The Very Best Earplugs for Sleeping

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Material:Thermoplastic| Type:Reusable| Noise-reduction rating:16| Single-noise rating:22| Price:$25 for one pair

The Alpine Silence earplugs check all the boxes I want for a reusable sleep earplug: They are unobtrusive, comfortable, reasonably priced, and effective at blocking noise. They are made from Alpine’s proprietary thermoplastic material, which is silicone-free but feels extremely similar to silicone. (They’re also latex-free and hypoallergenic.) The earplugs are quite pliant — I can easily bend them with my fingers, and the thermoplastic becomes more moldable when warm — but they always retain their shape.

What makes these earplugs stand out is the V-shaped external piece, which fits snugly into the concha of my ear (the flat part next to the opening of the ear canal). The overall design of the Alpines is similar to many other earplugs on the market (see the Loop and Curvd earplugs discussed below), but that V-shape makes the outer part of the earplug quite small and allows it to lay flatter in my ear than other styles I’ve tried. This also makes the Alpine Silence earplugs an especially great pick forside sleepers.

The other design detail I really appreciate about the Alpines is the oval shape of the ear tip (the part that actually goes into your ear canal), which allows for a more snug fit in the ear, and ultimately blocks sound better, than rounder designs. The Alpine Silence earplugs come with four sizes of ear tips — extra small, small, medium, and large — so you can try different sizes to find the one that fits best. My pair came preloaded with the medium ear tips, but I ended up swapping them for the small ones.

I also think the Alpine Silence earplugs are a good deal. One $25 pair could easily last years; the earplugs can be washed with soap and water to keep them clean, and other than losing or damaging them, there’s no real reason to replace them. Alpine provides a small carrying case to store them in, too.

Material:Silicone| Type:Reusable| Single-noise rating:25| Price:3 pairs for $22.95 ($7.65 per pair)

When I went on a hunt to find thebest earplugs for concerts,Earpeace’s Music earplugsearned the top spot for their good protection, comfortable fit, and affordable price. I was excited to learn that the brand’s Sleep earplugs checked many of the same boxes as the Music version. The Earpeace Sleep earplugs have a similar tiered, conical design with a pull-tab for easy insertion and removal. They’re made from flexible silicone and feature a silicone sound filter, which Earpeace says reduces noise by up to 30dB. Instead of totally blocking sound, these are designed to dim it to a “comfortable level for restful sleep.” Even with that caveat, the earplugs did a good job of blocking out noise in my apartment, especially since the tiered design provides a secure fit. They fit comfortably in my ears, even while side sleeping, and didn’t put pressure on my ears.

Earpeace offers two size options, standard and small; the former is designed to fit about 80 percent of people. I tend to need smaller earplugs, so I tried the small size and they fit my ears well. Earpeace provides you with three pairs of earplugs for the same price that most brands charge for just one, but they don’t give you the option to order both sizes together to find the right fit, as some other brands do. They also don’t have any customization options, such as changeable ear tips, like the Alpine earplugs above. Still, you get three pairs of Earpeace Sleep earplugs for the price of one pair from Alpine, making the Earpeace an affordable choice for comfortable and effective reusable earplugs.

Material:Thermoplastic| Type:Reusable up to 100 times| Noise-reduction rating:27| Price:Starting at as $17 for one pair (or $19 for two pairs, one in each size)

If you want a reusable earplug that’s soft like a disposable foam earplug, I recommend the Alpine SleepDeep earplugs. Like my top-pick Alpine Silence earplugs, they are made from the brand’s proprietary thermoplastic material, which absorbs your body heat to mold to fit your ear. However, it feels very different on the SleepDeep earplugs; where the Alpine Silence earplugs have a similar texture to a silicone spatula, the thermoplastic on the SleepDeep earplugs is much thinner and more flexible — more like a deflated balloon. Thanks to the soft, moldable material and cone-like shape, the SleepDeep earplugs fit very snugly into my ear, without much material sticking out (there is a small pull flap for easy removal).

The Alpine SleepDeep earplugs are just as soft as the disposable Mack’s earplugs below, but they are designed to be reused up to 100 times. In my testing, they didn’t block quite as much noise as the Mack’s — the Mack’s have a higher NRR of 33, compared to the SleepDeep’s 27 — but they are still very effective (and still have a higher NRR than my top pick for a reusable earplug, the Alpine Silence).

The SleepDeep earplugs come in two sizes, small and a combined medium/large. If you know which size you want, you can order one pair for $19. If you want to try both, a set with one pair in each size only costs $1 more. I tried both, and ended up preferring the size small. They also come with a small carrying case.

Material:Foam| Type:Disposable| Noise-reduction rating:33| Price:50 pairs for $16 ($.32 per pair)

If there’s one brand name I heard more than any other while reporting this guide, it was Mack’s. The effective noise-blocking, comfortable feel, and cheap price of these earplugs make them my top pick for disposable earplugs for sleep.

