If you work in construction, perform pistol or rifle shooting competitions, go to the shooting arena, or are on active duty, you require hearing protection. Guns make loud noises that can lead to hearing loss or damage the ears without headphones or proper ear protection.
The same goes for construction equipment such as chainsaws or nail guns, and it can save your ears from a lot of trouble in the future.
In today’s article, we have put together a list of electronic earmuffs that not only provide better noise reduction but are of higher quality than their non-electronic counterparts.
Once you finish this Peltor hearing protection review, you will know all the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision on which unit to purchase.
Even though the Howard Leight units may be more recognizable than the Peltors, just hear us out. It’s time to discover the most comfortable earmuffs to wear with a headband while exposing yourself to loud sounds.
Our Top Peltor Hearing Protection Reviews
3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protection
Key Features
- 26dB
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Dynamic Suppression Time technology
- Clear Voice Tracking filters noise
- Durable
If you are after innovative and effective hearing protection, the Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart electronic hearing protection headset is the best option for you.
This is one of the best headsets that allow you to see what’s happening around you while protecting you from potentially damaging loud noises.
It has an impressive noise reduction rating and comfortable ear cups that fit snuggly over your head. A dynamic sound protection suppression time increases your comfort and automatically reduces echoes like gunshots to provide better sound clarity.
Voices are sought out in loud noise and are filtered so that you can hear what others are saying. It allows you to make phone calls or stream music using Bluetooth technology, which can be used as an intelligent headphone and hearing protection at the same time.
This is by far one of the best units on the market that includes a headband. There are also multiple microphones for your convenience!
Many reviews have stated that this product is on point and is of excellent value for money. It is time to double up your hearing protection and plug into this unit to enjoy its rich features and durable design.
3M Peltor Sport Tactical 300 Smart Electronic Noise Reduction Headset
Key Features:
- Dynamic Suppression Time adjusts
- Durable
- Foldable design
- Compatible with radios and MP3 players via a 3.5mm jack
If you want something that provides excellent ear protection while still offering perfect voice tracking and sound quality, you should look no further than the Peltor Sport Tactical 300 headset. It has durable recessed microphones that reduce wind noise and prevent damage to the unit.
A noise reduction rating of 24 dB makes it fantastic for outdoor and indoor shooters. Hunters love using this ear cup when out in the wild due to the low-frequency attenuation these noise-cancelling headphones offer.
It runs on AA batteries, or you can purchase an Alpha 1100 lithium-ion rechargeable battery separately for a more comprehensive powering solution. A built-in automatic suppression timer measures gunshot sounds for increased comfort and reduced echoes; this feature also helps with automatic voice tracking.
The weight of this unit is exceptionally high, and it won’t feel like you are about to carry a slightly heavy item on your head. This product can achieve what you have always wanted with its excellent sensitivity and exceptional benefits.
3M Peltor Sport RangeGuard Electronic Hearing Protector for Loud Noises
Key Features
- Amplifies ambient sounds
- Durable,
- Low-profile cup design
- Single on/off and volume control knob
- 3.5mm jack
Ideal for hunting and shooting, the Peltor Sport hearing protection headset is best for gunshot noise reduction. The electronic hearing protection on this headset masks loud noises and manages ambient noise levels through sound amplification.
Background white noise is reduced, while vocal clarity is enhanced for clear communication between your party. It gives you more situational awareness when hunting with your friends out in the woods or at the firing range.
Each low-profile cup comes in a cut-out design that protects hearing and is best used with shotguns or rifles. The adjustable headband is easy to manoeuvre, and it has a volume control dial on the side of the unit to set audio input.
This model is great because it prevents sweaty ears. After all, the gel cups dissipate heat evenly for better performance.
3M Peltor MT16H210F Tactical Sport Electronic Headset
Key Features:
- 20dB
- Comfortable foam
- Compact fit
- Fastest shut-off and recovery time
- Natural, realistic sound amplification
Peltor’s Tactical Sport electronic unit has good sound quality and is the perfect solution to high active noise environments. The volume knob allows you to reduce noise and increase human speech while at indoor ranges or performing outside shooting.
Outdoor shooters love this model because it can regulate artillery fire gunshots to protect you from hearing damage. It features a fantastic suppression time and has a unique design that allows you to wear safety glasses simultaneously.
The sound level can be adjusted via the volume controls on the side of the unit so that ambient sounds become more explicit. These passive earmuffs have large ear cups, meaning they snuggle around the person wearing them. It uses AAA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack that is sold separately.
A range safety officer may recommend this model to you if it’s your first time at an indoor range and you require suitable earmuffs. It has a good seal that fits most users and is a Peltor product with the best value for money.
Gone are the days of using foam earplugs with these communications headsets that can protect your ear canal from outside noise.
3M WorkTunes Connect + AM/FM Hearing Protector with Bluetooth
Key Features
- 24dB
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Integrated microphone
- AM/FM radio with 50-channel presets
- Audio Assist technology
The 3M WorkTunes Connect are Bluetooth-enabled hearing protection earmuffs designed for noisy work environments like construction, landscaping and woodworking.
