Best Electronic Ear Muffs for Shooting – Top 5 Picks

Shooting is fun! Right? Agreed only when you have the best electronic ear muffs for shooting.

If you fantasize about shooting like Jason Statham and having a normal conversation afterward, you’ve no idea about real shooting! Real-life shooting and movie shooting scenes aren’t the same. Movies are totally fictional. A rifle or pistol can produce sound over 175 decibels. Don’t dare to face this without any protection unless you want to be deaf within a day, if not weeks. You can avoid this situation by putting on an excellent electronic muff.

But, when it comes to choosing the best electronic ear muff for shooting, there’s a lot to consider. To assist you in this selection process, we’ve covered everything you need to know about it.Without further chitchat, let’s proceed to our main sections.

Finding the best electronic earmuff is like finding a needle in the haystack. There are thousands of products in the market with specific provision for hobbyists, avid shooters, hunters, and even for the beginners. Let me help you to find out the answer to the most enquired question: what are the best electronic ear muffs for shooting?

5 Best Electronic Ear Muffs for Shooting

1. Walker’s Razor Slim – Compact Electronic Ear Muff

Walker’s Razor is a compact electronic muff that can gear you up for the next project. This well-performing protection unit is equipped with abundant features. Have a look.

Design

Walker Slim earmuff has a softly padded headband with metal-built wireframes. This headband is easily foldable. So, you may fold it while not using it. The compact design with rubberized ear cups can provide you all-day comfort.This lovely muff is available in more than 15 colors. If you are a color savvy person, this walker muff might satisfy you.

High-quality Build

The earmuff has a slim headband that fits comfortably, while the ear cup is rubberized and feels comfortable on the ear. This ultra-thin cup uses built-in amplification properties to reduce external noise.

23 Decibel NRR

Walker’s Razor features an impressive Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 23 dB. It can block the harsh sound of gun fires or machinery and allows you to have a normal conversation with your shooter buddies. It only blocks the sound that exceeds 89 decibels. And this muff can detect the sound within 0.02 seconds.

Sound Clarity

This earmuff has two omnidirectional microphones. With the help of these microphones, you can transmit crystal clear audio. With an integrated frequency-tuner, it can deliver comparatively more natural sound. Furthermore, it uses a full dynamic-range HD speaker as the sound output device. This speaker makes the sound even more gratifying.It is also engineered with Sound Activated Compression (SAC) circuit. This circuit gets activated almost instantly to reduce the noise.

Sound Controlling

This Razor muff contains an independent volume control system. The recessed volume control knob helps you to do the critical tasks pretty quickly. To attach external audio devices, there’s a standard audio input jack. This jack can be connected with your smartphone, iPod, or other MP3 players.

Long Battery Life

You will need only two AAA batteries to power this device. And fortunately, you don’t need to change those frequently. It has a decent battery life and can serve you for a long time.

Pros

• Comes with Sound Activated Compression circuit
• Decent battery life
• 23 dB Noise Reduction Rating
• Availability of headphone jack
• Rubberized cups

Cons

• Jaw movement affects the cup seals
• Don’t fit well under the ACH helmet

2. Howard Leight Impact Sport – Honeywell Electronic Shooting Earmuff

Honeywell Impact Sport is one of the most used hearing protection devices for hunting and shooting. A feature-packed design within the low cost makes it popular among the shooters.

Design

The design of this earmuff from Howard Leight is pretty simple. It contains a padded headband and ear cups with snap-in ear cushions, speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack, etc.Also, the headband is easily foldable. It allows you to keep the ear muff safe while not using it.

Comfort

The combination of compact design and ultra-lightweight makes it easier to wear for a long time. Most importantly, you can complete an entire hunting session without feeling any discomfort and hassles for a single moment!Its earpads are also designed for ultimate comfort. Notably, that soft PVC lining improves the comfort level in a marvelous way.

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

Honeywell Impact Sport comes with a noise rating of 22 dB. This rating is enough to protect your ears from gunshots.Besides the hunting period, this device also protects your hearing while working in heavy industry.

Ambient Sound Amplification

Among many things, the ambient sound amplification system is my most favorite feature of this product. The sound amplification of this product is too crisp. You’ll never face any annoying noises from the outside. There’s an integrated microphone in this muff. It can amplify the sound up to 82 dB. That’s how you can stay aware of what is happening around you. Further, hunters have to maintain decent communication with their hunting partners. And if you turn on the sound dial into the max position, you would even hear the sound of the wind. How efficient it is!

