Which earplugs to use and when?

Our recommendation: Watersafe+ earplugs are suitable for people who have sensitive ears. The standard version is also suitable for small people and children. Tall people can get their perfect fit earplugs here.

How to correctly insert the earplugs?

Very simple: Place the earplugs on the top of your finger and then slightly twist them into your ear canal. The material then adapts to the shape of your ear canal. Once you leave the water, pull them out using the tab with a flick of the wrist.

Do the earplugs for swimming fall out during sports?

No. This is ensured by the conical shape, the 2-lamellae design and the malleable silicone. We designed our earplugs to firmly adapt to your ear canal, but at the same time be easily removed thanks to the tab.

Do Watersafe+ earplugs also work as a hearing protection?

Yes. The earplugs have a 2-in-1 function: They prevent water from entering into your ear canal and at the same time dampen the surrounding noises to protect your hearing. Independent tests have put the insulation at an average of 24 dB (SNR). As for that, you can enjoy a carefree bathing day, but still hear the important sounds.

What should I consider when buying from an online store?

Due to the current high demand, you can order a maximum of three packs. UK delivery is free on orders over £35 and takes 2–3 working days; below £35, tracked delivery costs £4.95. In addition, every BOLLSEN® product comes with a 40-day satisfaction guarantee.

Watersafe+ Earplugs for Swimming - Image 2

Two blue BOLLSEN Earplugs Hearing Protection with a smooth, rounded design.

BOLLSEN Watersafe+ product package contents including one pair of reusable swimming earplugs, aluminum carry case with keyring, and illustrated user guide

BOLLSEN Watersafe+ infographic showing waterproof protection, 24 dB noise reduction, soft medical-grade silicone, and reusable design.

Close-up of BOLLSEN Watersafe+ triple-flange silicone earplug with ergonomic design, New Sound acoustic filter, and waterproof seal

Comparison between BOLLSEN Watersafe+ waterproof earplugs and cheap foam plugs showing superior comfort, durability, and ear protection in water

Watersafe+ Earplugs for Swimming

4.8 (759 reviews)

Swim in cold water and keep your ears dry. Finally.
Seals tight. Stays in. Even off the diving block.
Still hear your coach and the sounds around you.
Add AI ear measurement for a guaranteed perfect fit.

Actually stays in: Conical 2-lamellae design locks to your ear canal. Survives dives, turns, and open water.
Keeps water out: Hypoallergenic silicone seals the ear canal against water and chlorine, which is what keeps ears dry in the pool.
You can still hear: The seal keeps water out and takes 24 dB off the noise rather than shutting you off, so your coach and your team stay audible.
Reusable up to 100 times: Hypoallergenic silicone, free of BPA, PVC and latex. Cleaner and cheaper than foam or putty after a single session.
Your perfect fit, guaranteed: Two photos of your ears. Our AI finds your exact size. No guessing, no leaks, no falling out.

Anyone who wants to keep water out of their ears and stay in the pool.
Children in swim squads with small or sensitive ear canals.
Open water and triathlon swimmers who need a seal that holds under pressure.
Anyone who wants their ears kept dry in the shower or the bath.

Snap two photos of your ears with your phone.
Our AI determines your exact ear canal size in seconds.
Get Watersafe+ earplugs precision-matched to your ears, delivered in 1 to 3 days.
No expensive audiologist. No guessing. No earplugs that leak the moment you dive in.

$40.95

AI Ear Measurement

Upload 2 photos: we match your exact ear size.

$20.95

Trusted by 1 million customers

Recommended by Experts

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Join Over 1,000,000 People who finally found their forever Earplugs

★★★★★

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3rd ear infection in 4 months from open water swimming. GP said stop or wear earplugs. Tried two other brands — both let water in. Watersafe+ sealed first time. Back training within a week, zero infections since.

Sarah T. / Trustpilot

Daughter had recurring otitis externa every time she trained. Coach recommended we try Watersafe+. 8 weeks of swim squad, 5 sessions a week, not a single infection. The seal holds even when she dives off the block.

Claire L. / Google

Had to stop swimming for 6 weeks after a bad ear infection. ENT told me I had to use proper earplugs or give up the pool entirely. Watersafe+ solved it. Back to 4 sessions a week. No water in, no issues.

Marko M. / Facebook

Training for the English Channel — hours in open water every week. Tested 4 earplug brands over 3 months. Only Watersafe+ held a full seal through cold water, swell, and rough conditions. Just ordered my third pair.

Coralie B. / Trustpilot

Masters swimmer, 5 sessions a week including butterfly sets. Previous plugs fell out on every tumble turn. Watersafe+ stays locked in through 60+ turns per session. Material is still intact after 4 months of daily use.

