Howard Leight Maximum Corded Foam Earplugs, NRR 33 (MXM-30)
$32.88
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Style: B000E2609Y
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the Howard Leight Maximum corded foam earplugs (MXM-30) Editorial assessment by Steven Eaton, WC Safety editor, based on published Howard Leight specifications and catego...
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EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the Howard Leight Maximum corded foam earplugs (MXM-30)
Editorial assessment by Steven Eaton, WC Safety editor, based on published Howard Leight specifications and category fit. We did not laboratory-test this product.
Howard Leight Maximum Corded Foam Earplugs, NRR 33 (MXM-30) Overview
The Howard Leight Maximum corded foam earplugs (MXM-30) are single-use hearing protection rated NRR 33 in the US — the highest noise reduction rating available for a disposable foam plug. Under OSHA 1910.95, hearing protection is required when noise reaches an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA, and a top-rated foam plug like this suits the loudest environments when it is fitted correctly.
As corded foam earplugs, the design targets very high-noise industrial work: soft polyurethane foam in a contoured bell shape earplugs profile inserts easily and resists backing out of the canal during a shift, a smooth soil-resistant skin resists dirt, and a neck cord keeps a pair together between uses. These are the highest NRR earplugs in the disposable foam class, and they are widely used across construction, mining, and manufacturing.
Like any item in hearing protection, match the plug to your measured noise exposure rather than always maxing out the number. As Maximum NRR 33 earplugs the same plug is sold uncorded as the MXM-1; compare this corded ear plug against other NRR 33 plugs and the wider foam ear plug and disposable ranges. See our highest-NRR guide to decide whether you need the top rating before ordering.
What These Maximum Earplugs Are Built For
| Use case | Fit | Buyer guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Very high-noise industrial work | Purpose-built | NRR 33 is the top disposable-foam rating for the loudest environments. |
| Moving in and out of noise zones | Strong | The neck cord keeps plugs together and clean between uses. |
| Long shifts / comfort | Strong | Soft foam and a bell shape that resists backing out aid all-day wear. |
| Snag-risk areas (moving equipment) | Not ideal | A cord can catch; choose the uncorded MXM-1 near rotating machinery. |
| Repeated all-day reuse | Not ideal | Single-use; for daily reuse choose a washable flanged 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. A higher NRR is not automatically better: over-protection can mask alarms and speech, so match the rating to your measured noise, and reserve the highest ratings and dual protection (plugs plus muffs) for the loudest work. Wear protection whenever noise reaches an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA under OSHA 1910.95, roll and insert each plug fully and hold until it expands, and replace plugs that will not seal. Learn more in what NRR means and highest-NRR ear plugs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- NRR 33 — the highest disposable foam rating
- Soft foam and contoured bell shape resist backing out
- Neck cord keeps plugs together and clean between uses
- Smooth soil-resistant skin; single-use hygiene
- Widely used across construction, mining, and manufacturing
Cons
- Single-use — not a washable reusable plug
- Cord can snag near rotating machinery — choose the uncorded MXM-1 there
- Very high NRR can over-isolate — match it to your noise level
- Field attenuation depends on fit; derate the labeled NRR
How It Compares
The corded Howard Leight MXM-30 Maximum is the top-rated disposable option. Weigh it against the alternatives before ordering:
| Option | Form | NRR | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum MXM-30 (this page) | Corded disposable foam | 33 | Loudest work, moving in and out of noise |
| Maximum MXM-1 (uncorded) | Uncorded disposable foam | 33 | Snag-risk areas near machinery |
| Max Lite / lower-NRR foam | Disposable foam | 30-32 | Comfort where top NRR is not needed |
Choose the corded MXM-30 for the loudest work with a cord, the uncorded MXM-1 near machinery, or a lower-NRR foam plug where the top rating is unnecessary. Compare picks in our best foam ear plugs guide and the wider hearing protection range.
