Shooting – such a popular hobby nowadays, not only a professional necessity. And, of course, you won’t be surprised if we tell you that ear protection is very important when you are using firearms. Shooting without ear protection has a bad effect on your ears, which can lead to health problems. That is why you need to use some shooting accessories.

Best Ear Protection For Shooting - Editor's Choice

But if you do not, don’t be surprised by partial hearing loss, tinnitus, and other hearing problems if you shoot without ear protection for a long time. If you are a person who takes care of your health and follows safety precautions, it will be useful for you to learn about the 15 best ear protection. Fortunately, we have prepared such a list for you. Read, choose, and take care of your health.

Table of Contents

TOP-15 Ear Protection For Shooting

ImageProductBrand
The Walkers Pro Low Profile Folding MuffWalkersBUY
Pro-Ears Stalker Gold Series Shooting Hearing ProtectionPro-EarsBUY
Pro Ears Pro Tac 300 NRR 26 Hearing ProtectionsPro EarsBUY
Pro Ears Pro Tac Mag Gold NRR 30 Hearing ProtectionsPro EarsBUY
Pro Ears Pro Tac SC Gold NRR 25 Hearing ProtectorsPro EarsBUY
Pro Ears Pro Tac Slim Gold NRR 28 Hearing ProtectorsPro EarsBUY
Howard Leight Leightning Noise Blocking Slimline Headband EarmuffsHowardBUY
Howard Leight Leightning Super Slimline Folding EarmuffsHowardBUY
Howard Leight L3 High Attenuation Noise Blocking EarmuffsHowardBUY
Noise Reduction Safety Ear MuffsNoise ReductionBUY
ProCase Noise Reduction Ear MuffsNoise ReductionBUY
Mpow 035 Noise Reduction Safety Ear MuffsNoise ReductionBUY
Shooting Earmuffs for Gun RangeACT FireBUY
Howard Leight Electronic Shooting Earmuff (by Honeywell)HowardBUY
Awesafe Electronic Shooting EarmuffsAwesafeBUY

#1 The Walkers Pro Low Profile Folding Muff

The Walkers Pro Low Profile Folding Muff

These folding earmuffs designed by Walkers are passive hearing protection. This model is a good solution that combines low price, comfort, and quality. They will perfectly suit hunters or people who like shooting activities. The device is equipped with a comfortable design with a padded headband, which means you don’t need to worry about losing your muffs. They provide you with up to 31dB of noise reduction. It’s not the best choice for professional shooting but it could be a nice extra pair of muffs.

Pros:
  • Low Price
  • NRR
  • Compact, lightweight design
  • Easy to use
  • Durability
Cons:
  • Low on features

#2 Pro-Ears Stalker Gold Series Shooting Hearing Protection

Pro-Ears Stalker Gold Series Shooting Hearing Protection

This headset is good active hearing protection that can be used for shooting or bow hunting. The manufacturer says that this device was developed at special factories, and it’s nothing but a great balance of comfort, noise reduction, and sound purity. This model has gold connectors, amplifiers, and microphones of the highest quality to make the noise much quieter and to achieve a soft sound. Thanks to the exclusive digital technology made by Pro Ears engineers, GSDSTL can make an impulse sound wave into a pure, comfortable audible sound. The headset also has gain control. Besides, it has a shorter attack time (only 1.5 milliseconds).

Pros:
  • Built-in sound profile to gain the quietest sounds at a long distance
  • Long gun shooting feature
  • Beautiful comfortable design
  • Gain control
  • Attack time
Cons:
  • Price

#3 Pro Ears Pro Tac 300 NRR 26 Hearing Protections

Pro Ears Pro Tac 300 NRR 26 Hearing Protections

This is one more representative of the high-budget segment. This model is also an active one, and it offers a decent noise reduction rating of 26dB, an extremely comfortable design that suits different purposes and allows you to wear the headset with helmets, and a preset amplification at 15dB. The outstanding feature of this device is the absence of high-frequency filters. This is the best choice to work in continuously loud environments.

