The Best Earplugs for Sleeping

If you’ve never had to sleep near a snoring spouse or significant other that sounds like a freight train bearing down on you, consider yourself lucky. For the rest of us, it takes a pair of quality earplugs in order to get a good night of sleep.

However, not all earplugs are designed for sleeping. Many earplugs lack the comfort or design for nighttime use and will cause more harm than good for your sleep cycle. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing earplugs for sleeping on the market that can drown out snoring spouses, noisy neighbors, and any other unpleasant sounds the night can throw at you.

We made this guide to showcase the best earplugs for sleeping that you can buy so that you can stop losing sleep and even improve your waking hours, thanks to the products featured below.

Shopping for Earplugs for Sleeping

Keep an ear out for these factors:

• Comfort: Even if your earplugs block out ambient noise, you will likely have a hard time sleeping if they are a total earsore. In terms of comfort, softness and a slow, controlled expansion process will pay dividends to ensure earplugs stay in your ears without causing discomfort. Also, make sure the size is right so that your earplugs don’t stick out of your ears and pop out as you toss and turn in the night.
• Noise Reduction Rate (NRR):  A pair of earplug’s NRR (measured in decibels) tells you how much noise is blocked by a product under normal conditions. Finding the brand and style that fits your needs might take some trial and error. For instance, you might want earplugs that drown out your spouse’s snoring but still allow you to hear your alarm sound in the morning. However, others might opt for total noise cancellation.
• Value: Many factors determine the overall value when purchasing earplugs. Can the earplugs be worn many times in a row, such as reusable silicone earplugs? Even disposables can be worn over several times, with some having the durability to last for around a week. Calculating the price per earplug is also helpful when comparing different products to determine which gives you the most bang for your buck.

Best Reusable: Loop Quiet Noise Reduction Earplugs

Sporting six unique color options and a 27dB NRR, these reusable earplugs from Loop are a cost-effective way to get a good sleep while still being able to hear your surroundings. These earplugs come with four tips sized extra-small to large, making them a great fit for a wide variety of ears. They are also designed of extra-soft silicone that doesn’t stick out of your ears when you sleep and are easy to take out in the morning with their sleek looped design. If you’re seeking something inexpensive and effective that will make your husband’s loud snores sound like gentle ocean waves, these are the earplugs for you.

Best Disposable: Flents Earplugs, 50 Pair

Featuring extreme 33-decibel noise reduction and a unique contoured design, these earplugs from Flents are great for those who live off busy streets or in noisy apartments. These earplugs are incredibly comfortable when worn correctly, thanks to their extra-light foam construction, and they expand in your ears to ensure a silent night. They are also long enough for worry-free removal in the morning yet sized appropriately so that even side sleepers can wear them comfortably. If you purchase these, you will not regret it, but be sure to set your alarm to a loud volume so that you’re not late for work!

Best for Small Ears: Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs

Earplugs can be incredibly uncomfortable for those with small or sensitive ears. However, Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs come in clutch so that even those who hate wearing earplugs can get a restful night of sleep. These earplugs are about 20% smaller than normal ones and feature a slow-release foam design that is extremely forgiving on sensitive ear canals. They are also sized well for use while sleeping and are great at staying in your ears throughout the night. While these earplugs don’t have the highest NRR, at 29 decibels, they are still great for dampening various nighttime sounds.

Best Noise Cancellation: DEYKO Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs for Sleeping

The DEYKO Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs for Sleeping score major points for their amazing sound cancellation and excellent comfort. Featuring latex-free foam and nontoxic, low-pressure PU construction, these earplugs are comfortable enough for nightly use and durable enough to use the same pair for a week straight. They also block a vast majority of ambient noise, so even if the TV is blaring in the next room, you will be none the wiser. For added value, this pack also includes two pairs of reusable BPA-free silicone earplugs and a waterproof carrying case, making these 32-decibel NRR earplugs a product to consider for light sleepers.

Best Value: William’s Protection Soft Foam Earplugs

For those seeking the best bang for their buck, William’s Protection Soft Foam Earplugs come in a pack of 70 pairs as well as bulk options of 110, 200, and 500 pairs at an affordable price. In terms of noise cancellation, their 32-decibel NRR is almost as good as it gets, so you won’t be kept up at night by a snoring spouse or mischievous pets. These earplugs are also very gentle due to their slow expansion upon insertion, so although they take a bit longer to apply, they are extremely comfortable when worn correctly.