Mack's AquaBlock

Bottom Line

Mack's AquaBlock earplugs get good reviews for keeping water out of ear canals. Their pre-molded silicone design is described as soft and comfortable and makes these earplugs reusable. Users say they are comfortable and easy to clean. Because they insert in the ear canal, these earplugs should not be used in children under the age of 7, or by anyone with ear tubes or who has had recent ear surgery, instead look for moldable silicone earplugs.

Performance

Provides a good seal. Mack's AquaBlock earplugs are very good at keeping water out of the ear canal, according to Bestcovery.com and reviewers on Amazon.com and EarPlugStore.com. Unlike moldable silicone earplugs, which form a seal on the outside of the ear, Mack's AquaBlock earplugs are made of pre-molded silicone and sit inside the ear canal. Bestcovery.com, which rates AquaBlock as the best earplug for swimming, chalks up the AquaBlock's efficacy to its triple flanged design. The triple flange allows for greater flexibility in fit, while also providing multiple barriers to the water.

However, because they insert into the ear canal, AquaBlock earplugs should not be used in children under the age of 7, by anyone with ear tubes or by anyone who is recovering from ear surgery. Mack's AquaBlock earplugs do not have a noise reduction rating (NRR), but reviewers at both Amazon.com and EarPlugStore.com both find them helpful at reducing noise.

Comfort/feel

Soft and comfortable. Bestcovery.com remarks that Mack's AquaBlock earplugs are "so soft and comfortable, you won't even notice that they are in your ears." Most reviewers on Amazon.com agree, remarking on the softness and comfort of the earplugs, as well as how easy it is to insert and remove them. One reviewer on EarPlugStore.com found that despite their softness, her ears still felt a little sore after a long swim.

Value

Inexpensive and reusable. Mack's AquaBlock earplugs may appear slightly more expensive than other earplugs (*Est. $4 for 2 pairs), but unlike the others, AquaBlock earplugs are reusable. Reviewers on Amazon.com found them easy to clean, but several caution not to buy the clear ones, as they become difficult to find if dropped in water. They are also available in purple.