8 Best Earplugs for Sleeping: Highest NRR & for Snorers
Sleeping next to a snoring partner or near a snoring pet such as a cat affects your sleep quality. I have experienced this first-hand. I kept waking up tired every morning, and dizziness would be part of my day.
Heavy snoring leads to sleep apnea – a potentially serious sleeping disorder according to Mayo Clinic. You, therefore, need to do something to help your partner stop snoring, or simply get sleeping headphones or earplugs for sleeping with a snorer.
Snoring drives everyone insane, but again, if you choose the wrong sleeping device to block out the noise, you may not be comfortable at all. This will also reduce the quality of your sleep.
So, forget the headphones. The right thing you need is a good set of earplugs made specifically for sleeping in a noisy environment.
Top 8 Earplugs for Sleeping
There are so many products in this category out there, so choosing is hectic. I have personally bought like 11 different snoring noise-canceling earplugs. Luckily, all this trying and testing led me to discover the top rated, best earplugs to wear when sleeping with a snoring partner.
Below, we have reviewed the best rated snoring earplugs on the market. Included are some brands that you can use for other purposes as well, such as flying, swimming etc.
1. Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs
The plugs are not only the best for canceling out your partners snoring but also good for:
- Protecting the ear after surgery
- Relieving pain after a flight. Air pressure can build up in your inner ear after flying.
- Protecting against a swimmer’s ear.
According to Amazon, Target and the manufacturer’s website, these are the number 1 best-selling earplugs for reducing noise and even blocking water from entering the ear.
“#1 Doctor Recommended Brand to get a good night’s sleep when sleeping with a snoring spouse”
What is the product made of?
Just as the name reveals, these are made of non-toxic, hypoallergenic silicone material. This means that the rubber is non-irritating and is generally safe for people with a sensitive skin and those who are prone to allergic reactions. Our testers did not discover any irritation problems when wearing them.
Are they the most comfortable silicone earplugs?
Most complaints about earplugs relate to the pre-molded versions. Mack’s Pillow Softs are moldable and will fit and cover your ear bowl, thus sealing and blocking out most of the irritating and disrupting noise.
Pros
- They do not melt at all, so you can wear them even in hot climates.
- They are very comfortable since you can mold them into the size and shape that fits your ear.
- People with small, medium and even big ears can also use them.
- They are reusable, meaning you get better value for your money.
- They are fairly durable and you can use them a few times before disposing of them.
- They are easy to shape and fit into the ear.
Cons
We struggled to find a few cons here, but we noted that with a noise reduction rating of 22dB, they fall a little short given there are competitors out there with much higher ratings.
- Low noise reduction capability so they may not be the best if you sleep next to a very loud snorer.
- Can easily stick to hair and become hard to get out.
Our review
We think they are a little better than most foam earplugs used for sleeping. Their biggest advantage is that they are moldable and are good for various other functions as well.
However, they may not be the best in terms of filtering out a lot of noise, so we recommend you just buy them if you are sleeping with a snorer. They are also useful for ambiance noise in the house, so we recommend them for that.
You might get disappointed if you want to try them for blocking out heavy industrial noise. Personally, I noted that I could still hear, though it was muffled.
2. Hearos Ultimate Softness Foam Earplugs
Foam earplugs have taken a leap forward thanks to the introduction of polyurethane material that is used to make these products these days. It offers a much-enhanced comfort with low pressure and increased noise reduction.
The HEAROS Ultimate Softness Series Foam Ear Plugs are some of the best earplugs for blocking out noise with NRR 32 decibels. While there are lots of doubts with many other products, there’s none with these. They do the job. They can provide peacefully quiet nights sleeping next to a snorer or in an environment laden with background noise.
Pros
- They are the most comfortable earplugs made of foam.
- They don’t stick out when you wear them, making them perfect for side sleepers. I personally found them comfortable sleeping in all sleeping positions.
- With a 32NRR, they block out most of the noise from the environment even if you sleep next to a purring cat or a snoring partner.
- They are very easy to use and clean.
- They fit perfectly into the ear and do not fall off all the time.
Cons
You may not like them if you have long ear canals.
