Best Earplugs to Block out Snoring for a Quieter Night's Sleep
If you love curling up next to your partner each evening but struggle to fall asleep due to noisy interruptions, you aren’t alone. Snoring is an issue that may be symptomatic to illness or respiratory issues and occur only on occasion, or it may be a more chronic issue and occur on a nightly basis.
No matter the cause, it can be highly disruptive to anyone within hearing range and create an uncomfortable sleeping experience. If you’re tired of listening to the sawing of logs each night and are not keen to bury your head under pillows to muffle the sound, you may want to consider investing in earplugs. The best earplugs to block out snoring are based on your own personal preferences and needs, and the following list of 6 earplugs highlight the top choices currently on the market.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 | 
PQ Earplugs for Sleep |
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| #2 |  Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs
|
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| #3 |  ANBOW Waterproof, Noise Reducing Earplug Set
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| #4 |  Hearprotek Sleep Earbuds Wireless Headphones
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| #5 |  WinOnly Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Headband
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| #6 |  CozyPhones Sleep Headphones
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Table Of Contents
- Best Earplugs to Block Out Snoring
- 1. Editor’s Choice: PQ Earplugs for Sleep
- 2. Best Moldable Silicone: Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs
- 3. Best Multi-Pack Silicone: ANBOW Waterproof, Noise Reduction Earplug Set
- 4. Best Electronic: Hearprotek Sleep Earbuds Wireless Headphones
- 5. Best Wireless Headband Style: WinOnly Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Headband
- 6. Customer’s Choice: CozyPhones Sleep Headphones
- How Earplugs Work
- Types of Earplugs
- – Foam
- – Silicone
- – Wax
- – Electronic
- – Earbud Style
- – Head Mask or Headphone Style
- Benefits of Using Earplugs
- Side Effects
- Conclusion
- Recent Updates
- Additional Resources
Best Earplugs to Block Out Snoring
1. Editor’s Choice: PQ Earplugs for Sleep
SPECS:
- Type of Product: Wax earplug
- Material: Wax
- Noise Reduction Rating: 32db
- Reusable: Yes, with care
Wax earplugs are considered some of the best options for a wide variety of uses. You can easily shape them right in the palm of your hand, they fit perfectly into your ear canal and will stay put for hours. These wax earplugs from PQ are also waterproof, and you can make them smaller if needed, making them a great choice for those with small ears and children. These plugs can be reused with care, and come with a rigid plastic case for easy transportation. It’s so important for earplugs to be customizable, as we all have very different ears in all shapes and sizes, so these PQ wax plugs should tick all of the boxes.
Pros
- Fully customizable
- Comfortable and waterproof
- Blocks background noise
Cons
- Too much heat can make them less effective
- Care must be taken for cleanliness
2. Best Moldable Silicone: Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs
SPECS:
- Type of Product: Moldable Silicone
- Material: Silicone
- Noise Reduction Rating: 22db
- Reusable: Up to 5 days
Similarly to wax, moldable silicone softens in the heat of your hand to provide a customized fit. Mack’s original silicone earplugs are effective at blocking external noise and also allow for a waterproof protection. They’re a simple, inexpensive option that can create a perfect fit for any size ear. With the ability to be worn up to 5 times, or until they’re no longer ‘grippy’, they come in a pack of multiple pairs so you’ll always have a pair at the ready.
Pros
- Fully customizable
- Provides water protection
- Stays in place while sleeping
Cons
- Only lasts 5 days
- Adds to waste
3. Best Multi-Pack Silicone: ANBOW Waterproof, Noise Reduction Earplug Set
SPECS:
- Type of Product: Silicone Set
- Material: Silicone
- Noise Reduction Rating: Up to 32db
- Reusable: Up to 5 days
This ANBOW set of plugs can be used for a variety of needs, and provides you the option to pick and choose what works best for you. Three sets of various silicone plugs each individually packed in their own case makes for ease in portability. Customers have reported that it effectively cancels out noise, and specifically snoring, so you’ll finally be able to enjoy a restful night’s sleep with no distractions.
Pros
- Great selection for various uses
- Easy to find a choice that works for you
- Cancels noise effectively
Cons
- Reusable options may be too big for some people
4. Best Electronic: Hearprotek Sleep Earbuds Wireless Headphones
SPECS:
- Type of Product: Wireless Earbud Style Electronic Earplug
- Material: Plastic
- Noise Reduction Rating: 20db
- Reusable: Yes
This Hearprotek earbud style electronic earplug is made specifically with a low profile for all sleeping positions. It connects via Bluetooth to both iOs and Android operating systems. They offer a comfortable, double-layer ergonomic design for maximum comfort while allowing for a noise reducing effect all on their own. Plus, they’re easy to adjust to fit all head shapes and sizes. These electronic earplugs are specially designed to stay in place and can also be used for other needs such as exercise.
