Best Earplugs for Hearing Protection (2026)

The Loop Quiet 2 look almost identical to the Loop Experience earplugs, but there are two crucial differences: With no acoustic filter, they’re able to block out more noise — 24 decibels instead of 18 — and they’re made entirely of soft silicone, including a circular protrusion that’s located almost at right angles to the interchangeable tip. This means that the silicone earplugs fit perfectly into the conch of your ear, perfectly flush with your head, so when you lie on your side, there is very little force applied to the earplug and also less chance of it accidentally falling out. This makes the Loop Quiet 2 earplugs the most comfortable for sleeping.

The loop itself is made of silicone, but is solid enough that it is easy to put the earplugs in or out. They feel nice and comfortable when they are in place without giving you that uncomfortable feeling that comes with some pairs. You get four different sized sets of ear tips (although changing the ear tips can be a pain), and everything can be washed in warm water. It also comes in four colors, so you can match it with your bed sheets. —Parker Hall

When I went to see my wife’s favorite band, the opening act was a metal duo with full sets of speakers. I got some foam earplugs from the bar, but I would have been much better off if I had Earpeace Music Pros on my keychain.

The NPR backed earplugs fit perfectly in my ears and come with a small aluminum carrying case. They’re very comfortable and can pull out a powerful 13 decibels of annoying signals – often the difference between some hearing damage and no damage – in a way that doesn’t suck all the loud noises out of the audio. Don’t just take my word for it. Legendary NPR music critic Bob Boylen says he’s worn his outfit to thousands of shows. —Parker Hall

Photo: Lauren Strampe

Intercourse

High fidelity earplugs

These extremely comfortable earplugs can reduce noise by up to 22dB, and will not irritate your ears even if you wear them for 18 hours at a time. The silicone shell is easy to clean, and you get three sizes to ensure a proper in-ear fit, plus a handy metal keychain bag where you can store them. I often wear them to some of the loudest bass music festivals in the world, and they do a good job of filtering out extreme highs and lows without muffling the sounds I paid for. My only complaint is that the silicone caps can turn yellow over time, but the dimmers on my older pair still work after five years. —Lauren Strampe

I keep it on my keychain and wear it almost every weekend, whether I’m watching dubstep or streaming live. I love them. They’re small, almost look like jewelry when placed in my ears, and remain comfortable once seated correctly (which has a bit of a learning curve, so try them out at home before heading to a show). I like how visible they are when I wear them, which serves the purpose of educating young people about the importance of hearing protection and Prevent my friends from thinking I’m ignoring them when I can’t really hear them. I also like the limited edition Swarovski model, but be aware that the metal can be quite cold if the environment is cold (and they are often sold out). I also like that the included case opens, which is easier to use if you’re in a crowd trying to cram your hearing protection in compared to a metal case that comes loose. I’ve handed over two pairs of these earplugs to my friends and they have echoed my approval. —Lauren Strampe

These earplugs from Loop look like the brand’s other donut-shaped buds, but with a special trick up their sleeve. You can switch the outside of each bud between three modes to reduce shifting sound. You can switch between a lot, a little, and almost no noise, which makes it great for live festivals, where performers can vary in volume from “a little loud” to “Dear Lord, I may never hear again.” I also like that they are light and comfortable, with easy-to-clean silicone ear tips and plastic outer shells. You can also get them in cute colors like blue and salmon pink.