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10 Best Earplugs for Sleeping UK 2024

While you probably already knew this, science has recently confirmed that noise adversely affects our sleep quality. This, in turn, can affect our physical and mental health. So, if you’ve got a partner who snores, noisy neighbours that like to do DIY early in the morning, or you live in a highly-populated area with honking horns at all hours, a decent pair of earplugs could be just the fix you need.


Earplugs aren’t the most complicated of purchases, but there are some features worth keeping an eye out for. So, be sure to check out our buying guide before reading through our ranking of the best products to buy at Amazon and eBay. From single-use foam sets to reusable silicone plugs, you'll find the perfect pair on our list!

Last updated 27/03/2024
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Table of Contents

How to Choose Earplugs for Sleeping in the UK - Buying Guide

In this section, we’ll explore the (small) world of earplugs for sleeping. We’ll be comparing the different materials available, getting an understanding of the noise reduction rate, and exploring whether bulk-buying pairs is always better. 

1

Each Material Has Different Qualities in Terms of the Fit and Comfort Level

First up, when it comes to the different materials there are three big hitters: foam, silicone, and wax. Let’s have a look at each one individually and think about their pros and cons. 

Foam Has the Highest Noise Reduction Rating

Foam Has the Highest Noise Reduction Rating

Most earplugs available today are made from memory foam. This material is very effective at reducing noise (we'll look at this in more detail later) and is often the cheapest option. Foam plugs are generally fitted by twisting them so that they become compressed, then placing and holding them inside your ear until they expand to their full size again. 


Unfortunately, some users find that foam earplugs can be uncomfortable if you wear them for long periods of time. The two most common physical problems are a feeling of itchiness and a sensation of pressure in the canal. Also, as foam plugs are only supposed to be worn once, you'll need to buy them frequently or in bulk.

Silicone Won't Intrude on Your Ear Canal

Silicone Won't Intrude on Your Ear Canal

Silicone plugs, also known as mouldable plugs, have been around for quite some time - actually, silicone was the first material to appear on the earplug market! To use these, squeeze them into a little ball and sit them at the top of your ear canal.


This style is typically softer than foam or wax options, plus they're naturally antibacterial so will have a longer lifespan. Furthermore, as they don’t enter the ear canal, they won’t cause any uncomfortable sensations if you’re not too keen on sticking things down your lugholes. 


Silicone plugs do have some downfalls too though. Due to their design, they don't provide as snug a fit as foam, which can lead to them falling out occasionally. Also, they tend to be less effective at blocking out noise.

Wax Is Less Common but Very Comfortable

Wax Is Less Common but Very Comfortable

Last on our list is wax, which is less common than the other two materials that we've mentioned. Wax earplugs are fitted in the same way as silicone ones, so they too avoid entering the ear canal. Instead, they occupy the space just above it. 


While they're comfortable and won't put too much pressure on your ears, wax plugs are prone to falling out. In addition, they have a pretty short life span, so you’ll need to change them more frequently than foam or silicone plugs.

2

Check the Noise Reduction Rate (NRR) to Ensure That Your Earplugs Will Be Effective

Check the Noise Reduction Rate (NRR) to Ensure That Your Earplugs Will Be Effective

Noise Reduction Rate (NRR) is used to determine the effectiveness of items such as earplugs and earmuffs. NRR is measured in dB (decibels) and, as you’d expect, the higher the dB, the less sound you’ll hear. 


The maximum rating is 33dB - while some companies will claim that their product can reach 34 or 35, this is usually through a combination of muffs and plugs, not just a single product. 


When it comes to finding the right product for you, it all depends on how loud the sounds that you're trying to block out are. If you want to avoid being woken up by outside noises like the odd dog walker in the morning, a dB in the mid-20s should be sufficient. Those with partners who snore so loud that it sounds like a bumblebee getting sucked into a black hole, however, should look for something with a higher dB!

3

Think About How Many Pairs You Want to Purchase

Think About How Many Pairs You Want to Purchase
Source:amazon.co.uk

The last thing to consider is how many of these handy little accessories you want to buy. You can pick them up in a single pack or a batch of 60 pairs, it's totally up to you!

 
All we would recommend is that if you’re new to using earplugs, it's probably worth starting off with smaller packs until you find the right ones for you. While you'll save money by buying in bulk, you don’t want to be stuck with tons of earplugs that you find uncomfortable!

