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Choosing swimming ear plugs that suit your ears and routine

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-18.

We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.

Compare the fitting method before the pack size

Start with whether you want to shape a cover over the ear opening or insert a ready-shaped plug. Mack's catalog identifies Pillow Soft as silicone putty and AquaBlock as a pre-molded, flanged design. Alpine describes SwimSafe as silicone-free. That distinction tells you more about the daily routine than a large multipack does.

Our preference is AquaBlock when a washable, ready-shaped design fits comfortably. Choose Pillow Soft if you specifically want the cover-only method. Consider SwimSafe when avoiding silicone matters to you. None is a guaranteed fit for every ear.

Getting a seal without pushing harder

For AquaBlock, Mack's directs you to gently pull the outer ear up and back, then push and twist the plug to make a seal. Keep enough stem outside to grasp it. Remove slowly with a twisting movement to release the seal; rapid removal can cause injury.

Pillow Soft uses a different method. With clean, dry hands and ears, shape the whole plug into a ball and flatten it over the opening, avoiding hair. Do not divide, stretch or force the putty into the canal. Loosen it by pressing up behind the ear before removal.

Alpine's manual likewise says to pull the ear slightly upward and fit SwimSafe snugly without placing it too deep. A plug that needs constant force is a reason to reconsider fit, rather than assuming deeper means better. Read the directions before your swim, when you can see the packaging and handle the plug with clean hands.

Reusable does not mean the same care routine

The maker documents distinguish washable AquaBlock and SwimSafe from Pillow Soft putty, which Mack's says cannot be cleaned. Do not transfer a washing routine from one model to another just because both are called swimming ear plugs.

For AquaBlock, use mild soap and warm water, dry fully and store in the original case. Replace plugs that are hard, torn or deformed. Alpine's manual also specifies mild soap, lukewarm water, drying and clean original packaging for SwimSafe.

For Pillow Soft, discard the plugs when dirty or no longer sticky. Consider that replacement routine before buying a large pack. If you want something you can wash after each session, compare the ready-shaped options instead. Store ear plugs where infants and small children cannot reach them; Mack's warns they can be a choking hazard. For children, Mack's recommends AquaBlock for ages 7 and up and requires adult supervision with Pillow Soft for children under 15.

Check depth limits and existing ear conditions

These picks are for surface swimming within their instructions. Alpine's SwimSafe manual says not to use it beyond 1 metre underwater. Mack's warns against scuba diving or depths over 10 feet for both of its picks. Those are separate maker limits, not a comparison showing that one model is safer for diving. Do not convert a swimming purchase into diving equipment.

Mack's advises against AquaBlock with ear tubes or while recovering from ear surgery unless a doctor directs it. Ask your ear specialist which protection and swimming restrictions apply to your own case. A different plug's marketing does not supply personal clearance to enter the water.

For noise protection, see our earplug materials and hearing protection guide. AquaBlock's maker says it is intended for water protection and does not carry a noise reduction rating. Do not assume a swim plug is appropriate for loud work.

What if water is already trapped in your ear?

Ear plugs are part of keeping ears dry, not a way to treat an infection. CDC lists bathing caps, ear plugs and custom-fitted swim molds as options for swimming. Our swim cap guide covers the cap purchase separately. If standard plugs keep failing to fit, ask a healthcare professional whether a custom-fitted mold is worth considering.

After swimming or showering, CDC recommends tilting your head so each ear faces downward, drying with a towel and gently pulling the earlobe in different directions to help water drain. If water remains, its advice includes a hair dryer on the lowest heat and fan settings, held several inches away.

Do not insert cotton swabs or other objects to chase trapped water, and do not remove protective ear wax. Ask your healthcare provider about drying drops. CDC says not to use those drops with ear tubes, a punctured eardrum, swimmer's ear or ear drainage. The swimmer's ear drying drops guide explains that separate product category.

Check the exact model, seller and return route

The Amazon buttons search for the named models. Check the product title, material, size and seller before ordering; a search can also show alternatives. Look for ShopMcKeon for the Mack's picks and Alpine Hearing Protection US for SwimSafe, or an offer sold by Amazon itself. Recheck the seller on the actual selected offer.

McKeon's return and warranty page names its ShopMcKeon Amazon outlet and restricts warranty coverage to authorized sellers (macksearplugs.com). Alpine's policy separates purchases through its own webshop from marketplace purchases; for an official marketplace storefront, use that marketplace's customer service route (alpinehearingprotection.com). Do not assume a webshop satisfaction guarantee applies unchanged to an Amazon order.

Decide which fitting and care method you can follow consistently, then check the selected pack. Extra pairs are useful only after the model suits your ears. No product here was tested by our editors, and maker descriptions cannot tell us which will seal best for you.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Are foam sleeping plugs suitable for swimming?

Choose a model whose maker explicitly identifies swimming as an intended use. A product's noise rating alone does not establish water protection. The picks here have maker documents identifying water use.

Should I push a leaking plug farther in?

Follow its fitting directions instead. AquaBlock and SwimSafe must remain removable without being pushed too deep. Pillow Soft is a cover-only product and must not enter the canal at all.

Can I wash every reusable swimming ear plug?

No. AquaBlock and SwimSafe have washing instructions. Mack's says Pillow Soft putty cannot be cleaned and should be discarded when dirty or no longer sticky. Keep each model's care directions with its case.

Do ear plugs treat swimmer's ear?

No. CDC recommends keeping ears dry as a prevention step and contacting a healthcare provider for ear pain or drainage. Do not rely on a seal, a replacement plug or drying drops to treat those symptoms.

Which pick is silicone-free?

Alpine describes SwimSafe as silicone-free. The Mack's options here are silicone. Check the exact model name because a brand may offer different materials across its range.

Sources

• AquaBlock product, fitting, care and warnings (macksearplugs.com), Mack's / McKeon Products
• Pillow Soft Silicone product and cover-only directions (macksearplugs.com), Mack's / McKeon Products
• Product catalog, Pillow Soft and AquaBlock entries (macksearplugs.com), McKeon Products
• SwimSafe product and material information (alpinehearingprotection.com), Alpine Hearing Protection
• SwimSafe instruction manual (cdn.shopify.com), Alpine Hearing Protection
• Preventing Swimmer's Ear (cdc.gov), CDC

Sources checked 2026-10-18.