The 10 Best Earplugs

For blocking a snoring partner or a noisy street at night, Mack's Ultra Soft foam plugs are hard to beat. They carry a rating of 33, the top of the scale for earplugs, and a jar of 50 pairs lasts a long time. Roll each plug thin, slide it in and hold it while the slow foam swells to seal. They're made in the U.S. Foam turns grimy fast, so toss each pair after a few nights.

Side sleepers who can't stand foam often settle on the Loop Quiet 2. It's a soft silicone plug with a small ring that rests in the outer ear, and the box holds four tip sizes, including an extra small for narrow canals. You wash it and wear it again for months. It blocks less than well-fitted foam, so heavy snoring can still get through, and your own chewing and voice sound boomy while it's in.

Concertgoers who want the band to sound clear, only quieter, should look at the Eargasm High Fidelity. A small filter in each plug lowers the volume evenly, so vocals and bass stay balanced, and HearAdvisor's lab scores place it near the top of its earplug rankings. It comes with a standard and a small shell, plus a metal case for a keyring. Seating the plugs takes practice, and the standard shells can feel big.

The Loop Experience 2 takes the edge off bars, gyms, games and loud commutes while leaving voices easy to follow. A mesh filter in the nozzle trims volume without the stuffed-up feel of foam, and four tip sizes help it stay put while you dance. Loop sells it as certified hearing protection, but its rating is modest, so skip it for power tools or sleep. The firm ring can press into the ear on a pillow.

Built for jobsites, the Howard Leight Laser Lite comes in bright yellow and magenta so a supervisor can spot it across the shop. Its flared base gives your fingers something to grip, and a smooth outer skin sheds dirt better than open foam. It's rated NRR 32 and runs on the small side, yet it expands enough to seal larger canals. The loud colors won't suit anyone who wants to blend in, and each pair is meant for one use.

Rather than going into the canal, Mack's Pillow Soft putty is pressed over the ear opening like a soft seal. That suits swimmers, people who hate anything deep in the ear, and side sleepers who want nothing poking out, and Mack's says it's safe with ear tubes. Each piece molds to your ear and can be reused a few times. It blocks less than foam, and once handled it picks up lint and can stick in hair.

If regular foam plugs ache or pop out, try Mack's Slim Fit. Mack's makes them about 10 percent smaller than its standard foam, which helps small or sensitive canals, and the slow, soft foam is gentle enough for many people to sleep on their side. They still carry a strong rating of 31. The smaller body gives up a little blocking, and like any foam they turn grubby and need replacing often.

What sets EarPeace Music plugs apart is the choice of filters: three strengths come in the box, so you can go light at a quiet club and heavy near the speakers. The clear silicone barely shows, two plug sizes are included, and everything fits in a small metal case with a clip. The filters are tiny and easy to drop in the dark, and they cut highs more than lows, so cymbals can sound a little dull.

Musicians and fans who don't want their ear protection noticed tend to pick Vibes High Fidelity plugs. The clear shell sits low in the ear, so it's hard to see from a few feet away, and small, medium and large tips come in the box. A filter lowers the volume while keeping speech understandable. The protection is light, fine for a show or a loud bar but not for a gun range or a chainsaw.

One pair for a whole day is the idea behind the Loop Switch 2. A small dial on each plug moves between three settings: one for naps and quiet focus, one that keeps conversation clear, and one for live music. Four tip sizes and a padded case come with it. It's pricey for earplugs, and even its quietest setting lets in more sound than well-fitted foam, so it's no substitute for that on a loud night.