James R. / Google

Tried moldable silicone putty, foam, and two flanged designs before these. All degraded or lost their seal within weeks. Watersafe+ showed no deformation after 80+ uses. The silicone quality is immediately obvious.

Dorte K. / Trustpilot

Triathlete — open water swim leg in every race. Needed earplugs that block water but still let me hear safety signals from the kayakers. Watersafe+ gets the balance right. Water out, ambient awareness in.

Tom W. / Facebook

Use them every single day in the shower after a perforated eardrum. GP said water in the ear is not an option. 6 months of daily use, seal holds every time. Also bought the AR KI TECH version — perfect fit immediately.

Annie T. / Google

Cold water open water swimmer. Was getting dizzy after longer swims — cold water on the eardrum. Watersafe+ eliminated it completely. 14 open water sessions since, zero vertigo. Didn’t realise earplugs could fix that.

Pieter V. / Trustpilot

Wrong size delivered. Contacted support at 9pm, reply within 4hrs. Replacement shipped next morning, arrived in 2 days. Full resolution in under 72hrs with no return required from me.

Tom Fletcher / Facebook

Asked about compatibility with tympanostomy tubes before ordering. Received a detailed, medically accurate response within 3hrs. Ordered the same day. That level of product knowledge is rare for an online brand.

Marta K. / Google

Ordered from Portugal — arrived in 4 business days, packaging intact, sizing guide included. Received a follow-up email after 7 days to confirm fit. Rare post-sale care from any brand.

Diego A. / Trustpilot

All reviews are from real, verified customers. We do not filter, edit, or incentivise reviews. Read our review transparency report.

Can Earplugs be worth £29.95?

Water trapped in the ear canal after every session is the reason a lot of people quietly stop swimming. It sits there for hours, it is uncomfortable, and it takes the pleasure out of the pool.

A single BOLLSEN Watersafe+ costs just 30p per swim over 100 uses. Grab the 4x Pack and that drops even further. Less than the price of a coffee to protect your ears all season.

For 30p, the water stays out. It’s not even a decision.

Swim Again. Without the Aftermath.

BOLLSEN Watersafe+ keeps water out from the very first swim.

No more of that muffled, sloshing feeling for hours afterwards. No more skipping the pool because you know what’s coming next.

Just clean, dry ears every session.

The Last Swimming Earplugs You’ll Ever Need to Buy

Earplugs that actually stay in through dives, flip turns, and open water. A genuine alternative to putty that goes sticky, foam that soaks through, and cheap flanged plugs that fall out the moment you push off the wall.

Swap the frustration for BOLLSEN Watersafe+, featuring hypoallergenic silicone that moulds to your ear canal and holds its seal at depth.

Water blocked. Seal held. Session done.

Guaranteed to Keep Water Out. Or Your Money Back.

BOLLSEN Watersafe+ seals your ear canal from the very first swim. Trusted by over 1 million customers. Backed by a conical 2-lamellae design, hypoallergenic silicone, and lab-verified 24 dB noise reduction.

+650 verified reviews. IndyBest Test Winner. 40-day money-back guarantee. Zero risk. The only thing you stand to lose is water in your ears.

Why do Thousands choose Bollsen

A comparison table infographic titled "FEATURES" on the left, "BOLLSEN WATERSAFE+" in the center on a blue gradient background, and "OTHERS" on the right. The table shows six features with corresponding checkmarks, question marks, or X's.

Test Winner for Swimming, Open Water and Ear Protection

Watersafe+ earplugs are reusable up to 100 times, giving you about 3 months of reliable protection. With four packs, you are covered for up to a year.

Each set includes a durable case, so you can store your earplugs safely, protect them from sand and sun, and always find them easily on the go.

For Swimmers
For Diving and Snorkeling
Also for Showering and Bathing
For any Kind of Water Sports

AI Online Ear Measurement Service (AR KI Tech®)

Custom earplugs from an audiologist cost £150 to £250 per pair. BOLLSEN Watersafe+ is a fraction of that. Thanks to the conical 2-lamellae design, the earplugs perfectly adapt to your ears, regardless of their shape. The soft silicone adapts to your ear canal and they feel custom-made from the very first swim.

Standard fit: Medium ears

The standard version fits most medium-sized ear canals. Works well for the majority of adults straight out of the box.

Custom fit: Large or small ears

Ears too large or small for standard? Use our AI ear measurement. Send two photos of your ears. Our AI finds your exact size. Perfect fit guaranteed, no audiologist appointment needed.

Woman with long, blonde hair holding a black phone, reflecting in a white mirror.

A person holds a smartphone displaying a website with BOLLSEN Earplugs Hearing Protection.

Start the AI ear measurement now

Frequently Asked Questions About Swimming Earplugs

Will they actually stay in during flip turns and dives?

