We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a simple, reusable passive earplug that you can sleep on, swim with, and forget about, choose HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs; if you need true in-ear noise cancelling earbuds that play audio, mask noise with built-in white noise, and take calls, choose Costnzo Efficient Noise Cancelling. These two products get lumped together because both promise quieter nights, but they solve the problem in completely different ways. One is a molded silicone plug with no battery and no Bluetooth. The other is a wireless earbud with a sleep mode, dual noise reduction, and a touch interface.
• HeyEars biggest strength: Certified passive protection (ANSI-tested, NRR 16 dB / SNR 26 dB) in ultra-soft silicone, with four ear tip sizes and a waterproof, reusable build.
• HeyEars biggest trade-off: It is not an electronic device. No music, no white noise, no calls, no app — just physical blocking.
• Costnzo biggest strength: Dual noise reduction that combines physical sealing with white noise masking, plus real in-ear earbud features: Bluetooth 5.4, touch controls, a call microphone, and 8mm dynamic drivers.
• Costnzo biggest trade-off: More complexity to manage. You have to charge it, pair it, and learn the touch gestures, and the noise reduction depends on how well you seat the bud in your canal.
• Who HeyEars is for: Anyone who wants zero-fuss hearing protection for sleep, study, travel, concerts, or swimming.
• Who Costnzo is for: Anyone who wants in-ear noise cancelling earbuds that double as a sleep aid and a daily audio device.
HeyEars is a passive noise reduction product, and it is honest about that. The silicone tips are ANSI tested at NRR 16 dB and SNR 26 dB. That is the kind of rating you want when you are trying to take the edge off a snoring partner, a loud HVAC unit, or a busy street, without cutting yourself off from the world entirely. The kit includes four tip sizes — XS, S, M, L — which matters more than people think. A plug that does not seal gives you almost nothing, so having four sizes to test is a genuine functional advantage.
The comfort story is where HeyEars earns its place. It is built from skin-friendly, ultra-soft silicone with an ergonomic shape designed to stay put, including for side sleepers who put pressure on their ear all night. Because there is no battery, no driver, and no electronics, there is nothing to charge and nothing to fail. The specs also list it as waterproof and reusable, kept in a recyclable aluminium carry case with a keychain clip — a small detail that makes it easy to keep on a bag or keyring for concerts, flights, or the pool.
Costnzo Efficient Noise Cancelling: Who It's For
Costnzo is a different animal: wireless in-ear earbuds with a sleep-first design. The headline claim is dual noise reduction up to -80dB, achieved through two separate mechanisms. The first is physical — an ergonomic in-ear shape with high-density sound insulation material that seals the canal and blocks high-frequency noise. The second is active white noise masking, with two built-in natural sounds: Gentle Stream Waterfall for masking urban noise, and Forest Birdsong aimed at morning wake-up and circadian rhythm regulation.
The noise reduction is tiered, which is genuinely useful. There is a -10dB light mode for driving, cycling, and commuting, where you want to stay aware of surroundings while softening the drone. There is a -30dB deep mode for office chatter, traffic hum, and mid-range noise when you need to focus. And there is a sleep mode reaching -60dB to -80dB, which you activate by long-pressing the right earbud for two seconds — it works whether or not the buds are connected to a phone. Double-tapping switches to a single white noise loop.
The side-sleeper design is the other core idea. The buds are ultra-slim and sit flush against the ear rather than protruding, which is exactly what causes pain when you lie on your side with normal earbuds. Costnzo also includes real earbud features: 8mm dynamic drivers, a call noise-cancelling microphone, touch controls for calls and tracks and voice assistant, and Bluetooth 5.4 for a stable connection with lower power draw across phones, consoles, and computers.
Who should buy it? Side sleepers who want noise masking plus optional audio. People who travel and want one device for calls, music, and quiet. Anyone who finds plain earplugs too isolating and prefers a masking sound. Who should skip it? If you want zero charging, zero pairing, and zero touch gestures — or if you swim — the simplicity of a passive plug wins.
• Best for certified, measurable passive protection → HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs (ANSI tested, NRR 16 dB / SNR 26 dB).
• Best for in-ear noise cancelling with adjustable strength → Costnzo Efficient Noise Cancelling (-10dB, -30dB, and -60dB to -80dB sleep mode).
• Best for side sleepers who hate bulk → Costnzo, thanks to the ultra-slim flush-fit shell — though HeyEars is specifically shaped for side-sleeping pressure too.
• Best for zero maintenance → HeyEars. No battery, no pairing, no firmware to think about.
• Best for calls and audio → Costnzo. Bluetooth 5.4, 8mm dynamic drivers, touch controls, and a call microphone.
• Best for swimming and heavy sweat → HeyEars, which is listed as waterproof and reusable. Costnzo's sheet does not describe water resistance, so I would not treat it as pool gear.
• Best for white noise without a phone → Costnzo. The two built-in natural sounds and sleep mode work independently of a connected device.
• Best for sharing or backup use → HeyEars. Four tip sizes and a clip-on aluminium case make it easy to hand to a partner or toss in a bag.
If I had to pick one, I would buy the HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs for straight-up quiet — sleep, study, flights, concerts, swimming — because certified passive protection, four sizes, and no charging routine is a combination that is hard to beat for the money. But I would not pretend it covers everything. If your real goal is in-ear noise cancelling earbuds that also play audio, take calls, and mask noise with built-in white noise, the Costnzo Efficient Noise Cancelling is the one I would recommend, especially for side sleepers. In my opinion, decide based on whether you want a tool or a device. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that is the one thing that can swing this either way.
what are the best in ear noise cancelling earbuds
There is no single answer, because "in ear noise cancelling" splits into two categories. For passive in-ear protection, HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs are a strong pick with ANSI-tested NRR 16 dB and SNR 26 dB. For active in-ear noise cancelling earbuds with white noise masking and audio, Costnzo Efficient Noise Cancelling is the better fit.
what are the best over the ear noise cancelling earbuds
That phrasing usually means over-ear headphones, which is a different product type from both of these. Neither HeyEars nor Costnzo is an over-ear model — HeyEars is an in-ear silicone plug and Costnzo is a wireless in-ear earbud. If you specifically want over-ear, look in that category instead.
Both are designed with side sleepers in mind. Costnzo uses an ultra-slim flush-fitting shell so the bud does not press into your ear, and it is explicitly built for back and side sleeping. HeyEars uses ultra-soft silicone with an ergonomic shape that stays secure, which its specs say allows side sleeping without pressure.
HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs never need charging — they are passive silicone plugs with no electronics. Costnzo Efficient Noise Cancelling is a Bluetooth 5.4 wireless earbud with a charging case, so it does need regular charging, and sleep mode plus white noise playback will draw on the battery.
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