Earplugs for sleeping come in three types, and the type matters more than the brand: foam plugs, silicone putty and wax pillows shaped by hand, and reusable silicone plugs with swappable tips. We compared seven earplugs sold on Amazon Australia across all three, using each listing's own words for noise reduction, pack size and fit, with every figure quoted exactly as the listing states it.
Best earplugs for sleeping overall: Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs
Best earplugs for sleeping overall: the Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs, because the soft mouldable silicone putty moulds to the contours of any ear, the listing names sleeping and snoring among its uses, and more than 37,000 buyers rate the six pair pack 4.4 stars.
The listing calls these the original mouldable silicone ear plugs and describes a soft silicone putty that moulds very comfortably to the unique contours of any ear. It lists them for sleeping, snoring, swimming, bathing, studying and travel, gives a Noise Reduction Rating of 22 decibels, and the pack is six pairs. They hold 4.4 stars from more than 37,000 ratings, the most of any mouldable plug here.
It suits anyone who wants a mouldable plug rather than foam, and couples where one partner snores, since the listing names snoring among its uses. The honest catch: 22 dB is the lowest noise reduction figure stated on this page, well under the 32 dB of the Mack's Ultra Soft foam, and six pairs is a small pack next to the 50 pair foam packs.
Best bulk foam earplugs: Mack's Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs
Best bulk foam earplugs: the Mack's Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs, because the listing states the highest noise reduction figure on this page, 32 decibels NRR, and more than 50,000 ratings make it the most reviewed earplug we compared.
The listing describes Safesound Ultra earplugs moulded from super low pressure, skinned and tapered foam, which it says provides unmatched comfort and improved hygiene, and lists sleeping, snoring, travel, concerts, studying, loud noise and work as uses. The pack holds 50 pairs. The rating is 4.4 from more than 50,000 ratings, though that count appears to be shared across the Mack's Ultra Soft pack sizes.
It suits the nightly wearer who sleeps beside a snorer or a busy road. The honest catch: 50 pairs is a lot of foam for the odd noisy night, and the listing names no ear size, while the Slim Fit is the one designed about 20 per cent smaller for small or sensitive ear canals.
Best soft foam earplugs from a second brand: Ohropax Soft Foam Plugs
Best soft foam earplugs from a second brand: the Ohropax Soft Foam Plugs, because they are the highest rated plug on this page at 4.5 stars, and a pack of ten is the lowest priced way here to find out whether you can sleep in earplugs at all.
The listing is short: the title names them Ohropax Soft Foam Plugs in a pack of ten, and the single feature line calls them a silicone foam plug in size medium. Ohropax is the one foam brand here that is not Mack's, and the plugs hold 4.5 stars from more than 7,300 ratings, the highest score on the page.
It suits a first try at sleeping with earplugs, a travel bag, and anyone who wants a foam plug that is not a Mack's. The honest catch: ten plugs is a small pack, the listing states no noise reduction figure of its own, and it names only one size, medium.
Best reusable earplugs for sleeping: Loop Quiet 2
Best reusable earplugs for sleeping: the Loop Quiet 2, because one easy to clean silicone set with four tip sizes replaces a jar of foam, and the listing rates it at up to 24 dB SNR.
The listing describes a flexible silicone earplug packing up to 24 dB SNR of noise reduction, and calls the fit comfortable day and night, even for side sleepers. The box holds one set of earplugs, four sets of ear tips in XS, S, M and L with medium fitted, and a carry case. The listing says they are easy to clean and built to last. The rating is 4.2 from more than 34,000 ratings, shared across the Quiet 2 colours.
It suits anyone who wants to stop buying foam, and smaller ears, since the listing says the tip sizes fit even smaller ears. The honest catch: 4.2 stars is the lowest rating on this page, and it is one set with spare tips rather than a pack of spare plugs.
Best earplugs for small ears and side sleepers: Mack's Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs
Best earplugs for small ears and side sleepers: the Mack's Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs, because the listing designs them about 20 per cent smaller than Mack's standard foam plugs for small or sensitive ear canals and calls them great for side sleeping.