They’ve been recommended by multiple people, including someone who lives on a busy Brooklyn street with lots of traffic noise and another who has hyperacusis, a condition that causes extreme sound sensitivity. Based on those recommendations, I tried the Mack’s earplugs myself. I’ve used these types of foam earplugs many times in the past, especially for concerts. However, the foam used for Mack’s is considerably softer than the foam on earplugs designed more for hearing protection. This soft foam definitely makes for a more comfortable fit while sleeping.

I was also extremely impressed with how much noise these earplugs can block; they are easily some of the most effective earplugs I’ve tried to date. My experience tracks with that of writer Lisa McCarty, the Mack’s user with hyperacusis, who says, “They reduce the sounds of everything from construction noise to background conversation, making the room go quiet. It’s almost a meditative state when I put them in, as it helps me focus on my breathing instead of the noise and stimulation outside.”

Mack’s earplugs have the highest possible NRR at 33, but they also plug the ear canal more than the other styles I’ve tried, which can take some getting used to. To put them in, you pinch the foam, insert the earplug, then let it expand in your ear, which creates a very thorough seal. One drawback is that if you twist the foam too tight, the earplugs may push uncomfortably on your ear once expanded, so you may need to practice a few times. Between their comfort, effective noise blocking, and affordable price, Mack’s definitely earns the top spot for disposable earplugs.

Material:Foam| Type:Disposable| Noise-reduction rating:31| Price:50 pairs for $15 ($.30 per pair)

If you struggle to find earplugs that fit your smaller ears, these Slim Fit disposable earplugs from Mack’s come highly recommended by Jeff Kahn, the founder and CEO of the RISE app. Kahn has been using these earplugs for over 10 years and says they are comfortable for sleeping — even on his side — and that the “slow release, low-pressure, and tapered foam means they get a good seal and don’t exert that familiar pressure feel from inside the ear.” Overall, these are pretty similar to our top pick, just with a slimmer profile for small ears. They do have a slightly lower NRR than the other Mack’s, but 31 is still a very high NRR.

Material:Mycelium| Type:Disposable| Noise-reduction rating:20| Price:12 pairs for $24.95 ($2.08 per pair)

Aside from the inconvenience of having to resupply, the biggest drawback to disposable earplugs is the waste they produce. Most disposable earplugs are made from some form of single-use plastic, typically polyurethane foam. GOB’s earplugs are instead made from farm-grown mycelium, the underground root network of fungi, so they are completely biodegradable. They’re also hypoallergenic and, technically, they are even edible — which, while not advised, may be of some reassurance if someone inadvertently swallows one.

GOB earplugs look similar to a disposable foam earplug, though they are more cylindrical than cone shaped. They’re soft and feel even lighter than traditional foam earplugs. Because of the off-white color, they look more “natural” than typical foam, but I wouldn’t be able to tell they are made of mycelium just by looking at them (and, no, they don’t smell like mushrooms).

When I tested the GOB earplugs, I initially tried to insert one the same way I would a foam earplug: by squeezing the end and letting it expand in my ear for a proper seal. However, that ended up squishing the earplug so that it was unusable, so I consulted the directions (as I should have done to begin with) and learned that the proper way to insert them is even simpler: Place them in your ear and gently press the outer end in until secure. I tried that with a new pair, and the earplugs nestled into my ear comfortably. I wasn’t able to get the same thorough seal I associate with foam earplugs, but the GOB earplugs were actually more comfortable than traditional foam — perhaps because the mycelium is so lightweight, they felt less obtrusive in my ear. When I slept in them, they didn’t block quite as much noise as others I’ve tried, but they were easily able to erase the sounds of my downstairs neighbors. I was worried the earplugs wouldn’t stay secure, but I didn’t have any issue with them coming out.

The main drawback for the GOB earplugs is definitely the price — at almost $2 per pair, they aren’t cheap. If you decide you like them, you can save a little more by springing for the 30-countSustain Packfor $55, or setting up a recurring subscription to get 15 percent off. But for the earplug wearer who wants a sustainable, disposable option, GOB earplugs are pretty great.

Material:Silicone| Type:Reusable| Noise-reduction rating:14| Single-noise rating:24| Price:$25 for one pair

I was a longtime user of Loop’sExperience 2 earplugsto protect my ears atconcerts, and several fellow Strategist staffers have told me they use different models of Loop earplugs for a variety of reasons, so I was eager to try the Loop Quiet earplugs, which block more noise than the Experience model. The earplugs’ design is pretty similar to audio earbuds — they have a silicone ear tip that goes into the opening of the ear canal and a loop-shaped external piece that you can hold as you put them in and take them off. Like my top-pick Alpine Silence earplugs, they come with four sizes of ear tips — extra small, small, medium, and large — to ensure a good fit. Mine arrived with the medium tips already on, which ended up being the best size for my ears. They also come with a small carrying case.

