Skip the Cotton Swabs & Try These Safer, Doctor-Recommended Earwax Removal Kits Instead (2024)

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• What to Buy

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.

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

Where We Stand

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.

• How to Use an Earwax Removal Kit: Earwax removal kits should always be used with care and approval from a doctor. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the cause of your earwax buildup and figure out which removal method is the best investment for you. Once you have found the best kit for you, be sure to follow instructions carefully.
• Method of Removal: fMost of the kits on our list feature manual tools and silicone tips to remove earwax. We recommend avoiding metal tips, which can damage the ear canal. The irrigation method is usually conducted by a medical professional, but the irrigation-based product we’ve included here (the Elephant Ear Washer Bottle System) was designed by a doctor for home use. Ideally, you should have a second person there to help when you use any kind of earwax remover kit, unless the kit includes video like our Best Overall choice.
• Ingredients: Oils are commonly used to soften ear wax. The organic ear oil included in this list uses a combination of herbal oils that are designed to help with inflammation and pain, which makes it a great option if you suffer from frequent ear aches. For other products that use irrigation, we recommend filling the irrigation bottle with distilled water.
• Safety: Inserting anything into your ear can injure your eardrum, increase earwax compaction, and cause irritation or bleeding, so it’s important to use products that are designed with safety in mind. Dr. Husain says to avoid any method that uses heat, such as ear candleing, which can burn your ear or the surrounding skin. Water flushes can also trigger vertigo episodes, so consult your doctor before you try irrigation removal kits.

The Experts

• Linda Dahl, MD, an otolaryngologist based in New York City, New York
• Inna Husain, MD, an otolaryngologist based in Munster, Indiana

Do earwax removal kits really work?

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.

Are earwax removal kits safe to use?

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.

Which earwax removal kits do doctors recommend?

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.

Who We Are

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.