The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Everyone knows how beneficial peace and quiet can be. With a bit of silence, you can focus better, sleep better, and stay comfortable on your next flight. Unfortunately, there’s no mute button in real life, so you have to come up with a better solution. For us, that’s earplugs.
The right earplugs will mould to your ears, blocking out the right amount of sound. They come in a ton of different styles, but all of them have the same goal: to keep your eardrums safe and your mind settled. We’ve dug into the top models, breaking down all their features, from the materials they’re made with to their sound-blocking abilities. And everyone will have different preferences for each feature. That’s why it’s important to consider all aspects before purchasing.
This in-depth guide breaks down the best earplugs in Canada right now and outlines the criteria you should consider when choosing your perfect fit. Now let’s get into our top products.
Concert Pick: Loop Experience 2 Earplugs For Concerts
Airplane Pick: Mack’s Flightguard Airplane Pressure Relief Earplugs
Mouldable Pick: Peace&Quiet Wax Earplugs
Sleep Pick: Alpine SleepDeep Soft Earplugs
Swimming Pick: Hearprotek Earplugs for Swimming
The Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs for Noise Reduction have gotten a lot of hype online, and for good reason. They’re specially designed to turn the volume down in any environment, offering up to 24 dB of noise reduction. With certified hearing protection, you can rest easy knowing your ears will be safe for years to come.
They’re made of extra-soft, hypoallergenic silicone that’ll conform to the shape of your ears, but won’t lose their shape over time (they’re even backed by a two-year warranty and offer 100-day free returns). And they come with four interchangeable ear tip sizes to ensure you’ll get the perfect fit. The material is easy to clean, so you can use them night after night, and not stress about germs.
They have a unique look and are just as fashionable as they are functional. They come in eight colours, including muted neutrals and bold, bright hues. The rounded shape of the Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs for Noise Reduction will fit naturally in your ear or pinna. They won’t stick out, not even when you’re snoozing, which means you can toss and turn without worrying about losing them in your sheets.
Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs for Noise Reduction come with a handy-dandy carrying case, which makes them as easy to transport as your AirPods. It’s about the size of a pressed powder compact, meaning you can take it with you wherever you go (and even squeeze it into your overstuffed carry-on).
While most people agree that the Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs for Noise Reduction are the best of the best, some feel that they don’t block out enough noise. If you need complete and utter silence to sleep, you may take issue with them. Some also found the tips difficult to change, so you’ll want to read the instructions carefully. Definitely not dealbreakers, but points worth considering.
Most reviewers agree that the Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs for Noise Reduction are the best earplugs they’ve tried. They say they’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time and love that they don’t fall out when they’re sleeping. Some wish they’d block out more noise and others find the tips hard to change, but most people just rave about how amazing they are.
Pros:
Comfortable and stylish design
Washable and reusable
Come with four sets of interchangeable tips
Include a keychain carrying case for travel
Cons:
Offer mid-level noise reduction, may not be powerful enough for everyone
Difficult to change tips
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, the Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs for Noise Reduction will block out noise so you can focus on your work or get to sleep. They’re comfortable and stylish, and will last you longer than most foam and wax alternatives.
If you’re concerned about damaging your precious eardrums at loud concerts, festivals, or sporting events, the Loop Experience Earplugs for Concerts are for you. Offering a noise reduction rating of 17 dB, these high-fidelity earplugs are designed to enhance your experience at live shows, ensuring that you’re able to hear all your favourite songs, just at a less harmful volume.
Like their Loop Quiet counterparts, they’re made of extra-soft, hypoallergenic silicone that’ll fit comfortably in your ears, but won’t lose their shape over time. And they come with four interchangeable ear tip sizes to ensure you’ll get the perfect fit. The material is easy to clean, so you can use them for every show you have tickets to for the next 5~ years.
With Loop’s signature stylish design, they’re as much an accessory as they are an aid. They come in eight colours, from basic black to metallics that’ll match your jewellery. The rounded shape of the Loop Experience Earplugs for Concerts will fit naturally in your ear or pinna. That means they won’t stick out or move around, even when you’re tearing it up on the dancefloor.
Loop Experience Earplugs for Concerts come in a keychain-compatible case, so you can loop them onto your essentials and bring them with you wherever you go. It’s not big or bulky, making it easy to bring along with you to events.
