The Best Motorcycle Ear Plugs – For Hearing the RIGHT Sounds
Evan Rally
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Riding a motorcycle is freedom, wind in your face, and the open road… and also a roaring cacophony trying to destroy your eardrums. Think earplugs are just for wimps? Think again. Here are a few hard truths you need to swallow:
- Motorcycle noise is LOUD. Like, jackhammer-next-to-your-head loud. Even with a helmet.
- Hearing damage is permanent. Those ringing ears after a long ride? That’s not a badge of honor, it’s your hearing throwing in the towel – for good.
- Comfortable earplugs exist. You don’t have to choose between hearing and enjoying your ride. In fact, comfortable earplugs can make your ride more enjoyable.
Motorcycle earplugs should make it easier to hear the sounds that matter: sirens, approaching cars, your GPS, your music, a nice slice of your engine’s roar and your wife calling you. All while cutting out the noise you don’t want: the wind, the noise of your tires on the pavement, and the penetrating crack of your Vance and Hines pipes.
Finding Your Perfect Silence: Types of Motorcycle Earplugs
Before we dive into specific product recommendations, let’s break down the main types of motorcycle earplugs. Understanding these categories will help you narrow down what’s best for your riding style and needs.
- Foam Earplugs: The OGs of hearing protection. Cheap, readily available, and offering high Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR). They work by simply blocking the ear canal. Great for maximum noise blocking on a budget, but can be less comfortable for small ear canals and muffle all sounds – even the ones you want to hear.
- Filtered/Hi-Fidelity Earplugs: These use acoustic filters to reduce noise at certain frequencies, meaning they lower the volume of unwanted noises without affecting without drastically distorting sound. You still hear your surroundings, just quieter and clearer. Ideal for riders who want to protect their hearing but still need to hear traffic, intercoms, and engine feedback. Usually made of silicone.
- Custom Molded Earplugs: The gold standard in comfort and fit. These are custom fit to your own ears, usually with a DIY process you do at home, providing a perfect seal and maximum comfort for all-day riding. Usually some kind of flexible plastic material, and can be filtered or unfiltered. More expensive upfront, but reusable and often last for years.
Check out other ways besides earplugs to make a motorcycle helmet quieter – much of it has to do with fit.
The Top Contenders: Best Motorcycle Earplugs of 2025
Here are my top picks for the best motorcycle earplugs to keep your ears happy and your rides comfortable.
Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs
If you’re after a truly personalized fit and serious noise blocking, Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs are the answer. These aren’t your grandpa’s foam plugs. Decibullz uses a unique thermoplastic material that you mold to the exact shape of your ears in boiling water.
Our contributor Alan has these and swears by them. He rides all kinds of bikes for enduros to ADV bikes and Harleys, and he’s also a private jet pilot. He uses them on the airstrip and the road.
Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs offer a perfect fit for superior noise reduction and comfort.
- Easily moldable for a custom fit
- Provides 31dB Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
- Re-moldable for repeated use
- Initial molding process requires boiling water
Benefit Breakdown:
- Custom Comfort: Because they’re molded to your ears, Decibullz eliminate pressure points and discomfort, even after hours in the saddle. Say goodbye to that “stuffed ear” feeling you get with generic plugs.
- High Noise Reduction (NRR 31dB): These plugs mean business when it comes to silencing the roar. The custom fit creates a tight seal, blocking out wind noise, engine drone, and road racket effectively.
- Remoldable: Messed up the molding process? No worries. Decibullz are remoldable. Just reheat and try again until you get the perfect fit.
- Versatile: Great for more than just riding. Use them for shooting, concerts, sleeping, or any loud environment. One pair, multiple uses.
NoNoise Motorsport Noise Filter Earplugs
NoNoise Motorsport Noise Filter Ear Protection earplugs are designed for comfort and convenience. While they might not have the Noise Reduction Rating of Decibullz or foam earplugs, they filter that noise exceptionally well for motorcycle use. They’re also washable, reusable, and come with a small metal case to store them. Ready to go right out of the box.
