The Best Earplugs for Sleeping That Are Actually Comfortable and Effective

I’ve tried just about every trick to get a good night’s sleep. Blackout curtains, no phone before bed… you name it. But I live in a city with noisy neighbors and street traffic, so none of it mattered without blocking the sound.

Finding the best earplugs for sleeping is tough. Most are uncomfortable, fall out, or just don’t work. They either feel like rocks in your ears or barely muffle a whisper.

So I went on a mission to find ones that are actually comfortable and effective. I tested a bunch, from simple foam plugs to high-tech earbuds, to see what really helps you sleep through the night.

 

 

My Favorite Reusable & Comfortable Sleep Earplugs

These are the plugs I’d recommend for nightly use. They’re designed to be worn over and over, and they focus on comfort, especially for people who sleep on their sides.

 

 

Loop Dream Earplugs

These go for about $50. I know, it seems like a lot for earplugs, but they’re built for comfort, especially if you’re a side sleeper like me.

The silicone is super soft and flexible. They don’t stick out of your ear, so you can press your head against the pillow without that annoying pressure point. They come with four different tip sizes (from XS to L), which made getting a perfect seal pretty easy.

The Downside: The price is definitely higher than your standard foamies, so it’s more of an investment.

 

 

Dryft Sleep Earplugs

At around $18, these are a fantastic budget-friendly option. They’re made of a soft, moldable silicone that you shape to fit your ear canal’s opening.

I found these great for creating a total seal against outside noise. If you live in a really noisy area and need to block everything out, these do a solid job without irritating your skin. They’re a great value for what you get.

The Downside: They are technically reusable for a few nights, but they get dirty and lose their stickiness, so you’ll have to replace them eventually.

 

 

Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs

For about $20, the Loop Quiet 2 is another excellent reusable choice. They offer a great balance of comfort, noise reduction, and price.

Like their more expensive sibling, the Dream, they’re made of flexible silicone and sit snugly in your ear. I could easily wear these all night on my side without any issues. They’re durable and feel like they’ll last a long time.

The Downside: I’d avoid the white color. It looks nice at first but shows earwax and dirt pretty quickly.

 

 

Alpine SleepDeep Earplugs

These are another affordable option at $18. They have a unique oval shape that’s designed to mimic the shape of your ear canal.

I was surprised by how well these worked against my partner’s snoring. The seal is secure, and they do a great job of dulling low-frequency sounds. They’re very soft and don’t create any uncomfortable pressure points.

The Downside: Because they’re so smooth and soft, I did have one fall out in the middle of the night once.

 

 

Earbuds That Play Sound to Mask Noise

Sometimes, just blocking sound isn’t enough. These earbuds go a step further by playing soothing sounds to cover up any disturbances that might leak through.

 

 

SoundOff Noise Masking Earbuds

These are a premium option at $130. Instead of just blocking noise, these little earbuds actively mask it by playing pink noise.

It’s a really soothing sound, almost like a steady rainfall, and it did an amazing job of drowning out inconsistent noises like a dog barking or a door slamming. They fit over the ear and are lightweight enough that I could sleep on my side with them in.

The Downside: You have to charge them every day, which is another thing to add to your nightly routine.

 

 

1MORE Sleeping Earbuds Z30

Priced at $80, these are a more versatile option for tech lovers. They block a good amount of noise on their own, but you can also connect them via Bluetooth to play your own music, podcasts, or one of the 30 built-in soothing sounds.

They are incredibly tiny and light, so they don’t hurt your ears when you’re lying on them. They were perfect for nights when my mind was racing and I needed a distraction to fall asleep.

The Downside: Like any wireless earbuds, you have to keep an eye on the battery life.

 

 

The Best Disposable Foam Earplugs

You can’t beat foam for pure noise blocking power and a low price. If you just need something that works and don’t want to spend a lot, these are the way to go.

 

 

Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs

You can get a big pack of these for around $15. Mack’s are kind of the gold standard for foam earplugs for a reason.

They have a really high Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 33 decibels, which is about as good as it gets. The foam is super soft and expands slowly to create a tight but comfortable seal. They block out pretty much everything, especially snoring.

The Downside: They’re disposable, so you’re creating waste and will have to keep buying them.

 

 

Howard Leight Max Earplugs

At just $13 for a box, these are another top-tier foam option. They also have a 33 dB NRR, putting them at the top for noise blocking.

I liked the bell shape of these plugs. It made them easier to insert and remove, and the foam felt very low-pressure once it expanded. They stayed put all night and were perfectly comfortable for side sleeping.

The Downside: You have to roll them up really tight and get them deep into your ear canal for them to work properly, which can take some practice.

So, what’s the verdict? There’s no single “best” earplug for everyone. It really depends on what you need, your sleeping position, and how much you want to spend.

If you’re a side sleeper who wants reusable comfort, I’d point you toward the Loop Dream. If you just need maximum noise blocking for cheap, you can’t go wrong with Mack’s or Howard Leight. The key is finding something you’ll actually wear all night long.