Best Hearing Protectors

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 19, 2023
Whether in a locksmiths' workshop or in a marble quarry or on a shooting range you expose your ears to the noise impact. The experts' advice to take the appropriate safety measures. You should wear the hearing protectors. This review covers some most popular ear safety products. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Noise Reduction Rating
Ear Protection Threshold
Type
Weight
Extra Features
Warranty
 
PROS
Implementation of the active noise reduction technology allows you to communicate freely while wearing the earmuff.
CONS
It may not protect you from extremely loud noise.
OUR VERDICT
This hearing protector is the perfect choice for shooting since its earcups do not hinder aiming the rifle. The automatic amplification shut-off is also very convenient for the shooting exercise.
detailed parameters
Noise Reduction Rating
22 dB
Ear Protection Threshold
82 dB
Type
Active
Weight
15.2 oz
Extra Features
Amplifies ambient low sounds up to 4 times, Foldable for convenient storage, Adjustable to any head size, Soft padded headband, AUX input, 3.5 mm connection cord, Automatic shut-off after 4 hours
Warranty
2 years
PROS
Omnidirectional amplification allows listening to the ambient sound, while still protecting your ears from the high-volume blasting noises.
CONS
The battery compartment lid doesn't look too reliable.
OUR VERDICT
The Walker's Game Earmuffs are an optimal solution for the firing ranges and hunting fields. They'll help you keep track of your surroundings and have your ears protected from the loud noises all the time.
detailed parameters
Noise Reduction Rating
23 dB
Ear Protection Threshold
85 dB
Type
Active
Weight
16 oz
Extra Features
0.02-second active noise cancellation response time, 3.5mm audio input, Sound-dampening composite housing, Collapsible design, Slim cups profile
Warranty
90 day
PROS
The soft padded headband creates a comfortable feel and fit during wear. At the given noise reduction rate, these muffs suit best for the toughest conditions.
CONS
The protectors are quite tight and thus, might cause discomfort.
OUR VERDICT
Due to adjustable headband, these earmuffs can be used by a vast majority of users. The unique "Super Soft" ear cushions are designed with the materials developed for NASA.
detailed parameters
Noise Reduction Rating
34 dB
Ear Protection Threshold
125 dB
Type
Passive
Weight
9.4 oz
Extra Features
Adjustable to any head size, Foldable for convenient storage, Double layer of ear cups
Warranty
30 days
PROS
The compact durable design provides you with the best possible protection.
CONS
Limited adjusting options along the headband.
OUR VERDICT
The noise reducing earmuffs feature the light-weight body causing no discomfort when worn. They are also highly resistant to loud sounds.
detailed parameters
Noise Reduction Rating
34 dB
Ear Protection Threshold
125 dB
Type
Passive
Weight
7.2 oz
Extra Features
Adjustable to any head size, Foldable for convenient storage
Warranty
90 days
PROS
What makes these protectors a stunning option for most users is attractive price and excellent performance. Comfortable, adjustable and efficient in noise reduction.
CONS
Some customers report that wearing them for longer than 6 hours often leads to uncomfortable feel.
OUR VERDICT
Made of durable and quality material, FSL Ear defenders easily withstand severe weather conditions and last through dirt and dust well.
detailed parameters
Noise Reduction Rating
34 dB
Ear Protection Threshold
125 dB
Type
Passive
Weight
11.2 oz
Extra Features
Foldable for convenient storage, Soft padded headband
Warranty
3 years
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Howard Leight R-01526

Wear With Confidence

The impact sports earmuff from Howard Leight is a top quality device featuring the impressive design and extra-soft pads in the cups and headband. This product assures you the ultimate wearing comfort without any undesired head pressure. You will feel no inconvenience wearing them as long as you wish. You will never get that much comfort with any other hearing protector. The headset of this famous producer features the patented technology of air flow control providing you with a slim design and ensuring a perfect safety of your ears. We have noticed that the earmuff ideally suits both indoor and open-air shooting. Their slim earcups allow convenient aiming of a rifle while securely protecting your ears at the same time. Each cup has a built-in directional mic allowing you to hear commands and other sounds around you. You can talk with other people with a headband on. We would also like to mention that the Impact® Sport Earmuff features the active noise reduction system shutting off the amplification when the ambient noise increases to 82 dB. All these functions constitute the unique comfort of using this device. Additionally, it has the AUX-input with 3.5 mm connector cable for iPod or MP3 player. You can listen to music or broadcasts while working or practicing active sports. 

