🔍 Click to zoom
NRR 30 Ear Plugs — Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 Disposable Foam Earplugs (Cordless)
$31.79
$32.43
Final price set by Amazon · may vary
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 Cordless Earplugs — NRR 30 Editorial assessment by the WC Safety Editorial Team, based on published Howard Leight specifications and category f...
Check Price on Amazon🔒 Amazon Associate · You pay the same price · We earn a small commission
Zero Sponsored ListingsNo paid placements. Every recommendation is based on compliance, build quality, and field performance.
Curated SelectionExpert-chosen safety gear
Independently ReviewedUnbiased assessments — no manufacturer input
Built for Industrial BuyersSourced and reviewed for safety managers, procurement teams, and field supervisors.
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 Cordless Earplugs — NRR 30
Editorial assessment by the WC Safety Editorial Team, based on published Howard Leight specifications and category fit. We did not laboratory-test this product.
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →SHOP HEARING PROTECTION →
As an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. Full affiliate disclosure.
NRR 30 Ear Plugs — Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 Disposable Foam Earplugs (Cordless) Overview
The Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 is a disposable, cordless foam roll-down earplug rated NRR 30 (Noise Reduction Rating, tested to ANSI S3.19). It is built for high-noise industrial settings — metal fabrication, woodworking, heavy assembly, ground crew, and general construction — where a fresh, single-use plug each shift is preferred over a reusable flanged plug. The "FirmFit" foam is denser than ultra-soft formulas, so it holds its rolled shape long enough for a clean insertion and a consistent seal.
Understand what NRR 30 actually delivers on the job. The label number is a laboratory ceiling, not a real-world guarantee. OSHA recommends derating the published NRR for field use: (NRR − 7) ÷ 2, which puts the FF-1 at roughly 11.5 dB of real-world attenuation. NIOSH applies a 25% derate to formable foam plugs, leaving about 22.5 dB. Use these conservative figures — not the label 30 — when you size protection against your measured noise exposure. For the method, see how to calculate NRR and our explainer on what is NRR.
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, hearing protection is required once exposure reaches the 85 dBA action level (8-hour TWA), and the 90 dBA PEL is the permissible exposure limit. The FF-1's derated attenuation covers most loud industrial environments comfortably; for sustained exposures above roughly 100 dBA, calculate carefully or pair plugs with muffs. Browse more foam ear plugs and the full hearing protection range, or review the OSHA 1910.95 hearing conservation requirements before you buy in bulk.
What It Is Built For
| Use case | Fit | Buyer guidance |
|---|---|---|
| High-noise industrial work (fabrication, assembly, machining) | Excellent | NRR 30 firm foam gives ~22.5 dB (NIOSH) real-world; ideal for 90–100 dBA shifts when sized to measured exposure. |
| Single-use / shared facility hearing program | Excellent | Disposable design means a fresh, hygienic pair each shift — no cleaning or storage tracking. |
| Construction and general contractor crews | Strong | Cordless plugs stay out of the way under hard hats and hoods; stock in bulk for crews. |
| Workers who dislike soft, hard-to-roll foam | Strong | Firmer FirmFit foam holds its rolled shape for a faster, more reliable seal than ultra-soft plugs. |
| Drop-prone tasks (heights, food/clean areas) | Limited | No cord — a dropped plug is lost or contaminated; choose a corded plug for these jobs. |
| Extreme sustained noise above ~105 dBA | Limited | Derated single-protection may fall short; calculate exposure and consider dual protection (plugs + muffs). |
Earplugs reduce noise, but the labeled NRR is a laboratory number — real-world protection is lower. NIOSH derates foam by about 25%, and OSHA estimates protection as (NRR − 7) ÷ 2. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 a hearing-conservation program is required at an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA. Insert foam plugs correctly (roll, pull the ear up and back, hold) for the rated seal, and use dual protection with earmuffs in very high noise. See how to calculate the NRR you need.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- NRR 30 — high attenuation for a foam plug, suited to loud industrial shifts
- Firmer FirmFit foam holds its rolled shape for fast, consistent insertion
- Disposable single-use design keeps a clean, fresh pair available every shift
- Cordless profile sits flush under hard hats, hoods, and face shields
- Tested to ANSI S3.19; supports an OSHA 1910.95 hearing conservation program
- Sold in bulk for facility-wide and multi-crew deployment
Cons
- No cord — dropped plugs are lost or contaminated, unlike corded versions
- Single-use only; not a reusable flanged plug for repeat wear
- Real-world OSHA-derated attenuation is ~11.5 dB, well below the label 30
- Firmer foam is less plush than ultra-soft formulas for all-day comfort-sensitive users
How It Compares
Within the Howard Leight cordless foam lineup, the FirmFit FF-1 (NRR 30) sits between the lighter and higher-rated options. The Maximum Lite (NRR 30) shares the same rating but uses a softer, low-pressure foam for comfort-led wearers, while the X-TREME XTR-1 (NRR 32) pushes attenuation higher for the loudest tasks. If you need a tethered plug for drop-prone work, the corded MAX-30 (NRR 30) is the direct alternative. For a softer reusable flanged option, compare the reusable ear plugs range. Cross-shop other disposables in disposable ear plugs, or step up rating with our highest-NRR ear plugs guide. The FF-1's edge is its firmer foam: easier to roll and seal than ultra-soft plugs, making it a dependable everyday single-use choice.
