Loop Earplugs Review: Are They Better Than Foam?

[@KingLeonidas_300]

Awesome review, impressed with how detailed you are but at the same time it still feels concise and to the point. The visual aid of the tables with the scores is also helpful in making the information easy to digest. Again I appreciate it that you inserted that bit for my concern and even added possible workarounds.Thanks man. Hope your neighbors werent home that time 😅

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Hey! Thanks for your kind feedback, and I'm glad you liked the review. You're very welcome. I enjoyed having a side quest to go on during my usual review process, and I imagine it's a noise that other people struggle with too. I think they were home, but we still appear to be on speaking terms. The irony of potentially annoying my neighbours by testing ways to block out the noise from other people wasn't lost on me though...

[@eleonoracassano19]

Thank you from Switzerland for this great and detailed review. It’s exactly what I needed to know before purchasing them!

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful. Which ones did you decide to get? Or did you decide not to get them?

[@Mustivation7]

wow a great production video , great review mr

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Thank you very much for your nice feedback:-)

[@Sackboy612]

Very insightful and well presented, thanks for this video!

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're welcome - I'm glad you liked the video!

[@lllukaaas1205]

This is super helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to review the various set-ups. I was tempted before to buy the loop quiet 2, but will be sticking to my trusted foam earplugs. I need that exact same level of noise isolation and since loop doesn't seem to deliver that I will hold off on purchasing.

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're welcome, I'm happy to hear it was helpful. That's the thing - as much as I liked the Loop and found them very comfortable, when it comes to the important noise reduction, decent foam earplugs are hard to beat.

[@lllukaaas1205]

@ 100%

[@anone1243r]

Great review once again. Cheers!

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're welcome! Thanks for your feedback too:-)

[@JohanBjorklund-x5k]

Thanks for making this, really helpful!

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're welcome, thanks for the feedback too.

[@JugheadJones03]

Another product I never heard of that may be of use. Thank you for keeping us all current in sleep gear! 🙂

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Hi! It's good to hear from you again - thanks for continuing to watch my videos. And you're very welcome😊

[@enoch7564]

Tempted to splurge for the dreams. Ive had the quiet 2s for a long time and personally i found them peefectly fine for sleep. Used them every night for an entire week sharing hotel rooms with friends and they were a life saver. If the dreams are even more comfortable i might have to give them a try

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Quiet 2. I think the Dream are more comfortable. But if the Quiet 2 work well for you, I'd be tempted to stick with those if it feels like a splurge rather than an insignificant amount of money. The easier cleaning process is definitely a bonus with the Quiet 2.

[@isabelle7472]

Thank you for this review! Super helpful

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're welcome, I'm happy to hear it was helpful.

[@subhashkatnapally7929]

Thanks for the detailed review.

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're welcome!

[@Rita1800R]

Thank you great detailed information! Appreciated

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're very welcome. Thanks for the nice feedback.

[@timl.b.2095]

I've been using the same two dozen Howard Leight Max 1 foam earplugs for years. These have a "skin;" I don't recommend reusing open-cell foam earplugs, if anyone still makes those. I rinse my earplugs in the morning and use them a couple more nights. At some point, I gather them all in a plastic jar of soapy water, soak and shake them. Then rinse and squeeze with a sieve. And repeat a few times. Then roll them in dish towels and squeeze, and leave out to dry. Way, way cheaper than anything else, and reduces plastic in the waste stream, not to mention higher tech stuff. Of course, if you don't keep them clean, you are asking for ear canal trouble.

[@nosleeplessnights1]

That is serious dedication to keeping the earplugs going and reducing waste. I'm impressed. I've did something similar in the past when I was travelling and couldn't find any decent earplugs where I was. But, I'm always too worried about the risk of ear infections to do that as habit nowadays. I would in a pinch, but usually remember to take enough earplugs with me when I'm away.

[@michaeljones6340]

Would the dream ones help block out any outside traffic noise while sleeping?

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Yes, but it depends how loud it is and what kind of traffic. If it's loud enough, you might still hear some. It's an impossible question to answer though really, because the levels where you can or can't hear it will be specific to each person's situation.