Review of Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Sound Amplification Electronic

Some Facts about Manufacturer

Howard Leight is a recognized leader in the industry offering the very best devices for hearing protection. The leadership position demands constant research and development works in the spheres of new constructions and materials, as well as innovative methods and technologies. As a result, it succeeds in raising comfort and safety of its products to higher levels ever. The Howard Leight by Honeywell is the global champion provider of active and passive ear protection systems. In the last 30 years, it continuously ensured the utmost satisfaction of customers and prevented a great number of potential deafening cases and other hearing damages. This trend is expected to last in the future. 

Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Sound Amplification Electronic in the use

More Products to Consider

We would like to recommend you to buy the Caseling hard case for howard leight impact sport OD electric earmuff to protect your earmuff from damages during transportation and prolong their useful life.

Detailed review of Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Sound Amplification Electronic
Last updated price $53.62
Stock In stock
ASIN B001T7QJ9O

VIDEO
Howard Leight-Impact Sport-EarPro REVIEW
 

Walker's Game Ear Razor Slim Electronic Muff

Practicability at its Best

The Walker's Game Ear Razor features a fine combination of usability and safety. They boast an active noise canceling system that kicks in as soon as the ambient noise level reaches at least 85 dB, which is about the sound level of an idling tractor motor. Noise-reduction rate here is 23 dB, hence, even a blasting sound of 100 dB will be lowered to the hearing-friendly 77-78 dB. The active noise dampening response time is only 0.02 seconds, making these muffs a safe choice not only for construction sets but also for the fire range shootings.

To activate the noise cancellation, simply turn a large knob on the left cup. The same knob is also responsible for the speakers volume level. Thus, you can adjust it in order to hear more or less sound around you during hunting without taking earmuff off. That way, you will always be ready to take a shot with your gun, having your ears effectively protected from potential damage all the time.

Review of Walker's Game Ear Razor Slim Electronic Muff

Action Oriented

The lightweight housing consists of a headband with adjustable length and soft padding for user's convenience. The cushioned cups have very slim profiles and are connected to the headband via wire hinges. The hinges, in turn, allow collapsing the cups inwards for taking less space in your bag. Although the muffs can be a bit tight on the first several wears, they are very lightweight, so you can comfortably walk around in them for several hours straight.

The soft paddings firmly press over the ears, sealing them even over the hat or shooting eyeglasses. You can also run, wearing the protectors, and they won't fall off. Along with an active noise reduction, the earmuffs also have passive soundproof qualities. Thus, even if the batteries go flat, the protectors will still reduce the ambient noise for a few decibels. Finally, Walker's Razor muffs have 3.5mm audio jack input so that you could listen to all of your favorite tracks on mp3 player. We want to point out that many walkie-talkies allow the headphone connection. Therefore, you can hear the other hunters and springers over the radio, without making a sound on the outside.

The bottom line, Walker's Game Ear Razor Slim Electronic Muff can be safely employed on shooting ranges, construction sets or any other line of work that requires an OSHA-recommended ear protection.

 

Walker's Game Ear Razor Slim Electronic Muff in the use

More Products to Consider

Wearing safety glasses is mandatory on many shooting ranges. Therefore, if you've got none yet, make sure to get some and be sure of your safety being in highly noisy environment.  

Detailed review of Walker's Game Ear Razor Slim Electronic Muff

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01BXVPCHK

 

ClearArmor 141001

Safety Guaranteed

The ClearArmor 141001 hearing protector has one of the highest NRR indexes in the class. It can be used in the noisiest environment. Why is it so? Because ClearArmor protector is called so not without a reason and was designed primarily for NASA. The material absorbs low-frequency oscillations pretty well and doesn’t let any sound from the outside leak in. Besides noise reduction advanced technology (not found anywhere else), this hearing protector features a solid construction with all bits fixed firmly together instead of being glued, becoming a reliable hearing protection that’s not gonna fall apart in several months time. Clear Armor 141001 hearing protector is suitable for use at any noisy workshop, on construction sites and for shooting in the range.  

Review of ClearArmor 141001 Safety Ear Muffs Shooters Hearing Protection

Properly Made

Our conclusion is that in addition to the superb noise-resistance the manufacturer has provided the customers with the exquisite convenience and comfort. The earmuff features a top-quality protection for your ears in the most extreme circumstances. Besides that, it is comfortable enough to be worn for long hours without feeling tired. We have liked the foam cushions of the earcups covered with the synthetic leather. They tightly seal your ears and feel wonderful. They make an impression of being a really long-lasting product. The adjustable folding headband is another advantage of this device. It is an essential feature sometimes missed by certain manufacturers. The compact design of the earmuff allows its convenient transportation and storage when folded.