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Top 10 Best Earplugs for Sleeping in the UK

Now that you know what you should be looking for, here are our top earplug recommendations! There's a range of styles, including reusable and mouldable options, so there should definitely be something for everyone on our list.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Mighty Plugs

The World's Finest Natural Earplugs

Mighty Plugs The World's Finest Natural Earplugs 1

£9.50

Mid

Truly the World's Finest Earplugs!

2

Howard Leight

Max-1 Foam Earplugs

Howard Leight Max-1 Foam Earplugs 1

£4.29

Low Mid

Impressive Noise Reduction and an Innovative Design

3

Radians

Custom Moulded Earplugs

Radians Custom Moulded Earplugs 1

£29.34

High Mid

Supreme Comfort That Should Last a Long Time

4

Mpow

Soft Foam Earplugs

Mpow Soft Foam Earplugs 1

£11.99

High Mid

By Far The Most Economical Option

5

BioEars

Soft Silicone Earplugs

BioEars Soft Silicone Earplugs 1

£5.99

Mid

Plugs With a Prolonged Lifespan, Thanks to Special Ingredients

6

Blox

Natural Wax Earplugs

Blox Natural Wax Earplugs 1

£7.25

Mid

Supple, Adaptable Plugs Made From Natural Materials

7

Flents

Quiet Please Foam Earplugs

Flents Quiet Please Foam Earplugs 1

£42.99

High

Great Value and Surprisingly Malleable

8

Mack's

Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Ear Plugs

Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Ear Plugs 1

£4.95

Low Mid

Designed for Swimmers but Brilliant for Everyone

9

Ohropax

Wax Earplugs

Ohropax  Wax Earplugs 1

£5.92

Mid

Wax Plugs From a Classic Company

10

Hush Plugz

Silicone Earplugs

Hush Plugz Silicone Earplugs 1

£2.99

Low

A Versatile Pack That's Very Affordable

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Mighty PlugsThe World's Finest Natural Earplugs

The World's Finest Natural Earplugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£9.50
Mid
Reference price
£9.50
Mid

Truly the World's Finest Earplugs!

When it comes to finding the best earplugs around, it’s hard to argue with Mighty Plugs' claim that their product is "The World’s Finest"! Not only do these plugs have an amazing NRR, but they’re also extremely comfortable due to their malleability


That’s not all though - they have a long life span too, due to the use of natural beeswax. Plus, this material makes them hypoallergenic, so you won't need to worry about ear infections. They're a little pricey for one pair, but can you really put a price on a good night’s sleep? We say these plugs are worth the few extra quid!

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No.2

Howard LeightMax-1 Foam Earplugs

Max-1 Foam Earplugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£4.29
Low Mid
Reference price
£4.29
Low Mid

Impressive Noise Reduction and an Innovative Design

The Max-1 Foam earplugs from Howard Leight have a slightly different design from the average foam earplug - instead of being tubular, they're bell-shaped. This means that they fit naturally around the contours of the ear canal, making them less likely to cause the wearer irritation.


As you’d expect from foam plugs, these have a high noise reduction rating, blocking out an impressive 33dB. There are also various pack sizes available, so while we’ve opted for the single pack, you can buy bundles containing up to 200 pairs!

No.3

RadiansCustom Moulded Earplugs

Custom Moulded Earplugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£29.34
High Mid
Reference price
£29.34
High Mid

Supreme Comfort That Should Last a Long Time

If you're looking for comfort over noise reduction, then you'll definitely want to try these customisable earplugs from Radians. They come with easy-to-follow instructions to help your new purchase mould perfectly to your ear shape in around 10 minutes. 


Made from silicone, the NRR of these plugs is around 26dB. They're a bit expensive, but we think they're worth the investment - as well as being non-toxic and hypoallergenic, they can be washed, so they'll last you a while!

No.4

MpowSoft Foam Earplugs

Soft Foam Earplugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Soft Foam Earplugs 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£11.99
High Mid
Reference price
£11.99
High Mid

By Far The Most Economical Option

The first thing to be aware of when considering these earplugs is their high NRR rating, which the brand states is 34dB. While this may not quite be the case, due to factors that we mentioned earlier, the fact that they're made from foam and have many favourable reviews means they must do a decent job!


Another feature we like is that you can get 60 pairs for just over £10 - this means each set comes in at less than 20p per nap! So, even though you'll still need to re-purchase them, they shouldn't break the bank.

