Earplug Review

Introduction to Earplugs

Earplugs aren't the sort of product you can evaluate simply by sticking a pair in your ears for a few minutes, judging the sound level and moving on to the next brand. Choosing the right earplug is as much a matter of comfort, fit and ease of insertion as noise reduction, which is why we give added weight to reviewers who take these factors into account.

The best reviews of earplugs divide into two rough categories. The first are comparative roundups by motorcycle buffs, who (because they're exposed to high decibel levels while riding) take their earplugs very seriously. We were especially impressed by Ian Johnston of Obairlann.net, who thoroughly tests 14 earplug brands, as well as motorcyclists posting in-depth comparative reviews on Motorcycle.com, webBikeWorld, Ted's House and Motorcycle Paradise. All of these sources test (more or less) the same brands, and all come to similar conclusions.

For the non-biker crowd, the most impressive reviews are by Slate and The Wall Street Journal, whose writers try out the most widely available earplugs and report their impressions. These sources are especially important when it comes to identifying the best earplugs for everyday use, since not everyone needs tight-fitting plugs that won't pop out when you're riding a motorcycle.

Finally, we consulted some less methodological reviews of earplugs at About.com, Kevin Kelly's Cool Tools and Men's Journal, as well as user postings on Amazon.com. The roundup by Men's Journal is a good example of why you should take a skeptical attitude toward some major-market men's magazine reviews: the writer recommends a pair of high-tech earplugs that "look cool" (never mind effectiveness or comfort), and criticizes a brand of earplugs designed for swimmers because it's "ineffective on land."