Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for both physical and mental health. However, many factors can disrupt sleep – a snoring partner, early morning traffic noise, or loud neighbours. Using earplugs is one solution to block out excess noise so you can sleep peacefully through the night.
One of the most popular earplug brands for sleeping is Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs. As the name suggests, these earplugs are made from an extra soft foam that makes them really comfortable to wear all night long. In this Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs review, we’ll cover all the key details about this product to help you decide if they’re the right earplugs for your needs.
Product Overview
Mack’s having been making earplugs for a long time. Over 50 years in fact. So they know what they are doing! Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs are one of their best selling lines, so we had high expectations when we decided to review these earplugs for the first time.
Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs are designed for comfort and maximum noise reduction. They have a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 32 decibels, making them one of the highest-rated earplugs for blocking noise. The contoured shape allows them to fit snugly and securely inside the ear canal.
The foam is extra soft and pliable, so it easily compresses to fit any size ear canal without causing discomfort. Once inserted, the foam slowly expands to create a tight seal that locks out surrounding sounds. Unlike some rigid earplugs, you can even sleep on your side while wearing Mack’s Ultra Soft Earplugs without pain or irritation.
These soft-foam earplugs are skin-coloured in appearance and very soft. They are made in a material which Mack’s call “Comfy Cush Comfort Foam”. This is a low-pressure material that is designed to make the earplugs comfortable to wear in the ear.
They are perfect earplugs for sleeping and we tried them overnight to see how they fared. Important considerations here were noise reduction and comfort of fit.
Noise Reduction Ability
With an NRR of 32 decibels, Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs provide significant noise dampening. Decibel reduction ratings indicate how much sound is decreased when wearing hearing protection. The higher the number, the better the noise blocking. An NRR of 32 decibels translates to a noise reduction of 32dB when used properly.
For perspective, normal conversation is about 60dB. Wearing Mack’s earplugs cuts surrounding noises almost in half. They lower noisy environments to more comfortable levels so you can sleep through disturbances like snoring, traffic, loud music, or a partner’s TV viewing.
Mack’s Ultra Soft Earplugs aren’t designed for extremely loud settings like construction sites or concerts. For those scenarios, you’d need earplugs with a higher NRR. But for home use while sleeping, their 32dB noise reduction is more than enough to block disruptive noises.
Fit and Comfort
One of the biggest complaints about earplugs is they can be uncomfortable, even painful to wear. Cheap, stiff earplugs often don’t fit well and put pressure on the ear canal. Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs address this issue with their contoured, squeezable foam.
The tapered shape allows them to mould to the unique contours of each person’s ear canal. When you first insert them, the memory foam is compressed to a small size. It slowly expands inside the ear, creating a custom, snug fit. This helps block out more noise without having to jam the earplug in deeper.
Users say Mack’s earplugs feel like soft cotton in their ears – comfortable enough to leave in all night. The smooth foam doesn’t cause irritation or itching like some cheap earplugs containing harsh chemicals. Since they conform to your ear canal’s shape, you can sleep in any position without dislodging or straining the earplugs.
Overall, Mack’s Ultra Soft Earplugs get rave reviews for their comfort. Many report they are the only earplugs they can wear for hours without noticing them in their ears. This is an important feature for maximising your chances of undisturbed rest.
Ease of Use
Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs couldn’t be much simpler to use. Just follow these easy steps:
- Wash your hands before touching the earplugs to prevent transferring dirt and germs.
- Remove one pair from the jar.
- Roll and compress each earplug tightly between your fingers to form a very thin cylinder.
- While compressed, insert the earplug deep inside your ear canal until it’s flush with your ear opening.
- Hold for a few seconds while the foam expands to fill your ear canal.
- Test the fit by gently tugging on the inserted plug. It should stay in place.
The slow expansion of the memory foam gives you plenty of time to properly insert each earplug. Within just a minute or two, they’ll completely regain their full size and seal.
Mack’s includes simple instructions on the package showing how to properly roll, compress, and insert the earplugs. As long as you follow the directions, getting a good fit is quick and easy. There’s no special technique required.
Inserting The Earplugs
Putting the earplugs into your ears is easy and quick. On my first attempt, compressing the earplug took seconds. All that was needed was a squash and and few rolls of the earplug between my fingers. I soon had a thin, compressed earplug which I could then inert into my ear canal. All I had to do then was hold it for a few seconds as the foam moved back into position and locked itself into position. Once inserted, the earplug felt secure, with a comfortable fit.
Earplug Length & Diameter
The earplug is 23mmm long, tip-t0-tip. I would say that this is average. As an adult male, I did feel that I had to push the earplug into my ear canal to get it to fit correctly. But, this was not uncomfortable at all.
For those with smaller ear canals, they may want to consider Mack’s Slimfit Earplugs. These are similar in length to normal earplugs but they have a smaller diameter, making the ideal for some ladies and those with smaller ear canals.
Potential Downsides
No product is perfect, and Mack’s Ultra Soft Earplugs do come with a few potential disadvantages to consider:
- Like all foam earplugs, they are not reusable. The foam loses its rebound after a few uses and won’t fit as snugly. Reusing them also increases bacteria buildup.
- The foam may feel sensitive for people with ear infections or irritated ear canals.
- They don’t totally block all noise. Loud snoring or similar noises may still be faintly audible, although significantly muffled.
- Some people report earplugs falling out if they toss and turn all night. Proper insertion helps minimize this issue.
- Not ideal for very small ear canals. The foam may expand too much and feel uncomfortable for those with tiny ear openings.
While reusability would be nice, it’s not expected for this style of earplug. Overall, none of the potential drawbacks are serious enough to outweigh Mack’s excellent noise blocking abilities.
Cost
Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs offer great value for the money. On Amazon, a jar of 50 pairs costs around $10-15. Considering how long a single pair lasts, this works out to just $0.20-0.30 per use.
Even high-end, custom moulded earplugs can cost over $100. Mack’s give you impressive noise reduction at a fraction of the price. For an affordable earplug, they consistently outperform similarly-priced competitors.
Given their comfort and noise blocking power, Mack’s Earplugs are worth every penny for a restful night’s sleep. Just one night of uninterrupted rest justifies the small investment.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Comfortable, soft foam suitable for side sleepers
- Highest NRR (32dB) for optimal noise blocking
- Contoured, tapered shape for secure fit
- Slow expansion allows easy insertion
- Jar contains 50 pairs
- Affordable price for the quality
Cons:
- Not reusable due to foam properties
- May not block extremely loud noises fully
- Small ear canals may feel too much expansion pressure
- Can fall out for restless sleepers
Who Are Mack’s Ultra Soft Earplugs Best For?
Mack’s Earplugs are ideal for those who:
- Need to block out snoring, noisy neighbors, traffic, etc. to sleep better
- Have problems getting comfortable with rigid plastic earplugs
- Want great noise reduction without paying a premium price
- Need multiple backup pairs on hand for regular use
- Prefer a soft foam earplug over silicone, wax, or rubber
- Need good ear protection for flying, travel, or noisy hobbies
Mack’s Earplugs aren’t necessarily the best choice if you:
- Have very narrow ear canals that are easily irritated
- Need to reuse earplugs many times due to budget constraints
- Require extreme noise blocking for gunfire, explosives, etc.
- Dislike having any earplug sensation while sleeping
For most people needing an affordable yet effective earplug for sleep, Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam is arguably the top choice. The tapered foam style strikes the perfect balance of comfort, noise reduction, and value.
Try Before You Buy
You may be interested in these earplugs, but would prefer to try a pair before buying a whole pack. In this case, we have the perfect solution. This Mack’s Ultra Soft Earplug is included in both our Men’s Earplug Sample Pack and Women’s Earplug Sample Pack.
Zoom Health Earplug Sample Bags contain a selection of our best-selling and most popular earplugs. This means that you can try them all before you decide which one suits you best.
Conclusion
Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs live up to their reputation as one of the best earplugs for sleeping and noise control. Their extra soft foam conforms to any ear for a comfortable, customised fit that seals out external sounds. With an impressive 32dB noise reduction rating, Mack’s Earplugs significantly decrease disturbing noises for undisrupted rest. Despite their quality and performance, they remain very budget-friendly.
If you struggle with noisy nights that leave you fatigued, investing in Mack’s Earplugs can transform your sleep. Slip in a pair before bed for effective sound blocking that allows you to sleep deeply through the night. Your mind and body will thank you in the morning. Based on expert and customer reviews, Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs stand out as a top-tier option for better sleep and hearing protection.
We liked these earplugs a lot. They are soft and comfortable to wear. They block out sound well and stay in the ear whilst sleeping. Trust me, I am a restless sleeper and these stayed in okay!
We recommend these earplugs for anybody who is looking for a great sleeping earplug. However, they can also be used in other situations, such as for study, work, travel, relaxation and loud events
The skin-coloured foam is great too as the colour is inconspicuous. This makes them a better choice to wear in public than some of the brighter coloured alternatives.
Photo by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Health
Zoom Health is a leading UK supplier of Home Health Tests and Earplugs
