Most pairs of earplugs will have an SNR of anywhere between 15 and 40 — with a higher rating generally meaning they’re more effective. So, for example, a pair of earplugs with an SNR of 25 will reduce the amount of noise the wearer is exposed to by 25 decibels — whereas a pair with a rating of 20 would block out a little less.
Can you sleep with earplugs every night?
Generally speaking, yes – it's pretty safe to wear earplugs while sleeping. But as with everything, there are a few potential side effects worth knowing about.
Regular use can cause more wax to be pushed back into your ear canal, which can lead to a blockage developing over time. If left untreated, complications like hearing loss and tinnitus can occur — so, if things are starting to sound a little muffled, be sure to pay a visit to your GP, where you’ll likely just be prescribed some ear drops to soften and clear the wax.
Regular use of earplugs can also increase your risk of ear infections due to a build-up of both wax and excess bacteria. To keep the bacteria at bay, make sure you throw away single-use earplugs after each use, and regularly wash reusable silicone ones in soapy water.
How we tested the best earplugs for sleeping:
We tested as many earplugs for sleeping in this edit as we could (and are working our way through the others), considering comfort, price, whether they stayed in place all night and whether they actually blocked out noise. For those we haven't tested, we've spoken to experts and trawled customer reviews to ensure you're only viewing the best of the bunch.
Ahead, our complete list of the best earplugs for sleeping:
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