For shooting or shooting, to work on construction sites, and whenever we need to protect our hearing, we see the best safety ear muffs in this buying guide and how to choose which ones to buy based on your purpose.
The safety ear muffs, also called ear protectors, can reduce the sound level that can be heard by our ears to provide acoustic protection during activities that expose us to sudden and loud external noises.
Mandatory by law in particularly noisy workplaces, such as some factories and construction sites, professional safety ear muffs are also perfect for sports such as target shooting or hunting. Among the many models of ear muffs available, we can also find those suitable for DIY jobs when using drills and electric saws or gardening jobs when using lawnmowers and other noisy tools.
These situations do not comply with legal obligations but are dangerous for hearing, especially if exposed to sounds above 80 dB.
Like classic noise-canceling headphones, noise-canceling headphones are also perfect for ambient muffling sounds in a boisterous environment when we need concentration to study, read, work, or relax without traffic, music, etc., or other sounds from outside that can disturb us.
Table of Contents
How to choose safety ear muffs: Types and features
Let’s see the features to consider to choose the best safety ear muffs suitable for your activities.
Active and passive safety ear muffs
First, it is necessary to distinguish the ear muffs into two large groups, passive headphones, and headphones with active noise protection. Passive headphones shield the sounds by reducing the sound level; this type of headphones is the most common in building sites and factories.
The active safety ear muffs can distinguish the tones and sound levels by shielding some sounds and letting others pass; electronic headphones can adjust volumes and microphones. The purpose is to avoid hearing damage but allow the ear to hear other non-dangerous sounds to continue communicating with the outside.
Noise attenuation
No type of headphones eliminates external noise. The headphones have a level of attenuation of sound waves, for example, 30 dB compared to the original noise.
Let’s start with the assumption that at 130 dB, the pain threshold starts, which causes permanent hearing damage. Permanent hearing damage can be caused by sudden sounds, such as a shot exceeding 150 dB. However, prolonged exposure to sounds lower than 130 dB can cause damage.
For example, a chainsaw can reach a sound level of 120 dB, which does not exceed the pain threshold, but exposes us to the same sound for longer. So before buying the safety ear muffs, we must consider the sounds and noises we are exposed to and then check the headphones’ sound reduction level.
Supply
A stylus battery powers the active safety earmuffs. Power is required for the electronic part with microphones, earphones, and volume. The active noise protection devices are battery-powered but can also be turned off. In this case, they become simple passive headphones that continue to reduce noise and provide sound insulation without the aid of other functions.
Microphones
The best safety ear muffs are equipped with directional microphones. Microphones, for which you can adjust volumes, pick up nearby external sounds, such as colleagues’ voices and other sound signals. We often find microphones in the safety ear muffs for shooting and hunting, for which it is necessary to communicate effectively with others, even for security reasons.
Comfort and fit
We recommend choosing comfortable models if we wear headphones for a few hours. The earmuffs should be made of the best materials to prevent sweat and overheating. Furthermore, for maximum wearability, they should be made of non-slip materials. If the headphones wear well and do not cause discomfort, and do their job better, they will stick to the ears, filter better, and improve the general’s sound quality.
Adjustable headband
The best safety ear muffs have an adjustable headband. In this way, they can be adapted to any size to allow the earphones to adhere to the ear optimally. The adjustable headband should be padded and soft to avoid annoying pressure on the head.
Connectivity
Some models of safety ear muffs have an output for connecting electronic devices such as a smartphone. In this case, you can listen to music or take phone calls directly on the headphones without removing them.
The microphones and earphones of the headset will replace those of the phone. You can often connect to other devices such as mp3 players or external radios at the same output.
If you prefer, headphones are equipped with FM radio and an integrated antenna, sometimes with a display. This type of headphones is beneficial for DIY and gardening jobs, during which you can afford to get distracted while listening to music.
Foldable headphones
Most professional safety ear muffs are also foldable, so you can easily store them in backpacks or pockets.
Carrying cases
The best professional and sports ear muffs are also equipped with a briefcase for transport and storage. A special case can be useful when the headphones are not used often and must be kept away from humidity and dust.
Accessories
Other accessories, such as protective glasses or neck straps, accompany some headphones. Nevertheless, they are useful accessories, especially for shooting and other sports. For example, the lace allows us to remove the headphones and leave them hanging around the neck without worrying about putting them away or down, leaving the hands free.
The best safety ear muffs to buy
Below is the complete selection of the recommended safety ear muffs with their respective technical features and prices.
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.