9 Best Ear Plugs for Swimming | 24-Pack Vs. 18-Pack Faceoff

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The putty that fits small ears so well adults with narrow canals buy it for themselves.

TYR engineered these for kids, but the smaller moldable plugs are a secret weapon if you find adult putty too bulky. The soft silicone presses into your outer ear and creates a seal that prevents water from entering. Buyers report one pair lasting over a year with slight wear, which makes the 12-pair pack a multi-year supply. Owners mention these are “more comfortable than standard ear plugs” and stay put with just a simple press — no swim cap required. The silicone is soft enough that swimmers say it becomes unnoticeable after 50 meters.

Unlike the Mack’s above, these are specifically sized smaller. That is a blessing for kids but a miss for large ear canals. The 12-pair count is generous, but some find it tricky to shape perfectly on the first try. A few report the plugs loosen without a swim cap. This is for kids, teens, and adults with small ear canals who want a putty that stays comfortable lap after lap. Not ideal if your ears are on the larger side or you dive without a cap.

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Twenty-four pairs for a low price — the math is hard to argue with.

This bulk pack gives you 24 pairs of moldable putty in transparent and blue colors, packed in three reusable containers per box. At 6.38 ounces the whole bundle is lighter than the Mack’s 18-pair pack (which weighs 7.83 ounces) despite holding six more pairs. The sticky silicone stays in the ear well. Customers note the seal is excellent for keeping water out — one calls it “better than other brands” — and the soundproofing works for sleep, study, and swimming.

The fit draws mixed reactions. While 21 reviews mention fit as the most-discussed aspect, the verdict is split: some say it molds perfectly, while others find the putty does not stay in place. It can also be tricky to remove, and the sticky surface sometimes grabs hair. As one buyer summarized: “Molds to ear, soundproof, lasts long. Cons: sometimes molds poorly, gets stuck in hair.” Grab it for a big family or a swim team that burns through putty fast — 24 pairs is a year’s supply. pass on it if you need a reliable seal for deep submersion or hate picking silicone out of your hair.

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The suction-seal design that finally keeps water out for swimmers with chronic ear infections.

WaterDam uses a unique two-layer waterproof flange design that creates a suction seal rather than relying on friction like standard plugs. The material is rated to withstand 392°F, so body heat will never soften or deform it inside your ear — one pair can last years. The plug includes a sound hole (a small opening that lets you hear) so you can hear warnings and coaches while swimming. The storage case has a stand plus left/right labels.

This is the most-reviewed swimming earplug on the list, and reviewers point out it is a “life-changer” for those with frequent ear infections. The different sizes make it easy to find the perfect fit. The catch is the insertion technique. Getting the deep seal requires practice — push too shallow and it leaks or falls out. It also makes it tricky for swimmers with ear piercings, and the sound hole limits hearing enough that parents supervising swim lessons may want a different design. Reach for this if you want the strongest possible waterproof seal for full submersion and are willing to learn the insertion trick. Think twice if you have ear piercings, need to hear clearly as a swim instructor, or want a grab-and-go plug with no learning curve.

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The flanged plug that lets you hear the surf while keeping the sea out.

Softvox cracks the code that most swimming plugs miss: you need to hear underwater. A waterproof mesh layer (a thin material that blocks water but passes sound) in the core lets you hear conversations, whistles, and alarms without feeling cut off. The package includes three sizes of securing wings (S, M, L) plus a lanyard and a carrying case with a carabiner (a clip for attaching to a bag). At 1.41 ounces it is featherlight.

Surfers and lap swimmers both praise this. Shoppers say it stays watertight even under waves and that the soft silicone is barely noticeable after adjustment. One buyer with ear tube surgery called it “perfect.” The trade-off: the multiple sizes mean you need to find your fit before your first swim, and in rough surf the plug can pop out if not fully seated. The lanyard solves the losing problem, but test the seal in a bathtub before hitting the ocean. This is better than the WaterDam for anyone who needs to hear a lifeguard or a coach, because the mesh lets more sound through than WaterDam’s sound hole. Best for surfers, kayakers, and anyone who needs to stay aware while keeping ears dry. Not for swimmers who want total silence or who hate fiddling with multiple sizing options before each swim.

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The Vermont-made putty that blocks pool splashes with a -22 dB rating.

You get the same moldable silicone concept as the Mack’s but with a slightly sticker putty that owners say holds the seal all night for snoring and all session for swimming. The -22 decibel noise reduction rating (NRR) keeps pool splashes quiet, and the waterproof seal holds up under full submersion. The 18-pair pack means you have 9 weeks of fresh plugs if you swap every 3-4 days.