Specifications
| NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) | 30 dB (ANSI S3.19) |
| Material / Form Factor | Polyurethane foam, roll-down (formable) |
| Corded | No — cordless |
| Reusable vs Single-Use | Single-use / disposable |
| Brand / Model | Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 |
| Test Standard | ANSI S3.19 (NRR) |
| OSHA-derated attenuation | ~11.5 dB, (NRR − 7) ÷ 2 |
| NIOSH-derated attenuation | ~22.5 dB (25% foam derate) |
| Best Use | High-noise industrial / construction |
Related Resources
foam ear plugs hearing protection reusable ear plugs corded ear plugs disposable ear plugs NRR 33 ear plugs what is NRR best foam ear plugs highest-NRR ear plugs ear plugs vs ear muffs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRR of the Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1?
The FirmFit FF-1 is rated NRR 30 (Noise Reduction Rating), tested to ANSI S3.19. That is the laboratory rating — see the FAQ below on real-world protection for the field-adjusted figures.
How much real-world protection does NRR 30 actually give?
Less than the label. OSHA's field derate, (NRR − 7) ÷ 2, puts the FF-1 at about 11.5 dB. NIOSH's 25% foam derate leaves roughly 22.5 dB. Size your protection to measured exposure using our guide on how to calculate the NRR you need.
Are the FirmFit FF-1 earplugs corded or cordless?
Cordless. There is no connecting cord, so the plugs sit flush under hard hats and hoods. If you need a tethered plug for drop-prone work, choose a corded model from our corded ear plugs collection instead.
Are these reusable or single-use?
Single-use. The FF-1 is a disposable foam roll-down plug designed for a fresh pair each shift. For repeat-wear flanged plugs, see our reusable ear plugs.
What does 'FirmFit' mean compared to softer foam plugs?
FirmFit foam is denser than ultra-soft formulas, so it holds its rolled shape longer for a cleaner, more reliable insertion. Workers who struggle to seal very soft plugs often prefer it.
Is NRR 30 enough for my workplace?
It depends on your measured noise level. OSHA requires hearing protection at the 85 dBA action level and sets a 90 dBA PEL under 29 CFR 1910.95. With ~22.5 dB NIOSH-derated attenuation, the FF-1 covers most 90–100 dBA environments; calculate carefully above that.
When should I choose dual protection over these plugs alone?
For sustained exposure above roughly 105 dBA, single protection may fall short even at NRR 30. Pair the plugs with earmuffs and calculate combined attenuation. See ear plugs vs ear muffs for how the two compare.
How do I insert these foam earplugs correctly?
Roll the plug into a thin crease-free cylinder, reach over your head to pull the ear up and back, then insert and hold while it expands. A poor roll is the main reason real-world attenuation drops. Step-by-step: how to insert foam earplugs.
Do these meet OSHA hearing conservation requirements?
The FF-1 is NRR-rated to ANSI S3.19 and can be used within an OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 hearing conservation program. The standard also requires monitoring, training, and audiometric testing — review OSHA 1910.95 hearing conservation for the full program.
How does the FF-1 compare to the X-TREME XTR-1?
Both are disposable Howard Leight cordless foam plugs. The FF-1 is NRR 30; the X-TREME XTR-1 is NRR 32 for the loudest tasks. Choose the higher rating only if your measured exposure requires it — see our highest-NRR ear plugs guide.
Can I buy the FirmFit FF-1 in bulk for my facility?
Yes — these disposables are intended for facility-wide and multi-crew deployment. Browse the full foam ear plugs range to stock dispensers and compare per-pair cost.
What's the difference between NRR and real attenuation, and why does it matter for buying?
NRR is a single lab number; real attenuation depends on fit, roll quality, and wear time, so OSHA and NIOSH both derate it. Buy to the derated figure, not the label, so your crew is actually covered. Learn more in what is NRR.
Written by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial. Specifications sourced from Howard Leight published data. Compare the range in foam ear plugs.