Verdict and review
We found these our best foam earplugs on the market due to their maximum comfort, high noise reduction, and blockage as well as being extraordinarily soft.
The biggest worry when it comes to such products is sleeping comfortably with them. I tested them in various sleeping positions and found them to be comfortable.
Other than using them for a good night sleep, you can also wear these highest rated foam earplugs for other purposes such as shooting practice, traveling on the airplane and even for blocking out industrial noise.
3. Howard Leight Max-1
When I first wore them, I almost thought everything around me went silent deliberately. But they do actually block out all the noise.
This product is made up of a soft polyurethane foam material with a nice soft and smooth finish. I found them very comfortable to sleep in because they do not irritate by ears or make the canal itchy.
According to the manufacturer, these Howard Leigh Max is the most popular polyurethane foam earplug with superior noise-blocking and multipurpose use. It is disposable, therefore reducing the chances of ear infections and damage.
The contoured bell-shape of the product makes them very easy to insert and remove. In addition to that, the unique shape helps them resist backing out of the ear canal while sleeping. This ensures maximum comfort while sleeping.
Pros
- Excellent noise-canceling. They are actually the most effective noise-canceling plugs today.
- The bell shape makes it easier to insert them. It also prevents them from going too deep into the ear canal or causes discomfort inside the ear.
- The outer finish is smooth and prevents the buildup of dirt.
- They hardly fall out of the ear once they fit.
- They are the best long-wear earplugs for sleeping and industrial work.
Cons
- They are uncorded, making them quite risky to use in an industrial environment.
- Being highly effective at canceling noise, you might not hear important noises in your environment such as alarms when you wear them.
Our review
If you sleep next to a heavy snorer and would like to totally block out the disturbance, we recommend you buy the Howard Leight Max earplugs to sleep in. They will do the job perfectly.
You will also find them very comfortable and nicely fitting. With the correct size, they will not fall out of the ears easily, so you can sleep on your sides, or choose any sleeping position as you please.
4. Flents Super Sleep Comfort Foam Ear Plugs
Snoring produces different noise frequencies depending on the source of the vibrations. According to a study by the US National Library of Medicine, palatal snoring produces an average of 137 while the tongue produces up to 1243 Hz. These are ranges of pink noise that most earplugs do not do well to block out.
If you are looking for the best earplugs for side sleepers or changing sleeping positions frequently, we recommend you buy these. They are shorter and fit well in most ear canals, meaning that once inserted, less of it sticks out of the ear canal. They are very comfortable to lie on.
Pros
- They are made of soft foam and give the feel of quality even in blocking out the noise while you sleep.
- Comfortable fit for side sleepers. The earplugs are made of a soft foam that sits comfortably in the ear. Earplug foam compresses quickly for easy insertion.
- Can be worn even in short ear canals.
- They block out 70% to 80% of outside noise, meaning you can use them to block a snorer’s noise just fine.
Cons
- With a 29NRR, Flents Super Sleep Foam Earplugs may not be the best if you sleep in a very noisy environment.
- Although they are cheaper, you can get a much better noise-reduction and blocking efficiency at the same price.
My review/verdict
I found that these do just fine for light noise in the environment. I would highly recommend them for a very light sleeper with minimal noise disturbing his or her slumber. If you want something with more noise-canceling power, I would recommend the Flents Quiet Time Foam Earplugs that have a 33NRR and still providing the maximum comfort of the Super Sleep alternative.
5. Ohropax Wax Ear Plugs
Since they are made of cotton and paraffin waxes, they are said to be the best earplugs for sleeping because they mold so easily to make a perfect fit for the ear canal. They are also invisible due to their skin-colored feature.
According to the manufacturer, Ohropax Classic insulates the ear against noise across a wide frequency range.
Advantages of Ohropax wax earplugs
According to the manufacturer, the main benefits of this product include the following:
- The device is very comfortable and easy to wear, therefore, it will give you a peaceful night’s sleep without the disturbance of noise.
- You can use it when reading, meditating and other activities that require your maximum concentration.
- It has a tight seal, making it suitable for blocking out sound, wind and moisture.
