Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
I Tried 8 Noise Canceling Earplugs So I Could Finally Read With Kids Home
72
items You sit down with your book for five minutes and then someone screams about a missing sock. If you're a parent trying to steal quiet reading time in a house that never shuts up, I spent months testing earplugs, earbuds, and noise blocking gear so you...
Sections
9
Noise Canceling Earplugs for Reading at Home
Over Ear Headphones That Block Out Kid Noise
Noise Canceling Earbuds Small Enough to Forget
White Noise Machines to Drown Out Background Chaos
Comfortable Reading Chairs for Long Quiet Sessions
Reading Lights That Don't Wake Up the Whole Room
Noise Canceling Earplugs for Reading at Home
These are the ones I actually reach for when I want to disappear into a book on the couch while the kids demolish the playroom ten feet away.
Grab these if you want something that doesn't stick out of your ears like antennae. I wore them through an entire Bluey marathon and read 80 pages without realizing the TV was still on.
Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs
Keep a stash in every room. They're dirt cheap, and I shove a pair in whenever homework time turns into a screaming debate. Soft enough to forget they're there.
Customer reviews for Mack's Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs
Use these if you're a side sleeper who also reads in bed. They compress flat enough that lying on your side doesn't jam them into your skull. Figured that out the hard way with bulkier ones.
Flents Protechs Quiet Please Foam Ear Plugs Hearing
Pair these with a cozy chair and you've got yourself a tiny fortress. They cut the shrieking down to a low mumble but I can still hear if someone actually needs me. That balance took forever to find.
Hearprotek Concert Ear Plugs, 2Pairs Reusable high
Switch to these when you want to lower the volume on everything without total silence. I still hear the doorbell and my name being yelled, just at a level that doesn't make me flinch.
Customer reviews for Loop Experience 2 Ear Plugs
Toss a pair of these in before Saturday morning cartoons start. They're tapered so they fit smaller ear canals, which was my whole problem with the bigger foam ones that kept sliding out.
NRR 30 Howard Leight Max Lite Uncorded Single Use
Snag these if you also want them for concerts later. They don't muffle sound into mush, they just turn the volume knob down. Reading while the kids play drums? Survivable now.
Eargasm High Fidelity Blue Earplugs for Concerts
Try the silicone route if foam makes your ears itch after 20 minutes. These sit at the entrance of the ear canal instead of deep inside, and they lasted me six months before I needed new ones.
Noise Reduction Ear Plugs for Sleep, Travel & Hearing
Over Ear Headphones That Block Out Kid Noise
Sometimes earplugs aren't enough and you need the full helmet. These are what I wear when both kids are home and have decided today is percussion day.
Put these on without even playing music and the house drops to near silence. I read an entire novel during spring break while both kids had friends over. Worth every single penny.
Sony, Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Grab these if you want solid noise canceling without spending rent money. They're comfortable for long reading sessions and the battery lasts so long I forget to charge them for a week.
JBL Tune 770NC Adaptive Noise Cancelling Wireless Over
Wear these when you want to feel like you're in a private library. The noise canceling is almost unsettling the first time. I put them on during a birthday party and genuinely forgot there were 12 kids downstairs.
Wall Mounted Headphone Stand (Designed for AirPods Max)
Swap to these if the Sony pair feels too tight on your head. They're lighter, the ear cups are plushy, and I've fallen asleep reading in them more than once without waking up sore.
Bose, QuietComfort Headphones, Noise Cancelling
Try these if you keep losing or sitting on expensive headphones. Under fifty bucks and the noise canceling genuinely competes with pairs three times the price. I keep a backup pair just in case.
Soundcore by Anker Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling
Use these for reading in noisy coffee shops too, not just at home. The transparency mode lets me hear the barista call my name, then I flip right back to full silence.
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones - Black
Keep these at your reading spot. They fold flat so they tuck into a drawer or basket. Sound quality is ridiculous for the price, and they block my neighbor's lawnmower on top of the kid chaos.
Sennheiser, Wireless Headphones, HD 450BT
Snag the budget Sony if the XM5 price makes you wince. Lighter on the head too, which matters when you're wearing them for a three-hour reading binge on a rainy Sunday.
