Motorcycles can get quite noisy at times and having no hearing protection on your ears is not a good idea. A high-quality full-face motorcycle helmet can block some wind noise and engine sound, but even the quietest helmet will never be enough in most situations.
That’s why it is recommended to use a pair of noise-cancelling ear plugs while riding a bike. They will reduce the noise coming into your ears and prevent any type of inner ear damage or hearing loss.
There are various types of ear plugs available on the market. Some of them are super-cheap, while others will cost you up to $40.
- A pair of the most basic foam ear plugs can be bough for as little as 20 cents. However, these plugs usually don’t come with a protective case and they are not very durable.
- Then there are custom molded ear plugs, these can be fitted to the exact shape of your ear. They are supposed to have superior fit, but some people don’t like them.
- The most popular type of ear plugs are made of silicone. The vast majority of silicone ear plugs offer good hearing protection and high durability, yet they are very comfortable to wear.
In this review, I will show you some of the Best Motorcycle Ear Plugs the money can buy in 2024. Additionally, I will also explain why it is so important to use some hearing protection on your motorcycle and the correct way to insert the ear plugs into your ear canal.
Read Also: Top 10 Motorcycle Bluetooth Headsets of 2024
List of the Top 6 Motorcycle Ear Plugs
Best Motorcycle Ear Plugs Reviews
So, if you want to find the best motorcycle ear plugs, then you have come to the right place! I am going to review the top 6 ear plugs that I believe are the best choice for riding a motorcycle. These products are both compact in size and comfortable to wear, so they won’t hurt you when you put on your motorcycle helmet.
Alpine MotoSafe Ear Plugs Review
The Alpine MotoSafe motorcycle ear plugs look like a pair of classic silicone ear plugs. But, instead of silicone, they are made of an ultra-soft hypoallergenic material called AlpineThermoShape. The ear plugs are designed specifically for motorcyclists and they offer universal shape that is supposed to fit 95% of riders. They are great for both street use and sport-touring.
In terms of features and accessories, the Alpine MotoSafe come with integrated filters, a soft fabric pouch and a cleaning spray. In my opinion the soft pouch is a much better option for motorcycle riding than a hard shell case. The reason is versatility. You can easily fit the pouch into a small pocket inside your leather jacket and not even notice it. The special AplineAcousticFilter will ensure you will still hear some sounds from your surroundings, while blocking the loudest wind noise coming into your helmet. These filters are very soft, which means you don’t have to worry about pressure under the helmet, even on long rides.
The new generation of the Alpine MotoSafe ear plugs is available in three different versions: RACE, TOUR and PRO. The RACE version and the TOUR version each comes with a different set of filters, while the PRO version has both sets of filters included (red and black) and you can choose from either 26dB, or 23dB of noise attenuation. The older model was just one version with both types of filters (yellow and green).
Overall, the Alpine MotoSafe are one of the most advanced ear plugs on the market and they don’t even cost than much ($20). Considering their versatility and affordability, I would say that these are the number one ear plugs for motorcycle riding. The only downside is that they are a little hard to remove.
Alpine MotoSafe Ear Plugs
️Pros: Hypoallergenic Silicone-Free Material, Soft Integrated Filters, Practical Soft Pouch, Designed for Motorcyclists
Cons: Hard to Remove
EarPeace Moto Ear Plugs Review
Another company that manufactures ear plugs for motorcycle riders is called EarPeace. They have multiple different models of ear plugs for sale, but the most popular ones are definitely the the EarPeace Moto. These plugs come in two different sizes (small and standard) and they have three types of filters (medium, high and max). The filters are engineered to allow in a precise amount of sound, so you will be able to hear your intercom unit, approaching traffic, etc. Therefore, you can enjoy reduced wind noise without losing situational awareness.
The EarPeace Moto ear plugs are made of a premium silicone that is both durable and soft to the touch. They are designed to easily fit under your helmet and not cause any type of irritation or discomfort that most other reusable ear plugs might do. These ear plugs come in a hard shell aluminum case with two chambers and one spare ear plug. You can clip the case to your keychain and use it to store the spare ear plug.
As you can see, the EarPeace Moto ear plugs have a lot of features to offer. They fit really well and thanks to the three different types of filters, you can choose the one that suits you best. Unfortunately, they don’t reduce the incoming noise that much compared to some other ear plugs.
EarPeace Moto Ear Plugs
️Pros: Premium Hypoallergenic Silicone, 3 Types of Filters, Aluminum Case, Designed for Motorcyclists
Cons: Noise Reduction Could Be Better
Eargasm High Fidelity Ear Plugs Review
The High Fidelity Motorcycle Ear Plugs from Eargasm might not be specifically designed for motorcyclists, but they are a good all-around hearing protection product. These ear plugs are meant for concerts, band practices and other musical events. However, you can safely use them while riding a bike and they will do really well in protecting your ears from harmful noise levels.
