Mack's foam earplugs are the only way I sleep through the night
Summer parties and barbecues are wonderful — but sometimes they carry their noise into the night. Here’s how I deal.
They’re also reusable. Though they come with 50 pairs, or 100 individual earplugs, there’s no reason you can’t use them more than once. I’ve been using my current stash of Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs since the beginning of May. I just counted them now, and I’ve only tossed about 20 earplugs, which means I still have around 40 pairs left. For less than $10, and considering how frequently I use them — nearly every night of the week — this is virtually a steal.
Sometimes, earplugs aren’t enough, though. When my neighbors get really loud, I insert my earplugs and double down with my noise-isolating Bluetooth headphones. (I usually put on one of Spotify’s white noise playlists to help, too.) But that doesn’t happen a ton.
Other earplugs to consider
Whether you’re looking for a pair of earplugs that are made from putty to mold to your ear or you want to invest in a pair of earplugs that look primed for your Instagram story, these two options come highly rated across a variety of price points.
Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs
Not only does Mack’s make “ultra soft” foam earplugs, it makes “pillow soft” silicone earplugs, too. (Someone test them both and tell me if they can spot a difference.) First invented in 1962, the Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs are made from putty, which means they can fit into the unique contours of any ear, according to the company. That said, they only account for a NRR of 22 decibels, 11 decibels weaker than the hardcore Ultra Softs that I love. They come in a six-pack. The Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs come with 4.3 star average rating across more than 33,000 customer reviews.
Loop Quiet Earplugs
If Instagram were to give birth to a pair of earplugs, the silicone Loop Quiet Earplugs would be it. While Mack’s were invented in 1962, the Loops feel aggressively 2022-esque. Their advertising is almost sexy, with an Elizabeth Holmes-looking model showing off how to use the Loop Quiets next to a list of how they work: to “disconnect,” “peace,” “comfort,” “environment” — buzzwords that literally don’t mean anything unto themselves. I digress. The Loop Quiet earplugs have an NRR of 27 decibels, and unlike options from Mack’s, they come in four sizes (from XS to L) and six different colors, as well as with a carry case. The Loop Quiet earplugs come with a 4.2 star average rating across more than 21,000 customer reviews.
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