Best motorcycling earplugs

Cut out the noise with the best earbuds for motorcycling

Top motorcycling earplugs

by Justin Hayzelden |

Whichever way you look at it, riding motorbikes is a noisy business, so motorcycle earplugs are generally considered to be a good idea.

Sustained exposure to a continuous loud noise can seriously damage your hearing and cause conditions like tinnitus that can blight the lives of sufferers.

The problem isn't so much the sound of an internal combustion engine doing its thing (unless it's constantly at full chat, such as riding your bike on a track or firing through an obnoxiously loud exhaust) but the turbulent roar of wind ripping around a helmet. Thankfully a decent pair of motorcycling earplugs can make all the difference.

Tests have shown that the interior of a motorcycle helmet can experience Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) well in excess of 100dB, and this can quickly end up causing permanent hearing damage. There is also the potential for increased fatigue, which can lead to a dangerous drop in concentration on long journeys.

The best at a glance

There are lots of different motorcycling earplugs available, from incredibly cheap disposable off-the-shelf ones to custom-made items costing significant money. We've listed a broad selection of what's available, along with real-world reviews and an overview of key points.

Top motorcycle earplugs

Best cheap ones

Howard Leight Laser Lite ear plugs

Rrp: £14.13

Price: £13.49
AmazonAmazon Prime

Description

Classic foam earplugs regularly used in loud working environments. Recognisable for their 'rhubarb

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Economical

Cons

  • Not great for the environment
Howard Leight Laser Lite ear plugs

2. Oxford FilterBuds

Best compact ones

Description

These reusable, silicone-free earplugs are hypoallergenic and come in a handy carry case you can

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Silicone-free
  • Handy carry case

Cons

  • Sometimes tricky to remove
Oxford FilterBuds

3. CF Motoblock

Best bespoke ones

Description

The CF Block is a completely solid custom ear plug that reduces approximately 30dB of noise. It

Pros

  • Perfect fit for you
  • 30dB reduction
  • Range of colours

Cons

  • There is a cost for fitting if you can't get the CF's HQ
CFG custom fit earplugs in clear

4. Pinlock Ear Plugs

Best reusable ones

Description

Reusable silicone earplugs from the same folks who brought us the best-selling anti-mist visor

Pros

  • Handy carry case
  • Two sizes of plugs

Cons

  • Don't stay in as well after several uses
Black pinlock earplugs with red filter insert

Best comfy ones

auritech Biker ear plugs in packaging
Price: £19.95
AmazonAmazon Prime

Description

Made in silicone-free plastic, these auritech Biker Earplugs use three different-sized 'flanges'

Pros

  • Let some noise in
  • Come with a storage tube

Cons

  • Soft construction makes them tricky to get in
auritech Biker ear plugs in packaging

Best adjustable ones

Earpeace Moto ear plugs

Rrp: £29.95

Price: £24.95
AmazonAmazon Prime

Description

The idea here is that in addition to three hypoallergenic silicone flanged earplugs, you get three

Pros

  • Three interchangeable filters
  • Three sizes of earplugs

Cons

  • You always wonder if there's a better combination of plug and filter
Earpeace Moto ear plugs

Best mouldable ones

Decibullz ear plugs
Price: £49.99
AmazonAmazon Prime

Description

These mouldable earplugs from Decibullz take things one step further. They pair thermoplastic

Pros

  • Moulded to your ears
  • Self-fit at home
  • Version with speakers available

Cons

  • Other plugs have better noise reduction
Decibullz ear plugs

Best funky ones

Loop Quiet ear plugs
Price: £19.95
AmazonAmazon Prime

Description

These weird-looking earplugs from the USA come in two flavours. Quiet blocks all sound, reducing

Pros

  • Look cool
  • Lots of bud options to get the perfect fit
  • Handy carry case

Cons

  • Start falling out after prolonged use
Loop Quiet ear plugs

9. Jabra Elite 75t

Best connected ones

Description

These Jabra Elite 75t earbuds work exceptionally well as earplugs, albeit rather bulky. The

Pros

  • Audio for sat nav or music
  • HearThrough system lets you hear traffic

Cons

  • Bulky
Jabra Elite 75t ear buds

Things to consider before you buy:

There are several things to consider when purchasing earplugs. In order to compare their effectiveness, look for the SNR or Single Number Rating.

This indicates by how much they reduce noise in decibels (dB) as per ISO certification. The bigger the number, the greater the reduction. There's also CE approval to EN 352-2, the certification for hearing PPE.

Noise reduction is, of course, the goal, but cut out too much sound, and you may lose some that's helpful, such as engine, traffic and emergency vehicles.

This is where filters come in, as they will still allow certain frequencies to be heard. With the right filter, wind noise can be reduced without losing the ability to hold a conversation.

About the author: Justin Hayzelden is MCN's resident products guru and keeps a finger on the pulse of all that's new and important in bike kit and accessories.

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