Earplugs are important sleep accessories that often fly under the radar. They come in all shapes and sizes and block noise at different ranges. To some, they’re the only way to get a solid night’s sleep. For others, they’re handy to have around when the neighbors get noisy or on a red-eye flight.
No matter the reason, having the right pair of earplugs can make a huge difference in a person’s sleep quality.
With more than 10 years of earplug wearing under my belt (I can’t sleep without them), I put together a list of the best earplugs for sleeping. Check them out below and find the best pair for bed, tonight.
Oh, and don’t forget to scroll all the way down and check out our list of things to consider before purchasing a new pair of earplugs!
The Bose Noise-Masking sleepbuds™ act as noise blockers but can also wirelessly stream ambient noise via an app on a smart device. They're unnoticeable in the ear, and the user can seamlessly transition from different sleep positions.
Mack's Slim Fit foam earplugs are a wonderful value based on volume and price. The Slim-Fit style seamlessly works in most average- or petite-size ear canals, staying put and reducing disruptive noise.
German-made Ohropax wax earplugs are an effective tool that completely seals the ear and prohibits most noise. Simple to mold and re-shape when desired and budget-friendly to boot.
The PQ Sleep Reusable earplugs are made of silicone and tiered to help fit perfectly into anyone's ear. They're easy to clean and can be used as often as needed and the multi-pack comes with other options if customers want to try something else or share with friends.
After struggling with battery issues, Boise has decided to discontinue the production of their Noise-Masking Sleepbuds. As such, they are no longer for sale and consumers are eligible for a refund through this site.
The Bose Noise-Masking Sleepbuds are a technologically advanced earplug dream. They’re basically an innovative hybrid between an earplug and a headphone, and while they don’t stream music or podcasts, they will wirelessly and seamlessly play ambient noise to mask everyday noises and reduce the number of sleep disruptions.
They come with three ear tips in varying sizes, one of which will surely match the user’s ear lobe, they’re virtually undetectable, and they will not move overnight, even when sleeping on to the side.
Users can adjust the noise volume on the Sleepbuds using an app that syncs with a smartphone. There is also an alarm option in the Sleepbud, which wakes up just the user and leaves everyone else uninterrupted and blissfully asleep.
When they’re fully charged, the battery can last up to 16 hours and they come with a modern-looking charging pod to place them in and keep them protected when they’re not in use.
To be sure, they’re an investment at $250. That said, I highly suggest looking at these high-quality earplugs if sleeping with a pair of earplugs or a white noise machine is a necessity every night.
The Bose Noise-Masking sleepbuds™ act as noise blockers but can also wirelessly stream ambient noise via an app on a smart device. They're unnoticeable in the ear, and the user can seamlessly transition from different sleep positions.
Mack’s Slim Fit foam earplugs are similar to any traditional cone-shaped earplugs, but they’re made with a slightly smaller diameter so they fit well in petite or smaller ears. These prevent a person from struggling to stuff regular-size earplugs into their ears and feeling them wiggle and pop out while they sleep.
What’s even better is that I got a pack of 50 pairs for $10, they have a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 29 decibels, and can seriously be purchased anywhere (Target, Walgreens, Amazon, etc.).
Plus, Mack’s has a ton of other options, including collections for sleeping, swimming, snoring and more. These particular slim-fit earplugs are my go-to to have around the house for guests or family who might require them.
Mack's Slim Fit foam earplugs are a wonderful value based on volume and price. The Slim-Fit style seamlessly works in most average- or petite-size ear canals, staying put and reducing disruptive noise.
Ohropax Classic wax earplugs are a great customizable and non-foam earplug and one of my favorites that’s affordable – customers get 12 earplugs, or 6 pairs, for about $6.
These are made in Germany and are super popular; they’re available globally.
What I really like about this specific brand is that the earplugs come wrapped in cotton so they’re easy to separate. Pull off any unneeded extra wax and warm up the remaining wax in the hands or fingers. Then, it’s easy to mold them into the desired shape – I personally like to make them more of a cone shape and then create a little plug at the end so they’re easy to remove.
They do an excellent job of sealing the ears shut and becoming essentially undetectable, especially while sleeping; they have an NRR of 23 decibels.
German-made Ohropax wax earplugs are an effective tool that completely seals the ear and prohibits most noise. Simple to mold and re-shape when desired and budget-friendly to boot.
Last but not least, I really like the PQ Sleep earplugs for sleeping and I’m especially a fan of the reusable, noise-canceling earplugs. These have little flanges that help them fit snugly into the ear canal without getting lost.
They also come with a nice case to put them in; these earplugs will cancel noise up to 35 decibels.
Customers can get a whole PQ earplug package for about $15 online, including the reusable set, as well as 35 pairs of foam earplugs, and a pair of wax earplugs.
What I like about this “starter kit” if I may call it that, is the buyer is ready for any situation where they’ll potentially need an earplug. If he or she decides one night that the reusable ones aren’t working for, the person has two additional options to choose from. Now the user has a reusable set available if he or she wants to go swimming and toss the plugs, after. This is a great introductory pack to earplugs for those just beginning.
The PQ Sleep Reusable earplugs are made of silicone and tiered to help fit perfectly into anyone's ear. They're easy to clean and can be used as often as needed and the multi-pack comes with other options if customers want to try something else or share with friends.
The NRR label stands for Noise Reduction Rating; it’s a unit of measurement used to determine the effectiveness of hearing protection devices. As a general guideline for a range of sound, an alarm clock is around 80 decibels (db) and a quiet room is around 40 db.
The earplugs in this list all block or mask some amount of noise, but won’t completely cancel out all noise. This way, people still have the ability to hear important or serious pieces of information — such as an alarm clock or a fire alarm — but still have typical sounds eliminated so individuals can sleep more peacefully.
Some people utilize earplugs only occasionally; maybe they’re staying in a new place with unpredictable sounds or their sleeping partner is suffering from a cold and is snoring for a few nights. Others need earplugs to sleep every single night and can’t go to sleep without utter silence.
My gentle advice for the occasional earplug user is to go with a more affordable and less durable option – something like foam or wax that only needs to be part of the picture every so often. This way no one is bankrupting themselves on a piece of technology that only gets used when the neighbors throw a party.
However, those like me who are highly dependent on earplugs to sleep every night, it’s worth finding a high-quality, reusable pair that masks disruptive noise, feel essentially invisible and can hang on the bedside for when it’s time for sleep.
If it’s not crystal clear already (pun, intended), earplugs come in a plethora of materials; the most common ones are typically foam and wax as disposable options, and silicone or molded plastic as reusable and more eco-friendly options.
I highly recommend purchasing small packs of a few different varieties and deciding which fits best – both in terms of size and functionality. For some, the foam will do the trick, while others swear only by wax earplugs. Instead of discarding the undesired earplugs, keep them clean and ready for guests or share them with family and friends.
Earplugs come in a surprisingly wide range of prices; that’s great news because it means there is a set of earplugs for everyone. While the more affordable earplugs are more likely to be disposable, they will often come in packs with many pairs, which shortens the number of shopping trips to replace them.
Reusable options or options with lots of customizable functions will be more expensive but tend to last longer. They also cut down on waste, which is a boon for the environment.
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