Yes. This is the question every swimmer asks first, and for good reason. The conical 2-lamellae design locks to your ear canal rather than sitting loosely inside it. Body heat causes the silicone to adapt to your exact canal shape within the first few minutes, forming a secure seal. Customers report zero slippage through butterfly sets, tumble turns, and open water swell. The tab gives you full control for easy removal without tugging.

Will they keep my ears dry?

Yes, when they seal properly. The conical 2-lamellae design closes the ear canal, so water does not get in during swimming, diving or showering. Keeping the canal dry is the whole job of the plug, and the right size is what makes the seal reliable. Use the AI ear measurement if you are unsure. If your ears keep giving you trouble after swimming, that is worth raising with a GP or an audiologist.

Can I still hear my coach and safety signals in the water?

Yes. Watersafe+ is not designed to block all sound. The 2-lamellae silicone seals water out while still allowing approximately 24 dB of ambient sound through. In practice, you can hear your coach calling instructions from the poolside, whistles, and safety signals from kayakers in open water. What you lose is the underwater roar. What you keep is everything you actually need to hear.

Why do I get dizzy after cold water swims? Will earplugs fix it?

Very likely yes. Cold water entering the ear canal triggers something called caloric vestibular stimulation — cold water hitting the eardrum disrupts the balance signals your inner ear sends to your brain, causing vertigo and disorientation during and after long swims. It is a well-documented phenomenon in cold water and open water swimming. Keeping cold water out of the canal removes the trigger, which is what a sealing earplug does. If the dizziness persists, or it happens outside the water, see a GP.

Can I use them after ear surgery, or with grommets or a perforated eardrum?

That is a question for your GP or ENT specialist rather than for us. Watersafe+ is a swimming earplug, not a medical device, and we are not in a position to tell you what is safe for your ears. What we can tell you is what it does: the two-lamella silicone seals the ear canal to keep water out, and it is washable and reusable up to 100 times. Take that to your clinician and let them advise you.

How do I insert them correctly?

Place the earplug on the tip of your finger and gently twist it into your ear canal with a slight rotating motion. It should seal the canal fully without needing to be forced. Once inserted correctly, you’ll feel the ambient sound reduce slightly. The tab sits flush outside the canal for easy removal. For the best seal, make sure you have the right size. If the standard version doesn’t feel secure, the AI ear measurement will get you the exact fit for your ear canal.

What if they leak or don't work for me?

Nothing. You have 40 days to test them in the pool, in open water, in the shower. If they leak or you’re not satisfied for any reason, contact us and we’ll refund you in full. No questions, no forms, no back and forth. Over 1 million customers and +650 verified reviews. But you don’t have to take our word for it.

Add to Basket

Weight	0.028 kg
Dimensions	19 × 12 × 1.8 cm
Brand	BOLLSEN® Hearing Protection
GTIN	3830076690761

Manufacturer Information

BOLLSEN - ERTG d.o.o.
Dunajska cesta 159
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
support(@)bollsen-hearingprotection.com

Product Identification

Product Image:
Product Category: Hearing Protection
Model: Watersafe+ Earplugs for Swimming
Article Number: HP-050

Warnings and Safety Information

Free UK delivery over £35 and a 40-day money-back guarantee on our earplugs.

UK orders over £35 ship free in 2 to 3 business days; below £35, tracked delivery costs £4.95 and takes 1 to 3 business days. If you are not completely satisfied, simply contact us within 40 days of purchase for a full refund. No questions asked. You pay the return postage, and we recommend sending it tracked. For more details, including delivery to Europe and the rest of the world, please visit our Shipping & Delivery Terms page. Our warehouses are located:

UK 🇬🇧
USA 🇺🇸
EU 🇪🇺
- Germany 🇩🇪,
- Spain 🇪🇸
- Slovakia 🇸🇰
- Slovenia 🇸🇮

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Customer reviews

4.8Based on 759 reviews

5★633
4★117
3★9
2★0
1★0

They keep the water out

As a regular pool swimmer for many years, I have tried lots of the ‘swimming’ branded ear plugs & a well known chemists version to keep water out of my ears, all with limited success. They either fall out, let the water in, difficult to insert, painful or are just plain uncomfortable, so I thought I’d give these Bollsens a go despite the hefty price tag. Ordering was easy & the delivery was quick, they’re quite small but come in a strong aluminium container so wont get lost in your swim bag. Only used them for 5 x 2K swims so far but they’ve definitely kept the water out, are comfortable & haven’t fallen out, also the most discreet I’ve ever worn. I’ve dropped them 1 star because I do find them a bit of a ‘fiddle’ to insert (maybe that’s just me) & also the cost, but if they continue to perform as they’ve done so far then I guess it’s money well spent.

Alan A · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-06-20 ·

Must have ear plugs

The best I’ve ever had, after having ear surgery and given the ok to go swimming again I felt nervous but the Bollsen ear plug are fantastic, I can swim knowing no water will go into my ear channel. Will buy again and again.

