Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs

Because my ears have very narrow ear canals, and one of them takes a 90 degree bend and goes straight up, I am particular about my ear plugs. Because I use earplugs for active motor sports, shooting, and chainsaw work in Hawaii, over the ear protection isn't always practical. I recently purchased 5 different brands of earplugs and put them to the test. Here's what I found, sorted for most to least favorite. Mack's Ultra Soft - My personal favorite, and at $0.17/pair, also the least expensive. They share the same small diameter of the Hearos Ultimate Softness, but are a bit more firm and a few millimeters longer. So, for me, they did a better job of subjective sound dampening, and were a bit easier to grip and pull back out. My tests are mostly in warm weather. In very cold weather, these could be too firm for some users. The Mack's and Hearos Ultimate Softness both shared the same smaller diameter. Hearos Ultimate Softness - These were the softest, most comfortable plugs I tested. At $0.18/pair they were the second cheapest, and also my second favorite. My daughter doesn't like earplugs, as they really bother her ears, but she was at least able to tolerate these. I think most people would be pretty happy with these, however, they were not my favorite for two reasons. First reason is that they seemed to stop slightly less high-pitched sound than the other plugs. All the plugs are rated at 33 db, but that's because that is all they are allowed to be rated. Subjectively, these were at the lower end of sound blocking, but still adequate for most tasks. My only other "complaint" is that these seemed to take the longest to spring back to shape and fill the ear because they are very soft, and they are somewhat shorter than the Macks. This makes them feel a bit like they might fall out for the first minute or two, and their 2-3 millimeter shorter length makes them every so slightly more difficult to grip and remove. Both minor complaints, and these are very good plugs. Hearos Xtreme Protection - As the name implies, subjectively, these blocked the most sound of all the ones I tested. They have the same larger diameter as the 3M plugs, but are easily twice as soft/half as firm. They gave a very full feeling to the ears, but were not uncomfortable. At $0.39/pair, they were the most expensive plugs tested. They were the most effective and were quite comfortable, but the Mack's were 95% as good, and less than half the cost. These went into my shooting kit and would be my third selection, for use when max protection for a shorter wear period is ideal. Flents Quiet Contour. These plugs have a bell shape. I did not find that the shape made any improvement to sound dampening. These were on par with the Mack's for noise suppression. The downside of the wide end is that there is more material in your outer ear, which could be uncomfortable for some, and also perhaps less aesthetically appealing. However, if you're in charge of safety compliance, that extra bit makes it much easier to visually see that someone is wearing hearing protection, and it did leave more to grip for removing the plugs. At $0.30/pair, these were the second most expensive, and I do not recommend. 3M 1100 - These are what was issued to me for my 22 years of military service, and the benchmark from which I was judging. About the only positive thing I'll say about them is that they came individually packaged by pairs, so you can carry or store them in dirty or wet environment easily, but these were absolutely the least comfortable of the ones I tested. I paid $ 0.27/pair for them which puts them in the middle of the pack price wise. For me, they are much too firm, and also have the largest diameter of the group. In very cold weather, they would be nearly solid. They quickly made my ears sore/itchy. As much as I usually love 3M products, I do not recommend these. For those who care about such things, I tested these several ways. I wore each pair for about an hour just to get subjective feel for long term comfort. The exception was the 3M, which I could not leave in the entire hour because they were uncomfortable. Then to test for noise reduction, I put one brand in one ear and a different brand in the other ear and work for half an hour, then switch ears. During the test, I listened to speech, music, traffic noise, etc, and noted which plugs seemed to be most effective.

These Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs (50 pairs) arrived in a convenient, portable case. They’re very soft with excellent moldability. I used the roll technique (rolling them between my fingers before inserting), and they expand nicely for a secure, comfortable fit. I have smaller ear canals, and these fit really well without discomfort. They provide great noise reduction and have definitely improved my sleep quality. They’re also discreet and easy to use. Overall, a great value—I highly recommend them!

