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Contact UsBest Motorcycle Earplugs
OF 2025
“I wish my bike was whisper-quiet,” said no one ever. Between the bangs of internal combustion, an engine’s exhaust bark and wind noise at speed, wearing the best motorcycle earplugs is a wise choice. It’s those who plan ahead — for both days or decades down the road — who’ll benefit the most from the best motorcycle ear plugs.
If the National Institutes of Health says earplugs are a must for “loud activity” to help prevent hearing damage, well that’s good enough for us. So listen up: do future you a favor and pick up some of the best motorcycle earplugs that have been tested and selected by our expert staff.
If the National Institutes of Health says earplugs are a must for “loud activity” to help prevent hearing damage, well that’s good enough for us. So listen up: do future you a favor and pick up some of the best motorcycle earplugs that have been tested and selected by our expert staff.
Overall Best Motorcycle Earplugs
Hearing is believing with these proven ‘plugs
First off, let’s put sound levels in perspective: riding a motorcycle registers around 100 decibels and give or take, it’s about as loud as a passing train, rock concert or operating power tools. Prolonged exposure to sounds at this level can eventually lead to hearing loss, while the “safe” scale hovers around 75 to 80 decibels. Sound sources in that latter range can include household appliances, a busy restaurant and normal conversation.
Hearing is believing with these proven ‘plugs
First off, let’s put sound levels in perspective: riding a motorcycle registers around 100 decibels and give or take, it’s about as loud as a passing train, rock concert or operating power tools. Prolonged exposure to sounds at this level can eventually lead to hearing loss, while the “safe” scale hovers around 75 to 80 decibels. Sound sources in that latter range can include household appliances, a busy restaurant and normal conversation.
For our money, your best bet are Vibes Ear Plugs. Our staff touts the low-profile design, easy-wearing fit, included storage case and 22 decibels of across-the-board sound reduction. That takes riding noise down from the level of a helicopter fly-by to an alarm clock going off — sounds like a win, yeah?
Some other products on this list offer greater sound reduction, but the rest of this television-featured, Shark Tank-endorsed product really shines. The brand itself further explains that their product filters both high and low-frequency sounds to a safe and usable level rather than just muffling it — which is what traditional foam filters do… and often do too much of.
Runner-Up Best Motorcycle Earplugs
Listen up! Here’s a solid bet for diverting decibels
We get it: motorcycle earplugs are products worth being picky about. If you’re searching for the perfect pair that meet specific needs while still effectively dampening decibels, our runner-up has plenty to offer.
Listen up! Here’s a solid bet for diverting decibels
We get it: motorcycle earplugs are products worth being picky about. If you’re searching for the perfect pair that meet specific needs while still effectively dampening decibels, our runner-up has plenty to offer.
Pinlock Earplugs certainly look innovative and you can thank their airflow-inhibiting silicone-free medical-grade TPE construction for that. Fully washable tips and filters make these a long-lasting and reusable product while up to 24 decibels of volume reduction filters out unwanted noise. The brand goes on to say that precision filters work without muffling hearing so you’ll still pick up on “conversations, emergency vehicle sirens, horns and sounds from approaching vehicles.” That feature becomes crucial in terms of state-level legality, which you can learn more about below.
Best Value For Motorcycle Earplugs
Basic tech in a budget-friendly package
Need to give something a test ride before committing? Then entry-level products are your ticket; you can always upgrade later and the initial cash outlay is minimal at most.
The Trackside Earplugs Tube is an old school approach to protection. They won’t filter for certain frequencies like other options, but these are highly affordable, you get five sets for your single purchase and it comes with a carrying case that attaches to your keychain. These aren’t one-and-done products, which is nice, but they don’t offer the longevity of some other items on this page. Still, we wouldn’t steer you wrong; just check out some verified customer reviews on this one and invest your hard-earned cash elsewhere on the bike or riding kit.
Basic tech in a budget-friendly package
Need to give something a test ride before committing? Then entry-level products are your ticket; you can always upgrade later and the initial cash outlay is minimal at most.
The Trackside Earplugs Tube is an old school approach to protection. They won’t filter for certain frequencies like other options, but these are highly affordable, you get five sets for your single purchase and it comes with a carrying case that attaches to your keychain. These aren’t one-and-done products, which is nice, but they don’t offer the longevity of some other items on this page. Still, we wouldn’t steer you wrong; just check out some verified customer reviews on this one and invest your hard-earned cash elsewhere on the bike or riding kit.
Customer Favorite Motorcycle Earplugs
These are more than meets the ear
Similar to riding gear, it’s possible — but not always advisable — to settle for basic products. We don’t think you should take chances with health or safety so for that reason, here’s a proven customer favorite for the best motorcycle earplugs that are worthy of your consideration.