AUX Input

Howard Leight Electronic Shooting Earmuff features AUX input and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. You can connect your smartphone, iPod, scanning devices, or any other audio devices via this jack.

Battery Saving

This Honeywell earmuff needs two AAA batteries to operate correctly. It has approximately 350 hours of battery life.However, it happens that the shooters forget to turn off the ear muff after using it. It will not only drain the battery life but also increases the possibility of electronic damage. To keep you safe from this kind of unintentional accidents, Honeywell attached an automatic shut-off feature. It turns the device off after remaining idle for 4 hours. Thus, your battery juice will be saved and ready to serve you for more time.

Pros

• 22 NRR
• 82 dB sound amplification range
• AUX input
• Automatic shut-off feature
• Easily foldable

Cons

• Not waterproof
• Too much loud in indoor

3. Howard Leight Impact Pro – Higher Noise Reduction Rating

Here goes another gorgeous product from Howard Leight. This Honeywell Impact Pro Shooting Earmuff has the highest NRR rating in our top five best electronic ear muffs reviews.

Design

Honeywell Impact Pro Earmuff comes with a stunning design. Despite the lower price tag, the manufacturer offers a premium design.It is available in the combination of black and gray colors. This combination looks so vibrant and livelier.

Comfort

To ensure long-time usage, the headband and ear cups are padded suitably. This headband supports telescoping adjustment to ensure a comfortable and firm fit in all heads.Additionally, there are some rubberized pressure points in it. These rubberized points make this product scratch-proof.

Higher Noise Reduction Rating

The Honeywell Impact Pro is specially designed for the handgun and pistol users. This device has the highest Noise Reduction Rating, which is 30 dB. Thanks to this higher NRR, it is perfect for use in both indoor and outdoor spaces with louder sounds.

Ambient Sounds

This Honeywell Impact Pro is engineered with a directional microphone. It can amplify the lower frequency sound input to improve your hearing experience.But, the amplification shuts off automatically when the sound reaches 82 dB. Thus your ear remains protected from the hazardous sound.

Blocking Hazardous Sound

Howard Leight Impact Pro comes with a unique feature that is called Air Flow Control Technology. This technology provides optimal noise reduction across all sound frequencies.

Headphone Functionality

To connect the external audio devices, scanners, or MP3 players, there’s a standard 3.55mm headphone jack integrated with it.

Low Energy

The unit requires two AAA batteries to function. But, it uses less energy. A single pair of AAA batteries are able to support you for about 350 hours. Further, the automatic shut-off feature will help you to save battery juice. As a result, you can use this product for a long time.

Pros

• Higher NRR
• Air Flow Control Technology
• Comfortable ear cup
• Blocks hazardous sounds
• Longer battery life

Cons

• Looks bulky
• Not compact enough

4. Peltor Sport Tactical 300 – Good Quality Sound

Those who prefer a good design with a livelier sound in an electronic earmuff will love this unit from Peltor. Let’s discuss the basic features of this Peltor hearing protector.

Design

Nothing can beat the aesthetic beauty of Peltor Sport Tactical 300. The parallel headphone design with artistic matte black color will suit pretty well on your head. The wires are on the outer portion of the muff. You won’t face any trouble while using this brilliantly designed muff.

Comfort

Peltor attached a padded ear cups with this muff. And it is large enough to cover your whole ear. So, you don’t need to worry even you’ve got a larger ear lobe. Further, the smoother adjustment facility ensures more comfortable fitting on your head.

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

The experts suggest that 22 dB is the minimum recommended noise reduction rate for the shooters. And the Peltor 300 has a decent noise reduction rate of 24 dB. Needless to say, 24 dB NRR is pretty good for the electronic ear muffs. With the help of high-quality microphones, speakers, and other components, this earphone blocks the sounds from reaching your eardrums.

Sound Quality

Peltor Sport Tactical 300 is able to deliver good quality sound on your ear. The integrated ‘Clear Voice Tracking’ technology can distinguish the speech and noises. Then, it clarifies the sound by filtering the noises.

Battery Life

You’ll need two AAA batteries to run this device. Only a single pair of batteries can serve you for a long time. Even the battery removing system is pretty easier, which is located conveniently in the ear cups. And if you are more concerned with the battery life, you may use the rechargeable battery.

