Choosing the best earplugs for musicians is an important task. Hearing protection should be at the top of your priority list as a musician, as this can prevent damage through equipment malfunction or deterioration in later life.
To make your life easier, we’ve rounded up the best musician earplugs available on the market across multiple price ranges. That way, you can protect your ears both onstage and in the practice room, whatever your budget.
You’ll also find tips on choosing the right earplugs at the bottom of the article, so you can make sure your favourite pair is up to scratch!
#1 – Minuendo Lossless Earplugs, £107 (RRP £130)
With their noise exposure capacity of 120dB and stepless adjustment lever, this set of musician earplugs is top of the range.
They can be adjusted across a range of open (-7dB) to closed (-25dB), making them the ultimate customisable ear protection solution. Plus, their sleek design is another factor that puts them ahead of competitors.
Minuendo claims they can achieve a frequency response equal to custom-made earplugs, and their customer reviews back this endlessly.
They are frequently praised for providing a natural sound despite the layer of protection, meaning you’ll avoid the muffled sound of cheaper alternatives. They are a bit on the expensive side, though, so keep reading for some mid-range options.
#2 – EAROS ONE, £31.00
The EAROS ONE high-fidelity earplugs are a popular choice, coming in at a much lower price.
They hold a noise reduction level of 17dB, which is stronger than most other options on the market. The industry standard level is 10dB, and the EAROS ONE provides almost double this figure.
In terms of fit, they feature a semi-custom design with the option to switch out the ear tips that come in small and large sizes. They are designed to fit 90% of ears, which could save you a lot of money by avoiding having custom earplugs made.
Want a set of concert earplugs that look great when you’re onstage? This product provides this element at a low price with its polished design.
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#3 – Loop Experience Pro Concert Earplugs, £29.95
If you’re after concert ear protection that matches your aesthetic, you’ll be glad to know that this product is available in four different colours:
- Glorious Gold
- Midnight Black
- Swinging Silver
- Rose Gold
The design itself is unique and bound to make a statement. Who said that earplugs had to be boring?
In terms of their features, the Loop Experience Pro concert earplugs deliver high fidelity sound via a two-filter system, which achieves flat attenuation by reducing both high and low frequencies.
This means you receive all the hearing protection you need whilst looking great during your performance.
Not to mention they have a five-star rating based on 1,915 reviews, which speaks volumes of the impact they’ve made on customers.
#4 – Flare Audio Isolate Gig Earplugs, £12.99
This product is one of our top picks for its practical design and the safety it delivers for a reasonable price.
It has an average attenuation of 32dB, which is an astounding level of protection for the price. This means it protects you during live gigs, bands practice, and you name it—starting from £12.99 per pair.
You can upgrade these concert earplugs to match your aesthetic, as they do come in both Aluminium and Pro, which provides the option of a high-grade titanium finish and more even frequency protection.
Despite their low price, the Flare Audio earplugs also have replaceable memory foam tips available in standard and large sizes. If spherical tips work best for you, you should have no trouble with their fit.
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#5 – Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs, £24.99
Get a true and natural sound for a low price with these high-fidelity concert earplugs.
They target both high frequency and low frequency sounds to ensure your ears are protected from all angles and you experience no sound distortion.
Since they use specifically designed sound tubes rather than traditional foam buds, the Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs filter sound rather than block it.
Their design is simple, with a clear handle for a subtle appearance and easy insertion. If you’re looking for a pair of cheap concert earplugs to blend in with your look, this product is a strong contender.
#6 – Fender Musician Earplugs, £5.70
We couldn’t complete our list of the best earplugs for musicians in the UK without a product from Fender. As one of the most prominent guitar brands of all time, it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about sound.
The sleek black design and handy carry case make them a great choice for musicians who like their kit to be coordinated. They’d work well as backup earplugs to store in your instrument case.
They’re by no means the highest quality earplugs on our list, but they are ideal for those looking for a bargain. They’re among our top picks for cheap earplugs with 27dB noise reduction and a universal fit.
Related: Why do I need musical instrument insurance?
#7 – Decibullz High Fidelity Earplugs, £44.99 (RRP 49.99)
You wouldn’t think it possible to achieve a custom moulded earplug without visiting an audiologist, but this product from Decibullz is the next best thing.
Each earpiece forms to the natural contours of your ear, meaning the fit you receive is accurate and made just for you. This is a truly unique selling point and stands Decibullz apart from the other manufacturers on our list.
They have a high attenuation that reduces frequencies without compromising sound quality, and this is furthered due to their snug fit. They look great, too, despite their moulded form.