WC Safety is an independent PPE retailer and Amazon Associate; no paid placement. Match the product to your specific hazard and follow your site PPE program.
Brand / Vendor
Howard Leight
Model / SKU
FF-1
Product Type
Disposable Cordless Ear Plugs
Condition
New
MPN
FF-1
Price
$31.79 (Amazon)
Rating
4.05 / 5 — 20 reviews
Availability
Check current availability on Amazon
No Paid Placements
Every product earns its place based on safety credentials and field performance, not advertising spend.
Industrial Grade Only
Products sourced for professional use in manufacturing, construction, and industrial environments.
Compliance Verified
Every product listed on WC Safety is reviewed for standards compliance and safety credentials before publication.
Sourced for Professionals
Gear selected for safety managers, procurement teams, and field supervisors — not casual consumers.
Verified Buyer Reviews
Customer Reviews
★★★★☆4.0 / 5· 20 verified reviews
★★★★★
Good earplugs
Just what I wanted.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★☆☆☆
Similar but not as firm
I don't know about the reviews claiming these are a good replacement for the tried and true, old formula Flents - but for me, this is not it. Just like everyone looking for a perfect substitution, I optimistically tried these. What is similar, is these are foam. However, they are more squishy and don't hold up the way the Flents did. They are also shorter. With Flents I could easily get 4 wears. With these, lucky if you'd get 2. And for some reason these make the inside of my ears itch. Possibly it's the way they fit, or expand. I'm returning these and trying some other recommendations.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★☆☆
These are not as firm as I had hoped for
I use ear plugs for sleeping and need firm ear plugs. These are not quite there although they are more firm than the cone shaped ear plugs. You can only use them once as they loose there shape after one use. I’ll be returning them.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
It works
Works for sleeping, yard work and shooting.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
Very comfortable for longer wear times
These are only 30nnr not 32 so they are not as quiet as others I have used. However, they are the most comfortable I have tried for wearing for long periods of time. Everyone's ears are different sizes. These work and fit well for me.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
I can't hear anything
Everyone is talking but I can't hear them.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
Awesome earplugs! They work great!
These work just as i hoped and am very happy with this product. These are very close to the older style ones they replaced. Would buy again.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★☆
good ear plugs
Work good and dont make my ears itch
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
Good quality
Very good using this form of ear plugs for a long time already
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
Great fit, a material that doesn't irritate my ear canal
I've used different types of ear plugs for sleeping and I find that this style and material works best. I get great noise blockage and it's comfortable all night. I have tried the softer ones and the material irritates my ear canal. Also, I like the flat ends because the ones that are shaped like bullets don't fit my ears properly - they go in too far after I've squished them down. I used "Quiet Please" by Flents but they changed the material to something softer so now I can't use them. I used Mack's brand and they were fine but I had a hard time finding them again. The fact that these are in their own individual packages is kind of a waste for my use, but the price was right. And, if I need to travel I've already got them in packages.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
Can you hear me now
Having used the in ear Howard Leight Max hearing protection I decided to give the new firm fitting ear plugs a try and they are amazing. I have found that the firm fit put less pressure on your ears so you can keep them longer and they are much easer to place in your ear then the Max's are. Another nice thing is that they take longer to set up so you will have more time to place them in your ear then other brands that I have tried. Having used these the last few days when I have mowed the lawn and even when I went target shooting the amount of noise they block is just mind blowing. Over all I would recommend buying them you get 200 of them, two per wrapper and it comes in a cardboard box.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
The best I've used
Offered by Hyatt. Worked better than the bullet style so I bought a huge box.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
I really can’t sleep without this
I wear every night to avoid the city noises and when my husband snores. I won’t travel without them
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
Just like the old formula for Flent's Quiet Please
If You do not know this, Flent's just changed their supplier. This spelled HUGE problems for me when I tried to use the ear plugs they call "Quiet Please", as I have been for the past twenty five years. Their "Quiet Please" formula used to be soft enough to relieve me of the regular pressure that most ear plugs are guilty of. I have tested every sort of disposable and permanent ear plug I could come across in my life. If there is a new kind that promises no pain and comfort that does the job..,I will try it out!For twenty five years no one was able to compare to the comfort of Flent's "Quiet Please" soft painless version so I always went back after a bad night's sleep with whatever "new" thing I dared try.The fact is that Most mear plugs cause major pain in my ear canal after only twenty minutes. Extra sensitivity or whatever made me very picky by necessity.After Two and a half decades Flent's changed their formula to a "new" formula for the standing "Quiet Please" version. Sadly they now do the same as all their other ear plugs. The pain is unbearable. For several nights I was devastated and left without a soft replacement.Then I found these FirmFit by Honeywell. They looked similar from the website, but I couldn't be sure, so I bought some.They are the same! Different color, okay, I can get behind that, but no painful pressure in the ear canal! I am able to wear them as long as I need without having terrible pain later from their use.Yay!I HIGHLY recommend these orange Howard Leight FirmFit orange disposable uncorded ear plugs with the soft foam, as opposed to the silky foam..Silky foam causes extra, painful pressure.Light foam causes safe, gentler pressure.Very pleased to find a replacement for my original "Quiet Please" ear plug.Thank you, Honeywell Howard Leight FirmFit Disposable earplugs. I only hope that you do not mess with a good thing and that we can be friends for a very long time.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★☆☆☆☆
Want orange ears? Get these.
