10 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Shooting In 2022

Do you have a great passion for guns but don’t know which protective headgear to choose? Well don’t worry, not everyone is born an expert. It can get really overwhelming, trying to choose from so many different earmuffs, the one that will suit you the best. That’s why, to make your life a lot easier, we have sorted the top 10 best noise cancelling headphones for shooting available on the market.

No one can deny the fact that one can go deaf because of ear-splitting gunshots. After all, a conservative 140dB is a common figure for an average muzzle blast. That’s why people who have a great passion for shooting games or people who are always in close vicinity with stentorian bangs of guns are highly advised to wear ear protection gear to protect you from losing all your sense of hearing and going completely deaf.

Keep scrolling to get your perfect protection headgear! 

List of 10 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Shooting:

Product	Award	NRR	Noise Canceling	Battery Time	Attack Time
Howard Leight	Best for hunting	22 dB	Active	350 hours	5 milliseconds
ElectronicShooting Earmuffs	Best for shooting	23 dB	Active	2 AAA (included)	5 seconds
Hearing Protection For Shooting	Faster attack time	23 dB	Active	1 AAA battery	0.2 Second
Walker’s Game Ear Razor	Good for shooting range	23 dB	Active	8 hours	0.02 second
PROHEAR 016	Economic option	26 dB	Passive	None Required	N/A
Peltor Sport Tactical 500	Techtical design	26 dB	Active	2 AA batteries (not included)	0.001 Second
Pro For Sho Shooting Ear Protection	lightweight design	22 dB or less	Passive	None required	N/A
Walker’s Electronic Earmuffs	Best design	23 dB	Active	2 AAA batteries are required. (included)	0.02 second
Howard Leight Impact	Long battery	22 dB	Active	150 hours	0.5 second
ZOHAN EM054	Fast reaction time	22 dB	Active	2 AAA (not included)	.01 second

How Loud is Noise Damage Hearing? 

Having loud noises around you can have severe consequences for your hearing. If you work in construction, fly airplanes, or party a lot, you’re at risk of hearing loss. A loud environment might cause you to feel like your ear has wax, ringing in the ears. This situation is known as the Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS). 

It is not temporary because  TTS recoveries in a few hours or a day so there is not much issue if happens once in a while. But repeated exposure to the loud sound can cause serious permanent damage. That’s why it is recommended to wear hearing protection devices while shooting.

Sound waves travel in the ears and vibrate the ear drum. Which results vibrates the three bones named the malleus, stapes, and incus. Stapes are connected to the cochlea a snail-like organ. The cochlea contains fluid and stereocilia which are bundles of hair. When the stapes vibrated the cochlea and the fluid create waves. These waves are then detected by the stereocilia and the electric signal is sent to the brain. 

Whenever you are exposed to noise, your stereocilia become overstimulated, resulting in paralysis. This is TTS but if this occurs again and again this cell will be dead which will cause permanent hearing loss.

How Loud is Too Loud:

It is taught to us from an early age that loud sounds are harmful to our hearing. But the question is we are never told which sound is considered too loud we have to rely on our institution.  Let’s resolve this problem once and for all.

The measuring unit of sound decibels (dB). Sound above 85 to 90 dB can start to cause ear damage in case of prolonged exposure. However, sounds above 110 to 120 dB instantly cause damage to your heading.

So which sound is more than this thrush hold here is the sound intensity of the activity sound us. 

Everyday noise:

Normal breathing can be 10 dB	City traffic can create up to 80 to 85 this is where damage states to happen in long run.
Whispering is 20 dB	A chainsaw can create 110 dB
The rustle of leaves 30 dB	Fighter get can create about 150 dB of instant damage to the heading.
The refrigerator hum is 40 dB
The washing machine can go up to 60 dB

You can create an app like decibel pro to check the noise level around you. Which will display the level of sound of your surrounding.

Guns and their Noise: 

Ok, what about the Gun noise? Well, the noise created by the guns is not a joke. A simple handgun with a suppressor creates a sound of about 116dB which is harmful to your ear. And sound above 140dB will cause pain. Due to this, you will see most people having mufflers or hearing protection devices on during hunting and shooting range.

• Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun can create 97dB. 
• Suppressed handguns like Glock G17 create 116dB
• AR-15 Unsuppressed is responsible for creating 165dB which is above the threshold.
• Remington 700 LTR Suppressed 167db 

Wear – To Protect Ears:

One thing is clear the sound created from the shooting damages hearing. 

But does loud sound affect anything else?  This might come as a surprise the answer is your heart. According to research done at  Mainz University Medical Center. 

Longer exposure to traffic is associated with a higher risk of a heart attack. 

Consequently, loud sounds are not only damaging to your hearing, but also to your health which can be prevented by using some kind of protection.

The benefit of using headphones while shooting:

Using headphones or mufflers while shooting has many benefits. Aside from providing hearing damage. Here are a few listed benefits of using headphones while shooting.

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Read To Make The Best Decision:

Check out these factors to consider when purchasing a new pair of headphones. These are some factor that is often negated but is important to have.

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1. Howard Leight by Honeywell:

These Howard Leight noise cancelling headphones are easily one of the best headphones one can use for shooting. They have an NRR of 22 dB in both on and off mode, cutting sound to a safe level immediately. Howard Leight’s offers amazing amplification of sounds with help of their built-in mic, giving you access to a lot of ambient sounds and commands you don’t want to miss out on. And guess what else… They are dirt cheap! Yes, for a pair of $40 electronic earmuffs, they offer an impressively wide range of cool features.

Brand	Howard Leight by Honeywell
NRR	22 dB
Battery time	350 hours
Weight	1.02 lbs
Attack time	5 milliseconds
Material	Synthetic
Bluetooth / Wired	Comes with a 3.5mm AUX lead
Headphones type	Electronic

Check Price

1. Design:

These amazing noise-canceling headphones are fairly easy to open and have intuitive controls. You can adjust them to your liking until you get a snut fit. They easily collapse into a nice, compact form, making them convenient to carry around without taking up much space. They also come in a host of varying colors to choose from.

The slim ear cup gives off a cool, sophisticated look while the headphones comfortably sit on your head.

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

These headphones work well even in cabins and pistol classes where some fires are very hard on most headgear but awfully amazing. They drastically cut high transients, providing an NRR rating of 22 dB on both on and off modes. The amplification automatically shuts off whenever a sound of 82 dB or higher is detected, proving to be a great ear protector even when the batteries are dead.

3. Battery Backup:

These earmuffs come with 2 AAA batteries and have a great battery backup. The automatic shut-off feature massively increases battery life saving enough juice to make your headphones work for 350 hours straight so you can enjoy your shooting session for a longer time, without worrying about your muffs running out of juice.

4. Amplification:

When the headphones are turned on, the built-in mic amplifies range commands and provides a natural listening experience. With their impressive fidelity of sound, one can have enhanced communication, hold whispered conversations, and even hear really quiet noises such as twigs breaking or footsteps in the snow.

2. Electronic Shooting Earmuffs By Awesafe:

With their NRR rating of 23 dB, all you have to do is rotate the dial for volume adjustments, provided on the left ear cup and block out the high-pitched motor noises of a saw running. These headphones amplify every single sound, from rustling shrubs to approaching footsteps and even

your radio in an awfully noisy room. These headphones work astonishingly well considering their price point. What’s more, they work practically the same as Howards but have a few comfort issues. But if you want awesome headphones within the range of $40, there is absolutely no reason for you to not get these.

Brand	Awesafe
NRR	23 dB
Battery Required	2 AAA (included)
Weight	0.9 lbs
Attack time	5 milliseconds
Material	Plastic
Bluetooth / Wired	3.5mm Audio Input Jack
Headphones type	Electronic

Check Price

1. Design:

They claim these headphones to be comfortable but we have found some comfort issues, so these might not be great for people with huge to above-average heads. But overall the fitting as well as the design is great and ergonomic and has soft earmuffs. These headphones come in a variety of colors including yellow, red, pink, green, grey, etc.

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

These headphones do a fairly good job of reducing ambient noises. You can use them in a woodworking shop while high-pitched motors run in the background. The unpleasant sounds are reduced to a pleasant level. These headphones are great for low-caliber guns like .308 but might not work with high-caliber ones. They also work well for people with autism or any other noise sensitivity.

