Loop earplugs are the ring-shaped reusable earplugs you now see at gigs, in gyms and on planes. They aren’t electronic: there’s no battery, no Bluetooth and no noise cancelling. Each one is a silicone plug with a small acoustic channel and filter that lowers volume while keeping sound clearer than a foam plug does. Loop makes several versions, and the differences between them are mostly about how much noise they take out.
- Gym, classes, gigs: Loop Experience 2 (A$49.95). Turns the volume down but music still sounds like music.
- Sleep: Loop Dream (A$69.95) if you sleep on your side, or Loop Quiet 2 (A$34.95), the cheapest Loop, if you don’t.
- Talking to people in noisy places: Loop Engage 2 (A$49.95).
- One pair for everything: Loop Switch 2 (A$94.95), with a dial for three levels.
The Loop range and Australian prices
These are the current models on Loop’s Australian store, with the noise reduction Loop claims for each (its SNR rating, in decibels). Higher means quieter.
| Model | Price | Noise reduction | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet 2 | A$34.95 | 24 dB | Sleep on your back, travel, focus |
| Dream | A$69.95 | 27 dB | Side sleepers, a snoring partner |
| Engage 2 | A$49.95 | 16 dB | Cafés, pubs, open-plan offices |
| Engage 2 Plus | A$64.95 | 16 dB (+9 with Mute) | As above, plus an extra-quiet option |
| Experience 2 | A$49.95 | 17 dB | Gym, classes, gigs, motorsport |
| Experience 2 Plus | A$64.95 | 17 dB (+3 with Mute) | As above, plus an extra-quiet option |
| Switch 2 | A$94.95 | Three modes | Moving between all of the above |
The “Plus” versions come with Loop Mute, a small cap that clips over the plug to block the channel when you want it quieter. Loop also sells limited editions (McLaren, Tomorrowland, Paris Hilton) at A$5 to A$10 more. They’re the same plugs in different colours.
Which Loop for the gym?
Get the Experience 2. Gyms and group classes often play music loud, and a spin or HIIT class in a hard-walled room is worse. The Experience is built for that: it lowers the volume evenly, so you can still hear the beat and the coach, rather than the muffled sound you get from foam. It also stays put when you move, which matters more in a burpee than on a plane.
If you lift in a quieter gym and mostly want to cut the clanging while still hearing a training partner, the Engage 2 is the lighter option. It takes out the least noise of the range.
Which Loop for sleep?
The Loop Dream is the one Loop built for sleep. It has the highest rating in the range (27 dB), a flatter shape so it doesn’t press into your ear on a pillow, and foam-silicone tips. If you sleep on your side, it’s the one to get.
If you sleep on your back, the Quiet 2 does most of the same job for half the price. It blocks the channel completely, which is what you want at night, but it sits out from the ear more.
Earplugs fix noise, not the rest of a bad night. For that, see our guides to falling asleep fast and sleepmaxxing.
Are Loop earplugs worth it?
For blocking noise alone, only just. SoundGuys tested several Loop models against foam earplugs that cost about 17 US cents a pair, using a lab test head that mimics a human ear. The Loops came out “slightly better”. Foam blocked high-pitched sound well but did little for low sounds like bass. The Loops cut noise more evenly across the range, which is why music and voices sound more natural through them.
HearingTracker’s lab test of the Experience got close to Loop’s claim: a measured rating of 17 dB against the 18 dB Loop listed at the time, rising to 33 dB with the Mute fitted. The reviewer’s verdict was that “it may be difficult to find a better earplug at this price.”
So what you’re paying for is comfort, a plug you can reuse for years, and sound that isn’t muffled. If you only need earplugs twice a year and don’t mind the feel of foam, foam does the job. If you wear them every week at the gym or every night in bed, Loop is the better buy.
The downsides
- Fit decides everything. In HearingTracker’s test, a plug pushed in too shallow lost most of its protection at lower pitches. Try all the tip sizes (each set comes with four) and use the one that seals.
- The case is fiddly. HearingTracker found it small and awkward to open.
- They’re easy to lose. At A$35 to A$95 a pair, that hurts more than losing foam.
FAQ
Do Loop earplugs connect to your phone?
No. They aren’t electronic and have no Bluetooth, so you can’t play music or podcasts through them. They only reduce the sound around you.
Can you sleep in Loop earplugs?
Yes. The Dream is designed for it, especially for side sleepers, and the Quiet 2 works well for back sleepers. The Experience and Engage models let too much sound through to be much use at night.
How long do Loop earplugs last?
Years, if you clean them. HearingTracker notes the packaging says about five years. The tips wear out first, and Loop sells replacements.
Are Loop earplugs better than foam?
Slightly, on noise blocked, according to SoundGuys’ lab test. They’re clearly better on comfort, reuse and sound quality.
Where can you buy Loop earplugs in Australia?
Loop’s Australian online store ships nationally and lists prices in Australian dollars.
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