NoNoise Motorsport Earplugs reduce wind noise while preserving important sounds for motorcyclists.
- Reduces wind and road noise for a safer ride
- Allows communication and situational awareness
- Comfortable, washable, and reusable
- May not block all high-frequency noises
Benefit Breakdown:
- Acoustic Filtering (NRR 29dB): NoNoise earplugs utilize a ceramic filter designed to reduce wind and engine noise while allowing speech, sirens, and other important sounds to be heard. These aren’t going to reduce as much noise as a foam or custom earplug that isn’t filtered, they’re built to filter out the noises you don’t want to hear.
- Comfortable and Discreet: Made from soft, hypoallergenic silicone, NoNoise earplugs are designed for extended wear. Their small size and low-profile design make them unobtrusive and comfortable under helmets.
- Ready-to-Wear Fit: No molding or sizing needed. NoNoise earplugs come ready to use, making them incredibly convenient for riders on the go. They include multiple sizes of ear tips to accommodate different ear sizes.
- Reusable and Durable: These earplugs are reusable and come with a storage tube to keep them clean and protected when not in use.
EarPeace Moto Pro Ear Plugs
EarPeace Moto Pro earplugs are laser-focused on the needs of motorcycle riders. These filtered earplugs are specifically engineered to combat wind noise and engine drone, while still allowing you to hear important sounds on the road.
The key feature here is the specially designed noise filter, which cuts out low frequency wind noise while allowing high frequency noises – like sirens or voices – right through.
EARPEACE Moto PRO earplugs provide high-fidelity wind noise protection for motorcyclists.
- Reduces wind noise up to 24dB while preserving clear sound
- Comfortable silicone fit for long rides under a helmet
- Includes interchangeable sizes and a durable carrying cas
- May not fit all ear shapes perfectly
Benefit Breakdown:
- Motorcycle-Specific Filters (NRR 24dB with PRO filters): EarPeace Moto Pro comes with a single filter that cuts out wind noise while keeping comms and music clear. EarPeace also sells another model with three filter sets: 17dB, 20dB, and 26dB.
- Comfort Focused Design: Ergonomically shaped and made from soft silicone, EarPeace Moto Pro earplugs are designed to be comfortable under a helmet, even for long days.
- Two Sizes Included: Each set comes with two sets of earplugs, one standard and one large, to ensure a proper fit.
- Reusable and Durable: Built to last, these earplugs are reusable and come with a handy aluminum carrying case to keep them protected.
Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs
And finally we have foam earplugs. What foam lacks in fancy filters, it makes up for in convenience and the constant cleanliness of new, new, new.
Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs are the classic choice for a reason: they offer incredible noise reduction at a price that’s hard to beat. If your primary goal is to block out as much noise as possible without breaking the bank, these are your go-to.
These are the earplugs I give out on my tours.
Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs offer maximum noise reduction (33dB NRR) for sleeping, travel, and loud environments.
- Ultra-soft, low-pressure foam for comfort
- Blocks noise effectively for better sleep and focus
- #1 doctor-recommended foam earplugs
- Disposable, so not ideal for long-term use
Benefit Breakdown:
- Maximum Noise Reduction (NRR 33dB): With an NRR of 33dB, Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs offer the highest noise reduction of any earplug on this list. They’ll effectively silence wind noise, engine roar, and just about everything else.
- Ultra Comfortable Foam: Made from super-soft, slow-releasing foam, these plugs are surprisingly comfortable, even for extended wear.
- Disposable and Inexpensive: Designed for single use, Mack’s foam earplugs are incredibly affordable. Keep a stash in your tank bag and you’re always prepared.
- Easy to Use: Just roll, insert, and let them expand to fill your ear canal. No fuss, no muss.
Downsides: Foam earplugs block all sound frequencies pretty equally, which can muffle sound quality and might be too quiet for safe riding. You might find it harder to hear the traffic around you compared to filtered options. You also should toss them out after every ride, as they can harbor bacteria that could then in turn cause hearing loss, defeating the whole purpose of earplugs… though many riders (myself included) reuse them a few times.