#8 – Earasers Earplugs For Musicians, £39.47
The Earasers Earplugs have 93% positive reviews on Amazon, and they’re often praised for their subtle design. If you’re on the lookout for a pair that is invisible to audience members, this is the product for you.
Manufactured by a 50-year-old hearing aid company and developed by their lead engineer who was a musician for 20+ years, you can rest assured that a lot of thought has gone into their design.
They provide an average reduction of 13dB and a peak reduction of 19dB, making them effective for maintaining safe frequency levels. They also provide in-depth sizing details, which is a nice touch and something that most of their competitors overlook!
They are as follows:
- X-Small – 11mm (L) / 10mm (W)
- Small – 13mm (L) / 12mm (W)
- Medium – 14mm (L) / 13mm (W)
- Large –16mm (L) / 17mm (W)
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#9 – Alpine Music Earplugs, £24.95
If you’re looking to get the best value for money, this product is one of the best options available.
Not only do the earplugs themselves come with a storage case, cleaning spray, and carrying cord, but they also offer a great level of hearing protection for their price. They come with three separate filters so that you can optimise your experience:
- Gold filter, with 22dB average attenuation
- Silver filter, with 19dB average attenuation
- White filter, with 16dB average attenuation
No matter the occasion you require them for, this set of music earplugs will provide great sound quality and allow you to communicate with fellow musicians whilst providing all the protection you need.
#10 – dBud Volume Adjustable Musician Earplugs, £45.00
Like the idea of optimising your level of hearing protection, but want to do so in a more convenient way? This is where the dBud music earplugs come in.
By allowing you to seamlessly switch between -11dB and -24dB, they offer a level of customisation comparable to that of some of the most expensive options on the market.
They are manufactured with an integrated filter to enhance outside speech, making it easier to communicate with those around you. Plus, they have a built-in magnet so you can rest them around your neck when they’re not in use.
Their appearance is incredibly slick and resembles top-end products, such as the Minuendo musician earplugs. They provide the best ear protection for musicians for a reasonable price.
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#11 – Etymotic MP9-15 Music-PRO High-Fidelity Electronic Earplugs, £399.00
Thanks to their adaptive noise-reduction technology, the Etymotic music earplugs are among the most popular ear protection options for musicians.
They automatically adjust to fluctuating sound levels to remove any risks to your hearing. Besides this, they can also enhance natural sounds such as speech if desired.
An adjustable switch enables you to switch between 9dB or 15dB of protection, and the earplugs come with seven pairs of ready-fit ear tips that are comfortable and eradicate the need for custom moulds.
The package itself comes with a protective case, filter tool, cleaning tool and batteries, so they’re ready to go right out of the box.
Tips for choosing the best musician earplugs
#1 – Comfort
Since concerts last for a couple of hours, and the hours you spend practising each week far surpass this, you’ll need to make sure the earplugs you select are comfortable.
Consider your experiences with earplugs in the past. Have you found any materials to be particularly uncomfortable? Are there any forms of ear tips that don’t suit the shape of your ears?
If so, you might find it beneficial to invest in custom-fit earplugs rather than those that have universal fit ear tips. Or you could purchase a set of music earplugs that includes a range of ear tip sizes.
#2 – Noise reduction level
The most crucial factor to consider when purchasing ear protection as a musician is the noise reduction level you’ll receive.
Concerts have an average volume of 100dB, meaning you’ll need a level of at least 15dB to adequately protect your hearing if you’re performing live.
#3 – Sound quality
Following the noise reduction level, the sound quality you receive is just as important.
There’s no use in protecting your hearing to then find that the sound you’re receiving is muffled, as this will inevitably lead you to ditch earplugs altogether.
You should check reviews for the product you have in mind and see what other musicians and DJs have to say about the sound quality and clarity.
#4 – Appearance
Let’s face it, – the main reason that many of us shun wearing earplugs is through fear of their unsightly appearance.
If you don’t like the look of the earplugs you’re buying, you’re much less likely to wear them when you need to.
If you feel self-conscious about wearing them, make sure you opt for a subtle pair of concert earplugs. That way, you’ll be investing your money in something you’re going to use, and your hearing will receive the protection it needs.
Specialist musician insurance from Insure4Music
Whichever set of music earplugs you go for, you need to ensure they’re protected through gaining proper equipment insurance.
At Insure4Music, our specialist musician insurance covers your equipment and accessories for theft, loss, and damage up to the value of £50,000.
It also includes Public Liability, one of the most important forms of cover for musicians who perform with live audiences. Most venues won’t allow you to perform live unless you have your insurance provider’s valid Public Liability certificate!
Click here to discover how we can help you, or hit the button below to get an instant online quote.
Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.