear. The only problem is that they suggest waiting 30 seconds for the earplug to expand, though it took more like 60 seconds if you want it to really secure itself in the canal.

Like other foam earplugs, these are on the rougher side. That said, you need that friction to keep the earplugs in overnight. Pain upon waking does not seem to be an issue with these earplugs, so, overall, comfort is a high point with these. They fit well, stay in place, and allow you to go on with your day without having to worry about any residual ear pain from sleeping with them.

The only concern noted is that they are a bit long, so you might feel them brush against the pillow if you move around a lot. They advise not cutting them down any shorter than they are, so you might only want to use these if you have average or larger-sized ear canals. 

Do not expect any issues in terms of staying in place. And these earplugs are also great at blocking out noises. While they might not be enough for a few hours on the shooting range or for a ride on your motorcycle through the country, they are definitely great for sleeping

You get a jar of 100 plus a small travel case with this purchase. So long as the bottle is “fresh” (be sure to check the expiration date before opening), you shouldn’t have to worry about these earplugs going stale and you losing money on the purchase. Be aware, but this does not seem to be a common complaint when it comes to this particular brand of earplugs.

No matter the size of your ears, these Downbeats earplugs will fit perfectly. The fact that they are low-profile is great for avoiding uncomfortable conversations. However they are very small and soft, so it takes practice to get them in and out of your ears without dropping.

These earplugs are very subtle, so much so in fact that you’ll hardly even know you’re wearing them. You will still feel comfortable even after hours of having them protect your ears from loud noises. 

Reviewers cannot stop raving about how effective these earplugs are at minimizing the noise in your environment without compromising the quality of conversations and the sound you want to hear. It will feel like you just turned down the volume of everything around you, while still being able to hear clearly.

After reviewing all the feedback on these earplugs, the price of $15 is a great bargain. The earplugs come with a rugged aluminum case which keep your earplugs well-protected while making ear protection handy for you wherever you go.

Putting these earplugs in takes a bit of practice. However when you get the knack of it, they won’t easily fall out even when swimming. For those with average to large ear canals, they form a nice seal and keep water out.

If you have ears that are sensitive to water, the Speedo Ergo Earplugs are a great option. They effectively keep water out of your ears whether you are swimming, diving, or taking a shower.

Speedo’s earplugs are designed to comfortably protect your ears from water. These earplugs can fit normal to large size ears, so they might not be comfortable to small ears because of the extra material the plugs have.

The Speedo Ergo Earplugs only cost $4, making them a steal. They have a small case and are totally reusable. Definitely worth it for the perfect amount of protection while swimming.

To perfectly fit them in your ears, squish them and then hold them in as they expand slowly. Or else, they won’t stick as much as you like. Moistening your ear by rubbing a bit of alcohol around the inside makes the process a little easier.

This disposable foam earplug has a bell-shaped appearance, making it comfortable to wear and ensures that it won’t fall off while you are sleeping. The earplugs also protect your ear from dirt and don’t irritate.

This earplug can block out noise effectively with a noise reduction rating of NRR 33. Most women (and some mend) tend to use these to block out their snoring spouses, resulting in a good night’s sleep for everyone involved.

These cool foam earplugs will cost you $28 which is a bit expensive for a disposable one. But considering that a pack contains 200 pairs of foam earplugs, its effectivity and durability takes a great value.