The Eargasm High Fidelity ear plugs feature an innovative technology that will filter the sound and preserve the quality of music, voice and phone calls, while blocking the annoying wind noise and traffic hum. You will still be able to hear higher pitched sounds such as engine revs, horns or ambulance sirens.
The ear plugs are made from a high-quality hypoallergenic silicone that will provide unbeatable comfort and durability. They come in a hard shell aluminum case with a waterproof rubber seal for improved weather protection. You will receive two different shell sizes of ear plugs included in the package (one pair of small and one pair of standard ear plugs). All you have to do is to insert the attenuation filters into the preferred shell size and you are good to go.
Eargasm High Fidelity Ear Plugs
️Pros: High-Quality Hypoallergenic Silicone, Two Shell Sizes Included, Waterproof Aluminum Case, Versatility
Cons: A Little Too Expensive
Brison Premium Ear Plugs Review
Another ear plugs that are designed primarily for concerts and musical events are the Brison Premium ear plugs. The main reason I have decided to add them to the list is the fact that they are the top-rated and best-selling product on the entire market. They have over 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon, which is unbelievable. At first glance, the Brison Premiums might appear just like another random pair of silicone ear plugs. However, after you start using them, you will notice how comfortable they are.
The Brison Premium ear plugs are made of a super-soft material that is gentle to the skin, but strong enough that it will withstand daily use and abuse. They are great for concerts, festivals, live music events, etc. Thanks to the soft surface and no hard edges, they can be even used for sleeping. So, there is no doubt you will be able to use them in your motorcycle helmet as well.
When you buy the product, you will also get a stylish aluminum case, which you can attach to a keychain and use it for storing and protecting your ear plugs while you are off the bike. The package also includes two different types of plugs, one with a filter and one without a filter.
Brison Premium Ear Plugs
️Pros: Premium Silicone Construction, Two Types of Plugs Included, Protective Aluminum Case, Very Comfortable
Cons: Noise Reduction Could Be Better
NoNoise Motor Ear Plugs Review
The NoNoise Motor, also known as NoNoise MotorSport, are ear plugs made specifically for motorcycle enthusiasts. This is the new generation of hearing protection that comes with a revolutionary feature, ceramic filters. They will absorb sound waves and prevent leaking of the unwanted noise. Therefore, you will only be able to hear some frequencies, while the majority of others will be partially or completely blocked.
Thanks to the NoNoise Motor ear plugs, you can enjoy the best acoustics without any muffling effect. They will greatly reduce wind, engine and road noise, but you will still be able to hear warning traffic signals such as sirens. You can also use them while making phone calls and listening to music or navigation.
The ear plugs come in an aluminum case that is extremely compact and practical. Another great feature of the NoNoise Motor ear plugs is their silicon-free construction. If you have any type of allergy or other health issues, you will definitely welcome this feature. Unfortunately, the build quality of these ear plugs is not the greatest and the noise reduction could also be better.
NoNoise Motor Ear Plugs
️Pros: Silicone-Free Construction, High-End Ceramic Filters, Compact Aluminum Case, Designed for Motorcyclists
Cons: Average Build Quality, Noise Reduction Could Be Better
Types of Motorcycle Ear Plugs
Foam Motorcycle Ear Plugs
Foam ear plugs are the cheapest option on the market. They are usually sold in larger packs and the average cost per unit is around 20 cents. Another great advantage of foam ear plugs is their functionality. They will slowly expand inside the ear canal and create perfect seal. Unfortunately, foam ear plugs are not ideal for motorcycle riding as they will block all incoming noises and you won’t be able to hear some traffic sounds such as horns and sirens, which can be quite dangerous. Also, they are not very hygienical.
Custom Molded Motorcycle Ear Plugs
Custom molded motorcycle ear plugs can be easily fitted to the exact shape of your ear. These are being advertised as the most advanced type of ear plugs, but they are also the most expensive ones, as their price can reach up to $100. Custom molded ear plugs are made from a remoldable material and they can either come with or without filters. These ear plugs are usually used for military shooting practices, but they are not that good for motorcycle riding.
Silicone Motorcycle Ear Plugs
In my opinion, silicone ear plugs offer the best all-around hearing protection for motorcycle riding. They are comfortable to wear, extremely durable and washable. Thanks to their hypoallergenic properties, you will be able to reuse them plenty of times and there is no risk of ear infection. Silicone motorcycle ear plugs fit really well inside a helmet and they are specifically designed for long rides. They come with an innovative filtering technology that will block low frequencies and allow high-pitched sounds, which is an important feature for riding in heavy traffic and listening to GPS navigation instructions.