Sony WH-CH720N-Noise Canceling Wireless Bluetooth
Noise Canceling Earbuds Small Enough to Forget
Full headphones feel like too much sometimes. These earbuds disappear into your ears and let you zone out without looking like you're ignoring your family on purpose.
Pop these in with noise canceling on and no music. That's it. The silence is so good I accidentally ignored my spouse for 40 minutes. Transparency mode saves relationships though.
(Open Box) Apple AirPods Pro 2 In-Ear Headphones
Grab these if you're on Android and tired of AirPods getting all the attention. The active noise canceling is aggressive in the best way. I read through an entire thunderstorm without noticing.
New Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro Earphones
Try these for a budget option that still blocks the chaos. They fit snug enough that I can lie on my side reading without them popping out, which is my main test for any earbud.
JBL Tune Buds 2 Noise Cancelling True Wireless
Use these when you want the absolute best noise canceling in a tiny package. They picked up where my foam earplugs gave up. Dishwasher running, kids arguing, dog barking. Gone.
Sony, Earbuds, Truly Wireless Noise Canceling, Black
Wear these for reading outside while neighbors are mowing. The seal is so good that wind noise doesn't leak in either. Found my new patio reading setup thanks to these.
Bose, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Switch to these if other earbuds feel like they're going to fall out. The oval shape locks into my ears better than anything round. Read through an entire soccer practice on the sidelines.
Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds, Black
Pair these with your Pixel phone and the noise canceling adjusts automatically. I walked from the quiet bedroom to the loud kitchen and they ramped up without me touching anything.
Customer reviews for Google Pixel Buds Pro
Snag these before you spend $250 on premium buds. Seriously. The noise canceling punches way above its price and the battery case gives you all-day reading power.
Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4 NC Noise Cancelling
White Noise Machines to Drown Out Background Chaos
When I can't wear anything in my ears, I set one of these on the side table. They create a wall of sound between me and whatever disaster is unfolding in the next room.
Keep this on your nightstand for late-night reading. It has a fan sound that masks footsteps, fridge hums, and the weird clicking my heater makes. Ten volume levels so you can dial it in exactly.
Adaptive Sound LectroFan EVO White Noise Machine
Use the reading light and white noise together. I set mine to a warm glow with brown noise and suddenly my bedroom corner feels like a cabin. Took me years to build that vibe, this did it in one night.
Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock
Try the original mechanical fan version if digital sounds bug you. The tone is warmer and more natural. It's been running on my desk for eight months straight and hasn't quit once.
Yogasleep Dohm® Classic White Noise Sleep Sound
Grab this if you want something cheap that just works. Under twenty bucks and it has a timer so it shuts off after I inevitably fall asleep reading. Happens more than I'd like to admit.
Magicteam White Noise Machine Review
Toss this in your bag when you read at hotels or in-laws' houses. It's tiny but loud enough to cover hallway noise and unfamiliar house creaks that keep pulling me out of the story.
Dreamegg D3 Pro White Noise Machine Review
Switch to this if you want real fan noise without actual air blowing on you. The app control is clutch because I can adjust volume from my reading chair without getting up and losing my spot.
SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine
Keep one in the kids' room too. When they sleep better, you read longer. This one runs all night on the rain setting and my youngest finally stopped waking up at 11pm.
HoMedics SS-2000 Mini Portable Travel Sound Spa
Use this as a starter machine if you've never tried white noise for reading. Six sounds, dead simple buttons, and it cost less than my last latte order. No reason not to try it.
Big Red Rooster White Noise Machine for Baby Sleep
Comfortable Reading Chairs for Long Quiet Sessions
Once I blocked the noise, I realized my chair was terrible. My back ached after 30 minutes. These changed how long I could actually sit and read before my body complained.
Sink into this after the kids go to bed. The wingback sides block peripheral distractions and the recline angle is perfect for holding a book without your arms going numb.
Customer reviews for Christopher Knight Home Modern
Grab a small one for the kids so they stop climbing into yours. Seriously. My reading chair was never mine until each kid had their own. Problem solved, territory established.
Flash Furniture Charlie Microfiber Kids Recliner
Try this if you want something that looks nice in the living room but secretly doubles as your reading throne. The cushion is firm enough that I don't sink and lose my reading posture.
