Consistent, undisturbed rest is essential for daily performance, focus, and overall well-being.If you’re a light sleeper, finding a good pair of earplugs for sleeping can be a game-changer.A good pair of earplugs will improve sleep qualityJust like a decent sleep mask can block out disruptive light, effective noise cancellation is key to nailing your sleep hygiene and waking up feeling rested and rejuvenated instead of tired and cranky.Whether it’s noisy neighbours, city hum, or even a snoring partner, the best earplugs for sleep can effectively block out all of these sounds so that you can stay asleep longer and enjoy more REM and deep sleep cycles.If you wear a smart ring or a fitness watch to bed, you’ll be able to precisely measure the effects of using earplugs for sleeping on your sleep stages.To help you find a pair that’s comfortable, effectively blocks out noise and suits your budget, we’ve got hold of a selection of the best earplugs for sleeping to test out and give our honest verdict on.How we tested best earplugs for sleepingZoe tested the Beary Quiet Foam Sleep Earplugs alongside other brandsBeary Quiet Foam Earplugs For Sleeping: 30-Pairs, £8.99BUY NOWTo give you the most accurate and trustworthy recommendations, we really put these sleep earplugs through their paces. We tested a wide variety, considering different materials like silicone, wax, and various foams, across a range of price points. Each pair was tested for at least five consecutive nights so we could assess its comfort for long-term wear, how securely it fit, and its ease of insertion and removal. We also paid close attention to how well each earplug actually blocked out common sleep disruptors like snoring, traffic, and general background noise.Best earplugs for sleeping at a glanceBest overall: Loop Dream EarplugsBest budget earplugs: Beary Quiet Foam Earplugs For SleepingBest for comfort: Sennheiser Sound ProtexBest silicone earplugs for sleeping: Mack’s Snoozers EarplugsBest white noise earplugs: soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds by AnkerBest earplugs for sleeping in 2025Loop Dream EarplugsLoop Dream Earplugs come with a durable carry caseLoop Dream Earplugs, £44.95BUY NOWPros: Comfortable, good variety of tip sizes, easy to insert and remove, available in three colours, includes carry caseCons: Quite expensive, carry case isn’t that bigRating: 5/5The Loop Dream Earplugs truly live up to their name, offering an almost dream-like level of comfort and noise reduction.From the moment I first tried them, the soft, flexible design and array of tip sizes ensured a perfect, snug fit without any pressure points. They effectively block out common disturbances like snoring and street noise, yet still allow for a sense of awareness, which is ideal for those who feel too isolated with complete silence.On a weekend away with friends, during which six couples were sharing a house, slipping these in meant that I drifted off straight away, even though I’d bailed on the party early and there were still festivities going on downstairs.While pricier than disposables, their durability and reusability make them a solid investment for consistent, quality sleep and they’re a planet-friendly choice too, with less foam wastage.Beary Quiet Foam Earplugs For Sleeping: 30-PairsBeary Quiet earplugs are excellent value at £8.99 for 30 pairsBeary Quiet Foam Earplugs For Sleeping: 30-Pairs, £8.99BUY NOWPros: Includes carry case, affordable, very comfortableCons: Not long-lastingRating: 4.5/5With more than 4,000 positive Amazon reviews and the strong slogan “we help humans hibernate”, I was excited to try these Beary Quiet earplugs.At £8.99 for 30 pairs, they offer excellent value for money, especially as this includes a tin carry case with a cute bear-face on the front.There’s also a risk-free 30-day guarantee, making trying them a no-brainer because you can get your money back if they’re not for you.It’s unlikely that you’d have to make use of this guarantee, as they offer excellent comfort.The foam is soft and easy to insert, and I thought it moulded well to my ear shape for a comfy fit. According to Beary Quiet, these reduce sound by 38 dB, and while I didn’t have a scientific tool to measure this, I did feel that they did a great job at muting the sound of my snoring partner.I just wish that there was a reusable option, as it doesn’t feel very eco-friendly to keep throwing away foam.Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam EarplugsA silver carry case will keep Mack’s earplugs safeMack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs: 10-Pairs, £8.93BUY NOWPros: Mouldable, easy to insert, flesh-coloured, effective noise reducingCons: Disposbable, not eco-friendlyRating: 4/5When I first picked up Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam earplugs, I was sceptical.Another pair of foam earplugs? I’ve tried a few pairs over the years, and most either fail to block out enough noise or leave my ears aching by the end of the night.However, there’s no discomfort with these as the foam is incredibly soft and lightweight, making them comfortable to wear for hours at a time.On the first night, I was surprised at how snug they felt without being intrusive.Even as a side sleeper, I barely noticed them, despite the fact I was lying on one side or the other for seven to eight hours at a stretch.They did a great job of muffling the usual nighttime disturbances—traffic noise, neighbours chatting, and the occasional barking dog.It wasn’t complete silence, but it was enough to give me the peace I needed to drift off into a deep sleep, and my fitness watch recorded that I spend a decent percentage of the night in REM sleep and deep sleep.During the day, I tested them while working from home, and