Specifications
| Brand | Howard Leight by Honeywell |
| Model | Maximum MXM-30 (corded) |
| Type | Single-use corded disposable foam earplug |
| NRR | 33 (US) — highest disposable foam rating |
| Material / Shape | Soft polyurethane foam, contoured bell shape, soil-resistant skin |
| Cord | Corded (neck cord); uncorded version is the MXM-1 |
| Typical Pack | Box of 100 pairs |
Related Guides
highest NRR ear plugs, best foam ear plugs, what is NRR, corded vs cordless ear plugs, when you need hearing protection.
Related Resources
hearing protection corded ear plugs NRR 33 ear plugs foam ear plugs disposable ear plugs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRR of the Howard Leight Maximum earplugs?
The Maximum is rated NRR 33 in the US, the highest noise reduction rating available for a disposable foam earplug. It is intended for very high-noise environments. NRR is a laboratory value, so derate it for real-world use rather than assuming full protection.
Are these Maximum earplugs corded or uncorded?
This MXM-30 model is corded, with a neck cord so plugs hang around the neck between uses and are less likely to be dropped or lost. Howard Leight sells the same plug uncorded as the MXM-1 for applications where a cord could snag.
What is the contoured bell shape for?
The contoured bell shape is designed to insert easily and resist backing out of the ear canal during a shift, which helps maintain the seal. Combined with soft foam, it targets long-wearing comfort in high-noise work.
When should I choose NRR 33 over a lower rating?
Choose the highest ratings for the loudest environments, but match the NRR to your measured noise rather than always maxing it out. Over-protection can make it hard to hear alarms and coworkers. For extreme noise, NRR 33 plus earmuffs may be warranted.
What are the earplugs made of?
They are made of soft polyurethane foam with a smooth, soil-resistant skin. The foam compresses for insertion and expands to seal the canal, while the skin resists dirt buildup in dusty industrial conditions.
How do I insert the Maximum earplugs correctly?
Roll the entire plug into the narrowest crease-free cylinder, reach over your head and pull your ear up and back, insert the plug well into the canal, and hold for 30 to 40 seconds until it fully expands. A shallow fit loses much of the rated protection.
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 extreme noise?
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 Maximum earplugs reusable?
They are single-use disposable plugs. You may 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.
Why is a neck cord useful?
The cord keeps a pair of plugs together and around the neck when you step out of a noise area, so they are not lost or set down on a dirty surface. It suits workers who move in and out of high-noise zones repeatedly through a shift.
How are the Maximum earplugs packaged?
The corded Maximum is commonly sold in boxes of 100 pairs for stocking a crew or workplace. Keeping a supply on hand makes it easy to issue fresh, clean pairs and replace worn ones.
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
MXM-30
Product Type
Banded Earplugs
Price
$32.88 (Amazon)
Rating
4.88 / 5 — 8 reviews
Availability
Check current availability on Amazon
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Verified Buyer Reviews
Customer Reviews
★★★★★4.6 / 5· 4,933 ratings on Amazon
★★★★★
Awesome ear plugs
I ordered a 200-ct case of these ear plugs, and they work perfectly and are nice and thick. Apparently I have freakishly large ear canals, and so most other earplugs won't seal my ears properly.Hearos work well for me if I put them in backwards, with the fat end next to my eardrum, but they still don't work any better than the Howard Leights do and Hearos are almost three times as expensive. The Howard Leights block out sound as well or better than any other earplug I've tried, and I've tried at least five different brands before.These earplugs work so well that I actually got depressed for the first couple of days I used them. It was so quiet that I started to think what a bummer it must be for someone to be hearing-impaired, and not be able to simply remove the earplugs and hear better the way I can. But I got over that and now I wear them as much as I can, and enjoy the quiet.When someone is speaking to me with my ear plugs in, I have to be looking directly at them in order to understand what they're saying. The loud, diesel-engined public transit buses that pass by me now only give a little "whoosh". And I have to be more careful when crossing the street, to make sure there aren't speeding cars whipping around the curves waiting to clobber me. I usually can't hear them now until they are within sight, so I just quickly look both ways and then RUN across the street. Homeless guys ask me for change, and I just hear them mumble, point to my ears, and keep walking.These earplugs, like all earplugs, are