- The plugs are tolerable as they are made of natural ingredients that are allergy-free.
From the manufacturer’s review of the features, these earplugs can insulate the ear against a wide range of noise, from 23.3dB to 37.7dB depending on the frequency.
My review
When unpacking the OHROPAX Classic earplugs from the cardboard box, you will see small balls of soft pink cotton wool. The actual earplugs are placed inside the cotton balls.
On removing the cotton, the pink sticky cylinders are the plugs themselves. You can then go ahead and mold them into the shape you want and place them in your ear.
Pros
- They seal better than most foam earplugs of the same price range.
- Since they are moldable, they are ideal for all ear shapes and sizes.
- They are also good for all sleeping positions.
Cons
- With a rating of 27 NRR, these earplugs may not be very good at blocking out all the snoring noise.
- The wax and petroleum jelly used to make them result in a sticky and messy material.
- Although they are reusable, it is still best to use once to prevent ear infections due to hygiene issues.
- Can easily stick to the fingers when molding, making it difficult to wear or insert into the ear canal.
Verdict
Buy them only if you have light needs for blocking noise. You will also find them reliable if you have allergic reactions to some materials such as silicone. The plugs are also made of natural material, so, they do not have special procedures for disposing of them. They are biodegradable and can be thrown away with your usual house garbage.
6. Moldex 6800 PuraFit (33NRR)
These are hands down the best foam earplugs for sleeping with the highest rating of 33NRR. From our initial tests, they are the most effective for blocking out noise, although this may come with a little downside of its own.
With a slightly larger diameter and the high density, you might not hear your alarm or any sort of sound in your environment.
On opening the packaging, you will notice that each pair of these pre-molded earplugs is individually wrapped in paper envelopes to keep them clean. However, we quickly noticed that they are wider than their competitors.
However, something else of note is that they are a bit longer, so they may be a problem for people with short ear canals. For anyone with a longer canal, these may be perfect and very effective. Overall, here are the benefits and advantages of Moldex’s PuraFit 6800 earplugs.
Here’s a quick review of the pros and cons, and our verdict.
Pros
- Easy to insert and remove because they are longer than most other foam and silicone earplugs on the market.
- They remain in position throughout the night, so you don’t get disrupted nights due to earplugs slipping out of the ear canal.
- They expand quickly and seal off the ear, protecting you against your partner’s snoring and ambiance noise.
- When inserted correctly, they are soft and very comfortable to sleep in.
Cons
- Being long earbuds, they may be a problem for side sleepers, so we recommend them only for those who sleep on their back.
Final verdict
We recommend these especially if you prefer foam over silicone or wax. They will block out most if not all the noise and give you the quietest nights possible on foam earplugs.
If you are afraid that they might get stuck in the ear, you can try the Moldex 6900 corded version
Here are fitting instructions my Moldex.
7. Happy Ears Reusable Natural Sound Ear Plugs
Where you need serious protection from noise, Happy Ears Reusable Natural Sound Earplugs will help fix the problem. Although you can use them for sleeping and canceling out noise, they are meant to be used for all applications.
Other than providing noise protection, these plugs also allow you to still hear clearly and accurately. That means that you can wear them if your spouse is snoring or your neighbor is having a party next door. They are easy to wear and comfortable for workplaces, concerts, noisy clubs etc.
Since I was being bothered by lots of background noise and snoring, I found these plugs ideal for this purpose.
About Happy Ears
The plugs are of Swedish design where they won the first prize for the best design of earplugs in 2012’s Design Torget in Stockholm. The design has a rigid plastic in its central system that makes the plugs easy to insert and remove from the ear. It also helps with conducting sound from the environment into the ear canal.
The stiff core is surrounded by a thermos-plastic elastomer, a material that softens as your body heats up. This makes them fit well, making them one of the best comfortable earplugs for sleeping.
Pros and benefits
- They are of a good size to fit both small and medium ear canals. Therefore, both teens and adults can use these.
- They are rated NRR 26 though the manufacturer claims you will still be able to experience your natural world of sound though reduced by two thirds.
