In a hurry?

For a quick rundown, here are our top three recommendations for hearing protection:

Why we’ve chosen these earplugs

We’ve tried to pick out a range of ear protection at a range of prices, from as many different reputable brands as we could. Different materials, different features, different levels of noise attenuation, we’ve covered all of it here.

Comfort is a key consideration, and the feel of some of these might not be right for your preferences, but you’re bound to find something to your taste. Rubber, silicon, foam, custom-designed materials, there’s plenty of ground to cover to help you find the right option. Some of them also have cooling features, making the earplugs comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

You’ll also find a range of style and design choices, like different ear tip sizes, attachment cables for secure placement, and cases for transport. Designs will vary from standard earplugs to self-moulding designs, DIY-moulding, and over-ear defenders. We’ve even picked some for children, so if you’re more concerned about bringing your young one to a show or festival, you can make sure their experience is easy on the ears.

While we may be talking primarily about attending concerts and musicians, it’s important to remember that ear protection isn’t just for those situations. Earplugs may also be beneficial for neurodivergent individuals. Those with conditions such as autism, ADHD, or similar conditions may benefit from the noise reduction that these earplugs bring, helping them ground themselves in overwhelming situations in daily life.

Whether it’s children in a loud schoolyard, needing to find focus in a classroom, or adults in loud workplaces, bars, clubs, or parties, these ear defenders will be multi-functional for various scenarios, including concerts.

The best earplugs for concerts

1. Minuendo Lossless Adjustable Earplugs

Key features

• Manual stepless sound adjustments
• Natural, flat frequency response
• Includes 11 sets of various ear tips

Pros

• Ideal for musicians and loud environments
• Stays in place during movement
• Provides high-end sound clarity

Cons

• Manual adjustment may require some learning

The Minuendo Lossless Adjustable Earplugs are crafted for anyone exposed to loud environments, offering a unique blend of clarity and protection. Unlike typical earplugs that might muffle sound, these maintain a natural, flat frequency response, ensuring that whether you’re a musician, bar staff, or an audio engineer, you experience high-end clarity without sacrificing hearing protection.

These earplugs feature cutting-edge membrane technology that prevents frequency degradation, delivering a sound quality usually reserved for custom-moulded earplugs.

The standout feature, however, is their manual stepless adjustment, allowing you to tailor the attenuation level precisely to your needs. Whether it’s reducing background noise in a busy bar or adjusting to quieter settings backstage, these earplugs provide flexibility and control.

Comfort is paramount, and Minuendo understands this well. The earplugs come with eleven sets of ear tips made from different materials such as foam, silicone, and flange, ensuring you can achieve the perfect fit. These tips are designed to stay secure, even when you’re moving a lot or singing, which is essential for performers.

The package is thoughtfully complete with a magnetic locking system that keeps your earplugs connected and easy to manage with a lanyard, reducing the risk of losing them. Also included are a cleaning brush and a sturdy carry case, enhancing portability and maintenance.

The Minuendo Lossless Adjustable Earplugs not only protect your hearing but also enrich your audio experience, proving indispensable for professionals and enthusiasts alike in noisy environments.

Key things to look for in a pair of earplugs

Noise reduction levels

Why else do we get earplugs but to reduce noise? It’s important to check the specifications of the earplugs you have your eye on to understand just how much reduction they offer, the impact of different filters on that reduction – by frequency or by overall SPL, and consider where you want to use them.

Concerts are extremely loud, sometimes more than 100 dB, even clubs and bars can get to this volume. And we start to experience hearing damage beyond 70 dB over especially prolonged periods of time. So finding a pair of earplugs that deliver a good noise reduction factor is absolutely key.

Most worthwhile earplugs will offer noise reduction of somewhere between 15 and 30 dB, which makes things infinitely safer. Unless you’re going to 6-hour-long death metal concerts, this range of noise reduction should be more than enough to keep your ears safe over a typical 45-to-90-minute gig set.

Of course, the higher the noise reduction, the better, generally speaking. But it is a trade-off between clarity and safety.

Somewhere with medium attenuation, anything from 17 to 20 dB will probably keep the most detail intact if you really feel like you’re missing out with higher attenuation. But something that offers variable reduction can really give you the most options, whether that’s multiple switchable filters or a continuous slider.

Comfort

It’s important to have earplugs that are comfortable to wear, especially if you’ll have them in for long periods of time. Opt for models that have a flexible, hypoallergenic material and provide a secure fit; you don’t want to feel like you’re wearing them!

Durability

Rather than purchasing disposable earplugs over and over again at concerts, it’s much better value for money – and better for your hearing – to buy a reusable pair. Ensure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and wash them safely.

Why do I need earplugs?

Musicians and music fans will always run the risk of damaging their hearing. Playing loud sets repeatedly every night takes a toll on the ears of a performer, and for those seasoned gig-goers, festival attendees, and new live music enthusiasts, the volume levels of the PA systems in venues can go well over safe levels.

These things are loud, and many of us ignore them! It’s predicted that 30% of people will experience tinnitus of some form in their life. And for many sufferers of tinnitus, it can be a permanent affliction.

As somebody with tinnitus, I can assure you that this isn’t a pleasant experience. As somebody who’s also neurodivergent, they’re also very beneficial in loud overwhelming spaces. Bringing my earplugs to the loud, divey rock bars and clubs I tend to frequent when not at a gig has helped prevent me from getting overwhelmed and to focus on a conversation.

Having something reusable, comfortable, with a proper fit that doesn’t interfere with the quality of the performance is very useful for a repeated concert-goer or seasoned musician, too.

