Our team tested out Loop Earplugs, and here are our honest reviews on the viral sensation.
The first time I ever used earplugs was at the shooting range during National Service. Other than that, I never bothered to protect my ears. So imagine attending all those parties, concerts, and major events where my ears were exposed to loud sounds and noises. Ah, to be young and foolish… I’m surprised I still have my hearing after all these years, though nowadays, I’ve repeated “Huh? What?” too many times.
Why didn’t I take my hearing health seriously back then? The answer lies in the lack of options when it comes to earplugs. Sure, you can find them at pharmaceutical stores, but they’re largely utilitarian-looking and tend to block out too much noise. I got a fresh pair from the Singapore Armed Forces’ eMart a couple of years back, and while they’re an improvement from the ones I used during NS, I wouldn’t reach for them unless truly needed. So when I heard Loop Earplugs is expanding its reach to Singapore, I got excited. Aesthetically pleasing hearing protection? Sign me up, stat!
What are Loop Earplugs?
The brand was co-founded in 2016 by Maarten Bodewes and Dimitri O, nightlife enthusiasts suffering from tinnitus. The two friends tried out every earplug in the market before they came up with the brilliant idea to create Loop Earplugs. “We only have one set of ears, and we live in a noisy world, so protecting our hearing is crucial,” Dimitri said.
Since its inception, Loop Earplugs has made it a mission to reimagine ‘earwear’ the same way sunglasses have done for eyewear: making them functional yet fashionable, and compatible with all sorts of activities and lifestyles.
There are various Loop Earplugs on offer, including one for kids aged six to 12 and a version solely to be used during sleep. Each variant comes with its own case and three pairs of silicon tips in case you need to go a size up or down. You can even finesse more sound control by purchasing a mute style pack, which tunes out more background noise. Unfortunately, these are only available outside of Southeast Asia for now.
I managed to snag a few Loop Earplugs – the Quiet, Engage, and Experience versions – so I got some colleagues to test this viral sensation with me. We used them in various environments to see whether they lived up to the hype.
Loop Engage 2 Earplugs review: Helped with noise reduction
I went with the Loop Engage 2 Earplugs, which claim to “take the edge off for more calm and focus when life gets too loud.” I tested them over a few weeks to see if they could reduce background noise while keeping conversations clear. The design and colour are a huge step up from my old army-issued pair, but how would they perform?
Firstly, I tested the earplugs at home against my father’s perpetually loud television. Surprisingly, they worked wonders: I could barely hear the TV and was left alone with my thoughts. Initial verdict: Loop 1, noise 0.
The next time I had my earplugs on was while travelling to Johor Bahru. As a professional passenger princess, I’m used to vehicular sounds and have learned to tune them out. However, I decided to test them and see if they work in a larger environment. My finding? The earplugs performed as well as possible, even though the earplugs couldn’t filter out the louder engine sounds.
I continually used the Loop Engage 2 Earplugs in various settings: when it got too loud during dinner, at select industry events, and even while sleeping. Overall, I’m pleased with them. The earplugs fit snugly in my ear canals and are particularly handy when situations become too overstimulating. Unfortunately, the noise reduction can be hit or miss, which is a bummer.
How did the Loop Earplugs fare for my colleagues? Here are their thoughts…
Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs review: Lowered noise level but not a complete cancellation
“I love WFO days but I’m of the camp that working from home is heaps more productive. Yes, I can be quite particular with my work environment. Some white noise is fine, but anything louder than the occasional chit-chat is enough to spike my cortisol levels – especially if I’m racing against the clock to finish an article. So when I got my hands on the Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs, I knew I had to try them out on my office days.
As soon as I popped these bad boys into my ears, I felt like I had entered a quiet bubble all by myself. As a newbie to earplugs, the initial silence felt stifling but I slowly got used to it and successfully slipped into my focused zone.
Here’s a caveat though: once my ears got used to the sensation, I noticed I could still hear semblances of conversations near me. Not exactly the tool for complete noise cancellation, if that’s what you’re looking for. Plus, as someone with wet earwax, I’m not a fan of the constant, uncomfortable feeling of blockage in my ears.”
– Yuki Ling, Branded Content Writer
“As someone who frequents loud bars and also suffers from overstimulation, these were a godsend. Finally, I didn’t need to suffer from the ringing in my ears post-partying while still preserving my delicate sense of hearing. I still remember the first time getting them, being fascinated with the minimalist design and feel. It felt like being part of the cool kids club since I owned a pair now!
The first time I used them, I was with friends at our third stop of the night. After a few drinks, with fatigue setting in, I became easily agitated by the noise. That is, until I remembered my Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs and made use of them. They quickly dampened the sound of music, making the whole situation more tolerable to navigate. I could even hear and speak to my friends more easily. I enjoy that these earplugs soften environmental noise rather than block them out entirely, so I’m still aware of my surroundings.
The downsides? They’re a little finicky to handle, especially when frequently switching between loud and soft environments. I have to be very careful to ensure they don’t fall out of my ears before I can get them into their little case.”
– Ashe Liao, Lifestyle Writer
Loop Experience 2 Earplugs review: Great for concerts but a little lightweight
“When I first heard about Loop Earplugs, I was sceptical. Why bother when my noise-cancelling earphones can do the trick? But after taking my Loop Experience 2 to a gig, I finally understood the buzz. If you’re looking for stylish earplugs that let you enjoy live music without sacrificing clarity, these deliver. They reduce noise to a safer level while keeping your favourite beats crisp.
I tested them at the Dua Lipa concert (I was in the pit) when the thumping bass started making my ears buzz. I popped them in and was surprised her vocals stayed clear. However, they’re super lightweight – perhaps too light for my liking. Fumbling to pull them out of the case in a crowded, dark venue? Not fun. Even the casing felt a little too flimsy.”
– Nicole Nithiyah, Deputy Editor
Final verdict: Are they worth it?
After a few weeks of testing, my colleagues and I agreed that while Loop Earplugs deliver on aesthetics and functionality, they’re not without flaws. The biggest drawback is the price, which starts at $27.95 for the Quiet 2 and goes up to $89.95 for the Switch 2 – and that doesn’t include shipping. While impressive, they may feel like more of a splurge than a necessity. (Hint: add this to your Christmas gifts wishlist instead!)
That said, there’s still a lot to like, from the sleek design and decent noise-softening capabilities to the portability of the handy case that hooks onto a keychain for easy access. As Yuki aptly puts it: “I’m not a die-hard fan, but I’ll keep them in my back pocket for when the noise gets too much. At least I can do some damage control!”
Our final verdict? They’re not a must-buy but worth trying if you prioritise style and moderate noise reduction. If you’re curious, we say get the upgraded Switch 2 Earplugs for the ultimate test.
Loop Earplugs, available online