Pros:
  • NNR
  • Comfortable, multi-purpose design
  • No high-frequency filtering
  • Preset amplification
  • Durability
Cons:
  • Price

#4 Pro Ears Pro Tac Mag Gold NRR 30 Hearing Protections

Pro Ears Pro Tac Mag Gold NRR 30 Hearing Protections

If you want something cheaper but you are not ready to sacrifice all the benefits of the pro series, take a look at this model. It provides customers with a lot of cool features, such as high-quality microphones and gold connectors that ensure a noise reduction at 30dB, an exclusive technology that is a hybrid of digital and analog systems, and a super comfortable design. Clear sound, simple use, and comfortable wearing — this is what you need to feel like you want to use this active protection all day long. It will suit the range masters and instructors for shooting.

Pros:
  • NRR
  • Easy to use
  • Comfortable design
  • Clear sound
  • Jack connector
Cons:
  • Price

#5 Pro Ears Pro Tac SC Gold NRR 25 Hearing Protectors

Pro Ears Pro Tac SC Gold NRR 25 Hearing Protectors

Do you have 20 more bucks? Then purchase this device and forget about hearing protection issues. This model is very similar to the previous one, but it has a greater noise reduction rating of 25dB and a different design. It’s still very comfortable and can be used all day long. The construction’s weight is lower, which is a great pro. This headset is smart, it performs self-diagnostic and ensures one of the lowest attack times — 1.5 milliseconds.

Pros:
  • Comfortable, lightweight design
  • Clear sound
  • Attack time
  • High-quality materials
Cons:
  • Price

#6 Pro Ears Pro Tac Slim Gold NRR 28 Hearing Protectors

Pro Ears Pro Tac Slim Gold NRR 28 Hearing Protectors

However, you can also find a cheaper device from this range of models. It provides you with the same features, and the only exception is the noise reduction rating that is 28dB now. You can rate all the 3 models from the cheapest one to the most expensive to realize which one is techier and better. These headsets wear K9 officers and traffic cops, which means it’s a good solution for moderate- and high-noise environments.

Pros:
  • NRR
  • Comfortable design
  • Clear sound
  • Attack time
  • High-quality materials
Cons:
  • Price

#7 Howard Leight Leightning Noise Blocking Slimline Headband Earmuffs

Howard Leight Leightning Noise Blocking Slimline Headband Earmuffs

For those who like passive protection and low prices, there is a good pair of muffs that ensure a noise reduction of 25dB. Thanks to the solid materials, the device is very durable. You won’t lose your muffs or feel uncomfortable using them because they have a robust steel wire construction and a padded headband. The main advantage of this model is the price, which allows you to buy them with a breeze and use as you want.

Pros:
  • Price
  • Comfortable design
  • Durability
  • Easy to use
Cons:
  • Low on features

#8 Howard Leight Leightning Super Slimline Folding Earmuffs

Howard Leight Leightning Super Slimline Folding Earmuffs

One more ear muffs designed by Howard Leight that is quite different, compared to the previous one. This model should be used for low-noise environments. The reason is that it provides only 23dB of noise reduction rating. The design here is quite unique because it’s very compact. You can fold the headset and put it into your backpack with no complications.

Pros:
  • Price
  • Compact design
  • Easy to use
Cons:
  • Low on features

#9 Howard Leight L3 High Attenuation Noise Blocking Earmuffs

Howard Leight L3 High Attenuation Noise Blocking Earmuffs

And the last model by this brand should be also taken into consideration. This is actually the same model as the previous ones, but with a greater noise reduction. The NRR of 30dB can make sounds quieter and process more noises, which means you can use this device in louder environments. In addition to this, cushions are very easy to replace. Why it is necessary to review all these 3 models? Because the choice of the best protection depends on your necessities. And you have to know about all options before you decide.

Pros:
  • Price
  • Comfortable design
  • Durability
  • Easy to use
Cons:
  • Low on features

#10 Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs

Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs

What comes to these earmuffs, they are good because they are not expensive but decent enough. First of all, the NRR of 28dB is a great advantage that can’t be omitted. Secondary, a beautiful design with rotating cups make this model easily fit any size. And it’s great. If you want to carry the headset with you, just fold it.

Pros:
  • Price
  • NRR
  • Comfortable, folding design
  • Adjustment
Cons:
  • Low on features

#11 ProCase Noise Reduction Ear Muffs

ProCase Noise Reduction Ear Muffs

Looking for something even cheaper? How about this one? There is actually nothing much to say about this model. It’s also a sort of passive protection that offers a noise reduction rating of 28dB, a comfortable folding design, and an adjustable headband with rotatable cups. No matter who is going to wear this headset, it will fit any size.

