Protective ear muffs and plugs are some of a shooting enthusiast’s most valuable tools. They protect their sensitive ears from the explosive noises while still allowing them to enjoy the activity.
With high-quality shooting ear protection, you could shoot to your heart’s content and never worry about the possibilities of ear damage. All of this is possible as they can provide excellent soundproofing features with an NRR 28 rating or higher.
In this regard, our team of shooting and ear protection experts scoured the market to give you the best shooting ear protection models. All items were chosen for their noise-dampening technology, comfortable designs, premium materials, and other features that will certainly address your needs.
Once you are ready and have found the best choice, be sure to click the buttons below to see their best deals on Amazon! With that, here are five of the best options that we rounded up especially for you.
Best Best Shooting Ear Protections Comparison & Rating
Best Shooting Ear Protections | Features |
![Mpow [Upgraded] Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs, SNR 36dB Shooting Hunting Muffs, Hearing Protection with a Carrying Bag, Ear Defenders Fits Adults To Kids with Twist Resistant Headband- Black](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Pw3Hj2XWL.jpg "Mpow [Upgraded] Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs, SNR 36dB Shooting Hunting Muffs, Hearing Protection with a Carrying Bag, Ear Defenders Fits Adults To Kids with Twist Resistant Headband- Black")
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![Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs, Tacklife [Reinforced] NRR 28dB Shooters Hearing Protection Ear Muffs, Adjustable Headband, Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids and Adults - HNRE1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41bMpDcLFCL.jpg "Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs, Tacklife [Reinforced] NRR 28dB Shooters Hearing Protection Ear Muffs, Adjustable Headband, Noise Cancelling Headphones for Kids and Adults - HNRE1")
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1. Mpow Noise Reduction Safety Earmuffs
Dimensions | 6.02 x 6.22 x 3.78 inches |
Weight | 11.2 ounces |
Color | Black |
Material | ABS, Foam |
This shooting ear protection earmuff will block out so much noise, you will struggle to hear anything. This keeps your ears safe when shooting so that you can concentrate on your aim. With sound protection that keeps the noise above 85 dB from affecting you, this will also be perfect for other jobs that require ear protection. The flexible plastic and the double-layered foam ensure that the earmuff becomes more and more comfortable the more you use it. It even allows you to maintain equilibrium when firing large-caliber bullets in enclosed spaces.
2. Tacklife Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs
Dimensions | 6.3 x 5.7 x 4 inches |
Weight | 11.7 ounces |
Color | Orange |
Material | Stainless Steel, Abs, Nylon |
This protective earmuff is perfect for blocking out the explosive noises generated by igniting gunpowder. At most, you can hear a muffled pop, which makes it easier to practice your shooting skills. The ear protection even does a great job at blocking out ambient noises from affecting your concentration. As such, whether you are shooting small handguns or the biggest shotguns, you don’t have to worry about a ringing in your ears. The earmuffs also provide a snug fit, which gets more comfortable with time.
3. Peltor Sport RangeGuard Electronic Hearing Protector
Dimensions | 10 x 6 x 5 inches |
Weight | 0.16 ounces |
Color | Gray |
Material | ABS, Foam |
This is one of the most comfortable shooting ear protection earmuffs in the market. It comes with thick cushions to keep the ear comfortable while fitting snugly. The headband is covered with faux leather to provide a soft layer for the top and sides of the head. With its foldable and compact nature, you can easily bring this with you anywhere. You can also use this to listen to music or to talk to another person via two-way radio.
4. PROHEAR 016 Shooting Ear Protection Safety Earmuffs
Dimensions | 4.37 x 3.62 x 4.8 inches |
Weight | 7.4 ounces |
Color | Black |
Material | ABS |
This is a good choice for those who want a compact shooting earmuff that provides comfort and protection. The headband and ear cups are padded with thick foam and breathable faux leather. It can be adjusted and is flexible, as well, so it can fit most heads and ears. The noise-canceling feature lets in just enough sound for you to be aware of your surroundings. At the same time, the noise from the gun is reduced to manageable levels.
5. ProCase Noise Reduction Ear Muffs
Dimensions | 6 x 4 x 0.6 inches |
Weight | 9 ounces |
Color | Black |
Material | Plastic |
This is a great shooting ear protection product to get if you want to give the other one to someone else or to have it as a spare. The cups are covered by thick and soft paddings, which makes them comfortable to wear. This also removes much of the discomfort that comes from using such a tight ear muff. Multiple layers of sound protection also ensure that most of the loud noises are suppressed. You are still aware of what is going on around you but gunshots and other loud noises are much more manageable.
Best Shooting Ear Protections - Buyer's Guide
The noise protection that a good shooting ear protection should provide can range from NRR 28 to 34. This affords you considerable protection since the higher the attenuation, the less harm the noise can cause to your ears. In some cases, the protection attenuates noise at 85 dB, which is common among electronic ear protection. You need to pay attention to this tidbit to ensure that you get the maximum level of protection possible.
Shooting ear protection will need to be functional, but it also needs to be comfortable. A lot of this will come down to the materials since they will be the things coming into contact with the skin. As such, a firm but pliable foam should be used, along with texture surfaces like faux leather or even real leather. The materials should ideally be breathable while still providing adequate protection. It would be for your benefit if the item can be adjusted in size, as well.
The materials used to make shooting ear protection muffs and plugs can vary, including plastic, silicone, rubber, ABS, synthetic leathers, various textiles, nylon, stainless steel, and more. These will affect their form, function, design, and costs. You need to find protective earmuffs or plugs that are made of comfortable, durable, breathable, and affordable materials.
While a shooting ear protection item is intended to be used for shooting, it can also be used for other things like working in a factory or in areas where explosives are common sights. As such, it would be ideal if they can also function to the point where your ears are still protected when doing other things without compromising your ability to do the job.
The size of the shooting ear protection item, whether it’s an earmuff or earplugs will affect how effective and comfortable they are. If the earmuff is too small, it will be too tight and might not cover the ears entirely. If the earplugs are too big, they might not fit into the ear holes and fall out too easily. Earmuffs will likely be adjustable, but you should still make sure that they fit just right. The better the fit on your head, the more effective the protection becomes.
Best Shooting Ear Protections - FAQs
Shooting ear protection muffs or plugs are not meant to completely suppress sound from entering your ears. They are only supposed to block enough of the soundwaves to keep the sensitive nerves in your ears from getting damaged. It’s also beneficial for you that this is the case since you can still be aware of your surroundings in case something goes wrong and you can react.
They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Muffs can come with extra features like electronic sound blocking but they can be a bother to carry around. Plugs are often less effective at blocking loud noises, but they are smaller and easier to bring with you anywhere. They also tend to be less expensive but are easier to lose.
Absolutely. Even low caliber bullets can produce a deafening amount of noise, which can then damage your eardrums. This is why it’s important for you to have ear protection, especially when you are shooting indoors. The reverberation and vibration alone can cause you to lose hearing and can even result in a feeling of imbalance.
Yes, but this needs to be done with careful consideration. While the ear protection can keep you from going deaf, it can also hinder you from noticing your surroundings more. As such, while your ears will be protected, you might have a harder time hearing snapping twigs or distant sounds. You would then have a harder time hunting unless you are particularly experienced.