Certainly, they’re a step up from the typical foam earplugs, although even those will do the job in a pinch. If you forget your own set, just ask somebody at the door or bar of the venue and they should sort you out. Something is always better than nothing!

The benefits of filtered earplugs

So, what can filtered earplugs offer you? Three main benefits, usually. A good fit, bonus accessories to offer a range of additional features, and certified hearing protection. All at a much more inviting price than custom earplugs.

The fit is important, as it not only increases the effectiveness of its noise reduction but can also prevent overheating in the ears with a good design and material. This means they can better sit in your ear canal for an extended period in a club, bar, or music venue without getting to a point where you feel a need to remove them.

This can also be aided with differently-sized ear tips, which many filtered earplugs will provide as accessories to get the right feel for your specific ear shape.

Accessories are usually something we see as extra or take for granted with certain products. However, with earplugs, they can become surprisingly important! The extras that a set of earplugs offers can really decide what they’re capable of.

Usually, you’ll get some kind of case, typically a small metal cylinder or soft case. Often a cable and clip to connect the earplugs is supplied, this can be incredibly valuable, especially for rowdier shows where you can expect to move or be moved around a lot, keeping your ear protection in place the whole time.

You may also get extra ear tips as we mentioned, as well as filters to target either specific frequencies or give you different levels of noise reduction.

Plus, there’s the certified hearing protection. This one’s pretty self-explanatory, but it’s always good and reassuring to know that your earplugs of choice are using settled science and their claims have been proven! With things like the foam earplugs, you know you’re getting some hearing protection, but the amount isn’t exactly guaranteed in most cases. With filtered earplugs, you know exactly what you’re getting.

Why some people opt for custom earplugs

Custom earplugs are expensive. Very expensive. But for professional musicians, live music journalists, or massive concert enthusiasts who go very often, custom earplugs can be a great solution. These earplugs offer a customised fit for your exact ear canal, which is extremely important since no two ear canals are shaped the same way.

This provides comfort and a reliable, secure fit that stays in place and maximises noise reduction. You can also pick things like visual elements, materials of preference, and your level of noise reduction from certain custom earplug companies.

For anyone who needs earplugs frequently, this is an excellent option, but it’s not a very accessible one for the average enthusiast.

Ear protection for kids

Ear protection is essential for children at gigs and festivals. It’s great to bring your kids along to concerts or festivals as a parent and introduce them to the world of live music. But children’s ears aren’t fully developed yet and can be far more susceptible to damage from loud scenarios like concerts. This makes it important to ensure that you have an option to protect your child’s ears.

Another thing to consider is that children’s ears are more prone to overheating with earplugs. Most manufacturers account for this through material or design choices. As such, you’ll often see children with the more robust and higher noise reduction of the over-ear earmuffs.

Earplugs designed for kids will do the job well too, but some children may not enjoy the sensation of having something inside their ear canal, so the over-ear designs may be easier to keep in place.

Alpine Pluggies Ear Plugs

Key features

• Adapts to ear shape with ThermoShape material
• Protects up to 30 dB
• Suitable for ages 3 to 12

Pros

• Versatile for various loud environments
• Comfortable and secure fit
• Includes stickers and case for appeal

Cons

• Limited to children’s use only

Alpine Pluggies Kids Ear Plugs offer essential hearing protection for children in a variety of environments. Whether at swimming lessons, concerts, or simply during playtime in loud areas, these earplugs are designed to keep children’s ears safe from damaging noises up to 30 dB.

The soft “Christmas tree” flanges and the heat-responsive ThermoShape material ensure a comfortable and secure fit, adapting to the unique shape of each child’s ear canal.

Crafted especially for young ones aged between 3 and 12, Alpine Pluggies are not only practical but also fun. They come with interchangeable acoustic filters, allowing for different levels of noise control, which is particularly useful for children with sensitive ears or specific needs such as grommets or recurrent ear infections.

Beyond just hearing protection, the versatility of the Alpine Pluggies makes them suitable for various activities. They can help prevent water from entering the ears during swimming, reduce noise during travel, and aid concentration by blocking out distracting sounds in the classroom or at home. This multifunctionality makes them an invaluable tool for parents looking to protect their children’s hearing while also supporting them in their daily activities.

The package is completed with a set of stickers for personalisation, making the earplugs more appealing to children, and a case to keep everything organized and ready for use. Alpine Pluggies not only protect young ears but also encourage responsibility and care for one’s hearing from an early age.

FAQs

What kind of earplugs work best for concerts?

The best earplugs for concerts are high-fidelity earplugs. These earplugs are designed to reduce sound levels evenly, maintaining the quality of the music while protecting hearing. They often feature advanced filters that allow a clear and balanced sound experience.

By how many dB should earplugs reduce noise at concerts?

Earplugs for concerts should reduce noise by 15 to 25 dB. This range is sufficient to protect hearing from typical concert sound levels without distorting the music’s clarity. Choosing the right attenuation can enhance your experience while ensuring safety.

Are silicon earplugs better than foam for concerts?

Silicon earplugs are generally better than foam for concerts. Silicone earplugs are reusable, fit more snugly, and provide a clearer sound quality, making them more suitable for music environments where clarity is crucial.

Final thoughts

If you’re regularly exposed to the high sound levels found at concerts, you’ll need some good ear protection. So, we hope our guide to the best earplugs for concerts has helped! We’ve covered a range of options, but if you need something different or have any tips for other music fans, let us know in the comments below!