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Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 Earplugs, NRR 30 Cordless Foam (Firm PVC)
$29.12
$32.43
Final price set by Amazon · may vary
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 earplugs Editorial assessment by Steven Eaton, WC Safety editor, based on published Howard Leight specifications and category fit. We did n...
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EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 earplugs
Editorial assessment by Steven Eaton, WC Safety editor, based on published Howard Leight specifications and category fit. We did not laboratory-test this product.
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Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 Earplugs, NRR 30 Cordless Foam (Firm PVC) Overview
The Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1 earplugs are uncorded, single-use foam hearing protection rated NRR 30 in the US, built around a firm PVC foam that inserts cleanly. Under OSHA 1910.95, hearing protection is required when noise reaches an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA, and a well-fitted foam plug like this is a practical first line of defense for high-noise work.
As firm foam earplugs, the FF-1's design targets easy, consistent insertion: the cylindrical PVC foam needs less pressure to roll down and has a slow recovery rate, so you have time to seat it before it expands. As slow-recovery foam earplugs Howard Leight lists it as about 40% softer with 29% lower expansion pressure than the leading classic-style plug, and the warning orange color makes compliance checks easy. This is the FirmFit NRR 30 plug in its uncorded form.
Like any item in hearing protection, match the plug to your measured noise exposure rather than reaching for the highest number. As uncorded plugs the Howard Leight FF-1 avoids a cord that could snag; the same FirmFit plug is sold corded as the FF-30. Compare these disposable foam earplugs against other foam and NRR 30 options, and note the orange makes them one of the high-visibility ear plugs before ordering.
What These FirmFit Earplugs Are Built For
| Use case | Fit | Buyer guidance |
|---|---|---|
| High-noise industrial work | Purpose-built | NRR 30 covers most workplace noise when fitted correctly. |
| Workers who struggle to insert foam | Strong | Firmer foam and slow recovery make seating the plug easier. |
| Long shifts / comfort | Strong | Lower expansion pressure than a classic plug reduces the plugged feeling. |
| Compliance-check visibility | Strong | Warning orange makes correct insertion easy to confirm at a distance. |
| Repeated all-day reuse | Not ideal | Single-use; for daily reuse choose a washable reusable earplug. |
Hearing protection only works when it fits. The labeled NRR is a laboratory value that overstates real-world attenuation, so OSHA and NIOSH recommend derating it — a common method subtracts 7 from the NRR and halves the remainder when estimating protection against a time-weighted average exposure. Wear hearing protection whenever noise reaches an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA under OSHA 1910.95, roll and insert each foam plug fully and hold until it expands, replace plugs that will not seal, and use dual protection (plugs plus muffs) only per your safety program for very high noise. Learn more in what NRR means and when you need hearing protection.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High NRR 30 for a disposable foam earplug
- Firm PVC foam and slow recovery for easier, cleaner insertion
- Lower expansion pressure than a classic plug for comfort
- Warning orange for compliance checks
- Uncorded to avoid snags (corded FF-30 also available)
Cons
- Single-use — not a washable reusable plug
- Uncorded — easier to drop than the corded FF-30
- Field attenuation depends on fit; derate the labeled NRR
- Firmer feel than a low-pressure foam for some wearers
How It Compares
The FirmFit FF-1 is the firm PVC-foam, uncorded NRR 30 disposable. Weigh it against the alternatives before ordering:
| Option | Foam | NRR | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FirmFit FF-1 (this page) | Firm PVC, slow-recovery | 30 | Easier, cleaner insertion |
| FirmFit FF-30 (corded) | Firm PVC, slow-recovery | 30 | Preventing dropped plugs |
| Low-pressure PU foam plug | Soft polyurethane | 30-32 | Softest all-day feel |
Choose the FirmFit FF-1 for firm, easy-to-insert foam, the corded FF-30 to avoid drops, or a low-pressure foam plug for the softest feel. Compare in our best foam ear plugs guide and the wider hearing protection range.