- They are easy to insert and remove.
- The thermos-reactive material it is made of makes the product very comfortable to wear.
- They are reusable and can be cleaned with ordinary soap and water for good hygiene.
Cons
- They are not the best for people with big ear canals. Fitting problems may be experienced.
- They do not block out sound as much as required. If you wear these and sleep next to a snoring partner, you are less likely to cancel out all the noise.
My review
If your partner is a light snorer or you just want to reduce the noise and still want to hear what is going on in your environment, you will find these ones perfect.
8. Earplanes Earplugs
Earplanes not only work as noise cancellation devices but also as pressure-regulating wears. They will reduce the discomfort that is associated with air travel.
Most people say they are the best if you like to sleep on the plane and enjoy your flight. So, I was curious about their use for normal use for a quiet night.
Having been developed and manufactured by Cirrus Healthcare Products LLC partnering with House Ear Institute based in the city of Los Angeles, the product was put to test by the US Navy aviation department.
What are they made of? Earplanes earplugs are made of hypoallergenic silicone material and a ceramic pressure regulator. An airtight seal results between the ear canal and the product itself, providing you with controlled pressure as well as excellent external noise-blocking. If you often suffer from swelling in the ear canal when traveling, you will experience reduced discomfort and quiet flights.
Pros
- They are perfect for people with sensitive ears. If you want to get enough sleep on a long flight without the disturbance of blocked ears, you will enjoy and love these.
- There’s a version for children between the age of 1 and 11 years.
- If you suffer from sinus congestion, colds, and allergies, Earplanes earplugs are the best pick of earplugs for sleeping on a plane.
- They are disposable and will not carry dirt and other airborne bacteria that may cause infections.
- The buds are soft, flexible and easy to insert even though they are made to fit snugly inside the ear.
- Hypoallergenic and latex free soft silicone material does not irritate the ears, hence they are very comfortable.
Cons
They have quite a low noise reduction rating of 20NRR, meaning that they may not be ideal for people who sleep in very noisy environments.
My review and verdict
I would recommend these for long flights and especially if you have barometric pressure fluctuation problems. They will help you fly comfortably, and will enjoy your sleep on the plane while still able to hear flight announcements and even sound from your headphones.
So, what does the best mean? How do you make the right choice?
Quality checks in snore earplugs
As you already know (and as I have already mentioned), many products on the market are clearly overrated. If you went on to buy and try each that is well advertised, you will end up with 100 useless pairs, and a frustrated you.
Luckily, there are some that are of good quality. By quality, I mean they pass the check on the following points: (1) comfort: (2) effectiveness in blocking noise from a snoring partner and (3) durability.
In fact, in terms of quality checks, you can go a notch higher and check out noise-canceling devices that are multi-purpose. You can use them for other ear-plugging needs.
More reviews on the quality factors and the top picks in each category below. But first, you can jump right away to these very best earbuds for sleeping with a snorer:
How snore earbuds work
You want to get devices that clearly cut-out your partner’s snoring noise, and even your neighbors’ night-time activities and leave you with a peaceful, quiet night.
That is how a good plug will work – it will muffle out any outside noise without any discomforts. These sleeping aids are also good for other activities such as reading and working. Here are the best, top-rated plugs we recommend you buy. Our detailed reviews will explain the pros, cons, prices and where to get for cheap or discounted prices.
How to choose good earplugs for sleeping
A lot goes into selecting the very best product that will suit your particular needs. For some people, sleeping on the plane next to a snoring passenger can be a nightmare. You may, therefore, be looking for a product that will not only be suitable for your bedroom but also for your travel needs.
In short, different people have different needs, but if you are wondering where to start and what to consider, here are a few basic things you should look for.
Effectiveness
Question to ask: How effective are the earplugs at canceling out noise while sleeping?
It is very simple: choose the plugs that will block out most noise – as much noise as possible.
It is not easy to find a product that will cancel out all the noise since your partner could be 300 pounds and snoring heavily. In such a case, you may need to buy the most effective earplugs.
But how do you determine the most effective ones? What should you look for on the packaging or in the product reviews?
Look for a higher Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).
