Best Swimming Ear Plugs

Swimming is a great way to get fit. It can also be very relaxing. Kids love to play on, in, or near water too. But swimming is not just a pastime; being able to swim could save your life or the life of someone else.

But, if swimming has a downside, it is that the water can get in your ears and cause problems like ear infections. Ear infections and other auditory issues can be excruciating and often take a long time to heal. That’s where the best ear plugs for swimming come in. They stop water from entering your ears so you can stop worrying about ear infections.

If you have suffered from ear infections in the past, you know unpleasant they can be. They’re often bad enough to make you avoid putting your head underwater, and, as for treatment, invariably, it means a trip to your doctor and a course of antibiotics.

Kids tend to be more prone to ear infections than adults, which is why you’ll be glad to hear there are earplugs for kids and toddler ear plugs too.

If you’ve had swimming ear problems in the past, or just want to avoid them in the future, ear plugs for swimming are a must. Here are 12 of the best, all tried and tested so you can make the best possible choice.

Best Swimming Ear Plugs

1. Alpine SwimSafe

Ear plugs need to fit securely to be effective, but they also need to be comfortable and easy to remove when you’re finished. Alpine SwimSafe tick all these boxes and are some of the best reusable ear plugs you can buy.

Key Features

• Secure fit
• Suitable for use with ear grommets and other ear conditions
• Help reduce noise by 10 dB
• Hypoallergenic
• Easy to fit and remove
• Reusable
• Supplied with two carry cases

Unlike some ear plugs, this model keeps water out while allowing most sounds in. This is a useful safety feature and also helps avoid triggering the anxiety that can be caused by sound isolation. It also means you don’t need to remove these earplugs to hear someone speaking.

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Easy to clean
• Easy to use

Cons

• Quite expensive
• Won’t fit everyone

Because they’re reusable, these swimming earplugs are actually pretty good value. Use them 100 times, and it’s just a few cents per use. But if you use them and lose them, things start to get a little more costly. However, if you look after them, these earplugs should provide years of reliable service.

2. JBL Spearfishing Hydro Seal

Ear plugs for swimming are often only available in one size. That means, if you have large ear canals, you may find that your earplugs leak. Not good! These JBL Hydro Seal earplugs are available in three sizes, so you can get the perfect fit.

Key Features

• Easy to grip outer hooks
• Hypoallergenic polymer construction
• Dual-baffle design for increased water resistance
• Hocks noise breaker so you can decompress your ears in deep water
• Preformed to fit left and right ear canals

If you swim in deep water, it is crucial you can decompress to alleviate pressure in your ear canals. These earplugs are designed to allow you to do this, making for a more comfortable experience. Because of this, JBL Hydro seal earplugs are popular with scuba divers.

Pros

• Very easy to use
• Extremely comfortable
• Won’t get stuck in your ear canal
• Three sizes available so you can get the perfect fit

Cons

• No storage box supplied

Getting the right size will require a bit of guesswork. After all, do you even know how big your ear canals are?! But, once sized correctly, these ear plugs will provide you with the protection you need – even in deep water.

3. Ear Band-it Ultra Headband

If there is one thing that kids know how to do, it’s to lose things. A lost ear plug will not just cost you money, it could also mean your child gets a painful ear infection. This headband is a real alternative to ear plugs for kids who love the water.

Key Features

• Neoprene headband to keep water out of the ears
• Easy to use Velcro hook and loop fastening
• Available in a range of sizes and colors
• Thick, durable material
• Non-slip inner to keep the band in place

If your child loses an earplug, they probably won’t notice, and you won’t know until it’s too late. This headband is high visibility, and it won’t fall off either. Because of this, both you and they can relax knowing that ear infections are a thing of the past.

Pros

• Very comfortable and easy to use
• A kid-friendly alternative to ear plugs
• Can be used in conjunction with earplugs for very sensitive ears

Cons

• Maybe quite warm to wear, especially in hot weather

If your child hates earplugs, this swimming headband is a very good alternative. Much more comfortable than plugs, easier to fit, and harder to lose, this product is a winner with children and their parents alike.

4. Mack’s Aquablock

Earplugs for swimming can be expensive. And while it’s true that, in a lot of cases, you get what you pay for, other times, more expensive doesn’t mean better. These budget-friendly, comfortable ear plugs are every bit as effective as more expensive models but are less than half the price.

Key Features

• Made from ultra-soft pre-molded silicon for comfort
• Triple flange to keep out water
• Ridged grip stem for easier removal
• Each pack contains two pairs of earplugs
• Washable and reusable design

These impressive earplugs are fantastic value, especially when you consider that you get two pairs for less than half the price of many others. Comfortable, secure, and effective, this is a tough product to beat.

