How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a certified, low-profile sleep earplug with a fit range that genuinely covers very small ears, choose CURVD Ear Plugs; if you need the maximum advertised noise reduction and a bigger multi-piece kit with multiple tip types, choose Generic 13.
• CURVD's biggest strength: a rated 28dB SNR (EPA NRR 20dB) silicone earplug built specifically around sleep, side-sleeping and everyday noise blocking, with five tip sizes from XXS to L.
• CURVD's biggest trade-off: it's a single-purpose pair — one plug design, one case, no foam backup and a lower noise-reduction figure than the Generic kit claims.
• Generic 13's biggest strength: the highest noise-reduction claim here at up to 49dB, plus a 13-piece kit that mixes silicone tips in XS–L with an extra pair of foam plugs.
• Generic 13's biggest trade-off: the kit is bulkier, the sizing starts at XS rather than XXS, and it leans on a big reduction number rather than a certified rating.
• Who CURVD is for: side sleepers, light sleepers, travelers, concertgoers and anyone with smaller ear canals who wants one reliable pair.
• Who Generic 13 is for: buyers who want a stocked kit, want foam as a backup option, or want the loudest advertised reduction figure.
CURVD Ear Plugs are the more focused product of the two. The headline spec is a 28dB SNR rating with an EPA NRR of 20dB, which the brand frames as certified hearing protection. That matters if you want a number you can actually plan around rather than a marketing ceiling. The material is soft, reusable silicone, so there's no weekly foam swap and no crumbling bits left in your ear in the morning.
The real differentiator is the fit range. Five tip sizes — XXS through L — is unusually generous at the small end, and the brand's own guidance is refreshingly simple: noise getting through, size up; feeling pressure, size down. For anyone who has ever given up on earplugs because "small" was still too big, that XXS tip is the whole reason to care. The low-profile shape is designed to sit flush enough for side sleepers, and the purple silicone body keeps it easy to spot on a nightstand.
Who should buy it: side sleepers, light sleepers dealing with snoring or traffic, frequent flyers, concertgoers, and people with sound sensitivity who want one pair they can reuse for months. Who should skip it: someone who specifically wants foam plugs in the box, wants a large multi-piece kit, or is chasing the highest reduction number they can find. The included aluminum case and clip are a nice touch for a gym bag or keys, but this is a one-pair solution — not a stash.
Generic 13 takes the opposite approach: it's a kit, not a pair. The 13 pieces break down into a pair of silicone noise-reduction plugs, an extra pair of foam plugs, and silicone ear tips in XS, S, M and L, all in a compact carrying case. If you like having options — silicone for sleep and swimming, foam as a spare, different tips for different ears or different days — that variety is the point.
The headline figure is a claimed reduction of up to 49dB, which is a much bigger number than CURVD's rated 28dB SNR. Treat that carefully: it's the manufacturer's advertised maximum, and real-world reduction depends heavily on how well the tip seals your ear canal. Still, if raw reduction is what you're optimizing for, this kit is aimed squarely at you. The ergonomic shape is described as secure for side sleepers and movement, the silicone is reusable and washable, and the black finish is understated.
Who should buy it: shoppers who want a full kit in one purchase, swimmers who want a washable silicone plug, and anyone who wants both silicone and foam in the same box. Who should skip it: people with very small ear canals, since the smallest tip here is XS rather than XXS, and anyone who prefers a certified rating over a big advertised ceiling. The kit is also bulkier to carry than a single clipped case.
• Best for very small ear canals → CURVD Ear Plugs. Five sizes starting at XXS beats four sizes starting at XS.
• Best for the highest advertised noise reduction → Generic 13. It claims up to 49dB versus CURVD's rated 28dB SNR.
• Best for a certified rating → CURVD Ear Plugs. It's rated 28dB SNR with EPA NRR 20dB; the Generic kit leans on an advertised maximum.
• Best for side sleepers → CURVD Ear Plugs. The low-profile design is built around sleeping on your side, though Generic 13 also markets an ergonomic side-sleeper fit.
• Best for swimming → Generic 13. Its description explicitly covers protecting ears while swimming with washable silicone.
• Best for a complete kit → Generic 13. Silicone pair, foam pair and four tip sizes in one case; CURVD gives you one pair plus tips.
• Best for travel and everyday carry → CURVD Ear Plugs. The aluminum case with a clip attaches to a bag, purse or keys.
• Best for trying both silicone and foam → Generic 13. CURVD is silicone only.
In my opinion, most people shopping this comparison should buy CURVD Ear Plugs. A certified 28dB SNR rating and a fit range that actually reaches XXS is a more useful combination for sleep than a bigger advertised number, and the low-profile silicone design is the one I'd trust night after night for side sleeping.
I'd only steer you to Generic 13 if you want foam in the box, want a washable plug for swimming, or simply want the largest reduction figure on the label. It's a genuinely good kit — it's just a kit, and for sleep specifically, fit usually beats the headline spec. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since the value math shifts with whatever each is going for.
FAQ
are there earbuds for sleeping
what are the best noise cancelling earbuds for sleeping
"Best" depends on your ears. On paper, Generic 13 advertises up to 49dB reduction, while CURVD is rated 28dB SNR (EPA NRR 20dB). For small ear canals, CURVD's XXS tip may seal better — and a good seal matters more than the number on the box.
can you sleep with noise cancelling earbuds
You can sleep with in-ear plugs like these, and both brands design for it. CURVD emphasizes a low-profile shape for side sleepers; Generic 13 emphasizes a secure ergonomic fit so the plug stays put during movement.
is it bad to sleep with noise cancelling earbuds
For passive plugs like these — soft silicone, no electronics, no battery — the main considerations are fit and hygiene. Both are reusable and washable, but if a tip feels tight or causes pressure, size down rather than forcing it.
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