It's hard to find the perfect pair of shooting and hunting earmuffs. Luckily for you, these affordable pairs come highly recommended from reviewers who really know their stuff.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. Peltor Sport - Tactical Hearing Protector
Highlight: Blocks harmful gunshot noises while enhancing quieter sounds.
Helpful review: As a regular at the shooting range, I just can’t say enough good things about these headphones. The ear protection is second to none. I’ve tried several other models, and without a double these are the best I’ve tried. I always prioritize comfort when I’m shooting, especially at the range, and these headphones get the job done. Pelter Sport created them so they have an ergonomic design, which creates a snug fit without the pain, even when you wear them for longer periods. I love how large the volume control buttons are and it lets me make adjustments without having to take them off.
They’re so functional and versatile. I like listening to Spotify when I’m at the range, and these headphones have great sound quality. I did upgrade to the gel pads and found that they definitely improved the comfort, but some people may find their fine without them, just depending on what you’re looking for when it comes to comfort.
They can get a bit warm on hotter days, but that's not a big deal for me when you consider all the positives. By far the best part is their sound dampening capability. It’s really unmatched. My hearing is well protected, my music enjoyment is better, and overall, I just look pretty cool when I shoot with them haha.
If you’re looking for a sign, this is it. I really recommend the Pelter 500 ear protection headphones for anyone craving time on the range. If you’re looking for comfort, functionality, and sound dampening, then this is it. Despite the slight warmth on hot days, their performance outweighs everything else. — Harold Daniels
Get it from Amazon now: $199.99 & FREE Returns
2. Walker's - Firemax Behind the Neck Earmuffs
Highlight: Design fits them behind your neck which maximizes comfort.
Helpful review: These are by far the best ear protection I've ever used. Voices are clear, and the ear cups are very comfortable, even for extended use.
PROS:
–Say goodbye to disposable batteries.
–USB-C rechargeable.
–Can be used as headphones with aux input.
Trust me when I say that I've tried various ear protection before, and these are one thousand percent the most comfortable I’ve ever used. Not needing to change batteries is a huge plus. Really can’t emphasize that enough. I keep them on a charger but I also carry a portable battery for extra convenience just in case. They definitely surpass other well known brands when it comes to comfort. I also love how my ears stay cool even after prolonged wear.
As electronic ear protection, they have two mics for picking up outside sound and four filters, and I primarily use the clear voice setting, which works best for me. You can also use an optional walkie talkie mic by plugging into the USB port.
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
I really can’t say enough good things about these. The fit is perfect, the comfort is awesome, and they’re the only headphones I’ve used that have kept my ears cool when I’m in the desert on a deployment. With a little adjustment, they fit really well under a military helmet. I have a small head though, so they might be tight for others. They are more comfortable and provide better hearing clarity than my Razor Walkers.
MY NEIGHBOR’S REVIEW:
I shoot indoors weekly and although my previous ear muffs had excellent noise reduction, for the life of me, I couldn't hear conversations. These Walkers work great. They allow me to hear people up to five lanes away, while still protecting my ears, which is exactly what I wanted. The sound suppression is effective, and I just can’t get over how comfortable they are. Though not the cheapest, they’re worth it for the performance and comfort. You won’t regret it, trust me. — Eddy Travis
Get it from Amazon now: $199.99 & FREE Returns
3. Sordin - Supreme Pro-X Ear Neckband Defenders
Highlight: Military level ear protection.
Helpful review: If you need all day comfort for your ears, then look no further, friends, cause these are unbeatable–the best option on the market. Who am I to tell you this? Well I’m an NRA instructor for one, meaning I essentially have extensive range time. I’ve tried a lot on the market, and these may be my new favorite. Without a doubt I can vouch for the Sordin Supreme's quality.
These are the only waterproof hearing protectors I've seen on the market. And trust me–I tested this claim thoroughly. In a simulated rainstorm (aka my shower), they worked perfectly, although I did get a little feedback from the wet microphones. Submerged in water for two hours (aka my bathtub) they still functioned pretty well, although the microphones again had feedback.
For duck hunting or similar wet conditions, you’re gonna be just fine. I recommend choosing the orange camo finish to avoid losing them. These muffs excel at noise reduction, too, and really handle the screeching noises from the gun shop machines while still allowing me to listen to music with the directional microphones.
The comfort is just exceptional; I wore them for three hours without discomfort, even with eyeglasses. They include a three and a half millimeter jack for two way radios, and the manufacturer offers a splitter for inputting two radios into one headset.
The battery compartment can be tricky, just beware, and it requires small tools for battery replacement, but it's watertight. The constant white noise from the microphones is noticeable in quiet environments but you can turn it off so that’s nice. Anyway, The comfort and quality build just make these worth it. If you need waterproof hearing protection, these are the best you’re gonna find. — Gary Anderson
Get it from Amazon now: $329.00 & FREE Returns
4. Howard Leight by Honeywell - Impact Sport Sound Amplification Earmuffs
Highlight: Earcups are low profile and include an adjustable headband ensuring a tight, secure fit.
Helpful review: I've had these for a week and they're exactly what I needed. Regular ear protection made conversations at the range difficult, but these electronic earmuffs changed that for real. There are technologies to help with that, but I’m pretty sensitive to sound and like to close the filter caps. It was inevitable that I was gonna go electric at some point, but so many of them were out of my price range, and then an instructor at the range recommended these babies, and man, I can’t believe I waited this long.
