Earplugs or a sound machine?
One turns incoming sound down. The other gives your room a steady background sound. Start with what you would feel comfortable using tonight.
Find my starting pointTwo approaches. Two products. The trade-offs up front.
What feels right for your room?
A closer look at each.
Similar prices. Different ways of dealing with sound.
Loop Dream
$49.95 at Loop
Reusable earplugs designed for sleep, with soft tips in four sizes to help you find a fit.
- How it works
- Reduces incoming sound with a physical seal in your ear. Fit matters.
- What you get
- Earplugs, a bedside case, and two tip styles in XS, S, M and L.
- Everyday setup
- Choose your tips, check the fit and follow Loop's cleaning instructions. No charging.
- The trade-off
- They sit inside your ears while you use them. Ear comfort and pressure against your pillow are personal.
Sold by Loop. Check tip replacements and current return terms before ordering.
Yogasleep Dohm
$49.99 at Yogasleep
A bedside sound machine with a real fan inside. No audio tracks to browse or app to set up.
- How it works
- Adds continuous fan sound to the room. Two speeds and a dial adjust the sound.
- What you get
- A corded sound machine, about 5.6 inches across and 3.5 inches tall.
- Everyday setup
- Plug into a wall outlet and adjust the physical controls. No sound-content subscription.
- The trade-off
- Everyone in the room can hear it. It needs an outlet and does not make the room silent.
Sold by Yogasleep. This model is listed for use in the US and Canada; check current return terms before ordering.
US prices checked . Prices can change; taxes and shipping may apply. Both links open the seller's product page. No affiliate commission links are active.
Product photography: Loop and Yogasleep.
Before you decide.
Will either make my room silent?
No. Earplugs reduce the sound that reaches your ears; a sound machine adds another sound. Neither guarantees silence or better sleep.
What if I share my bedroom?
Earplugs leave the room's sound unchanged for the other person. A sound machine is audible to both of you, so choose a sound and level you both find comfortable.
What about alarms or someone calling?
Do not assume you will hear everything normally with either setup. Check that you can hear what you need to hear before relying on it overnight.
Have you tested these products?
No. This guide compares published manufacturer information. It is not a hands-on test, a ranking of clinical effectiveness or a physician endorsement of either product.