I have a bit of a complicated relationship with things that are supposed to stay in my ears. AirPods Pro? Forget it. They slip out if I so much as turn my head. I even went through that whole saga of trying every possible earbud on the market, hoping one would finally stay put.
So when Loop came along with the Experience Plus (promising comfort, proper fit, noise reduction, and a bit of style), I was curious. Could these be the earplugs that change everything? That’s what I set out to test. Read on for my full review.
Design & Comfort: Earplugs That Don’t Look Like Earplugs
Most earplugs make you look like you’ve stuffed bits of orange foam into your ears before heading to a rave. Loop took one look at that problem and went, “Yeah… we can do better.”
The Loop Experience Plus has this sleek, circular design that looks more like a piece of jewellery than an earplug. It’s subtle and stylish, so you can actually wear them without feeling like a total idiot.
Comfort is where they really surprised me, though. Each set comes with multiple ear tip sizes (foam and silicone), and once you find the right fit, they just… stay. No constant adjusting, no slow slide out of your ear mid-conversation. After hours of wear at a gig and even during a full workday, I didn’t get that usual “ear fatigue” you get from cheaper plugs.
They’re also reusable and washable, which makes them feel like more of an investment compared to disposable foam plugs. And the little carrying case? Genuinely handy. It’s the first time I’ve had earplugs that don’t end up crushed at the bottom of a bag somewhere.
Sound Reduction & Filters: How They Actually Perform
Here’s the big question with any pair of earplugs: do they just muffle everything, or do they actually make noisy environments bearable without killing all the fun?
The Loop Experience Plus are designed with what they call adaptive filters. This means that instead of blocking everything like you’ve shoved marshmallows in your ears, they let some sound through (particularly voices) while still cutting down the harsh stuff.
Loop claims up to 18dB of noise reduction, which in real-world terms means concerts aren’t painfully loud, the roar of a busy train carriage becomes background noise, and you can still have a conversation without yelling. I tested them at a gig, and it was like flicking a switch: the music still sounded full, but I didn’t leave with my ears ringing.
Compared to cheap foam plugs, the difference is night and day. Foam just blunts everything into a muffled mess. With the Loop Experience Pro, the sound stays balanced; you hear the detail, just at a more comfortable volume.
For commuting, they take the edge off traffic and chatter without cutting you off completely. In the office, they soften the buzz of conversations so you can focus, but you’ll still hear someone if they call your name.
So no, they won’t give you total silence (if that’s what you want, Loop has a different product for that). But for anyone who still wants to enjoy music, or actually talk to humans while wearing them, they deliver exactly what they promise.
Loop Mute: The Extra Layer
One of the clever tricks with the Experience Plus is the optional Loop Mute insert. Think of it as a little plug for your plug; snap it on, and suddenly you get an extra level of noise reduction.
In practice, this turns the Experience Plus from a “social filter” into a much more traditional earplug. With the Mute in, voices are dulled, background noise drops even further, and you feel more sealed off. It’s not total silence, but it’s noticeably quieter than the standard filter setting, so you can really focus on what you’re doing.
I found it useful in two situations:
- Flights: that constant engine drone faded way down, making it much easier to relax.
- Really loud gigs: where even the adaptive filter wasn’t quite enough, the Mute took the edge off without making the music sound dead.
Day-to-day, I preferred leaving the Mute off because I liked still being able to hear and chat. But for those moments when you just want less of everything, it’s a handy extra to have.
Everyday Usability: Beyond Concerts
Loop clearly markets these towards festival-goers and gig lovers, but honestly, I found myself using them in far more everyday situations.
- Working from home: they take the edge off traffic noise, neighbour DIY sessions, and kids running in the background. Not total silence, but enough to help me focus without shutting me off completely.
- Travel: on trains and planes, they cut down the constant drone so you don’t arrive feeling frazzled.
- Gym: surprisingly, they stay put. Even while running or lifting, I didn’t have to keep jamming them back in every five minutes.
- Sleeping: tricky one. If you’re a side sleeper, they’ll probably poke a bit. But if you just need to dull the world enough to drift off, they work.
The best part, though, is that they don’t scream “earplugs.” I wore them in a coffee shop and no one batted an eyelid. Foam plugs, on the other hand, tend to make you look like you’re about to start work on a building site.
Price & Value: Premium Earplugs or Overpriced Gimmick?
Here’s the sticking point: at around £35 / $60, the Loop Experience Plus earplugs are a big step up from your average foam earplugs that cost pennies a pair. On paper, paying that much for something designed to “block noise” sounds a bit crazy.
However, you’ve got to remember that these earplugs aren’t disposable. They’re reusable, washable, and they actually look decent. Add in the adaptive filters and optional Mute insert, and they do a job that cheap foam plugs simply can’t: reducing noise without ruining the experience.
If you’re someone who goes to gigs, festivals, or noisy bars regularly, the price starts to make sense. Think of it as protecting your hearing and getting a better experience, because once you’ve tried them, going back to muffled foam plugs feels like downgrading from a PS5 to a DVD player.
For more casual use, they might feel expensive. In that case, Loop’s cheaper “Quiet” version or even a pack of foam disposables will do. But if you want earplugs that are comfortable, stylish, and versatile, the Experience Pro justifies the cost.
Final Verdict: Are the Loop Experience Pro as Good as They Claim?
So, are the Loop Experience Plus earplugs as good as they claim? Honestly… yes, mostly.
They’re not miracle-workers. If you’re expecting total silence, you’ll be disappointed. But that’s not what they’re built for. What they do deliver is a much more balanced way to deal with noisy environments.
For gigs and festivals, they’re brilliant. You can enjoy the music without wrecking your hearing or leaving with that awful ringing in your ears. For travel, work, or just managing the chaos of everyday life, they make everything more bearable without disconnecting you completely.
Are they worth the price? If you’re serious about protecting your hearing and you want earplugs that you’ll actually want to wear, then yes. They’re stylish, comfortable, and far more versatile than the usual “stick foam in your ears and hope for the best” approach.
Would I keep using them? Absolutely. In fact, they’ve become a permanent fixture in my bag, because you never know when you’ll need a little less noise in your life.
