Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone review

Mack's Pillow Soft is the main option for sleepers who find any plug inside the ear canal uncomfortable. It is a moldable silicone putty that you roll into a ball, press over the ear opening and flatten into a seal, and Mack's is explicit that it should not be inserted into the canal. Because it covers rather than fills, there is no pressure deep in the ear, which some people prefer for a full night. Mack's calls it the original and best-selling moldable silicone plug in the US and markets it to people sleeping next to a snoring spouse. The Noise Reduction Rating is 22 decibels, lower than the foam plugs, and the seal depends on clean, dry skin with hair kept out of the way. Each plug lasts up to five uses before Mack's says to discard it once it is soiled or no longer sticky. Packs start at $3.49 for two pairs with a storage case. It is also waterproof, so the same pack works for swimming.

Who it is for

People who cannot stand anything inside the ear canal.

Price

From $3.49 for 2 pairs with a storage case.

Price range: $3.49 through $150.00
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 7, 2026.

Key features

• Moldable silicone putty that molds to the contours of the ear
• Covers the ear opening; Mack's warns not to insert it into the canal
• Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 22 decibels
• Waterproof, so it doubles as a swim plug
• Up to 5 uses per plug, per Mack's directions

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Nothing goes into the ear canal
• Strength: Very cheap, with packs from $3.49
• Strength: Made in the USA
• Weakness: NRR 22 is among the lower ratings here
• Weakness: Can pick up hair and lose stickiness, after which you discard it
• Weakness: Only up to 5 uses per plug

Key facts

• Price: From $3.49
• Rating: NRR 22
• Uses: Up to 5 per plug
• Fit: Covers the ear opening

Where it ranks

Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone is No. 8 in our Best Earplugs for Sleeping verdict.