[@nayaleezy]

Silicone tree earplugs are simply the best, better than my foamies and loop exp+. 3M earmuffs are the only better but can't sleep or shower with those

[@nosleeplessnights1]

I haven't tried those, but I've seen them in Boots in the UK. My experience hasn't been great with that style in the past, but if they work for you, that's all that matters:-)

[@noname-vz5wx]

great video! thank you

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're very welcome - I'm glad you liked it, and thanks for the feedback.

[@dianamajlinger3211]

Thank you for the great review! I have been considering buying a pair of Loops (Black Friday 20% discount is on right now) and you seem to be the perfect person to ask 😄 I live in a pretty noisy apartment: next to a school so a LOT of screaming kid noise during the day; in the neighbouring flat a guy gives language lessons VERY loudly and the wall is very thin; I also happen to live in the party district next to a club that is open every day until 6am, and there is also a salsa place right here playing live music outside for at least 5 months 🤪 Because of the above, I would use the Loops during the day and night as well. I have small ears, so that also makes it more difficult to find fitting earplugs. Would you recommend buying the Dream and using it also during the day? It IS considerably more expensive than the Quiet but I am ready to invest for the right one 🙂 Based on what others said, Quiet would probably not be comfortable to sleep but I am also worried that apart from the higher price of the Dream, I would need to change the tips pretty often. Thank you in advance for any insight! 😊

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Hi. So, that sounds like a huge amount of noise. I can't imagine a world in which either the Dream or Quiet 2 manage to block all of that out. You might find they block out some of those various sounds, or reduce the overall volume of all of them, with some specific sounds still getting through more than others. It's very hard to predict in advance what they will help with. In either case, both are likely to reduce the overall volume you hear a fair bit. But I don't think either would give you anything near silence. Personally, I'd also be concerned about using earplugs all day and night, which makes me wonder if you have other options, such as over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation? If you're really keen to use earplugs though, have you tried wax or silicone before? Even though I'm not a huge fan of them, I know some people prefer them as they don't go deep inside the ear canal and expand like foam. Back to the Loop, and you're right to identify the Dream as being harder to clean than the Quiet 2, mainly because of the foam inside the tip. The whole Quiet 2 can get wet, which is much easier to clean in the long run. They are fine for sleep if you're on your back, and even on your side or front they aren't bad if you use a soft pillow and are willing to tolerate the need to adjust your head position from time to time. Really though, there's just no way of telling if they will reduce the noise to a level you can tolerate. It may be a case of trying them and sending them back if they don't do the trick. Perhaps contact Loop in the region you like to ask for specifics on returns to give you peace of mind that it will be possible.

[@thru_and_thru]

This is so helpful as I was literally just looking for some ear plugs that would help block out the sound of barking dogs. I normally use foam ear plugs which do a good job but they always fall out during the night. So I was thinking of getting a pair of the loop dreams despite the crazy price. However, now after watching your test on dogs barking and seeing how foam is more effective, I think I will stick with these and perhaps try to put some medical tape over them or something to try and keep them in overnight....crazy i know but I am desperate haha.

[@nosleeplessnights1]

I'm happy to hear the video was helpful. I was wondering if other people with dog barking problems would find it! Before taping the earplugs, I would start by checking you're inserting them correctly, and maybe thinking about whether you've got the right size and shape for your ears? Those would be the common reasons that they fall out.

[@madmantronixx7998]

I have the Mack’s foam ear plugs and no matter how hard I try they never stay in my ears! Even keeping the plug pressed into my ear until it’s expanded. Any tips? Thank you

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Hi. I can think of two possible reasons. This sometimes happens if you don't roll them tightly enough and use your other hand to open up your ear when inserting them. The more simple reason is that they just aren't the right earplugs for your ear shape.

[@madmantronixx7998]

@ thank you. Do you recommend any other brands? I think the Mack’s are too fat as my ear canals are quite narrow. Thank you.