mostly designed to block out mid-range sounds such as voices. Really low-pitched sounds, which vibrate through the body, can't be blocked out very effectively. This is no reflection on the quality of the earplugs. Really high-pitched sounds, such as police sirens, also come through fairly clearly. This is good since I like to drive with my earplugs in and I don't have to worry about getting T-boned by a police car or fire truck.I plan to use these earplugs as much as I can for the rest of my life, and these plugs are cheap enough for me to do that even if I break out a new pair every day. (They can be reused, but there is some risk of ear infection when they get dirty, and they tend to lose flexibility after just a few uses. Then they can't create as effective of a seal in the ear.)The only downside I can see is if someone had really small ear canals, in which case the plugs would probably cause too much pressure within the ear canals. As I said before, I don't have to worry about that. But if you do have that problem, Mack's earplugs would probably work better since they are fairly skinny.Another minor gripe is that the earplugs stick way out of my ears after I insert them, so at first they would get knocked out when I rolled my head while sleeping. I fixed this problem by simply cutting off the back 1/3 of the plug with a pair of scissors, so the ends of the plugs don't stick out past my ears. I can toss and turn all night, and the plugs stay sealed in my ears.These plugs, to me, would be worth the money if they cost five times as much. I would pay the extra if I had to, but luckily I don't have to since the Howard Leights are bargain-priced. Each pair even comes in an individual bag, so I can give them to my friends to try without getting them dirty. I wouldn't want to be responsible for someone else's ear infection.
Verified Purchaser · April 5, 2 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★★
Great earplugs for a very nice price
I sleep next to a extremely noisy snorer -- she snores so loud it can be heard loud and clear in every room of the otherwise quiet house. So one can imagine what it must be like to try to fall asleep mere inches away. I bought these earplugs, and have no regrets. instead of stuffing my head into a pillow every night to try to soften the noise I pop these in.I absolutely love these earplugs -- they're definitely a lifesaver, but there are a few things to consider about these:1. The noise reduction is great but not perfect. These are rated at about 33db, meaning that, if inserted properly, they should reduce any incoming noise by 33 decibels. Loud snoring at such close proximity can register well over 70 decibels, which, for a frame of reference, is the level of sound a vacuum cleaner makes. Do the math. any earplugs (not just these) don't eliminate all sound; they just reduce it. Wearing earplugs DOES make a huge difference, however.2. Dare I say there's a learning curve to these earplugs? If you don't have experience wearing earplugs, then it might take several days of use to get comfortable inserting these into your ear. Not having the earplugs as far in as they should be can reduce their effectiveness and make the whole point of wearing earplugs pointless. Be warned, though: you ARE inserting a foreign object into your ear, so take caution when using these. shoving it in too far can damage your eardrum. I find that they work best when there's only a few millimeters sticking out (just enough to grab the earplug to remove it), seeing as the bell-shaped end is there to improve the seal. When removing these, make sure to also twist as you slowly remove the earplugs. This is because there is an airtight seal when they're all the way in and the seal needs to be broken gradually. I popped my ears a few times by making the mistake of pulling them straight out and too quickly.3. From my experience, each pair's only good for one or two uses. I have naturally oily skin and waxy ears, so needless to say after sever hours of sleeping the earplugs tend to come out with a little...residue. I've found that the foam these are made of are also near-impossible to clean as well. I've also noticed that they never seem to be quite as effective after the first use, presumably from the foam be permanently misshapen from being in the ear for a prolonged period of time. At the time of writing this review, the current price of a box of 200 earplugs just over 20 dollars, so they come to about a dime a pair. At this price I'd rather have a fresh pair each night anyway.All things considered, these earplugs are a great deal. have some very small shortcomings, which are inherent in basically any foam earplugs, so I suppose the point is irrelevant. I've still given this a five-star rating because for 20 bucks, I'm still using up earplugs from the box I bought last year, and sleeping soundly because of it. I'd recommend these to anyone in a heartbeat.