ClearArmor 141001 Safety Ear Muffs Shooters Hearing Protection in the use

More Products to Consider

Despite high protection level provided by the earmuff, we still suggest you use earplugs as well. Additional protection will never be too much while becoming deaf is forever. Due to the cone shape, earplugs fit in the ear and seal there perfectly. They have smooth, loaf-density foam surface resistant to the dirt and wear so that you could use them in a long time. Consider this pair of Radians 25 pair disposable uncorded foam earplugs.

Detailed review of ClearArmor 141001 Safety Ear Muffs Shooters Hearing Protection

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $15.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B00NKSMPZW

VIDEO
ClearArmor Safety Ear Muffs - Shooting Range!!
 

Pro For Sho 34dB Noise Cancelling Shooting Ear Muffs

Your Hearing is Safe

Now, we would like to speak a little about a hearing protector made by Pro For Sho. If your hobby or job requires ear safety equipment you should try the Pro For Sho 34dB Noise Cancelling Shooting Earmuffs. This earmuff features a top noise reduction rate and absorbs easily the sound of shooting bursts of the large-caliber arms. Some competitors have failed similar tests.

Review of Pro For Sho 34dB Noise Cancelling Shooting Ear Muffs

Light Weight Assures Comfort

The main advantage of this earmuff is its weight. It is considerably lighter than its competitors. The hearing protector is made of the highest-quality material and designed to overcome common limitations of the majority of earmuffs on the market. We believe that the manufacturer has succeeded in making this model lightweight yet solid and reliable. The material looks really durable. The weight is 7.2 ounces only, making this earmuff perfect for prolonged wearing without any discomfort. The device features an exquisitely ergonomic design. We have also noticed a convenient padded headband that comfortably fits any head.

Pro For Sho 34dB Noise Cancelling Shooting Ear Muffs in the use

Interesting Facts

The loud noise can not only cause the hearing damage (if you are constantly affected by the noise exceeding 80 dB) but also become a stress factor and increase the systolic blood pressure. If the noise is excessively loud your ear is forced to adapt to the environment and its sensitivity drops. The sensitivity can recover in case the effect of noise passes quickly. Otherwise, if the noise is long-lasting and loud, you may lose the hearing irrevocably. Anyway, noise causes reduction of the ear sensitivity that is why it is recommended to take care of the hearing safety and protect it rather than regret not doing it the right time.

Detailed review of Pro For Sho 34dB Noise Cancelling Shooting Ear Muffs

More Products to Consider

If you practice the target shooting, we advise purchasing some spare targets to keep improving your shooting skills. For example, 25 pack - 8" "Stick & Splatter" - Adhesive Splatterburst Target - instantly see your shots burst bright florescent yellow upon impact!

Pro For Sho 34dB Noise Cancelling Shooting Ear Muffs application

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $18.55
Stock In stock
ASIN B017RZ45F6

VIDEO
The Pro For Sho Safety Ear Muffs are an excellent set of ear muffs
 

FSL 34dB NRR Protection - Professional Ear Defenders for Shooting

Filling at the Price

In our opinion, the FSL Decimate 34dB NRR Protection earmuffs have an attractive design. And it is not that easy to find a high-quality product featuring a reliable protection rate at a reasonable price today. This hearing protector complies with the ANSI/ISEA S12.42:2010 (S3.19) standard. Its material is solid and tough. You can expect the earmuff to have a long useful life. We believe this feature being essential for the goods of the kind. Many similar devices are not that affordable for users or have inferior quality. You can be sure, though, that the FSL Decimate earmuff will meet your expectations. This model is rather popular among people who need hearing protection in the open air. It features high resistance to the wind, rain, and dirt.

 

 

Review of FSL 34dB NRR Protection - Professional Ear Defenders for Shooting

More Products to Consider

We'd also recommend you to buy a carrying case for the hearing protector. Caseling hard case for howard leight impact sport OD electric earmuff will keep your earmuff safe in the bag or backpack and help preserve its original appearance.

FSL 34dB NRR Protection - Professional Ear Defenders for Shooting in the use

Interesting Facts

You might have already heard about the potential hearing damage that can be caused by the long exposure to the loud noise. We have summarized some figures reflecting the noise level of some devices and events below. You can use this information to assess which hearing protection is needed in particular circumstances.

Painful:
  • 150 dB = Rock Concerts at Peak
  • 140 dB = Firearms, Air-Raid Siren, Jet Engine
  • 130 dB = Jackhammer
  • 120 dB = Jet Plane Take-off, Amplified Music at 4-6 ft., Car Stereo, Band Practice
Extremely loud:
  • 110 dB = Machinery, Model Airplanes
  • 100 dB = Snowmobile, Chainsaw, Pneumatic Drill
  • 90 dB = Lawnmower, Shop Tools, Truck Traffic, Subway
Very loud:
  • 80 dB = Alarm Clock, Busy Street
  • 70 dB = Vacuum Cleaner
  • 60 dB = Conversation, Dishwasher
Moderate:
  • 50 dB = Moderate Rainfall
  • 40 dB = Quiet room
Faint:
  • 30 dB = Whisper, Quiet Library
Detailed review of FSL 34dB NRR Protection - Professional Ear Defenders for Shooting
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00MO86ETM

VIDEO
FSL Decimate Ear Protection
 

What is a Hearing Protector

Quite often we need to be in loud environments (whether we want it or not) where the noise rate sometimes goes off scale and is hazardous to our hearing. That’s probably the biggest concern of builders who work on construction sites. Wearing some kind of ear protection is important not only for comfort but also for health, for it’s not rare that people who’ve spent a lot of time in tough conditions end up completely deaf. Believe it or not, but shooting is also not safe leisure activity and requires proper protectors. In this review, we’re going to consider most popular hearing protectors so that you could find the set best suited for your personal activities.

Customers who’re actively engaged in construction works may also get an interest in professional grade tools such as hammer drills, jig saws, and cordless drills. You wouldn’t be able to do even minor repairs without these tools at hand.

What Features to Compare

If you intend to purchase hearing protectors you should begin with assessing their Soundproof Features. They determine if it is actually possible to use the particular earmuffs in specific conditions or environments. The noise reduction is measured in decibels for every device of this type. The safe rate for the human ears and health, in general, is the maximum level of 80 dB. The noise reduction rate (NRR) of 20 dB means that the headset should reduce the noise from 90 dB to 70 dB. Still, while the testing is done in laboratory conditions it is advisable to select the hearing protection with the NRR equaling at least 22 dB. The lab tests have proven that earmuffs are more efficient in noise reduction than earplugs. There are two basic types of earmuffs: active and passive. The active ones allow communicating freely while wearing them. They have built-in directional microphones transmitting the sounds into speakers in the headset cups. You can hear your colleagues and friends in the shooting range or when hunting. It is very important to hear commands and listen to the ambience in these cases. The passive hearing protectors suppress all sounds whether loud or low regardless of the environment.

Comfort and Conveniences should be assessed right after the noise reduction rate. Most probably, you will wear the earmuffs for long periods of time. Consequently, you might get tired but won't be able to take them off to not be off protection. That is why all hearing protectors have soft pads in cups which may differ in appearance from model to model. The soft inner layer of the headband serves to ensure the ultimate comfort while wearing earmuffs. Comfy earcups should provide you with a sufficient clearance inside and wide dampening pads around each ear.

Construction and Exterior are the factors that shouldn't be overlooked too. Consider what type of material a headband's been made of. It's got to be rather firm not to loosen in time. Most headbands look pretty much the same and feature a one-piece band with two cups on both sides, but you can find folding models with adjustable bands that due to their design fit comfortably most people regardless of the size of their heads. Among other things that add to practicality of use is an ear cup size. If the cup isn't too small or too tight, and it doesn't completely mold into your ear, you can use the space in-between for wearing earplugs along with the headband.

Sources:

1. Hearing Protectors, CCOHS. July 25, 2007.

2. Choose The Hearing Protection That's Right For You, CDC. May 10, 2011.

3. B. Gil Horman G&A Basics: The Science of Hearing Protection, Guns & Ammo. August 22, 2013.

4. Earmuffs, Wikipedia. August 2, 2016.

5. Noise Reduction Ratings, Wikipedia. August 11, 2016.

6. Ear Protection Information, Engineering360.

7. Occupational Noise Exposure, osha.gov.

8. William Harris How Noise-canceling Headphones Work, HowStuffWorks.

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