Today we discuss the best ear protection for the shooting hobby. Hobbies, as well as good hearing, are essential for great quality of life. Make your hearing health a priority by protecting your ears in noisy environments. So, let’s have a look at some of the best ear protection.
Table of Contents
Best Ear Protection For Shooting
Premium Pick: MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X
The MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X is a heavy-duty earmuff that is designed for use on the battlefield. It secures firmly and comfortably over the head and significantly lowers the chance of it being shaken loose.
The Sordin Supreme X is designed to dampen noise levels of up to 85 decibels. This earmuff is battery operated and requires two AAA batteries. It also comes with active noise reduction features and a battery life that can last for over 600 hours. The Sordin Supreme Pro X also has an NRR rating of 18 decibels. This allows you to dampen dangerous noise levels while still having complete awareness of your surroundings.
Construction-wise, it is easy to see why the Supreme X is one of the recommended brands for military use. All moving parts are made from high-grade steel, and it is entirely waterproof to protect the battery compartment, electrical sections, and AUX inlet from water damage.
Speaking of the AUX inlet, this noise protection earmuff can be used to listen to music as well. All functions can be controlled & adjusted through the three-button keypad located on the muff. All in all, the MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X is one of the best ear protection earmuffs you can get your hands on today. It comes with all functions you need to keep your hearing safe with some added bells and whistles to sweeten the deal.
Key Features:
- Patented MSA Sordin Supreme Gel Comfort Earseals.
- Compresses dangerously loud noise down to 82 decibels.
- Helps amplify “safe noise” by up to 4x.
- Up to 600-hour battery life.
Our Rating:
- Build Quality: 9.5/10
- Comfort: 9/10
- Noise Reduction: 9.5/10
- Battery Life: 10/10
Pros:
- Top-notch noise reduction while still allowing you to have a complete awareness of your surrounding.
- Incredibly durable design.
- 300 to 600 hours of use with just two AAA batteries.
- Power saving feature.
Cons:
- This is just a nitpick, but it does not play music in stereo, only mono.
Runner-Up Pick: 3M Peltor SV Tactical Pro
3M Peltor TacticalPro Communications Headset MT15H7F SV. (Image: Amazon)
3M Peltor is a well-made and comfortable hearing protector for use in the gun range. The Peltor has an impressive noise reduction rating of 26 decibels and features noise amplification technology.
This feature allows the 3M Peltor to dampen harmful noise while giving it the ability to still hear conversations and your surroundings which is a huge plus when going on a hunting expedition outdoors.
This hearing protector earmuff also incorporates power-saving auto-shutdown functions to increase battery life further. The 3M Peltor also utilizes an active volume control that dampens loud noises (82 decibels) down to safer levels.
Additional features in the 3M Peltor SV Tactical Pro include an audio jack for those who wish to listen to some tunes and also allow it to become a portable radio. The ear cups are comfortable enough and offer a good seal around the ears.
Key Features:
- Noise Reduction Rating of 26 decibels.
- Amplifies low-level ambient sound while compressing dangerous, loud noises down to safer levels.
- Power saving feature.
Our Rating:
- Build Quality: 9/10
- Comfort: 8.5/10
- Noise Reduction: 9.5/10
- Battery Life: 8.5/10
Pros:
- The helpful low-level noise amplification technology.
- The active volume feature dampens noise (82+ decibels) down to safer levels.
- Power saving feature helps improve battery life.
Cons:
- Without the power-saving feature, the 3M Peltor will have a significantly shorter battery life in comparison to its competitors in this list.
- Not as comfortable as our premium pick.
Alternative Runner Up Pick: Peltor Sport Tactical 500
Another solid 3M Peltor hearing protection earmuff at a far lower price is the Sport Tactical 500. 500 series differ from the 300 version in that it comes with Bluetooth functionality. While not exactly an essential feature of a hearing protection earmuff, it is a welcome inclusion.
The 500 series also improve upon the design comfort of its predecessors by increasing the padding on the earcups. The increased padding retains the airtight seal design while improving overall comfort. As for noise reduction capabilities, the 3M Sport Tactical 500 has an NRR of 26 decibels.
The Sport Tactical 500 also comes with an ambient sound amplifier which allows users to hear their surroundings and conversations clearly without needing to take off the earmuffs. Alongside the basic noise suppression technology is the Dynamic Suppression Time Technology which reduces echoes. This feature is not noticeable outdoors but shines if you do target practice indoors.
The 3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 also features a 3.5mm audio jack input for music streaming. You will also need two AA batteries to operate its noise-canceling feature. Overall, the 500 is a cheaper alternative for those who are looking for a budget-friendly hearing protection earmuff.
Key Features:
- Bluetooth technology.
- Low-level sound amplifier.
- NRR of 26 decibels.
Our Rating:
- Build Quality: 8.5/10
- Comfort: 8.5/10
- Noise Reduction: 9.5/10
- Battery Life: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Comes with Bluetooth functionality.
- Adaptable noise filter reduces dangerous, loud noises while amplifying low-level sound-like conversations.
- Foldable for easy transportation and storage.
Cons:
- The headband cannot be adjusted and might cause discomfort for some.
- Music playing audio quality is subpar.
I believe this article was helpful, and you’ll have knowledge regarding the best ear protection for shooting.