The listing describes small ear plugs designed about 20 per cent smaller than Mack's standard sized foam earplugs, moulded from super low pressure, skinned and tapered, slow release foam, with a Noise Reduction Rating of 29 decibels. It names sleeping, snoring, studying, power tools and travel among the uses, and the 50 pairs come in a plastic jar with a flip open top. They are rated 4.4 from more than 11,900 ratings, a count shared with the smaller Slim Fit pack.
It suits anyone with small or sensitive ear canals, which the listing names, and side sleepers who prefer foam to putty. The honest catch: the smaller plug gives up a little on paper, 29 dB against 32 dB for the full size Ultra Soft, and it is still a 50 pair jar.
Best wax earplugs for sleeping: Peace and Quiet PQ Wax Ear Plugs
Best wax earplugs for sleeping: the Peace and Quiet PQ Wax Ear Plugs, because each soft wax pillow is shaped by hand for a low profile fit the listing designs for side sleepers, and each pillow can be split in half to stretch 15 pillows to up to 150 uses.
The listing describes soft wax ear plugs that help reduce surrounding noise from snoring, traffic, neighbours and everyday sounds, shaped by hand for a personalised, low profile fit. It says they are designed for adults, kids, small ears and side sleepers, that each of the 15 mouldable pillows can be divided in half, and that a compact carrying case is included. They are rated 4.3 from more than 8,400 ratings.
It suits side sleepers who like the putty style but want a pack that lasts, and families, since the listing names kids and small ears. The honest catch: the listing gives no noise reduction figure to set against the foam picks, and like the Mack's putty it is a mouldable plug rather than one you simply push in.
Best earplugs with multiple tip sizes: OPEIIN Silicone Sleeping Earplugs
Best earplugs with multiple tip sizes: the OPEIIN Silicone Sleeping Earplugs, because the pack comes with eight tips in XS, S, M and L, four sizes the listing says to choose according to your ear canal, and it claims a maximum noise reduction of 28 dB SNR.
The listing describes lightweight, soft silicone earplugs with four ear tip sizes to choose according to your ear canal, a maximum noise reduction effect of 28 dB, and a reusable design it calls easy to clean and durable. It contrasts them with disposable earplugs as the more economical choice over time, and the title names eight tips across the four sizes. They hold 4.3 stars from more than 4,700 ratings.
It suits anyone unsure which tip size they need. The honest catch: it has the smallest rating count on this page, under 5,000, and the 28 dB figure is stated as a maximum.
How to choose earplugs for sleeping
The seven picks side by side, from the listings
| Pick | Type | Noise reduction as listed | Pack | Rating |
|---|
| Mack's Pillow Soft | Mouldable silicone putty | 22 dB NRR | 6 pairs | 4.4 from 37,265 |
| Mack's Ultra Soft | Foam | 32 dB NRR | 50 pairs | 4.4 from 50,073 |
| Ohropax Soft Foam Plugs | Silicone foam, medium | Not stated | 10 plugs | 4.5 from 7,316 |
| Loop Quiet 2 | Reusable silicone, tips XS to L | Up to 24 dB SNR | 1 set with carry case | 4.2 from 34,318 |
| Mack's Slim Fit | Foam, about 20 per cent smaller | 29 dB NRR | 50 pairs | 4.4 from 11,950 |
| PQ Wax | Mouldable silicone wax | Not stated | 15 pillows, up to 150 uses | 4.3 from 8,420 |
| OPEIIN | Reusable silicone, tips XS to L | 28 dB SNR maximum | 1 set, 8 tips | 4.3 from 4,774 |
Foam, putty or wax: choose the type first
Foam plugs, the Mack's Ultra Soft, Slim Fit and Ohropax, are moulded foam. Putty and wax, the Mack's Pillow Soft and the PQ pillows, are shaped by hand and mould to the contours of the ear; the PQ listing names side sleepers, and the Mack's putty listing names sleeping and snoring. Reusable silicone plugs, the Loop Quiet 2 and OPEIIN, keep one body and swap the tips.
Read the noise reduction figure the way the listing gives it
Mack's quotes NRR: 32 decibels for Ultra Soft, 29 for Slim Fit and 22 for Pillow Soft. Loop and OPEIIN quote SNR: up to 24 dB for the Quiet 2 and a 28 dB maximum for OPEIIN. The Ohropax and PQ listings give no figure. NRR and SNR are different test scales, so compare NRR figures with NRR figures and SNR with SNR. No earplug here cancels noise electronically; every one of them blocks it.
