No one wants to stay up all night due to distractions and loud noises. But unfortunately, that seems to be the case for many people who have noisy roommates, live in a loud neighbourhood or, most commonly, have a snoring partner.
You’ve tried everything, including pushing the person over onto their side, telling them about the problem, or even buying those nose strips that claim to stop a person from snoring.
But none of this provided you with any results. Luckily, there is a solution in the best sleeping earplugs that could help you get a good night’s sleep, which will forever change how you feel about your snoring partner.
Top Earplugs for Sleeping:
The Importance of Choosing the Right Ear Plugs
No matter what sound it is that’s keeping you up at night, there is an earplug solution that will let you settle in for a great night’s sleep. But, unfortunately, things can keep us awake at night, including the snoring of a significant other, arguing neighbors, traffic noise, or barking dogs.
It doesn’t matter what the reason is- lost sleep makes us miserable and unable to function. If you find yourself in this situation, you need the best sleep earplugs you can find.
So, if you are looking for a pair of earplugs that will reduce the sound of loud snorers or background noise, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide you with a list of the best earplugs for sleeping according to customer reviews and some factors you should consider when buying the best overall earplugs for sleep.
Sleeping Earplug Reviews
When looking for the best earplugs for sleep, protection level, and comfort, there are two things to consider. First, depending on your noise issues, you may need more or less noise reduction rate. For example, very loud sounds may blast right through some lower-level hearing protection.
On the other hand, if basic ambient noises bother you, just a little extra protection may be all you need. So comfort is the second factor you need to look at.
It doesn’t do you any good to block out the noise just to be kept awake by uncomfortable earplugs. So let’s look for the best earplugs for sleeping to get quality rest tonight. After discussing some of the best overall earplugs, we will examine some buying factors.
These earbuds provide active noise-canceling and Bluetooth to play audiobooks or sleep stories while blocking out other sounds.
QuietOn Noise-Cancelling Sleeping earbuds are also one of the best for sleeping on your side. They are made of high-quality materials and have been tested rigorously before they reach customers. They provide an excellent noise reduction rate and offer a secure fit in the ear canal.
Features:
- Ergonomic design provides a comfortable fit
- Soft silicone ear tips prevent them from slipping out as we move
- Anti-slip ear caps ensure a secure fit
- 3 size ear tips available for different ears
- Easy to take care of – wipe clean with a damp cloth
- The compact design fits easily into your pocket
- Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers up to 50 hours of playback time
- The inline mic allows hands-free communication
- True Wireless Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity
- Supports A2DP/AVRCP/HFP/OPUS/aptX/LDAC
- Playback music via Bluetooth headset or smartphone
These are the sleep earbuds that play white noise. With the Bose Sleep app, you can play nature sounds that help you fall asleep faster. They also include a handy carrying case which charges the reusable earplugs.
Bose® Sleepbuds™ II is the next generation of wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. They’re designed to be worn during sleep when it’s most important to get a restful shut-eye. The Sleepbuds II features an exclusive new noise-canceling technology called “Sleep Sound” or pink noise that helps block out external noises while delivering soothing sounds to help you drift off into dreamland.
And because they’re wireless, there’s no tangled cord to worry about. The Sleepbuds II has been tested and approved by leading medical experts as earbuds safe to fall asleep with and effective for helping people fall asleep fast.
The Bose Sleepbud II uses Innovative Noise Cancellation Technology, a proprietary noise-canceling tech, to block out external noises while providing soothing sounds to help you rest and feel calm.
Loop Quiet earplugs are ideal for people who want to protect their hearing without sacrificing comfort. They are reusable and washable and provide an effective level of noise reduction. Their unique design allows them to sit comfortably inside your ear canal, which makes them more effective than traditional foam earplugs. Learn all about them in our Loop Quiet earplug review.
Product Features:
- Ideal for sleep, study, work, airplane noise, commuting, sports and noisy environments.
- Reduce noise up to 27 dB.