Pros

• Excellent value
• Well-made
• High visibility design

Cons

• Only available in one size
• No storage box supplied

Mack’s AquaBlock plugs are comfortable and work really well. They’re also cheap enough that losing a pair won’t break the bank. The only thing missing is a handy storage box, so you won’t misplace your earplugs in your beach bag!

5. Speedo Ergo

The Speedo brand is synonymous with swimming, so if they don’t know how to make good swimming earplugs, no one does. These unisex earplugs are bestsellers and are popular with recreational and competitive swimmers alike.

Key Features

• Contoured design for comfort and a secure fit
• Inner and outer flanges to minimize leakage
• Easy-fit and remove design
• Supplied with a carry box
• Washable and reusable

While these earplugs are great for keeping water out, they also block a lot of sound too. That’s not a problem for solo pool use, but if you need to hear and speak, maybe to get instructions from a swim coach, you’ll have to keep removing and refitting these earplugs.

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Competitively priced
• Classic design
• Very highly rated

Cons

• Only available in one size
• Block out sound as well as water

With an inner and outer flange, these earplugs are great for keeping out water. But, that means they also block some sound too. If you want earplugs that don’t make you temporarily deaf, this is not the product for you. But if you want some of the most waterproof earplugs on review, you’ll love this budget-friendly product.

6. Putty Buddies

Everyone has different-sized ear canals. That’s why some earplugs fit better than others. The solution to this problem is moldable ear plugs. Made from a type of putty, this can be pressed and shaped for a perfect, waterproof fit.

Key Features

• Moldable to fit all sizes and shapes of ear canal
• Made from soft silicone putty
• Sold in packs of three pairs
• Suitable for adults and kids
• Supplied with a handy carry box

Putty Buddies are guaranteed to be waterproof. Because they are molded to fit your ears, they won’t leak. On the downside, they can be a little tricky to remove, and also block out a lot of noise. They are ideal for kids and can also be used by adults with irregular-sized ear canals.

Pros

• 100% leakproof
• Easy to fit
• Kid-friendly colors
• Tacky texture so they won’t fall out unexpectedly

Cons

• Can be tricky to remove – especially with very young or fidgety kids
• Blocks out sound as well as water

For the price, these customizable swimming earplugs are hard to beat. They are very reliable and a great alternative to more traditionally designed products. Very well-priced, these comfortable ear plugs are sure to be a big hit with kids and adults alike.

7. Speedo Silicone

Some ear plugs fit better than others. And while this could be nothing more than a minor inconvenience, it could also mean you end up with an ear infection even if you wear earplugs. These moldable swimming ear plugs can be shaped to block out all water, making them ideal for users who struggle to get a good fit with regular ear plugs.

Key Features

• Made from moldable silicon
• 100% waterproof when fitted properly
• Two pairs per pack
• Supplied with a reusable case

These moldable silicone earplugs are very easy to use. Just roll them in your fingers to warm them up and make them mailable, and then press them into your ears. The result? A perfect seal against water.

Pros

• One size fits all
• Very comfortable
• Washable and reusable
• Very low price

Cons

• Blocks out sound as well as water
• Can be hard to remove with wet fingers

Providing you don’t mind some temporary hearing impairment, these earplugs are a great buy. Cheap and reliable, they’ll definitely keep your inner ear free from water. But, if you want to hear clearly, this is not the product for you.

8. Oken

While all earplugs keep water out, some block sound too. That can be a real problem for some users, especially if you need to speak to people while your earplugs are in place or need to be aware of nearby hazards. These earplugs by Oken are designed to keep water out while allowing sound in.

Key Features

• Interchangeable silicone ear inserts for a customizable fit
• Ear hooks to keep the earplugs in place
• Supplied with a storage box
• Pre-shaped for left and right ear placement
• Available in three colors

Every aspect of these effective earplugs can be customized so you can achieve the perfect fit. Made from soft silicone components, these are some of the most comfortable swimming earplugs you can buy, and they’re not expensive either!

Pros

• Very comfortable
• No loss of hearing
• Universal fit
• Suitable for men, women, and kids

Cons

• Small parts may make them too fiddly for some users

As you can imagine, the components that make up these earplugs are very small. Putting them together will require some dexterity. But, once you’ve got them the way you want them, these reliable earplugs are supremely waterproof and very comfortable.

9. Naohiro

Losing an earplug is an annoying fact of life for many users. After all, they’re super-small and easily dropped. There are five pairs of swimming earplugs in this set by Naohiro, so you should never be without what you need to keep your ears free from water.

Key Features

• One-piece molded silicon design
• Pre-fitted for left and right ears
• Five pairs per pack, supplied with individual carry boxes
• Built-in retainer hooks
• Dual-flange design for increased waterproofness
• Washable and reusable

Each pack contains two pairs of black, two pairs of blue, and one pair of white earplugs. With plugs designed specifically for your left or right ear, these comfortable, well-fitting earplugs are great value for money and work like a dream!

