We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-24 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want wired earbuds that play music and take calls while gently blocking background noise, choose Aitalk Ear Headphones; if you need reusable earplugs that block up to 40dB of sound for sleep, snoring, swimming or study, choose LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear.
• Aitalk Ear Headphones — biggest strength: A complete wired headphone setup with a 9mm neodymium dynamic driver, a built-in microphone for calls and media control, and a 3.5mm jack that fits phones, tablets and laptops. It plays audio, not just blocks it.
• Aitalk Ear Headphones — biggest trade-off: It's a wired 3.3ft-cord design with 3.5mm connectivity, so it needs a device with that jack and it isn't a dedicated sleep or swim accessory. Its noise control is passive sound isolation, not active cancellation.
• LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear — biggest strength: A silicone earplug rated for up to 40dB of noise reduction, marked "R" and "L" for correct fit, waterproof and washable, and reusable for years. It's built purely to reduce noise.
• LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear — biggest trade-off: It makes no sound at all. There's no driver, no microphone and no media control, so it can't play music or take a call.
• Who each pick is for: Aitalk for listeners who want affordable wired earbuds for music, podcasts, calls and workouts. LIHOBI for anyone whose priority is quieter sleep, snoring relief, swimming or blocking loud environments.
The Aitalk Ear Headphones (model MR01, ASIN B07PR2D333) are a straightforward pair of wired in-ear earbuds. The core of the design is a 9mm neodymium dynamic driver with a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range, 16Ω impedance and 103dB sensitivity. In plain terms, that's a sensitive, easy-to-drive earbud that a phone or laptop can power without any extra amp. The spec sheet describes strong stereo bass and a clear, full-bodied sound, and the low impedance supports that idea — these are tuned to sound lively straight out of a 3.5mm jack.
What sets them apart for everyday use is the practicality. There's a 3.3ft (120cm) cord built with reinforced TPE exterior and 30 oxygen-free copper wires, which is a reasonable length that shouldn't tangle constantly. The oblique angled housing plus three sizes of soft silicone ear tips (S/M/L) are designed to sit in the ear canal without pressure and stay put during running or moving through a crowd. There's also a built-in microphone with remote media control, so you can answer or hang up calls and control playback without touching your phone. The listing also notes they're sweatproof, which matters if you're using them for exercise or in warm weather.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants a simple, wired set of earbuds for music, podcasts, phone calls and light workouts — especially if your device still has a 3.5mm headphone jack. The passive sound isolation from the in-ear seal helps take the edge off commutes and noisy rooms. Who should skip it: if your phone is jackless and you don't want an adapter, or if your real goal is blocking noise for sleep or swimming, the LIHOBI is the better tool. The Aitalk is a listening device first.
The LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear Plugs (ASIN B0DZHZHKSN) do one job and do it by design. They're made of soft silicone and rated for up to 40dB of noise reduction — which the listing frames as roughly 10dB more than similar earplugs. That number is the headline: 40dB is a serious reduction, the kind you'd want for snoring partners, loud neighbors, construction, or a noisy flight. Because silicone is moldable, the plugs are meant to fit a wide range of ear canals without pain, and the listing notes they're marked "R" and "L" so you insert each one on the correct side — a small detail that actually matters for getting the rated reduction.
Beyond sleep, the LIHOBI set is unusually versatile for an earplug. They're waterproof, so they work for swimming and can help reduce the chance of swimmer's ear. They're reusable: wash them in water, dry them, and they're ready again — the listing claims a lifespan of over three years and includes a two-year replacement. They're also tiny and light (about 3.5g), which is why they suit travel, studying, concerts, motorcycles and bathing.
Who should buy it: side sleepers, snorers' partners, swimmers, students in noisy dorms, frequent flyers, and anyone who needs to mute the world rather than listen to it. Who should skip it: if you want to hear music, podcasts, or phone calls, this is the wrong product — there's no driver and no microphone. It's also not a replacement for a headphone you'd wear while running, since it makes no sound and isn't built for audio playback.
• Best for listening to music, podcasts or calls → Aitalk Ear Headphones. It has a 9mm driver, 20Hz–20kHz range and a built-in mic with media control; the LIHOBI has none of that.
• Best for sleep and snoring → LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear. Up to 40dB of passive reduction in a soft silicone plug is the exact job it's built for.
• Best for swimming → LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear. It's waterproof and washable; Aitalk is designed for wired listening and its sweat resistance is aimed at workouts, not pools.
• Best for studying or loud public spaces → LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear. If you need silence rather than background audio, the earplugs win on raw reduction.
• Best for workouts and running → Aitalk Ear Headphones. The angled housing and S/M/L silicone tips are designed to stay in during movement, and the mic lets you take a call mid-run.
• Best for device compatibility → Aitalk Ear Headphones. It works with any phone, tablet, laptop or MP3 player that has a 3.5mm jack — iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Android and Windows devices are all listed.
• Best for reusability over time → LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear. Washable silicone with a claimed 3+ year life and a 2-year replacement; Aitalk's lifespan depends on how the cord and jack hold up.
• Best for one purchase covering both jobs → buy both. They don't compete; one plays audio, the other silences the room.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to a single question: do you want to hear something or hear nothing? If you want music, podcasts and calls in a simple wired package, I'd buy the Aitalk Ear Headphones — the 9mm driver, low 16Ω impedance, built-in mic and wide 3.5mm compatibility make it the more useful everyday object. If your goal is quiet — sleep, snoring, swimming, study — I'd buy the LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear, because a 40dB washable silicone plug is purpose-built for silence in a way no headphone is. For most people with a noisy bedroom and a phone with a headphone jack, the honest answer is that these solve two different problems, and owning both covers you best. Check the current price on Amazon for each before deciding, since that's the one variable that can tip a close call.
are there earbuds for sleeping
Yes. The LIHOBI Noise Reduction Ear is designed for sleeping, with soft moldable silicone and up to 40dB of noise reduction, plus "R" and "L" markings for correct insertion. If you specifically want to play audio while dozing, the Aitalk Ear Headphones are wired in-ear earbuds, but they're a listening device rather than a dedicated sleep accessory.
what are the best noise cancelling earbuds for sleeping
Strictly speaking, the LIHOBI is an earplug, not an active noise-cancelling earbud — it reduces noise passively by sealing the ear canal, up to 40dB. For sleep, that passive approach is often what people actually want, because it needs no battery and nothing to charge. The Aitalk, by contrast, uses in-ear sound isolation while playing audio.
can you sleep with noise cancelling earbuds
Many people do, and the LIHOBI is explicitly built for sleeping, snoring and side-sleeping comfort thanks to its soft silicone and small size. Wired earbuds like the Aitalk can be worn in bed, but the cord and the fact that they're designed for playback make them a less natural choice for sleep. Comfort is personal, so fit matters more than the label.
is it bad to sleep with noise cancelling earbuds
There's nothing in these data sheets suggesting it's harmful to sleep with noise-reducing earplugs, and the LIHOBI is marketed for exactly that. The main practical concerns are hygiene and fit — which is why the LIHOBI is washable and reusable. With any in-ear product, keep volume low if you're playing audio, since the Aitalk listing itself cautions against long periods at high volume.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Clear Armor ClearArmor Safety Ear vs Floriogra Baby Headphones, Champs Ear Muffs vs ProCase Noise Cancelling Headphones, Luckvan Universal Ear Hooks vs HIQUE Headphones Replacement Earpads