- Easy to use.
- Washable and reusable.
- Durable silicone ear tips.
- Comes in 4 sizes (Xs – L).
- Eco-friendly packaging.
- Carry case included.
Alpine Sleep Soft earplugs were explicitly designed for side sleepers. Side sleepers often notice that noise-cancelling earplugs might not be the most comfortable option for them, but these ultra-soft custom molded earplugs will help provide people with all the comfort they need to sleep well at night.
They offer outstanding hearing protection with a noise reduction rating NRR of 31, which is excellent for a reusable inner ear hearing protection design. In addition, they use an extra comfortable and soft ThermoShape material along with a short two flange design that means there will be comfortable when you are sleeping on your side and putting pressure on the ear.
These are reusable and, with proper care, can last for months. In addition, they come with a unique cleaning tool and can be washed with simple soap and water to keep you sleeping in peace for a long time on one set of earplugs.
Read more reviews of reusable earplugs – click here.
We thought we should include the sleeping headband; it wraps around your head, over your eyes, and has two earphones on the side.
With these, you can play pink noise or music; they do not fit in your ear canals, so they are incredibly comfortable and work with any small ear canals. They are great at muffling noise without sound but are less effective than disposable earplugs.
Moldex Drift to Sleep putty earplugs is designed to combat the loudest noises keeping you up at night. They are made from a proprietary polyurethane that provides earplugs’ highest level of protection, with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 33.
Having a high NRR can do a lot to help you get better sleep and to block out any harmful loud sounds. Exposure to loud noise can damage your hearing over time, and no one wants to face irreversible hearing loss. So unless you are trying to sleep in the middle of a factory, these earplugs should block out the noise.
Moldex designs professional earplugs for industrial use, and they’ve brought that expertise to help you sleep. In addition to the high level of protection, another area that this expertise shines through is comfort.
These have a cone-shaped design and extra soft memory foam, which means they’ll be comfortable for all-night wear. The combination of protection and comfort is why Moldex earned the top spot on my best sleeping earplugs review.
Flents knows you’ll go through many earplugs if you intend to use them every night. So they’ve brought to market a no-frills earplug that provides excellent protection and comfort at a great price. This means you won’t be paying an arm and a leg to get a great night of sleep.
Flents Quiet Please earplugs provide a respectable noise reduction rating NRR of 29, making these soft earplugs among the best choices on our list. This high NRR range enables you to protect your ears while getting ultra-soft custom molded earplugs out of the deal.
While this isn’t quite as good as the Moldex, it is still an excellent level of protection that should block out most noises. These don’t have a comfort cone shape, but most users report that they are still very comfortable and stay in place for a full night’s sleep. Since each pair should last for a few nights, you can enjoy a great night’s sleep for pennies.
Mack’s focuses on comfort with the Mack’s Ultra Soft foam earplugs, rated at 33dB NRR. The soft foam lets you create a custom earplug for sleeping by conforming to the shape of your outer ear. This makes them the most comfortable earplugs, with a seal that is formed specifically for your ear.
These foam earplugs put no pressure on the ear canal either, which for some people can be a problem for other inner ear protection earplugs. They are also suitable for other activities besides sleeping, such as: mowing the lawn, attending a music concert, traveling, studying and more. So whether you need best earplugs for work, or no matter how many decibels, these provide the most passive noise reduction.
Mack’s makes their earplugs in the USA with safe, high-performance foam. Their brand is trusted and recommended by doctors all over the country. The company also makes Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone earplugs; however, they have a lower NRR of 22.
You can buy these in a pack or as individually wrapped earplugs.
If you like the moldable protection approach that Mack’s uses but are concerned about using all-natural or hypoallergenic ingredients, then Quies will be an outstanding solution for you.
These wax earplugs are designed to be a comfortable option that will emulate white noise machines while also being among the safest high-fidelity earplugs on the market. Quies uses a combination of all-natural wax, specifically beeswax and cotton, to make a moldable putty that custom forms to the outside of your ear.