they were equally effective at dulling background sounds like appliances humming or distant conversations.Sennheiser Sound ProtexSennheiser Sound Protex offer different noise cancelling levelsSennheiser Sound Protex, £26.93BUY NOWPros: Variety of size tips, two noise-blocking options, reusable, free carry case and keyringCons: Pricier than others, quite fiddly to change tipsRating: 4.5/5The Sennheiser Sound Protex are a game-changer for anyone looking for more than just basic noise blocking. These aren’t your average foam plugs – they’re designed with interchangeable acoustic filters, allowing you to customise how much noise you want to block out. This means you can reduce distractions while still hearing important sounds like alarms or conversation cues. With high-fidelity sound preservation, you still get clarity, which makes them ideal for situations like train journeys, where you want to block the background noise but need to hear announcements clearly.What really impressed me was the range of ear tip sizes included, making it easy to find the perfect fit. It took me a few tries to get the tips onto the main unit, as they’re very small items to fiddle with.But once I sorted it, they felt secure and super comfortable – almost like they were custom-made for my ears. In bed, they dulled street sounds enough for me to sleep peacefully but still let me hear my morning alarm. Yes, they’re pricier than foam alternatives, but the quality, versatility, and level of control make them worth every pennyMack’s Snoozers Earplugs: 6-PairsMack’s Snoozers earplugs are moudable for a snug fitMack’s Snoozers Earplugs: 6-Pairs, £6.95BUY NOWPros: Easy to insert, reduce the sound of snoring, affordableCons: Slightly sticky, need frequent cleaningRating: 4/5Mack’s Snoozers are made from a mouldable silicone material that allows you to shape them to fit snugly in your ears.They blocked out the usual hum of traffic and muffled conversations from neighbours, giving me the peace I needed to drift off.I found them lightweight and easy to use, and they stayed securely in place throughout the night.However, I did notice they’re not as effective at blocking louder or sharper noises, like construction work or loud music.The silicone material also requires regular cleaning, as it can attract dust and lint.Still, for under £7, they’re a great reusable option for light sleepers who want comfort and convenience.soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds by AnkerAnker A20 can play white noise or relaxing music to help you drift offsoundcore Sleep A20 earbuds by Anker, £113.99BUY NOWPros: Plays relaxing music / white noise, user-friendly app, can be used to improve sleep quality and quantityCons: Need to charge, Rating: 4.5/5The soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds by Anker are not just earplugs—they’re a complete sleep system designed to revolutionise the way you rest.During testing, I was blown away by how these earbuds seamlessly combine noise-reducing technology with app-controlled features to create the ultimate relaxation experience.The companion app is a standout feature, offering a library of soothing sounds, including white noise, ocean waves, and even guided meditations, which you can customise to suit your sleep needs.The app also lets you adjust the sound levels and monitor your sleep patterns, adding a personal touch that goes far beyond what traditional earplugs can offer.In terms of design, the earbuds are sleek, lightweight, and fit comfortably in my ears, even when I slept on my side.If you have the budget (as these aren’t an impulse buy at £113), these are well worth the price and definitely made me feel more rested the following day.Just make sure to get into a routine of charging them once a week, as once you start wearing these, it will feel weird when they’re not in your ears.VerdictThe Loop Dream Earplugs are super comfortable to wear, reusable and do a great job of blocking out sharp sounds so your brain feels relaxed enough to drift off to sleep.If you need more to help you relax, such as white noise or meditation music, I’d highly recommend the soundcore Sleep A20 by Anker, but they are a costlier purchase.FAQsIs sleeping with earplugs in ok for your ears?Are foam or silicone earplugs best for sleeping?Is sleeping with earplugs in ok for your ears?Sleeping with earplugs is generally considered safe and can be a great way to improve sleep quality by blocking out disruptive noise. However, it’s good to be aware of a couple of minor points, especially if you use them regularly. Sometimes, earplugs can push earwax deeper into your ear canal, which might lead to blockages. This could cause temporary hearing changes, some discomfort, or even a ringing sensation in your ears. Also, if your earplugs aren’t kept clean, there’s a small chance of introducing bacteria into your ear canal, potentially leading to an infection. The good news is that these issues are usually manageable with regular ear cleaning and making sure your reusable earplugs are kept hygienic.Are foam or silicone earplugs best for sleeping?The choice between foam and silicone earplugs for sleeping depends on your personal preference and needs. Foam earplugs, like Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs, are soft, affordable, and excellent at blocking out noise, making them ideal for light sleepers.Silicone earplugs, such as mouldable ones, offer a custom fit and are great for side sleepers as they don’t protrude from the ear. If noise reduction is your main priority, foam earplugs are usually more effective, while silicone earplugs are better for comfort and reusability.For more sports, health and fitness content and buying guides, check out our dedicated talkSPORT shopping hub.