Earplugs for sleeping are an important tool in the fight against insomnia.
Photo by Jacob Townsend on Unsplash
Tiredness, grumpiness, stress, trouble concentrating — if, like many other people (1 in 3 adults according to a recent survey), you have trouble sleeping, you’ll find all these symptoms familiar.
It can be hard to get to sleep at the best of times, and as most people lead busy lives, getting a good night’s sleep when you can to recharge your batteries is vital for your mood, your health, and your ability to cope with everything you have to get done in the daytime.
One simple thing that can significantly improve the quality of your night is a set of earplugs for sleep.
Read on to find out more about how they can help you catch some zzzs and revitalize your body every night, leaving you feeling fresh and ready to rock…
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What are Earplugs for Sleeping?
Whoever you are and whatever your lifestyle, there’s one thing that can really disrupt your sleep — or even prevent you from sleeping at all.
Noise.Whether it’s people passing on the street, car engines, dogs barking, dripping taps, noisy neighbors, or a partner who likes to watch TV at night or who snores loudly, environmental noise can be a real problem when you need to sleep.
This is why earplugs are such a straightforward and effective solution. They instantly block out all that unwanted clamor and let you rest.
There are several different types of noise cancelling earplugs for sleeping available to buy — at least one of these will work wonders for you.
Usually made from soft polyurethane foam, these earplugs expand once in your ears and offer good noise protection.
They are typically single use but many people use them several times before throwing them away.
Made from synthetic or natural wax, these earplugs are moldable to fit the shape of your ears.
They aren’t designed to be pushed inside the ear, but to cover the ear opening instead.
As in the case of wax earplugs, silicone earplugs are designed to be molded into shape to fit the opening of the ear without needing to be pushed inside.
They offer a high level of comfort but may block out less noise than foam earplugs.
Made from a plastic or silicone material, reusable earplugs are able to be washed and reused several times over.
Pros and Cons of Earplugs for Sleep
Whilst mostly positive, as with most things there are advantages and disadvantages to using earplugs for sleeping.
Here’s a quick list of pros and cons…
Benefits
The best earplugs for sleeping will be…
- Able to block out irritating environmental noise
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Small and easily portable
- Useful for shift workers who need to sleep during the day
- Also useful for sleeping on public transport like planes
We all know that better sleep can improve:
- Memory
- The immune system
- Stress and anxiety
- Your mood
- Heart health
- Libido
Here’s a look at one woman’s experience with using earplugs for sleep:
Possible Drawbacks
- Not a long term solution — doesn’t address the root cause of the noise
- May fall out during sleep
- Can cause earwax build up
- May cause ear infection in rare cases
What to Look for in the Best Earplugs for Sleep
Earplugs aren’t a one type fits all kind of solution — what is right for one person might not be right for someone else.
There are however some basic things you should consider when choosing earplugs for sleeping.
First of all, it’s crucial to get a proper fit.
Earplugs that don’t fit your ears correctly won’t cut out the maximum amount of noise and may cause problems in your ears.
Comfort is also clearly an issue, as earplugs that aren’t comfortable may actually prevent you sleeping instead of helping you to sleep due to pain or irritation.
The noise reduction rating is a good guide to go by to find out how effective a pair of earplugs is going to be at blocking out noise.
The maximum rating for a pair of earplugs is 39 decibels .
If you’re going to invest in earplugs for sleep you may want to consider durability.
Some types of earplugs are reusable and may last longer than others, so in regard to financial layout it could make a difference.
Of course you may not like the idea of using a pair of earplugs multiple times!
Ease of use is also a factor. Some earplugs may be more difficult to insert into the ear than others.
It’s worth trying out several types to find exactly the right kind of earplug for your individual needs.
The Best Earplugs for Sleeping
Here are our favorite, high performance earplugs for sleeping…
One of the best selling earplugs for sleep, Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs are made from a low pressure foam that is super easy to mold into shape and which expands slowly in the ear to ensure the best, most comfortable fit possible.
These earplugs block up to 32 decibels of ambient noise, making them pretty darn effective.
