So, you’ve just gotten into swimming on a regular basis and you’re already tired of waving your head from side-to-side like one of those inflatable car dealership tube men to get the water out of your ear canal. We understand, and there’s a simple solution: earplugs.
The use of earplugs, contrary to popular belief, is not limited to planes and by those who share beds with aggressive snorers. They’re actually an incredibly important tool lauded by both casual and competitive swimmers to help streamline performance and prevent injury or infection.
Why is wearing earplugs while swimming important?
Wearing earplugs prevents water from entering into the ear canal. If that water stays and settles for an extended period of time, it can lead to painful ear infections which may require antibiotics to treat. This is because indoor pools, the sea and lake water is full of microbes which are given the perfect environment to grow and multiply when trapped within the ear.
In addition, wearing ear plugs helps many swimmers to focus better. Rather than having the constant rush of water in and out of your ears when breaking the surface, ear plugs soften and reduce the noise of all that sploshing and splashing – allowing you to concentrate your technique.
Preventing water from remaining trapped in the ear is essential for competitive swimmers and triathletes. Since swimming is always the first part of a triathlon, it’s imperative that competitors don’t have water stuck in their ears during the biking and running sections of the event – not least due to the fact that it can drastically affect balance and cause headaches.
What material should I look for in ear plugs for swimming?
- Silicone: the vast majority of swimming ear plugs are made out of silicone. It is a flexible, reusable, naturally hypoallergenic and – most importantly – bacteria-resistant substance, which makes it the perfect fit for your swimming kit. Though you might be more familiar with those squishy foam plugs, they’re not suitable for swimming and won’t keep the water out.
- Wax: though wax earplugs are a mouldable option which will certainly keep the water out, they’re a single-use solution which will result in you spending more money on replacements than you would by investing in a solid silicone pair.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best ear plugs on the market for both competitive and leisurely swimmers looking to protect their lugs.
Shop now.
Best ear plugs for swimming at a glance:
- Best for overall: Surf Ears 3.0 - £45, Amazon
- Best for penny-pinching protection: Boots Swimming Earplugs (2 Pairs with Carry Case) - £4.70, Boots
- Best for creating a seal: Zoggs Silicone Ear Plugs – Clear - £6.97, Amazon
- Best for ergonomic fit: Zoggs Aqua Plugz - £7.48, Amazon
- Best for doing what they say on the tin: Nabaiji Set Of Swimming Earplugs Silicone Cone Shape - 3 Sizes - £5.99, Decathlon
- Best for high-quality comfort: Speedo Biofuse Aquatic Earplug - £7.48, Amazon
- Best for smaller ear canals: Ananjy Swimming Ear Plugs - £13.97, Amazon
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Surf Ears 3.0
Best for: overall
Pricey for a pair of ear plugs, we know. However, this set of silicone plugs from Surf Ears comes with four different sizes of gel caps, two fixation wings, a silicone cover as well as an adjustable leash to prevent you from losing your expensive new kit in the water.
Designed to keep the water out while ensuring you’re still aware of your surroundings, these plugs have three main components. The sealing gel caps are equipped with an adjustable ear tip that can be stretched or collapsed to accompany the size of your ear canal.
This cap is attached to a core made from acoustic mesh, which protects against the elements but allows you to hear your swimming buddies over the waves. The core is where you’ll attach that optional, adjustable leash. Finally, the fixation wing keeps the gel cap and core firmly in place.
Buy now £45.00, Amazon
Boots Swimming Earplugs (2 Pairs with Carry Case)
Best for: penny-pinching protection
Reusable and suitable for those aged 12 and over, the ribbed end of these silicone ear plugs helps to create a seal which keeps pesky pool water out. This value-for-money pack contains two sets of plugs, in case you lose your first pair, each with their own individual carry case.
Boots recommends washing your ear plugs with soapy water after every use to prevent swimmer’s ear. Oh, and these are the very same ear plugs the islanders are using in the Love Island villa this summer. Straight in our basket.
Buy now £4.70, Boots
Zoggs Silicone Ear Plugs – Clear
Best for: creating a seal
The swimming experts over at Zoggs have finally come up with an alternative to those wasteful and irritating wax ear plugs. This set of two silicone plugs are manufactured from a soft and mouldable silicone ear putty for the utmost comfort, which can be adapted to fit the exact shape of your ear to create the perfect seal and a customised fit – keeping all the water out.
Thanks to the fact that they’re made from silicone, these ear plugs are also hypoallergenic and 100 per cent reusable.
Buy now £6.97, Amazon
Zoggs Aqua Plugz
Best for: ergonomic fit
If you’re not a big fan of that silicone putty and the feeling of the pliable material gives you sensory issues, Zoggs’ Aqua Plugz are another popular option for swimmers across the board. This is because they are already ergonomically shaped to fit the contours of your ear without having to adjust them for a watertight fit.
They’re available in blue or orange and come with a clear carry-case equipped with ventilation holes. You can also add a Durapren ear band to your order to help keep those ear buds firmly in place and your hair out of your face, no matter where you’re swimming.
Buy now £7.48, Amazon
Nabaiji Set Of Swimming Earplugs Silicone Cone Shape - 3 Sizes
Best for: doing what they say on the tin
Brightly coloured and therefore easy to spot, this budget-friendly set of silicone ear plugs come in three different conical sizes for a water-tight seal. Comfortable, reusable and equipped with winged fasteners and a leash; what more could you ask for? Over 1,000 Decathlon buyers have already rated these ear plugs five stars, and we can pretty much guarantee that you’ll be next.
Buy now £5.99, Decathlon
Speedo Biofuse Aquatic Earplug
Best for: high-quality comfort
Though they may look small, these aquatic ear plugs are certainly mighty. They also might not look overtly ergonomic in comparison to other models that we’ve listed, yet we think you’ll find that the quadruple silicone joints on these buds provide a secure, comfortable and barely-there feel, which is particularly important for competitive swimmers.
Buy now £7.84, Amazon
Ananjy Swimming Ear Plugs
Best for: smaller ear canals
If you’ve tried multiple pairs of pronged ear plugs to no avail, you might have a short ear canal. Fear not for these swimming ear plugs from Ananjy should have you covered.
Each of the three sets included comes with an extra pair of silicone caps for an extra customised fit, while the subtle two-pronged, cone-shaped cap will create an water-tight seal without popping straight out of your ear. Plus, the looped, spherical finish will help you insert and remove these ear plugs with ease.
Buy now £13.97, Amazon