Valerie B. · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-06-17 ·

Really work

Most comfortable ear plugs, first ones that fit so well and actually keep the water out, will definatly

Sarah R. · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-06-14 ·

Brilliant

I had done a lot of research before purchasing these, the brilliant reviews are right they keep water out, they are easy to use and don’t fall out, I can still hear if people are talking to me, can’t find anything bad about them, I’ll definitely be purchasing more.

Jay H. · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-06-13 ·

Great ear plugs!

Fits well & does the job perfectly.

Penelope M. · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-06-05 ·

Ear plugs

They are very good, little bit of water gets in but it’s manageable and so much better than before I had them

Therese R. · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-06-03 ·

Ear plugs

Not used yet, but, service good

Guy S. · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-05-17 ·

Ear plugs

Ok so far

Roger S. · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-05-11 ·

Water-safe hearing protection

I've just had my first opportunity to use the Bollsen Water-Safe ear protectors in the swimming poor and compared to the swimming ear plugs I've used in the past, the Bollsen plugs are 100% much better. very comfortable to use and no ears full of water and blocked ears afterwards.

Joanna J. · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-05-01 ·

Very effective

These work extremely well in the pool- comfortable and effective.

Pamela A. · ✔ Verified purchase · 2023-04-25 ·

Questions & answers

Can these be worn with a swim cap? We have had custom plugs made in the past and once the cap is on, they hurt as they press onto her ear.

Swim M. · 2026-10-15

Answer from BOLLSEN

Thank you for your question.

Yes, our earplugs can be worn with a swim cap. Unlike many custom-made plugs, our earplugs feature an ergonomic, low-profile design that sits comfortably in the ear without protruding excessively. This helps minimise pressure from a swim cap and makes them comfortable to wear.

For the best possible fit, we also offer our AR-KI TECH online ear measurement service, which helps us determine the most suitable size for your ears. A proper fit is especially important for comfort when wearing a swim cap.

Please keep in mind that comfort can vary depending on the shape of the ear and how tightly the cap fits. If you have any other questions, we’ll be happy to help!

Can these for my 8 year old daughter or are they just adult size? She trains several days a week and keeps getting awful ear infections so looking for a way to stop it happening again

Kat · 2026-09-23

Answer from BOLLSEN

Hello,

Thank you very much for your message.

Yes, for an 8-year-old child we would recommend our Kidz earplugs rather than the standard Watersafe earplugs.

The Kidz model is designed specifically for smaller ear canals, so it provides a more suitable and comfortable fit for children. They are also designed for swimming and help blocking the amount of water entering the ear canal.

In addition, the Kidz earplugs provide noise reduction of up to 24 dB SNR, so they can also be useful in noisy environments, travel, events, or other situations where reducing surrounding noise may be helpful.

For a child who trains in the water several times per week, the smaller size and water-resistant design would generally make the Kidz model the more appropriate choice.

If you have any further questions, need help, please feel free to contact us at any time. We will be very happy to help.

Best regards,

How many times can you use each pair

Lorna W. · 2026-09-21

Answer from BOLLSEN

Hello,

Thank you for your question.

Based on our internal testing and customer feedback, each pair can typically be used at least 100 times.

With proper care, they can often last considerably longer. We recommend cleaning them regularly, allowing them to dry completely after each use, and storing them in their case in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.

The actual lifespan can vary depending on how frequently they are used and how well they are maintained.

Best regards,

Hi in jan this year I had sudden sensory hearing loss, in my left ear ,they are healed from treatment but I don't want to get water in my ears, are these ok for me to ware and are they comfortable Thank you

Mark R. · 2026-08-31

Answer from BOLLSEN

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

Our Watersafe+ earplugs are made from soft medical-grade silicone and are designed to create a secure seal to keep water out of the ear canal. They are specifically intended for swimming, bathing and other water activities.

For the best possible fit, especially if keeping water completely out is particularly important for you, we would recommend adding our AR KI TECH online ear measurement. You simply provide photos of your ears, and the measurement helps determine the most suitable size for your ear canals.

As you’ve experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss, however, we would recommend checking with your ENT specialist or doctor before swimming, particularly if there are any remaining concerns about your ear.

Kind regards

If I buy 2 set of water earplugs with AI measurement can I reorder at a later date without paying for AI fitting again?

Pamela · 2026-08-16

Answer from BOLLSEN

Hi,

Yes, absolutely! Once you have completed the AR KI Tech measurement, we can keep your sizing information on file for future orders, so you won’t need to go through the measurement process again.

When placing a future order, we recommend contacting our Customer Support team first. We’ll be happy to help you use your existing measurement and explain how to apply it to your new order.

Have a lovely day!

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