Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs, 12 Pair – The Original Moldable Silicone Putty Ear Plugs for Sleeping, Snoring, Swimming, Travel, Concerts and Studying | Made in USA
by Mack's
Price Analysis
Product Details
Mack's Pillow Soft silicone earplugs - moldable putty, 12 pairs, NRR 22
Mack's Pillow Soft are the moldable putty earplugs a lot of people grew up with. A 12-pair pack costs about $13 and has 4.6 stars from around 7,000 Amazon reviews. Mack's says they're made in the USA and that the brand dates back to 1962.
How putty earplugs work
These don't go into your ear canal like foam or silicone tips. You roll a piece of putty into a ball, press it over the opening of your ear, and flatten it so it seals around the contours. Nothing pushes deep into the canal.
That changes how they feel. People who get sore ears from foam plugs, or who just dislike something inside the canal, often get on better with putty. It's also why Mack's sells the same product for swimming, where a waterproof seal matters.
How much they block
Mack's lists an NRR of 22 decibels (the US standard) and an SNR of 30 (the European standard). Remember that NRR is measured in a lab with a perfect fit. At home you'll get less, and how much less depends on how well you press the seal. A rushed fit leaks.
The trade-offs
Putty picks up lint, hair and pillow fluff, and once it's dirty it stops sealing well. With 12 pairs per pack you'll be buying more often than with reusable silicone tips, though the cost per night is still low.
If you have long hair, tuck it back before you put them in. Hair caught under the seal lets sound through and leaves the putty stringy.
Who they're for
- People who find in-ear plugs uncomfortable
- Side sleepers who want nothing sticking out
- Swimmers, since the same plugs keep water out
Who should skip them
If you hate the idea of replacing earplugs every few nights, reusable silicone suits you better. Anyone who needs to stay aware of a baby monitor or a smoke alarm should test any earplug at home first.
Alternatives
Loop Quiet 2 cost about $25, last much longer and sit flat for side sleepers, rated at up to 24 dB SNR. The 10-pair reusable silicone set is about $10 if you want to try the in-ear style cheaply.
See how all three compare in best earplugs for sleeping. If a partner's snoring is the reason you're shopping, how to sleep with a snoring partner and our best anti-snoring devices guide tackle it from both ends.