It all started during The Eras Tour. Between the outfit planning and surprise song theorising, ads started popping up on my Instagram and Tiktok for Loop earplugs.
I wondered whether I really needed earplugs for a concert—after all, wasn’t the point of a concert to be consumed by loud and listen to the other thousands of screaming fans?
At the time, I didn’t end up buying the earplugs, but I wish I had. Sure, I had the full experience (and mild ringing in my ears afterwards), and this was Taylor Swift after all, but I do often wonder how much damage a concert like that did to my hearing.
Now, I have far less concerts to attend (but hoping for The Life Of A Showgirl tour), but have decided to dabble with a pair of Loop earplugs: the Switch 2 model.
At A Glance
- Product: Loop Earplugs
- Price: $94.95 for the Switch 2 model
- Where to Buy: Loop and Amazon
- Best For: Adjustable noise relief
What’s So Special About The Loop Earplugs?
Loop certainly have taken TikTok by storm, but they’ve also caught the eye of concert goers, commuters and anyone who likes the idea of peace and quiet.
The earplugs are designed with aesthetics in mind, so you can forget about those uncomfortable, disposable ones that no one likes to use. Instead, Loop are sleek, reusable and come in a range of colours and ear-tip sizes so that you can ensure your hardest working accessory suits you.
According to Loop, all earplugs comply with the relevant PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) legislation, and have undergone extensive testing to ensure they are officially certified as hearing protection.
With noise reduction of up to 27 SNR (single number rating) depending on the Loop model, they are highly recommended for those who are noise-sensitive or neurodivergent.
Our First Impressions
When trying the Switch 2 Loop earplugs for the first time, I immediately noticed that I could hear myself talk. According to Loop, this is called ‘occlusion’ and is a similar feeling to having your head underwater. However, this is a completely normal sensation, and means the earplugs are being worn correctly.
Of course, this took a little while to get used to. However once the sensation faded, and I changed the ear tips to better suit my ear comfortably, the earplugs were almost unnoticeable.
When using the earplugs, I found I was able to minimise the excessive sounds around me such as my robot vacuum at home, or background noise in the office.
While it didn’t completely cut out the noise, I found it was easier to focus and I was less likely to be distracted while wearing them.
The Switch model I tried has three different modes: Quiet, Experience and Engage. The manual dial on the earplugs was easy enough to change, once you get the hang of (and remember) which direction the dial needs to be turned. It was something that I was able to get used to fairly quickly, and managed to change and adjust the modes while keeping the earplugs in-ear.
Loop Earplugs Material And Size
The Loop Switch 2 comes with four interchangeable ear tip sizes, so that you can adjust the ear tip to suit your ear canal.
In terms of materials, Loop says: The body is made from hypoallergenic ABS plastic with an NCVM coating, and polyoxymethylene (POM). The inner mesh is made of a PT polymer and the ear tips are made from soft, food-grade silicone.
The carry case is small and compact, similar to (if not slightly smaller than) a pair of wireless headphones like AirPods. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around in your bag or pockets.
marie claire’s Loop Earplugs Review Verdict
- Our rating: 9 out of 10
- Why we rated it a 9 out of 10
Pros
- Ear protection
- Reusable and adjustable
- Noise reduction
Cons
- Occlusion
- Not completely noise blocking
- Can take a while to get used to
Overall, Are Loop Earplugs Worth It?
If you’re someone who wants to reduce background noise or protect your ears in loud environments, absolutely. The Loop Switch 2 are a game changer for focus, clarity and ultimately, peace and quiet.
Of course, there is an upfront cost which is much higher than a traditional pair of disposable earplugs, however Loop are designed to last, and you can always purchase new ear tips when you feel they need replacing.
The Full Loop Range
While the Switch 2 will offer adjustable modes, there are a full range of options depending on your needs:
Experience 2: Ideal for concerts and festivals, live entertainment and sporting events
Engage 2: Ideal for social gatherings, parenting and conversations
Quiet 2: Ideal for travelling, napping and focus
Dream: Ideal for sleep
Engage Kids 2: Ideal for focus and calm.
LOOP
Switch 2
LOOP
Engage 2
LOOP
Experience 2
LOOP
Quiet 2
LOOP
Dream
LOOP
Engage Kids 2
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, the good news is that you can use Loop earplugs as frequently as needed. There are different models that are suited to all needs: from sleeping to staying focused in a noisy office.
No, and they’re not designed to either! Loop earplugs will reduce and filter excess noise, so that you can hear what’s most important at a safe volume.
Yes! The great thing about Loop earplugs is that they are reusable time and time again. You can also buy additional ear tips and carry cases to ensure your earplugs go the distance.
For concerts and nightlife, the Experience 2 are generally the best option, as it allows music to stay clear, but as a safer volume.
However, a pair of Switch 2 earplugs will also allow you to shift into ‘Experience’ mode while enjoying a concert.
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