Best Electronic Hearing Protection – Buyer’s Guide for 2018

Protecting your only set of ears should be a high priority if you’re entering loud environments.

To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, our team has prepared a list of the top products that will help answer, “what is the best electronic hearing protection?”.

The Best Hearing Health team carefully chose the upcoming products and reviewed their main features.

In addition to this, we also did extensive research and digging to uncover the pros and cons associated with each based off recent customer reviews.

We did our homework so you don’t have to. Time to sit back, relax, and find out the best electronic hearing protection available.

Quick Comparison of the Best Electronic Hearing Protection

Name

Our Rating

Price

Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Hearing Protection Muffs

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Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection

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Awesafe GF01+ Electronic Earmuff

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OPSMEN M31-MOD1 Electronic Earmuff

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Champion Traps and Targets 40974 Electronic Ear Muffs

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How Loud is Too Loud?

We encounter a variety of sounds everyday and typically don’t even second guess them. Aside from the occasional noise that’s certainly louder than usual, most continue on with their day without another thought.

While some people are definitely more sensitive to sound compared to others, we should all be responsible when it comes to doing certain activities and use some protection.

Loud sounds, such as machinery or music, can cause irreversible damage to your ears especially when exposed for long periods of time.

To review what sounds are too loud in depth and see a list of common sounds and their decibel levels, be sure to check out our learning guide, "How Loud Is Too Loud".

Quick Take - The Best Electronic Hearing Protection

Before you get any further, here are our top picks for the best electronic ear muffs.


1. Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Hearing Protection Muffs


2. Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection


3. Electronic Shooting Earmuff Awesafe GF01+

Review of the Best Electronic Hearing Protection

With which sounds are too loud in mind, let's talk about the best hearing protection out there.

For each of the muffs listed below, we've outlined the main features, pros, and cons to give you the best idea of which hearing protection you should consider.

Let's get started. 

1. Walker's Razor Slim Electronic Muff

A crowd favorite among avid shooters, Walker’s is definitely a recognized name and for good reason. Their high quality products continuously enter markets and consistently deliver on demands.

Regardless of if you’re a machinist, outdoor enthusiast, or construction worker, these are sure to do the job protecting your hearing and still allow you to hear speech via their omnidirectional microphones. 

They even come in a variety of colors such as light teal, pink, camo, flat dark earth, and black.

These muffs are also highly rated for hunters and shooters.

If you are looking for the best hearing protection for shooting specifically, we encourage you to read through our other article.

Let’s jump into the main features you can expect from these Muffs before reviewing the pros and cons.

Main features of the Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Muff include:

  • Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 23 dB SPL
  • Includes 2 AAA batteries
  • 2 built in Omnidirectional Microphones and 3.5 mm audio input plugin
  • Sound compression on anything above 82 dB SPL and features a 0.02 second activation time
  • Volume control knobs and sleek ultra-thin rubberized cups for comfort and protection
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Pros

  • Built in dust cover on audio jack
  • Picks up speech from an average of 50 ft. away
  • Works exceptionally well at cutting out loud abrupt noises
  • Protects hearing while still being able to communicate to others around you
  • Slim enough to shoot with a rifle if you’re buying them for hunting or recreational shooting

Cons

  • Does not feature automatic shut off or on/off light
  • Designed to fit snug - some people with large heads have said they may feel tight after wearing them for approximately 6-8 hours

Bottom Line

Walker's Razor Slim Electronic Muffs feature a NRR of 23,  two built-in omnidirectional microphones to enhance nearby sound, and come with an auxiliary port so you can hook up music or a scanner.

Their ultra-thin, sleek, versatile design protects your hearing while also allowing you to engage with others around you.

These are definitely a great value for the cost and what we would consider our top pick for the best electronic hearing protection.

2. Caldwell Low Profile E-Max Electronic Ear Muffs

The Caldwell Low Profile E-Max Electronic Ear Muffs are last on our list but certainly not least.

They join extraordinary hardware with secure and reliable design; perfect for shooters, machinists, workers - anyone who’s in desperate need of protection.  

Their duel microphones enhance range commands, environmental surroundings, and overall communication.

These electronic ear muffs are a great alternative to high-end, pricey competitors. Before we touch on the pros and cons, we’re looking forward to explaining the main features.

Main features of the Walker Razor include:

  • NRR: 23 dB SPL
  • 3.5 mm auxiliary cord plug in for MP3 players, phones, scanners, etc.
  • Ear muff design is ultra low profile and not bulky compared to other electronic ear protection
  • All sound of 85 db SPL is shut out to protect against dangerous
  • 2 built in microphones amplify nearby sound 
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Pros

  • Very lightweight and comfortable
  • Amazing value for the affordable cost
  • Fold up to easily store in backpacks, bags, and other carrying cases
  • Fits very snug (some viewed this is both a pro and a con, but most preferred it)
  • Cut-out electronics are reliable and effectively protect users from potential damaging sounds

Cons

  • Not adaptable to wear with a hat, helmet, or other headwear
  • Auxiliary plugin is location on top of ear muff compared to other model where plug in is located on the bottom

Bottom Line

Caldwell Low Profile E-Max Electronic Ear Muffs have a NRR of 23, auxiliary cord plug in, two built in microphones to amplify or supress sound, a lightweight design, and a folding construction.

These are certainly a great set of hearing protection and come with a slough of advantages.

