The Very Best Earplugs for Sleeping, According to Sleep Experts

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Getting enough sleep is “one of the pillars of health,” says Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg M.D., a sleep specialist based in Fort Myers, Florida and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. That’s not easy to do if you live in a noisy neighborhood, work the night shift, or share a bed with a snorer. Though they’re not a magic wand, the best earplugs for sleeping can help eliminate background noise to help you get more quality rest. It’s finding the right pair with the best material, size, and shape that is the hurdle to overcome before shipping yourself off to dreamland.

Meet the Experts:Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg M.D., a sleep specialist based in Fort Myers, Florida and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Abhay Sharma, M.D., co-director of the University of South Florida’s ENT Sleep and Snoring Center, and Ann M. Romaker, M.D., medical director of University of Cincinnati’s Sleep Centers.

“For optimal sleep it is important to maintain a quiet environment,” says Abhay Sharma, M.D., co-director of the University of South Florida’s ENT Sleep and Snoring Center. “Any loud or sudden noises can harm sleep quality, even if you do not remember waking up. Earplugs can help with this.” With that being said, it’s important to note that no pair of earplugs will cancel out 100% of noise. Dr. Sharma says you can use tools like a sound machine, soundproofing, or blackout curtains to drown out any remaining distractions. Below, find the best earplugs for sleep according to material, reusability, and sound reduction.

Quiet Ear Plugs for Noise Reduction

This best-selling pair of innovative shaped earplugs earn our number one spot for their transparent popularity. Not only are they great for sleeping, once you wear a pair to a concert or on the dance floor, you’ll never want to go out without them. The loop shape functions as a way to easily adjust and handle the plugs (which can be cumbersome when they’re just little foam pellets), but they still fit snugly against the ear for optimal comfort.

Loops are available in a bunch of fun pastel colors, and they come with a handy carrying case for easy storage in your nightstand (or on your keychain if you want a pair for loud festivities). Lastly, because no two ear canals are the same, these come in four different interchangeable tip sizes to give you the best fit possible. All of these traits are why Prevention Senior Commerce Editor Christie Calucchia swears by them, and why they won a Prevention Sleep Award in 2023.

What Reviewers Say: “The Loop Quiet plugs are by far the most comfortable solution I have found so far: They’re very easy to apply, they stay firmly in place through the night, and I can almost forget I have them on once applied. They’re very well made, and the design is very clever.”

SleepDeep Soft Ear Plugs

You won’t find another pair of earplugs like these. If you’ve tried the traditional foam corks and prefer their low profile, but struggle with them falling out mid-night, look no further. Their cone shape fits snugly into the ear canal, leaving but a little tab externally for removal. The innovative Dutch design is fitted with a sound absorbing gel that expands when activated by your body temperature, ultimately filtering out loud noises like snoring and neighbor scuffles. They come in a convenient carrying case and each purchase includes two sizes—small and medium/large—so you can find a pair that fits most comfortably. Reviewers—especially side sleepers—are obsessed with how undetectable they are.

What Reviewers Say: “They are EXTREMELY easy to put in, comfortable (yes, even as a side sleeper!), and easy to remove. They stay put all night no matter how much tossing and turning you do.”

Natural Beeswax Earplugs

If you have difficulty finding earplugs that fit, wax earplugs are most likely to work because they are completely moldable and customizable to your canal. These are made of beeswax, so there’s no need to worry about unhealthy materials entering your ear, and, they’re reusable—great not just for sleeping, but for swimming and concert-going, too. One purchase includes 10 buds and a carrying case to keep them clean.

What Reviewers Say: “I’ve tried a bunch of ear plugs and these are the only ones I thought molded properly. Yes, they are slightly tacky and warm up with body heat (I view this as a plus for proper molding in the ear) but I honestly don’t care that it’s a little sticky (not residual, just initially) there is nothing left behind in the ear.”

Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs

“The ones that I have seen some of my patients utilize and like are the ones that sort of fit in and then expand a little bit,” says Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg. “They’re kind of a soft, foamy material.” These are an example of that type of plug, and are a staple for many. Mack’s sells a variety of single-use foam plugs, but these are popular because they’re tapered for small ear canals, making them less likely to fall out in the middle of the night. Slow release foam allows them to fit snugly and securely.

What Reviewers Say: “The material has great elasticity and when I insert them according to the instructions. They work very well. They’re not uncomfortable and they get me through the night sleeping on my side. The noise reduction is amazing! I woke up after sleeping with them in and didn’t realize there was construction going on outside until I took them out.”

Earplugs for Sleeping

For $1 per pair, you can get eight sets of earplugs with this purchase—each a different, fun color. Similar to the pricier Alpine earplugs above, they’re cone-shaped to comfortably fit inside the ear canal, leaving little extra material to protrude and disturb your sleep. They also come with a handy carrying case, and their soft silicone makes them easy to insert and clean. You can’t really ask for much more at their price.

What Reviewers Say: “These are by far the best earplugs I have ever used for sleeping! For years, I used those little foam earplugs, and would find them in the bed in the morning. It was hard to keep them in my ears, and they didn’t block the sound all that well. But these earplugs block the sound so much more and are very comfortable.”