Reasons to Buy Motorcycle Ear Plugs
Hearing Loss Prevention
Without a doubt, hearing loss prevention is the main reason why you should buy motorcycle ear plugs. Riding a motorcycle at higher speeds can produce engine noise levels of up to 80 decibels, which is dangerous to your ears. When you are exposed to loud noise for prolonged periods of time, your ear drums can get damaged. You may experience temporary deafness and lose the ability to hear all frequencies. This condition might not be life-threatening, but you should still avoid it at all costs. Luckily, there is a wide selection of motorcycle ear plugs that are designed to block the noise and protect your ear drums.
Wind Noise Reduction
Another benefit of using motorcycle ear plugs is wind noise reduction. High amount of wind noise can be annoying, especially when you want to listen to music or make phone calls on the go. Usually, this is not a problem at speeds below 50 mph. However, as soon as you leave the urban areas and enter the highway, the levels of wind noise can quickly become unbearable. Thanks to motorcycle ear plugs, you will be able to use a Bluetooth headset and listen to your favorite music without any issues. Motorcycle ear plugs come with special filters that will only cancel very specific ultra-low frequencies, so the clarity of the sound of your speakers will remain unchanged. This is a neat feature that separates the true motorcycle ear plugs from the cheap industrial ones that block all frequencies.
Noise Fatigue Reduction
If reducing fatigue is your main concern, then wearing a pair of ear plugs will definitely help you with this issue. Riding a motorcycle for multiple hours can be exhausting and being exposed to constant noise will make it even worse. Human brain is designed to function better in silence and it can only withstand a short-term exposure to noise. Once the noise reaches a certain threshold, you will become tired. So, apart from eliminating all sources of the noise, wearing motorcycle ear plugs is the easiest solution to this problem.
How to Insert Motorcycle Ear Plugs?
It is extremely important to insert the ear plugs correctly, otherwise the seal will fail and the plugs will fall out. When I was using my motorcycle ear plugs for the very first time, I was very disappointed with them. Upon insertion, they only stayed in my ears for a couple of seconds and then they slowly started falling out. The first thing that came to my mind is the ear plugs are junk and that I must have some weird ear shape. None of that was true, as I didn’t use the correct way to insert the ear plugs. I will now show you the only proper way to insert motorcycle ear plugs…
- Grab your earlobe with one hand and pull it up, so the ear canal will spread out.
- Use the other hand to insert the ear plug.
- Push gently until the plug will slide into the ear canal.
- Repeat this process with the second ear.
By using this method, you can be assured the seal will as strong as possible and the plugs will never fall out of your ears.
Keep in mind, that you should always be gentle and never push the plugs into your ears with too much force, otherwise you might end up putting them too far and having problems with removal. Additionally, you can even damage your inner ear, if you aren’t careful enough.
Motorcycle Ear Plugs FAQ
If you have been thinking of buying motorcycle ear plugs, you might as well be looking for some additional information to find out more about the product. That’s why am now going to answer some of the most important questions anyone may be asking.
Q: Is It Legal to Wear Motorcycle Ear Plugs?
Yes, wearing motorcycle ear plugs is legal in both US an UK. There is no law that says motorcyclists can’t use hearing protection while riding a bike. If a policeman will ever give you a fine for wearing ear plugs on a motorcycle, go to a small-claims court.
Q: Can You Wash Motorcycle Ear Plugs?
It depends on the type of ear plugs. The ones made from a foam cannot be washed and you should always dispose them after each ride. However, most silicone ear plugs can be washed regularly and you will be able to reuse them up to 100 times.
Q: What Type of Motorcycle Ear Plugs Is the Best?
If you are looking for the best value for money, you can buy a pack of cheap foam ear plugs for a couple of bucks. They will block all noise frequencies and your ears will be protected. However, if you want to listen to music, talk to someone and hear some engine revs, you should go for silicone ear plugs with filters.
Conclusion
Safety should always be the number one priority while riding a motorcycle and preventing any type of health condition or injury is very important. Having no hearing protection might be all right for quite some time, but once you get older, you will most likely regret it. Hearing loss can slowly start to appear and it will be too late for you do do anything about it. So, in my opinion, buying motorcycle ear plugs is definitely a good investment. They will only cost you about $20 and apart from motorcycle riding, you can also use them for other loud events such as concerts or air flights. Nevertheless, no matter which one of these products you will end up choosing, I am completely sure it will serve you well in most situations.
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