Available in multiple applications, NoNoise Motorsport Earplugs are made for motorcyclists. The specialized ceramic filters reduce offensive sound levels while preserving audio cues from the world around you. We love the silicone-free construction, the washable and reusable aspects plus included storage tube. The brand further touts low distortion and effective amplitude reduction.
Things to Consider
Should you wear earplugs when riding a motorcycle?Here at RevZilla, we’re motorcyclists — not MDs. Still, we know sound advice when we hear it. According to the Mayo Clinic, exposure to loud noises “may cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain.”
Motorcycling is as much about rider input as it is spatial awareness. The polite horn honk, the squealing brakes, the railroad crossing ding, the audio prompts from passenger trolleys… there’s no shortage of cues from the world around you. Being aware of these noises makes you a safer rider and motorcycle earplugs don’t just cancel out noise — they filter it. We all say all that to say one thing: if you’re concerned about possible hearing damage, the ear plugs for motorcycle riding should be part of your new riding kit.
How do these earplugs actually work?
There are a variety approaches on display here. The basic polyurethane foam filters are far from specialized, essentially lowering sound levels across the board in a bang-for-your-buck package. If you roll ‘em up and they fit correctly, you’ll be in business, making them the best foam ear plugs for motorcycle riding.
Silicone earplugs, like the Vibes product nominated here, are moldable and low-profile while usually offering noise reduction that doesn’t sacrifice situational awareness. Moving up in complexity and features, integrated filters offer more precise decibel reduction. These will reduce harmful sound levels while still allowing for audible conversation and road noises.
How loud is a motorcycle?
Mufflers, as the name suggests, help “muffle” your bike’s exhaust note. Luckily they don’t fully mute those glorious pops and bangs, but that means the engine at full song is still a dangerous thing.
As we said above, the 100 decibel rating of a running bike is on par with many power tools. A considerably louder noise would be a night club or using a leaf blower. A shade lower than a motorcycle is being inside a bustling restaurant or using a hairdryer. This is handy information if you’re on the fence regarding earplug use. If you wear ‘em while using power tools, but don’t find the sound of a salon oppressive, that’s a clue on when you should wear yours.
Is it legal to wear earplugs while riding a motorcycle?
Here’s one with a bit of nuance. We’ve previously explained how earplugs reduce sound pressure “so that your ears can operate in a more natural range” and you’ll “distinguish sounds better.”
Not everyone sees it that way. The Motorcycle Legal Foundation has an interesting run-down on headphone use, with additional information when it comes to earplugs. The general gist is that earplugs must allow you to hear ambient sounds like emergency vehicle sirens or horns.
That said, the American Motorcyclist Association has found only three states with laws that ban, limit or curtail usage: California, Maryland and Ohio, the latter of which saw an update OK’d by lawmakers in 2020. The other two make an exception to allow basic styles that won’t prevent the wearer from hearing emergency vehicle sirens. This being the case, we suggest that readers living in those states do their homework before purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best earplugs to wear on a motorcycle?
In one of those rare instances within the world of motorcycling, any set of earplugs is better than none at all. There are clear winners when we compare the likes of helmets, tires, boots and more, but it’s your health on the line here and this one simple step can work wonders. To dive a little deeper, consider the materials used, design features, how the filters works (if equipped) and how many re-uses you’ll get out of a set.
What’s the difference between materials?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the “recommended limit” of daily exposure is 85 decibels over an eight-hour period. We also recommend checking out their FAQs on hearing loss. As for motorcycling, wearing earplugs regularly can help prevent temporary hearing loss or permanent problems as well as tinnitus and other uncomfortable issues that crop up once damage has been done. For those who are already dealing with hearing loss, but want to continue riding safely, we have additional insight here.
Can I avoid motorcycle-related hearing loss?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the “recommended limit” of daily exposure is 85 decibels over an eight-hour period. We also recommend checking out their FAQs on hearing loss.
As for motorcycling, wearing earplugs regularly can help prevent temporary hearing loss or permanent problems as well as tinnitus and other uncomfortable issues that crop up once damage has been done. For those who are already dealing with hearing loss, but want to continue riding safely, we have additional insight here.
Final Thoughts
Hearing loss isn’t some far-off, roll-of-the-dice possibility. Motorcyclists who subject their ears to dangerous decibel levels are on the fast track to damaging one of their five senses — and once it’s gone it ain’t coming back.Like most things motorcycling, the “best motorcycle earplugs” is a subjective statement. Small-bore bikes and basic foam ‘plugs will get the job done, while more sophisticated options with greater performance can easily be had… for a price. The only thing left for you to do is score a set of these staff-endorsed products and add ‘em to your daily kit.