What is NRR?
NRR stands for Noise Reduction Rating. It is an industry guideline that is used to indicate the potential of a hearing protection device in a noisy environment. This value is indicated in decibel (dB), e.g. NRR 33Db, NRR 32dB etc.
On all the earplugs you get on the market, the NRR figure is based on laboratory test data and you may or may not notice any variations in the quality.
- The most effective earplugs for sleeping are those with a rating above 30 NRR.
- You will find most of these devices ranging between 25dB and 34dB NRR.
- The higher the rating, the more effective the plugs will be at blocking out snoring noise.
The material of the earwear affects their performance and effectiveness. Snoring earplugs made of silicone may not outperform those made of wax and foam.
If you get a good pair of foam earplugs for sleeping, it will be the most effective because foam expands to form an airtight seal that blocks out the most noise (if not all) from the external environment.
Wax anti-snoring earplugs also muffle out the noise in the same way but come with an added advantage of keeping your ear oil-free. If your ear becomes itchy and gets acne bumps due to wearing noise-cancellation devices, you should go for the wax ones.
Durability
Question to ask: How long do they last? How many times will I use them?
If you are going to purchase those reusable earbuds, then they need to be durable enough. Since you will wear them multiple times when sleeping and cleaning them afterward, they should be made of a robust material that will be remolded to fid your ears and remain as effective as before.
Different materials offer different levels of durability:
- Wax earplugs offer better durability over foam ones because they stay clean longer.
- They last longer before needing to be cleaned or replaced.
- The Ohropax Reusable Wax/cotton Ear Plugs are some of the best in this case, and that is why they are the bestselling wax earplugs for sleeping.
Although you can get most of the top-rated earbuds for cheap on Amazon, eBay etc, the device should be able to withstand cleaning and several wears without losing its shape (mold), size and functionality.
In this category, you may need to choose between reusable and disposable devices.
Comfort when sleeping
Question to ask: Can you sleep with the earplugs inside your ears?
The quality of your sleep can be greatly affected by a snoring partner and even other background ambient noise. That is why you need to buy a good pair that will be comfortable to wear all night long.
Uncomfortable plugs will make your ears feel warm, oily and sometimes itchy. They can also make you feel the pressure inside your eardrum.
One common characteristic of uncomfortable earplugs poor size and fitting. When they are ill-fitting, they cause pain. You may not even sleep at all.
- Your sleeping position or posture will determine the most comfortable earplugs for sleeping with a snoring partner.
- Those that are comfortable when sleeping facing up may not be very good for side sleepers.
- There’s nothing like one-size-fits-all when it comes to snore earbuds. Some people have small ear canals while others have wider ones. You either choose the right size or go for those that are free to mold.
A good pair should fit inside your ear canal and leave no space for noise to penetrate. However, they should also not stick out and restrict you to only one sleeping position.
When choosing a good set, ensure that they are comfortable enough while forming an airtight seal to block out loud snoring noise.
How do I know the most comfortable pair?
The best way to determine the ones that will be comfy is to test a few. Fortunately, most of the top-rated brand names are affordable. You can buy a few for testing to find the ones that will be your personal best-fit.
You will notice that uncomfortable plugs may not only fit you poorly but also won’t be effective at blocking out the snoring noise for a good night sleep.
Ease of use
Noise-cancelling devices should be easy to insert and remove. If they are difficult to use, then you might even go some nights without wearing them.
A good pair of snore noise protection plugs should insert effortlessly into your ears. Removing them should also be easy. The entire process should not cause you any pain or discomfort.
If you are allergic to some materials, you should consult your doctor before buying these devices. Some may contain materials that can cause you an allergic reaction.
Active vs. passive noise-canceling earplugs
There are two types of noise canceling plugs: active and passive. Most typical earplugs work by canceling noise passively. This means that they physically absorb any noise and sound before it enters your ear canal.
Passive devices
Passive devices are very good at blocking high-frequency noises such as whistles and squeals. If your problem is more than snoring and is more of low-frequency noises such as deep rumbles and music noises coming through your neighbor’s wall, you may need to try active noise canceling earplugs for sleeping.
