7 Best Earplugs for Sleeping, According to Sleep Experts and Consumers
Goodbye, noisy neighbors. Hello, total silence!
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If you’ve ever tried sleeping through the night next to a snoring partner or under neighbors who pick the worst time to vacuum their floors, you know how helpful it is to have a comfortable and effective pair of earplugs. And you’re not just dreaming it: research confirms environmental disturbances are a threat to our sleep quality, and thus our quality of life.
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested thousands of products that help promote sleep. From soothing sleep apps to eye masks to sound machines, our pros are constantly testing new products to find the best picks for you. Sometimes you need to try multiple helpers or combine a few sleep-better strategies to find what works for you. We selected the best earplugs for sleeping based on a myriad of criteria: they either fall in line with a sleep doctor’s recommendation, they’ve received numerous glowing reviews by verified customers, or they’re a too-good-to-pass-up value.
Brandon Peters-Mathews, M.D., a board-certified sleep physician at Virginia Mason Medical Center and creator of the Insomnia Solved program, says finding the right pair of earplugs for sleeping is as simple as identifying the reason why you need them: Does your bed partner snore? Is there other environmental noise? Are you simply a light sleeper? He says these questions should help guide your purchase.
If comfort and cost are a concern, opt for soft foam earplugs, recommends Dr. Peters-Mathews. He says these inexpensive models are typically used to diminish occupational noise exposure, but they work wonders for nighttime use since they’re small enough to fit into a range of ear canal sizes without protruding into your pillow, and they're safe for extended use. But since comfort is subjective, you might have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince — or in this case, try on a lot of earplugs to find the ones that work best for you.
How to find the best earplugs for you
It's safe to wear earplugs to sleep, but you want to avoid earplugs that work too effectively. Earplug varieties vary in noise reduction rating (NRR), with the highest on the market blocking out 33 dB (for reference, noise can have permanent damage on your hearing at 85 dB). “If there were an emergency such as a fire alarm, you would want to be able to wake to respond,” says Dr. Peters-Mathews. You’ll also want your earplugs to have a lower NRR if, say, you need to anticipate a hungry newborn’s cry in the middle of the night or hear your alarm in the morning.
While NRR labels are required by law on all hearing protectors sold in the U.S., everyone processes sound differently. You might wake up at the mere sound of a dog barking, while it could take a fog horn to stir your partner. To better gauge how your earplugs are performing, try the Sound Level Meter by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The free iTunes app, designed by sound engineers and hearing loss experts, accurately measures the amount of noise your earplugs are absorbing.
To test your responsiveness, Dr. Peters-Mathews recommends listening to the sound of your alarm clock while wearing your earplugs before you actually fall asleep. While sleeping with earplugs is certainly a helpful way to ward off disturbances and reduce overall stress, consult your primary care physician if insomnia persists, and discontinue use if you experience soreness, says Dr. Peters-Mathews.
Here are the top-rated earplugs for sleeping on Amazon that have given thousands of consumers the sweet, sweet relief of a good night’s sleep:
Mack's Ultra-Soft Foam Earplugs
Mack's Ultra-Soft Foam Earplugs
Whether your ears are particularly sensitive, or it’s your first foray into earplugs for sleeping, Mack’s Comfy Cush Comfort Foam technology reduces pressure on the ear canal so you'll wake up pain-free. The earplugs have over 3,000 positive reviews on Amazon and a solid 32 noise reduction rating (NRR).
While the foam style is disposable, many consumers note that they're able to wear a pair for more than just one night. "These are disposable, but I use mine 2-3 nights before it stops opening all the way," says one reviewer.
Quantity: 50 pairs
Howard Leight MAX Small Disposable Foam Earplugs
Howard Leight MAX Small Disposable Foam Earplugs
If you want a disposable option, you won't find a better value than this 200-pack. That means each pair is only about $0.15! While we sometimes associate single-use products with lower quality, this top-rated pick is a customer favorite with a 33 NRR. Its non-porous polyurethane foam material also helps prevents dirt and bacteria from seeping through the earplugs and penetrating your ear.
Keep in mind, while disposable options may be more convenient and less expensive, they are not sustainable. So if you're looking to make more eco-conscious choices, opt for a reusable pair.
Quantity: 200 pairs
World's Finest Mighty Plugs World’s Finest Mighty Plugs for Sleeping
World's Finest Mighty Plugs World’s Finest Mighty Plugs for Sleeping
Small but mighty, this set of reusable earplugs boasts an unprecedented 34 NRR. Great if you have trouble finding earplugs that fit properly, this pair is moldable so you can create your own custom fit.
They're also ideal for anyone with a silicone or polyurethane foam allergy — the hypoallergenic pair made of cotton, beeswax, and lanolin is a great alternative. Good to know: Several reviewers say that due to the nature of its ingredients, you may have to wipe away residual wax from your ear after taking them out.
Quantity: 1 pair
Brison High Fidelity Earplugs
If they’re good enough for a concert, they’re certainly good enough for the bedroom. A great reusable option, this pair's soft medical-grade layered silicone material provides plenty of traction and a perfect custom fit.
Enjoy them night after night if you regularly wash them with warm water and air dry. Perfect for traveling and on the go, they come in a sleek aluminum container you can pop into your toiletry bag or purse, or hook onto a backpack.
Quantity: 1 pair
Flents Super Sleep Comfort Foam Ear Plugs
Flents Super Sleep Comfort Foam Ear Plugs
If you sleep on your side, Flents’ compression foam earplugs are your ticket to sweet dreams. They’re shorter in length than the standard earplug, which means they won't hit the pillow. We also like that the wide, flat base holds them steady in your ear canal.
With a NRR of 28, they’ll drown out background noise while still allowing you to hear your alarm. Reviewers like that the disposable pairs also come with a useful carrying case for traveling or just keeping on your nightstand.
Quantity: 10 pairs
Alpine Hearing Protection SleepSoft Sleep Earplugs
Alpine Hearing Protection SleepSoft Sleep Earplugs
It’s no surprise over 1,000 Amazon customers found peace and quiet with Alpine's ergonomic option. Its proprietary filters jumble acoustic noise like traffic and snoring down to a comfortable 25 dB. This filter simultaneously allows air to permeate into your ear to prevent the feeling of detachment that's common with many other earplugs.
We also like that there's a built-in mini grip to help easily insert the reusable earplugs. But you'll rest easy knowing that the grip doesn't extend towards the pillow so it won't disturb your sleep if you toss and turn.
Quantity: 1 pair
The Ear Buddy Premium Soft Foam Ear Plugs
The Ear Buddy Premium Soft Foam Ear Plugs
Great for people who have never worn earplugs before, these are made of slow-release material. That means that you can take your time twisting the earplugs into a smaller shape before inserting them into your ear — without worrying that they're going to expand too quickly.
Bell-shaped to conform to the contours of your ear canal, the disposable foam earplugs deliver an impressive 32 NRR, while still being pillow-soft for comfort. Good to know: They adhere to your ear quite rigidly compared to other models, so remove them slowly.
Quantity: 50 pairs
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