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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
These two products sit in the same search results but solve completely different problems. One is an audio device. The other is hearing protection. I'll break down what each one actually does, where it falls short, and which one fits your day.
• jechan Type C — biggest strength: a four-driver setup (dynamic plus balanced armature) with Environmental Noise Cancellation built for calls, plus inline volume and track controls over USB-C.
• jechan Type C — biggest trade-off: it's wired and it's an earbud, so it can't seal your ears the way a plug does, and the ENC is aimed at call clarity rather than total silence.
• HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs — biggest strength: passive noise reduction rated SNR 26 dB / NRR 16 dB with four tip sizes (XS/S/M/L) for a custom seal, in ultra-soft silicone you can sleep on.
• HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs — biggest trade-off: they are purely passive. No audio, no mic, no controls — silence is the entire feature set.
• Who each pick is for: jechan Type C is for commuters, call-heavy workers and music listeners on USB-C devices; HeyEars is for sleepers, light-sensitive shift workers, students and anyone who needs quiet without electronics.
The jechan Type C is a wired USB-C earbud built around a four-driver configuration — a 10 mm dynamic driver paired with a balanced armature. In practice that combination is how you get both weight and detail: the dynamic side handles the subwoofer-style low end, and the armature side keeps vocals and high frequencies crisp instead of muddy. The impedance is listed at 32 ohm with a 20 Hz frequency response, and the housing is metal in a brown finish with a round in-ear shape. Item weight is about 9.93 g, so it's light enough to forget you're wearing it on a long commute.
So who should buy it? If your phone or laptop has dropped the headphone jack and you still want a cable that never needs charging, this is a sensible pick. It suits commuters, remote workers on back-to-back calls, and anyone who wants punchy bass without babysitting a battery. Who should skip it? If your goal is to mute a snoring partner, a noisy apartment or a loud flight, this is the wrong tool. It's also not for you if you want the freedom of wireless — there's a single power level listed and no battery to speak of, because it draws from your device.
HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs: Who It's For
The HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs do one job and do it with numbers attached. They're ANSI tested with a certified NRR of 16 dB and an SNR of 26 dB — the higher SNR figure reflects average attenuation across frequencies, while NRR is the stricter US rating. That's meaningful passive reduction: enough to take the edge off a loud room, a busy street or a partner's snoring, without pretending to be full industrial-grade deafening.
The comfort story is the real selling point. They're made from skin-friendly ultra-soft silicone in an ergonomic shape that stays put, and the brand specifically calls out side-sleeping without pressure or irritation. Four tip sizes — XS, S, M and L — are included so you can find a seal that actually fits your ear canal, which is the single biggest factor in how well any plug performs. Get the size wrong and the rated reduction doesn't happen.
They're also reusable and low-waste: silicone construction, a plastic-free box, and a recyclable aluminium carry case, plus a keychain case for travel. The plugs are waterproof, which opens up swimming and shower-adjacent use. Who should buy them? Sleepers, shift workers, students in shared housing, concert-goers, swimmers and anyone who wants quiet without charging anything. Who should skip them? If you want to listen to music, take calls or control playback, this product simply doesn't do that — there's no audio path at all.
• Best for call clarity → jechan Type C. The ENC chip and mic are there specifically to clean up your voice for the other party.
• Best for actual silence → HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs. SNR 26 dB of passive reduction beats a call-focused earbud every time when the goal is blocking sound.
• Best for sleep and side-sleeping → HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs. Ultra-soft silicone and an ergonomic, low-profile shape are designed for all-night wear.
• Best for music and bass → jechan Type C. The dynamic-plus-armature four-driver layout with a 10 mm driver and subwoofer tuning is built for listening.
• Best for battery-free reliability → both, in different ways. jechan runs off USB-C power with no charging, and HeyEars need no power at all.
• Best for travel and portability → HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs. The aluminium case clips to a bag or keyring and the plugs are waterproof and reusable.
• Best for USB-C devices without a headphone jack → jechan Type C. The USB Type-C plug and inline controls match modern phones and laptops.
• Best for shared spaces and study → HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs. Reliable passive noise control for dorms, libraries and open offices.
In my opinion, the honest answer is that these aren't competitors — they're complements, and the right buy depends entirely on your problem. If you need to hear music and be heard clearly on calls, I'd buy the jechan Type C; its four-driver audio and ENC call handling are exactly what that job requires. If you need quiet for sleep, focus or loud environments, I'd buy the HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs; certified passive reduction with four tip sizes is the correct tool. Buy the one that matches the job you actually have, not the one with more features.
what are the best in ear noise cancelling earbuds
There's no single best option, because "noise cancelling" means different things. The jechan Type C uses Environmental Noise Cancellation to improve call quality and filter music noise over a wired USB-C connection. HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs take a completely different route with passive reduction rated SNR 26 dB and NRR 16 dB. Pick based on whether you need audio or pure quiet.
what are the best over the ear noise cancelling earbuds
Do the HeyEars ear plugs work for side sleepers?
Yes — that's one of their stated design goals. They're made from ultra-soft, skin-friendly silicone with an ergonomic shape intended to stay secure without pressure or irritation, and the brand explicitly mentions sleeping on your side. The four included tip sizes (XS/S/M/L) let you tune the fit for comfort.
Not in the way ear plugs do. Its noise control is Environmental Noise Cancellation aimed at call clarity and audio enhancement, not full attenuation, and as an earbud it won't seal the canal like silicone plugs. For sleep and blocking sound, the HeyEars Soft Ear Plugs are the better fit.
If price matters to you, check the current price on Amazon — this page has a button for that, and I don't quote figures here.
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