Road Racerz is proudly supported by our readers. Products purchased through links on our site may provide us a commission. Learn More
We often spoke of safety equipment and why it’s as essential. And while many riders use gloves, boots, and helmets, earplugs or something most people overlook.
It’s a critical piece of your equipment that can help you enjoy your rides far more than you think possible. Plus, these can help prevent temporary deafness and damaged hearing due to excessive wind noise.
Take a few minutes to discover the top motorcycle earplugs and their pros and cons. We also included a detailed buyer’s guide to help you understand what makes earplugs worth your attention and money.
7 Highest Rated Motorcycle Earplugs Reviewed
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|
Eargasm  | Eargasm Features: Aluminum case included, up to a 21dB drop in noise Size: Small, Standard | Check Price |
Nonoise Motor  | Nonoise Motor Features: Dampening sound effect, silicone-free Size: Universal | Check Price |
ProGuard  | ProGuard Features: Custom fitment, non-toxic and soft Size: Custom | Check Price |
Etymotic Research  | Etymotic Research Features: Evenly reduced noise levels, comfortable low-profile design Size: Large, Standard, Universal | Check Price |
MUDEELA  | MUDEELA Features: Small, invisible design, easy to clean Size: Universal | Check Price |
DownBeats  | DownBeats Features: Comfortable design, invisible Size: Universal | Check Price |
Alpine Hearing Protection  | Alpine Hearing Protection Features: Hypoallergenic, reusable Size: Universal | Check Price |
Eargasm – High-fidelity
These are designed to cut out excess sound from the road, wind, and every other outside factor. The pair reduces noise evenly to maintain a full spectrum of sound.
The best thing is that these won’t muffle voices or music like foam plugs usually do. Instead, these block outside noise that can harm your hearing.
Every order includes two pairs of different sized shells. They’re designed to fit most people who have normal to large ears.
All you have to do is insert the attenuation filters into shells that fit you the best. These patent-pending attenuation filters are among the most innovative on the market.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the shells are made of non-toxic, hypoallergenic plush silicone. They’re comfortable to wear for hours on end as they won’t cause pressure or itching.
PROS
- Aluminum case included
- Two shell sizes
- Up to a 21dB drop in noise
CONS
- A bit too stiff at first
Nonoise Motor – Ceramic Filter
Nonoise Motor plugs have precision-tuned, patented ceramic filters. These are designed to ensure maximum protection from road, wind, and engine noise.
The filters won’t muffle the sound but dampen it. This means you can still hear the world around you, just not as loud as before.
This makes the plugs ideal for touring and racing. It provides adjustable volume as it dampens the sounds around you.
The best thing is that you’ll still be able to hear different traffic signals, music, phone calls, and out sounds. It allows safe rides without the excessive noise that can damage your hearing.
Another thing worth noting is the overall comfort level. These are comfortable enough for you to wear them all day long. They contain hypoallergenic thermoplastics instead of silicone.
The plugs come in a carrying case.
PROS
- Dampening sound effect
- Comfortable, silicone-free
- Carrying case included
CONS
- Not for small ears
ProGuard – Silicon
These silicone plugs are ideal if you’re looking for custom earplugs. They give you a permanent effective seal in only a few minutes.
The best thing is that these come with instructions. The instructions included are easy to read and understand, which you should do before using the plugs.
Keep in mind that these come in three different colors, including beige, blue, and red. They’re ideal for motorcyclists, musicians, shooters, and other people who spend time in loud surroundings.
These are soft and easy to use. They’re comfortable, safe, non-allergic, and non-toxic, which means you can wear them for hours on end.
The two-part silicone is hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. Plus, these are easy to clean, which you should do after each use by simply rinsing them with water. They’re long-lasting and designed to drop noise levels to about 24dB.
PROS
- Custom fitment
- Non-toxic and soft
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Might be tricky to use at first
Etymotic Research – Low-profile Design
Etymotic Research plugs are designed for people who are always on the go. They’re easy to use, carry around, and clean at any time.
These come with a neck cord and a carrying case so that you don’t lose them when traveling. Also, the tips are replaceable and interchangeable. This makes the pair cost-effective and eco-friendly.
The low-profile design provides comfort and ease of use. You can easily wear these under your helmet, hat, or whatever other gear you wear.
It’s an ideal choice for motorcyclists, but also people using heavy-duty machinery and attending concerts and sports events.
Keep in mind that you’ll still be able to hear environmental sounds and speech. Still, you won’t hear so much of road and engine noise as the plugs are designed to minimize those.
PROS
- Evenly reduced noise levels
- Comfortable low-profile design
- Interchangeable tips
CONS
- These last only about three months
MUDEELA – Reusable
Mudeela plugs are available in black and purple colors. These high-fidelity earplugs are made of silicone and designed to protect your hearing on the road.
These reduce harmful noise to 23db, which makes them ideal for riding, playing music, attending sports events, and doing other stuff that is potentially dangerous to your hearing.