3. Battery Backup:

These headphones come with 2 AAA batteries and can last for quite long hours without running out of juice so you can enjoy your safe range time with fun and don’t have to worry about dead batteries or headphones not functioning mid-shoot.

4. Amplification:

Ok, so these headphones have phenomenal sound amplification. It has stereo amplification that helps you locate the direction of the sound and your prey. These are especially great for deer hunting. You can adjust amplifications according to your needs, listen to range commands and even connect to your radio while working with power tools.

3. Hearing Protection for Shooting Range By Act Fire:

If you’re a tactical enthusiast and don’t have these amazing headphones, then you really don’t know what you’re missing out on. These headphones are seriously amazing given the price point. With their compact design and exceptional sound reduction technology, these are a must-have for every shooter out there. These headphones have two mics on each ear cup to cancel out the loud bangs of the guns. And not only that, these headphones block out loud bells, cars and truck engines as well as eagerly screeching children, now that’s something. They’re pretty simple to use. All you have to do is use a single button to amplify sounds, turn it on or off. What’s more, you only need 1 AAA battery to make them work. 

Brand	ACT FIRE
NRR	23dB
Battery Required	1 AAA battery
Weight	0.75 lbs
Attack time	20 milliseconds
Material	Plastic, Leather
Bluetooth / Wired	Mp3 earphone cable
Headphones type	Electronic

Check Price

1. Design:

These headphones are painted with Japan-imported paints which have better protection, can prevent damage to the surface and won’t fade even after long exposure to the irradiation of UV. The slim and foldable design makes them easy to stow and transport. They are super lightweight.  Less weight means less neck fatigue, more neck mobility, and more ability to focus on sending a volley of Desert Eagle rounds downrange.

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

These headphones are fully sealed and use electronic compression noise reduction offering an NRR of 23 dB. Whether you’re shooting guns at the firing range, sawing wood at your workshop, or mowing the lawn, these cool headphones are applicable for use in all those situations and more.

3. Amplification:

These offer stereo sound, meaning that you can easily locate the direction of the sound, the sound heard through internal amplifiers is very realistic and clear. You can even adjust the amplification effect according to your needs and carry on clear conversations with your teammates and range officers all the while being protected from the loud barks of the gun going off around you.

4. Walker’s Game Ear Razor Slim Electronic Muff:

There’s a reason why these are called razor slim they’re actually quite slim and pretty lightweight when you put them on. These headphones are especially great for outdoor shooting ranges. They have 2 all-directional microphones that cancel out various ambient sounds while giving you a crisp and clear sound of commands and orders that you wouldn’t want to miss out on. What’s more, the fast attack time works like a charm and protects your ears from loud spikes. It even has an AUX lead to connect it with an Mp3 player, iPod and whatnot.

Brand	Walkers
NRR	23 dB
Battery Time	8 hours
Weight	0.95 lbs
Attack time	0.02 seconds
Material	Plastic, rubber on earmuffs
Bluetooth / Wired	3.5mm jack for use with iPods, MP3 players and handheld radios. No Bluetooth
Headphones type	Electronic

Check Price

1. Design:

These headphones are designed to withstand rough use. They fold very compactly to easily fit in your range bag, provide a snug fit and have a grey paint finish that prevents the color from fading early and withstand rough use. The comfortable and snug earmuffs provide a tight seal, preventing any sound from entering your ears. These headphones will truly give you a quality experience unless you aren’t bothered by the cons stated below.

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

These headphones have amazing noise cancellation technology. With a noise reduction rating of 23 dB, you can easily enjoy your shooting sessions without worrying about damaging your hearing when the shots go off. The tight seal will prevent them from falling. What’s more, the padded earmuffs provide double protection from loud gunshots.

3. Battery Backup:

These headphones use one AAA battery and have an amazing backup, which goes on for a maximum of 8 hours on a single charge. You can even connect it to your phone with the 3.5mm audio jack provided in the package and stream music or podcasts too.