They combine a 24dB noise reduction rating with entertainment features like AM/FM radio and wireless streaming. In this 3M WorkTunes hearing protector review, we’ll examine the key features, benefits and overall value.
The WorkTunes Connect provides great protection, entertainment features and comfort at a reasonable price point.
The wireless streaming and call capabilities are very useful, while the noise reduction is adequate for most DIY and construction applications. Overall an excellent choice for productivity and protection.
Peltor makes some really nice heavy-duty ear protection. You’ll probably love these if you need something durable with good noise-blocking and high-tech features.
Not the cheapest out there, but you get what you pay for.
Why Noise Reduction Is Important
Wearing earplugs or foam plugs stops more noise from entering your eardrum and possibly rupturing it from long periods of being exposed to loud gunfire. Most other models work fine but may be a bit bulkier and have a lower build quality.
To find the ideal earmuffs, you need to consider head sizes plus electronics to muffle the sound. Using a set like the Peltor Sport Tactical or any 3M Peltor is best to avoid using earplugs underneath the hearing protector.
If you actively invest in ARC rail adapters, you can quickly and efficiently insert or remove comfortable earmuffs. Another great feature regarding rail adapters is that they are designed for prolonged use and can protect hearing when shooting large caliber long guns.
The Best Noise Cancelling Earmuffs for Blocking out Speech and Studying
You have to choose a pair of earmuffs that effectively block out people talking to you if you want to improve your attention while reading, writing, or studying. The lower frequencies between 500 to 4000 Hz are crucial for speech intelligibility.
Most of the hearing protectors included in this full review are good enough at minimizing chatter around the user. The above headphones block the chats through their system if the conversations are held a few meters away.
On the other hand, if someone is much closer and raises their voice or holds a loud phone call, neither of the muffs can completely silence that. You can now see that some of the best earmuffs can easily be in your range bag, plus it doesn’t need to include more expensive Howard Leight models or other brands.
How to Improve the Speech Blocking Ability of Earmuffs
Having gel cushions in your right and left earcup is a great way to reduce volume levels, but be aware that a hearing protector cannot cancel bone conduction sounds.
This affects the quality of music when you listen with an ear muffs pair and additional earplugs. Remember that it costs extra if you include plugs, but it does make a big difference when worn together.
If you want to stay safe and mitigate the distracting nature of human speakers, you can use flat speakers inside the headphones instead of plugs.
It’s good to note that the battery life of a regular hearing protector is typically determined by the decibel level at which it can mute outside sounds.
The lower-price models are great hearing protectors even though the sound still reaches your ears through them. Adding cut-outs to the cheaper models can improve these units’ listening and talking abilities, but it will still be nothing compared to an electronic model.
Electronic models work excellently and are lightweight compared to traditional units used to communicate in the field. Another thing is if any of the above units break. You can contact the supplier for a hassle-free replacement.
Final Thoughts on Peltor Hearing Protection Review
A pair of uncomfortable earmuffs can not get the job done correctly. You can’t expect to pay a low price and get the latest technology. If you are after Bluetooth and other elements mentioned in this review, you must check out the above headphones.
All the Peltor Sport Tactical ear protectors mentioned in this article push the limits of technology and give the user the power to secure their hearing. Adding one of these products to your range bag will be a great addition if you value the capacity to hear.
Finally, with all the epic customer reviews out there, it would be silly for you not to invest in a pair of earbuds from Peltor. Most people find effectiveness by adding extra support, which has been extremely helpful.
FAQ
What is the most effective hearing protection?
The most effective hearing protection combines a high Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) with a secure, snug fit. Earmuff-style protectors that fully enclose the ear with tight seals tend to provide the highest NRR ratings of 30 and above.
However, properly inserted foam earplugs can also achieve NRR ratings over 30 dB, making them equally effective options for high noise reduction. Electronic or active hearing protection provides the added benefit of situational awareness while still blocking harmful noise.
What is the decibel rating of Peltor?
Depending on the specific model, peltor hearing protectors have Noise Reduction Ratings ranging from 21dB to 31 dB. Most of their earmuff style protectors have ratings of 26dB and higher, which is suitable for most loud environments.
Their electronic headsets tend to have slightly lower ratings, around 20-24dB, but provide sound amplification and communication features.
What is the NRR rating of Peltor SportTac?
The Peltor SportTac tactical hearing protector has a Noise Reduction Rating of 26dB. This high noise reduction makes it suitable for loud settings like shooting ranges and airfields while still allowing for boosted communication capabilities.
What are Peltor ear defenders?
Peltor ear defenders are passive or electronic earmuffs designed to protect hearing from loud noises in occupational and recreational settings.
They feature noise-attenuating ear cups to block hazardous sounds while allowing speech and ambient noise to be still heard at safe levels. Many Peltor models have communication capabilities as well.
Are 3M earmuffs good for shooting?
Yes, many 3M earmuffs, like the Peltor Tactical Pro and 3M Peltor Sport RangeGuard models, are excellent choices for shooting and hunting.
They provide a very high level of noise reduction with Noise Reduction Ratings of 26-31dB, effectively protecting hearing from gunshot noise. Their microphones and sound amplification also facilitate communication on the range or in the field.