- What to Buy
We researched home earwax removal kits to bring you our top picks for ease, effectiveness, and safety.
By
Isabella Ubaldi
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Isabella Ubaldi
Isabella has 10 years’ research and writing experience covering topics that range from how ‘femtech’ helps to fill the gap in our medical understanding of women’s bodies to the best moisturizing body washes. Her curiosity about the world feeds her keen interest in helping people reduce the shopping noise and simply make better decisions.
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Published on February 2, 2024
Medically reviewed by
Michael Menna, DO
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Medically reviewed byMichael Menna, DO
Michael Menna, DO, is currently an attending emergency medicine physician at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York, with nearly 10 years of experience.
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Fact checked by
Richard Scherr
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Fact checked byRichard Scherr
Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.
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For the most part, your ears are self-cleaning, and earwax protects them from debris and bacteria. Chewing keeps the wax moving, and showering and washing your hair prevent buildup. But in some cases, excess amounts of hardened wax can affect your hearing and cause discomfort. Using a home earwax removal tool is one simple way to help you hear clearly again. We contacted otolaryngologists Linda Dahl, MD, and Inna Husain, MD, to get their advice on selecting a home earwax removal kit. They both advise that the safest way to remove ear wax is to visit a doctor’s office. This is non-negotiable if you have a severe blockage, pain, or significant hearing loss. However, with your doctor’s approval, a home removal kit can also be a safe and effective way to soften ear wax and release minor blockages. Social media has been abuzz with trending earwax removal tools, but not all of them are safe or effective. To help you find the best products, we’ve researched and consulted experts to bring you our top six home earwax removal kits. We also had a doctor from our Medical Expert Board review this article for scientific and medical accuracy. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Budget: Best Irrigation: Doctor Easy Elephant Ear Washer Bottle System at Amazon ($32) Easiest to Use: The Lengin Otoscope Ear Cleaner is our best overall pick because it comes with a camera and light on the end, which makes it a safer approach. You an see exactly what your ear canal looks like as you clean it by connecting the cleaner to your phone via the Soulear app, which is compatible with Android and iOS devices. Once you’re all set up, you’ll get high-quality 1080p HD visibility in photo or video format. The ear cleaner kit also comes with interchangeable silicone tip ear spoons to keep things as sanitary as possible. The soft tips are designed with comfort and cleanliness in mind, and washing them with the included cleaning brush is a simple process. The battery lasts about 70 minutes on a full charge. The dual-ended design of Clinere Ear Cleaners makes them ideal for relieving itch and removing wax. The twirled fin end on one side is useful for cleaning the outer part of your ear, while the scoop side helps you reach slightly deeper. The scoop has clearly marked lines that indicate how far to insert it into your ear. Use them as a guide, as the ideal depth will vary based on the size of your ear. We love that the cleaners come in a pack of 10 and are easy to wash and reuse, which makes the price hard to beat. Some irrigation ear cleaners come with a long spout that is inserted directly into your ear. This type of design makes it easy to push the tube too far into your ear canal. We like the Elephant Ear Washer Bottle System because the protective splashback means you can place the tip into your ear without overdoing it. Dr. Dahl warns against using home irrigation without first seeing a physician as it can trigger episodes of vertigo. If your doctor has cleared you to use home irrigation, this system is an easy way to eliminate excess wax buildup. The set comes with three ear tips, so it will last a while. We also appreciate the quality of the spray handle, which makes it easy to adjust the intensity of the stream. The oogiebear-brite helps you get into the littlest ears and noses. The angled loops make it easy to enter from either side, and the soft plastic is flexible but sturdy. It’s designed to be just long enough to reach into the ears without going too deep. There’s also a handy light on the end to help you easily see what you’re doing, even at night. We love that this gadget also doubles as a cleaner for your