The only thing between you and a better night's sleep is a good pair of earplugs.
Determined to save both my sleep and my relationship, I embarked on a journey to find the ultimate earplugs for sleeping. Perhaps that sounds rather dramatic, but anyone who’s been jarred awake by a snoring partner or the noise of a busy street knows just how infuriating it can be to have your rest interrupted by unwelcome sounds. With daylight saving time coming up, it's a good time to improve your sleep, and one of these earplugs might help.
It turns out, being startled awake by a sudden sound isn't only irritating, it's a health risk. Studies reveal that exposure to noise while you sleep can trigger a stress response that affects your heart rate, blood flow and immune system — even if you don’t fully wake up. Unsurprisingly, 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 explains that earplugs protect hearing and are generally safe to wear every night as long as they are used correctly and cleaned regularly.
However, if you’ve tried earplugs before, you may know that not all are created equal. Some simply don’t work well, while others may be effective but are so uncomfortable that they disrupt your sleep anyway. To help you find the best earplugs for sleeping, I consulted with an audiologist and an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor), researched over 15 brands and tested eight options over 3 weeks. Here are my five favorites.
Update, Mar. 7, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our number one pick for best earplugs for sleeping remains unchanged.
Related: If sleeping wearing ear plugs isn't your thing, take a look at our roundup of the best headphones for sleeping, or our list of the best white noise machines if you like falling asleep to nature or other sounds. If you want to try one of the best sleep aids you can take without a prescription, we have a list for that too. For those who need their sleeping space to be pitch dark, check out our lists of the best blackout curtains and shades and the best sleep masks. Track and improve your sleep hygiene with one of the best sleep trackers. We've also rounded up lists of the best alarm clocks, including alarm clocks for heavy sleepers, and a list of the best sunrise alarm clocks that help you wake up more naturally.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 14 dB | Type: Silicone | Disposable/Reusable: Reusable | Sizes available: One size with extra-small, small, medium and large tips
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 dull background noise, allowing me to drift off to sleep comfortably.
When wearing them, I couldn't hear my partner's alarm 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, but they stayed put all night. I'm a combination sleeper but tend to favor my side at night. Sometimes, wearing earplugs 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 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.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 32 dB | Type: Foam | Disposable/Reusable: Disposable, but you can use a few times | Sizes available: One size
I've tried many fancy earplugs, 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 super-soft foam that's really comfortable, and they have hollowed ends designed for side sleeping.
Just be aware that they take some trial and error to place correctly, but if you follow the directions precisely 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.
You can buy them in various quantities, from a five-count pack to a bulk pack of 100 pairs. I like the 12-count pack, which comes with a travel case — perfect for bringing along on trips.
While these earplugs are disposable, I usually use each pair for a few nights before tossing them. Mack's recommends throwing them away when wax or dirt starts to build up.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 31 dB | Type: Foam | Disposable/Reusable: Disposable, but can be used a couple of 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 brand's other options, but they're still highly effective when 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.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 15 dB | Type: Silicone | Disposable/Reusable: Reusable | Sizes available: One size with extra-small, small, medium and large tips
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 meant to nestle comfortably into your ear—and it did. I could barely feel them when they were in, and there was no soreness, even when sleeping on my side.
The design also makes them easy to place and remove correctly. In addition to the curve, they have a loop shape, so you can pull them right out when needed. I liked that they weren't as small as some other earplugs, so I didn't misplace them as much. Even so, they didn't feel bulky in my ear.
Like the Loops, these earplugs also provide four tip sizes to help you get your ideal fit. I usually 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.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): Variable | Type: Electronic | Disposable/Reusable: Reusable | Sizes available: Comes with three different-size ear tips
While regular earbuds can help reduce some noise, they don’t have the noise-masking capabilities of electronic options. If you’re dealing with a particularly noisy sleeping environment or simply enjoy the soothing hum of fan-like sounds, the SoundOff Sleep Earbuds might be your best bet. These earbuds play pink noise, which is softer and more relaxing than white noise and potentially more effective in improving sleep quality.
Usually, I shy away from white-noise machines and find fans too distracting, but the pink noise from these earbuds struck a perfect balance. It was calming without being overwhelming and exactly what I needed on nights when snoring became unbearable.
There are eight volume settings that you can easily toggle through using a button on the earbuds. I typically kept mine at around two or three, which was plenty loud. However, there’s no volume-down button, so if you accidentally turn it up too high, you’ll need to cycle through all eight levels to get back to your desired setting.
I also appreciated the simplicity of having just one sound option. I’ve tried more complex earbuds before (looking at you, Bose Sleepbuds), but the variety of noise options was more stressful than soothing, especially when adjusting them in the middle of the night.
Despite their bulky size, the SoundOff earbuds were surprisingly comfortable. On some nights, I did experience slight soreness behind my ears from the hoops, particularly when sleeping on my side, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker. The earbuds also come with a charging case that holds enough power for three nights, so you won’t need to recharge them constantly.