Most of the foam and silicone ear pods use the passive absorption technology but still give satisfactory results.
Active devices
Best active noise cancellation earplugs[/caption]
These can better be described as anti-noise devices because they attempt to cancel low-frequency noises that are common in the sleeping and working ambiances.
According to New Atlas, an active device “detects ambient noise with a microphone and then produces a phase-shifted sound meant to cancel out the original.”
High-end noise cancellation headphones such as the Bose QuietComfort 35 come with this kind of active technology. But when it comes to smaller devices, the very best active earplugs for sleeping and blocking snoring noise are the QuietOn plugs with an impressive 40dB NRR.
Wax vs. Silicone vs. Foam
A lot in terms of material goes into determining the best earplugs for sleeping and blocking out snoring noise.
Sleeping devices are usually made for comfort, that is why their material is softer and more flexible so that they can be worn all night long without discomfort or irritation. Since getting a comfortable fit may be a big problem, you should, therefore, buy those made of a material that is moldable.
3 different materials dominate the market: wax, silicone, and foam. Which one of these is most suitable for sleeping with a snoring partner?
Wax earplugs
Wax earbuds have been around for hundreds of years now. They are the best when it comes to the moldable type and will easily fit into your ears.
For a long time, very little has changed about the making of wax earplugs. Cotton and wax are used to produce high-quality mufflers that easily fit into the ear’s bowl to block out the noise.
Max Negwer, the original inventor of the wax ear devices discovered these as an accident in 1907. The original wax devices produced today are made by the same German company, Ohropax.
For sleeping and flying
When you buy the wax plugs, you can use them for both quiet nights and also for flying. The best thing about this material is that when inside your ear, they can expand with a slight rise in your body temperature and form an airtight seal.
This will prevent noise, water, dust and other things from getting into the ear in different environments.
- For flying, the seal is good for giving your inner ear some pressure that equalizes with the outside pressure.
- You may not experience the discomfort that is usually felt during takeoff when your inner ear is not able to keep up with the rapidly changing air pressure in the cabin.
- Wax earplugs are the best for sleeping with a snorer because of the formulation of the material used to make them – cotton wool soaked in petroleum jelly and paraffin wax.
- This makes the earplugs non-irritating because of their natural ingredients.
Other than being hypoallergenic, wax earplugs are gentle and can be adjusted easily to fit into your ear canal to prevent snoring and environmental noises from disturbing your sleep and causing sleep apnea.
Our rating in terms of comfort is excellent since the plugs do not create any pressure or irritation in the ear. Their appearance is also similar to the color of flesh, so you may not notice them easily if molded well into the ear’s bowl.
How to use wax earplugs correctly
It is important to follow the guidelines of your doctor and those indicated on the label for maximum benefit. However, in general, follow this procedure and tips to wear the wax noise-canceling plugs before you go to bed.
- Wash and rinse your hands thoroughly. Ensure they are dry to prevent water from mixing with the material.
- Unpack and remove the cotton wool that secures and protects the buds.
- (If big) tear off a small amount of the wax material to get the desired size that will fit into your ear canal.
- Mold to make a soft plug in a shape that is suitable for the ear’s bowl.
- Place the wax ball over your auditory canal and flatten to seal off the opening. Be careful not to insert it deep into the canal or use a small amount of wax that will fit poorly and fail to block out the noise.
- Go to bed and avoid scratching your ear canal with the wax still intact. If you need to, remove it first and re-insert by following this procedure.
- In the morning or upon waking up, press upward behind your earlobe to loosen the wax.
- Pick up the plug with your fingers and dispose of it.
When compared to foam, wax plugs remain clean for longer and are much easier to clean.
#1 Bestselling cotton-wax earplugs: Ohropax Reusables
Foam material
Different types of foam are used in making earplugs for sleeping, swimming and even flying. However, the most commonly used type is called polyurethane. This material is the same one used in producing memory foam mattresses.
They are pre-molded so there is no manipulation on your side to adjust their size and shape. In fact, most of them come in a bullet or pill shape.