Most users of the Loop Experience Earplugs for Concerts love having them in their lives, but there are two things you’ll want to keep in mind. Some people feel as though they magnify their breathing, eating, and talking, making it harder to pay attention. A small minority feel as though they don’t block out enough noise and others feel like they block out too much, however, the overwhelming majority put these in the Goldilocks category and say they do their job perfectly.
Reviewers love the Loop Experience Earplugs for Concerts. They rave about how comfortable they are and say they make rock and metal shows more bearable, allowing them to listen to their favourite music live. A few people have had issues with their breathing and chewing being magnified, but most are happy with their performance.
Pros:
Comfortable and stylish design
Washable and reusable
Come with four sets of interchangeable tips
Include a keychain carrying case for travel
Cons:
Can magnify the wrong noises (breathing, chewing, etc.)
Some reviewers say they aren’t as effective as they’d like them to be
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
If you’re not looking for total peace and quiet, the Loop Experience Earplugs for Concerts will block out just enough noise, so you can still enjoy live shows and sporting events. Like all Loop earplugs, they’re comfortable, stylish, and will last you longer than most foam and wax alternatives.
If you’ve got a big trip coming up, you’ll want to pack a pair of Mack’s Flightguard Airplane Pressure Relief Earplugs in your carry-on suitcase. They’re designed to alleviate ear discomfort that comes along with changes in air pressure during flights. With a 26 dB noise reduction rating, they’ll minimize cabin noise from loud engines and fellow passengers (key if you’re seated next to a screaming baby), allowing you to travel safely and comfortably.
These earplugs are made of soft, hypoallergenic silicone and have a tapered, ergonomic shape that’ll mould to your ear canal, giving you a snug seal and blocking out noise in the process. They also have a built-in pressure-regulating filter that will equalize the pressure between your inner and outer ear. That means you won’t be met with discomfort during changes in altitude and when you’re taking off and touching down.
They come with a convenient hardshell carrying case for easy storage and portability. Simply throw them in your suitcase or zip them into the front pocket of your backpack for easy access when you’re on the go.
Overall, Mack's Flightguard Airplane Pressure Relief Earplugs are a must-have for frequent flyers. There’s one thing you may want to be aware of before purchasing. Some people with ultra-sensitive ears found that they didn’t help with ear popping or pain, but the majority found them effective. If your ears aren’t delicate, these should do the trick
Travellers swear by Mack's Flightguard Airplane Pressure Relief Earplugs. Most people found them to be effective and comfortable. A few people with tender ears felt they didn’t make much of a difference, but that is a small minority.
Pros:
Reduce pain and popping when flight
Block out the noise of other passengers and in-cabin noises
Reusable and washable
Include a keychain carrying case for travel
Cons:
Not effective for people with ultra-sensitive ears
Don’t come with interchangeable tips
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
In conclusion, if you find yourself in pain when the in-cabin pressure changes, you probably need these in your life. Some people with extremely sensitive ears haven’t found them to be effective, but if you’re part of the majority, these will come in handy.
For those who want mouldable comfort, look into the Peace&Quiet Wax Earplugs. Offering 32dB of sound-blocking power, they can quiet your partner’s snores and the sounds from construction sites (but don’t worry, you’ll still be able to hear important sounds like your fire alarm). Since they create an airtight seal and are waterproof, you can even use them for swimming.
The set includes 28 soft, pillowy earplugs made of silicone wax. That means you’ll get 280 uses out of them (at least). They can even be broken in half to extend their usability, so one pack can go a long way. They’re completely mouldable, so you won’t have to worry about discomfort or them falling out throughout the day (or night). Thanks to their malleable design, even those with tiny can get in on the action. And, since they don’t stick out, even side sleepers won’t have any issues.
Peace&Quiet Wax Earplugs come with a transparent plastic carrying case, large enough for one pair. The small size makes it easy to fit in any gym bag, backpack, or purse.
Overall, Peace&Quiet Wax Earplugs offer a comfortable and effective solution for blocking out noise. If you don’t love the feel of silicone wax, these may not be your favourites, and they don’t have the longevity of some of the other pairs on this list, but they come with multiple pairs, so that shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.
Reviewers love the Peace&Quiet Wax Earplug. They say the silicone wax can dive deeper into the ear canal than other models, blocking out racket effectively. They also rave about how comfortable they are. One drawback is their stickiness. People note that they can get stuck in their case and hair, which isn’t ideal.