[@nosleeplessnights1]

@@madmantronixx7998 No problem. They are already one of the smaller foam earplugs I've tried, so there aren't many I can think of. Have you seen the Mack's Dream Girl? Those are smaller. There also used to be a very small foam earplug called Howard Leight Small, but I haven't seen them for ages. It may be worth checking online though. Wax and silicone could work too as they cover the ear canal rather than going inside. My partner can't wear foam earplugs either for the same reason, but she was able to keep the Loop earplugs in her ears without them falling out when I put the smallest tip sizes on for her. She still didn't like wearing them all night because she's not used to using earplugs, but that's a different story!

[@sillychilli935]

As a side sleeper who wakes up to even low sounds, do I go for quiet 2 or dream?

[@propizza6454]

I think you should go with foam earplugs if you are that sensitive to sound

[@nosleeplessnights1]

If you only plan on using them for sleep, and comfort were the only deciding factor, definitely the Dream if you're a side sleeper. The thing is, what you call low sounds might be different from what I, or anyone else, does. It may be that they are both able to block out whatever the sound is that usually bothers you; it may be that neither does, in which case foam might be better. If it's a different noise source from the ones I discussed in the video, feel free to tell me and if it's possible, I'll try to test them for you. If you have a decibel meter, that would help, but don't waste money on one just for that as there are multiple factors to take into account anyway.

[@SazidKhan-q4m]

Foam earplugs creates vacuum problem for me and irritating, could you please suggest better option to block neighbour or upper floors dham-dham ... Sound 😮. And talking please, reply asap

[@nosleeplessnights1]

If foam is uncomfortable, then you could try the Loop earplugs, but also wax and silicone putty earplugs. The sound of banging on floors above is difficult to fully block. You need earplugs with a high noise reduction rating, or headphones with some audio to mask the sound.

[@thomasserein9110]

Hi again! Can you please dedicate a video to test the pillows for sleeping with noise canceling headphones (side berths). It's not easy to decide. Most have a hole for earmuffs but no space for the headband. So there will always be pressure in the ear. Can travel pillows or horseshoe-shaped anti-decubitus cushions be used??

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Hi! This is something I have had in the back of my mind to do for a while. I would like to do something like that, but it might be a while before I get around to testing multiple ones. As for the travel pillow and anti-decubitus cushion, I am not sure how comfortable they would be to use night after night. I know from camping with a travel pillow, for example, that I aways wish I had taken a normal pillow!

[@thomasserein9110]

@nosleeplessnights1 C'est peut-être une question assez simple finalement sur un sujet à la fois vitale et élémentaire ; dormir avec un casque antibruit. La frustration peut se justifier mais ça reste vraiment très incompréhensible de ne jamais penser sérieusement à résoudre un tel problème qui mine de rien anéanti la vie de tant de personnes. Il existe tant de viles gadgets pour adoucir l'existence jouissive de quelques blasés et amateurs des doux loisirs, etc. mais rien pour apaiser les vraies souffrances pour apporter un minimum qui pourrait rendre la vie un minimum plus viable pour des gens en réelle détresse. Soyez béni

[@nosleeplessnights1]

I understand the frustration that the technology doesn't seem to exist yet. Interestingly, the makers of Ozlo apparently said that they believe it is better to create noise masking headphones rather than noise cancelling for sleep. It may be interesting to explore deeper the reasoning behind that.

[@thomasserein9110]

Bonjour. Merci infiniment pour ce test. Je vous suis vraiment reconnaissant. L'empathie est réconfortante. J'aimerais bien combiner avec un casque antibruit mais, comme je l'avais mentionné, je dors sur le côté

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're very welcome! That is the problem, unfortunately. I think the combination is good for short periods of time, but can't be relied on for a whole night.

[@ninmat]

Considering buying Dream for my partner who relies on foam today, but discouraged by what you say about it allowing you to hear your partner talk, as it is my sleep talking which is the problem 😂

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Sorry about that! Honestly, I think it depends on the combination of how loud you talk, how deeply they sleep etc. It may be that they block out enough...or...it may be that they don't. It's just so hard to predict with these things.

[@dholman5513]

What about loud upstairs neighbors stomping walking and thumping hence why im here at 2am becuse of the noise cannot sleep.

