The Best Earplugs For Festivals & Concerts
🔇Reduce the noise, keep the quality: Up to 18 dB of filtered noise reduction 🕺 Designed to stay put: No matter how much you dance or move ♻️ Reusable & easy to clean: Use them day in, day out
There are several reasons that you could need earplugs for a festival. Apart from the obvious ear protection if you hit the front, you might also consider that getting some shut-eye at the campsite is ideal.
Anyone that has camped in the general section of a music festival campground will tell you that there was one particularly irritating group that kept them awake the night before.
Now before you think I’m here to tell you which earplugs are the best to help you sleep at a festival, I’m not. That was merely illustrating how useful they are.
Like most of you reading this post, I thought I’d never be the one wearing earplugs at a festival in a million years. But as the years have worn on and after spending my fair share of time parked right next to the Funktion-One boom box. I realised that I was going to have to invest in a set.
So I did. And here are the best earplugs for festivals and concerts. Keep reading to find out more.
🏆 Best overall: Loop Experience Pro Earplugs
A multi-case-use earplug that is hands down the most aesthetically pleasing on this list. Because let’s face it, earplugs have the habit of either making you look old or a complete noob at a festival or concert.
These, however, are beautifully designed, so you won’t have to worry about feeling awkward. Instead, you’ll have other revellers coming up and asking you what they are (even though it’s obvious) and where you got them.
Added to this, they are cleverly engineered so that you can filter more or less noise on demand. And their noise reduction rating is 18 dB or 23 dB. They also fit a wide range of ear canals, so you don’t have to ask, will these fit in my ear holes?
What’s super cool about Loop earplugs is how widely they are loved among communities outside of festivals and concerts. They are literal game-changers for people who suffer from auditory triggers.
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Cleverly engineered
- Multiple use cases
Cons:
- These can be tricky to fit
🔇Reduce the noise, keep the quality: Up to 18 dB of filtered noise reduction 🕺 Designed to stay put: No matter how much you dance or move ♻️ Reusable & easy to clean: Use them day in, day out
🥈 Runner-Up: Vibes high-fidelity earplugs
They are designed to be discreet first and foremost. The Vibes high-fidelity earplugs are made of clear, low-profile silicone tips that sit almost entirely out of sight. At the same time, they isolate damaging noise levels without hurting sound quality, so you don’t have to compromise.
They come with multiple interchangeable silicone tips so that you can find the best possible fit for your ear shape.
Vibes have a decibel reduction of up to 22dB, which in festival speak translates to an earplug that allows you to ask your mate who the next act is and actually hear their response—not just looking back and giving a thumbs up, even though you couldn’t hear a thing they said.
You’ll also get a handy carry case to keep them safely tucked away should you want to do some serious headbanging🤘.
Pros:
- Discreet design
- Quality sound filtering
- Multiple use cases
Cons:
- Uncomfortable for long periods
- Don’t fit very small ear canals
🍃 Best eco-friendly earplugs: Happy Ears
It’s no secret that foam earplugs are known to be bad for the environment. They get used a handful of times and then get thrown away, and the same thing happens to their replacement. The same goes for plastic earplugs.
But that is where the Swedish strat-up Happy Ears comes in. Not only do they say no to foam, but they make their earplugs with recycled ocean plastics. As a result, everything about the product, including the packing, is sustainable.
Happy Ears are the first reusable plastic earplugs on the market. The industry should be doing more of this, considering the number of single-use earplugs is in the billions!
Their ocean plastics earplugs are rated to reduce noise up to 27 dB, so they have industry-leading specs in arguably the most crucial aspect of earplugs.
Pros:
- No foam and sustainable packaging
- Recycled ocean plastics
- Multiple use cases
Cons:
- Reports of getting stuck
💰 Best budget: Alpine PartyPlugs
For most festival goers, earplugs are nearer the end of the packing list, if at all. And so, in most cases, the earplugs bought are typically what’s available with Amazon Prime and the cheapest.
But don’t just buy the cheapest set of earplugs. Instead, stop for a minute and check out something like these Alpine Party Plugs. They aren’t the cheapest on the market but the best in the budget bracket.
For the price, you’ll get up to 19dB reduction filters with an ultra-comfortable fit that’ll last your entire weekend. In addition, these bad boys are EU & US certified to meet regulatory requirements and are hypoallergenic.
