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 to keep your Apple AirPods 1st or 2nd Gen locked in your ears during workouts and long listening sessions, choose COMPLY SoftCONNECT; if you need to block snoring, traffic and concert-level noise so you can actually sleep, choose CASCHO Ear Plugs. These two products get lumped together because both are soft, both go in your ear canal, and both promise comfort. But they solve completely different problems, and buying the wrong one is the fastest way to be disappointed.
• COMPLY SoftCONNECT — biggest strength: a patented silicone sleeve built specifically for Apple AirPods 1st & 2nd Gen and Apple EarPods, paired with NON-memory foam that grips without the compress-and-hold routine of traditional foam tips.
• COMPLY SoftCONNECT — biggest trade-off: they are not hearing protection and not a noise blocker. They are a fit-and-comfort upgrade for your existing earbuds, and they must be removed before you charge your AirPods.
• CASCHO Ear Plugs — biggest strength: up to 45 dB of noise reduction from multi-layer acoustic insulation, with four ear-tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) and a reusable silicone body.
• CASCHO Ear Plugs — biggest trade-off: they are earplugs, not earbuds. There is no audio driver, no charging case, no pairing — just quiet.
• Who each pick is for: COMPLY for AirPods owners fighting slippage and ear fatigue; CASCHO for sleepers, travelers, concert-goers and anyone who needs the world turned down.
SoftCONNECT is a replacement tip, not a device. The whole point is that AirPods 1st and 2nd Gen have a hard, one-size plastic shape that either fits your ear or doesn't — and for a lot of people it doesn't. COMPLY's answer is a patented silicone sleeve that snaps onto the AirPods stem and stays there, with a NON-memory foam body that seats in your canal without you having to roll and compress it first. That matters more than it sounds. Traditional memory foam tips demand a squeeze, a hold, and a few seconds of waiting while they expand. SoftCONNECT skips all of that, which is exactly why they work for quick insertion and removal.
Who should skip them? Anyone hoping for noise cancellation. SoftCONNECT is a fit and comfort product — there is no dB rating, no acoustic filter, no hearing protection claim. Also skip if you own AirPods Pro: the specs explicitly state these are not compatible with AirPods Pro. And note the charging caveat — the tips must be removed before you charge, so this is a deliberate two-step routine, not a leave-on-forever mod. You get two pairs plus a silicone pouch in the box, and cleaning is warm water and a soft cloth only — no alcohol-based cleaners or lotions, which degrade the material.
CASCHO Ear Plugs: Who It's For
CASCHO is on the opposite end of the spectrum. This is a dedicated noise-reduction earplug rated at up to 45 dB, using multi-layer acoustic insulation and high-density sound-absorbing materials that the specs say block up to 95% of interference. The interesting design choice is the acoustic filter: rather than deadening everything into a muffled void, it's engineered to reduce noise without distortion, so harsh sounds like snoring or road noise get pushed down while you can still catch important signals.
The comfort story is where the soft silicone angle really pays off. This is the "soft silicone sleep" use case at its purest — the plugs are made to conform to your ear canal contour, and the spec sheet specifically calls out side-sleeping: turning over or lying on your side shouldn't create pressure points. Four tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) mean you can actually size to your canal instead of forcing a one-size plug. They're reusable, easy to clean, and come with a compact storage case that fits in a pocket.
That last point is the real tell for who this is for. The listed use cases run from sleep and snoring to concerts, festivals, motorcycle riding, shooting, studying, travel and flights — including pressure discomfort during altitude changes. It's a broad, portable, all-ages product: men, women and children, in a single black minimalist design.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for keeping AirPods in your ears → COMPLY SoftCONNECT. The silicone sleeve is built for AirPods 1st & 2nd Gen and Apple EarPods specifically.
• Best for blocking snoring, traffic and loud environments → CASCHO Ear Plugs. Up to 45 dB reduction with a 95% interference-blocking claim.
• Best for side-sleepers → CASCHO Ear Plugs. Soft silicone designed to conform to the canal and reduce pressure when you lie on your side.
• Best for quick, fuss-free insertion → COMPLY SoftCONNECT. NON-memory foam means no compress-and-hold step.
• Best for size flexibility → CASCHO Ear Plugs. Four tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) versus COMPLY's single Large option in this listing.
• Best for travel and portability → CASCHO Ear Plugs. The compact storage case slips into any pocket.
• Best for long listening sessions without ear fatigue → COMPLY SoftCONNECT. That's the stated design goal of the NON-memory foam.
• Best for concerts and hearing protection → CASCHO Ear Plugs. Intelligent frequency filtering aims to keep sound clear while protecting your hearing.
• Skip COMPLY if → you own AirPods Pro, or you want actual noise reduction.
• Skip CASCHO if → you want to hear audio through them.
If I had to pick one, I'd pick based on the job, not the product. For anyone who already owns AirPods 1st or 2nd Gen and is tired of them slipping or hurting, I'd buy the COMPLY SoftCONNECT — it fixes the exact problem it was engineered for, and the NON-memory foam is a genuinely smarter design than roll-and-hold foam. For anyone whose real complaint is that they can't sleep because of noise, I'd buy the CASCHO Ear Plugs without hesitation; 45 dB, four sizes and a side-sleeping-friendly silicone body is the right tool for that job. In my opinion the only mistake here is buying either one for the other's purpose.
FAQ
what are the best earbuds to sleep in
how to put on silicone earbuds
With CASCHO, the spec sheets say to insert the plug into your ear and twist to fit securely, choosing from XS, S, M or L tips. With COMPLY SoftCONNECT, the silicone sleeve is designed to attach onto Apple AirPods 1st & 2nd Gen or Apple EarPods, and must be removed before charging.
are there earbuds for sleeping
Yes, but they split into two types. CASCHO makes soft silicone sleep earplugs for blocking noise, not playing it. COMPLY SoftCONNECT is a fit upgrade for AirPods you already own — it improves grip and comfort but adds no noise blocking and no audio of its own.
do soft silicone earplugs block noise as well as foam ones
CASCHO's silicone plugs use multi-layer acoustic insulation with a filter, rated up to 45 dB and claimed to block 95% of interference while keeping sound undistorted. COMPLY's NON-memory foam is about secure fit and comfort, not noise reduction — it carries no dB rating at all.
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: Perytong Sleep Headphones vs Yihou Sleep Invisible Ear, COMPLY 100 vs Xmenha Flat Sleep Mini: Noise Isolating Sleep, Amazon Renewed JBL Live Buds vs Rulbovs NE92