Specifications
| Brand | Howard Leight by Honeywell |
| Model | FirmFit FF-1 (uncorded) |
| Type | Single-use disposable foam earplug |
| NRR | 30 (US) |
| Material / Shape | Firm PVC foam, cylindrical, slow recovery |
| Comfort / Color | ~40% softer, 29% lower expansion pressure vs classic plug; warning orange |
| Cord / Pack | Uncorded (corded = FF-30); polybag/paper packs, dispenser refills |
Related Guides
best foam ear plugs, best hearing protection, what is NRR, corded vs cordless ear plugs, best ear plugs for construction.
Related Resources
hearing protection foam ear plugs disposable ear plugs NRR 30 ear plugs high visibility ear plugs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRR of the Howard Leight FirmFit FF-1?
The FirmFit FF-1 is rated NRR 30 in the US, strong protection for medium-to-high noise. NRR is a laboratory value, so derate it for real-world use rather than assuming full protection. It suits most industrial noise when fitted correctly.
Are the FirmFit FF-1 corded or uncorded?
This FF-1 listing is the uncorded (cordless) version. Howard Leight sells the same FirmFit plug corded as the FF-30 for applications where a neck cord helps prevent dropping. Choose uncorded where a cord could snag on moving equipment.
What does firm foam mean on the FirmFit?
The FirmFit uses a firm PVC foam in a cylindrical shape. The firmness helps the rolled plug hold its shape long enough to insert cleanly, and a slow recovery rate gives you time to seat it before it expands. It still targets comfort with lower expansion pressure than a classic plug.
Is the FirmFit comfortable despite being firm?
Howard Leight lists the FirmFit as about 40% softer with 29% lower expansion pressure on the ear canal than the leading classic-style earplug, so the firm reference is about insertion behavior, not a hard feel. The lower pressure aims at all-day comfort.
What color are they and why?
A warning orange color, which makes it easy for a supervisor to confirm at a glance that a worker has the plugs inserted. Bright colors support hearing-protection compliance checks on a busy site.
What are the earplugs made of?
A firm PVC foam, which differs from the polyurethane foam used in some other disposable plugs. The foam compresses for insertion and expands to seal the canal. The plug is single-use and disposable.
How do I insert the FF-1 correctly?
Roll the foam down to a thin crease with clean fingers, reach over your head to pull the ear up and back, insert the plug well into the canal, and hold it while the foam expands. The slow recovery gives you time; if you can still hear normally, reinsert.
How should I apply the NRR to real noise levels?
OSHA and NIOSH recommend derating the labeled NRR because lab conditions overstate field performance. A common OSHA method subtracts 7 from the NRR and halves the remainder when estimating protection against a time-weighted average exposure. Follow your safety program's method.
When is hearing protection required?
OSHA requires hearing protection when noise reaches or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA under 1910.95. If you must raise your voice to be heard at arm's length, noise is likely high enough to warrant protection. See our guide on when hearing protection is needed.
Can I use these with earmuffs for very loud work?
Yes. Dual protection - earplugs plus earmuffs - is used for very high noise, but the combined NRR is not the sum of the two. Add about 5 dB to the higher of the two device ratings as a rule of thumb, and follow your safety program for dual-protection thresholds.
Are the FirmFit FF-1 reusable?
They are single-use disposable plugs. You can reuse a pair briefly if they stay clean and keep their shape, but discard them once they are dirty, will not expand, or no longer seal. For repeated daily wear, a washable reusable earplug is a better fit.
How are the FF-1 earplugs packaged?
The FirmFit FF-1 is sold in polybag or paper-bag packs, commonly in 200-pair boxes, and in dispenser refills for the Leight Source 500. Check the packaging for the exact count and choose the pack that matches how you issue and replace plugs.
Written by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial. Specifications sourced from Howard Leight by Honeywell published data. Compare the range in foam ear plugs.
WC Safety is an independent PPE review site and Amazon Associate; no paid placement. Match the product to your specific noise exposure and follow your site hearing-conservation program.
Brand / Vendor
Howard Leight
Model / SKU
FF-1
Product Type
Disposable Cordless Ear Plugs
Condition
New
MPN
FF-1
Price
$29.12 (Amazon)
Rating
4.05 / 5 — 20 reviews
Availability
Check current availability on Amazon
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Verified Buyer Reviews
Customer Reviews
★★★★☆4.0 / 5· 20 Amazon customer 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
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