PERFORMANCE:
Amplification is excellent; I can even hear whispers clearly. There's a slight white noise in quieter environments, but it's negligible during use. The noise reduction is effective, way better when compared to foam plugs.
DESIGN:
Slim and compact, they fold neatly with nothing sticking out. The headband is durable, and the earpads are comfortable.
USABILITY:
I can wear them under a hood or even my helmet. The power switch and volume control are well-designed, and muscle memory makes adjustments easy. They're lightweight and fit snugly, but don’t skimp on the comfortably, even for long periods.
They feel sturdy and really well made, though time will tell how they hold up. So overall, I just can’t say enough good things. These earmuffs offer top of the game, and offer great performance, solid comfort, and an affordable price. Definitely rival the expensive models, and I’m telling all my friends about them. Won’t be gong back. — Juan Aguilera
Get it from Amazon now: $87.62 & FREE Returns
5. Walker's - Razor Slim Electronic Muffs
Highlight: Volume knob allows for super easy adjustment.
Helpful review: I recently used these on a camping and shooting trip and was very impressed. They came with their own batteries, which was super convenient and an extra touch I appreciated. Duracell batteries, too, in other words, the not cheap kind haha. So that alone tells you something about the quality of these. If the batteries are gonna last long, then so are the headphones, that was my first impression, at least.
When it comes to performance, I wore them all afternoon, and found that I had zero issues. The noise cancellation activated only when it was needed. They handled a wide range of weaponry, which is convenient since I own numerous guns. You can even hear background noises which was a nice plus.
Comfort was just incomparable. They were comfortable enough that I honestly forgot I had them on. I liked how stylish they looked, too. They fold super compactly, fitting easily into my range bag, making it great for travel and camping.
When it was super windy, I did get some blow back from outside, but it wasn’t too bad, and that’s to be expected.
I know that some reviewers mentioned a gel pad you can get to add the comfort level. I didn’t find that I needed them, but I like that that option is there in case I change my mind. Overall, I really just can’t say enough good things. They're comfortable, effective, do the job they’re meant to, and are really just a great addition to my shooting gear. I'm so glad I chose these and would definitely buy them again.
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
Talk about amazing noise gating! Not only are these comfy to my hearts but they actually work. They work to 22db, just like a lot of other ear protection, and even do great in an indoor range. I can even hear convos with the muffs on. A plus, indeed! — Nick Lieber
Get it from Amazon now: $79.99 & FREE Returns
6. Pro For Sho - 34dB Shooting Ear Protection
Highlight: Padded headband for all-day comfort.
Helpful review: I've been doing a lot of woodworking since hitting retirement and the wife kept telling me that I needed effective ear protection so I don’t go deaf. Eventually I heard her pleas and buckled haha. Earplugs weren't cutting it, so I ended up trying these ear protection earmuffs.
They look sleek and fold compactly and don’t bother my ears either. They muffle noise better than earplugs I was using, but they did feel a bit on the tighter side after using them for almost an entire day. My buddy I was working on a project with found them comfortable, so it might just be me.
If you’re really looking for extra, extra protection, you can even throw in some ear plugs underneath the ear muffs, which adds an extra level of protection.
When I work on the loudest tools, I’m probably going to end up doing that, just because it makes my wife feel a little safer, and that way I can pretend I didn’t hear her when she’s asking me to come in for dinner. Sometimes I just wanna keep working!
Overall, I really like how soft they are against my ears, and I find that they’re exactly what I was hoping for and then some. — Scott Richards
Get it from Amazon now: $20.99 & FREE Returns
7. Awesafe - Electronic Earmuffs for Noise Reduction
Highlight: Noise reduction is top notch and with tons of colors to choose from you won’t be disappointed.
Helpful review: The padding is so soft, and I love how the headset doesn’t squeeze my head, which was a concern I had on a similar pair I owned a few years ago. The batteries last for days, which is freaking awesome. The only issue is interference from Bluetooth signals. I use Bluetooth for my gaming calls and there’s something about the radio transmission frequency that creates this static and buzzing and that interferes with the headsets. When I shut off the Bluetooth, that’s when the buzzing stops.
The manufacturers easily could have installed an interference blocker, it’s like a blocking filter that operates with gigahertz frequencies. So not sure why they didn’t do that. Even so, I really do like these headphones, and I think that my issue isn’t going to affect everyone, it’s a little more specific to my lifestyle. The audio is loud and solid, although there is a slight hiss when it’s at max capacity.
And while this all sounds a little negative, I’ll say this–I own multiple earphones, all in the few hundred dollar range, and they all have the same interference.
And to push home, how much I do enjoy them, they are my go to go when it comes to gaming. So yeah, I do recommend them!
MY FRIENDS REVIEW:
These are superior to standard hearing protection, hands down. They block gun noise but allow clear conversations, and that’s so important when you’re at the range and especially if you’re learning to shoot. You can hear the instructor still, but you can also hear your neighbors, and anyone who has been to the range knows the importance of that. I love how noise reduction is selective, too. They are really my number one headphones, and I also have to say their customer service is great. Overall, definitely a fan! — Mark S. Romney
Get it from Amazon now: $36.99 & FREE Returns
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