The 10 Best Earplugs For Concerts

For most fans, the Loop Experience 2 Plus is the simplest way to turn a loud show down without losing the music. The ring-shaped body twists into place and stays put while you dance. Soft silicone tips come in four sizes, foam tips seal tighter, and small add-on inserts bring extra quiet when you end up near the speakers. Your own voice can sound boomy with them in, and the silicone tips wear out within months.

If you care most about how the band sounds, the Eargasm High Fidelity earplugs are a strong choice. HearAdvisor, a hearing lab that scores earplugs, found they turn sound down more evenly than any other pair it rated, so vocals, bass and cymbals stay in balance. Two shell sizes come in a metal keychain tube, and the shells can last years with cleaning. They run large for some ears, and the filters are fiddly to swap.

Players and singers get the most control from the Alpine MusicSafe Pro, which ships with three pairs of swappable filters, from a light cut for rehearsals to a strong one for a loud stage. The tips use a soft plastic instead of silicone, a plus if silicone bothers your skin. A zip pouch, a cord and a cleaning spray come in the box. High notes can sound a little dull, and some ears tire of them over a long gig.

Fans who stand by the stage or spend nights in loud clubs should look at the EarPeace Music, whose strongest filter is rated to cut up to 26 decibels. The kit includes three filter sets, so you can start mild and step up as the night gets louder. The silicone is very soft, which helps over a long set. Tips come in small and medium only, and at the strongest setting music loses some sparkle.

The Loop Switch 2 suits people who move between loud and quiet spots in one night. A small dial on each plug flips between three levels, from a lighter mode for talking with friends to a quiet mode for the loudest moments, and you never have to take them out. Four tip sizes and a slimmer body than the first version help the fit. Some people with small ears find it sore after a few hours.

Two pairs in one box make the Hearprotek Concert Ear Plugs a smart buy for couples, or for anyone who tends to lose things. Each pair is a different size, and the maker rates them to cut about 20 decibels. A metal case with a clip, plus a cord, keeps them handy at a festival. There's no large size, and the simple filter leaves music sounding a little flat.

With clear stems and white tips that sit deep in the ear, the Vibes High Fidelity earplugs are hard for anyone to spot. They're light and comfortable through a long day at a festival, and three tip sizes cover most ears. A small metal case keeps the pair together between sets. Cymbals and high voices lose some detail, the tiny plugs are easy to drop in the dark, and the tips need replacing every few months.

Budget shoppers who want real music plugs instead of foam can start with the DownBeats Reusable set. Clear silicone tips hold a small filter rated to cut about 18 decibels, and a bright blue metal case clips onto your keys. They wash clean and hold up to show after show. Comfort fades after a few hours for many people, and some find them tricky to pull out or too big for small ears.

The Earasers 19dB plugs are for people who want a light cut and natural sound, such as drummers and players in quieter bands. The soft, clear body sits almost flush in the ear, and the filter trims harsh high tones more than bass. Each pack holds one size, so check the maker's sizing chart before you order. Average protection is modest, so they aren't enough for a long, very loud show.

People with small ear canals often fight with stemmed plugs, and the Alpine Tune answers that with soft oval tips in four sizes, starting at extra small. The shiny shell looks more like jewelry than hearing protection, and the maker rates it to cut about 19 decibels. It's made in the Netherlands and comes with a keychain case. It's a new design, so there's little long-term evidence yet on how the tips hold up.