Monroe Accent Chair in Midnight Blue Walnut
Use this as a budget reading chair in a spare corner. I put mine by the window with a small side table and suddenly I had a reading nook that cost less than dinner out.
Mainstays Microfiber Tub Accent Chair, Berry Red
Pair this with a throw blanket and a side lamp. The rolled arms are the right height to rest your elbows while holding a book. Sounds minor but after two hours it matters a lot.
Better Homes & Gardens Bradford Swivel Accent Chair
Kick your feet up and read for hours. The ottoman makes all the difference because my legs used to fall asleep tucked under me. Now I stretch out and lose track of entire afternoons.
Recliner Ottoman Sets for Home Comfort
Elizabeth Bags
Snag this for small spaces. It fits in the corner of my bedroom where a full recliner would never work. The wall-hugger design means it reclines without needing three feet of clearance behind it.
Dorel Living Sterling Sofa Recliner Chair for Living Room
Reading Lights That Don't Wake Up the Whole Room
Half my reading happens after bedtime when the house is finally quiet. These lights let me read without turning on the overhead and waking someone who will then need water, a snack, and a life update.
Drape this around your neck and read anywhere without disturbing anyone. I use it on the couch after everyone's asleep. The warm light setting doesn't strain my eyes even after midnight.
Glocusent, LED Neck Book Light, Rechargeable
Clip this to your paperback and aim it right at the page. The beam is narrow enough that my partner doesn't even notice it's on. Rechargeable too, so no hunting for batteries at 11pm.
Vekkia 14 LED Rechargeable Book Light for Reading
Try the amber light mode for late-night reading. It filters out the blue light that keeps you wired. I started falling asleep naturally after reading instead of lying there staring at the ceiling.
Victsing Rechargeable Book Light, 80H, 3 Brightness
Keep this on your reading side table. The adjustable neck lets you angle light exactly onto the book without it bouncing off walls. My bedroom stays dark enough that nobody stirs.
Customer reviews for LEPOWER Metal Desk Lamp
Toss one of these in your travel bag. It runs on batteries and clips onto anything, even a Kindle case. Saved me on a red-eye flight when the overhead light was broken.
Customer reviews for Energizer Clip on Book Light
Use this tiny light for reading in the car during road trips. It clips to the book spine and the flexible neck bends exactly where you need it. Read three chapters while the kids napped in the backseat.
Mighty Bright Hammerhead LED Book Light
Grab a floor lamp if you hate clip-on lights. This one arcs over your shoulder and the dimmer lets you find that sweet spot between too bright and squinting. Reading sessions got way longer.
Elk Home 24-Inch Wide Otus Floor Lamp, Traditional
Switch to this if regular book lights give you headaches. The amber tone is so much easier on tired eyes. I read for two hours past my bedtime without the usual eye strain. Dangerous honestly.
Hooga Amber Book Light, Blue Blocking
Bookmarks and Book Accessories for Distracted Readers
When you're reading in short stolen bursts between kid interruptions, you need stuff that helps you pick up exactly where you left off without losing your place seventeen times a day.
Keep this in whatever book you're reading. It marks your page AND lights it up when you sneak in a chapter after dark. Two problems solved with one flat little gadget.
Thinking Gifts Flexilight LED 2-in-1 Book Light & Bookmark
Prop your book open on this so your hands are free for coffee or snacks. I used to lose my grip and drop books on my face while reading on my back. This ended that era.
If USA Bookaroo Bean Bag Reading Rest, Forest Green
Slip this on your thumb and hold your paperback open one-handed. The other hand can deal with whatever your kid just handed you. I read through an entire snack request without losing my page.
Angled Hole] TILISMA Thumb Book Page Holder
Grab one to jot down quotes or thoughts between interruptions. When I come back to reading after a kid break, my notes remind me exactly where my head was. Keeps the momentum going.
Moleskine Classic Notebook, Soft Cover, XXL (8.5"
Try this if you lose your line on the page, not just your page in the book. The transparent strip highlights exactly where you stopped mid-sentence. Designed for people who get interrupted constantly.
Magnetic Book Holder & Page Marker Set of 2
Use these tiny metal clips to mark specific lines you want to come back to. They don't damage pages and they're thin enough that the book still closes flat. Stocking up was smart.
