Those of us who work in challenging noise environments know how important it is to protect our hearing. Any exposure to sounds over 85 decibels (dB) can cause hearing loss, and regular exposure can quickly lead to a noticeable decrease in the ability to hear.
If you work or have hobbies that put you in noisy environments such as construction work, factories, or shooting ranges, then you need to pay attention to the Howard Leight earmuffs reviews in this article.
Howard Leight is one of the best-known names in hearing protection. They’ve been in the business of protecting hearing for over 30 years, and they are a subsidiary of one of the best-known names in workplace safety, Honeywell.
Combining the two is a recipe for some outstanding products that take both form and function into account.
We’ll be taking a look at both electronic and non-electronic earmuff offerings from Howard Leight by Honeywell. Unfortunately, the non-electronic versions dull all noises. This works great for protecting your hearing but can make it difficult to communicate with others around you.
Electronic earmuffs are more recent entrants into the hearing protection category; they use external microphones and internal speakers to capture noises below 85db and amplify them through the speakers. So they dampen the dangerous sounds while still allowing you to hear the voice of the person next to you.
Top 5 Howard Leight Earmuffs:
Not only are the Impact Sport model the best-selling Howard Leight earmuffs, but they are also the best selling product overall in the shooting category on Amazon at the time I’m writing this. That is an impressive feat for a set of earmuffs and certainly speaks to the quality of their construction.
The Impact Sport earmuffs are one of two Howard Leight electronic earmuffs, with the other being the Impact Pro reviewed below. As these are the only two sets of earmuffs we’ll look at today, I’ll take a little extra care to compare and contrast the two. Read our Howard Leight Impact Sport review here.
The Impact Sport is designed for low-profile, comfortable wear. They include a 3mm jack for listening to music and have long battery life. They also have a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 22db.
While marketed for shooters, the feedback on the Howard Leight Impact Sport vs. the Pro model shows that the Impact Sport is most appropriate for outdoor shooting activities such as outdoor range or hunting.
The bundle includes Howard Leight by Honeywell Impact Pro Earmuff (R-01902) and Genesis Sharp-Shooter Safety Eyewear (R-03570), so you’ll have one of the best hearing and eye protection from Howard Leight.
When you compare the Howard Leight Impact Sport vs the Pro, the differences are immediately obvious. The Pro is significantly bulkier in its form factor.
That extra size results in additional protection. The pro provides an NRR of 30, and on an indoor shooting range or a deafening environment, that extra 8db of protection of the Impact Sport can make a world of difference.
Well-padded and comfortable, including a headphone jack and long battery life, the Pro model still delivers all the amenities you find on the Impact Sport, with the only downside being the additional size.
So if you are planning on shooting indoors on being in extremely loud conditions where the additional protection is warranted, the Impact Pro will definitely be the choice for you if you are in the market for a set of electronic earmuffs. Please read our full review of Howard Leight Impact Pro earmuffs here.
Here you have the Howard Leight Impact Sport Earmuffs again but in teal color. They are designed to have low-profile ultraslim earcups so that they don’t interfere with you when you’re aiming or working on the field. In addition, they provide automatic noise-blocking of any noise above 82 dB, while their noise reduction rating NRR is 22.
They can be easily folded away, so they are easy to store and carry with you. In addition, you can adjust the headband for a secure fit. The earmuffs come with AUX input and a 3.5mm connection cord so that you can connect them to an MP3 player, scanners, or another audio device.
Here is an auto shut-off feature, which saves your battery life and makes them energy efficient. You can choose from a wide range of color options: teal, black, multi-cam, blue, smoke and others. You can also read our article on Walker’s Razor vs Impact Sport so that you can compare it with another compatible product.
The HL L3 Super Slimline muff certainly lives up to its name. It boasts a slim design with similar dimensions to the Impact Sport but weighing 8 ounces less.
As with any earmuffs, size equates directly to the amount of protection you receive. The Super Slimline is the lower protection but less intrusive form factor version of the L3.
However, the Super Slimline has an NRR of 23, which still makes it a very effective pair of earmuffs. That’s an NRR of 1db greater than the Impact Sport and makes the Super Slimline appropriate for similar activities such as outdoor shooting, hunting and moderately loud work environments.
You might also want to read our comparison article, which looks closer at Caldwell vs Howard Leight, both of which offer excellent hearing protection.
On the low end of the product offering scale from Howard Leight is the Multi-positioning headband earmuff. These are perfect for those who are seeking a hearing protection solution that is cost-effective.
The trade-off for the price is comfort in the headband, which is noticeably less padded or adjustable to fit the form of the head.
Fortunately, it isn’t all tradeoffs with the Multi-positioning headband earmuff. However, they do provide an outstanding level of protection for the price at an NRR of 25, 3 NRR more than the Impact Sport for 1/5th the price.
They are light at well, weighing in at only 10 ounces, 5 ounces less than the Impact Pro.
For price-conscious consumers or those interested in bulk purchases, the multi-positioning headband earmuffs are an excellent choice.
Conclusion: What are the Best Howard Leight Earmuffs?
The most important thing you’ll want to consider, in my opinion, when making a purchasing decision is just how much hearing protection you’ll need.
Lower NRR earmuffs such as the Impact Sport or the Super Slimline are perfect for lower noise environments like mowing the lawn or outdoor shooting. For noisier environments such as indoor shooting or factory work, go for the Impact Pro model.
Peltor is a comparable product to Howard Leight if you are looking for a different brand.
No matter what your hearing protection needs. I think you’ll find a Howard Leight solution for you in the products we’ve reviewed today.