While earplugs can be beneficial for swimming, shooting and sleeping, sometimes you just need the best noise cancelling ear plugs you can find. Whether you need a quiet environment to study, meditate or just enjoy the silence, we’ve found the top noise cancelling ear plugs.
Next time you need to block out noise, try one of these earplugs for the best results.
HEAROS Xtreme Protection earplugs
One of our favourite all-time earplugs is the Hearos Xtreme Protection earplugs. We’ve rated these soft foam earplugs 85%, currently our top-rated earplug. These come in packs of 56 earplugs but you can also get packs of 100 earplugs as well.
The Hearos Xtreme Protection have a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 33 dB. This rating demonstrates how effective ear protection is against noise. The highest possible rating for earplugs is 33 dB, meaning these earplugs have the absolute maximum rating to protect you from hearing loss.
As a soft foam earplug, these are disposable and can be used about 2-3 times before throwing them out. Typically, foam earplugs are the best for noise cancelling because the foam expands to fill the shape of your ear canal, effectively blocking out noise. We’ve also found that the Xtreme Protection earplugs provide a comfortable fit and rank as one of our favourite earplugs for sleeping, especially for side sleepers.
But you don’t need to use these just for sleeping. These are fantastic at eliminating external noise, whether you need a quiet space to study or you’re dealing with a noisy neighbour.
If you want to read more in-depth about the Hearos Xtreme Protection earplugs, check out our review dedicated to these earplugs.
Softvox V1 Noise Cancelling ear plugs
If you’re not interested in foam earplugs, the Softvox V1 earplugs are a great alternative. These are made from a soft silicone material that is BPA-free and hypoallergenic.
Softvox noise cancelling earplugs can reduce harmful noise levels up to 31 dB.
Different to foam earplugs that you squish into your ear before they expand, Softvox are a pre-molded shape that will still insert comfortably and give you a snug fit. They even come with a long stem that will stick out of your ears. This means you can cut the stem to the appropriate length that will best fit your ears.
These are also a great option if you don’t want disposable foam earplugs. You can easily wash Softvox earplugs before using them again and again. If you need earplugs regularly, reusable earplugs are much more cost-effective. For more details, check out Everything You Need To Know About Reusable Earplugs.
Since you’ll be keeping these earplugs for quite awhile, they come with a small waterproof box to keep them clean. One order contains three pairs of earplugs and three small boxes for each pair. They also come with one larger aluminum carrying case as well.
Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs
If soft silicone and foam earplugs aren’t your favourite, Decibullz custom molded earplugs are a great option.
Decibullz custom molded earplugs come with a noise reduction rating of 31 dB. These is almost the maximum rating for earplugs, so you know you’ll experience solid noise reduction.
Foam earplugs need to be rolled and inserted into the ear before they slow expand. Soft silicone earplugs need to be inserted into the ear canal as they are. However, custom molded earplugs need to be manipulated before they can be used. For Decibullz, you need to heat up the thermoplastic molds in boiling water. Next, carefully remove them from the water and let them cool down slightly. Finally, you’ll need to shape them to fit your ears.
While it can be tricky to get the hang of at first, Decibullz can be re-heated and re-molded if you don’t like the way they fit the first time around.
One order comes with two Decibullz molds, three sets of three-flange tips (in sizes small, medium and large), one set of maximum protection foam tips and a carrying pouch for your plugs. We love that they provide different sized tips to make sure you get the best comfort possible.
It doesn’t impact the noise cancelling qualities, but you can buy these earplugs in five different colours. It certainly makes them look cool!
However, due to their size and shape, these earplugs aren’t ideal for sleeping. They’re definitely suited for creating quiet environments whether you need to study, block out travel noise, meditate, or are around construction.
Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones
Of course these are not a pair of earplugs, but they’re important to include nonetheless. Headphones can provide some serious noise cancelling power, especially the Bose QuietComfort 35. While these are expensive, they are top-of-the-line.
QuietComfort are wireless, so they never get tangled up. The plush ear cushions are comfortable while still keeping out unwanted external noise. These allow you to listen to music at a comfortable volume without outside noise interfering.
These headphones utilize “active noise cancellation” (ANC) which means the headphones electronically cancel out noise, rather than plug up your ears like foam earplugs. You can even use these headphones without listening to music, but still activate the noise cancelling feature.
One a single charge, these headphones should last about 20 hours before needing to be recharged. If you use them while they’re wired, they’ll last about double that.
Not only can you listen to music and block out external noise, you can also use the dual-microphone for cellphone calls. These headphones even know how to cancel out wind when speaking on the phone through the microphone.
Everyone knows that the Bose brand is synonymous with quality. While these are probably the most expensive headphones you’ll ever own, they will easily last you for years and years.
Howard Leight Ll1 Laser Lite Foam Earplugs
If you know much about hearing protection, you’ve probably come across the name Howard Leight. We personally love their ear protection for shooting and have included multiple of their earmuffs in our list.
However, they also a wonderful LI1 Laser Lite foam earplug, which is fantastic at noise cancelling. These earplugs are FDA approved, BPA free and come with a noise reduction rating of 32 dB, nearly a perfect rating. What else says noise cancelling ear plugs like these?
These plugs have a contoured t-shape that fit comfortably in the ear canal while still remaining easy to insert and remove. They’re also super soft so you won’t need to worry about irritation if you need to wear them for long periods of time (including sleeping).
One jar comes with 25 pairs, which is a bit low for foam earplugs but still acceptable. However, you can typically wear one pair of disposable earplugs a few times before needing to throw them out. As with all foam earplugs, they’ll begin to lose their shape after a few uses. Plus, you won’t be able to clean them so they’ll begin to accumulate dirt, oil and germs.
What qualities to look for in noise cancelling ear plugs
No matter what earplugs you decide to try, the best noise cancelling earplugs have certain qualities that you want to look out for:
- NRR – The highest noise reduction rating (NRR) for earplugs is 33 dB. The higher the NRR, the more effective the earplugs are at reducing noise.
- Comfort – You’ll definitely want earplugs that are comfortable. Some of the best materials are soft silicone earplugs or squishy foam earplugs. These are ideal for long-term wear as well, so you don’t need to worry about irritation.
- Fit & size – For those with slightly smaller or larger ear canals, it’s vital to find a brand that fits your ears comfortably. Foam earplugs are usually best because they will expand to fit the space available. However, you could also opt for custom fit earplugs if you’re struggling to find the right size. The better the fit, the better the noise reduction.
- Type – While you might be interested in earplugs for noise cancelling, you might also want to consider headphones. These can provide extremely high noise cancelling capabilities.