Book Darts 125 Count Tin Brass Bookmarks
Set this on your kitchen counter and read while supervising homework. Hands-free reading means you can help with math problems without losing your spot. Multitasking at its finest.
8.8 inch Wooden Cookbook Holder for Kitchen Counter
Pair this with your bed pillow setup. It holds the book at the perfect angle so you're not craning your neck down. My neck pain from reading in bed disappeared within a week of using it.
Thinking Gifts Tablet & Book Stand - Soft Book Couch - Black
Cozy Blankets and Comfort Gear for Reading Corners
Once the noise is handled and the chair is right, the final piece is getting so physically comfortable that nothing can pull you out of the book. These made my reading corner feel like a cocoon.
Wrap up in this the second the house gets quiet. It's lightweight enough for summer reading but warm enough for winter nights. I have two because one is always in the wash from couch fort duty.
U by Bedsure White Fleece Throw Blanket for Couch
Splurge on this if you want the blanket equivalent of a hug. It's stupidly soft. My spouse tried to steal it twice so I had to hide it in my reading chair. Worth protecting.
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Barefoot in Wild Throw
Use this for winter reading sessions when the house is drafty. The low heat setting keeps you warm without making you sweaty. I read four books last January because I refused to leave this blanket.
Sunbeam Heated Electric Brushed Fleece Throw Blanket
Toss one behind your lower back for lumbar support that doesn't look clinical. Yes it's technically a kids' toy. No I don't care. My back feels better and it makes the chair cozier.
Large Plush Child's 14 inch Squishmallows Shannon
Light this while you read for full sensory immersion. The smell signals my brain that it's reading time now. Pavlov was onto something. My kids even know not to bother me when the candle is lit.
Yankee Candle Autumn Wreath Original Large Jar Scented
Wear this pulled down over your ears for extra noise dampening on top of earplugs. Sounds ridiculous but the combo blocks everything. My family thinks I look silly. I think they sound distant.
Knit Cuffed Beanie
Slide into these before settling into your chair. Cold feet pull me out of books faster than any interruption. These keep my feet warm for hours and the rubber sole means I can answer the door without changing shoes.
Tasman GTX for Women
Tuck this behind your neck when reading in a chair without a headrest. It prevents that awful head-bob when you start dozing off mid-chapter. Saved me from dropping my book on the floor countless times.
Casper Sleep Original Pillow, Standard
Kindle and E-Reader Accessories for Quiet Reading
Sometimes a physical book is too much hassle when you're sneaking reading time. These e-reader accessories let me read one-handed in the dark while pretending to be asleep.
Grab the Paperwhite if you don't have one yet. The built-in light means no book light, no lamp, no evidence that you're still awake at 1am reading. The warm light setting is dangerously comfortable.
Identify Your Kindle E-Reader
Protect your Kindle from the sticky fingers that will inevitably find it. This case auto-wakes when you open it so you're reading in two seconds flat. Every second counts when quiet time is limited.
Customer reviews for Fintie Case for 7" Kindle Paperwhite
Stick this on before your kid borrows your Kindle and returns it looking like a crime scene. Matte finish reduces glare too, which helps when reading near windows during daytime quiet hours.
MoKo 2 Pack Screen Protector for 7" Kindle
Attach one to the back of your Kindle case. Reading one-handed while lying on your side becomes actually comfortable instead of a wrist workout. My hand used to cramp after 20 minutes.
Popsockets Grip with Swappable Top for Cell Phones
Slip your hand through this and relax your grip. I dropped my Kindle on my face three times before getting this strap. It was the third time that convinced me. Don't wait for your third time.
Strapsicle Ergonomic Hand Straps- Premium Silicone
Load up on unlimited books so you never run out during a good reading streak. Nothing worse than finishing a book at midnight and having nothing queued up for tomorrow's quiet window.
Kindle Unlimited Gift Subscription
Keep this in your reading spot so your Kindle never dies mid-chapter. The slim design slides right into the side table drawer. I charge it once a week and forget about it otherwise.
Anker Portable Charger
Switch to this if you borrow library books digitally. It connects directly to Overdrive without workarounds. Free books plus noise canceling earplugs equals the cheapest hobby I've ever had.
Kobo Libra 2 - Walmart.ca