I’ve always used typical styrofoam earplugs that you can get from any big box store or drugstore. The problem with those, however, is that they do work, but they can be uncomfortable and sometimes they take a while to get placed just right. Sometimes the foam is so stiff that it’s hard to compress enough to fit securely in your ear. Nevertheless, the sound dampening when these are placed correctly was worth the discomfort. I was tired of that. So i decided to try those wax earplug things. I didn’t like those since i found the noise dampening effect minimal, i was worried that the wax would get into my ear canal, and bits of the wax would get in my hair or even on my pillow. No thanks. Next up was the earbud style plug. I was excited about these since I’ve used them during the day to help filter out noise outside, and I’m a big fan of things that are reusable. The particular set that i bought came with a number of different sized earbuds, so you could find what worked for you. Nice concept, but the earbuds were not for me. I found them uncomfortable, so i always ended up taking them out in the middle of the night. The noise dampening was better than with the wax, but still not great. I was also concerned that the little earbuds i placed over the bigger part would get stuck in my ears and cost me a lot of money to remove. One day, i simply couldn’t find these in the morning after removing them—it’s as if they went to another dimension. I still haven’t found them weeks later (i do not have a messy bedroom at all!), so the universe was telling me to get something else. I did a search for foam earplugs since i was tired of experimenting. I needed something that worked since I’ll be visiting a friend soon and taking my white noise machine is not an option as they have a dog. That’s how i stumbled across Mack’s earplugs. I never heard of them before, but they seemed solid. They are more than just solid. They are fantastic. They completely blow the wax and earbud style plugs out of the water. They are superior to standard foam plugs. The noise reduction factor is 33 decibels, which is great, but these are also super comfortable. They are deceptively soft and lightweight. You roll them and they respond so well that you’ll think they can’t possibly do anything. THEY DO. They compress easily and glide into your ear canal. They expand quickly and dampen the sound beautifully. These are so comfortable to wear that i leave them in overnight. I’m a customer for life.

Blocks most noise but not all. They are soft and are comfortable to wear at night due to being a side sleeper the firmer types are not comfortable. Need replaceing about once a week for me because they do not reforrm and expand after a few times. Fit fine, did not give 5 stars due to durabliltiy and not stopping all noise

Portable and smaller carrying case, but compact with earbuds, was a bit difficult to get out of my ears ing the morning. But I felt that it was much more comfortable and consistent and noise cancelling than other brands (in direct comparison to the LYSIAN ones which I’ve used in the past) .

This is a large improvement over their prior product. They no longer create itchy ears, stay in better and do a better job of muting the traffic noise. Tge material is softer and more confortable for sleeping.

I bought these when we had some very noisy neighbors move in next door (loud conversations, doors slamming, dogs barking, loud music playing, etc.), and I kept getting woken up by the noise early in the morning. The first couple times I used these ear plugs, I wasn't impressed, but I kept working with them, and now I'm so thankful I have them. When they are sitting in the right spot in the ears, they work very well and block out just the right of amount of noise without keeping you from hearing absolutely everything (I like that I can still hear my alarm clock when it rings, for instance). After some experimenting, here are some tips I've found that help me when I'm using them: 1. I have small ear canals, and I find I have to roll these to a fairly thin point so that I can slide them into my ears easily. Sometimes, I find it easier to roll the plug back and forth against my palm with a couple fingers. That seems to work better for me than just using my thumb and forefinger. 2. Once the ear plugs are in place after rolling them, expect to hear some crackling as the foam expands to fill the ear canal. Also, don't expect the ear plug to block sound until that foam has expanded completely and the ear canal is closed off. This can take maybe a half a minute or a so. 3. To test if both ear plugs are in place, after the foam has expanded in both ears and the crackling has completely stopped, try speaking or making a humming noise. If your own voice sounds a little like you're underwater, it's a good sign. As another check, I usually snap my fingers a couple times. If I feel the vibrations from the snap more than I hear the actual noise, then I know I'm good to go. If I still hear the snapping sound, then I know at least one of the plugs isn't sitting in quite the right place. 4. For me personally, I've found that these work best when they are just deep enough to fill the entrance to the ear canal. Any deeper that that and, for me, they cause a faint ear ache, so work with them a little until you find what is most comfortable for you and what will work best for your own needs. If you accidentally press them in a little too far, I've found you can very carefully pull them out a bit until they're more comfortable, though you do have to be careful not to overdo that and pull them out too much. 5. I don't know if this would be the case for everyone, but I've found that these ear plugs can shift a little if I go from sitting up to laying down, or from laying down to sitting up/standing up, presumably because my ear canals themselves shift a little with the movement. Sometimes, the ear plugs are in a good spot when I'm laying down, but then I sit up, and suddenly, they aren't blocking as much sound any more. The opposite is also true. I'm good when I'm sitting up, but then I lay down, and suddenly, the ear plugs aren't blocking sound the same way, and I have to readjust them. So, that's just something I've learned to watch for when I'm putting them in right before I go to sleep, or if I have to get up for a few minutes before heading back to bed.

