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Discover the best earplugs for sleeping soundly every night

Noisy environments or a snoring partner shouldn’t deny you a good night’s sleep. Discover the best earplugs for sleeping and thank us later.

Published Jul 25, 2023
6 min. reading time
five pairs of sleep earplugs on blue background

Sleep is meant to be relaxing and re-energizing — but you can hardly experience that if you’re dealing with a busy street outside your window, loud music, aircraft noise or a snoring partner. With inadequate sleep, you’re likely to experience irritability, daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

Fortunately, there’s a reliable solution to such problems — and that is a good pair of earplugs. These handy sleep devices work by blocking out noise and other distractions to allow you to sleep peacefully. All you have to do is find the right pair, and you’re good to go.

We’ve identified and listed the best earplugs for sleeping to save you time and effort in finding the perfect option.

Read more: Get better sleep with our editor's picks of mattress toppers

Browse the best earplugs for sleeping

loop earplugs
Best overall earplugs for sleep
Loop Quiet
$19.99 at Walmart
ANBOW Soft Ear Plugs for Sleeping Noise Cancelling
Best noise-canceling earplugs
ANBOW Soft Ear Plugs for Sleeping Noise Cancelling
$7.49 at Amazon
macks snore blockers
Best earplugs for sleeping with a snorer
Mack’s Snore Blockers Foam Earplugs
$6.45 at Amazon
alpine sleepdeep earplugs
Best earplugs for side sleeping
Alpine SleepDeep Multisize Soft Ear Plugs
$18.95 at Amazon

Best overall earplugs for sleep

loop earplugs
Photo: Loop Earplugs

Loop Quiet

You save $4.96 (19.88%)
$19.99$24.95

Specifications

  • Noise reduction: Up to 27dB

  • Material: Silicone

Pros & Cons
  • Customizable fit

  • Reusable tips

  • Comfortable in the ear

  • Reviews claim they’re not great for small ears

  • Low noise reduction compared to some other options

Reclaim your peaceful nights for a good sleep with the Loop Quiet earplugs. Made of soft silicone, these earplugs are comfortable to wear through the night. The pair is available in six different colors, so you can pick one that piques your interest.

They also come in four sizes, XS to L, allowing you to pick the best fit for optimal performance. Additionally, the package includes soft silicone ear tips in four sizes for customizing your fit for a good seal and a handy case for storage.

They’re multipurpose, so you can use them for studying, working or reading, too.

Best noise-canceling earplugs

ANBOW Soft Ear Plugs for Sleeping Noise Cancelling
Photo: Amazon

Specifications

  • Colour: Light blue

  • Material: Silicone

Pros & Cons
  • A top noise-canceling option

  • Reusable and washable

  • Soft and ideal for side sleepers

  • Doesn't block off all sound

  • Attached cord might get in the way of sleep

These earplugs have a 32dB rating and the flexible, soft design and trimmable stems make them ideal for sleep, especially for side sleepers. ANBOW Soft Ear Plugs will block out snoring and background noise but still allow you to hear critical sounds.

The silicone material ensures a soft experience. It comes in three pairs so you can use them interchangeably and the package includes a carrying case and storage bag for safe storage and convenient carrying.

Made from BPA-free sillicone, the ANBOW soft earplugs can be washed and reused. You can even wear them while swimming or if you need a quiet environment to focus.

Best earplugs for sleeping with a snorer

macks snore blockers
Photo: Amazon

Specifications

  • Noise reduction: 32dB

  • Material: Foam

Pros & Cons
  • Comfortable in the ear

  • Offers value for money

  • Works great for snores

  • Reviews claim they’re too soft

  • Too big for small ears

Sleeping next to a heavy snorer can be uncomfortable, thus impacting your sleep. Say no more with these Mack’s Snore Blockers Foam Earplugs. They have a unique hollow end for ample comfort during sleep and a bright color for easy identification in dark rooms or travel bags.

With an SNR of 32dB, these Mack’s earplugs ensure optimal noise reduction, making them ideal for light sleepers. The pack offers 12 pairs of earplugs for everyday use and includes a free travel case for convenient storage and carrying.

Best earplugs for side sleeping

Specifications

  • Noise reduction: 27dB

  • Material: AlpineThermoShape

Pros & Cons
  • Stays in place all night

  • Ultra-soft feel

  • Ideal for side sleepers

  • Reviews complain about poor performance

  • Uncustomizable fit

If you’re a side sleeper, worry no more about earplugs that fall off — the Alpine SleepDeep Multisize Soft Ear Plugs are the ideal fix. They have a unique oval shape and a super gentle material that adapts to the shape of your ear for a snug fit.

They contain a unique sound-absorbing gel to protect you against environmental noise and snoring, delivering an SNR of 27 decibels. These plugs come in a pack of different sizes for you to find the ideal size to block disruptive noises.

