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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-01 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Ertuly T33 — biggest strength: Hybrid ANC that the maker rates at up to 98% noise neutralization, plus 8 hours per charge and 48 hours total with the case, all in an ultra-thin roughly 3g bud built for side sleepers.
• Ertuly T33 — biggest trade-off: It's electronics. You charge it, you pair it over Bluetooth 6.0, and it only reduces noise while it has power.
• Exopine 55dB — biggest strength: A 55dB noise-reduction rating from soft silicone plugs that never need charging, never need pairing and are washable for hundreds of uses.
• Exopine 55dB — biggest trade-off: They are ear plugs, not headphones. No audio, no calls, no transparency mode — just filtering.
• Choose Ertuly T33 if you want to fall asleep to music, podcasts or white noise while blocking snoring and traffic.
• Choose Exopine 55dB if you want the quietest possible room, the simplest possible routine, and no battery to think about.
The T33 is the pick for anyone who wants their sleep audio and their noise blocking in the same device. The headline feature is dual-microphone Hybrid ANC rated at up to 98% noise neutralization — the kind of reduction aimed at snoring, traffic and appliance hum. A triple tap flips you between ANC and Transparency Mode, so you can shut the world out or let it back in without taking the buds out.
Comfort is where this design earns its place. Each bud weighs roughly 3 grams and is shaped ultra-thin specifically for side sleepers, which is the position that punishes bulky earbuds hardest. Sleep Mode, triggered by four quick taps, mutes all alerts and locks out accidental touch commands — no phantom pauses at 2 a.m. because your pillow brushed the bud.
Then there's the part ear plugs simply can't do. Bluetooth 6.0 auto-pairs when you open the case, holds a stable connection out to about 10 meters, and the 13mm dynamic drivers deliver balanced sound with real bass. Battery life is 8 hours per charge, 48 hours total with the case, and a full recharge takes about 1.5 hours over USB-C with an LED indicator on the case. ENC microphones keep calls clear, and you can run both buds in stereo or a single bud on its own. An IPX6 rating covers sweat and splashes.
Who should buy it: side sleepers who want music, audiobooks or calls at night, travellers who want one gadget for the plane and the hotel, and anyone who wants to switch noise blocking on and off with a tap. Who should skip it: people who want zero batteries in their life, anyone who dislikes something sitting inside the ear canal all night, and anyone who only needs silence — not sound.
The Exopine 55dB is a different philosophy entirely. There's no chip, no driver, no firmware. It's a pair of reusable silicone ear plugs rated for 55dB of noise reduction, and the maker claims they block out 90% of noise. For a snoring partner, a noisy city apartment, a turbulent flight or a loud concert, that's the whole job — and it's done the instant you put them in.
The design leans hard on comfort for all-night wear. Ultra-soft silicone with an ergonomic shape, positioned by the maker as about 30% more comfortable than ordinary plugs, and explicitly aimed at side sleepers. There's a frequency-filtering angle too: the plugs are built to knock down loud disruptive noise while still letting alarms, baby cries, music and conversation through. That's the difference between a wall and a filter, and it matters if you're a parent, a light sleeper or a musician who still needs to hear what's going on.
The practical case is strong. They're washable and reusable for hundreds of uses, and the maker states they still deliver 55dB after 100 washes — a genuine contrast with disposable foam plugs you throw away every few days. The pair ships as one set in black, roughly 1.65 x 1.65 x 0.47 inches and about 1.13 ounces, with a compact carry case so they live in a pocket or bag. The black finish is discreet enough for an office or a flight.
Who should buy it: light sleepers, snorers' partners, frequent flyers, concert-goers, open-plan office workers, and anyone who wants reliable quiet with no charging routine. Who should skip it: anyone who wants to hear music, take calls or toggle transparency, and anyone who finds inserted plugs uncomfortable over a full night.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for pure passive blocking → Exopine 55dB, with a 55dB reduction rating and no power required.
• Best for battery life and playback → Ertuly T33, at 8 hours per charge and 48 hours total with the case.
• Best for a no-maintenance routine → Exopine 55dB, since there's nothing to charge or pair — just wash and reuse.
• Best for sleep audio and calls → Ertuly T33, with Bluetooth 6.0, 13mm dynamic drivers, ENC call mics and single-or-dual bud use.
• Best for keeping alarms and voices audible → Exopine 55dB, whose filtering is designed to cut loud noise while preserving important sounds.
• Best for side sleepers → Both are built for it — the T33 via a roughly 3g ultra-thin bud, the Exopine via ultra-soft ergonomic silicone.
• Best for gym, sweat and travel → Ertuly T33 thanks to IPX6 splash resistance; the Exopine plugs are better suited to dry, seated listening environments.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the Ertuly T33 — in my opinion it covers more ground. It blocks noise actively, plays your audio, takes calls, survives sweat, and lasts a full night per charge with 48 hours in the case. That's a whole sleep and travel setup in one product.
That said, the Exopine 55dB wins on one thing the T33 can't match: it never runs out. No battery, no pairing, no charging cable — just wash them and go. If your only goal is the quietest possible room with the least possible effort, that's the smarter buy. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches how you actually sleep.
FAQ
how to block out noise with headphones
are there noise cancelling headphones for sleeping
Yes, and they're designed differently from regular ones. The Ertuly T33 is built specifically for sleep: roughly 3g per bud, an ultra-thin shape for side sleepers, and a Sleep Mode you trigger with four taps that mutes alerts and blocks accidental touches. If you'd rather skip electronics entirely, the Exopine 55dB is a reusable silicone plug rated at 55dB.
is it safe to wear noise cancelling headphones while sleeping
Both products are designed for all-night wear, which is the key point. The Exopine 55dB uses ultra-soft silicone and is explicitly positioned for side sleepers and overnight use, while the Ertuly T33 is shaped for zero-pressure comfort with Sleep Mode to stop accidental inputs. Choose the fit that feels right for you, and check with a clinician if you have ear or hearing concerns.
what are the best noise cancelling sleep headphones
There isn't one answer — it depends on whether you want sound. For audio at night plus ANC, calls and 48 hours of total playback, I'd recommend the Ertuly T33. For the simplest, battery-free quiet with a 55dB reduction rating and hundreds of reuses, I'd recommend the Exopine 55dB.
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