Pros
- Great battery life
- Very comfortable
- Cancel noises well
Cons
- Not very durable overall
5. Best Wireless Headband Style: WinOnly Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Headband
SPECS:
- Type of Product: Wireless headband
- Material: Hypoallergenic polyester
- Noise Reduction Rating: 15db when off
- Reusable: Yes
These WinOnly headphones are made from a soft, breathable material to fit over your head and allow you to position the thin, flexible speakers over your ears to help cancel background noise, including snoring. They connect via Bluetooth on both iOs and Android systems, perfect if you have Apple or Samsung devices. Designed specifically for sleep and wide enough to pull down over your eyes to double as a sleep mask, this product is also popular with outdoor exercise enthusiasts during cold weather. This wireless headband allows you to access controls on the band so you can pause, play, and change the volume of your music, plus speakers can be removed easily for laundering.
Pros
- Very versatile
- Long battery life
- Very flexible
Cons
- Speakers may not line up with all head sizes
- May be too ‘snug’ for some people
- Controller may be uncomfortable in middle of forehead
6. Customer’s Choice: CozyPhones Sleep Headphones
SPECS:
- Type of Product: Wireless headband
- Material: Poly headband
- Noise Reduction Rating: Variable
- Reusable: Yes
Cozyphones is the original company to make a comfortable, headband style headphone comfortable enough for sleep. A surround sound speaker system avoids earbud-style plugs, fits snugly and is comfortable to place around the head and over the ears. The thin, flexible speaker is easy to take out for cleaning purposes and has a flexible, durable cord for use with a 3.5 m universal jack. It also comes in three different colors: black, gray and violet (pictured).
Pros
- Very versatile
- Breathes well and is soft
- Speaker placement is adjustable for various sized heads
Cons
- Headphones may slip through the night
- Could stretch out over time
How Earplugs Work
Earplugs are generally assumed to be a ‘plug-like’ shape that fit into your ear canal to help muffle or block outside noises. These are often made of foam, wax or silicone, and are generally very effective. Other styles may fit more loosely over your ear if you don’t like the feel of something within your ear, or even be electronic to play white noise or other sounds to cancel out any disruptions.
Types of Earplugs
Although the idea is simple, earplugs come in various shapes, styles and designs. They may also serve to provide various degrees of decimal blockage. The complete blocking of noise is not always conducive to those dependent on an alarm, or who need to hear their children in the middle of the night. Therefore, it’s important to look over the different types offered to find which type will be best for you.
– Foam
Foam earplugs are disposable, inexpensive and quite effective in blocking any sound. They often come in a pack of multiple pairs that you can wear for up to 5 uses before throwing out. They compress easily to fit into your ear canal and then expand to provide a barrier against noise. These are the most common ones you’ll find on airplanes that staff will give you to peacefully sleep throughout your flight.
– Silicone
Silicone can be either a shapeable material or molded into flexible plugs that fit in your ear canal. Shapeable options come in tablet form that soften with the heat of your hand. You can roll and push it into your ear for a customized fit. These are also often made to be waterproof.
– Wax
Wax tablets are similar to moldable silicone which soften in your hand to create a customizable plug, and they not only block sound but are also waterproof. They may not work well in very hot climates, however, due to their low melting point.
– Electronic
Electronic earplugs are designed to cancel outside noises and provide sound that can muffle or cover up distractions. These are available in a few different styles for night time comfort. These earplugs can come wired which may require a 3.5mm jack connection, or they may connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.
– Earbud Style
Earbud style plugs fit into the ear canal to help reduce external noises and also allow for volume control of white noise or other soothing sounds. They differ from regular earbuds in that they have a lower profile for comfortable side sleeping.
– Head Mask or Headphone Style
A head mask or headphone style provide eye coverage and/or head band style wear that covers the ears. These are equipped with soft, flexible speakers encased in a soft outer casing. Comfortable for travel, sleep and exercise in cold weather, these are a very versatile option, but may not block outside noises as well as other options.
Benefits of Using Earplugs
Earplugs are designed to cancel out or reduce noise and can be used in many ways. Sleep earplugs are specifically designed to allow you to sleep comfortably, without creating undue pressure on your ears when you sleep.
If you’re waking up through the night due to disruptive noises, you’re interrupting your sleep cycle which is crucial to your overall health. Adults typically need 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night for both the mind and body to heal and rejuvenate.
Earplugs can also be used in other various ways, such as to reduce loud distractions, lessen the volume of concerts, help block the noise from machinery, or even be used to help protect your ears when outside if you choose a headphone style sleep band.
Side Effects
Earplugs are considered safe to use, but be sure to keep them clean and not use them too frequently to avoid pushing wax into your ear, which can cause infections. You’ll also want to have careful volume control over electronic versions, so it’s not too loud to damage your eardrums. Some people have sensitivities to the materials used, such as silicone, certain fabrics, or fabric dyes, so be aware of what may cause discomfort to you when shopping for your earplugs.
Conclusion
If you struggle to block out snoring, there are many different styles of earplugs that will have you covered. Everything from heavy duty, full blockage, to more subtle options are reviewed above to give you the choices you’re looking for. All of the styles listed above are versatile, and although designed for nighttime comfort, they also work well for ear protection in the colder seasons, and even for exercise.
Recent Updates
July 15, 2021: Two additional products have been added to our recommendations: PQ Earplugs for Sleep and CozyPhones Sleep Headphones due to popularity. Additional Resources have been listed below to refer readers to content relevant to this article, as well as a FAQ section to address popular customer queries.