Best reusable earplugs for nighttime

zquiet flex-fit silicone earplugs
Photo: ZQuiet

ZQuiet Flex-Fit Earplugs

You save $9.00 (23.11%)
$29.95$38.95

Specifications

  • Noise reduction: 27dB

  • Material: Silicone

Pros & Cons
  • Low-profile, compact style

  • Reusable

  • Hypo-allergenic

  • Uncomfortable for some users

  • Costs more than other options

If you use earplugs every day for reading, working, studying, or sleeping, then non-reusable options like the ZQuiet Flex-Fit Earplugs should be your pick. This 27dB pair comes with a brush for easy cleaning, an aluminum carrying case with a reinforced waterproof rubber seal for safe storage, and a set of two ear tip sizes for easy replacement.

Their low-profile design makes them virtually invisible, so you use them for sleep and at concerts discreetly. They are made with hypoallergenic silicone tips, which are flexible to minimize pressure on the ear canal. With an integrated pull tab, you can quickly remove the plugs when you wake up.

Best foam earplugs

Specifications

  • Noise reduction: 30dB

  • Material: Foam

Pros & Cons
  • Cost-effective

  • Comfortable fit

  • Good quality

  • Reviews claim they’re longer

  • Non-reusable

Foam earplugs are inexpensive options for sleeping, and the Ezy Dose Flents Foam Ear Plugs make a great pair if you prefer foam. You won’t lose any sleep over their price with this 6-pair pack. The soft foam compresses easily to enter into your ear canal, and they have an SNR of 29dB for ample noise reduction.

Apart from enjoying a good night’s sleep, you can also use these Ezy Dose plugs for work, travel, construction sites, and loud events. You can take them anywhere to create the ideal silence for sleep, productivity, or ear protection.

Specifications

  • Noise reduction: 30-35 dB

  • Material: Silicone

Pros & Cons
  • Washable and reusable

  • Comfortable fit

  • Multi-purpose

  • Not great for small ears

  • Some reviewers complain about the quality

Looking for affordable and comfortable silicone earplugs? You should try the Shaboo Prints Comfortable Silicone Sound Blocking Earplugs, with an SNR of 30-35 dB. They have a three-layer noise reduction design for optimal performance, making them ideal for sleeping, meditation, fitness classes, construction sites, and concerts.

These Shaboo Prints earplugs are made of silica gel, meaning they’re waterproof, washable, and reusable, and they contain hypoallergenic memory foam for a soft finish. With their ergonomic design, you can be certain of a comfortable and secure fit, even if you’re a side sleeper.

Best earplugs for sleeping — FAQs

Here are some of the common questions customers ask when shopping for sleeping earplugs.

Is it OK to wear earplugs while sleeping?

It’s OK to wear earplugs while sleeping, and they’re generally safe to have them on at night. Research shows that earplugs are a safe and cost-effective way of improving your sleep quality if you live in a noisy environment.

However, there are potential side effects if you use them daily and over a long period of time. One possible risk is a buildup of earwax in your ear since the plugs push the wax further into the canal every time you wear them.

This can lead to ear discomfort, hearing difficulties, tinnitus, dizziness, and cough, according to Medical News Today. Be sure to clean your canal regularly to avoid the buildup. Some people may also experience skin reactions to the material used to make the plugs.

Are silicone earplugs better than foam?

Silicone and foam are the typical materials used in making earplugs. Each has its benefits and cons. Your choice will depend on why you want the plugs.

For optimal noise reduction, foam earplugs outperform silicone options. This is because their SNR tends to be higher than that of their counterparts. However, they’re mostly non-reusable, so you’ll need several packs if you use them often.

On the other hand, silicone plugs tend to be considered more comfortable and are easy to apply. They’re also reusable, giving you value for money. Regardless, your ideal pick depends on your preferences, budget and needs.

What earplugs are best for sleeping?

When shopping for the best earplugs for sleeping, it’s important to consider several factors, such as the material they’re made from, noise reduction rating and size. For optimal noise reduction, foam options like the Ezy Dose Flents Foam Ear Plugs are great.

Go for silicone plugs if you just need low-to-medium noise regulation. Still, some options feature both foam and silicone to offer the benefits of the two materials. A good example is the Shaboo Prints Comfortable Silicone Sound Blocking Earplugs.

Regardless of the material, be sure to pick the ideal size for your ears. For example, most earplugs come in sizes small, medium or large. The performance of earplugs depends on how well they fit into your ears. Most silicone plugs usually come with ear tips in different sizes to let you find the perfect fit.

Which pairs get our stamp of approval?

Quality sleep is important to help you stay productive and energized during the day. If you live in a noisy environment, such as near a busy street or airport, it’s common to have issues sleeping well at night. With earplugs, you can significantly reduce disruptive sounds and noises to improve how well you sleep.

All you need is to find the right pair to use. If you sleep with a snorer, we believe the Mack’s Snore Blockers Foam Earplugs will help you reclaim your sleep. For side sleepers struggling with plugs that fall off regularly or fit uncomfortably, the Alpine SleepDeep Multisize Soft Ear Plugs are a good option.

If you’re struggling to catch more Zs at night, we believe these options are the best earplugs for sleeping and peaceful nights.


Prices updated on 07/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

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Written by
Odinga Fanuel

With over nine years working within media, Odinga Fanuel is passionate about sharing reliable information with everyday readers. For Smart Shopper, Odinga specializes in writing about tech products, household appliances, travel, automotive and more.

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