Its patented attenuation filters filter out harmful noise, preserving sound quality so that you can still hear music and people talking.
They’re made to fit better into your ear canal, featuring a soft and comfortable material that won’t irritate your skin.
Another thing worth noting is that they’re quite small, and other people might not even notice you’re wearing them. They come in a portable case that allows easy storage and carrying.
PROS
- Easy to clean
- Foam plugs included as a bonus
- Small, invisible design
CONS
- Tough to remove from ears
DownBeats – Invisible
These high-fidelity earplugs are ideal if you’re looking for an invisible pair that other people won’t notice. It’s among the best choices for riding, touring, and attending sports events and concerts.
They’re designed to reduce noise levels so that you can still hear sounds, but at a safer level. You can hear speech, music, and high notes through the plugs.
The low-profile design makes these easy to use and invisible once in your ears. Other people won’t notice them, and you’ll find it easier to wear a helmet over them.
Another thing worth noting is that the Long Stem version is available as well. It’s a great choice if you have larger ears and need bigger plugs.
Also, these come in a durable aluminum case with a clip for easier carrying.
PROS
- Comfortable design
- Invisible
- Carrying case included
CONS
- Might be too small for some people
Alpine Hearing Protection – Hypoallergenic
Alpine Hearing Protection plugs are hypoallergenic and comfortable to wear for hours on end. They can reduce noise levels to 17.2 and 21.5 dB, depending on how loud the noise is, to begin with.
These are ideal for racing, touring, attending concerts, sports events, and playing music. They reduce road and engine noise but still allow you to hear music, speech, and traffic signals.
These have soft filters that contain no silicone and won’t cause any irritation. They’re comfortable to use for hours and easy to remove from your ears.
Another thing worth noting is that these are reusable and easy to clean. All you should do is wipe them clean with a wet wipe after each use to prevent grease and wax build-up.
Plus, you also get a free pouch to carry the plugs in when traveling.
PROS
- Hypoallergenic
- Reusable
- Easy to carry around
CONS
- They might get in too deep
Motorcycle Earplugs Buying Guide
Material
As you probably noticed, motorcycle plugs are made of various materials. The most popular option is foam because it’s easy to insert and remove from your ear within seconds.
Another option is silicone. It’s also a pretty popular choice, although the material is a bit more delicate and tricky to use.
Some plugs are also ceramic, featuring filters that provide sound attenuation and are usually more efficient than plastic pieces.
Some materials are pricier than others and also more reusable and long-lasting.
Size and Fitting
Although most plugs are universal and made to fit everyone, some people might need bigger or smaller tips.
It’s always important that the plugs fit you well. If not, you might find them uncomfortable or inefficient, especially if you’re using them for hours.
Make sure to get a size that fits you so that you can get maximum protection and best performance. If you struggle to find what fits you the best, you might want to go for custom-molded earplugs.
Noise Reduction
Have you noticed that some earplugs are marked with acronyms SNR or NRR? NRR stands for Noise Reduction Rating and is an American ISO standard for noise reduction.
SNR is an international standard and stands for Single Number Rating. Both ratings are classified by their ability to reduce noise in decibels.
The higher the rating you go for, the greater the noise suppression you get. Make sure to double-check this because it’s the most critical factor to consider.
Comfort
Earplugs should always be comfortable to wear, especially if you’ll wear them for hours. The last thing you want is a pair that’s too uncomfortable to wear when on the road.
Make sure to go for a pair that’s comfortable to wear at all times, especially when you wear a helmet. In most cases, low-profile models don’t stick out and are comfortable to use when wearing a helmet as well.
Some people consider foam pieces more comfortable than any other.
Pricing
The market offers plenty of different motorcycle earplugs ranging from expensive to rather affordable. Although they come at different prices, you should always consider other factors such as comfort and noise reduction before the price.
Make sure to have a pre-set budget so that you can find what fits within that price range. It’s the best way of focusing on products you’re okay with paying.
Still, keep in mind that the price doesn’t always determine quality.
Storage
Earplugs are tiny and very easy to lose. For this reason, you should go for a pair that comes with a carrying case or buy one separately.
Having a carrying case makes it easy to store these neatly. It also makes it easy to carry them around. However, you might want to secure the case as well by attaching it to your keys or backpack.
Also, make sure to store the earplugs away as soon as you’re done using them.
Suitability for Long Rides
As you probably know, not every model is suitable for long rides. In most cases, suitability for long rides depends on the overall comfort as well as its noise reduction abilities.
We have already mentioned how important comfort is. You won’t be able to wear the earplugs for a long time unless they’re comfortable.
Focus on finding the best combination of material, size, and fitment so that you can use the plugs for long rides.
More Reading: 7 Highest Rated Motorcycle Seat Cushions for Long-Distance
Myths About Using Earplugs in Motorcycling
Most people think that wearing earplugs will prevent you from hearing sirens, traffic signals, and your bike. Still, it’s important to know that earplugs don’t block low-frequency sounds.
Also, you may have heard that earplugs are only necessary if your bike is loud. However, other sources of high-level noise could damage your hearing as well.
