The 9 best baby ear defenders and protectors

​The Alpine Muffy baby ear defenders are designed not to put any pressure on baby's head; they're made without any metal or hard parts, so they're extremely soft to use. They come with a spare headband, plus a matching carry bag to keep them safe while storing or travelling.

Our Product & Lifestyle Writer, Samantha, said: "My daughter is 18 months old and doesn't like anything on her head, but surprisingly she actually keeps these on. The elasticated headband design makes it comfortable for her to wear and is also soft. We took them travelling with us and in noisy cities we saw her covering her ears, so we popped the ear defenders on her and she was a lot happier! She also wore them to the Formula 1 and wasn't bothered about the noises in the slightest. She actually loved wearing them too."

Read our full Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Protection review

Whether you're attending a family party with fireworks or taking your mini-me to their first festival, the Banz Bubzee ear defenders are essential for keeping loud noises at a manageable level. Our favourite thing about these defenders is that they look cool yet are robust - apparently, they're virtually indestructible. They also feature soft cushioned ear cups.

One review said: "Have used this since baby was 4 weeks old for several weddings/tube/airplanes. Falls asleep with ease and have had a lot of compliments on them. Well worth it."

Perfect for any noisy environment, the Snug Kids ear defenders will keep your little one's ears protected - and they won't mind it either. With so many cool and colourful designs that feed into your child's passions, they can proudly wear them when needed. With an adjustable headband to fit most from six months and over, they're lightweight, foldable, and padded for maximum comfort.

Our Product & Lifestyle Writer, Samantha, said: "My son is 6 years old and he really doesn't like loud noises, and he found these ear defenders really helpful. He wore them to the Formula 1 which he loves, and he was able to enjoy watching it a lot more. He found them tricky to open as they close compact which is convenient for taking them on the go, so I did have to help him but that wasn't a problem."

Reducing sound by up to 45 decibels, these ear protectors are great for loud events or neurodiverse children. Best suitable for 12-24 months, the stretchy headband evenly distributes pressure for a comfy fit. The Reer Baby Capsule defenders are compact and can be neatly folded, perfect for whipping out at a moment's notice.

One review said: "I bought this for flying with two 5-month-old twins. Sometimes it was slipping to the eye, we needed to watch out. Once the babies got used to it, it was really good. A month later we were at the wedding when they were 6 months old, and they could sleep, and we could stay kind of very long at the party. I can recommend to everyone. Before use, it is good to practice at home that the baby don't want to take it off."

These Iwinna Baby ear defenders are soft and lightweight, making them great for young, sensitive ears and heads. They're designed to be eco-friendly and durable, so they can withstand being accidentally dropped. Each pair is also made from skin-friendly ABS cups, foam-filled ear cushions, and a cloth headband to provide comfort.

One review said: "Bought for my baby to wear during firework display. They fit perfectly as could be adjusted to fit his head and cancelled all noise so he could watch the fireworks without discomfort if the loud noises."

Coming in two brightly coloured designs, the 3M Peltor ear defenders are durable and well-made, with low-profile ear cups and no protruding parts. The ear muffs are thin so that they don't feel too heavy on little ears, and you can also replace the cushions and inserts of the ear muffs, so if they become dirty or worn, you can keep them refreshed, which is also better for your child's ears.

One review said: "Little boy loves these, blocks out just enough noise, so his ears don't hurt when I'm doing DIY and using power tools. Also good for fireworks as they scare him, he's only 2 (although was 1.5 when these were purchased). They seem to be very comfy for him, and he can still hear us parents when we need to talk to him."

Adjustable and with comfortable padding on the headband, these should provide a comfy fit for little ones. The BBTKCare Kids ear cups have thick oval sponges to dampen sound whilst still being breathable. They're soft to reduce pressure on the ears and built to support the younger age range with maximum comfort and sealing.

One reviewer said: "My 5mth old granddaughter wore these at her uncle's wedding last week. Throughout the evening entertainment, she felt comfortable falling asleep. There was a 7mth old baby, and he was unable to settle and sleep, and his mother said she wish she had got her son ear defenders."

Available in seven colourful designs, the flexible headband of these Zohan Kids ear defenders suits different head sizes, from as small as 6-month-old babies, to almost adult head sizes. This makes them perfect as long-lasting ear defenders for toddlers, kids, and even teens. They also come with lightweight yet thick ear cups and cushions with a carry bag for easy storage.

One review said: "I bought these for my 14-year-old daughter who suffers from anxiety and was finding the noise of her friendship groups and school environment difficult to deal with. She loves them already, says she's felt a lot less stressed, they fit her fine, and she loves the design. Altogether a fantastic buy for her specific needs. Cuts out a lot of background noise and takes the edge off the volume, but she can still hear her teachers and friends talk to her."

Described as the 'original baby ear defenders', these will provide support and protection - they're even newborn-safe. The Ems For Kids includes two ear defender cups and an adjustable headband that's interchangeable and easy to wash. It should relieve pressure and is nice and compact to carry around.

One review said: "These were a great fit for my six-week-old for bonfire night. She slept happily through the whole display. They also look big enough to fit her for a few years to come."