The 9 best baby ear defenders and protectors

​The Alpine Muffy baby ear defenders are designed to avoid putting any pressure on the sensitive part of baby's head. They have a velcro strap that is easy to readjust to fit your baby's head comfortably and to make sure that the ear part stay firmly in place. Our Mother and baby Product & Lifestyle Writer Samantha found the overall design of the ear defenders to be really good, and she liked that they didn't look too chunky or uncomfortable on her daughter's head. She said the shells were a little bit tricky to adjust but found that it was actually reassuring to know that the shells were not going to move around on the headband and fall out of place.

The ear defenders are made without any metal or hard parts too, making them extremely soft to use and comfortable for your baby wear. 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". They took the ear defenders with them when travelling in noisy cities because they saw their daughter covering her ears previously, and she was a lot happier when wearing them. Samantha says her daughter even wore them to the Formula One and wasn't bothered about the noises in the slightest. She says "she actually loved wearing them too." Another thing Samantha loved were the soft shells. "They cupped my daughter's ears so they fit inside the shell, rather than them squishing them and it hurting." she says.

They're described as anti-slip, but some parents found they didn't always stay in place. Samantha found that one issue initially was that the band itself rubbed her daughter's hair underneath, which sometimes irritated her. They easily solved this, however, by making sure her hair was pushed back and tucked out of the way. After they found what worked, their daughter was more than happy to wear the ear defenders again. We like that the product also comes with a handy spare headband, plus a matching carry bag to keep them safe and clean while storing or travelling.

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. One reviewer who thought these were well worth it said that they've used these since their baby was just four weeks old for several weddings, tube trips and airplane journeys. Their little one falls asleep with ease when wearing them and they've received plenty of compliments too.

They offer a comfortable snug pressure-free fit, made from soft plush foam, with the cushioned cups protecting your child's ears nicely. The soft headband is also fully adjustable so that you can achieve the best fit for your child's head to keep the ear muffs in place. You should get plenty of use out of these. One reviewer says the ear defenders seem like they will last a long time.They say that although the product is suitable up to three years, they 3 think they will last quite a bit longer as they nearly fit over their own adult ears! Our favourite thing about these defenders is that they look cool (lots of parents in reviews say their child has received compliments when wearing them) yet they are also robust - in fact, they're said to be virtually indestructible!

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

Our mum tester Samantha said her son found these a bit tricky to open himself as they close up compact when not in use. She says this is a feature she found useful for taking them on the go though, so she did just have to help him when needed, but that wasn't a problem. One reviewer's daughter, who is autistic and noise-sensitive started wearing the ear defenders three years ago and she is now 10. Mum says that they still fit well due to being so adjustable, and the only reason they bought another pair was for variety as her daughter wanted a different design to choose from. They love the funky designs, and also that the muffs are nice and soft around the edges, so no discomfort

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. One reviewer who bought these for their five-month-old twins noticed that sometimes the ear muffs had slipped down to the child's eye level, so they felt they had to watch out. The velcro should allow you to adjust the headband so that it doesn't slip though.

They said that once their babies got used to them, the found they were really good, and a month later when they were at a wedding and the babies were six months old, they were able to sleep, allowing the parents to stay at the party for longer. They recommended to practice with babies at home first though, so they can practice wearing them without trying to take them off. The Reer Baby Capsule defenders are compact and can also be neatly folded, perfect for whipping out at a moment's notice.

These Iwinna Baby ear defenders are soft and lightweight, making them great for young, sensitive ears and heads. The ear muffs are adjustable, but they say that one size fits most, not all. one reviewer said they fit perfectly on their six month old baby at the tightest setting and felt they should fit for at least a year. 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.

They only seem to be available in two colours, pink and blue, and these are not collapsible. They don't seem to be entirely effective in cancelling out noise either. One reviewer says, "We bought these when our son was newborn because of our building's monthly fire alarms and now for a second son when he has to naps in the carrier. I can tell it doesn't cancel all noise because very loud noises will wake up my second but it does the trick.

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 healthier for your child's ears.

Overall customers have found these to be good value for money, working well to reduce sound sounds like drilling and power tools when being used around the house, or at loud outdoor events. One reviewer said, "We bought these for our son who likes airshows. They are very effective at cutting out noise. They are quite tight-fitting but the cushioned edges make them easily wearable for long periods." Most kids seem happy to wear them, but they may not be suitable for babies as parents weren't fans of the bare wire in the design.

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 as well to reduce pressure on the ears and built to support the younger age range with maximum comfort and sealing.

One reviewer bought these for their five month old to wear at a truck race, which is quite noisy. They said the ear muffs did a good job and that their little one actually slept through the races despite them being quite close to the track at some points. They definitely recommend them, saying they are easy to adjust too, with plenty of room for growth. Another reviewer bought the product for their four month baby and used them at weddings to help them sleep through loud DJ music. "They aren't noise cancelling but they do help" they said, and would recommend the product.

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. Many reviewers comment on how this kids love the different designs and are more than happy to wear them because of this. They come with lightweight yet thick ear cups and cushions for great comfort, and also come with a carry bag for easy storage. These ear defenders are great value for money. One reviewer even bought two sets to leave one in the car or at school and have a pair at home.

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 reviewer thought these were a great fit for her six-week-old baby who wore them on bonfire night and slept happily through the entire display. While these ear defenders are targeted at young babies, this reviewer thought they also look big enough to fit their little one for a few years to come – so get ready to dip into your pockets to invest in a few fun headband designs to mix and match with your child's outfits!