Verified Purchaser · June 28, 2 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★★
Excellent Noise Protection with Convenient Features
The Honeywell Howard Leight Corded Foam Earplugs provide outstanding noise reduction and are perfect for outdoor activities or other loud environments. Their high-quality foam ensures a snug and comfortable fit, offering reliable hearing protection when needed most.The attached cord is a convenient feature, making it easy to keep the earplugs together and avoid losing them during use. Additionally, the individually wrapped pairs are great for maintaining hygiene and portability, making them ideal for travel, work, or outdoor adventures.These earplugs offer excellent value for the price and are highly recommended for anyone looking for effective, comfortable, and easy-to-use hearing protection. A great choice for construction, lawn care, or any high-noise activities!
Verified Purchaser · January 5, · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★★
Excellent earplugs, better than 3m Tekk, better than a good pair of earmuffs
These are rated only 1 DB in noise reduction better than 3m Tekk.I've given these two decent tests -- Mowing my lawn (takes about an hour)- Chainsawing (much louder) - for about 3 hoursThese are rated at 33 NRR, the 3m tek's are rated at 32 NRR. The different is fairly trivial.I've have to say - these seem to block out noise decently better than the 3m Tekk's, not sure what it is, but things are just that much quieter. As far as the fit and comfort go - I can't say I have any complaints. I think the comfort is about the same as the Tekk's, but the fit in my ear canal seems better ( better shape I'd say ).After several hours of chainsawing, the wear did not seem to hurt my ear canals or anything. I like the better protection than what I had before. I'll be buying these again.-----UPDATE: After further use of these, I have a quick update.I bought a pair of 3M Peltor X-Series Over-the-Head Earmuffs, NRR 27 dB to wear in conjunction with the earplugs for further noise reduction.This gives me another way to compare. Compared to these (very good) earmuffs, the noise reduction is still noticeably superior on the Howard Leight earplugs (you should probably expect it since the NRR of earmuffs is 27). Just another perspective to compare with. I feel it is not uncommon for manufacturers to give numbers which don't really stack up to reality, so this is why I make this comparison.
Verified Purchaser · May 29, 20 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★☆
Good But Inconsistent
Decent but almost comically inconsistent density. When I find a good pair, the noise reduction and comfort is fantastic, but often times it's like an entirely different earplug with foam density too low to be effective.
Verified Purchaser · November 2 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★★
Great earplugs!
One of my best purchases ever. These are some of the best if not the best earplugs. They’re soft and compress and expand evenly. No corners or hard edges. They are the best in blocking noise that I have tried. I got it for a friend who loves it, and kept half the box because it has SO MANY in it. Years later I still enjoy them.
Verified Purchaser · August 28, · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★★
Reliable, Comfortable Earplugs That Truly Block Out Noise
Reliable, Comfortable EarpluThese earplugs are soft, easy to insert, and incredibly effective at reducing noise—even in loud environments. I use them nightly for sleep and they stay in place without irritation. With 200 pairs in a box, it’s an unbeatable value for long-term peace and quiet.
Verified Purchaser · July 28, 2 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
★★★★★
Great Product!
I just received my order and tried them last night. I was initially worried about inserting them properly after reading some of the reviews.I have 16 month old daugther. I noticed that ever since she was born, I can't fall into a deep sleep and I have become super sensitive to sound. The slightest thing wakes me up. On top of that, I have two sets of new neighbors in a four unit townhouse complex that I live in. We have a shared parking lot and they are CONSTANTLY in and out. I wake up several times a night to the sound of car doors slamming. I was so stressed and my quality of sleep has greatly deteriorated. Even the sound of cars passing on the road started getting to me.I was at my breaking point when I just came across these earplugs and read the reviews. I was cautiously optimistic about the function of these.Well...I'm so happy to say the worked very well. As soon as I put them in, I could hear various sounds fading and I was in my own little world. I also put on a white noise machine in my bedroom. I was able to actually sit right in front of the window and read a book!!! I saw my neighbors pull in and out like they usually do, but I couldn't hear a thing. I also slept with them and found them to be very comfortable. I did have to make a slight adjustment in one ear, as I could feel some pressure that started to bother me. Once I did that, I had a great night's sleep for the first time in while.
Verified Purchaser · October 6, · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase
Showing 8 of 4,933 Amazon reviews.
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