Pros:
  • Price
  • NRR
  • Nice design
Cons:
  • Low on features

#12 Mpow 035 Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs

Mpow 035 Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs

If you can’t find previous models on the market or if you already have these muffs, you can use them without a doubt. It’s a cheap but decent solution that will help you get rid of unwanted noises. The noise reduction here has an average value of 28dB, and the design is very compact. The construction weighs only 308 grams and it can be folded to become pretty small.

Pros:
  • Price
  • NRR
  • Lightweight, foldable design
Cons:
  • Low on features

#13 Shooting Earmuffs for Gun Range

Shooting Earmuffs for Gun Range

Enough of too cheap products, let’s review something more interesting. For example, earmuffs by Act Fire. These adjustable, beautifully designed with Japan imported painting earmuffs can reduce noises up to 23dB. The vertical volume controller makes it convenient for you to use the device. It also allows you to hear other important sounds. Thanks to the high-quality connectors and cables, you can connect your phone or iPod to listen to music. The clarity of sound is amazing for such a price.

Pros:
  • Price
  • Beautiful design
  • Clear sound
  • Aux connector
Cons:
  • NRR

#14 Howard Leight Electronic Shooting Earmuff (by Honeywell)

Howard Leight Electronic Shooting Earmuff (by Honeywell)

Howard Leight also offers active protection. These earmuffs use built-in directional microphones to reduce noises with an NRR of 22dB. You can enjoy the pure sound without noises and listen to what you really need to hear. Plus, it’s possible to connect MP3 players or scanners. 2 AAA batteries are required to power the device, battery life is about 350 hours.

Pros:
  • Price
  • Easy to use
  • Clear sound
  • AUX connector
  • Battery life
Cons:
  • Weak characteristics

#15 Awesafe Electronic Shooting Earmuffs

Awesafe Electronic Shooting Earmuffs

The last model at a rather low price that we want to tell you about is designed by AweSafe. Nothing is outstanding here, except for the fact that this particular model is almost 20 bucks cheaper, compared to other models with the same characteristics. The muffs are based on electronic noise reduction at a 23dB rating. Besides, very solid materials are used to design this device, so you don’t have to worry about durability.

Pros:
  • Price
  • Comfortable design
  • Durability
Cons:
  • Low on feature

FAQ

Do you need ear protection for shooting?
Of course. Loud noises, such as shots, can damage your hearing health.
How much hearing protection do I need for shooting?
It depends on the circumstances. Indoor shooting requires protection with an NRR from 28 to 31dB. For outdoor shooting, 28dB and less — is enough.
Are earplugs or earmuffs better for shooting?
Earplugs offer better protection, but earmuffs are more comfortable for the majority of people. However, we recommend using both of them.
What hearing protection do professional shooters use?
They usually use the same protection that we offer you!
What should I look for in shooting ear protection?
The balance of comfort and noise reduction rating. This is the most essential parameters.
What ear protection do special forces use?
They use Peltor ComTac’s.
Does the military wear ear protection in combat?
Not all the time. Some special operations require no protection, for example.

Conclusion

We want to make a little summary at the end. What are the best cheap and expensive models?

Cheap:

Expensive:

Max Endless
Max Endless
Weapon Expert & School Teacher
Hi, I’m Max. I'm a weapon expert and a teacher of English from Belarus. These two qualities allow me to share my opinions and observations about news from the gun world. I'm really into firearms and different weapons because I was learning about them since my childhood.

My life has taken me through different complications and exciting moments, so what I’ve learned is to always be ready to fight. My father is professional military personnel and he made me familiar with various weapons since my childhood. My first one was a bow, and then I started to have a fancy for this unbelievable world of firearms. My main specialization allows me to share my thoughts about different devices, guns, and gun details with the English-speaking community. In my articles, I talk about pistols, rifles, knives, shotguns, and many other tactical and survival things.

Read more about our team of expert authors.

Affiliate Disclosure: Rotorm.com sometimes gets paid for listings, through sponsors or affiliate programs like Amazon, Optics Planet, Lucky Gunner, Brownells, Cabelas, Rainier Arms, 5.11 Tactical, Bass Pro Shop, etс. Clicking a link helps keep Rotorm.com free, at no extra cost to you!

About the author: Each article on our site is written by experts in survival and tactical equipment, gun enthusiasts, extreme travelers, military, law enforcement and desperate professionals, read about the author at the bottom of the article or visit "About Us" page.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments