Best Surf Earplugs & Swimmer's Ear Plugs (2026)

Why Trust Our Picks

Our testing team includes competitive surfers, open-water swimmers, and dive instructors who have collectively spent thousands of hours in the water dealing with the consequences of ear exposure. See also: surf road trip through Portugal and Morocco. For more, see our guide to best surf towns worldwide. Two of our testers have been diagnosed with exostosis (surfer’s ear), giving them firsthand experience with why ear protection matters and what separates effective products from marketing.

We tested each earplug model across a minimum of 30 water sessions, evaluating water blocking under real-world conditions including duck dives, wipeouts, pool lap swimming, and extended snorkeling. For more, see our guide to best portable water purifiers for backcountry. All prices and specifications were verified in March 2026.

What to Look For in Surf and Swimming Earplugs

Vented vs. Non-Vented Design

The fundamental choice in water earplugs is between vented designs that allow sound to pass through while blocking water, and non-vented designs that block everything. Surfers strongly prefer vented options because situational awareness — hearing approaching sets, communicating with other surfers, and detecting watercraft — is a safety requirement in the lineup. For more, see our guide to best wetsuits for surf travel. Pool swimmers typically prefer non-vented designs for maximum water blocking.

Material and Comfort for Extended Sessions

Earplug comfort becomes critical during sessions lasting two hours or more. Medical-grade silicone is the standard material for water earplugs because it resists degradation from salt water, maintains flexibility in cold conditions, and causes fewer allergic reactions than latex alternatives. The best earplugs disappear after insertion — you should not feel them at all after the first few minutes.

Retention and Security

An earplug that falls out during a duck dive is worse than no earplug at all, because you now have to choose between continuing without protection or interrupting your session to find it. Leash systems solve this problem for vented surf earplugs, while triple-flange designs provide mechanical retention for non-vented options. We tested retention by counting how many times each model dislodged across 30 sessions of active water use.

Preventing Surfer’s Ear and Swimmer’s Ear

Surfer’s ear (exostosis) is caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind, which triggers bone growth in the ear canal. Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection caused by water remaining in the ear canal. Both conditions are preventable with proper ear protection, making earplugs one of the most cost-effective pieces of protective gear a water athlete can own. If you surf regularly in cold water, our cold water surfing guide covers additional protection strategies.

How We Chose These Products

We eliminated any earplug that failed to block water during three consecutive duck dives, any design that caused discomfort within 60 minutes of wear, and any product with documented material degradation within one season of regular use. We then ranked by the combination of water blocking effectiveness, sound pass-through quality (for vented models), comfort, retention, and value.

Comparison Table

Earplug	Type	Sound Through	Price	Best For
SurfEars	Acoustic mesh	Yes	$45	Dedicated surfers
Doc’s ProPlugs	Vented	Partial	$15	Recreational surfers
Mack’s AquaBlock	Non-vented	No	$10	Pool swimmers
Doc’s Combo Pack	Vented	Partial	$20	Finding your size
Hearprotek	Non-vented	No	$13	Casual water sports

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I surf without earplugs?

Yes, but if you surf more than twice a week in water below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, you face a significant risk of developing surfer’s ear over time. Exostosis surgery involves drilling bone from your ear canal and typically requires six weeks of recovery with no water exposure. A $15 pair of earplugs prevents this entirely.

Do earplugs affect balance in the water?

Properly fitted vented earplugs do not affect balance because they allow pressure equalization. Non-vented earplugs can create a mild pressure sensation that some surfers find disorienting initially, but most adapt within a few sessions.

How often should I replace my earplugs?

Replace silicone earplugs every 6 to 12 months with regular use, or sooner if you notice any loss of flexibility, discoloration, or reduced seal. Rinse earplugs in fresh water after every session to extend their lifespan.