Plugfones Basic Pro Wireless Bluetooth in-Ear Earplug Earbuds - Noise Reduction Headphones with Noise Isolating Mic and Controls (Blue & Yellow)

Product Information

This is still the best and cheapest way to give the most attenuation with an earplug, but it works much better the higher the frequency. The company claims that they drop 22dB across the frequency range to maintain tonal balance and allow you to enjoy music as it was meant to be heard, but just at a lower volume. While I was testing these, I enjoyed having quick and easy access to change the volume of the sounds around me. That way, they can see, in real-time, the effects that sound – and changing sound in response to these readings – will have on stress. Design-wise, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are 30% smaller than previous generations with a more compact and lighter charging case.

In terms of design, there’s a hint of premiumness here and each bud feels more comfortable, stable and light (7g per earbud) than some rivals.If you'd like to ease general stress each day, and still want to be able to hear the doorbell or even attend meetings, you won't need as much reduction.

You want the best noise-cancelling in the industry: For that, we’re likely to direct you towards theBose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. Thanks to the best swimming headphones, you can continue listening to your favourite tracks, even when you do your laps in the swimming pool. But if you’re on the hunt for a new pair of affordable buds solely for fitness, the Elite 7 Active are a solid choice and good value.

A standout is triple-point connectivity, which we found to be stable and useful, as well as Bluetooth 5. However, Davies warns that the placebo effect might be at work in some cases, and believes all of these products need more sound attenuation tests to a recognised standard from a reputable lab. However, they were the most secure earplugs I tested and, like the Loop Experience, they did effectively reduce some sounds but allowed me to hear others, like most music and conversations.

The Loop Experience earplugs are designed to reduce noise by 18 to 20dB, which Loop describes as ‘low noise reduction’.Although this design does work to attenuate some sound, we need to be wary of some assertions about these earplugs. You're looking to save money: With so many brilliant budget earbuds out there, these are perhaps an unnecessary expense. You intend to wear your earbuds all day: Even at its best, the battery life available here is nothing special – long-haul flights are a non-starter. You like to look good (and a little bit alternative): Are these the coolest little earbuds on the planet? I also wear them when feeling tired and in need of less noise while travelling, or if I’ve got a headache when going to the supermarket or running errands.