Hey there hunters and welcome to my post where we will check out my three best ear muffs for hunting to protect the ears this year. Hunting provides us with a unique outdoor experience, yet it can also harm us if we are not careful. The last thing any hunter would want is to wear hearing aids forever, so our hunting gear must include ear protection. Ear muffs then are the go to to protect our ears from the loud sounds of firearms.
Of course as with everything to do with hunting, there are plenty of options available out there. So to help you out I have had a good look around and come up with three decent options below.
Let’s check them out…
My three recommended ear muffs for hunting
I will review these in more detail below however if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:
What are ear muffs for hunting?
Ear muffs are designed to enhance hunting safety and protect the human ear from the harmful effects of loud sounds such as gun fire. These are worn over the ears and work by blocking out noise.
Compared with earplugs, ear muffs are typically more effective and intended to be used repeatedly. If necessary, ear muffs can be used in conjunction with earplugs to provide additional protection or even a woolen cap for warmth as well.
What should you be looking for?
The following factors should be considered as you look around for a good set of ear muffs to meet your hunting needs.
- Type
- Comfort
- Noise reduction
- Durability
- Additions
Type
When it comes to ear protection for your hunting adventures, there are three options to choose from as follows:
- Earplugs: These are designed to fit inside the ear and usually made of foam. They are definitely the cheapest option as they are usually disposable. However while they will not cost you much money, they are not recommended for repeated use.
- Ear muffs: These devices are also called passive earmuffs. They fit over your ear to block sound and are slightly more expensive, but they can be used repeatedly. They can achieve higher noise reduction levels and are generally easier to use.
- Electronic ear protection: Also known as active earmuffs, this type uses electronics to reduce the sound of the shot while amplifying your conversation and voice. This is an excellent hunting advantage because it allows users to hear conversations while shielding them from gunshot noises.
Comfort
Overall, the comfort and fit are essential considerations when selecting hearing protection devices for hunting. Look for earmuffs that fit snugly and comfortably around your head. Large, soft ear cups covering the ears are typical of comfortable shooting earmuffs with vented headbands also helping with airflow. You can also choose padded headbands, which provide excellent head support.
Finally, adjustable/rotating sliders can adapt to different head shapes/sizes where the greater the ability of the earmuffs to adjust to the size of your head, the more comfortable they are.
Noise reduction
The US standard for measuring how much a hearing protection device reduces the energy of a sound wave in decibels is Noise Reduction Rate (NRR). This number indicates how well the hearing protection will protect your hearing and should be considered in conjunction with the noise levels you intend to work with.
For example, if a hearing protection device advertises an NRR of 27, the device will reduce- not eliminate- noise levels up to 27dB. Although there are no minimum NRR requirements for hearing protection when shooting, getting the highest rating possible should always be prioritized.
Durability
Hearing protection devices such as hunting earmuffs, are constantly subjected to harsh environments and extreme temperatures. As a result, the most popular earmuffs should be able to withstand a beating.
If you anticipate bad weather on one of your hunting trips, it’s a good idea to invest in sweat/water-resistant earmuffs to ensure that the product will continue to function correctly even if it becomes wet. For hunting earmuffs, look for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and other synthetic materials as these have been designed and optimized to provide the best protection possible, allowing them to outperform natural materials in terms of both protection and longevity.
Additions
Other potential additions include:
- Carrying case: The item is handy when you decide to store the hunting earmuffs whenever it is not in use.
- Automatic shut-off: This feature is found in electronic earmuffs. The device shuts down on its own when not used for a particular length of time.
- Warranty: As I always say, buy products with a warranty for extra protection.
FAQ
What is the best dB for ear protection for shooting?
This obviously depends on the firearm in use however you should aim for ear protection with a noise reduction rating of at least 22. For larger weapons however, an NRR of 30 is preferable.
My three recommendations broken down
So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:
1. Walker’s Razor Slim Passive Earmuffs
Unlike many non-electric passive muffs, my first recommended option fits and seals ideally with an NRR within the recommended range to keep your ears are well-protected from any gun noises. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Walker
- NRR: 27 dB
- Type: Passive earmuff
- Weight: 0.63 pounds
- Dimensions: 6.89 x 6.77 x 3.9 inches
Other inclusions:
- Sturdy headband with metal wire frame
- Low profile ear cups
- Color variety
Why have I chosen them?
These ear muffs provide adequate space for your ears with thickly padded cups and headband to provide hours of comfort. They are specially designed to be as low-profile as possible which is accomplished without jeopardizing hearing protection or sound amplification properties.
2. Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Earmuffs
My second hunting earmuffs are reasonably priced with the ability to seal your ears comfortably. The manufacturers use technology that blocks gun noises while allowing audible voices to be heard as well. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Walker
- NRR: 23 dB
- Type: Active earmuff
- Weight:1 pound
- Dimensions: 10.83 x 7.95 x 3.78 inches
Other inclusions:
- Omni-directional microphones
- Volume control
- Slim folding design
Why have I chosen them?
This hunting earmuff’s ease of use is a strong suit as you can turn them on and adjust the volume with a simple rotation of the volume knob. Additionally, there are no annoying ear inserts to consider, apps to pair, or touch-sensitive panels to remember. They also collapse into a compact set that fits into an excellent, tight package for easy storage in a dedicated hunting backpack, glovebox, truck center console or range bag.
3. Howard Leight Electronic Shooting Earmuff
My final earmuff option enables you to hear audible sounds while effectively blocking noises. It gives users excellent functionality and comfortability, thanks to its ergonomic design. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Howard Leight
- NRR: 22 dB
- Type: Active earmuff
- Weight:1.26 pounds
- Dimensions: Not indicated
Other inclusions:
- Compact storage
- Headphone functionality
- Easy maintenance
Why have I chosen them?
This last option features low-profile ear cups, a slim design and rifle cutaways for improved shooting accuracy and gun-to-cheek placement. Another great selling point is the auto shut-off feature where after 4 hours of inactivity, the technology turns off the earmuffs.
And if you like to listen to music as you hunt, the earmuffs can serve as your mobile phone’s headset as well.
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4.5
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5.0
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4.5
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$47.39
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Conclusion
There you have it, my three best ear muffs for hunting for your protection. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections, or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time.
Have fun
Paul