4. Amplification:

These headphones have an amazing amplification that can be adjusted with the rotation of a single knob. With their omnidirectional microphones and great amplification, one can effortlessly locate their prey and talk to comrades on the shooting range, without missing out on any call for help or even the commands given out by the range officers.

5. PROHEAR 016:

If you’re in search of noise-canceling headphones below $20, these PROHEAR 016 are a great pair for you. With their awesome noise reduction rating of 26 dB, they work fairly well in outdoor ranges even when used with a 9mm pistol. The rubberized coating craft provides soft, smooth touch. What’s more, you can even use these for mowing, or while working with power tools like drills and saws. These headphones have comfortable ear cups that fit snugly around your ears giving an airtight seal. These headphones might not be able to compete with Howards or Walker’s, they are, however, certainly a great value for their price.

Brand	PROHEAR
NRR	26 dB
Batteries	None Required
Weight	0.46 lbs
Material	ABS plastic
Bluetooth / Wired	None
Headphones type	Passive

Check Price

1. Design:

These headphones have a padded design and a closed head seal. Its slim profile and cool design are unlike any other bulky headgear. With its lightweight and comfortable earmuffs, you can easily use these for a longer time span without hurting your head. Its foldable design allows you to carry them in your ammo box or even in your range bag without causing damage. The smooth rubber paint provides a smooth touch. If you want to wear glasses with these earmuffs, we recommend getting the gel pads version because the foam ones are not that comfortable.

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

These headphones, with their NRR rating of a great 26 dB and fast attack time give you superior protection against loud noises. With these ear defenders on, you can easily hunt, mow and even shoot a 9mm pistol just fine. They efficiently block out loud gunshots and protect from high decibel spikes, truly working like a charm for your ears.

3. Amplification:

These ear defenders work very well when you’re on the range and someone needs assistance. You don’t have to uncover your ears to listen to what the other party is saying, they have epic noise amplification that also helps you to locate where the sound is coming from, with the help of 2 omnidirectional microphones installed in each ear earmuff.  You can also adjust the amplification according to your needs with a single knob.

6. Peltor Sport Tactical 500:

The electronics work well with amplifying people’s voices. The Bluetooth connects stably to the phone. While the sound quality is definitely lacking compared to real headphones, these are perfectly fine for listening to a bit of music and receiving calls if need be. The controls are large and tactile and very easy to operate, which is a big plus. The included little baggie is thin and not very protective but it at least keeps it from getting scratched up in your bag. It cancels 26 dB of unwanted sounds while still letting you hear what your comrades are saying. These headphones have great battery life and can give up to 18 – 20 hours of efficient functioning.

Brand	3M CHIMD
NRR	26 dB
Battery Required	2 AA batteries (not included)
Weight	1.43 lbs
Attack time	1 millisecond
Material	Synthetic
Bluetooth / Wired	Included
Headphones type	Electronic

Check Price

1. Design:

These headphones are the most comfortable set of ear pro ever and with the Gel Upgrades for the ear pads, it’s just fantastic. With their ergonomic design and soft earmuffs with a tight seal they help you to keep cool and sweat less, especially if you’re a citizen of Texas (we all know that Texas’ big bright ball of fire fries you alive). These headphones can be adjusted as per your needs and you can also wear them over hats. 

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

It does its job of muffling sound. They are really comfortable to wear and effective when larger caliber weapons and rifles (like cannons) are being fired in adjacent shooting bays. It even has the option of turning Bluetooth off for increased sound-dampening performance. 

3. Battery Backup:

The headphones require 2 AAA batteries to work. Sadly they don’t come along with the headphones. So you’ll have to spend about 25 bucks on good-quality batteries. We really recommend getting 2 rechargeable batteries if you plan on using them all day and forget to plug them in (it’s really convenient). It is a bit difficult getting the batteries in but definitely not a deal-breaker.

4. Amplification:

The electronics work well with amplifying people’s voices. You can easily use high-caliber guns and still be able to hear what your partner is saying crystal clear. Don’t miss out on what your range officer says with these noise-canceling headphones that are specifically designed for shooting ranges and hunting grounds. 

