Whether you're dealing with a snoring partner or loud equipment at work, earplugs can help block out noise. Typically made from a soft material, earplugs are designed to cover your ear canal. They're meant to be comfortable so that you can wear them for extended periods of time. In fact, many people even sleep with earplugs. They really do make it quieter and they offer a high level of hearing protection. Some earplugs can also help keep water from getting inside your ears. These can help prevent swimmer's ear, and they're another way to protect your eardrums. If you're ready to give earplugs a try, here are some of the best options available in terms of price, comfort, and protection. Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs Protection from WaterYou'll keep your ears safe under water and from loud noises with these multipurpose ear plugs. Best OverallFind on Amazon If you’re looking for a pair of ear plugs that will fit to the contour of your ear, these are a great buy. Made from a soft silicone putty, you can mold these ear plugs to fit exactly over your ear. They’ll form a seal on the outside, so you can safely swim without getting water inside. These ear plugs don’t go into your ear canal, so they are very comfortable for wearing for long periods of time. In this package, you get six pairs of ear plugs. You need to use the entire ear plug, so don’t rip or cut them in half. When you’re ready to put on the ear plug, simple roll the plug into a ball. Then, gently push it onto your ear opening. You want to flatten it, to form the seal. Since these ear plugs don’t actually go inside your ear, you can reuse each pair a couple of times. Throw them away when they’re dirty or no longer stick to your skin. You can typically get about five uses out of each pair, making this a really great deal. Pros They go over the ear and not into the ear canal, so you’re less likely to cause ear drum damage from putting them in too far Made from a BPA free, hypoallergenic material that feels soft on your ear Forms a seal to protect your ear from water and loud noises so you can wear them for different purposes Cons Your hair can easily get stuck in these ear plugs if you wear them at night and roll. It’s best to keep your hair back to prevent waking up to a messy surprise. Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs Soft and Cushy You won't mind wearing these ear plugs since they're so comfortable. Best FoamFind on Amazon Many foam ear plugs come in bright colors that stick out against your skin. But this option is different. They’re a light color, that blends in pretty well so people around you will hardly notice that you’re wearing them. They’re made from a low-pressure comfort foam that feels nice inside your ears. You won’t mind wearing them all night long. And snores aren’t the only thing these ear plugs block. They have a noise reduction rating of 33 decibels, so they are pretty good at protecting your ears. You can wear them to concerts, while riding a motorcycle, while using power tools, or at work. They’re very versatile. You get 50 pairs of ear plugs in this set. They come in a container with a flip-top lid so it’s easy to get a pair out when you need them. Pros Includes 50 ear plugs so this container will last you a while Comfort foam that is cushy inside your ears and doesn’t hurt to wear Good level of hearing protection so they will actually help keep your ears safe around loud noises Cons You don’t get a carrying case with this product, so if you need to bring along a pair of ear plugs on a vacation or something, you’ll need a small container of your own, or you’ll have to bring along the whole pack. Flents Ear Plugs Take Your Ear Plugs with YouNo matter where you're going, you can easily bring along a pair of ear plugs thanks to this travel case. Best for TravelFind on Amazon You never know when you’re going to need a pair of ear plugs when you’re out and about. Whether you’re spending the night at a hotel with loud neighbors, or you’re taking in a last minute concert, it never hurts to have a pair with you. Since these ear plugs come with a convenient carrying case, they’re easy to bring along. In addition to the case, you get ten pairs of ear plugs. It’s a great deal, since the case is reusable. So if you need to buy more, you can buy a bulk size and then reuse the case. These ear plugs are a soft foam and they’re contoured for a more custom fit. They are tapered at the end, so they fit comfortably. They’re really lightweight, so you’ll hardly notice that they’re there. Pros Noise reduction rate of 33 decibels, so they can help block out noise that can cause hearing loss Carrying case that is large enough to hold one pair of ear plugs so you can toss one in your purse or diaper bag and always have hearing protection ready They compress quickly so you can insert them without spending a ton of time waiting on them to block your ears Cons Only the pack of 10 comes with the carrying case, so order accordingly Mack’s Dreamgirl Soft Foam Earplugs Designed for Smaller EarsIf most ear plugs are too large for your ears, these might be a perfect fit. Best for Women Find on Amazon Not all ears are the same. If you find that most ear plugs are too large for your small ears, you aren’t out of luck. You just need a smaller pair of ear plugs, like these. They’re designed with women in mind. They are 20% smaller than traditional ear plugs, but still offer protection and block 30 decibels of noise. These ear plugs feature a hollow, flared design. They are very comfortable to sleep in, even if you sleep on your side. There’s a handy video to show you how to correctly put these ear plugs in. If you’ve never used foam ear plugs before, you should definitely give it a watch. Make sure you read the directions too, since if you don’t put them in correctly, they won’t work. You get 50 pairs of ear plugs in this set. They are a pretty pink color. They come in a plastic container so they stay clean while waiting for you to pull them out. Pros Smaller than most ear plugs so they work well for people with smaller ears without causing pain Hollow design so you can roll them thinner to get a better fit Good price for a pack of 50 ear plugs so you can protect your ears without breaking the bank Cons If your ears aren’t small, these will be ineffective at blocking sound. You need them to fit properly to work. Mpow HP133A Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs 60 Pairs of Ear PlugsYou'll have plenty of soft ear plugs when you buy this bulk package. Best in BulkFind on Amazon If you don’t like buying ear plugs every month, this set is a great option. It comes with 60 pairs of ear plugs, so one container will last you just about two months of every day use. The manufacturer says you can wear them a couple of times before discarding as long as they’re clean and in good condition, so you may get even more use out of them. Even if you don’t, it’s still a great deal. The ear plugs come in a plastic container. You also get a compact carrying case that’s on a key chain for travel. It’s a handy way to bring a pair along. These ear plugs are made from a allergy-free polyurethane foam. They expand well to fit your ears. You’ll hardly notice they’re in, since they’re very comfortable. Pros Set of 60 ear plugs so you will get a lot of ear protection out of each container Comes with an aluminum carrying case that is small enough to easily bring with you, and keeps a pair of ear plugs clean while you’re out and about Fit comfortably in your ear so they don’t feel like they’re pushing your ear drums too much or causing pain Cons The decibel blocking level is described in terms of SNR instead of the US standard of NRR, so you can’t compare the noise reduction as easily from brand to brand without converting. Frequently Asked Questions Can you reuse foam ear plugs? Most foam ear plugs are designed to wear once and then discard. They lose their elasticity as you wear them. That means if you’ve stretched them out to fit into your ear, the next time they won’t expand as far. This could leave your ear without proper protection. Used ear plugs can also harbor earwax and dirt. Putting them back into your ear isn’t a good idea, as it can lead to ear infections. If you must reuse your ear plugs, always clean them between uses and keep your eye on their condition. If they no longer block the noise properly, throw them away and use a new pair. Is it safe to wear ear plugs? Soft ear plugs are considered safe to use. They help protect you from hearing damage and loss. However, if you use them improperly, ear plugs can cause some problems. When inserting an ear plug, make sure you don’t push them in too far. If you do, you risk rupturing your ear drum. If your ear plugs are hurting from insertion, you likely have them in too deep. Take them out and try again, being careful not to go as far in.