We Tested 30 Earplugs for Sleeping—These 7 Pairs Helped Us Doze off Faster (2024)

• Noise Reduction Rate

• Our Picks

• We Also Tested

• How We Tested

• What to Look For

• Our Experts

• FAQ

• Why Trust Verywell Health

Why We Recommend It

If you're looking for comfortable, adjustable earplugs that effectively reduce disruptive noise, look no further than the PQ Wax Ear Plugs for Sleep. These earplugs block out snoring and other loud noises while still allowing you to wake up to important noises like your alarm, a phone call, or a child who needs you.

We found these earplugs created a sense of calm, which is a real plus for sensitive sleepers. They're also made of wax, so once you've put them in properly, they stay put all night long. They're secure, customizable, and have great noise-reduction capabilities. They check all the boxes and then some.

Keep in Mind

They cling to debris like hair and lint, so we threw them out fairly consistently. There's also a bit of a learning curve to getting them to fit your ears properly, but once you've got them in properly, they stay put all night long.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Wax | Noise Reduction Rate: 32 decibels | Sizes: Customizable | Colors: Clear}

Why We Recommend It

These earplugs, which come with three pairs of plugs and two cases, are as effective as they are affordable. Once they were nestled into place, we didn’t wake to noise despite being surrounded by city sounds such as honking horns, sirens, and other street noises.

The earplugs are made of super-soft, squishy foam that molds seamlessly to the shape of your ear canal—so much so that you may not even notice them. With a noise reduction rating of 32 decibels, they can double as noise-blocking earplugs if you are at a loud event.

Keep in Mind

One downside we experienced was that they can easily fall out if you’re a restless sleeper. But if you tend to stay in one position throughout the night, they provide high quality at an affordable price.

Keep in Mind

^{Key Specs:
Material: Memory foam, silicone case | Noise Reduction Rate: 32 decibels | Sizes: One size | Colors: Black, gray}

Why We Recommend It

If you have a partner who snores, you know how challenging it can be to fall and stay asleep. Mack's Soft Foam Ear Plugs have a noise reduction rating of 33 decibels, the highest of any earplugs on our list. This means they can block out disruptive sounds like snoring.

The earplugs are made from soft, squishy, low-pressure, slow-release foam. Their cushy feel is non-irritating the delicate skin of your ear canal, and with 50 earplugs in one bottle, they last quite a long time.

Keep in Mind

These beige earplugs tend to fall out with movement throughout the night and can be difficult to find.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Foam | Noise Reduction Rate: 33 decibels | Sizes: One size | Colors: Beige}

Why We Recommend It

These Howard Leight by Honeywell Laser Lite earplugs are both affordable and effective. They come with a noise reduction rating of 32 decibels, which is pretty impressive for such an inexpensive pair. Plus, the unique contoured shape of the earplugs means they are easy to insert and stay put even when sleeping on your side. Even if an earplug does happen to fall out—which is unlikely—the bright colors make them easy to spot in the bed or on the floor.

These Howard Leight earplugs effectively block snoring and other nighttime noises. Made of low-pressure foam that expands to fit almost any ear canal size, they seem especially ideal for larger ear canals.

Keep in Mind

Their bulky size made them too big for smaller ears. We also wish they came with a carrying case.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Foam | Noise Reduction Rate: 32 decibels | Sizes: One size | Colors: Pink, yellow}

Why We Recommend It

It can be difficult to find comfortable earplugs if you have small ear canals. The Anbow Reusable Ear Plugs are soft and cushy and mold well to your ears without feeling too big and bulky. We especially appreciated how simple it was to insert these earplugs during testing. You can twist them into your ears rather than squishing or contorting them to fit.

We loved that these earplugs were effective at blocking out most nighttime noises, are reusable, and are easy to clean, making them more environmentally friendly than disposable earplugs. Plus, this set comes with three pairs of earplugs and a case for each pair—a real bonus if you misplace a pair or are traveling.

Keep in Mind

One downside is that one pair of earplugs is corded and designed with straight stems that stick out of your ears, which we felt limited their use. However, the BPA-free silicone is so flexible that it didn't pose much of an issue while sleeping. If you find the stem uncomfortable, you can easily trim it for a closer fit.

Keep in Mind

^{Key Specs:
Material: BPA-free silicone | Noise Reduction Rate: Not listed | Sizes: One size | Colors: Light blue}

Why We Recommend It

If you normally find earplugs cumbersome, irritating, and uncomfortable, you may like the Hearprotek Sleeping Ear Plugs. These soft and flexible earplugs were among the most comfortable on our list. They gently contour your ear canals and don’t irritate, even after hours of wear.

They come in two sizes, both of which boast a tiered nodule design and are particularly well-suited for small ear canals. They’re also made of silicone, which is a bonus for anyone with allergies or sensitivities. The earplugs have a stem on the end, making insertion and removal a breeze. As for their noise reduction abilities, these earplugs passed our testing with flying colors. Not only did they muffle sounds, but they also allow enough sound to filter in so that you can still hear critical sounds.

Keep in Mind

This stem can also make them somewhat uncomfortable for people who sleep on their sides.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Silicone | Noise Reduction Rate: 30 decibels (small), 32 decibels (standard) | Sizes: Small and standard | Colors: Pink, clear, blue}

Why We Recommend It

You never know what to expect about nighttime noise if you’re traveling. With the Becheln Reusable Ear Plugs, you can travel with confidence. These earplugs are made of soft silicone, so they can be easily shaped and molded to fit your ear canal, providing a comfortable and secure fit. Store them in your carry-on, and they are ready to go when needed. They fit so snugly that even the most restless sleeper will find them still in place in the morning. The earplugs are reusable and easy to clean, making them an environmentally friendly option. Silicone is also great for people with allergies or sensitivities.

If you’re using them to help you rest while traveling, they are a great choice when blocking out the sounds of a hotel ice machine or elevator.

Keep in Mind

The only downside is that these earplugs have a lower noise reduction rating than the others on our list, at only 22 decibels.

^{Key Specs:
Material: Silicone | Noise Reduction Rate: 22 decibels | Sizes: Spec | Colors: Blue, light green, purple, yellow-green}

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it OK to sleep with earplugs every night?

  It’s safe to sleep with earplugs every night as long as they are used correctly, Dr. Harris says. But you need to be aware of the risk of wax impaction, as well as the impact wearing earplugs may have on allergies. It’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider before wearing them on a regular basis.

• What are the risks of using earplugs for sleeping?

  The primary risk of wearing earplugs is not hearing signs of an emergency. Because of this, Dr. Shah suggests testing your earplugs while you are awake to ensure that they dampen sounds around you but do not completely block out all noise.It’s also important to routinely clean your non-disposable earplugs to prevent the risk of an ear infection or wax buildup.Also, an incorrect fit can cause pain or discomfort in the ear canal, Dr. Harris says. Look for earplugs specifically designed for sleep since not all earplugs should be used throughout the night.