Pros

• Durable
• Comfortable
• Recessed microphone
• Echo filtering
• Dynamic suspension system

Cons

• Moderate NRR level
• Batteries not included

5. Peltor Sport Tactical 500 – Smart Electronic Hearing Protector

Peltor Sport, a 3M brand is renowned for manufacturing smarter solutions for the shooters. Here we’ve selected the Peltor 500 Electronic Hearing Protector as the fifth-best electronic earmuff. Let’s check the functions of this smart device.

Design

The Peltor Sport Tactical 500 is not only smart in features, but the design is attractive also. However, it’s available only in black color.

Comfort

I was totally impressed by the comfort of this hearing protector. The cup size, shape, rubber coating, and cup surroundings will work all together to maximize your pleasure. The headband is over-molded with rubber. This molding improves the stability and fits gently on your head.

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

The Peltor 500 comes with a 26 dB noise reduction rating. It’s a decent rating for the hunters. Though it’s not the best one, it gets the job done effortlessly. Additionally, this decent air cup with proper surroundings will block the disturbing noises pretty well than the other muffs of this best electronic earmuff list.

Dynamic Suppression Time Technology

Another unique feature of this electronic muff is the dynamic suppression time technology. According to Peltor, this technology can measure the energy of a gunshot and sets a suppression time automatically. It helps to reduce echoes and improves comfort. Though echoes are a comparatively smaller concern for outside applications, it’s a significant issue for indoor.

Clear Voice Tracking Technology

Delivering high-quality audio is one of the major weak points of inexpensive earmuffs. However, the Peltor Sport 500 just shines here with its beauty. Peltor uses Clear Voice Tracking Technology to reduce noise. This technology filters the voice and non-voice sound to improve speech quality. As a result, you can enjoy the natural sounds of your surroundings.

Bluetooth Sync

Peltor 500 comes with Bluetooth sync feature. You can connect your Bluetooth supported audio devices with this unit conveniently. Fortunately, the Bluetooth audio quality and the direct line audio quality are the same. You won’t face any sound drop while streaming via Bluetooth.

Pros

• Comfortable
• Bluetooth sync facility
• Excellent battery life
• Recessed microphones
• Dynamic Suppression Time Technology

Cons

• Batteries aren’t included in the box
• Not durable enough as expected

Introduction to the Technology of Electronic Ear Muffs

The percussive sound generates from the gunshots may kill your hearing ability. And a good ear muff can protect your ear while shooting in a higher range.

These electronic earmuffs can amplify the low-frequency sounds and block the hazardous sound. In general, the earmuffs use ‘Noise Gate’ or ‘Sound Compression’ technology to block noises. 

The Noise Gate technology is used mainly in the cheaper or older muffs. This technology works quite smartly by amplifying the low-frequency sound and blocking the high pitched noise. And when the high-frequency sounds go away, the amplifier again starts to amplify the natural sounds. This whole process is automatic.

On the contrary, the ‘Sound Compression’ technology is comparatively newer in this industry. It allows you to listen to all of your surrounding sounds. 

If the sound exceeds the hearing range, then it compresses the frequency in a lower-volume system. And for the low-volume sounds, it works just like the Noise Gate. The modern earmuffs also include some additional features like Bluetooth synchronization, audio jack, stereo microphone, etc.

Things to Know Before Buying Electronic Ear Muffs

The market is flooded with thousands of electronic ear muffs. All of these definitely aren’t worthy enough to use professionally. That’s why it’s better to look before you leap. Here at Backpackers Trip we examine outdoor gear, review them and bring out top products in each category. Check the guideline below to know more about the process of choosing the best electronic ear muffs.

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

It is one of the most critical features of any earmuff. This rating is clearly stated in the product description of your product.NRR determines how well your earmuff can protect your ear from outer sounds. Although it’s a complex measurement system, you don’t need to think about that at all. Just remember that, the higher the NRR, the better protection you’ll get. If you have any hearing damage, look for a device with a higher NRR.

Materials

Earmuffs are made of durable material. But, you should check the materials carefully while choosing your protector. The lightweight materials feel good on-ear and also ideal for long-time usage. Generally, the high-grade plastic build ear muffs are lightweight and also offer you a prolonged service.

