As a shooter or hunter, protecting your hearing is crucial. Exposure to loud noises over time can lead to irreversible hearing damage. This is why it’s critical to invest in high-quality hearing protection.
Two popular options on the market are Pro Ears and Walker’s. Both brands offer a range of hearing protection products, but which one is the best? In this article, we’ll compare Pro Ears and Walker’s hearing protection to help you make an informed decision.
In This Article:
Walker’s vs Pro Ears Earmuffs & Earplugs
Walker’s and Pro Ears are well-respected brands in the hearing protection industry, each offering a range of products, including earmuffs and earplugs. They provide safety equipment for various loud-noise environments, such as shooting ranges and workplaces with high noise levels.
Walker’s Brand
Walker’s is known for its emphasis on active noise cancellation, mainly designed to filter out gunfire sounds while allowing for clear voice communication. Their Razor earmuffs are highlighted for their sturdy construction, adjustable headbands, comfortable padding, and omnidirectional microphones.
They provide a comfortable fit, excellent sound quality, and reduce loud noises to soft pop. The earmuffs operate on AA batteries, implying a recurring battery replacement cost. Using earmuffs and earplugs when shooting indoors is recommended for optimal ear safety.
Pro Ears Brand
On the other hand, Pro Ears provides various models of ear protection headsets. These include the Gold II 30, Pro Ears 300, Ultra Pro Passive, and Pro Ears Youth & Kids headsets. These models’ specific features and prices weren’t mentioned in the provided references, but these products are well-regarded for their quality.
Factors such as noise reduction, comfort, price, design, additional features (like Bluetooth capability), and battery life should be considered for comparison criteria. Moreover, the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation feature and the product’s performance in different environments (such as indoors and outdoors) could be added to these criteria.
It’s important to note that the choice between earmuffs and earplugs, or between different models of the same product type, largely depends on individual preferences and specific needs. For instance, earmuffs provide reliable noise reduction and are easy to fit, while earplugs can offer better low-frequency attenuation and don’t interfere with glasses or safety equipment.
For noise levels above 100 dBA, it is recommended to use both earplugs and earmuffs. Therefore, the final decision should consider personal comfort, the intended use environment, and each model’s specific features.
Walker’s Razor Slim vs Pro Ears Gold Earmuffs
Another Walker’s product is the Razor Slim Muff, which features a low-profile design and a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 23dB. This model is cost-effective, with HD speakers and single-knob volume control. A comparable model from the Pro Ears lineup is the Pro Ears Gold II Earmuffs.
The Walker’s Razor Slim and Pro Ears Gold Earmuffs can be compared as follows:
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), Noise Cancellation and Sound Reproduction
The Walker’s Razor Slim Earmuffs have an NRR of 23 dB. They offer active noise cancellation, which filters out harmful noises while still allowing important ambient sounds to be heard. However, the sound quality has been noted as being poor unless connected to an audio jack.
On the other hand, the Pro Ears Gold Series does not mention a specific NRR in the given references. However, they utilize military-grade circuitry and an 8-bit microprocessor to deliver high-fidelity sound[8]. The specific noise cancellation features are not detailed in the provided references.
Durability and Battery Life
Two AA batteries power the Walker’s Razor Slim Earmuffs. They are described as having a well-built and rugged design.
The Pro Ears use 4 AAA batteries and have an auto-shutoff. They have military-grade circuit boards, so they are meant to perform well in hazardous conditions.
Design
The Walker’s Razor Slim Earmuffs have a compact and low-profile design. They feature two hi-gain omnidirectional microphones and independent volume controls. The design also includes comfortable cushioned ear cups.
The Pro Ears Gold Series boasts a premium design with features like adjustable gain settings and a mini-audio jack for connecting to other devices.
Comfort
The Walker’s Razor Slim Earmuffs are noted for their comfortable features, including an adjustable headband. However, the headband can exert pressure on the sides of the head when combined with eye protection, which can be uncomfortable.
The Pro Ears gold series has a comfortable headband with soft ear cups. They are wider than the Walker’s Slim earmuffs, so they don’t allow for as good of a neck weld.
Extra Features
One distinctive feature of the Walker’s Razor Slim Earmuffs is the availability of a Razor Walkie Talkie attachment that provides hands-free communication up to 3 miles and integrates with the Razor Muffs.
The Pro Ears Gold Series is trusted by professionals worldwide and features a 5-year warranty.
In conclusion, while Walker’s Razor Slim and Pro Ears Gold Earmuffs provide hearing protection with unique features, further research would be needed to compare battery life, durability, and comfort thoroughly.
Walker’s Game Ear vs Pro Ears Pro Hear II+
These two models are Walker’s and Pro Ears hearing enhancement models with impulse sound control. What’s important is the protection from muzzle blasts and wind noise reduction. This makes them great for hunting.
Walker’s Game Ear earbuds series and Pro Ears Pro Hear II+ can be compared as follows:
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), Noise Cancellation and Sound Reproduction
Walker’s Game Ears offers comprehensive ear protection and sound amplification devices for hunting. The different models provide varying levels of sound enhancement; for instance, the HD Elite provides 40 dB enhancement, while the Elite HD Power offers 50 dB enhancement.
They also provide effective muzzle blast suppression, and their devices feature sound-activated compression. The Firemax series from Walker’s Game Ear is known for its clear and accurate sound transfer, with four crossover settings for customization.
On the other hand, Pro Ears Pro Hear II+ hearing protection earbuds do offer advanced noise canceling capabilities. The Pro Hear II includes fully digital signal processing on two channels, which might provide dynamic and adaptable noise cancellation. Furthermore, the Pro Hear II has features such as impulse sound suppression set at 85 dB and a static feedback manager.