Silicone Reusable Earplugs

If you are curious about Loops but are leery about taking the price plunge, these are a similar design at a lower price point that may help you learn about your earplug preferences. Like Loops, they’re shaped to fit effortlessly inside of the pinna (outer ear), and they come with four different-sized tips to ensure you find the most comfortable fit. They also come with a case and can be washed and reused—ideal for not only sleep, but travel, concerts, and even swimming. Some reviewers also like that they mesh well with ear piercings.

What Reviewers Say: “These are the most comfortable earplugs that I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried many.) I use an orthopedic pillow, so most of the time I have to take my earplugs out in the middle of the night because my ears get very sore. Sleeping on my earplugs is out of the question for this reason also. But these guys are so soft, silky, flexible, and unnoticeable I forgot I even had them in. I’m able to sleep on my side without having to take these earplugs out.”

Sleep Headband Headphones

For those who simply don’t like the feeling of foreign objects inside their ears but wish to drown out noise for sleep, there is a solution! Sleep headbands like this one also function as earbuds in which you can play white noise or soothing sounds to lull you into slumber without the obstruction of earbuds or headphones. They’re also great for running in the winter or doing yoga. The material is moisture-wicking to keep hot sleepers cool, and the control panel for sound is located front-and-center, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally button-mashing in your dreams. There are over 34,500 5-star reviews and counting.

What Reviewers Say: “I am trying to get more peaceful sleep and this is exactly what I needed. I have a big head and this fit comfortably. The sound quality and good and it’s really easy to connect to your device. I can’t wait to listen to peaceful music tonight while not disturbing anyone else.”

How to choose the best earplugs for sleep

“I think it’s a very personal choice,” says Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg. That means it may take some trial and error, but you can at least weigh out the pros and cons of the most popular earplug materials, which are:

Foam: “Foam earplugs are inexpensive and soft, making them comfortable. However, they need to be replaced often, as they can have buildup of bacteria given the porous material,” says Dr. Sharma.

Silicone: “Silicone earplugs are reusable, but they can sometimes be uncomfortable for side sleepers since they are made of harder material,” Sharma explains.

Wax: “Wax earplugs are moldable and waterproof,” says Sharma. “Side sleepers may prefer this because other earplugs that protrude out of the ear can be pushed into the ear canal, which can be uncomfortable and lead to wax buildup.” It is worth noting that they can sometimes be uncomfortably sticky.

What kind of earplugs are best for sleeping?

The best kind of earplugs for sleeping are those that feel most comfortable to you, and actually improve your sleep. Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg says she’s seen success with foam plugs in her patients because they’re soft and expand to fill the ear canal. Ann M. Romaker, M.D., medical director of University of Cincinnati’s Sleep Centers says she generally recommends silicone putty earplugs that “conform to each user’s individual ear canal” because “they significantly decrease the noise level and are well tolerated.”

Is it OK to wear earplugs while sleeping?

All of the experts we spoke with say that earplugs are indeed, safe for sleeping. However, it’s important to wear ones that are comfortable and don’t cause irritation. Dr. Sharma says it’s also pertinent to cut down sleep environment interruptors using white noise, blackout curtains, or getting checkups for sleep apnea. Lastly, it’s important to give your ears regular breaks from plugs during the day to prevent wax build-up, Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg says.

Are silicone earplugs better than foam?

There is no concise answer to this question because both have pros and cons. Silicone earplugs are more hygienic because they’re typically reusable and cleanable, however, they tend to be harder and may cause more irritation. Foam earplugs are more likely to harbor bacteria but are softer.

Potential risks of using ear plugs for sleep

If you already or plan to wear earplugs while sleeping, there are a few risks to be aware of:

Earwax build-up: If you wear earplugs at night and something like AirPods during the day at work, Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg worries about the potential build-up of earwax, because your ears have less opportunity to self-clean. “Anything preventing wax from extruding can result in excessive buildup of wax in the ear canal,” adds Dr. Sharma. “If there is a complete blockage, this can result in hearing loss or ear discomfort. It is important not to try to remove wax with q-tips as this will almost certainly result in worsened wax impaction.”

Irritation: If you wear ill-fitting earplugs, you can get “tiny bits” of irritation that can cause problems over time, Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg says. That can lead to scarring and potentially, infection.

Infection: “Infections can happen with overuse of one set of earplugs,” says Dr. Sharma, particularly if they’re not regualarly cleaned. “If the ear canal becomes irritated or an earplug gets lodged in the ear canal, this can also result in an ear infection,” he adds.

Benefits of earplugs for sleep

Earplugs can diminish background noise from loud environments, co-sleepers, and pets to help you get more quality sleep, which is crucial for overall health and well-being. “You really need a combination of good sleep, exercise, and good nutrition for optimal health,” says Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg. “So we’re always trying to help people aim for at least seven hours of sleep.”

How we chose the best earplugs for sleep

We spoke to three experts in the sleep medicine field to determine the best earplug qualities and closely filtered through customer reviews to narrow down the best earplugs for sleep.

Why trust us?

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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