At first I loved these as they didn't irritate my ears as a lot of ear plugs do. The next morning I cleaned my ears with a cotton swab and it was orange! At first I was alarmed and thought my ears were bleeding but realized they were from the ear plugs. Bummer.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★☆
Good, just not Great
All of the non-functional aspects are great (quantity for the price, packaged in pairs, etc.); however, as others have stated, they are just too short. Not by much, but it makes all the difference.Personally, the barrel-style perform better than the tapered/fitted styles. These control sound well but do not stick out enough for convenient extraction. I've tried keeping them back further, but then I can notice less effective performance.I will use up the purchased quantity, but I will not repurchase. I continue to look for a better option.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★☆☆☆☆
Great earplugs, but only in the packages that have them sealed in pairs!!!!
Howard Leight by Honeywell Firm Fit Earplug Refill for Leight Source 500 Dispenser, 500-Pairs (FF-1-D) is in a open, flimsy box of unprotected, not-separately-packaged-in-pairs ear plugs, which I give ZERO STARS!.CONS:A) The description"500-Pairs" is incorrect. The earplugs are not paired and there is 500 earplugs in the box, not 1000 earplugs!B)The selection button, which says, "size 500-pairs with dispenser" is also incorrect since there is no dispenser... it should say "500 EARPLUGS FOR dispenser"!!!!3) Not only that, but Amazon.com's shipping department sent this box out with out putting it into a second box. Shipping the open, flimsy box and unprotected earplugs = loss of some earplugs during shipping, and absolutely no way to know if some earplugs fell out and were put back in! Just what I want to do, stick a filthy earplug into my ear canal, and/or count 500 (not 1000) earplugs... ANGRY!<<<<<<<<<<<<<< update 21FEB2017 above is for Howard Leight by Honeywell Firm Fit Earplug Refill for Leight Source 500 Dispenser, 500-Pairs (FF-1-D)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The review below is for Howard Leight by Honeywell Firm Fit Disposable Foam Earplugs, Polybag, 200-Pairs (FF-1), which I gave 5-STARSFits great, comfortable, easy to squash into shape & expands quickly. Sound deadened effectively.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★☆☆☆☆
Short and narrow
These were the worst earplugs I've bought. Similar feel to Flents Quiet please which I loved. These are so short and narrow I felt like I could hardly get them out of my ears after they compressed. Noise reduction tion was terrible. I was extremely dissatisfied with this purchase and ended up with 3M classic plus earplugs instead even though less comfortable they work much better.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
Best Ear plugs
I've tried many earplugs to use for sleeping, and these are the best that I have found. Soft and comfortable to sleep with.I get about 2+months usage per set. Afterwards they tend to harden and dry, but with 200 pairs, you wont run out.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
★★★★★
REASONS FOR PUCHASE:NRR #30,Fit-Comfort, however most important to me is that they stay securely ...
The barrell-same-diameter plugs are the only plugs that will stay in place in the ear canal when I wear them with ear muffs for chainsaw use. The taper ones fall out. I live in the woods so I have been running saws for 38 years. My hearing is declining and I am in the process of clearing up another spot in the woods for a cabin. Next year I am getting hearing aids. I researched hearing protection for forestry work. Best protection obtainable is TOTAL NRR of 36 COMBINED of EAR PLUG WITH EAR MUFFS. I COMBINED A 3M Peltor helmet muffs5XA (31 NRR) WITH THESE HONEY WELL FIRM FIT BARRELL PLUGS (30NRR.) They stay put without falling out when I am chainsawing, lifting and stacking wood,chewing gum, or talking with or without muffs, decrease noise, and are soft. For my ears the texture holds the plug in my ear without falling out!! I give 5+++++ rating and of all barrell type plugs these are the gentlest best securing on the market!!!! Believe me I have tried plenty of designs in 38 years.
Anonymous · 2026-04-20 · ✓ Verified Buyer
Share Your Experience
Write a Review
Thank you for your review!
Your submission has been received and will be published after verification.