Another common myth is that you don’t need earplugs if you’re wearing a full-face helmet. Although a full-face helmet might block some noise out, it won’t do it as efficiently as motorcycle earplugs.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus first appears as a constant ringing after you’ve been exposed to high-level noise. Although most people ignore this, it’s a clear symptom of hearing loss and ear damage.
You’ll notice that the buzzing sound goes away after a while. However, it permanently damages a fraction of your hearing cells.
You should wear earplugs if you experienced this constant buzzing at least once. It’s the best way of preventing ear damage and potential hearing loss.
Benefits of Wearing Motorcycle Earplugs
Prevents Temporary Deafness
Constant exposure to road and wind noise can cause a condition called a temporary threshold shift. In other words, it can cause temporary hearing loss.
When you experience this, you can’t hear anything as the partial deafness blocks out all frequencies. This can be quite dangerous when you’re riding because you won’t hear any traffic around you. Plus, it may be a while before your hearing returns.
Wearing motorcycle earplugs prevents this from happening by blocking high-frequency noise from damaging your hearing.
Blocks Wind Noise
Wind can get very loud when you ride at high speeds. It becomes that much louder, the faster you go. Sadly, not even a full-face helmet can protect your hearing from such high levels of noise.
Wind noise can reach levels over 100dB, which is highly distracting and even annoying. Plus, it can be damaging as well, especially if you’re exposed to it for a long period.
A quality pair of plugs can block this noise out, making your rides more comfortable.
Better Hearing
Contrary to popular belief, a quality set of plugs can help you hear better in loud environments. Earplugs dampen some frequencies better than others, blocking some noise while allowing other sounds to go through.
The best earplugs will allow you to hear the traffic around you. However, you won’t be able to hear as much of the wind, engine, and road noise that can cause temporary deafness.
Wearing a set of plugs can help you hear better by blocking high-frequency noise, especially at high speeds.
Types
Reusable
Reusable earplugs are a great choice if you’re looking for a pair that you can use more than once. However, these require some maintenance to function properly for a longer period.
Taking good care of them by cleaning them after each use will make them last longer.
Disposable
Disposable earplugs are probably the most commonly used. These are typically made of foam and are pretty cheap to buy.
Also, these are comfortable and easy to use. You’re not supposed to reuse them because foam cannot be cleaned properly. For this reason, these might not be the most eco-friendly option.
Corded
These earplugs are attached by a cord. This makes them more convenient and difficult to lose, especially when compared to other models that are easy to misplace.
Also, these are pretty easy to remove from your ears by just pulling the cord gently. You can then hang them around your neck.
Custom Molded
Custom-molded plugs are designed to fit your ears comfortably and with ease. These are typically the most expensive, but they’re worth it if you usually struggle to find a pair that fits you.
Much like all other types, these allow you to hear speech, music, and other low-frequency sounds while blocking out road and wind noise.
Tips in Using Earplugs for Hearing Protection
Apart from having a quality set of earplugs, you should also have a quality helmet. Choose a helmet that fits you well, leaving little space between your ears and its foam padding.
Also, you might want to consider getting your ears checked by a professional now and then. This is an important step if you’re often exposed to excessive noise.
Don’t expect your windshield to block wind noise because it blocks wind impact. You should still wear appropriate earplugs to protect your ears.
Another thing you should remember is that you should wear ear protection regardless of how loud your bike is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal?
According to the American Motorcyclist Association, Ohio, California, and Maryland have some restrictions when it comes to using earplugs while riding.
Other states allow you to use them, but we suggest you check your state’s laws before you buy a pair to use on the road.
Can you hear your Bluetooth speaker when you wear earplugs?
Earplugs are designed to keep wind and engine noise out. You’ll probably hear your Bluetooth speaker much better once the noise is blocked out.
As we said, plugs soften some frequencies while enhancing others. You should be able to hear music well regardless of the pair you go for.
Do you need to wear earplugs in a full-face helmet?
Although a full-face helmet will block some noise, you’ll probably still need earplugs. No helmet can block wind noise as efficiently as proper ear protection.
A helmet will reduce the noise you hear, but that’s not enough to protect your hearing, especially if you’re riding across long distances and at high speeds.
Are custom models more recommended?
Custom-molded earplugs aren’t necessarily better than other types. These are more recommended if you struggle to find a size that fits you well.
As we said, you should go for a pair that fits you so that you can get the most of it. Any other quality pair that fits your ears is probably equally as good.
Conclusion
Protecting your hearing is critical at all times, but even more so if you ride frequently. Excessive exposure to high-level noise could damage your hearing.
For this reason, you should get yourself a pair of quality earplugs. The market offers many different types and models to accommodate all ear sizes.
Give yourself some time to get used to wearing earplugs even if you don’t like it the very first time. Make sure to consider the buying factors we discussed so that you can choose the best pair for your needs.
The ones we reviewed are the most popular among avid riders. Still, don’t forget to consider your ear size and other preferences.