These are great solutions if you deal with lower-level or ambient noises and want an all-natural solution. People were particularly pleased with these earplugs in how they helped reduce white noise and other background noise.
These inexpensive disposable earplugs are perfect for blocking ambient sound in a pinch. They are great for smaller ear canals as they expand to the ear opening.
These individually wrapped earplugs show up a lot when testing earplugs.
Howard Leight has been making high-quality earplugs and hearing protection devices since 1985. The company was founded by Dr. Howard Leight, who invented the first earplug made of silicone rubber. Since then, they have continued to innovate and develop new products that are both effective and affordable. Their goal is to provide the best possible product for their customers. They strive to ensure every customer receives the highest level of service and support.
Product Features:
- The Laser Lite Hi-Vis Colors, composed of exuberant Yellow & Magenta tints, are profoundly noticeable from a distance helping to guard against any lost or misplaced items.
- With superb Noise Reduction (NRR 32), its flexible foam plugs expand when inserted, shielding and fitting into small and large ear canals comfortably.
- The earplugs’ T-Shape design allows for insertion/removal with ease, while the smooth, anti-soil sealed foam overcoat helps avoid dirt buildup.
- There are 200 sets of earplugs per box.
Most earplugs don’t provide an airtight seal, Mack’s earplugs made from moldable putty do.
Mack’s Snoozer Silicone Putty Ear Plugs are made of silicone putty, which conforms to your ears’ shape and stays where it belongs. They’re easy to insert and remove and stay in place without causing discomfort or damage. Plus, they provide superior noise reduction ratings (up to 22dB). They are incredibly comfortable earplugs for long nights of sleep.
Product Features:
- Conforms to the unique contours and shapes of any ear.
- Easy to insert and remove.
- Stay in place without causing discomfort.
- Provides superior noise reduction ratings up to 22 dB.
- Soft, flexible, non-irritating, and hypoallergenic.
- Packaged in 6 pairs per box.
Choosing the Best Earplugs for Sleep
Our team has compiled a list of the best overall sleepers earplugs to help block out loud noises, provide noise-canceling properties, and enable you to get a good night’s sleep.
Aside from the factors mentioned throughout the article, you should consider other factors when choosing the best earplugs for sleeping.
Types of earplugs
One thing you need to consider when deciding on earplugs is the material. Earplugs come in many different materials, including putty, wax, foam, and silicone.
They all have different purposes, but it mostly depends on personal preference. Howard Leight, for example, offers a wide variety of soft foam earplugs that help to provide comfort. Foam earplugs are among the best choices for side sleepers.
Wax earplugs help to conform to the size of your ear canals, and putty earplugs are also considered to be among the best for ear canals, according to reviews. So, be sure to check out the material in your search.
Noise-cancelling earplugs for sleeping can be passive or electronic.
Noise Reduction Rating
Noise reduction rating, or NRR, is one of the most critical factors when getting a pair of earplugs. Earplugs come in a wide range of NRR, which depends on their noise-canceling capabilities.
The higher the NRR, the more protection the earplugs provide. Please also read our guide on the highest-rated NRR earplugs you can buy online.
Although the products in this article are specifically for sleep, there are many other reasons people would want to get noise-reduction earplugs, especially if they are frequently exposed to loud noise. Loud noise exposure can cause permanent hearing damage to your ears that is irreversible.
However, with that being said, noise reduction doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to hear your deaf person alarm clock in the morning; it just means that earplugs will bring down the noise level of dangerous sounds to a level that won’t be damaging to your ears.
Fit to Ear Canal
Everyone has different size ears, so the fit is also a crucial factor to pay attention to. The product may mention the fit in the description, so you want to see if the earplugs of your choice will fit smaller ears or bigger ears better.
In addition, some different earplugs on the market can conform to fit the individual’s ear canals, which tend to be popular options, according to reviews. One such product is Radians custom molded earplugs.
