Sleep and Dreaming The 7 Best Earplugs for Sleeping of 2022 Cancel out the noise with Bose Sleepbuds II By Emily Abbate Emily Abbate Twitter Emily Abbate is a wellness writer for Verywell Mind. She also hosts Hurdle, a podcast where she interviews elite athletes and CEOs alike. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 06, 2023 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Akeem Marsh, MD Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD LinkedIn Twitter Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. There’s no arguing about the benefits of quality sleep. People who skip on sleep are much more likely to be stressed than a person who’s had a full night’s rest, and research has shown that better—not necessarily longer—sleep is associated with superior cognitive function, including better memory, learning, and overall mood. Even short periods of sleep, like naps, can help reduce fatigue and may improve one’s mood and task performance. Reviewed & Approved The Bose Sleepbuds II combine passive noise blocking with noise-masking technology, get up to 10 hours on a single charge, and connect to the Bose Sleep app to deliver extra features. For a pink noise option, the Soundoff Sleep Noise Masking Earbuds. It’s no wonder why we’re seeing more and more earplugs for sleeping (and technical advancements for them) on the market. The type of earplugs and sizing options are factors that can help you make a smart purchase. Whether you live in a busy city with excess street noise or simply share your bed with a partner who snores, the right earplugs can help reduce the impact of extra sound on your sleep. Based on our reviews, here are the best earplugs on the market for sleeping. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Bose Sleepbuds II at Amazon Jump to Review Best Pink Noise: Soundoff Sleep Noise Masking Earbuds at Soundoffsleep.com Jump to Review Best for Active Noise Cancellation: QuietOn Active Noise Canceling Earbuds at Quieton.com Jump to Review Best No Frills: Flents Ear Plugs NRR 33 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Non-Intrusive: Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs at Amazon Jump to Review Best For Smaller Ears: Eargrace Noise Reduction Earplugs at Amazon Jump to Review Best Fitting Pick: Howard Leight by Honeywell Laser Lite Foam Earplugs at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Bose Sleepbuds II 4.5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Bose.com View On Guitarcenter.com What We Like 90-night risk-free trial Pairs with easy-to-use app Features Bose Sound Library, including sounds to sleep by What We Don't Like Expensive Must play a noise-masking sound Bose is one of the top players in the audio game, creating everything from speakers and home theater systems to headphones. It was only a matter of time until they got into the sleep space. These Sleepbuds combine what they call passive noise blocking with noise-masking sounds to help users fall asleep faster, according to a University of Colorado study. The Sleepbuds II gets up to 10 hours on a single charge, and an additional three charges inside the charging storage case. They also tote an auto on/off feature to help preserve that battery life over time, and users can set an alarm using the Bose Sleep app. Ear Piece: Earbud with three size tips | Battery Life: 10 hours Best Pink Noise Soundoff Sleep Noise Masking Earbuds 4.4 SoundOff View On Soundoffsleep.com What We Like Improved comfort tips Specifically designed for those that sleep with snorers What We Don't Like Charging case is not wireless SoundOff Sleep Noise Masking Earbuds play pink noise, proven by researchers to relax the brain and help a person sleep better. The brand describes this sound similar to those occurring in nature, like the rustling of leaves, rainfall, or a waterfall. Choose one of the six different volume settings that suits you and your comfort level for optimal shuteye. Ear piece: Single size earbud | Battery Life: 16 hours Verywell Health / Jennifer May What is pink noise? Similar to white noise, pink noise is a type of sound that contains all frequencies. However, what distinguishes it and makes it easier on the ears is that higher frequency (higher pitched) sounds are less intense. A study of pink noise on sleep showed "significant enhancement" of "stable sleep time".Common pink noise sounds come from nature, including the sound of waves crashing on a beach, rustling leaves, and rainfall. Best for Active Noise Cancellation QuietOn Active Noise Canceling Earbuds Courtesy of Amazon View On Quieton.com What We Like Small size More comfortable than other options What We Don't Like No alarm feature No app These noise reduction headphones are advertised to be effective to block out ambient sounds coming through walls, airplane cabin noises, and snoring. Unlike other options on our list, this pick is not bluetooth enabled and there is no additional sound broadcast. Users can also upgrade with additional accessories, including memory or comply foam tips, as well as QuietOn’s sleep mask. One hour of charging time restores the headphones to full battery. Ear Piece: Earbud with three size tips | Battery Life: 20 hours Verywell Health / Ashley Craiger Verywell Health / Ashley Craiger Verywell Health / Ashley Craiger Verywell Health / Ashley Craiger Best No Frills Flents Ear Plugs NRR 33 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Affordable Highest Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) for earplugs What We Don't Like Degree of noise reduction depends on proper insertion Single-use Not only geared toward sleep, these classic soft foam earplugs have a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 33, which is the highest available for earplugs and impressive considering these are without fancy noise-blocking tech. Simply pinch the foam, insert the earplug, and let it expand to fill your ear canal to block out noise. Foam earplugs are meant to be single-use items, so they aren't the most sustainable option. Ear piece: Single-use foam | Battery Life: N/A Best Non-Intrusive Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS What We Like Silicone material molds well What We Don't Like Not made