Pros

• Very budget-friendly
• Suitable for the entire family
• Easy to fit and remove
• Secure, comfortable fit

Cons

• Only available in one size

Because all the ear plugs are the same size, if one pair doesn’t fit you, then none of the others will either. But, providing you have average-sized ear canals, this product should provide you with a long life of protection.

10. Aqua Sphere

Uncomfortable earplugs are as unpleasant to use as the ear infections they are designed to prevent! Made from super-soft silicone, these Aqua Sphere Ear Plugs are so incredibly comfortable that you’ll probably forget that you are even wearing them!

Key Features

• Triple flanged design for maximum waterproofness
• Conical shape for comfort and optimal fit
• Preformed for easy use
• Supplied with a carry box
• Easy to fit and remove

These simple earplugs won’t win any design awards, but they do what they’re supposed to do – keep water out of your ears. They fit well and are very soft and comfortable, which means both kids and adults will not complain about wearing them.

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Designed to keep your ears completely free from water
• Long stem to make them easier to put in and take out
• Well-priced

Cons

• Only available in one size

These earplugs perform well and are impressively comfortable. They do block noise as well as water, but you should still be able to hear reasonably well. They work well, won’t break the bank, and won’t hurt your ears either. A good buy!

11. Arena Ergo

A lot of manufacturers make earplugs that can be worn in either ear. Arena, a well-known swimming equipment manufacturer, has gone down a different route by making earplugs designed to fit your left or right ear only. Luckily, color-coding means it’s easy to know which earplug goes in which ear!

Key Features

• Made from 100% silicone
• Red for your right ear, and blue for your left ear
• Single flange and ear canal cover for increased waterproofness
• Soft and comfortable
• Easy to fit and remove
• Washable and reusable

Whether you need different ear plugs for each side is debatable, but these swimming plugs from Arena are great at keeping water out. They fit well, are comfortable, and are easy to use too. They’re not the cheapest or the most expensive earplugs on review, but they are amongst the most popular.

Pros

• Very well-made
• Color-coded to avoid putting them in the wrong ear
• Ideal for serious swimmers
• Fit very snugly for a secure fit
• Supplied with a storage box

Cons

• Some users found these ear plugs hard to position correctly
• Not supplied with any fitting instructions

Arena seems to have slipped up slightly by not providing instructions with their earplugs. A lot of users are unsure which earplug to put in which ear (remember – red = right!). That small issue aside, these are excellent earplugs that perform as you’d expect for a swimming company like Arena.

12. Creatures of Leisure SurfEars

Earplugs are very easy to lose. That’s true if you are swimming in a pool, and even more so in rough water or while doing something like surfing. As their name suggests, these SurfEar earplugs are designed for active use and have a built-in retainer to make them much harder to lose.

Key Features

• Made from 100% silicone
• Double inner ear flanges with an outer ear cover for increased protection
• Designed to keep water out but allow sound in
• Color-coded to make fitting the right earplug to the correct ear easier
• Fitted with a retainer cord
• Four different ear plugs for a customizable fit

If you surf, kayak, do coasteering, or any other energetic watersport, these are the earplugs for you. With their customizable fit and retainer cord, these earplugs should remain firmly in place and are all but impossible to lose. That’s a good job because they are the most expensive earplugs on review.

Pros

• Stylish design
• Customizable fit
• Good for those users who still need to be able to hear while wearing
• Very high-quality product
• Easy to fit and remove
• Very comfortable
• Supplied with a handy travel pouch

Cons

• Expensive

At over ten-times the price of the cheapest earplugs in this review, this model is the Rolls Royce of ear protection. But they also have features not found on other models. If you want earplugs that do more than just keep the water out, and don’t mind the high price tag, this product could be the one for you.

Bottom Line

Ear infections, and even just getting an earful of icy water, can ruin what would otherwise be a very enjoyable experience. Swimming earplugs help keep water out of your ear canal, and that’s good news if you have sensitive ears or are prone to ear infections.

They’re not just useful for swimmers either. If you have a perforated eardrum or any other kind of inner ear condition, you may want to wear ear plugs when you bathe or shower. If you have very sensitive inner ears, any source of water can be problematic. That’s especially true for kids and anyone recovering from an ear operation.

Earplugs for swimming come in a range of designs and materials, from pre-molded cones to moldable putty plugs to headbands. They all work, so it’s a matter of deciding which option is best for you. You may need to try a few styles to determine which ones suit you best.

Use this guide to help you choose the best swimming earplugs and refer to the OutdoorWorld homepage for more reviews!