[@nosleeplessnights1]

I feel for you - I know that's a really difficult noise source to block out. I haven't been able to test that with these earplugs, but I do plan on doing some specific tests for impact noise above a bedroom next year. I know that doesn't help you out right now though! My guess would be that if it's really loud, and impact noise rather than just airborne, you'll have a better chance of cutting more out with earplugs that have the highest noise reduction rating possible or headphones with noise masking.

[@devenpatel3044]

@dholman5513, I feel for you, I like to use foam earplugs because they reduce the most noise. I like to roll them between my thumb and finger and then slide the plugs in my ear and let them expand. Trying not to go too too deep so I can remove them in the morning. I also recommend doing things to help get deep sleep, like taking magnesium, b complex and zinc, exercising. Stretching before bed, and perhaps very important, having perfect dental hygiene. Hope that helps, cheers

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Hi. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Without wanting to offend you, just to mention for anyone else reading this that it's important to carefully research supplementation specifically for sleep:-)

[@VoltaireParis]

hello - thanks a lot for this very clear and complete review...too bad...for me (but not for you) that your partner in bed has only a light snoring...As I have almost the same concern, but with a big snoring when I sleep beside my partner.... Therefore I always use foam earplugs (3M) when sleeping alongside my partner in bed...And sometimes I go to the garage for sleeping alone there, even though it's less comfortable and colder...I am definitely waiting for the disruption in this earplugs design, maybe it will come one day ? Thanks again and have a good day, cheerz

[@nosleeplessnights1]

You're welcome! Thank you too for your feedback. How do you find the 3M earplugs? I was always surprised that they didn't have a higher lab tested noise reduction rating as they worked really well for me and anyone else I gave them to. But, we also thought they are quite dense, so a bit uncomfortable to use night after night. Sleeping separately is something I've done in the past too, and we still do during times of illness rather than disturbing the other person. I think it's healthy to have the option to preserve your sleep when necessary as long as it doesn't create emotional distance. But that is another discussion altogether. As for the disruption to the design you mention, I think someone will have to come up with a really innovative design. There is only so much our sensitive ears can handle, and sound travels through physical objects as well as the air, making it a tricky beast to master!

[@VoltaireParis]

@@nosleeplessnights1 Thanks for your quick reply. I completely adhere to what you wrote hereabove : the 3M are the best reduction noise earplugs that I know, but they are so dense that it hurts at first (during first night mainly) and they tend to loose their elasticity quite fast, which reduces their performance over time...I personally feel that the 3M are working fine for me between the second night and the 8th night : during only 1 week approximately. Maybe the solution will be in first instance to sleep in a sort of stand-alone acoustic isolated cabin,...I am sure at one point there will be a solution, when I don't need it anymore because too old :))) Cheerz from Paris

[@nosleeplessnights1]

One week is probably the longest I would consider wearing a foam earplug for anyway, and only if I didn't have more to replace it with and really needed it, so that doesn't seem so bad. That cabin sounds good...if you ever find one that doesn't cost a small fortune, let me know! Cheers to you too, from across the channel.

[@sterlgirlceline]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🏆

[@lilianabrito2108]

hi, i have dream loops, bu i can listem my voice normally and i keep listening my neighbors dragging their chairs all the time. can you please help me ? :)

[@nosleeplessnights1]

Hi! What do you mean exactly by listening to your voice normally? Are you saying you don't hear it differently, as I described? That might mean you either have the wrong size tips or you haven't inserted them correctly. As for the noise of moving furniture - that is unfortunately very difficult to block out sometimes. If it's very loud, I don't think the Loop earplugs will block it out completely. For that, you might need earplugs with a higher noise reduction rating (probably foam) or headphones with noise masking. There are other ways you can look into to soak up more of the sound energy in your bedroom, but then you are into a different area of sound insulation.

[@nicolerose7639]

Very sad there's no answer for snoring 😢

[@nosleeplessnights1]

For light snoring, good earplugs should be enough. For very loud snoring, headphones and audio are likely to do better. If you were referring to the dog barking test section, I did a similar test in my review of the Soundcore Sleep A20, which you can see here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4bGZJ2FipapkJo From 7 mins onwards, there are several noise blocking tests.

[@Dewah77_YT]

Hello, I have sent an email just now :)

[@nosleeplessnights1]

If it's about picking headphones, I think I got it and replied.