No.5

BioEarsSoft Silicone Earplugs

Soft Silicone Earplugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Soft Silicone Earplugs 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£5.99
Mid
Reference price
£5.99
Mid

Plugs With a Prolonged Lifespan, Thanks to Special Ingredients

BioEars are one of the best-selling options on Amazon and have received over 3,000 positive reviews! They have a soft silicone design that's infused with ACTIValoe antimicrobial protection, which keeps them in good condition for longer. 


These plugs have an NRR of 23dB and come with a carry case. We particularly like that they're available in various pack sizes - this means you can try them without committing to a large purchase before knowing how they perform!

No.6

BloxNatural Wax Earplugs

Natural Wax Earplugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Natural Wax Earplugs 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£7.25
Mid
Reference price
£7.25
Mid

Supple, Adaptable Plugs Made From Natural Materials

Belgian brand Blox started their journey to providing quality ear protection in 2007 and have since become one of the best companies in the market. They produce a wide range of plugs for all occasions, but we've opted for their natural wax ones. 


These plugs are made using beeswax and cotton, meaning that they're supple and adaptable. Although they offer optimal comfort and do reduce background noise, their NRR is a little low so they may not work for everyone.

No.7

FlentsQuiet Please Foam Earplugs

Quiet Please Foam Earplugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Quiet Please Foam Earplugs 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£42.99
High
Reference price
£42.99
High

Great Value and Surprisingly Malleable

Upon first inspection, these earplugs from Flents have a small cylindrical design with flat ends but they're surprisingly soft and malleable. Simply squeeze them before placing them into the ear canal where they'll slowly expand.


The box comes with 50 pairs, so they work out at just under £1 per snooze. But, as with all plugs made from this material, you're going to need to re-purchase them frequently, due to their short life span. 

No.8

Mack'sPillow Soft Silicone Putty Ear Plugs

Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Ear Plugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Ear Plugs 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Ear Plugs 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£4.95
Low Mid
Reference price
£4.95
Low Mid

Designed for Swimmers but Brilliant for Everyone

Using an exclusive formula that's both non-toxic and hypoallergenic, these putty plugs are wondefully comfy. Originally designed in the 1960s for swimmers, they've become a go-to for people from all walks of life who struggle with sleeping.


The pack comes with 6 pairs and a carry case, should you need to take them with you on a trip. The NRR is a little on the low side, so they'll probably be better for light sleepers who want to block out a moderate amount of noise, rather than those living in a city centre with constant sirens. 

No.9

Ohropax Wax Earplugs

Wax Earplugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£5.92
Mid
Reference price
£5.92
Mid

Wax Plugs From a Classic Company

Ohropax has been in the game a long time, so they know a thing or two about keeping noise out! These plugs are made from wax and will mould nicely to your ears. Plus, they're reusable, so this will make them a more economical choice over time. 


That said, some customers have found that the consistency of the wax is a little oily or sticky. This means people with longer hair might find that it gets stuck to the plugs!

No.10

Hush PlugzSilicone Earplugs

Silicone Earplugs 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Silicone Earplugs 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£2.99
Low
Reference price
£2.99
Low

A Versatile Pack That's Very Affordable

The first pair of trusty plugs in our list are from Hush Plugz. This 7-pack is ideal for various situations alongside sleeping, such as travelling and swimming, which makes them a versatile option. Plus, they're excellent value for money, as they come in at under £3.


There is one issue though - the company doesn't provide information about the NRR. Therefore, we're unable to get a good understanding of how much noise they will block out. Still, for the price, they're surely worth a go!

More Snooze-Worthy Accessories to Help You Sleep Better

More Snooze-Worthy Accessories to Help You Sleep Better

It can be hard to fall asleep if you don't have the right snoozing aids! Check out our favourite pillows and more sleep-tastic accessories that'll help you to drift off comfortably in no time...

Summary

Buying the perfect pair of earplugs for sleeping can be tricky but even if the first or second set you try doesn't quite block everything out, you shouldn't give up looking! Luckily, they're not too much of an expense, so we're sure with a bit of persistence you'll be able to find your ideal fit. Here's to a great night's sleep!


Author: Lewis Clark

Top 5 Earplugs for Sleeping

No. 1: Mighty PlugsThe World's Finest Natural Earplugs

No. 2: Howard LeightMax-1 Foam Earplugs

No. 3: RadiansCustom Moulded Earplugs

No. 4: MpowSoft Foam Earplugs

No. 5: BioEarsSoft Silicone Earplugs

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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