Extra features
You may also want to pay attention to the earplugs’ extra features. This is also dependent on personal preference. For example, some reviews suggest that people prefer earplugs that can accommodate multiple ear canal sizes, so they look for custom molded earplugs.
This will help people with ears of all different sizes, enabling everyone to get the best fit and rest, as mentioned before. Aside from that, people may want earplugs that help eliminate white noise and background noise or ones that come with a case that you can carry to keep the earplugs clean and prevent them from getting lost.
Overall
In general, it is always a good idea for people to read reviews when they purchase any product, including but not limited to earplugs. You want to ensure you buy the best earplugs possible to get better rest and protect your ears.
Any factors such as brands, qualities, features, fit, and noise reduction rating are crucial for anyone looking for a pair of earplugs for sleeping.
Is it OK to sleep with earplugs in?
Earplugs can be used during sleep, becoming incredibly important sleep products. Frequent usage may result in small issues, such as dirt buildup in earwax or skin irritation. But often, ambient sounds or loud environments interfere with sleeping habits.
When you use an earplug nightly, it will force your ear wax deep into your ear. The resulting hearing loss can be permanent. To remove the built-up wax, a couple of ear drops are recommended. The wax buildup also causes irritation and infection.
What earplugs are best for side sleepers?
Flent’s Quiet Please ear plugs have rounded sides to work in any sleeping position. This foam earplug is designed to fit snugly while still being comfortable for side sleep positions. They’re highly commended for their malleability and extendability, which makes them ideal to use in most ears.
It is also common to wear silicone earplugs for side sleepers. Users have always found these earplugs comfortable and stay in place throughout sleep. They are reusable and can be cleaned easily.
Loops are one example with many more advantages: they are easy to get on and off and can easily fit large or small ears with different ear tip sizes. Flexible and lightweight material improves sleep quality and allows you to sleep on your back or on your stomach.
What are the best noise Cancelling earplugs for sleep?
The best noise-canceling earbuds for sleep are The QuietOn (or other similar sleep earbuds) or the BOSE Sleepbuds. According to a certified sleep science coach, the QuietOn 3.1 Sleep Earbud is the best overall earplug for a relaxing night’s sleep. In addition, Loop’s Quiet Ear Plugs are a top-value option, and the Bose Sleepbuds II is our pick for optimal passive noise cancellation.
I found it helpful knowing you can use these to sleep – they are noise-cancelling. In addition, these can prevent you from hearing snoring.
Are silicone or foam earplugs better?
Foam earplugs can help reduce sound levels and provide excellent quality products. They are especially efficient at low-frequency noise compared to moldable waxes and silicone putty earplugs.
Foam plugs are a more affordable choice. Aside from being soft, they can sleep. The porous materials are also good for bacteria but require frequent replacement.
A reusable pair of silicone earplugs will last longer than disposable earplugs, have good noise-blocking and comfortable ear tips.
What earplugs block the most sound?
The highest noise reduction rate for earplugs is 33 dB. These earplugs block noise the most to fall asleep. The earplugs tested have been evaluated on several crucial tests, which have determined that Moldex Pura fit is the best earplug to block out loud noise.
They can’t be completely soundproof, as the cranial bone carries vibration to the ears, so it’s possible that you still hear some of the noise when you wear earplugs, but they block as much noise as possible.
Regular earplugs reduce noise passively, but more sleep products like sleep earbuds are entering the market. These block external sound electronically and have the ability to play music.
Conclusion
No matter how much noise you are dealing with while trying to sleep at night or catch a nap during the day, some earplugs on this list will fit the bill for you. Our number one recommendation is the Moldex Soft foam earplugs, with the highest 33dB NRR. In addition, they will seal gently and snuggly without you having to feel any pressure.
Ultimately the best earplugs for sleeping are the ones that meet your specific needs. Hopefully, this guide has given you the outline and information to help you make the right decision to solve your sleeping challenges.
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/how-does-noise-affect-sleep