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Updated: 2026-09-30 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Afflatus Ear Plugs — biggest strength: a patented non-in-ear, ear-hugging design that avoids pushing into the ear canal, so it stays put even when you sleep on your side. Biggest trade-off: it's rated to block up to 26dB, which is modest next to the Generic kit's claim, and it isn't totally silent.
• Generic 13 — biggest strength: a claimed reduction of up to 49dB plus a 13-piece kit with XS/S/M/L tips, spare foam plugs and a carrying case. Biggest trade-off: it's an in-ear design, which means something sits inside your ear canal all night — exactly the pressure point Afflatus was built to avoid.
• Who Afflatus is for: side sleepers, people with sensitive or easily-irritated ear canals, and anyone who has given up on in-ear plugs because they hurt or fall out overnight.
• Who Generic 13 is for: buyers who want the loudest numbers and the most fit options in one box, and who are comfortable with a traditional in-ear plug.
The Afflatus Ear Plugs are built around one idea: keep the plug out of your ear canal. Instead of a tip that inserts and expands, the design is a soft silicone piece shaped to hug the auricle — the outer cartilage of your ear. Afflatus calls this a patented non-in-ear design, and its stated goal is to avoid the canal pressure that comes with long wear. If you've ever woken up with sore ears after a night in foam plugs, that's the specific problem this product is aimed at.
The fit story is the real selling point. The bionic shape is meant to follow the curve of your ear and hold on without inserting, so side sleepers can roll onto the pillow without the plug digging in or popping loose. The silicone is imported from Japan and carries RoHS certification, and Afflatus describes it as skin-friendly, soft, washable and reusable. You get two pairs per set in small and large, which covers a range of adult and kid ear sizes, and the whole thing arrives in a gift-style box.
Generic 13: Who It's For
Generic 13 is the opposite philosophy. It's an in-ear silicone plug, and the headline claim is noise reduction of up to 49dB — nearly double what Afflatus states. Whether your ears actually get that number depends on how well you seal them, but the intent is clear: this is the kit for people who want the room to go quiet, not just quieter.
What makes it more than a single pair of plugs is the contents. The 13-piece set includes the ear plugs, a pair of extra foam ear plugs, and four pairs of silicone tips in XS, S, M and L. That range matters, because in-ear plugs live or die on seal — too small and noise leaks past, too big and your canal aches by 2 a.m. Being able to swap tips is a genuine advantage over a fixed-size design. There's also a compact carrying case, which makes it easy to keep the plugs clean and intact in a bag, and the brand pitches them as reusable and washable — an eco-friendly alternative to disposable foam.
The fit is described as ergonomic and secure, suitable for side sleepers and movement, so the brand clearly knows in-ear plugs are judged on whether they stay put. The trade-off is inherent to the category: something is sitting in your ear canal for hours. If you've had irritation, pressure or recurrent ear discomfort from in-ear plugs, this design isn't solving that problem — it's the problem Afflatus was created to sidestep. I'd recommend Generic 13 to heavy sleepers in noisy environments, travelers who want one case with every size, swimmers, concert-goers, and anyone who simply gets a better seal from an inserted tip.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for side sleeping without canal pressure → Afflatus Ear Plugs. The non-in-ear, ear-hugging design is the entire point of the product.
• Best for maximum claimed noise reduction → Generic 13. Up to 49dB claimed versus up to 26dB on Afflatus.
• Best for sensitive or easily-irritated ears → Afflatus Ear Plugs. Nothing is inserted into the canal, so there's no expanding-tip pressure.
• Best for travel organization → Generic 13. It ships with a compact carrying case; Afflatus ships in a gift box with two pairs.
• Best for a snoring partner or moderate bedroom noise → either, but I'd lean Afflatus if comfort is your sticking point, and Generic 13 if the noise is genuinely loud.
• Best as a gift → Afflatus Ear Plugs. The branded gift-box presentation and two-size pairing make it the more presentable set.
• Best for swimming and loud events → Generic 13. The in-ear seal plus multiple tips suits water and high-volume environments well.
In my opinion, most people searching for a sleep plug should buy the Afflatus Ear Plugs. The reason isn't the decibel number — it's that sleep is an eight-hour wear test, and a plug that doesn't push into your ear canal is far easier to keep in all night. The 26dB rating is honest and usually enough for snoring and household noise. I'd only switch to Generic 13 if your bedroom is loud enough that you need the deeper block, or if you specifically want to experiment with XS-to-L tips to find a seal. In that case, the bigger kit earns its place. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that's the one variable I can't judge for you.
are there earbuds for sleeping
Yes, and the two products here are examples of the two main approaches. Afflatus uses a non-in-ear design that hugs the outer ear, while Generic 13 uses in-ear silicone tips. Neither is an electronic earbud — both are passive plugs that physically block sound rather than cancel it with power.
what are the best noise cancelling earbuds for sleeping
"Best" depends on what you value. If you want the highest claimed reduction, Generic 13 states up to 49dB and includes XS/S/M/L tips so you can dial in a seal. If you want the most comfortable all-night wear, Afflatus Ear Plugs avoid inserting into the ear canal at all, which suits side sleepers and sensitive ears.
can you sleep with noise cancelling earbuds
Yes — both of these are designed with sleep in mind. Afflatus specifically targets side sleepers with an ear-hugging shape that won't fall out, and Generic 13 describes an ergonomic fit for side sleepers and movement. Just remember both are passive plugs, and Afflatus notes its reduction tops out at 26dB, so neither creates total silence.
is it bad to sleep with noise cancelling earbuds
For passive plugs like these, the main concern is comfort and hygiene rather than electronics. Afflatus argues its non-in-ear design avoids canal pressure and the irritation that long-term in-ear wear can cause, while Generic 13 is washable and reusable, which helps keep things clean. If in-ear plugs have irritated your ears before, the Afflatus approach is the safer bet.
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