The 9 Best Earplugs For Sleeping Of 2023

  references
  
      The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): “Choose The Hearing Protection That’s Right For You
    
      NIOSH: “How to Wear Soft Foam Earplugs”

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

So long as you follow safety tips — and select a pair that's comfortable in your ears — there's no reason to avoid wearing earplugs to dampen sounds while you're sleeping.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

How We Chose
Best Overall
Best for Wide Ear Canals
Best for Small Ear Canals
Best for Comfort
Best Reusable
Best Budget-Friendly
Best for Side Sleepers
Best for Skin and Sensory Sensitivities
Best for Tinnitus
What to Look For
How to Insert Earplugs Correctly

NRR: 22dB Moldable silicone Offer a precise fit Budget-friendly

Sticky texture Can only be used up to 5 times

NRR: 22dB Moldable silicone Larger than other brands

Sticky texture

NRR: 29dB Easy to insert

Stiffer material

NRR: 32dB Extremely soft Great for blocking out snoring

Easier to insert too far

NRR: 25dB Budget-friendly Come with 2 sizes of tips

Might not block louder noises

NRR: 35dB Noise-cancelling Soft and comfortable Budget-friendly

Shorter length

Image Credit: FlareAudio.com

NRR: 32db Dual tips for extra comfort Comes with 2 tip sizes

A bit pricey

‌Buy it:‌ FlareAudio.com; ‌Price:‌ $28

Image Credit: Loop

NRR: 27dB Made of super-soft silicone Come with 4 eartip sizes for optimal fit Reduces noise without cutting it off completely

Might not be comfortable to all side sleepers

Come with 3 eartip sizes Up to 10 hours of use on a single charge Storage case gives up to 3 additional full charges Favorite sounds can be downloaded onto the earbuds

NRR: N/A High price tag Might not be comfortable to all side sleepers

Kupfer recommends using the lowest amount of NRR that does the trick for you — higher if blocking out your partner’s snoring, lower if muffling occasional street noise. “From a sensory standpoint, it’s best not to become too dependent on earplugs in order to fall asleep,” Kupfer says. “Our ears become even more sensitive to sound if they get used to pitch quiet.” It’s best if you can hear some sound through the earplugs — while still being muffled and providing relief — rather than absolute silence all the time, if for no other reason than to be able to hear your fire or security alarms should they go off.

“From a sensory standpoint, it’s best not to become too dependent on earplugs in order to fall asleep,” Kupfer says. “Our ears become even more sensitive to sound if they get used to pitch quiet.”

It’s best if you can hear some sound through the earplugs — while still being muffled and providing relief — rather than absolute silence all the time, if for no other reason than to be able to hear your fire or security alarms should they go off.

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      The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): “Choose The Hearing Protection That’s Right For You
    
      NIOSH: “How to Wear Soft Foam Earplugs”