Side sleepers, small ears and sharing a pack
Three listings name side sleeping: the Slim Fit, about 20 per cent smaller than Mack's standard sized foam earplugs, the PQ wax pillows with their low profile fit, and the Loop Quiet 2. For small ears, the Slim Fit listing names small or sensitive ear canals, the PQ listing names small ears, and the Loop and OPEIIN sets include XS tips. Anyone unsure of their ear size is best served by a set with tips, since the foam listings name no tip sizes.
How many nights a pack covers
The two Mack's foam packs hold 50 pairs each, the most pairs here. The Ohropax pack of ten and the Mack's putty six pair pack are the smaller packs here. The PQ listing stretches 15 pillows to up to 150 uses by splitting each in half. The Loop Quiet 2 and OPEIIN are one set each, listed as reusable and easy to clean.
What to pair earplugs with
Earplugs block sound at the ear, and a white noise machine covers sounds in the room, so the two do different jobs. If light wakes you as much as noise, our sleep mask guide covers the other half of the problem, and if the noise is a snoring partner, our bed wedge guide compares wedge pillows, with snoring among its uses.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best earplugs for sleeping with a snorer?
Go by the listed noise reduction. Mack's Ultra Soft foam gives the highest figure here, 32 decibels NRR, and its listing names snoring. The Mack's Pillow Soft putty lists snoring too at 22 dB, and the PQ wax pillows name snoring among the sounds they help reduce.
Which earplugs are best for side sleepers?
Three listings name side sleeping. Mack's Slim Fit foam is about 20 per cent smaller than Mack's standard sized foam earplugs and the listing calls it great for side sleeping. The PQ wax pillows are shaped by hand for a low profile fit designed for side sleepers, and the Loop Quiet 2 listing describes comfort even for side sleepers.
What are the best reusable earplugs for sleeping?
The Loop Quiet 2 is the reusable pick: flexible silicone, four tip sizes, easy to clean and built to last, rated up to 24 dB SNR. The OPEIIN set is the other reusable option, with eight tips. Mack's putty and PQ wax are mouldable packs, with PQ giving up to 150 uses from 15 pillows.
Are there noise cancelling earplugs for sleeping?
Earplugs reduce noise by blocking the ear, not by cancelling it electronically, so the search means the highest listed noise reduction figure. Mack's Ultra Soft foam states 32 decibels NRR and Mack's Slim Fit 29 NRR. The reusable picks quote the SNR scale instead: a 28 dB maximum for OPEIIN and up to 24 dB for the Loop Quiet 2.
What is the difference between foam, silicone putty and wax earplugs?
Foam plugs such as Mack's Ultra Soft are moulded foam. Silicone putty, Mack's Pillow Soft, moulds to the contours of the ear by hand. PQ wax pillows are shaped by hand too, and each splits in half to stretch the pack. Reusable silicone plugs like the Loop Quiet 2 keep one body and swap the tips.
Are Loop earplugs good for sleeping?
The Loop Quiet 2 is the Loop model whose listing is written for sleep: flexible silicone, up to 24 dB SNR, four tip sizes and comfort day and night. It is rated 4.2 from more than 34,000 ratings, lower than the Mack's picks. The other Loop models we checked are listed for concerts and day wear, not sleep.
Are custom moulded earplugs worth it for sleeping?
Custom plugs are made to an impression of your ear, usually by a hearing clinic, and none of the picks here are custom. Three picks offer a fit choice without an impression: Mack's Pillow Soft putty moulds by hand to the contours of any ear, and the Loop Quiet 2 and OPEIIN sets include tips from XS to L.
Which sleeping earplugs have the best reviews?
By rating count, Mack's Ultra Soft foam leads with more than 50,000 ratings at 4.4 stars, then Mack's Pillow Soft putty on more than 37,000 at 4.4. By score, the Ohropax Soft Foam Plugs are highest at 4.5 from more than 7,300. The Loop Quiet 2 is the most rated reusable plug but scores lowest at 4.2.