specifically with sleep in mind Only molds to outer ear canal If you wore earplugs when you were younger to get into the pool, they were probably something like these. Made of soft, moldable silicone, these earplugs are made to specifically fit the contours of your ear. They are rated to reduce noise by 22 dB, so they won't cancel noise as well as some other options. Ear piece: Silicon molds to outer ear | Battery Life: N/A Verywell Health / Jess Hoffert Verywell Health / Jess Hoffert Verywell Health / Jess Hoffert Best For Smaller Ears Eargrace Noise Reduction Earplugs for Sleeping Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart What We Like Ear hooks for secure fit Washable and reusable Convenient storage bag included What We Don't Like Not ideal for bigger ears Modeled in the shape of the human ear canal, these plugs from Eargrace were made to seal into the ear canal tightly to be more effective at blocking outside noise. The package includes three different sets of earplugs in different sizes, so different members of the family can find their perfect fit. And you can sleep soundly as these earplugs are rated to reduce noise by 31 dB. Ear piece: Three pairs of earbuds | Battery Life: N/A Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin Reveals Her 10 Favorite Stress Relief Products Best Fitting Pick Howard Leight by Honeywell Laser Lite Foam Earplugs Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Staples What We Like Affordable Vibrant color makes them hard to lose and noticeable Contoured shape molds well What We Don't Like Single-use These earplugs expand inside the ear once inserted to create a perfect seal, which makes them ideal for both small and larger ears. The bright color can be great if you’re wearing these around other people, so that they can identify that you’ve got plugs in. This foam pick is notably great for travel—each pair is individually packaged, which makes them easy to store in a carryon bag (though it does make them a less sustainable option). Ear piece: Single-use foam | Battery Life: N/A Final Verdict Everyone has a different preference when it comes to earplugs. If you’re looking for a style that is no frills and comfortable and a reasonable price, you can’t go wrong with the Honeywell Laser Lite Foam Earplugs. If you’re hunting for something with noise-masking sounds and are willing to make an investment, the Bose Sleepbuds II are a solid option. And if you’re just looking for a little extra noise cancellation without the added soundtrack, then lean into the QuietOn Active Noise Cancellation Earbuds. What to Look for in Earplugs for Sleeping Type: There are essentially three different types of earplugs you can lean into for sleep: noise-masking, noise-cancelling, or noise-reduction. The noise-masking and noise-cancelling options are typically more costly, and include tech features that help them to play certain sounds that promote better sleep. Whereas noise reduction options can be basic (often made of foam and intended to be single-use), without any tech whatsoever. Size: It’s really important that you look for an option that has either multiple sizes of tips or specifically cites its ability to expand to fit your unique ear. While some options will only cover the external ear, others will insert deeper into the canal. Knowing your fit preference and comfort level will help you determine which style is right for you. Frequently Asked Questions Is wearing earplugs better than using a white noise machine? Both options have benefits. Studies have shown that a white noise machine can help people get to sleep faster than those who go without one, dropping sleep onset by nearly 40% compared to patients who don't use these devices. However, if you’re sleeping right next to a snorer, you may need something that’s a little closer to the ear canal. Plus: earplugs themselves are also much more portable than white noise machines, which means you can take them with you on the road. Should I be worried about using an alarm and earplugs simultaneously? Despite being great at blocking out sound, even earplugs with the highest noise reduction rating don't block all sound. If you’re highly concerned, look for one of the options on this list that has a built-in alarm feature. Can you wash earplugs? Instructions on best-care for each product will be included on the packaging. Some higher end models will suggest occasional cleaning of the product with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and a small cloth or tissue, leaving them for a few minutes so that the solution can penetrate any wax build-up, and then wiping them clean. Why Trust Verywell Mind? As veteran wellness journalist and certified trainer with a decade’s worth of reporting under her belt, Emily Abbate understands the importance of reliable reviews that empower us to live healthier, happier lives. She’s always exploring the latest and greatest wellness tools, gadgets, and machines, and understands the value that a good investment can add to your wellbeing. 6 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Minkel JD, Banks S, Htaik O, et al. Sleep deprivation and stressors: Evidence for elevated negative affect in response to mild stressors when sleep deprived. Emotion. 2012;12(5):1015-1020. doi:10.1037/a0026871 Okano K, Kaczmarzyk JR, Dave N, Gabrieli JDE, Grossman JC. Sleep quality, duration, and consistency are associated with better academic performance in college students. npj Sci Learn. 2019;4(1):16. doi:10.1038/s41539-019-0055-z Vyazovskiy VV. Sleep, recovery, and metaregulation: explaining the benefits of sleep. Nat Sci Sleep. 2015;7:171-184. doi:10.2147/NSS.S54036 Bose. Sounds and Sleep Study Summary. Zhou J, Liu D, Li X, Ma J, Zhang J, Fang J. Pink noise: effect on complexity synchronization of brain activity and sleep consolidation. J Theor Biol. 2012;306:68-72. doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2012.04.006 Messineo L, Taranto-Montemurro L, Sands SA, et al. Broadband sound administration improves sleep onset latency in healthy subjects in a model of transient insomnia. Front Neurol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fneur.2017.00718 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit