Mack's Blackout Soft Foam Earplugs, 7-pair
Cheap earplugs that save a night next to the hotel ice machine
Seven pairs of black soft foam earplugs rated NRR 32 dB, with an aluminum case that clips to keys, a belt loop or a backpack.
Our take
The noise that ruins a trip is rarely the flight. It's the room. Thin hotel walls, a dorm snorer, a bar under your window that closes at 2am. You can't fix the room, but you can fix your ears for very little.
Mack's Blackout plugs are rated NRR 32 dB, a high rating for foam. The foam is slow-release, so you roll it thin, push it in and let it expand to seal. The real win is the aluminum case. It clips to your keys or backpack, so the plugs are with you when the hostel lights go off, not loose at the bottom of a bag. Seven pairs gets you through a week if you swap them out.
Put the case on your keyring and forget about it. It's cheap and it works. Check the price before you book that room over the bar.
Who it’s for
Hostel guests, light sleepers in city hotels, and anyone on a cruise or overnight train with a noisy neighbor.
Skip it if
Skip it if foam plugs hurt your ears. Moldable silicone plugs sit over the ear canal instead of inside it, and many people find them softer.
Mack's Blackout Soft Foam Earplugs, 7-pair: questions people ask
What does NRR 32 mean on earplugs?
NRR is the Noise Reduction Rating, measured in decibels. A rating of 32 is what the plugs scored in lab tests, and real-world reduction is usually lower, depending on fit.
Can you take earplugs in your carry-on?
Yes. Foam earplugs have no restrictions on planes, and they help with cabin noise on long flights too.
How often should you replace foam earplugs?
Foam plugs are meant for short-term use. Swap them when they stop expanding fully or get dirty, often after a few nights.
Where we recommend it
More in Sleep & Comfort
Trtl Pillow
For travelers who hate bulky U-shaped pillows, but if you sleep with your head tipped forward it may not help much.
MZOO Sleep Mask
For light sleepers on planes and in bright hotel rooms, though the foam takes more space than a flat mask.
Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs
For side sleepers who find foam plugs press into the ear, but they pick up lint and hair, so each pair lasts only a few nights.
Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.