The Pro Hear II’s design allows for sound amplification, potentially enhancing sound clarity and user perception. This feature might be handy in environments where detecting faint sounds is crucial, like hunting or bird watching. The device’s programming across its two channels caters to a broad range of noise intensities, which results in more nuanced and balanced sound reproduction.
Durability and Battery Life
The Silencer earbuds from Walker’s Game Ear are praised for their long battery life. However, no specific information about battery life or durability for the other models in the Walker’s Game Ear earbuds series was provided in the given references.
The Pro Hear II comes with a low battery indicator, an essential feature for maintaining the device’s functionality. Its automatic shut-off after 2 hours of inactivity may also help conserve battery life, extending the earbuds’ total use time to an impressive 120 hours.
Design & Comfort
Walker’s Game Ear devices are designed with two omnidirectional microphones, a slim design, and customizable settings. They also offer models like the Firemax series with ergonomic design and excellent sound quality.
Comfort is a feature well highlighted in the Walker’s Game Ear series. The Firemax series features gel-filled cups and a skeletonized headband for enhanced comfort. The Silencer earbuds also provide comfortable low-profile ear protection.
Comfort and design details for the Pro Ears Pro Hear II+ are well done with an excellent fitting behind-the-ear piece and a simple but comfortable foam earbud.
Extra Features
Walker’s Game Ear series offers several extra features. For instance, the Silencer 2.0 Bluetooth earbuds offer Bluetooth control, and the Firemax series features a companion walkie-talkie for convenient communication without additional batteries or cables.
The Pro Hear II includes several extra features, such as windscreen protection, which may enhance the user’s experience, especially in outdoor environments. Also, the push-button select functionality likely allows for straightforward operation and adjustment of settings, a plus for user convenience.
Finally, with its digital signal processing capability on two channels, the device offers a level of customization and control over the listening experience that users could appreciate. Walker’s vs Axil is another notable comparison to look at.
Walker’s Razor XV 3.0 Headset vs Pro Ears Stealth Behind-The-Neck Earbuds
When comparing the Walker’s Razor XV 3.0 Headset and the Pro Ears Stealth Behind-The-Neck Earbuds, several criteria can be considered:
NRR (Noise Reduction Rating)
The Pro Ears Stealth 28 provides a Noise Reduction Rating of 28dB. However, the Walker’s Razor XV 3.0 Headset has an NRR of 31dB, indicating a high noise reduction level.
Noise Cancelation and Sound Reproduction
The Walker’s Razor XV 3.0 Headset and the Pro Ears Stealth Earbuds provide electronic hearing protection and enhancement features. However, the specific details regarding noise cancellation and sound reproduction for the Pro Ears Stealth Earbuds could not be found.
The Walker’s Razor XV 3.0 Headset has sound-activated compression and provides good sound quality, allowing users to hear ambient sounds while still protecting their hearing. Positive reviews highlight the effectiveness of blocking firearm noise and amplifying desired sounds[2][9]. However, negative reviews also mention static issues, screeching noise when touching the microphone, and background noise amplification that affects voice clarity.
Durability and Battery Life
The Pro Ears Stealth 28 is described as a lightweight and all-weather ear protection device; the Pro Ears Stealth 28 offers long battery life, with some reviews mentioning its effectiveness for extended use.
However, according to customer reviews, the Walker’s Razor XV 3.0 Headset generally offers good durability. Some reviewers have mentioned issues with battery life, but it varies depending on usage and the activation of features like pass-through sound.
Design & Comfort
The Pro Ears Stealth Earbuds are designed as behind-the-neck earbuds, providing a low-profile and comfortable fit. The specific design details could not be found. On the other hand, the Walker’s Razor XV 3.0 Headset features a behind-the-neck design with retractable earbuds, which reviewers praise for their low-profile and comfortable fit.
The Walker’s Razor XV 3.0 Headset has received positive feedback from reviewers regarding its comfort, and it comes with three different sizes of ear inserts for a customizable fit.
Extra Features
The Pro Ears Stealth 28 offers additional features, including 5x hearing amplification, a wind cover for the microphone to reduce noise, and three sizes of soft earbuds for a customizable fit.
The Walker’s Razor XV 3.0 Headset offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to listen to music or take calls wirelessly. It also has a neckband design for easy access and convenience.
Walker’s vs Pro Ears Hearing Protection, Which is Better?
When comparing Walker’s and Pro Ears’ hearing protection, both brands offer a range of options with various features to cater to individual needs. However, it isn’t easy to definitively declare one brand as superior to the other since preferences can vary based on personal requirements and specific use cases.
Walker’s hearing protection, exemplified by the Razor XV 3.0 Headset, provides a budget-friendly option with a solid NRR of 31dB, sound-activated compression, and Bluetooth connectivity for added convenience and versatility. Its low-profile design, comfort, and customizable fit with different ear inserts are praised. However, some users have reported issues with battery life and functionality.
On the other hand, Pro Ears hearing protection, such as the Stealth 28, offers a lightweight and all-weather design with an NRR of 28dB, sound-activated compression, and additional features like wind covers and Bluetooth connectivity. While some users appreciate the affordability, effectiveness in blocking firearm noise, and long battery life, others have mentioned concerns about sound quality and certain inconveniences.
Ultimately, the choice between Walker’s and Pro Ears hearing protection depends on individual preferences and priorities. It is advisable to consider factors such as NRR, sound quality, durability, comfort, battery life, and extra features to make an informed decision that aligns with one’s specific requirements for hearing protection.