The Loop earplugs have a slightly lower NRR of 14 compared to the Alpines’ NRR of 16, but they easily blocked the sound of a TV in the next room while I took a nap. They sit snugly, without feeling pressurized or tight, and the small loop rests by the flat part of my ear. They are plenty comfortable for sleeping, and I didn’t feel any pressure while lying on my side. Overall, the Loop Quiet earplugs are very similar to the Alpine ones above, with slight differences in shape — the Loop Quiet ear-tips are a bit rounder, and the external piece is a circular “loop” instead of a V. Ultimately, I found the Alpine’s V-shaped external piece and more oval ear tips a touch more comfortable, which is why the edged out the Loop Quiets for the top spot in this guide. But if you think the Loop Quiet’s shape will better fit your ears, or you have a preference for silicone over the Alpines’ thermoplastic, the Loop Quiet is also a really great earplug.

Material:Silicone| Type:Reusable for a limited time| Noise-reduction rating:22| Price:8 pairs for $17 ($2.13 per pair)

If you’d rather not stick an earplugintoyour ear canal, these moldable silicone earplugs act more like a cap to the ear canal. To use them, you warm up the silicone by rolling it around in your hands, then press and flatten into the center of the external part of your ear. At first, this process felt a little like sticking Play-Doh into my ears (in line with the name Squishies). But once I got the silicone molded and flattened, I was really impressed with both how comfortable the earplugs felt and how much noise they blocked. The pieces of silicone are pretty large, but you can break them into smaller pieces if needed.

These earplugs come in a pack of eight and are reusable, according to the Eargasm customer service representative I spoke to. But they will eventually have to be replaced after extended use. However, I think you should be able to get decent mileage out of them, which might justify the slightly higher cost per pair, compared to some of the other earplugs on this list (minus the infinitely reusable ones).

Material:Wax| Type:Disposable |Noise-reduction rating:23| Price:$7 for 6 pairs ($1.17 per pair)

These wax earplugs come recommended by two sources we spoke to, both of whom like them for their moldability. They are very similar to the Eargasm Squishies, above, and fit into the outer ear, not directly into the ear canal. “They do an outstanding job of conforming to the ear to block out sound,” says Bill Fish, former president ofSleep Doctor. “But they are also quite comfortable, as they come with a soft cotton cover around the wax.” If you want a moldable earplug that is not made of silicone, these are a good choice. However, because they are disposable, they will cost a bit more in the long run.

Material:Silicone| Type:Reusable up to 14 times| Noise-reduction rating:20| Price:$20 for one pair

If you’re looking for earplugs specifically designed to help you sleepon a flight, two of the experts we spoke to recommend these Earplanes’ silicone earplugs as a red-eye essential that can also serve as a sleep aid at home or in a hotel. As the name suggests, they’re designed specifically for use on airplanes and have four rings that are meant to mitigate changes in air pressure and help muffle in-flight noise. According toDr. Michael Breus, the self-proclaimed Sleep Doctor (who is also a clinical psychologist and fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine), they were designed by the House Ear Institute, an ear surgery and research center in California, and were tested by U.S. Navypilotsbefore they were introduced to the general public. The price shown is for one pair, which the brand recommends replacing after two weeks because the earplugs contain a filter that slows the shift of air pressure entering your ear and after multiple uses, the filter can become clogged.

Material:Earbuds with silicone ear tips |Type:Reusable| Noise-reduction rating:N/A| Price:$200 for one pair

I was really interested in these Bluetooth sleep earbuds because I love listening to a podcast when I’m taking a nap or even just lying down to rest — it calms my mind and helps prevent me from overthinking. But many earbuds are at least a little uncomfortable to sleep in because of how they stick out of your ear. Because the Soundcore earbuds are specifically designed for sleep, they are impressively unobtrusive, with a flatter external design and a silicone wing tip that acts like a cushion between the harder pieces of the earbud and your ear. They come with three different wing-tip sizes to try, as well as four sizes of sealed ear tips for noise blocking and three sizes of “breathable” ear tips that allow for more airflow but don’t block noise. This level of customization makes the earbuds especially versatile.

I first tested the Soundcore A20 earbuds a couple of years ago and was impressed by how comfortable they were, as well as the decent sound quality they offered. However, I’ve more recently been testing the newer A30 model, and I think the A30s are a solid improvement on the original. The A30 earbuds have a slightly more oblong shape than the A20s, which are perfectly round. It’s a slight difference, but I found the shape change made them even better suited to resting in my ear. The silicone ear tips also feel softer and more flexible. And while I’m no audiophile, I think the sound quality is improved as well — not quite as good as that of my AirPods, but closer. The A30 earbuds also have a host of new features the A20 earbuds don’t offer, like active noise cancellation and snore masking. I haven’t gotten a great sense of how well the snore-masking feature works, as my husband doesn’t really snore, but they cancel noise fairly well. When I wear them for a nap, I’m rarely distracted by sounds around me.

