Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earplugs Best budget earplugs for side sleepers $4 at Walmart Eargasm Squishies Best earplugs for side sleepers $16 at Amazon Mack's Slim Fit Foam Earplugs Best sleep earplugs for small ears $15 at Amazon Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs Best sleep earplugs for travel $29 at Amazon Loop Quiet Earplugs Best adjustable earplugs for sleeping $28 at Amazon Happy Ears Earplugs Sustainable earplugs with comfortable fit $37 at Happy Ears Leave restless nights behind and start sleeping better when you block out all the noise that may keep you from the perfect shut-eye. While there are plenty of products to help you wind down, getting some earplugs is the finishing touch. They allow you to lie comfortably even if you're a side sleeper, and once you're sleeping better, you'll likely see an improvement to your overall health.Read more: Best Smart Home Gifts for 2024 Watch this: First Impressions: Loop Dream Earplugs 01:17 There are countless options to consider when shopping for earplugs to wear while sleeping. You'll want a pair that fits snugly without irritation and helps cut out ambient noise so you canfall asleep with ease. We've compiled various options, including traditional foam earplugs and models with different materials, like silicone, that filter noise.At CNET, our experts have years of experience testing sleep-related products. From thebest mattressestosleep trackers, we know what it takes to actually help you sleep better at night. Check out our picks for the best earplugs for sleeping below.Read more: Best Mattress Deals: Save Hundreds on Top Mattresses BrandsBest earplugs for sleeping Mack's Like Affordable Effectively seals the ear Don't like Earplugs cover the ear canal instead of fitting inside, and failing to use them as directed could lodge them in your ear canal If you're strictly a side sleeper, Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earplugs are the best sleep earplugs for the money. They're made of soft, fully moldable silicone that conforms to your ear opening and forms an airtight seal that blocks out noise.Aside from the fact that they could be shaped for a perfect fit, these earplugs were soft and comfortable. They stayed completely flat on my ear opening, so they didn't hurt to wear. They also stayed in all night; a feat that many standard earplugs haven't been able to accomplish.Most importantly, these moldable earplugs did an excellent job at blocking snoring and any other ambient noise (like three large cats play-fighting in the middle of the night).The six pairs also come neatly packaged in a plastic carrying case, which keeps the silicone clean and free from debris between uses; a small but appreciated touch.Additional details:Price: Under $5Reusable: Up to five uses/nights or until earplugs are no longer stickyNoise reduction rating: 22 decibels NRRComfortable for side sleeping: Yes Ease of use: Don't fit like "regular" earplugs so may take some getting used to $4 at Walmart Eargasm Like Comfortable for side-sleeping You can cut each earplug/seal for a better fit Don't like More expensive than Mack's product, but a similar product The Eargasm Squishies are another moldable silicone option similar to Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earplugs. The biggest difference, besides the color, is in the directions. Mack's silicone earplugs must be used whole; you can't break them or cut them apart.Eargasm says if the earplugs are too big, you can break off a piece to get that perfect fit. This is helpful if you have small ears and find that using the entire silicone earplug feels too intrusive.The comfort level was also similar, although the Eargasm Squishies had a slight advantage since I could break off a piece and make it a little smaller. The Eargasm Squishies also comes in a convenient carrying case with eight reusable pairs.Additional details:Price: Under $20Reusable: Yes, but it's unclear how many uses you'll get per pairNoise reduction rating: 22 decibels NRRComfortable for side sleeping: YesEase of use: Easy to use $16 at Amazon Mack's Like Great for small ear canals Effectively reduce sound Don't like May not work for larger ear canals Not designed for multiple uses The Mack's Slim Fit Foam Earplugs look like any regular old foam earplugs, but if you have small ears, you may feel the difference in quality immediately. They quickly formed an airtight seal and muffled sound instantly. Loud snoring went from a roaring thunderstorm to a minor distraction that was easy to tune out. These particular earplugs have a noise reduction rating of 31 dB. For reference, most earplugs on the market have a rating of 0 to 30 dB, and the higher the number, the more effective they are.Mack's Slim Fit Foam Earplugs are specifically made for small ear canals. Finding the right earplug size makes a huge difference in effectiveness, so keep that in mind. If you don't have small ears, you can still take advantage of Mack's advanced snore-blocking technology with its Snore Blockers or Original Soft Foam Earplugs. If you go with any of these options from our best sleep earplugs list, make sure you thoroughly read the directions before putting them in your ears. One of the most common reasons these types of earplugs get a bad review is because they're not inserted properly.Additional details:Price: Under $20Reusable: NoNoise reduction rating:31 decibels NRRComfort:Ease of use: Easy to use Vibes Like Great for reducing noise when you want to keep the quality of the sound Reusable Don't like Not that comfortable for sleeping unless you're a back sleeper The Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs are different from the others on this list. They're actually designed for live music festivals, so rather than blocking out noise, the intent is to lower the decibels of the sound around you to make the noise more manageable. This makes them the ideal choice for traveling when the noise can get overwhelming but you don't want to be completely checked out from the world as you take a quick snooze. When tested at a store and coffee shop, they did an excellent job blocking out voices, reducing pitches and dulling loud music.You can also use them for sleeping at home, but only if you're strictly a back sleeper. The earplugs have a stem that sticks out straight from your ear canal, so not only are they uncomfortable when you're sleeping on your side, but they could also get pushed too far into your ear and cause problems.The earplugs come with three different ear tip sizes, so you can find the ideal fit for your ear canal and a small carrying case that makes them easier to travel with.Pros:Great for reducing noise when you want to keep the quality of the soundReusableCons:Not that comfortable for sleeping unless you're a back sleeperAdditional details:Price: Under $30Reusable: YesSound reduction: Up to 22 decibels (NRR is 15 decibels)Comfortable for sleeping: NoEase of use: Easy to use Loop Like Comes with four sizes of adjustable tips Has a loop you can grab and easily adjust in your ear Don't like Not very easy to switch tip sizes These reusable silicone earplugs come fixed with a "loop" for making easy adjustments once they're in your ear. Loop Quiet Earplugs come with four sizes of tips you can choose from to fit your ear canal, which is more selection than a lot of brands. Fixing a new tip size back onto the earplug isn't the easiest process and requires some focus and finesse. Hopefully, you'd only have to switch tips once or twice to find your size, and then only when you clean them.Based on reviews, these Loop earplugs seem to work well for some side sleepers. From our testing with side sleeping, they would require some getting used to for longer or everyday use. Due to their easy movement and sleek look, these earplugs would come in handy when you want to turn down the volume and focus.They're available in mint green and other fun colors. Additional details:Price: Under $30Reusable: YesSound reduction: Up to 27 decibels (14 decibel NRR)Comfortable for side sleeping:So-soEase of use: Easy to adjust once in your ear $28 at Amazon Happy Ears Like Fit well and barely noticeable The company sells eco-friendly earplugs Don't like Not the cheapest on the list Happy Ears is a Swedish company known for its sustainable packaging and recycled material for its earplugs. Happy Ears makes earplugs from ocean plastics and recycled plastics. There is also an "original" earplug that isn't made from recycled plastics. Even if you don't buy recycled earplugs, the Happy Ears packaging is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.We tested the Original Discovery Pack, which means a package of earplugs comes in small, medium and large sizes for you to choose from. The earplugs are small and straightforward and fit inside the ear canal well. The recycled material earplugs come in black. The earplugs made from ocean plastics are green and reduce two additional decibels of sound.Additional details:Price: Under $40Reusable: YesSound reduction: Up to 25 decibels (original earplug)Ease of use: Very easyComfortable for side-sleeping: Mostly $37 at Happy Ears How we chose the best earplugs for sleepingWhen selecting the best earplugs for sleeping, we tested them the only way you can: by wearing them to bed. While testing, we noted each selection's fit, comfort and quality for the best earplugs for sleeping. We also considered how many decibels the earplugs could reduce, or noise reduction ratings when they were available. Official noise reduction ratings are usually slightly different (and lower) than the average decibel or sound reduction listed because they take into account other factors, Vibessays on its website.Factors to consider when choosing earplugs for sleepThere's a lot of variety in earplugs. What works for someone else might not be the best choice for you due to size, shape and material. Here are a few things to look out for.Safety: It's important to knowwhether you're a good candidate for sleeping in earplugs. People who have an ear infection, a build-up of earwax or other concerns about their ears should check with a doctor before wearing earplugs to sleep. To avoid an infection from wearing your earplugs, you should dispose of disposable earplugs as directed and follow the instructions for your reusable plugs on how to clean them.Material: This will determine the quality and comfort of the earplugs. Typical materials used are Silicone, wax, foam and cotton. Foam is typically the most common earplug material because it's the cheapest. On the other hand, Silicone is what you'll find most reusable options made out of. Wax earplugs give you the benefit of molding them to the shape of your ear.Noise or sound reductionThis is an important one. The noise reduction rating tells you how many decibels the earplugs block. The rating ranges from 0 to 33 dB. So, earplugs with a higher NRR score block out the noise the best.Whether they're reusable: Earplugs are available in either single-use or reusable options. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Single-use earplugs are typically cheaper and suitable for occasional use. If you're looking to use them regularly, it's best to invest in reusable options; they're better for the environment and way more durable.Price: We all know price is one of the most important parts of shopping for the best earplugs for sleep. A pack of disposable earplugs can seem like the obvious choice based on price, as most packs average around $10. Reusable earplugs may be better suited if you're looking for a long-term option. They cost a bit more, but you only need to buy them once. Best earplugs for sleeping FAQ What kind of earplugs are best for sleeping? The best kind of earplug for sleeping will depend on preference, although the good options will fit snugly in your ear canal without causing discomfort. During our testing, we found the best earplugs for sleeping to be:Macks Pillow Sock Silicone Putty EarplugsEargasm SquishiesMacks Slim Fit Foam EarplugsVibes Hi-Fidelity EarplugsLoops Quiet EarplugsHappy Ears Earplugs What earplugs block the most sound? No earplugs block completely block out sound. When testing, we found that Macks Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earplugs did a great job blocking snoring and other ambient noise.Earplugs that you can cut or mold to your ear canal will have an edge on those that cant when blocking sound. Is it comfortable to sleep with earplugs? Your sleeping position may be a determining factor in how long it takes you to get used to sleeping in earplugs or whether you love them. Back sleepers typically experience the least amount of problems. Stomach and side sleepers may find that certain earplugs may backfire and make noise as they come in contact with the pillow. Selecting earplugs that don't stick out of your ears will help side sleepers avoid this. Is it safe to wear earplugs every night? Usually, yes, as long as you use them as directed. There are side effects you should be aware of. Earplugs may cause earwax buildup and cause ear canal damage if used incorrectly. You also shouldn't use them if you have signs of an ear infection, like drainage or pain.If you have reusable earplugs, make sure to follow the directions and regularly clean them. Always throw away the disposable earplugs. Using earplugs that have bacteria on them can lead to an infection. Other products for drowning out soundLoud or abrupt sounds can be harmful to your sleep quality, but not everyone will benefit from earplugs. Besides sleep earplugs, here are other products you can use to help drown out unwanted or disruptive noise and get a good night's sleep.