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Best Earplugs for Shooting Range & Hunting 2024: Reviews

best earplugs shooting

Shooting and hunting can be a demanding and expensive sport for some people. However, there is nothing that compares to the adrenaline rush experienced when we finally capture a deer after waiting for hours or the thrill that comes with hitting the target while at a shooting range.

Even so, the noise from the guns constantly puts shooters and hunters at high risk of hearing loss. Most guns ring up to 140dB of sound in just a single gunshot, which is very much above the set limit of up to 85 dB for ear safety.  

Choosing the best earplugs for shooting allows us to enjoy a fulfilling session at a shooting range and successful hunt without sacrificing your hearing.

If you want to take your pup with you, be sure to protect its ears as well. The specially designed Mutt Muffs DDR337 Hearing Protection for Dogs are perfect for that. You can also check out our article about the Best Ear Plugs for Dogs 2024.

Wearing quality earplugs for shooting, which is among the most fundamental safety rules of shooting. Here we look at the best earplugs for shooting that we should consider for safe and enjoyable shooting and hunting experience. You may also want to read our article about the Quietest Air Rifle & Pellet Guns in 2024

Best Earplugs for Shooting Range and Hunting 2024: Reviews

Surefire EP4 Sonic Defenders Filtered Earplugs

The Surefire EP4 Earplugs are my top pick for the best earplugs for shooting as they protect ears without hindering you from hearing routine conversations or sounds.

They’re relatively cheap, which makes them ideal for people on a budget who want to upgrade from standard earplugs.

With the triple-flanged stem design, the EP4 Sonic Defenders offers up to 24dB Noise Reduction Rate (NRR) and fits larger ear canals.  

The proprietary design includes a special filter that reduces potentially harmful noises, above 85dB. On the other hand, the earplugs allow sounds at safe levels to get through your ear canal.

EP4 features attached filter caps that block out a lower-level noise and offers additional protection when inserted. This is suitable for use cases where hearing conversations and ambient sounds are not important.

Their construction consists of a hypoallergenic polymer that is soft and durable. This enables them to offer a longer product life of about 6 months, though it depends on how to use and maintain them.

Additionally, the earplugs come with certified retention rings that keep the plugs in place. They also include triple-flanged stems that are soft and adjustable to ensure that our ear canals get secure seals. Their great design makes it possible for earplugs to be used with a mask, helmet or when using a headset or phone.

Pros

  • Features a low-profile design that allows them to remain in place
  • Comes with comfortable and convenient triple-flanged stems for a secure seal and extra comfort
  • Made from soft, durable and hypoallergenic polymer
  • Effectively lowers potentially dangerous noise levels
  • Does not affect your ability to hear conversations
  • Affordable
  • Offers two levels of protection even with the filter caps in or out

 

Cons

  • Delicate seal

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You may also like: Quietest Air Rifle & Pellet Guns in 2024

Mack’s Shooters Ear Seals Ear Plugs

Mack’s Shooters Ear Plugs are specially designed for shooting.

The product aids in reducing potentially harmful noise effects that we experience during shooting sports or hunting.

They are products of Mack’s, which is a company that is renowned for manufacturing a wide range of earplugs for various applications.

These include earplugs for shooting, contractions, screaming kids and much more.

The Ear Seals Earplugs offers a very effective design with a noise reduction rating of up to 27dB. Most products in the market including even some of the best earplugs available today cannot easily match this performance.

Mack’s Earplugs feature a removable cord that offers the convenience of wearing them in and taking them out of the ear canals. The product also includes a plastic case that helps in keeping them clean when not in use.

Finally, the Ear Seals are easy to wear as they come with a detailed manual that provides all the instructions needed to ensure that we get the best from the earplugs.

For a great solid fit into your ear canals, you are required to rotate them just like a screw. However, it is not recommended to use power tools in fitting the earplugs as this might cause injuries or damage them.

Pros

  • A product of a renowned company
  • Comes with a detachable cord
  • Offers Noise Reduction Rating of up to 27 dB
  • Easy to fit them into your ear canals
  • Soft and comfortable

 

Cons

  • Not suitable for people with large ear canals

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3M PELTOR TEP-100 Tactical Digital Earplugs

The 3M Digital Earplug is another top quality product that offers great protection to our hearing while enhancing your conversation and auditory awareness in environments with impulse and loud noise.

This is by adjusting to soft and loud sounds environments while detecting sounds using the environmental microphones.

It uses excellent hearing protection technology as it is designed for multiple applications. The TEP-100 device is a rechargeable, lightweight, and compact plug.

These include military, construction, manufacturing, maintenance and tactical law enforcement applications.

The 3M Digital Earplug is compatible with almost all the head-borne protective equipment such as hardhats, eyewear, welding hoods, helmets, face shields and bumps caps.

Furthermore, the TEP-100 Earplug features a lightweight and small design that aids in enhancing the user’s experience and the overall comfort.

Finally, the 3M PELTOR Earplug includes an optional earplug cord that can easily be attached to the device for additional extra safety.

Its hearing protection system features four pairs of replaceable ear tips, two water-resistant and rechargeable electronic (IP67), and includes a convenient carrying case.

Pros

  • Rechargeable
  • Compatible with protective equipment
  • Works great
  • Comes with a convenient carrying case
  • Includes an optional earplug cord for extra security

 

Cons

  • Expensive

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Conclusion

There are several types of products on the market that users can consider when looking for the best earplugs for shooting. However, right earplugs for shooting range and hunting are the ones that offer enough protection against possibly harmful noises from your gun while fitting comfortably into our ear canals.

SureFire EP4 is our top pick product that you should consider as it offers great features than most products available in the market and is also relatively affordable. It comes with a great design that ensures a wonderful user experience and improves your overall comfort.


Alternatively, if you want to splurge go for 3M PELTOR TEP-100 Tactical Digital Earplugs, as it is an ideal product for those who want to upgrade from standard products and are not tight on their budget.

The earplugs are rechargeable electronic devices that help minimize loud noise while allowing comfortable conversations by amplifying low-level sounds.

Moreover, the device comes with a one-button operation that makes the earplugs user-friendly and also includes a portable charging and a reliable battery. Read next: Best Earplugs For Cats 2024