Lastly, you’ll get a carry case and up to 100 uses from these earplugs made from 98% less plastic than the industry average. So if you are going the budget route, get these. They are by far the friendliest to the environment in the budget aisle!
Pros:
- The price
- Long-lasting comfort
- 98% less plastic
Cons:
- Difficult to remove once seated – stalks not long enough
- Average noise reduction
🥂 Best premium: Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs
If tinnitus is about as scary to you as the prospect of climbing under the bedframe with Pennywise, then you should really be investing in a premium set of earplugs for your festival shenanigans.
These Eargasm (try not to laugh) high-fidelity earplugs provide excellent noise reduction while maintaining pristine sound quality. The noise filters can get up to 21dB of reduced noise, but they excel at keeping a balance between high, mid and low tones.
They are engineered for loud music environments, so they suit festivals and concertgoers and those working the venues.
You are also guaranteed a perfect fit as they come with 2 pairs of hypoallergenic earplug shells that fit regular to large-sized ears. If you have smaller ear canals, then go for their smaller model. Eargasm stands by this guarantee, and you are encouraged to contact their support with any fitment issues, which they’ll fix for you.
Pros:
- No muffle or distortions – just filtered down, retaining sound quality
- Extremely comfortable – perfect fit guarantee
- Very high customer satisfaction
Cons:
- Musicians report inadequate sound protection
- Difficult to equalise pressure build-up
🦻 Best value: Alpine MusicSafe Pro Ear Plugs
These are the 2nd earplugs to appear on this list manufactured by Alpine. These Alpine Pro earplugs offer the best value on the market. If you like bang for your buck, then look no further.
They come with 3 high-fidelity acoustic filters that offer noise reductions of 16dB, 19dB and 22dB, respectively. So you can find what works best for you. The shells are also sustainable, hypoallergenic, and without silicone in them.
These are designed with performing musicians in mind, so they work wonderfully for festival-goers too. They are discreet, fit most ear shapes and offer the best sound quality retention in the Alpine range.
You’ll also receive a carry case, carrying cord and cleaning spray as part of the package, which is fantastic value considering these will last up to 100 uses.
Pros:
- Interchangeable filters – 3 filter sets that offer noise reductions of 16, 19 and 22dB.
- Tested and certified – noise reduction rating under US & EU Regulations.
- Wearable cord and cleaning spray included.
Cons:
- Difficult to remove once seated in the ear canal – stalks are not long enough.
- Higher frequencies can leak through.
🦮 Festival Earplugs Buyer Guide
Okay, so what are the factors that make for a decent set of earplugs? Well, read the buyer’s guide below to learn about hearing protection and what you need to consider when buying.
Noise Reduction
Hearing damage can occur from 85dB and up. That relates to extended exposure to this noise level. To put it into perspective, a power tool reaches around 90dB. Nightclubs are anywhere from 100dB and up. So it would help if you had something that could reduce noise by at least 15dB. Having the ability to change filters is an excellent option to have.
Aesthetics are important
Remember at the beginning when I said that nobody wants to look like a grandparent at a festival? Well, that is where discreet design comes in handy. And besides, there is nothing cool about getting tinnitus just because you were trying to be cool. Oh, the irony!
Comfort for long periods
You’ll need a set of earplugs that not only stay put in your ear holes but once in there; they need to be comfy. A festival is a true test of earplug comfort because you’ll be wearing them for up to a week (yes, some festivals like Burning Man go on that long).
Hey, I can actually hear you!
Understanding your festival buddies while standing next to the speaker is impossible. We have all tried it. You ask them a question. They don’t hear you. But they pretend they do and give you an answer they think you want. You then act as though you understood them. You both laugh and nod your heads. Congratulations, you have just completed the world’s worst score of broken telephone.
Okay, but in all seriousness, a good set of earplugs will allow you to understand and hear each other. It’s a game chamber. And you don’t have to worry about knowing who is coming on next!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus occurs when sounds like ringing are heard, not from external sources. It is relatively common and not typically considered serious. Usually, it is something that gets better with time. However, it can be the opposite when severe hearing damage can cause considerable discomfort.
How many decibels is a festival?
The answer depends on whether the festival is indoors or outdoors. Outdoor festivals are anywhere between 90 dB and 100 dB. Whereas indoor festivals, such as under tents, can reach 110dB or higher.
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