7. Pro For Sho Shooting Ear Protection:

Ok, so there’s a lot of confusion about these headphones. For some of you out there, they block noise and provide good hearing protection, while some say these headphones aren’t worth buying. What we can guarantee you is that these headphones are pretty lightweight and have a good seal, although they might be a bit cramped at first they will be fine after a few days of use. They are great for other activities as well, like woodworking, and studying and even great for people with noise sensitivity. 

Brand	Mr. Bene Manufacturing Company
NRR	22 dB or less
Batteries	None required
Weight	Lightweight
Headphones type	passive
Material	HIPS+High Protection Foam
Bluetooth / Wired	None included

Check Price

1. Design:

These Pro for Sho headphones are compact, for easy transportation, solid, to withstand rough use and lightweight, to provide zero pressure on your head. These headphones come in two different sizes; small, for little kids and large for teens and adults. They have a large span of adjustment and provide a comfortable, snug fit. They’ve got a slim profile and padded earmuffs to provide you with extraordinary comfort. If you feel that they are tight on your head, just clamp them on the box overnight to ensure elasticity and a comfortable fit. They’re comfy enough that you can even sleep with these on unlike other bulky headphones.

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

These headphones are great to block just enough noise that you don’t go deaf after hearing those boisterous gunshot sounds. These are basically earmuffs and not electronic ear defenders so they simply muffle out the loud sounds, reducing them by about 22 dB. These headphones do not give you noise reduction of 34 dB (heck even the electronic ones couldn’t do that yet!) but they are really great for kids with noise sensitivity, guns with low caliber, woodworking and they even work well if you want a quiet study session.

8. Walker’s Electronic Earmuffs:

Ok so next up on our list are Walkers Electronic Earmuffs. With their slim profile and amazing sound amplifying technology, you can easily wear them for hunting, shooting and even splitting wood. These headphones come with a flag patch and are fairly comfortable and snug. With their outstanding ergo dynamics and low profile, they help you have a fun range session. These headphones don’t hit the stock of your gun and get pulled off, ensuring a fun and safe shooting time. What’s more, these headphones help you hear birds chirping and truck engines rumbling while suppressing very loud gunshots. You can conveniently use these with 12gauge, 9mm and even rifles.

Brand	Walkers
NRR	23 dB
Battery Required	2 AAA batteries are required. (included)
Weight	Light
Attack time	0.02 second
Material	High-quality material
Bluetooth / Wired	Aux lead provided
Headphones type	Electronic

Check Price

1. Design:

Walkers are already well known for their ergonomic design and slim profile headphones. These noise-canceling headphones provide an amazing look and have a low profile paired with great quality. These headphones fit surprisingly well even when you want to shoot rifles or traps, giving you enough area to place your cheek on the gunstock without knocking off your hearing protection gear. They are perfectly contoured and good enough to fit even a 70-year-old man. For better comfort, we advise you to use them with upgraded gel pads.

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

With 23 dB of noise reduction rating and padded earmuffs, these headphones provide double insulation from unwanted, harmful noises. These noise-reducing headphones are suitable to shoot anything louder than a .22. You can fire your 7.62, 556 and even a 9mm shotgun without worrying about losing your sense of hearing. With two levels of sound suppression, these cool headphones reduce almost all small firearms and provide you with the best experience.

3. Amplification:

These headphones by Walkers have amazing amplification. With its sensitive volume control and intuitive design that can be handled while wearing gloves, you can easily carry on conversations while splitting wood, hammering nails and even with high caliber guns going off around you. The sound these headphones provide crystal clear sounds; one can hear birds chirping, trucks from miles away and streams flowing a few yards away with these headphones on.

9. Howard Leight Impact:

Want great headphones with instantaneous attack time?

These awesome upgrades on Howard Leight impact sport are here to give you your desired features. Although a little expensive, these headphones are truly well worth the extra money. With their amazing sound amplification, you can hear every single detail in the ambiance, ranging from footsteps to your talking comrades and even range commands. You can even hear animal sounds from miles away while knowing the direction the sound is coming from. These headphones with their insane amplification and comfort are a must-have if you want to fire shots with high-caliber guns.

