Loop earplugs are actually worth it — heres how to choose the right pair

Chances are, if you've been to a concert in the past year, you've seen someone rocking a pair of Loop earplugs .

Considering the brand's origins, that's not surprising.

The colorful earplugs first hit the scene in 2016, thanks to co-founders Dimitri O and Maarten Bowdes wanting to provide a solution for people who enjoy live music and loud spaces, without the side helping of tinnitus.

Ten years later, the brand has expanded its earplug options far beyond ear protection at concerts: their lineup includes earplugs to help people stay focused, sleep better, and generally exist more peacefully in overstimulating environments.

They're reusable and cleanable, so they're less wasteful than swapping out a new pair of foam earplugs.

Which Loop earplugs are right for you? Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Sure, noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds can help in some of those situations, but then you become beholden to battery life — and you stay plugged in to digital distractions.

A quality pair of earplugs can be a worthwhile alternative, and with Loop collaborating officially with Harry Styles , Paris Hilton , and McLaren Racing , it's clear these earbuds have staying power.

SEE ALSO: I tested sleep earbuds for months: Here are the 4 I'd buy, and the ones I'd skip So then, which are the best Loop earplugs to buy? With eight different earplugs ranging from $24.95 to $59.95, it's a valid question.

To find the answer, I tested out a selection of some of the most popular earplugs from the brand: I landed on the Quiet 2, Experience 2, Dream, Engage 2, and Switch 2.

For now, I omitted the Plus versions (due to wanting to compare the base models head-to-head first), as well as the kids' versions (due to not being a child).

I also kept the list strictly limited to earplugs, so I didn't try out the Loop Eclipse mask .

I tested all of these earplugs personally, except for the Loop Experience 2, which were tested by my colleague Haley Henschel .

Which Loop earplugs are best for me? The right Loop earplug match will depend on your reasons for seeking out earplugs in the first place, whether that be better sleep , finding focus, or saving your ears at live shows.

Below, I break down the differences between five different Loop earplugs, and where each shines, to help you find the ones that suit you best.