Find The Best Earplugs For Sleeping: Our Review Guide

Since part of the main draw of this product is the promise of comfort, there are plenty of types of earplugs to choose from when you buy, so that you're at your most comfortable when you wear them.

A huge part of knowing which item to buy is knowing what type you're looking for.

Earplugs for sleeping are the smaller option.

They slide into your ear rather than sitting over it, which could be a more comfortable option for people who tend to sleep on their sides and are bothered by something bulkier.

These options are usually made out of a soft material that easily sits and stays in your ears while you rest.

These are larger than the earplug option and rest over top of the ears with a band connected over the top of the head.

These are usually padded on the headband and on the earmuffs themselves and employ a total noise-cancellation feature.

These come in a variety of sizes and materials and are usually slim enough to sleep comfortably in.

Foam earplugs are inexpensive and can mold to easily fit the shape of your ear.

They work exceptionally well to cancel out noise as they expand slightly once inserted, leaving no gaps for noise to get through.

Foam earplugs are comfortable and stay in place quite easily for a great length of time and are available in a range of different sizes.

The downside to foam earplugs is that they are not reusable, so if you wear them frequently the cost can add up quickly. The foam material also has the potential to cause discomfort and irritation.

Silicone earplugs are softer than foam earplugs and have the added bonus of being reusable, making them a little more cost effective.

They can be molded to suit the individual, but are often not as fitted as their foam counterparts, meaning they have a tendency to fall out during the night.

Silicone earplugs don’t block out noise as effectively as other types of earplugs, but will still work to some extent.

A similar consistency to soft plasticine, wax earplugs can be molded to suit your specific ear shape and form a great seal and noise barrier.

They’re more expensive than foam and silicone earplugs, but provide comfort all night long. Wax earplugs are perfect if other earplugs fall out or don’t form enough of a seal in your ear as you can shape them to suit your needs.

This is especially handy if the size of your ear canals varies between your left and right ear.

Pre-molded earplugs don’t need to be fitted each time they are worn, instead they’re already shaped in a specific way.

It’s important that you wear the appropriately sized earplugs, but this shouldn’t be too difficult due to the fact that they come in many different shapes and sizes.

Pre-moulded earplugs are usually made from some type of silicone or flexible plastic that can be washed and reused, time after time.

Custom pre-molded earplugs are considerably more expensive, so are really only feasible for those who will be using them on a regular basis when other types of earplugs don’t work sufficiently.

Knowing what brands to look out for when you’re shopping will help narrow your search down a lot.

Different brands, of course, offer different features.

This can be as broad as price, quality, and general style, or as specific as certain features you find attractive.

To help you out, we've gathered some of the best brands for you.

Moldex is a company located in California that makes protective hearing and respiratory products.

They're well known for their innovative designs and make it a company goal to ensure the comfort of the wearer at no cost of the protection of their hearing.

Their products are known to be fantastic and Moldex takes this superior expectation seriously.

Moldex is sure to continue to innovate and provide us with even more superior products in the future.

This is another brand that's focused on comfort to pair with silence.

While this company is less widely known than Moldex, their products are exceptional and proof of innovation.

The brand offers a variety of earplugs for sleep, studying, or even just a quiet moment.

Their products are comfortable to wear for a long period of time and they block out sound very well.

Any product by this company is sure to do exactly what you need it to do.

Below are the top 10 earplugs for sleeping.

These are the best products in their field and promise to be comfortable while working well to block out outside sound while you sleep.

This list is comprised of the best and most reviewed products to ensure that you buy the best you can with as little stress as possible.

Since we're shaving the vast array of options down to a short list of the best products, you can rest easy knowing your purchase was money well spent.

The noise reduction rating on this product is 29 decibels, a significant decrease from the sound level in comparison to not wearing ear plugs and enough to block out any snores.

This order comes with 100 pairs, so even if you can’t reuse them, it's an economical choice and you won’t have to buy new ones anytime soon.

These also come in packs of 200, so the fact that they aren’t reusable won’t put much of a dent in your wallet.

Since these foam ear plugs are easy to shape, they're a size that will fit almost anyone and are perfect whether you sleep on your side or in any other position.

When it comes down to exactly what product you want, that’s ultimately up to you.

However, when you want to narrow your search and find a good product, there’s no need to go it alone.

There are definitely some things to consider when buying a pair of earplugs to sleep in.

The first thing is to make sure that you're wearing something safe.

This means considering consulting a doctor to make sure that the product you're using is safe as well as effective.

One good night’s sleep isn’t worth damaging your ears, especially when it’s avoidable.

You should also take into account how comfortable these ear plugs are to wear.

Since you’ll be sleeping in them, these should be a pair of ear plugs that you don’t mind wearing for several hours at a time, even if you’re lying on your side with pressure on your ear.