Functionality is the top praise here — owners call it “a lifesaver for sensitive ears” and say it is the only plug their child tolerates for showers and swims with perforated eardrums (a hole in the eardrum membrane). The sticky putty covers the concha (the outer bowl of your ear) rather than going inside the canal, which makes it comfortable for side sleepers. The main complaints mirror the putty category: it sticks to hair and leaves tiny residue pieces. One owner noted the hair issue but added “no residue in ear,” which is a cleaner trade-off. Reach for this if you want a putty that seals better than generic brands for both sleep and swimming, especially for sensitive skin. Look elsewhere if you want a plug that goes inside the ear canal or you cannot stand picking putty out of your hair in the morning.

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The hard plastic plug that alcohol wipes clean — built for the competitive lane.

Speedo’s Ergo earplug is a completely different design from the putty options above. This pre-shaped synthetic plug has an ergonomic shape that makes insertion and removal easy even with wet hands. The hard plastic body withstands alcohol disinfecting, so you can wipe it clean between meets without degrading the material. At 0.35 ounces it is the lightest plug in this guide, and the reusable case keeps it from disappearing in your swim bag.

Owners say these are “the most comfortable and easy to clean earplugs” and that they never get wet ears after a session. The design is tune for splash avoidance — shower spray and pool splashes are no match — but it is not rated for deep submersion (going fully underwater). Competitive swimmers who want a quick in-and-out before a race will love this. Unlike the moldable putty Mack’s above, this one is splash protection only, not a full submersion seal. The one-size-fits-all design works for most adults, but if you have particularly narrow or wide ear canals, the fit may not be as secure as a moldable putty. Best for lap swimmers and competitors who need a durable, cleanable plug for splash protection in the lane. Not for diving, surfing, or any activity where your head goes fully underwater.

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The hollow-core plug that lets kids hear swim lessons while blocking the water.

Hearprotek specifically addresses the problem parents face: plugs that block water usually block the coach’s voice too. These pre-shaped silicone plugs feature a hollow space in the core (an empty channel that passes sound) that minimizes hearing disruption, so children can still hear instructions from swim teachers while keeping their ears dry. The ultra-soft silicone is designed for smaller ear canals and the pack includes three pairs in blue, orange, and green — bright colors that help parents spot their child in the water.

The ergonomic shape fits the ear contour snugly. Owners with children who have ear tubes (small cylinders placed inside the eardrum to drain fluid) report these work well for pond swimming and bath time. The three reusable storage cases and two detachable cords mean you can keep one set in the car, one in the pool bag, and never lose a plug. The catch: fitting is everything. While most kids find these comfortable, a few parents report water leaks when the seal is not perfect. One reviewer noted they were “a little big for my nephew” but expects them to fit by the next summer. For toddlers, the Softvox with lanyard above may offer a more secure fit because the lanyard keeps them from falling out. Reach for this if your child needs to hear swim class instructions and you want bright colors for poolside visibility. Think twice if your child has very small ears or you need a plug for deep diving rather than splashy play.

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Board-certified ENT design meets moldable silicone for the most medically-minded earplug here.

Putty Buddies were developed by a physician with over 40 years of experience, and that medical focus shows. The moldable silicone is non-toxic, latex-free, and sized to cover the outer ear without entering the canal — a critical safety feature for children with ear tubes or perforated eardrums. The brand claims the tacky texture creates a “complete protection system” when paired with the Ear Band-It swim headband (sold separately). At 10 pairs per pack, the cost per pair is the highest on this list, but many owners get 2-3 months out of a single pair with weekly swimming.

Buyers with post-surgery ears (a mastoidectomy, which removes infected bone behind the ear; a tympanoplasty, which repairs the eardrum; or a cholesteatoma, which is a skin growth in the middle ear) are the most vocal fans. One calls these “by far the easiest and most comfortable mold in the ear while keeping the ear canal dry” after multiple surgeries. The bright colors and cartoon case are a hit with kids. The durability is mixed: some say a pair lasts the entire summer swim season, while others report the putty breaks apart sooner. The putty can also meld with a silicone swim cap, so the brand recommends a latex cap or avoiding direct cap contact. This is safer for ear tubes than the Hearprotek above, because the putty sits outside the canal. Best for children and adults with ear tubes, post-surgery ears, or chronic swimmer’s ear who need a doctor-informed design. Not for budget buyers — the per-pack cost is the highest here, and durability is not guaranteed to outlast cheaper putty options.