The accompanying app has plenty of features worth exploring, including white noise, nature/ASMR-esque sounds, and meditations and sleep stories from the popularCalmapp. Of course, you can also play your own audio by switching from “local” listening to the Bluetooth mode. It’s an easy toggle, though it is an extra step compared to popping in my AirPods to listen to a podcast. In the app, you can also set auto-off timers, bedtime reminders, and in-ear alarms and get a report on how well you slept. I don’t use these features as much, but I could see them being handy. The battery life is also quite impressive. I don’t wear these earbuds to sleep every night — I mostly use them for taking naps — but I’ve only had to charge them once over the past few months. For daily use, Soundcore says they’ll stay charged for eight to ten hours.

The A30 earbuds are slightly more expensive than their predecessors, so if you want to save a little money, theA20 earbudsI’ve listed below are still a good option. However, I think the upgrades to the A30s, like the improved comfort and noise reduction, make the additional cost worthwhile.

I previously named Curvd’s reusable silicone Everyday earplugs the Best (Less Expensive) Silicone earplugs because they are very similar to the Loop Quiet earplugs, for about $5 less. While I still think the Curvd earplugs are a perfectly acceptable choice, their outer piece is noticeably larger than that of both the Loop Quiet earplugs and my top-pick Alpine Silence earplugs. The silicone of the Curvd earplugs also doesn’t feel as soft, flexible, or comfortable as Loop’s silicone or Alpine’s thermoplastic. Given the minimal price difference, especially over time, I recommend paying the extra five bucks for either the Alpines or the Loops.

I tested theOzlo Sleepbudsto compare them to Soundcores above. The Ozlos have many of the same features as the Soundcores, including Bluetooth connectivity, their own app, and the ability to mask external audio. The Ozlos also have a few extra features, like “in-ear alarms” and pausing streaming content when the earbuds detect that you’ve fallen asleep. But after trying both, I think the Soundcores fit more comfortably — the Ozlos pressed into my ear more and don’t have as much cushioning as the Soundcores do. They are also twice as expensive.

These minimal, Swedish-designed thermoplastic earplugs come in three sizes, but instead of changing the ear tips, as with many of our reusable picks above, you can buy each size individually or get a Discovery Pack with all three. They also come in an array ofseasonal and limited-edition colors, as well asrecycled-plasticandocean-plastic versions. Strategist lead editorLauren Levypreviously tested these on a quest to find earplugs for small ears, but I retested them to get firsthand experience. I got the Discovery Pack, which came with three sizes of earplugs and a small case for each pair. The small pair fit my ears well and were very effective at blocking noise, but they just weren’t comfortable for side sleeping. The earplugs felt fine while lying on my back, but when I turned onto my side, I could feel pressure on my ear due to the long external piece that protrudes from the ear. If you are a dedicated back sleeper, these may work well. Otherwise, I think they are better suited for non-sleep uses.

Toward the end of 2024, Loop released a new sleep earplug called theLoop Dream, which I tested to compare to the Quiet earplugs above. The Dream earplugs have the same basic design as the Quiet earplugs, but the external “loop” is covered in another layer of silicone that makes it feel a little softer and more pliant. (The extra silicone didn’t make a huge difference, comfort-wise, for me, but if the Loop Quiet feels too stiff, the Dreams may be more comfortable.) Another design difference is that the Dream ear tips are made from foam covered with silicone and have a more pointed, oval-like shape than the rounder Loop Quiets (which also makes them more similar to my top pick Alpines). This design creates a more sealed “plug” in your ear but also meant I had to push the earplugs further into my ears to get them to stay in place. Like the Quiet earplugs, the Dream earplugs come with four sizes of ear tips. Even though I liked the medium ear tips for the Quiet, I ended up sizing all the way down to extra small for the Dream earplugs.

The Dream earplugs have a higher NNR than the Quiet earplugs (21 versus 14), so they are rated to block out more noise. I did notice a slight difference in noise reduction, but it wasn’t major. All in all, I think the Dream earplugs are probably a slightly better earplug for sleeping than the Quiet, but they also cost twice as much, and I didn’t think they were betterenoughto justify the price jump. With that in mind, I’d still pick the Loop earplugs as my top choice for a reusable silicone earplug. But if you don’t like the Loop Quiet, want a higher noise rating, or don’t care about spending double, the Loop Dream earplugs are a solid choice.

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