Buy them in bulk for savings!
Buying Guide: Finding the Right Plugs for Your Ride
Choosing the best motorcycle earplugs isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s what to consider to find your perfect pair:
- Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): This number indicates how many decibels of noise the earplugs reduce. Higher NRR means more noise reduction, though it’s not the whole story as filters can mean a lower NRR that’s actually better for the reality of riding, where you want to hear traffic around you. For motorcycle riding, aim for an NRR of at least 20dB, and ideally 25dB or higher for highway speeds or louder bikes.
- Comfort: If your earplugs are uncomfortable, you won’t wear them. Consider the material (foam, silicone, thermoplastic), shape, and sizes available. Custom molded earplugs offer the best comfort for long rides.
- Sound Fidelity: Do you want to block out as much noise as possible, or maintain some sound clarity? Filtered earplugs are better for preserving sound quality, while foam plugs offer maximum noise blocking but can muffle sound.
- Reusability vs. Disposable: Foam plugs are typically disposable (though some can be reused a few times). Silicone, thermoplastic, and custom plugs are reusable. Reusable plugs are more eco-friendly and often more comfortable in the long run.
- Ease of Use: Consider how easy the earplugs are to insert and remove, especially with gloves on. Loop’s circular design and EarPeace’s tabs are designed for easy handling. Custom molded plugs, once molded, are also very easy to insert.
- Price: Foam plugs are the cheapest, followed by filtered earplugs, DIY molded, and then professional custom molded earplugs which are the most expensive. Balance your budget with your needs and how often you ride.
- Riding Style: Highway riders and those with loud bikes will benefit from higher NRR earplugs. Commuters and city riders might prioritize filtered earplugs to maintain awareness of their surroundings.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Decibullz Custom Molded | NoNoise Travel Noise Filter | EarPeace Moto Pro High | Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam |
| Type | Custom Molded | Filtered | Filtered (Moto-Specific) | Foam |
| NRR | 31dB | 29dB | 24dB (PRO filters) | 33dB |
| Comfort | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good |
| Sound Fidelity | Reduced | Good | Good | Reduced |
| Reusability | Reusable | Reusable | Reusable | Disposable |
| Included Case | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best For | Max Noise Reduction, Custom Fit | Travel, All-Around Use | Wind Noise, Highway Riding | Max Noise Reduction, Budget |
| Check Price | Amazon | Revzilla | Amazon | Amazon |
Why Your Ears Will Thank You for Motorcycle Earplugs
Wind noise at highway speeds is LOUD. Like, jackhammer-next-to-your-head loud. We’re talking 95 to 115 decibels, easy. And spending hours in that kind of noise is like inviting hearing damage to move in rent-free. Tinnitus, hearing loss – not fun, and definitely not part of the biker lifestyle we signed up for.
But it’s not just about avoiding the bad stuff. Good earplugs make your ride better now. Ever get off a long ride feeling totally drained, even if you were just cruising? A lot of that fatigue comes from wind noise beating you up for hours. Earplugs cut that noise, meaning you arrive fresher, more focused, and actually ready to enjoy the rest of your day, instead of just collapsing in a heap.
And here’s a thought: ever missed a turn because you couldn’t hear your GPS? Or struggled to chat with your riding buddy on your headset because of the wind roar? Earplugs can fix that too. The right ones knock down the bad noise but let you hear what you need to hear.
Earplugs protect your hearing, reduce fatigue, and can even make your ride safer and more enjoyable.
Don’t be the rider who learns about hearing protection the hard way, years down the road when the damage is done. Investing in a good set of motorcycle earplugs is one of the smartest and simplest things you can do to improve your riding experience now and protect your hearing for the long haul.
Whether you choose custom-molded comfort, hi-fidelity clarity, motorcycle-specific filters, or budget-friendly foam, the important thing is to wear earplugs every time you ride. Your ears will thank you, your rides will be more enjoyable, and you’ll be able to hear the birds chirping (or your grandkids yelling) for many years to come. Now go enjoy the ride, in comfortable silence!