- The effectiveness of foam earplugs in blocking out a snorer’s noise depends on the density of the foam.
- The higher the NRR value on the packaging, the more dense and effective they are likely to be.
- Their effectiveness will also depend on usage. If worn correctly, they may provide excellent noise reduction.
To use a good pair of foam earplugs for sleeping with a snoring partner, squeeze the buds straight into your external ear canal. After a little time, they will expand and seal the opening, ready to absorb any external noise before it gets detected by your auditory glands.
One of the major problems with foam earplugs, especially the cheaper versions is that their flat ends tend to stick out a bit. When sleeping on your side, you tend to be aware of them. This can affect the quality of your sleep since you will sleep conscious of them.
Fitting
For some foam earbuds, you can roll them in your hands to make a small fitting, that is if you have a small ear canal.
When inserted into the ear canal, the plugs become soft and easily mold to fit the ear canal. Due to this, they are comfortable and provide the best protection from external noise.
Pod earplugs
Ear pods made of foam do not need any rolling in order to fit into the canal. You simply push them into your ear to seal off the canal against noise.
Most of the foam snore ear pods for sleeping have a unique design that makes the foam to compress easily, making it easy to slide them into the ear. They then expand slowly and gently as your body heats them to form an airtight seal. These are therefore by far the most hygienic foam ear pods for a good night sleep.
Silicone
Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone earplugs are some of the top rated and highly reviewed in this category. They are moldable and provide the best comfort while blocking snoring noise from your partner.
Silicone earplugs work in a similar way wax ones do. They are made of small balls of soft, supple material. This material can be easily softened or molded in the hands to fit into the ear canal. They then provide a tight seal to prevent entry of sound.
- Even after being molded, the devices ‘bounce back’ to make them mold into the shape and size of the ear perfectly.
- Silicone earbuds for sleeping with a snorer are good because they are reusable.
- Due to this, they are more durable compared to wax and foam noise-canceling earplugs.
Side effects
Most people complain about silicone earplugs, pointing out that their main disadvantage is stickiness. Some cheap versions can be sticky and will get stuck in your hair easily.
However, you can get non-sticky silicone ear pods, and the best of this type is the PUAroom noise-canceling earplug. It has a 27dB NRR rating with a U-shape design that makes them easy to insert and remove.
This shape makes it easy for one to wear them for hours without any pain or discomfort. There are also no allergic reactions to this device since it is made of non-toxic and hypoallergenic natural, soft silicone material.
Pre-molded earplugs
These come in a fixed size and shape. As such, they come with their own side effects and disadvantages. They are dense and will cause a lot of discomfort to the ear canal because they do not adapt to the size and contour of your ear canal easily.
Premolded earplugs for sleeping may not be the best for wearing over long periods. However, their main advantage is that they provide the best noise reduction quality compared to moldable types.
We would recommend them for construction work noise-cancellation needs as opposed to sleeping next to a snorer.
Reusable earplugs
These ones can be worn several times before being disposed of. They are the best earplugs for sleeping with a snorer if you are looking to get the best value out of your money.
Some wax-made pod mufflers come in this classification while others do not. Most of the silicone types are reusable and are durable compared to foam and wax ones.
The main challenge or concern with this type of ear devices is difficulty in maintaining hygiene. Earplugs can make a good habitat for bacterial especially when they are poorly cleaned. This is a major problem with some foam earplugs since they are porous and provide a good environment for breeding bacteria.
Wearing these without good hygienic practices can cause an ear infection and even hearing damage in the end.
Safety in work environments
Wearing noise-cancellation ear pods in industrial environments can raise some safety concerns, especially if you work in a food processing zone. It is usually a health hazard if the buds fall and get lost in processed food products.
As a safety precaution, some of the earplugs you may find on the market may come with blue cords that go all around the back of your neck to prevent them from getting lost.
Metal detectable plugs
Some devices may come with a small metal ball to make it easier for the metal detection unit in the industry to find them if lost. This is in compliance with food manufacturing and processing industry regulations.
The blue cords and plugs are a standard feature since blue is the one color that is usually classified as a non-food color used in the food industry. I bet you didn’t know that.