These work as advertised, but for me they are a bit short. I have to push them way into my ear canal. A little difficult to extract them. Flents seems to be a better fit for me. However, if you don't want them to be seen sticking out of your ears, these would be better for that purpose. Also, I prefer the color of these rather than the bright orange of the flents. But both brands have the same silencing rating. I will likely return to the flents because they fit better.

The best ear plugs.. Have used at music festivals for sleeping. Super comfortable. Great value. Highly recommend.

Overview: Mack's Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs are tailored to provide effective noise reduction and comfort with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 32 decibels. These earplugs are designed for a variety of uses, including sleeping, traveling, and attending noisy events. Pros: Superior Comfort: Made from Comfy Cush Comfort Foam, these earplugs are designed to be ultra-comfortable, adapting to the shape of the ear for extended wear. Effective Noise Blocking: With a high NRR of 32 decibels, they effectively reduce noise, making them ideal for multiple environments and activities. Versatile Use: Endorsed as the #1 brand by doctors for snoring, sleeping, and hearing protection, they cater to a broad audience. Quality Assurance: Manufactured in the USA, these earplugs meet stringent quality and safety standards and come in a convenient, safety-sealed container. Cons: Size Fit Issues: Users with smaller ear openings might find these earplugs less comfortable, as their size can cause discomfort or inadequate fit in smaller ears. Not Completely Silent: They significantly reduce noise but do not block it completely, which may not meet the needs of those requiring total silence. Morning Discomfort: Some users report feeling discomfort when wearing the earplugs for an entire night, noticing them in their ears upon waking. Final Thoughts: Mack's Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs offer robust noise reduction and are highly recommended for their comfort and effectiveness. However, those with smaller ear canals should consider the potential fit issue before purchase. Despite this, the earplugs' overall performance, coupled with their endorsements and quality manufacturing, make them a valuable choice for many looking to reduce noise exposure in various settings.

I highly recommend this for sleeping. I'm working shift hours as a firefighter. After many years in the service, I’ve developed sensitivity to sounds. Probably because during night duty, we have to be alert even during our short naps. These earplugs solve the problem when I want to sleep at home during the day after my night duty. Not only it is very soft and comfy, but it also blocks surroundings sound very well. I'm a side sleeper and I can hardly feel any uncomfortable effects from these earplugs.

Perfect to use , blocked the noise and no sore ears Than other brands. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mi esposo ronca HORRIBLE, incluso ya dormíamos separados. ESTOS TAPONES HACEN LA DIFERENCIA. Son demasiado cómodos, ni siquiera se sienten y mis orejas son muy pequeñas, tenía miedo de que me lastimaran ya que otras marcas son insoportables para mi. Sin los tapones el ronquido de mi esposo es nivel locomotora, con los tapones se percibe apenas como el ronroneo de un gatito. CÓMPRALOS!!! No hay tapones que bloqueen completamente el ruido, no he encontrado ningunos, pero la cantidad de decibeles que reduce es impresionante. Ya puedo dormir toda la noche sin que sus ronquidos me despierten y de nuevo volvimos a dormir juntos. Estoy muy feliz con mi compra!