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SLEEP IS essential—but often interrupted. Snoring, among other sounds of the night, can wake you up and leave you staring at the ceiling for hours wondering how long your body can go without sleep.
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The fact of the matter is you can change up your diet, check in with a sleep coach, or count sheep, but none of those solutions will quiet noise like a good pair of earplugs can. While some people find white noise and sleep gadgets to help them catch some extra Z's (and they totally can!), sometimes, you've just got to turn off the noise and go the hell to sleep. And earplugs are safe to sleep with, too! At most, you risk a little buildup of earwax, but there are treatments for it.
You might have never thought of wearing earplugs before, but after you try one of our picks from the roundup ahead, you’ll see that this simple change was worth the effort. We have studied and tested a ton of options to bring you the 15 best earplugs on the market, especially if you sleep with a snorer, live in a noisy building or a city that never sleeps.
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From noise-cancelling options that completely block out sound, to affordable-yet-effective reusable picks for the guy on a budget and noise-masking earplugs that lie in the middle, soon you’ll achieve the deep sleep you've always dreamed of. We bring you the best earplugs for traveling and taking naps too! Because if we all got a good night’s sleep, maybe the world would be a nicer place.
Pros
Supremely easy to put in and take out- Soft, comfortable silicone design
- Comes with nifty carrying case
- Loop design prevents plugs from getting stuck in your ear
Cons
- Noise cancellation not as strong as some other competitors
Loop has quietly taken the the ear plug space by storm (see what we did there?). The key to success is the plug's comfortable design and unique ring that makes for easy grabbing. These hypoallergenic buds carry 27dB noise cancelling, which makes them great for impromptu naps and for those weekends where your roommates are more than just their usual noise level.
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| Noise Cancellation Level | 27dB |
|---|
Pros
- Under $20
- Filters made specifically for sleep
- Cancels up to 30dB
- Premium design that contours to your ear
Cons
- Tag can be hard to grab sometimes
EarPeace makes several types of earbuds for noise cancellation in several different scenarios. Their sleep earbuds are easy to pop in and out and come with a nifty container that you can put on your keys or bag and travel with. The bud's filter deaden up to 30dB's of sound. As for the silicone piece, it's hypoallergenic and has a velvet finish to stay comfortably in place no matter how much you toss and turn.
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| Noise Reduction Rating | 30dB |
|---|
Best Bang for Your Buck
Mack's Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs
Pros
- 50 total pairs per container
- Under $10
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Hard to pick out sometimes
You don't always have to reinvent the wheel. Mack's old-fashioned earplugs are perfect for someone who doesn't want to worry about charging earbuds or spending money on fancy models. They get the job done without all the bells and whistles, so you don't have to try sleeping through bells and whistles. Keep this container in your bedside drawer and soon reaching for them will be a part of your nightly routine.
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| Noise Reduction Rating | 29dB |
|---|
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Pros
- Alarm function to help you gently wake up
- Premium level of comfort
- Design keeps buds securely in place
Cons
- Expensive
Bose engineered technology, specifically for the sleep category. These earplugs connect to the Bose sleep app to help take you to cloud 9. Whether it's through white noise, meditation, sleep sounds ,or straight up noise reduction, the new and improved Bose Sleep buds will beat out any snore.
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| Noise Reduction Rating | Uses noise masking tech |
|---|
Most Versatile
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Pros
- Can be used as everyday earbuds
- Active noise cancellation drowns out impromptu sirens
- Comfortable in-ear design
Cons
- Expensive
The chances are you've probably dozed off in your AirPods before and realized they were pretty comfortable. The 2nd gen of AirPods Pro works especially well for sleep now though thanks to the new active transparency mode. Pop these suckers in and listen (gently) to your go-to-sleep tunes and notice how the buds will automatically deaden impromptu loud noises from ambulance's and cop cars as they blow by your window.
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| Noise Reduction Rating | ~30dB when read on Apple Watch 8th gen |
|---|
Pros
- Under $20
- Wired cord helps buds stay in place
- Voice control and play/pause button on cord
Cons
- Wired option needs a converter for iPhone's
Hear us out, these affordable earbuds work great for side sleeping. Not only is the silicone nice and soft in-ear, but the wired connection makes it so they don't get lodge and shoved around as you roll to your side. The cord is also thin and will hardly have you noticing it's there.
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Pros
- Band sits comfortably around head
- Great for those who want an alternative option
- Can gently stream music to help fall asleep
Cons
- Not a traditional earplug
Vibes’ earplugs keep a low profile so you can enjoy a good night’s rest or sneak in a nap just about anywhere, without anyone having to know. If you’re heading to a rock concert, you’ll want these bad boys in your ears to avoid inevitable hearing issues postshow.
You might know them as one the best workout headphones a guy can own, but think of these noise-isolating bad boys as the perfect sleep companion. The secure-fit ear hooks are incredibly comfortable, even for side sleepers! If you're going to splurge on some helpful sleep tech, top-rated headphones that double as earplugs are a solid choice.
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Though they're billed as being ideal for musicians, these earplugs are also great for the person who wants peace and quiet as they snooze, but without eliminating all sound interaction. Noises seem muffled and significantly quieter, but they're not gone completely. They're ready-to-fit and easy to use.
Lower the decibels of your partner's dreaded snoring with the help of Decibullz. They mold to fit the exact shape of your ear, so they're seamless and comfortable. They're also made to fit the highest noise reduction rating of any earplug of their kind, so you can literally sleep soundly knowing no noise will penetrate them.
Get cozy with this other headband option. Though it's labeled "headphones," this band from CozyPhones acts as a two-in-one product. It rests on the head as a headband should, but also provides noise-canceling properties due to its inner speakers. It's washable, durable, and unobtrusive.
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Optional filter caps give you plenty of opportunity to switch these earplugs up. Want to have some awareness of sounds like the birds chirping in the morning? Take the caps off. Prefer total silence to block out the early morning construction noises does the block? Take the earplugs out and sleep in total peace.
Ever hear of pink noise? SoundOff’s hi-tech, noise-masking sleep earbuds use this special sound to help relax the brain and improve the quality of your sleep. If hearing your mate start to snore gets on your nerves, these will both block the sound and relax you. And for some users, these are the only earplugs that have actually worked, which makes them worth trying. A good night's sleep is worth the investment.
These are the best earplugs to use when traveling. They're not only designed and tested to significantly reduce outside sound, they are made with pressure regulating filters that help prevent ear pain and discomfort caused by changes in altitude during flight. No need to pop a pill to pass out with these babies! Pluggerz makes sleep and music-specific earplugs, too!
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Will Earplugs Help Me Sleep Better?
Let’s face it, you owe your body a peaceful night's rest. Sleep is so crucial to your overall health and wellness and a good night’s sleep sets the tone for your entire day. When your sleep and wake cycle is thrown off, you disrupt your body’s natural circadian rhythm which helps keep your bodily functions in check and connects to outlying health issues like blood sugar regulation, metabolism and mental health.
Earplugs are a simple solution to helping make sure your sleep and wake cycle does not get disrupted. If you're having trouble with falling asleep earplugs might be a possible solution, however if you think you're dealing with something more serious you should consult with your doctor.
How We Selected
For the past two years, Men's Health editors and writers have been trying and testing earplugs for sleeping. To narrow down our favorites, we evaluated earplugs based on their effectiveness, comfort, and value. We also considered earplugs that had high consumer praise on e-commerce sites we trust.
