The atmosphere at any Formula 1 race is nothing short of electrifying—engine roars, enthusiastic crowds, vibrant music, and booming commentary all collide to create a symphony of sound. It was in this thrilling chaos that I put the Loop Switch 2 earplugs to the test during the Miami 2025 race.
These eye-catching metallic orange 3-in-1 earplugs, launched in collaboration with McLaren (and I’m convinced my wearing them played a role in the team’s success that weekend), are fundamentally the same as Loop’s other Switch 2 models, just with a stunning aesthetic twist.
So, how do they operate? Rather than enhancing music, these 3-in-1 earplugs allow you to switch between three distinct noise-canceling modes.
The “Engage” mode is the most open, providing a 20dB reduction in noise. This setting allowed me to enjoy conversations with vendors while placing food orders, maintaining communication amidst the hustle. “Experience” mode offers a slightly stronger 23dB noise reduction, which was ideal while watching the race from the grandstand, effectively muffling engine sounds but keeping the electrifying crowd’s enthusiasm and the loudspeaker commentary audible.
Lastly, the “Quiet” mode provides the most substantial reduction of 26dB, perfect for when I wanted to catch a moment of solitude, like catching some sleep on the coach ride back to the hotel.
Changing these settings is a breeze, thanks to a mechanical control slider on the earplugs.
As entirely analog devices, these are among the few non-electric gadgets we review here at Nova Play, meaning you can forget about charging them. Just remember to clean the ear tips from time to time and take the compact carrying case along with you.
Included with the earplugs is a perfectly sized carrying case that fits snugly in any pocket, along with four ear tip sizes ranging from extra small to large, ensuring a comfortable fit for various ear shapes.
The McLaren edition I sported in Miami retails at $64.50 / £59.95 / AU$99.95. However, you can choose from one of the four standard color options at Loop’s online store starting from $59.95 / £54.95 / AU$94.95.
While the price is a tad steep, for those who often attend music festivals or high-octane motorsport events and wish to avoid that annoying post-event ringing in the ears, the Loop Switch 2 earplugs might be the perfect solution.
