Best Noise-Canceling Earplugs
Top noise-canceling earplugs ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Loop Quiet 2
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Stylish ring design looks like jewelry
- Stylish ring design looks like jewelry
- 26 dB NRR noise reduction
Cons
- Passive only — no active cancellation
- Passive only — no active cancellation
- Not ideal for very loud industrial settings
Don't buy this if…
- These are not rated for industrial hearing protection — use OSHA-rated plugs for heavy machinery.
- These are not rated for industrial hearing protection — use OSHA-rated plugs for heavy machinery.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Flat 20 dB reduction preserves music clarity
- Flat 20 dB reduction preserves music clarity
- Musician and audiologist recommended
Cons
- 20 dB may not be enough for very loud venues
- 20 dB may not be enough for very loud venues
- Stem protrudes slightly from ear
Don't buy this if…
- Not designed for sleeping — the stem can cause discomfort when lying on your side.
- Not designed for sleeping — the stem can cause discomfort when lying on your side.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Industry-leading active noise cancellation
- Industry-leading active noise cancellation
- CustomTune ear-shape calibration
Cons
- Premium price point
- Premium price point
- Bulkier than passive earplugs
Don't buy this if…
- Active noise cancellation may mask important environmental sounds — use Aware Mode in traffic.
- Active noise cancellation may mask important environmental sounds — use Aware Mode in traffic.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Virtually invisible when worn
- Virtually invisible when worn
- Reduces stress-inducing frequencies
Cons
- Only reduces specific frequencies, not overall volume
- Only reduces specific frequencies, not overall volume
- Effect varies by individual
Don't buy this if…
- Not hearing protection — does not provide an NRR rating for loud environments.
- Not hearing protection — does not provide an NRR rating for loud environments.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 29 dB NRR — highest in class
- 29 dB NRR — highest in class
- Designed for smaller ear canals
Cons
- Disposable — not reusable
- Disposable — not reusable
- Muffles speech significantly
Don't buy this if…
- Roll and compress fully before inserting — forcing an unexpanded plug can damage the ear canal.
- Roll and compress fully before inserting — forcing an unexpanded plug can damage the ear canal.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 2x improved ANC with H2 chip
- 2x improved ANC with H2 chip
- Adaptive Transparency mode
Cons
- Only compatible with Apple ecosystem for full features
- Only compatible with Apple ecosystem for full features
- Premium price
Don't buy this if…
- Small ear tips can work loose during vigorous exercise — test fit with all 4 included sizes.
- Small ear tips can work loose during vigorous exercise — test fit with all 4 included sizes.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- MIT-developed acoustic technology
- MIT-developed acoustic technology
- Flat 17 dB attenuation preserves fidelity
Cons
- Higher price than basic earplugs
- Higher price than basic earplugs
- 17 dB may not suffice for very loud venues
Don't buy this if…
- The rigid body design may not fit all ear canal shapes — check the sizing guide before purchasing.
- The rigid body design may not fit all ear canal shapes — check the sizing guide before purchasing.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Nearly invisible clear design
- Nearly invisible clear design
- 22 dB even frequency reduction
Cons
- Limited to one ear tip size per set
- Limited to one ear tip size per set
- Slightly less reduction than foam plugs
Don't buy this if…
- Clean ear tips after each use to prevent wax buildup that reduces acoustic performance.
- Clean ear tips after each use to prevent wax buildup that reduces acoustic performance.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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