The more economical concern is price. As with any product, the higher quality a product is, the more expensive it'll be.

However, you can’t always break the bank over a pair of ear plugs and there are definitely lower cost options available that work very well.  

You should take into account how comfortable earplugs are to wear. If your earplugs are uncomfortable then you’re unlikely to wear them consistently, therefore not enjoying the full benefits of a quiet night’s sleep.

They should fit snugly without causing any pressure on your eardrum.

Since you’ll be sleeping in them, they need to be comfortable to wear for several hours at a time, even if you’re lying on your side with pressure on your ear.

Earplugs should not cause you any form of discomfort. If they do, it could be a sign that they don’t fit properly. It might be worth trying a few different types before deciding what suits you best.

It’s incredibly important for earplugs to be safe for use. If your earplugs are too small you run the risk of pushing them too far into your ear canal with the potential to cause damage.

You should never push your earplugs in so far that you can’t grab them with your fingers.

Earplugs should always be removed slowly with a gentle twisting motion, your earplugs should never be so tight that you have to pull them out with force as this could cause damage to your eardrum.

Earplugs’ noise reduction rating, or NRR, is a measure of how many decibels the earplugs will block out in a laboratory setting.

Generally speaking, the higher the rating the better the earplugs are at cancelling out noise. However, because this is based on a laboratory setting it is always best to try the earplugs out for yourself.

The amount of noise you wish to block out will vary depending on your situation, so you’ll need to decide which earplugs are best for you.

It’s important to note that blocking out all noise can be potentially dangerous. For example, you don’t really want your earplugs to block out the sound of smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.

Earplugs can be manufactured out of many different materials. When buying earplugs consider the durability of each material, this is especially important if you intend on wearing the earplugs every single night.

Foam earplugs are meant to be disposable, designed for one use only, however, if care is taken you can probably get 2-3 nights out of the earplugs.

With any product, it’s important to get the most for your money. Earplugs are no different. Whilst foam earplugs are usually the cheapest, you need to replace every 2-3 wears at most.

However, they come in packs of multiple numbers so it’s always worth checking how many pairs you’re purchasing.

Reusable earplugs will cost more initially, but when you consider they last longer they are potentially better value for money, and more environmentally friendly.

If you need to have earplugs specifically made for you, you will pay more. However, the fact that they cater exactly for your needs means that you will get better use out of them.

To find the best value earplugs for you, consider how frequently you will wear them and which style is best suited to you.

Earplugs need to be properly cared for to avoid infection and to ensure they keep working correctly.

When you’re not using your earplugs they should be stored safely in a container - this also helps to prevent losing them. To clean your earplugs use warm soapy water and let the earplugs soak for a couple of minutes.

Use a clean toothbrush, small cloth or even your fingers to gently rub the earplugs to remove any build up of dirt or other material. Once washed, rinse the earplugs in cold water and place them on a clean cloth or towel and allow them to air dry completely.

Air drying helps discourage the growth of bacteria. Make sure the earplugs are fully dry before wearing or storing.

It will also help to clean your ears regularly, this will help keep your earplugs in good condition.

If you’re a side sleeper you may find it a little more difficult to find earplugs that are comfortable enough to be worn all night. When earplugs come into contact with your pillow they can cause discomfort and sometimes create extra noise.

The length of the earplugs are crucial for side sleepers, too long and they’ll stick too far out of your ear. Look for earplugs that can be adjusted to suit the length of your ear canal.

Smaller earplugs are generally the most suitable, and most brands offering varying sizes, but if you still find the generic earplugs to cause discomfort you may need to consider pre-molded earplugs.

Sleeping beside a snoring partner is probably one of the most common reasons people want to wear earplugs. When worn correctly, earplugs will successfully block out, or at least minimize, the noise from snoring.

It’s important that your earplugs are comfortable and fit properly as there is a good chance you will be wearing them every single night!

There are also some other things you can try to help eliminate the unwanted snoring noise. For the most effective results, try the following tips as well as earplugs:

A new pillow can help eliminate snoring caused by dust allergies. Look for one that slightly elevates the head to reduce the chance of snoring.

If your bed partner’s snoring is waking you up, gently roll them over onto their side. If they regularly roll onto their back, try wedging a pillow behind them to prevent this.

Often people will snore more after a few drinks. If the occasional tipple is making your partner snore you may be able to deal with it, but if it’s a regular occurrence try asking them to skip the nightcap.

The steam from the shower can help clear the nasal passages, which in turn will help reduce snoring.

There are a lot of options when looking for earplugs, but that doesn’t mean that finding the best sleeping ear plugs has to be a struggle.

Whether you buy one of the ear plugs on this list or you choose something else, you're now armed with the knowledge you need to choose the best product for you.

Considering comfort, safety, and style, should narrow down your options and make finding the right pair for you a breeze.