These £20 earplugs saved my sleep in a 12-person hostel room - and now I never travel without them
I'm in my early thirties, and the prospect of a hostel now fills me with dread.
A few years back, I happily bunked in countless dorms to save money whilst travelling the likes of Australia, Thailand, and Europe.
But as I’ve gotten older, the idea of snoring neighbours and drunken wake-up calls no longer feels worth cutting costs.
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Unsurprisingly, getting a decent night's kip with someone in the bunk above you is no easy feat - unless of course, you're armed with a good pair of earplugs.
So, on a recent hostel stay in Iceland (we're talking 12 people in one room), I packed a pair of £19.95 Loop Quiet 2 earplugs to see if they really lived up to the hype.
To my relief, they saved my sleep, and now I'll never leave for the airport without them.
Do Loop earplugs actually work?
I'm a light sleeper so can't bear the slightest noise on an evening, whether it's footsteps from the upstairs neighbours or buzz of the TV in the next room.
So, in anticipation of inconsiderate roomies on holiday, I packed a pair of Loop Quiet 2 earplugs for my latest hostel stay, and was left pleasantly surprised.
Designed to muffle disturbances, Loops pack up to 24dB of noise reduction into a flexible silicone earplug with four different sizes to choose from.
The best part? They're designed for side sleepers, and proved far more comfortable than any earplugs I've tried before.
Although Iceland isn't a party destination, people checked in late, and not everyone had the same strict 10pm bedtime as me.
The Loop earplugs quietened most of the disturbance, and helped me to sleep better than I could have imagined.
Admittedly, I could still hear light snoring and whispered mumbles, but not enough to keep me tossing and turning.
But the true test was on the way home.
Due to a storm, flights were grounded, and the Loops came in handy when trying to catch up on sleep during an unexpected layover.
I managed to block out the airport's rowdy Wetherspoons for a quick power nap, and they proved useful on the flight home, too.
I've since become an unofficial spokesperson for the brand, recommending the Loops to anyone who will listen, from sleep-deprived parents to friends struggling with snoring partners.
Can you still hear everything with Loop earplugs?
My biggest concern before trying out the Loop earplugs was not being able to hear my alarm on a morning.
However, my iPhone's radar alarm cut through the earplugs, so I wasn't late for the day - crucial when you have a strict holiday itinerary.
On a recent trip, my friend was so jealous of my Loops that we shared one each. They reduced the noise so well, we had to remove them to hear one and other.
Do Loop earplugs block out snoring?
The question on everyone's lips: do Loop earplugs really block out snoring?
Much to my horror at the hostel, I was put in the bunk below a very loud snorer.
A lot of people also checked into the hostel in the early hours of the morning, which would normally have disturbed my sleep.
However, the earbuds softened the blow.
Yes, I could still hear distant snores and muffled whispers, but it wasn't loud enough to keep me awake.
What are the benefits of Loop earplugs and where can you buy them?
Loop earplugs boast 24dB noise reduction to reduce common sounds such as snoring or noisy neighbours.
They even come with certified hearing protection to keep your ears safe from damaging sounds, whether you're at a gig or trying to get some shut-eye at a festival this summer.
They're comfortable for side sleepers too, with four sizing tips included in the order.
A number-one bestseller on Amazon, they've racked up thousands of five-star reviews with many claiming they've saved their sleep - and relationships.
One customer said, "I can't sleep without these now! Comfortable and easy to insert. I can't imagine a night without them."
"At the risk of sounding dramatic, these have saved my relationship," another shared. "I can now sleep soundly every night without being disturbed by snoring or any other noises in the house. Worth every penny and wish I had purchased sooner."
A third review reads: "My boyfriend plays Xbox until like four in the morning, these have saved my sleep and the arguments."
You can purchase a pair for £19.95 on Amazon here. Learn more about their top features below.
Top features:
- 24dB noise reduction with certified hearing protection to keep ears safe from damaging sounds
- Instant noise reduction and protection for sleep, focus, travel and relaxation
- Adjustable rubber ear tip sizes for optimal noise reduction and comfort
- Easy to clean
Danielle Fowler