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All concert-goers should be wearing earplugs. Generally, prolonged
exposure to sound louder than 85 decibels (dB) can damage your hearing, and most concerts range from 90 to 120 dB.
The good news? There are some excellent earplugs out there designed specifically for concerts. Instead of simply blocking noise, the best concert earplugs reduce the volume so you can still hear all the nuance of the music (and talk to people) without hurting your ears.
At a Glance: Earplugs On Sale for October Prime Day
Loop Switch 2
Loop Experience 2
Vibes
Decibullz Moldable Earplugs for Concerts
Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs
Over the last few years, our product testers and music nerds here at Rolling Stone have been testing dozens of best-selling earplugs for concerts. We keep a full buying guide and list of our favorites here, but right now is a better time than any to buy them: Almost all of our favorite earplugs are currently on sale during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale.
The Best Concert Earplugs On Sale for October Prime Day
Below are some of the best earplugs for concerts that are currently discounted for Prime Big Deal Days. Keep in mind that Prime Big Deal Days ends at midnight Pacific time on Wednesday, Oct. 7, so act fast on these deals while they last.
EDITOR’S PICK
Loop Switch 2
NRR: 20-26
Ear tips: XS, S, M, L
Over the last couple of years, Loop has established itself as the leader in universal-fit earplugs. Most of our staff (myself included) have extensively tested the brand’s best-sellers and can confidently say the hype is real. I love their metallic, jewelry-like design, which makes them better-looking than most earplugs (unless you want total discretion), and you get a great range of colors to choose from. More importantly, I love Loop’s excellent noise reduction, which turns down the volume without sacrificing audio quality.
The Loop Switch 2 is our top pick from the brand. Unlike most earplugs, you can adjust how much volume is let in by shifting a dial (no need to swap tips). The plugs have three modes: “Quiet”, “Experience,” and “Engage,” ranging from almost full quiet to noise-dampening. The former is great for non-concert activities, as well as extremely loud shows, while the “Engage” option is ideal for full immersion and occasional conversations.
RUNNER-UP
Loop Experience 2
NRR: 17
Ear tips: XS, S, M, L
Loop’s Experience 2 is also worth considering. It’s $20 cheaper than the Switch during October Prime Day and offers top-tier sound reduction designed specifically for concerts, music festivals, and similar environments. They’re exceptionally comfortable, largely thanks to the namesake loop that fits snugly in your ear to lock them in place. Sound quality is as good as you’ll get with universal-fit earplugs, and the three eartip sizes offer a good fit for almost everyone. Just like the Switch 2, the Experience 2 comes in a range of stylish colors, including ones co-designed by Harry Styles’ Pleasing, Coachella, and Tomorrowland.
BUDGET PICK
Vibes
NRR: 15
Ear tips: S, M, L
As much as we wish hearing protection was cool, the truth is that most people would probably rather not advertise that they’re wearing earplugs at the concert. Vibes gets it, which is why these earplugs are incredibly discreet, with transparent stems that are nearly invisible in the ear. In our testing, we found that they sufficiently reduced loud noises without music sounding overly muffled, and they were comfortable enough to wear for a whole concert. They feature replaceable ear tips and come in a small case that’s easy to take on the go, making them the ideal companion for venues with no-bag policies.
MOLDABLE
Decibullz Moldable Earplugs for Concerts
NRR: 12
Ear tips: S, M, L
If all earplugs don’t seem to fit properly, try these semi-custom plugs from Decibullz. The eartips are moldable; just soften them in hot water and push them into your ears while they cool down (like a mouthguard). The molding process is very easy, and the result is a pair of earplugs that stay extra secure (and comfortable) through any headbanging. They do have a slightly lower NRR than others (12), which means music will sound slightly louder than the options above.
DISCREET
Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs
NRR: 21
Ear tips: S, L
Eargasm’s affordable earplugs were the first pair I used after a friend gifted them to me. With an NRR of 21 dB, they’re good for even the loudest shows and offer very good value at $37 (during Prime Big Deal Days) for the basic colorway. They’re very discreet, sitting deep in the ear with a pull tab to get them out after the show. I’m also a big fan of the small metal keychain case, which is easy to slip on a keyring and carry everywhere. The one downside is that you only get two size options, which can mean a poor fit for some ears.
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