baby’s nose. The attachments are also easy to clean, and the set comes with a convenient storage case, so it’s easy to throw in your diaper bag for use during travel. Technically this product isn’t an earwax removal kit, but WaxOut Organic Ear Oil has similar effects and works so well that we had to add it to our list. The tincture is made from a combination of oils that soften ear wax, soothe itching, and relieve ear aches. Mullein extract oil, which is known to soothe inflammation and loosen mucus, is one of the main ingredients. This oil is one of the safest options on our list, and it’s also easy to use. Simply place a few drops in each ear, then let it sit for 20 minutes while the oil softens your ear wax. You can soak up any excess oil with a cotton ball. We recommend following the oil treatment with a shower to encourage greater wax removal. KDO's Q-Grips Earwax Removal Spirals are designed with soft, silicone tips that are sized for a range of ear sizes and age groups. They’re safer than both their metal counterparts and cotton swabs and have a simple, ergonomic design that’s easy to grip. Insert the spiral into your ear canal and gently twist to clear earwax. The kit also includes a spiral hard head, silicone brush, and three-ring cleaning tips for a thorough clean. The attachments are easy to wash and sanitize, and the set comes with 16 spiral tips that can be used for adults and children, making it a great choice for larger households. To select the best ear wax removal kits, we asked doctors which types they recommend and got their insights on what shoppers should look for and avoid. Our experts also provided advice about the potential dangers of some kits and how to remove earwax safely at home. Based on their recommendations, we researched the most effective ear wax removal kits that will relieve itching and buildup when used with care. We were sure to include a variety of kits to meet a range of needs, including irrigation, manual removal, and ear drops The Lengin Otoscope Ear Cleaner impressed us with its quality camera capabilities and simple but functional design. We love that the user-friendly app is compatible with both Android and iOS. The kit comes with five ear tip spoons that are easy to clean and comfortable in your ear. We’ll continue to review new earwax removal kits, so keep an eye on this list for the most updated information. Earwax removal kits work as long as they’re used carefully and according to instructions. The best way to know if it’s worth going down the path of home removal is to check in with your doctor, who can also provide guidance about the best type of kit to choose. Dr. Dahl says most home removal kits are safe, but complications may arise if you don’t know how much wax buildup you have or don’t follow manufacturer recommendations. All the kits we recommend are safe for home use, but some trending removal tools are not safe, so ask your doctor before deciding to invest. Specifically, use caution with kits that use heat to melt earwax, as well as Debrox ear drops, which contain a form of hydrogen peroxide and have been trending on social media. Dr. Husain suggests using these drops only when recommended by a medical professional and to avoid them altogether if you’re concerned about a perforated eardrum. Both doctors we interviewed recommend seeing an ENT specialist/otolaryngologist or general practitioner if your earwax is bothering you. They also suggest using a device that comes with a light and ideally, a camera, so you can see clearly, like our Best Overall choice, the Lengin Otoscope Ear Cleaner. Isabella Ubaldi has 10 years of research and writing experience that includes covering how to shop for the best personal products online. Her curiosity about the world feeds her keen interest in helping people reduce the shopping noise and simply make better decisions. As someone who has tinnitus, she is often on a personal hunt for different ways to look after her ears.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-Earwax-Removal-Kits-HLT-tout-75605bb863954e2b89dcf74141786089.jpg "The 6 Best Earwax Removal Kits—And Not a Cotton Swab in Sight (4)")
Best Overall
Lengin Otoscope Ear Cleaner
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Best Irrigation
Doctor Easy Elephant Ear Washer Bottle System
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/elephant-ear-washer-bottle-system-by-doctor-easy-e5c45186d5ab48d888dcdf9993ad1645.jpg "The 6 Best Earwax Removal Kits—And Not a Cotton Swab in Sight (7)")
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Oogie-Bear-Nose-and-Ear-Gadget-ddbcc95fff2041718a592bcec2b75518.jpg "The 6 Best Earwax Removal Kits—And Not a Cotton Swab in Sight (8)")
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What to Know About Earwax Removal Kits
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