Pros:
You get 28 pairs in one pack (and each can be split)
Mould to the contours of your ears
Fit ears of all sizes
Include a carrying case for travel
Cons:
Can only be reused 10~ times
Sticky (they may get caught in their case or your hair)
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, if you have trouble finding earplugs that fit your ears, a pack of mouldable pairs like the Peace&Quiet Wax Earplugs is essential. They may be a bit sticky, but their pros definitely outweigh their cons.
The Alpine SleepDeep Soft Earplugs are specifically designed for snoozing. They have a 3D oval shape and are made with a unique noise-reducing gel that’ll bless you with 27 dB of noise-blocking power. That means you won’t be able to hear your upstairs neighbours moving around furniture when you’re trying to catch some z’s or be rudely awoken by your partner’s snores. Though super effective at blocking out noise, these earplugs maintain the clarity of important sounds such as alarms or doorbells.
The AlpineThermoShape material is super soft and will adapt to the shape of your ears with the help of your body temperature. That means you’ll get the perfect fit every time. The soft material is also great for side sleepers as it fits snugly into your ear canal, keeping it from pressing on your outer ear or getting caught on your pillowcase.
Each pack includes a carrying case for travel. Since it’s about the size of a contact case, you should be able to fit it into your toiletry bag without any issues. They’re also reusable and the material is easy to rinse off if you have any wax buildup.
Overall, Alpine SleepDeep Soft Earplugs are a great option for sleepers of all kinds. Whether you’re trying to block out noisy neighbours or your partner, these will do the trick. Some users with sensitive ears find them more uncomfortable than mouldable wax alternatives and others feel the noise-blocking powers aren’t as strong as they could be, but most agree they are great.
Most reviewers find that these are the best earplugs for sleep. They say they’re comfortable and love that they don’t fall out in the middle of the night. Side sleepers are especially pleased with their performance. Some reviewers find that their noise-blocking abilities are lacking, so if you’re looking for something heavy-duty, you may want to look for a mouldable pair or a pair that offers more than 27 dB of noise-blocking power.
Pros:
Available in two sizes
Reusable and washable
Include a carrying case for travel
Cons:
Not effective for people with ultra-sensitive ears
Don’t come with interchangeable tips
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
The Alpine SleepDeep Soft Earplugs will help you get quality, restful sleep. Even side sleepers are huge fans of their fit and comfort.
Hearprotek Earplugs for Swimming will keep water from getting into your ears, whether you’re practicing your front crawl or catching a wave. They have a waterproof mesh layer that’ll allow sound to enter, but keeps water out. Their ergonomic ear wings will keep them snugly in place, meaning you won’t have to stress about swimmer’s ear, surfer’s ear, or any other ear-related issues.
Each pack comes with two pairs of earplugs. You’ll get one small pair (great for toddlers and adults with small ear canals) and large (great for most adults). The best part is that you can use differently-sized ear wings and ear tips in each ear to guarantee the perfect fit. They come in three colours, including basic back and bold, bright blues.
Hearprotek Earplugs for Swimming come with a practical carrying case, which makes them easy to pop in your pool or beach bag. They are reusable and can be cleaned with mild soap and water for long-lasting use.
Hearprotek Earplugs for Swimming don’t have many shortcomings. Since they’re only available in two sizes, you may not be able to find your perfect fit, but if you do, the water-tight seal is next level.
Most users are obsessed with the Hearprotek Earplugs for Swimming. They say they block out water like a dream and make aquatic activities much more enjoyable. A handful of reviewers found that they blocked out too much noise and one or two couldn’t find their perfect fit and experienced leaking. Other than that, everyone was pleased with their purchase.
Pros:
Block out water while letting in sound
Reusable and washable
Tips and wings can be adjusted
Include a carrying case for travel
Cons:
Only available in two sizes
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
In conclusion, if you’re looking for the best earplugs for swimming, these are for you. They’ll block out water while allowing you to hear the world around you, so you can stay safe while you swim laps or surf.
Earplugs are generally inexpensive. Some can cost as little as $10. If you’re looking for a pair that’s reusable and will stand the test of time, they can be as expensive as $35+.
From foam to silicone to mouldable wax, earplugs come in a ton of different materials. You’ll want to look for something that sits in your ear canal without causing pressure or discomfort.
If you want complete silence, you’ll want something with a noise reduction rating 27 dB (or higher). If you still want to hear the world around you, or want a pair for activities, you may want to opt for something lower.
Chances are, you’ll want to use your earplugs more than once. Different materials have different durability and longevity. Silicone pairs are easy to clean and can last for years with proper care. Wax pairs will have a much shorter lifetime.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.