We also love that they come in a box of 50 pairs, and are very reasonably priced.
Pros
- Each pair can be reused up to 5 times
- Inexpensive
- Ideal for small to medium sized ear canals thanks to tapered fit
- Very soft and comfortable
- Easy to use
- Made in the USA
- Effective noise blockers
Cons
- May fall out during sleep – especially if you tend to toss and turn
- Don’t fit large ear canals quite as well
Able to be reused between 3 to 8 times and in a bumper pack of 50 pairs, Flents Quiet Please Ear Plugs offer great value for money.
These soft latex-free foam earplugs have a noise reduction rating of 29 decibels, which is effective for most situations.
The foam can be compressed with no trouble to allow the earplugs to be fitted into the ear canal.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Comfortable to wear
- Easy to insert – just roll them up
- Very effective at blocking out noise
- Can still hear important noises like alarms
Cons
- Foam can be a little dense and inflexible – take some time to temper the plug beforehand
Specially shaped to fit all sizes of ear canal, the Drift to Sleep Ear Plugs have an NRR rating of 33 decibels.
They are fabricated from a soft and comfortable lightweight foam which slides smoothly inside the ear without causing irritation.
These earplugs for sleep also come with a convenient hard plastic case to keep them clean and safe when you’re on the move. They come in a pack of 20.
Pros
- Attractive design and packaging
- Good noise blocker
- Don’t fall out during sleep
- Comfortable
- Can be used multiple times
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Can be a little tricky to insert into the ear
With a reasonable NRR rating of 29 decibels and an unusual yet attractive design, Lullies Safety Ear Plugs are some of the best noise cancelling earplugs for sleeping on the market.
The comfort that the soft, pre-molded design offers means that they are suitable even for side sleepers, and the added filter provides an extra level of noise protection.
These earplugs come with a small plastic case and are washable and durable.
Pros
- Super comfortable design
- Fit well and stay in the ear during sleep
- Effectively cut out or muffle unwanted noise
- Easily portable thanks to carry case
- High quality product
- Designed to last for one year
Cons
- Comparatively expensive
These Quiet Sound noise reducing earplugs are made from 100% hypoallergenic silicone to avoid ear infections or irritations.
This also means that these multiple use earplugs are washable and can be reused repeatedly.
The three tiered, cone shaped design is comfortable and creates a seal around the ear opening that can reduce or block sounds up to 26 decibels.
They also come with a hard plastic carry case for easy portability.
Pros
- Don’t cause pressure pain when side sleeping
- Easy to insert and remove thanks to stem design
- Durable and last a long time
- Silicone is soft and supple
- Good quality and value for price
Cons
- Not as high an NRR rating as some other earplugs
Seriously high tech, the Decibullz custom molded earplugs are made from silky thermoplastic (plastic that changed shape when you heat it) and can actually be permanently molded to the exact shape of your ear by soaking them in hot water before inserting them into the ear canal.
This creates a custom seal and ensures a really good fit and enables these earplugs for sleep able to cut out sounds of up to 31 decibels.
These earplugs come in a range of colors, with a choice of three different sizes of ear canal tip, and a protective case.
Pros
- Re-moldable if you don’t get it right first time
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Stylish design and choice of colors
- High NRR rating and good noise protection
- Washable and reusable
Cons
- Expensive
- Some people don’t find them easy to mold
Thanks to the slow release foam material, these earplugs for sleep are a breeze to insert.
Single use only, each pair comes air sealed in its own plastic packaging for the utmost in hygiene.
The NRR rating on the Sound Blocker Ear Plugs for Sleeping is 33, so they are very effective in preventing disturbing ambient sounds from keeping you awake.
Pros
- Easy to insert thanks to slow expanding foam design
- Nice, comfortable fit
- Block out lots of unwanted noise
- Reasonably priced for quantity of earplugs
Cons
- Foam is a little hard for some users
- Can pop out of ears during the night
- Single use only
We hope you’ve found our Best Earplugs post helpful. Looking for alternatives? Be sure to visit our sleep tech reviews section for other great options.