Durability

If you work in the heavy industry or practice shooting frequently, you must need a durable earmuff. Usually, the hinges that connect the headband to the media devices have some compatibility issues. You may face trouble in this section, especially if you aren’t careful with your muffs.

Design

The design doesn’t mean the outlook only. So, while I’m talking about the design, it doesn’t only mean how good they look. Here, I’ll check the functionality of the design also. For example, if you go on a hunting trip frequently, you shouldn’t choose bright colors.

Comfort

Unless you work in the Orfield Laboratory of Microsoft, you might need to wear the ear muffs for a pretty long time. And a product must be comfortable enough to use it for a long time. If the hearing aid isn’t comfortable, you may not wear it always. So, make sure that the cushion and headband are soft. And the cups should be pliable and must be large enough to cover your head.

Size and Fittings

When it comes to the size of an earmuff, it could be a hindrance or a benefit. The larger size means you won’t lose it easily. But, it may take up a lot of space in your backpack. As the earmuffs are fragile, how you store them is of paramount importance. Make sure that you don’t break your tool by accident. Ideally, a perfect earmuff should be convenient for prolonged usage. You shouldn’t purchase the earmuffs that don’t fit well with your ear; it will fail to protect you against a higher noise level. The shooting muff must fit snugly in your head without being too loose or tight. Try to purchase a good earmuff with an adjustable headband. It helps to adjust the tool properly.

Weight

If you have to use the muffs frequently, you must use a lightweight one. Even though your earmuff has a comfortable cushion, you may feel uneasy if the muff is heavy.

Battery Type

You should pay attention to the battery type of your electronic earmuff. Most of the products use standard batteries. But, few manufacturers use rechargeable batteries in their products. You can charge these batteries via a USB cable. Thus you don’t need to go for a new battery every time the battery runs out.

Water-resistant

Water-resistant muffs are always a better choice than traditional muffs. It allows you to perform outdoor shooting without thinking about the weather.

Cost

Purchasing a product with a higher price isn’t always the best thing to do. Rather than buying an expensive one, try to choose one that can save your auditory system the most. Though the expensive models claim to reduce the risk of damaging your auditory system, you shouldn’t choose one blindly. Check the NRR rating and other quality manually to find the one that gives you value for the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are electronic ear muffs?

An electronic earmuff is a smarter device that is used for hearing protection. Earmuffs amplify the ambient sounds and instantly block the distressing sounds. If the sound level increases to 82 dB or higher, it is considered as a harmful sound.

2. Can I use electronic ear muffs over the goggles frame?

Yes, you can. But the attenuation of an earmuff depends on how tightly your head and ear cushion is sealed. In general, the frame size of a goggle is 2mm to 6mm. And this tiny frame can lose about 1 dB to 10 dB at individual frequency.

3. Can I use earmuffs and earplugs simultaneously?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends using both earplugs and earmuffs simultaneously if the sound range exceeds 100 dB. Wearing both of these devices can protect you from extreme noises like jet planes, pneumatic hammers, power saws, etc.

4. Do the electronic ear muffs need regular maintenance?

A durable earmuff can withstand several years with minimum maintenance. If you clean the headband and the cushion each month, it will serve you better. You know, a damaged cushion can impact attenuation. Try to replace the cushion every 10-12 months to get the best result from your earmuff.

5. In the case of electronic failure, is my hearing at risk?

No. We know that the electronic ear muffs reduce harmful sounds by using its electronic chips. But, it also contains foam tips and cushions in it. These cushions seal your entire hearing canal and reduce the sound up to 32 dB. So, your ear will be protected even if there is no electricity al all.

6. Who needs electronic ear muffs?

If you work in an area of highly cacophonous sound, you should use an electronic earmuff. Especially if you work with pneumatic hammers, power saws, or practice shooting frequently, you’ll need an earmuff.

Final Words

It doesn’t matter if you shoot like an amateur or in a fusillade, you must wear the best electronic ear muffs for shooting to protect your ear. Even a single gunshot may result in permanent hearing damage for you.

So, why risking your ear while you can take precautions by spending only a few bucks?I hope you have read our best electronic ear muffs reviews and will choose the best one for you. If you’re using it for the first time our resource on How to Use Electronic Ear Muffs might come in handy.If you have any questions about electric earmuffs, feel free to leave a reply via the comment box below.

Happy shooting!