12 Best Shooting Ear Protection of 2023: Range Tested

Don’t want to go deaf?

The percussive vibrations of each gunshot actually kill vital little hairs deep in your inner ear. And that can open the door to a high pitch ringing or humming noise that can last forever.

We’ve got the 411 on the best shooting ear protection…from affordable passive ones to the top-of-the-line electronic earmuffs.

And the best part?

These are the tried and true picks from our team with thousands of hours at the range as shooters, competitors, law enforcement, military, and range officers.

Summary of Our Top Picks

1. 

   Best Foam Earplugs

   Ear Buddy Foam Earplugs

   These offer a 32dB NRR and are an affordable option, but they may still leave ears ringing.

   $19 at Amazon Jump to Details
2. 

   Editor's Pick Passive Protection

   3M Shotgunner II

   These have a 24-30 dB rating and are slimmer. Might still need to double up if you're at a busy range.

   $25 at Amazon Jump to Details
3. 

   Editor's Pick Affordable Electronic

   AXIL TRACKR Electronic Earmuffs

   25 dB NRR, and these do a great job blocking shot sounds & amplifying speech.

   $50 at AXIL Jump to Details
4. 

   Runner-Up Affordable Electronic

   Howard Leight Impact Sport

   These are affordable electronic earmuffs with a 22dB NRR.

   $51 at Amazon Jump to Details
5. 

   Most Protective Electronic Earmuffs

   Howard Leight Impact Pro

   Large and bulky, but you get 30 dB of protection.

   $66 at Amazon Jump to Details
6. 

   Editor's Pick Competition Shooting

   MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X

   These a super comfortable and feature a 22dB NRR.

   $279 at Amazon Jump to Details
7. 

   Best In-Ear Electronic

   AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 Electronic Ear Bud

   These are lightweight, and come with 29dB of protection, and Bluetooth compatibility.

   $129 at AXIL Jump to Details

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Best Earplugs for Shooting

1. Ear Buddy Foam Earplugs – Best Foam Earplugs

These are the most affordable of the bunch and really protective at 32dB NRR (noise reduction rating).

They take up hardly any space so I always have some in my range bag in case I forgot my larger ones or I have guests.

Remember to fully compress them before sticking them into your ears.

However it’s not all roses…sometimes foam earplugs work TOO well and block out things you want to hear.

And if you have smaller or larger ear canals compared to the average person it might not feel or work that great either.

There are tons of other foam options, but I would stay away from pure cylindrical ones…those are not very comfy.

• NRR 32: Individually Packaged
• NRR32: With Connecting Cord

2. SureFire EP3 Sonic Defenders – Best Overall Earplugs

Want something reusable that gives you two levels of hearing protection?

Enter Surefire EP3 Sonic Defenders which have “filter caps” you can choose to have in or out.

Having it open gives you still decent protection against gunshots but allows you to hear range commands and regular talking.

Having them in gives you a decent 24dB NRR of protection.

They fit very well but keep in mind there are sizes…here I am comfy with Mediums.

Great for outdoor ranges and “normal” calibers…but if you’re shooting indoors or shooting magnums, I’d double-up with these inside and then earmuffs over.

There are also EP4 Sonic Defenders which have a longer flange into your ears.

I prefer the EP3s, though.

Best Passive Shooting Earmuffs

3. 3M Peltor Optime 105 – Most Protective Passive Ear Muff

Traditional earmuffs come on a headband and have foam pads that cover and form a seal around the entire ear. 

For those who don’t like the over-the-head fit, a few versions have back-of-the-head wrap designs. 

The Optime 105 on the right is super protective with 30dB NRR but is also quite bulky.

It’s not heavy, but it will seriously cramp your cheekweld situation for rifles and shotguns.

Use it if you’re shooting handguns…and especially if you’re at an indoor range where the sound reverberates.

4. 3M Shotgunner II – Overall Best Passive Shooting Earmuff

For going slim…I really like the 3M Shotgunner.

I painted mine over, and it served me well for years, especially when I wanted something simple and slim for pistol shooting.

It’s less protection at the base 24dB model, but you can always double up if it gets really loud with compensated rifles. 

Plus there’s now a 30dB model available for a few bucks more…but it also makes it the same size as the Optime.

Comfort is average, but I found it to be fine for a few hours if I can take it off my ears during downtime.

Best Electronic Ear Protection for Shooting

Now, let’s dive into electronic ear protection that cuts out harmful shooting sounds but amplifies regular sounds like people talking.

High-tech electronics are stepping up the game for earplugs, ear cuffs, ear muffs, and every smart device in between. 

These focus on screening out the loud booms while letting you still hear conversations and the sounds of the great outdoors.

5. AXIL TRACKR – Editor’s Pick for Overall Ear Protection

My current go-to Editor’s Pick for affordable electronic hearing protection is the AXIL TRACKR.

AXIL started with manufacturing hearing aids and only recently moved into the hearing protection space…but they definitely know what they are doing.

Our entire team tested out the TRACKR and found the padding and strap to be a bit tight out of the box but very comfortable once you stretched them out a little bit.

But the electronics were what really performed.

At the range, they did a great job of blocking out shots and amplifying speech. When I tested them out in my home office, I was somewhat surprised.

I was able to hear a conversation in another room, a bird tweeting outside, and my own breathing. AXIL’s background in hearing aids shines through in the amplification.

NRR comes in at 25 dB, which is great for thin profile electronic earmuffs and enough for a day at the range unless you go into really big boy caliber ranges.

Price is $64, which is slightly higher than other budget options, but AXIL has a great deal of buying 2 for $99.

There’s also a Bluetooth version rated at 27 dB where you can also enjoy tunes with a paired device. Separate volume switches allow you to dial the ambient noise or music to your listening pleasure.

You’ll choose it at the bottom of the page with an extra $30 per headphone.

What do you think about AXIL?

6. Howard Leight Impact Sport – Runner-Up Electronic Earmuff

My previous go-to recommendation before the AXIL was the Howard Leight Impact Sports.

They are super popular for a reason. They are affordable, and they work…38K reviews on Amazon with a 4.7-star average.

It’s the first pair of electronic earmuffs people get when they are tired of yelling “WHAT?!?” when someone speaks to them at the range.

Affordable, decent protection at 22dB NRR, slim for rifle/shotgun shooting, and reasonably comfortable.

However, nowadays I’d opt for the AXIL above for 25dB protection at the same price.

Plus, they come with AUX-in for devices.

The only thing I could knock them for was their comfort. But now, there are third-party gel caps that make them super comfortable.

These feel like the pads used in my favorite $200+ earmuffs further down the list.

7. Howard Leight Impact Pro – Higher Protection Electronic Earmuff

If you’re ready to jump up a notch, you get 30 dB of protection and ability to hear people around you and range commands.

They are large and bulky, but surprisingly light and comfy to wear even for longer range sessions and provide amazing noise reduction. I’d recommend these if you are shooting large-caliber handguns or shooting at an indoor range. 

They are pretty thick and will mess up your rifle cheek weld.

Plus…since they also fit the Noisefighters Gel Caps!

8. Walker’s Razor Slim Muff – Also Good Budget Electronic Muffs

Ok, no list would be complete without the Impact Sport’s arch-nemesis…Walker’s Razor Slims. They look cooler, and performance is pretty on par.

They are head-to-head against the Impact sports (with one more dB of NRR), so I say get whichever is cheaper…

And keep in mind the Walkers don’t have AUX-in if that’s important to you.

And, oh yes…they also have access to Upgraded Gel Pads.

9. Pro Ears Pro Tac Slim Gold – Higher End Electronic Muff

For most, you’ll be well-served with any of the before mentioned electronic hearing protection.

Next up is a bigger jump in price.

But with that, you get much better cutoff and amplification. Pro Ears has a stellar reputation, and I like their Pro Tac Slim Gold edition. 

They don’t make my Editor’s Pick because they fit a little tight for people, and the ears aren’t as comfy as the MSA Sordins.

But if you want better sound quality and shutoff (plus the ability to change it for each ear), I like Pro Ears’ Pro Tac Slim Gold with 28dB NRR.

10. MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X – Competition Electronic Earmuff

Most of my fellow competitors wear MSA Sordins for their comfort and sound quality.

I finally caved after I became a range officer for a couple of competitions. That meant constant blasts for hours while still needing to hear everything.

I simply asked my competition buddies, “what are the best electronic ear muffs” and the MSA’s got the majority of votes.

They already have built-in gel caps, and there are a couple of colors. I, of course went with the camo…

They are comfy for hours with their gel caps, have easily accessible button controls, great sound cutoff, and compression, and allow for earplugs if the decent 22db NRR doesn’t cut it.

However, one annoying thing is that one of the batteries tends to get jammed and you’ll need to carefully knock the entire unit if you want to change them.

Plus, they can attach to ballistic helmets and comms if that’s your thing.

What I wear when I shoot for hours and my main recommendation for when people want the best.

Best In-Ear Electronic Earplugs

11. Axil GS Extreme 2.0 – Best Electronic Shooting Earplugs

We tried the first generation of GS Extremes and were not impressed. However, the newest generation is great.

However, we must note that you have to really fit the ear with the foam plugs.

They come in a variety of sizes, and so far, the three of us that tested them could find a size that worked.

Another note is that the smaller silicone plugs are just for music…not for blasting guns.

Other than that…there’s some great pros to the GS Extreme 2.0s.

• Super lightweight.
• Out of the way.
• Bluetooth capable.
• 29dB of noise blocking when correctly worn.

Now you’ll have no excuse to have a good cheekweld…but make sure to put some sunblock on your ears (we learned the hard way).

As for price, they are decent at $149 for one pair, but Axil currently has a great deal of 2 pairs for $249.

12. Axil XCOR

These are similar in some ways to the GS Extreme 2.0, but you get the added benefit of being cordless! While the cable works as a retention device for the GS Extremes, it’s cleaner to not have it.

Using the XCOR, I didn’t miss feeling it on the back of my neck. With it routed over the ear, it was out of the way but I still wondered if it would snag on something and pull out my hearing protection while shooting.

The XCOR come with a recharging case, USB cable, and a packet of different sized foam plugs. You’ll want to spend some time finding the right size.

Too small, you won’t get the protection you need, too big, they’ll be uncomfortable after a while. I’ve used these for a few months now and they seem to do a good job.

I like that I can turn active hearing on or off with a touch. I also appreciate being able to listen to music and answer calls.

On a recent flight, I used these to drown out the sounds of a crying baby and listen to soothing music. The XCOR has a 29 dB single number rating.

How Sound Damages Your Ears

Everyone always talks about the middle ear. That’s mainly the eardrum and those three little bones with cool names: the hammer, anvil, and stirrup.

But what really causes hearing damage though is what happens in the inner ear.

Inside, picture a spiral staircase. Only this passage is just 2 millimeters wide and maybe 30 millimeters long, all coiled up.

Sound races along the outside of the staircase, but in the middle are the organ of Corti (yup, sounds ominous) and the basilar membrane.

Both are long and thin, with the organ resting on the membrane. All along this little assembly are tiny little hairs. They register sound and transmit it through the auditory nerve to your brain.

But — and here’s the kicker — exposure to an intense sound that’s 140 dB or more can make segments of the organ of Corti separate from the basilar membrane. Portions of it actually tear away and float around.

So you end up with an inflamed lesion that causes an accompanying chemical reaction. Hairs die. Scar tissue forms, and even with rest, the tiny hairs typically continue to degenerate. A cascade effect takes over, and the entire auditory central nervous system goes deaf.

Researchers suspect that tinnitus — that high pitch noise inside your head that won’t go away — “begins as a result of the brain trying to regain the ability to hear the sound frequencies it has lost by turning up the signals of neighboring frequencies.”

One more thing: noise exposure is cumulative. Each loud sound is killing ear hairs, so you need to be thinking about total exposure over the course of days, weeks, and years.

Ready for some hearing protection yet?

Pregnant Women, Take Note

If you’re looking to go to the range while you’re pregnant, there are some special considerations that you should know if before going.

Check out our complete article Shooting While Pregnant, for more details!

Proper Hearing Protection

First of all, forget cotton balls, tissue, packing peanuts, or my personal old-shooter favorite, cigarette filters. 

While they are better than nothing, they are also next to nothing. At best, you’ll get a reduction of maybe 7dB.

Effective choices for hearing protection come down to

• earplugs
• earmuffs
• combinations of the two and
• some techy alternatives with sound-circuit technology.

There are so many options, there’s no reason not to protect your ear hairs. From neon foam-on-strings to high-tech headphones, there’s something for everyone. 

What you should be looking for is a minimum noise reduction of 15dB, but 30dB is preferable. Pair a good set of plugs with muffs, and you might shut out another 10 to 15dB or so.

You know the load you like to shoot, but a conservative 140dB is a common figure for an average muzzle blast. A .22 will be less, a magnum more. 

With quality protection, you can start approaching a range that’s still loud — as in chainsaw or sandblast loud — but may be up to 1,000 times quieter.

Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical?

We’re full-time firearm professionals with years of experience shooting, teaching, competing, and nerding out on anything gun.

And that includes hundreds of hours at the shooting range with a variety of firearms and ear protection.

This article is the culmination of all our knowledge and what ear pro we would tell our closest friends and family to get.

Final Thoughts

To sum it all up…

To get great protection and not have to deal with earmuffs…get some disposable foam earplugs.

Want to upgrade to some earmuffs?

I like the slim Shotgunner ones if I’m shooting rifle.

Otherwise, if I want the most protection, I go with Optime 105s which are bulky but the best-rated.

Ready for electronic protection?  My go-to suggestion is AXIL.

And for the best electronic earmuffs, I’ve been rocking for the last few years…MSA Sordins.

Let me know if there’s any that we missed. And if you’re looking for Best Shooting Glasses or Best Shooting Gloves, click those links to see our other hands-on reviews.