3. Awesafe GF01+ Electronic Ear Muffs and Storage Case

Another great model that made our list is the Awesafe GF01+ Noise Reduction Sound Amplification Electronic Safety Ear Muffs.

For their lower-end cost, customers definitely benefit from their value. Awesafe is awesome.

They have nearly all the bells and whistles as a high-end model and for about a quarter of the cost.

With a solid 22 NRR rating, Omni directional microphones, and a few other mentionable qualities, there’s no surprise these stand out.

Let’s see what other great features are included then take a look at some ups and downs you can expect ahead of time.

Main features of the Walker Razor include:

  • NRR: 22 dB SPL
  • Built in 3.5 mm auxiliary cord plug in allows you to connect to a variety of devices
  • Includes 2 AAA batteries with purchase
  • Omni directional microphones enhance nearby sounds while also reducing harmful noise over 82 dB SPL
  • Comes with a carry case to protect ear muffs while traveling from point A to B
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Pros

  • Average battery life is around 350 hours
  • Adjustable and very user friendly and ready to use - just add batteries
  • Automatically shuts-off after 4 hours of inactive use to preserve battery life
  • Carry case is crush and water resistant, anti-shock, and protective against bumps, splashes, and scratches
  • Designed with low-profile cups to avoid bulky and obnoxious look; great for mowing the lawn, working in the shop, or shooting with friends

Cons

  • Does not feature Bluetooth connectivity
  • Microphone has capability to pick up small amounts of wind under extreme conditions

Bottom Line

Awesafe GF01+ Noise Reduction Sound Amplification Electronic Safety Ear Muffs are also a stellar pair and are reasonably priced too.

With a NRR of 22, an auxiliary cord plug in, and Omnidirectional microphones, these are a leading competitor on our list.

The main benefit you can expect with these is the protective hard case.

4. OPSMEN M31-MOD1 Noise Canceling Electronic Earmuff

The OPSMEN, the M32-MOD1 Electronic Earmuff has one goal in mind: protection. A top electronic hearing protector, the M31 MOD1 can expel unsafe sounds and open up natural noise.

These outstanding muffs can be easily be adapted to enter a number of environments that put you at-risk for damaging noise exposure.

At their core, they do the job of protecting your ears well. Let’s cover the main features then go over the pros and cons mentioned by previous customers.

Main features of the OPSMEN M31-MOD1 include:

  • NRR: 22
  • Stifles hurtful sounds over 82 dB SPL
  • Built in 3.5 mm audio jack plugin for smart phones, MP3 player, etc.
  • Automatically shuts off after 4 hours to save battery
  • IPX-5 water resistant, tested and approved in accordance with CE / RoSH / ANSI S3.19-1974 Standards.
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Pros

  • Best value for under $40
  • Adaptable ear pads for tight seal
  • Battery life is approximately 350 hours
  • Folds down to easy store in bag or case in between uses
  • Headband adjusts to three different sizes to adapt for people with different head sizes: Head circumference perimeter S: smaller 21", M:21"-23.5", L: bigger 23.5"

Cons

  • Does not comes with carrying case
  • May be uncomfortable for some people after extended use - be sure to adjust via the built in settings

Bottom Line

The OPSMEN M31-MOD1 feature a NRR of 22 and similar to the other models, work to block out harmful incoming sounds greater than or equal to 82 dB SPL.

The great advantage about these is that they also feature an automatic shut-off after 4 hours of inactivity.

Tested and approved per CE / RoSH / ANSI S3.19-1974 Standards, they also have a IPX-5 water resistant capability and are our recommendation for the best electronic hearing protection under $40.

5. Champion Traps and Targets 40974 Electronic Ear Muffs

Protecting your hearing doesn’t have to come at a cost.

While investing in your hearing health may seem like it has to cost hundreds of dollars to be full-proof, the Champion Traps and Targets 40974 Electronic Ear Muffs are one of the best electronic muffs on the market and is more affordable than competitors.

Owning a set of electronic ear muffs means you can stay protected while also engaging with others around you.

Let’s review the main features of these Champion Muffs then take a look at what recent customers had to say about them.

Main features of the Champion Traps and Targets 40974 Electronic Ear Muffs include:

  • NRR: 25 dB SPL
  • Size adjustable for various head sizes
  • Breaks down to easily store in carrying bag or backpack
  • Volume controls are separate on each side of muff
  • Durable and constructed from high quality materials
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Pros

  • Reliable battery life
  • Comfortable and not overly bulky
  • Sturdy and incoming speech is clear
  • Quickly blocks out ear piercing sounds
  • Independent power and volume control per muff permits users to block are directional sounds

Cons

  • Does not comes with protective hard case
  • No automatic turn off feature - remember to do so after each use to save battery

Bottom Line

A Champion product also made our list with the Traps and Targets 40974 Electronic Ear Muffs.

In addition the their 25 NRR, the ear muffs also easily break down to easily store in a backpack or bag, feature separate volume controls so you can enhance or suppress nearby sounds, and are size adjustable for those of us with a big head.  

Conclusion

In the end, we hope this overview greatly contributed toward your next purchase and helps protect the health of your hearing.

All of the models mentioned above are superior products and each come with their own unique qualities. 

If this review was helpful, be sure to leave a comment below and let us know! We love hearing from our readers. Stay safe, and stay informed!