When it comes to earplugs for sleeping, there are several different types to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. For this round of testing, I explored nearly every category except custom-molded earplugs. While my experiences varied depending on the specific brand, here’s a general overview of each type:
Foam earplugs: Foam earplugs are perhaps the most common and recognizable. Made from a soft, squishy memory foam material, they expand in the ear canal to create a tight seal that effectively blocks noise. These earplugs often offer the highest noise reduction ratings and are among the most affordable options. However, some users might find them uncomfortable, and they typically need to be replaced after a few uses.
Silicone earplugs: Silicone earplugs come in two main varieties. The first type consists of moldable pieces of wax or silicone that you can shape to fit your ear perfectly. Sometimes called wax earplugs, they provide a good seal and decent noise reduction, but they can be tricky to use and aren’t as durable as other types. Dr. Gregory Smith, ENT and surgeon at NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, warns that these moldable earplugs may 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 generally comfortable and provide moderate noise reduction, though they may not be as effective at blocking sound as foam earplugs.
Flanged earplugs: These cone-shaped earplugs feature multiple ridges (flanges) that help them fit snugly in the ear canal. They offer a decent level of noise reduction, but many models have extra material that sticks out from the ear, making them less comfortable for sleeping. As a result, they might not be the best choice for bedtime use.
Custom-molded earplugs: These options offer the best fit, which means they're typically more comfortable and have excellent noise reduction. However, they require a custom fitting and are considerably more expensive than other options.
Electronic earplugs: Electronic earplugs take noise masking to the next level by playing colored noise, such as white or pink noise or other sounds like music. They allow for more control over the noise reduction level, making them ideal for particularly loud environments. However, they come with a few drawbacks: they’re among the most expensive options, require regular charging and can sometimes be prone to technical issues. For example, I once used the now-discontinued Bose Sleep Buds, which eventually stopped charging after a year. Additionally, Smith advises caution with electronic earplugs, noting that excessive use at high volumes could potentially damage the inner ear.
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. "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 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 get away with a lower NRR.
Comfort and fit: The experts I spoke to stressed that for an earplug to work well, it has to fit correctly. The earplug should be airtight in your ear, creating 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. You'll likely want to choose a smaller or slim-fit earplug if you're a woman. 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 and 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 must change them every few 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: Consider whether you prefer disposable or reusable options when choosing earplugs. Disposable earplugs, such as those made of foam or wax, must be replaced every 3 to 5 days, which means no cleaning is required. However, this can be wasteful and the cost can add up over time. On the other hand, reusable earplugs require regular cleaning according to the manufacturer’s guidelines but are generally more cost-effective in the long run despite the higher initial investment.
Cleaning and maintenance: The decision between disposable or reusable earplugs 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 their porosity makes them 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, ensure 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 another crucial factor to consider. Foam earplugs are the most affordable option upfront, but the cost can accumulate over time since they must be replaced every few days. Silicone earplugs offer a good balance, being relatively inexpensive and reusable. On the higher end of the spectrum, electronic and custom-molded earplugs can cost several hundred dollars. Ultimately, it’s about finding the option that fits your budget and meets your needs.
Selecting the best earplugs for sleeping was no small feat — it required thorough research, hands-on testing and in-depth interviews with two ear-care professionals.
The process began with conversations with an audiologist and an ENT specialist to understand the key features that make an earplug ideal for sleep. With their insights in mind, I researched 15 different brands, many of which offer multiple types of earplugs. Using a combination of expert advice and consumer reviews, I narrowed down the selection, eliminating any products that didn't meet the mark based on user feedback.
This left me with eight top contenders, which I personally tested over 3 weeks. Each night, I tried a different pair, making good use of my partner's nightly snoring and the early morning chorus from my three cats — ideal conditions for testing how well these earplugs performed.
After testing, I identified five standout options that excelled in comfort, noise reduction and overall usability. These are the earplugs that made the cut.
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.
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 misused, 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."
You always want to follow instructions from the manufacturer. That said, Smith says that 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.
You might be able to, but Smith says if you have excessive wax buildup, you should first see an ear, nose and throat specialist for clearance. 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.
Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earbuds: Silicone putty earplugs are supposed 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 recommend using soft foam options over these.
Eargasm Squishes: These are another silicone option I liked better than Mack's version, but I still wouldn't choose them. I thought they were more comfortable because you can remove some putty to get a more customized fit, but they didn't mask sound as well as others.
Otifleks Earplugs: These were comfortable but didn't create the same tight seal as the other earplugs I tried. Because of this, the sound masking was lacking.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) | Reusable? | Sizes Available | Type | |
Loop Quiet 2 | 24 dB | Yes | Once size with extra small, small, medium and large tips | Silicone |
Mack's Snore Blockers Soft Foam Earplugs | 32 dB | Disposable, but you can reuse a few times | One size | Foam |
Mack's Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs | 31 dB | Disposable, but you can reuse a few times | One size | Foam |
Curvd Everyday Earplugs | 30 dB | Yes | Extra small, small, medium, large | Silicone |
SoundOff Sleep Earbuds | Variable | Yes | Comes with three different-size ear tips | Electronic |
Ross Cushing, AuD, audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance
Gregory Smith, MD, ENT and surgeon at NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery
