Earplugs are handy devices to have when trying to catch some shut-eye while traveling — especially on a noisy airplane — or even while at home if somebody is making a racket in another room or snoring in the same bed. But not all earplugs are created equal. For starters, some are more comfortable than others and some block more noise than others.
QuietOn earplugs use the same kind of active noise cancellation technology found in many higher-end headphones, but does away with the wires. There’s also no buttons. The earplugs switch on automatically when removed from its small charging and carrying case. They work for up to 50 hours on one charge, so QuietOn can work for an entire flight regardless of the destination or most delays.
QuietOn ships in June at $174, including one pair of earplugs, the charging case, and two pairs of silicone earplug tips — one for smaller ears and the other for larger ears. But early bird Indiegogo backers can get QuietOn now for $130. Its makers have a goal of raising $50,000 by Feb. 22.
This is the sort of product that there is probably always going to be a market for. But there are just so many similar products that consumers already have to choose from, including ProSounds X-Pro. QuietOn’s makers tout its comfort level and ability to block low frequency noise as features that make it better than rival products.