5 best earplugs for concerts and live music in Australia for 2024
With festival season almost here, this essential item will be music to your ears.
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Summer is practically here, which means one thing for music lovers: Aussie festival season is also approaching.
From Meredith to Woodford Folk Festival, Laneway to Lost Paradise, there’s something to suit every music taste, and the momentum doesn’t slow down as we move into the new year.
Aussie TV presenter and former Channel V host Danny Clayton has been working at music festivals since he was 16, and remembers Daft Punk’s “Alive” stadium show back in 2007 at Sydney’s Olympic Park as “life-changing”.
“At the time the giant pyramid stage show was a groundbreaking, futuristic visual extravaganza making it feel like more than just a music concert—it was pure euphoria,” he told news.com.au checkout.
“Nothing has come close since. Ask anyone that went, they will tell you the same. MIND BLOWING!”
From comfortable shoes to sunglasses to a great smartphone to capture moments from your fave band, having the right gear will make sure you have a festival experience to remember.
One product that everyone should have with them at a music festival is a quality pair of earplugs, and over the years, Clayton said he’s worn “innumerable sets” to protect his hearing.
“If you get the correct ones, you aren’t affecting the EQ of the sound of the music. You are just dropping the decibels to a non-harmful, functioning level. I could do a TED talk on this,” he said.
While many people have traditionally opted out of wearing earplugs, Clayton believes that protecting your hearing at concerts and festivals is a no-brainer, and that the stigma is changing.
“Similar to skateboarders wearing helmets, it has taken a while for it to catch on. But now, ear protection is a part of the uniform,” he said.
“It helps that new age ear protection is not only effective but it can be stylish too. I personally think Loop ear protection looks cool. I’m not sponsored… but Loop, call me!
“My advice.. Wear protection. Practice safe sesh. Waking up with the sound of ringing in your ears is NOT normal.”
Danny is onto something here, because when it comes to protecting your eardrums at music festivals and gigs, there are some great products out there right now, including the Loop Switch Earplugs Multi-Mode Noise-Reducing Earplugs.
These have thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon Australia, and with buyers saying their comfort and performance are “perfect for live music”.
Read on for our top earplug picks when it comes to concerts, festivals and gigs.
What You Need To Know
These Loop Switch earplugs feature three adjustable noise reduction modes, which are called Experience (perfect for gigs), Engage (great for social gatherings) and Quiet (studying and travel).
These settings can be changed to match your environment with a simple switch, and they don’t need batteries.
From a design perspective they feature comfortable silicone tips, and come with multiple ear tip sizes and a handy carry case.
Yes, you’re paying a little bit more for these, but former Channel V presenter Danny Clayton says the Loop Switch Earplugs Multi-Mode Noise-Reducing Earplugs have been a game-changer.
“Loop are, hands down, the best I’ve owned,” he told news.com.au checkout.
“There is a model called Switch which gives you 3 separate volumes. I spent the most money on them so naturally I lost them after a few weeks.”
Loop Experience Noise Reduction Ear Plugs, $49.95 from Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Perfect for concerts and live events, these Loop Experience Equinox high-fidelity earplugs strike the ideal balance between noise protection and audio quality, and provide up to 18 decibels of filtered noise protection.
At $49.95 from Amazon Australia, they’re also about right in the middle of pricing options out there right now.
They come with four different silicone ear tip sizes, allowing for a custom fit, and they have a small carry case which can link to your key chain, and a range of six different colours.
Plus they’re built for durability and said to last up to five years.
They’ve clocked up almost 20,000 5-star ratings on Amazon Australia, with buyers saying they deliver a “perfect” level of noise reduction at concerts and gigs.
“Absolutely LOVE these for concerts. These earplugs don’t mute everything but they just make it quieter. As a music student and avid concert goer, these are perfect for saving my hearing,” wrote one customer.
Another said: “I always find rock concerts sound distorted, meaning I struggle to hear vocals. These completely changed the experience for me. The sound is still loud but removes the majority of the distortion making a much better experience.”
Tried and Tested by Troy Nankervis, news.com.au Shopping Writer
I’m really impressed with these Loop Experience Noise Reduction Ear Plugs, which actually really do live up to the hype.
The product itself is quite small and lightweight, and I like how the case attaches to your key chain when you’re not using them.
They’re very comfortable to wear and feel very similar to ear bud headphones when in use.
Plus they do a great job of bringing down the noise, and delivering on all of the features they promise. I tried out a pair of the Loop Experience Noise Reduction Ear Plugs in black, the one thing I’d say is I sometimes can be forgetful and can see I might misplace them down the line.
If you’re a little bit like me, I’d say go for a brighter colour like Equinox, Gold or Sapphire.
Overall, an excellent product that deserves your attention ahead of festival season.
What You Need To Know
Loziemi’s reusable high fidelity earplugs are designed to protect your ears from damaging noise levels while preserving sound quality.
They have a sleek silicone design that makes them virtually invisible compared to alternative products which are a bit bulkier.
The product comes with multiple sizes included—small, medium, and large—these earplugs offer a comfortable, snug fit for everyone, plus they’re also durable and designed for long-term wear.
Ideal for a variety of noisy environments, they ensure clear sound while allowing easy communication, making them a great option for concerts, gigs and festivals.
On Amazon Australia, there’s more than 1,300 positive 5-star reviews, with customers praising their comfort and quality, saying they’re a great fit and really deliver on noise reduction. Plus, they’re excellent value for money.
“These feel more comfortable and minimal than the traditional earplugs, I don’t feel so much pressure in my ears,” wrote one buyer.
Another said: “Bought for concerts. I found they were perfect and comfy! Great affordable price too!”
Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs, 50 Pair, $26.71 (down from $28.95) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Mack’s Safesound Ultra Earplugs are designed with advanced tapered foam, ensuring an exceptional level of comfort, and their noise reduction rating of 32 decibels is impressive, especially given the cheaper price point.
They’re perfect for various situations and settings, and this includes concerts and festivals.
Each set contains 50 pairs, making it easy to safeguard your ears, plus if you misplace a pair it won’t be the end of the world.
The Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs are a winner with customers too, boasting more than 33,000 5-star ratings on Amazon Australia, plus more than 5,000 5-star written testimonials.
“From concerts to construction sites, these earplugs are like silent bodyguards, protecting your precious hearing from the sonic assault of daily life. I even wore them to a rock concert, and suddenly, Metallica sounded like a lullaby. Talk about a rock and ‘roll into slumber’ experience.” wrote one buyer.
Another said: “I use these things to sleep through noisy nights camping at festivals. They work great and you will barely notice they are there with how soft they are.”
Vibes High Fidelity Concert Earplugs, $44.90 from Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Vibes Reusable High Fidelity Ear Plugs deliver excellent protection by reducing noise by up to 22 decibels, yet ensuring that the sound quality remains clear.
Their virtually invisible design features a glass-clear outer shell and silicone earbuds, making them discreet. You could wear them to music festivals or concerts and literally nobody would know.
Vibes also donates a portion of their revenues to related charities, helping to combat hearing damage in live music settings, which is another great reason to consider this product.
Online, these have been highly regarded, with more than 8,000 5-star ratings on Amazon Australia, with customers loving their performance, design and fit.
“It does improve the concert experience overall, and I can hear other people over the music more easily,” wrote one happy buyer.
Another said: “Useful for concerts and playing music. Fit nicely inside ears and effectively dampen the sound. Not much change in pitch so I would recommend.”
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