Brand	Howard Leight
NRR	22 dB
Battery Time	150 hours
Weight	1 lbs
Attack time	0.5 millisecond
Material	Synthetic
Bluetooth / Wired	Aux lead included

Check Price

1. Design:

These noise-canceling headphones have Snap-in ear cushions to make replacement easy. Its Ergonomic Volume Control Knob Design is very easy to use and glove-friendly. The ultra-slim profile design with cut-outs for gunstock clearance allows the shooter to rest their rifles on their cheek without any disturbances. These headphones come with a clip so you can clip them to your waist and move easily around the range. What’s more, these muffs are water-resistant, meaning more fun and have no loss! For a better experience, use these gel pads (it’s more comfortable that way).

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

These headphones have amazing noise cancellation technology. With a noise reduction rating of 22 dB, you can easily enjoy your shooting sessions. The tight seal will prevent them from falling. The padded earmuffs provide double protection from loud gunshots. Though we do recommend using these with ear foamies for indoor ranges. These cool earmuffs can effortlessly suppress the loud sound of grenades and gunshots.

3. Battery Backup:

These headphones use two AAA batteries and have an amazing backup, which is provided in the package. one more plus point is that they have a Snap-On lid to replace your batteries easily. What’s more, these headphones have a 4-hour automatic turn-off feature which helps to prevent needless battery draining and provides 150 hours of nonstop use with the electronic mode on.

4. Amplification:

These headphones have insane amplification for the given price point. They have 5x faster attack time and also have stereo amplification that helps you listen to various low decibel sounds. They also help you know where the sound is coming from. These headphones are engineered for hunters as well as shooters. 

10. ZOHAN EM054:

ZOHAN EM054 consists of omnidirectional microphones that provide amazing noise amplification as well as awareness of the direction of that sound. This feature is extremely crucial for hunters because it assists them to locate their prey. What’s more, most well-known and expensive headphone companies don’t really provide this feature in their earmuffs, so kudos to ZOHAN for thinking this far, considering these headphones cost half the price of most branded headphones. If you want comfortable and affordable headphones that work great and don’t feel cheap, you need to get these for your next shooting session.

Brand	ZOHAN
NRR	22 dB
Battery Required	2 AAA (not included)
Weight	1.04 lbs
Material	Leather
Bluetooth / Wired	Audio jack input
Headphones type	Electronic

Check Price

1. Design:

These noise-canceling headphones have Snap-in ear cushions to make replacement easy. Its Ergonomic Volume Control Knob Design is very easy to use and the Ultra low profile design with cut-outs for firearm stock clearance allows the shooter to rest their rifles on their cheek without any disturbances. The ZOHAN EM054 Shooting earmuff is built with a folding design. It takes less space for storage and is much easier to pack and carry anywhere you go.

2. Noise Cancellation Technology:

These headphones have epic noise cancellation technology. With or noise reduction rating of 22dB You can easily enjoy your shooting sessions without worrying about damaging your hearing when the shots go off. What’s more, the padded earmuffs provide double protection from loud gunshots. Fire your AR15 and 12 gauge shotgun without any pain or ringing ears.

3. Battery Backup:

These headphones use two AAA batteries and have an amazing backup, unfortunately, they don’t provide those batteries in the package so you’ll have to get good, long-lasting batteries for them. But one plus point is that they have a Snap-on lid to replace your batteries easily. What’s more, these headphones have a 4-hour automatic turn-off feature which helps to prevent needless battery draining.

4. Amplification:

These headphones have 2 omnidirectional microphones installed that help you locate the direction of the sound. What’s more, this headphone has amazing sound amplification that helps you listen more clearly than any human ear ever could. You can even adjust the amplification volume by rotating the knob. 

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FAQ’S:

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The Final Word:

If you’re a newbie on a shooting range, choosing your safety headgear can get a little overwhelming. It gets even more frustrating when you have to shop online and need to take your chances on the quality of the product, the comfort it provides, whether it fits right or not and especially the price.

To make your life a lot easier, we shortlisted the top 10 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Shooting available on the market right now. What’s more, traditional earplugs and simple, flimsy earmuffs don’t really provide a safe level of noise cancellation or let you hear range commands. The above-mentioned headphones are listed to fit your taste and your budget while helping you to have the best shooting experience of your life.

We hope that our efforts were of help to you.