You know what? Loud guns feel fun… until your ears ring at dinner. I learned that the hard way after one long day at an indoor range. Since then, I’ve tried a bunch of ear pro. Indoors. Outdoors. Hot summer skeet and cold deer stands. Some sets stay in my bag. Some got passed on to friends.
Here’s what truly worked for me, with real wins and a few misses. It’s the same list I keep updated over on AddThisMark if you ever need to pull it up quickly between range sessions.
Quick picks (so you can get shooting)
- Peltor Sport Tactical 500: Best all-around electronic muffs for range use
- Howard Leight Impact Sport: Budget-friendly, slim, and easy to stash
- MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X (with gel cups): Most comfy for long days and rifle cheek weld
- ISOtunes Sport (in-ear): Best for hot weather and folks who hate bulky muffs
- Decibullz Custom Molded Plugs: Great fit if you want simple, no-battery protection
Want to save these recommendations for a quick reference on your phone? I’ve bookmarked them on AddThisMark so you can pull the list up anytime.
Now let me explain why.
Peltor Sport Tactical 500 — My “never-fail” range buddy
If I’m taking a new shooter to an indoor range, I grab these first. They’re electronic muffs with clear sound and fast cut-off, so the blast drops down, but voices still come through. That matters with a range officer barking “Cease fire!”
If you’d like a deeper dive into specs, attenuation numbers, and long-term durability, there’s a thorough breakdown over at Gun Holsters & Gear.
Real example: I ran these with a friend’s braked AR inside a concrete lane. I could still hear him ask for the stapler, but the sharp crack got knocked down fast. I did turn the volume a bit lower between strings because steel targets ringing can feel like a bell in your brain after a while.
Stuff I like:
- Good seal around my safety glasses
- Mics don’t make voices tinny
- Bluetooth is handy for a quick call in the lobby (not on the line)
Stuff I don’t:
- They’re a bit chunky with a rifle stock
- In strong wind, the mics can hiss; a hat brim helps
For another take—complete with field notes, photos, and battery-life impressions—check out The Truth About Guns’ hands-on test here.
Tip: Indoors with rifles or brakes, I still add foam plugs under the muffs. Think of it like wearing a seatbelt and also having airbags. Speaking of reliable gear, I’m also picky about timepieces—if you’re curious, here’s the story of the best watches under $1000 I’ve tested and still wear to the range.
Howard Leight Impact Sport — Slim, cheap-ish, and easy to love
These were my first electronic muffs. They’re thin on the sides, so they don’t smash into my shotgun stock. I take them to the clay range when I’m teaching form, since you can hear “Pull!” and still chat.
Real example: Outdoor skeet on a breezy Saturday. I wore these with a ball cap and clear eye pro. Voices sounded crisp, but the wind noise kicked up if I faced into the gusts. Turning the volume down helped a lot. For indoor 9mm, they were fine. For short-barrel rifles inside? I doubled with foam.
Stuff I like:
- Slim profile with long guns
- Easy on the wallet
- Auto shut-off saves batteries (I forget, a lot)
Stuff I don’t:
- The headband gets tight after a few hours unless I pad it
- Not my top pick for very loud, indoor rifle days without foam plugs
MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X (with gel cups) — Comfort king for long days
These live on my head during long rifle zero days. The gel cups are the secret—soft seal, very comfy with glasses, and better cheek weld. Voices stay natural, which is nice when you’re talking holds and wind calls.
Real example: Cold morning, .308 on a prone mat. Beanie under the headband, gel cups over my eye pro. No hotspots. I could hear leaves crunch before first light during deer season too. But during sight-in on a covered line, I still stuffed foam plugs in. These are great, just not magic.
Stuff I like:
- Gel cups = comfort for hours
- Clear, natural sound
- Tough build; they’ve been rained on, no drama
Stuff I don’t:
- Expensive
- Need extra help (foam plugs) for extra-loud indoor sessions
ISOtunes Sport (in-ear) — Summer saver for sweaty days
When it’s 95° and humid, muffs feel like a sauna for your ears. That’s when I switch to ISOtunes in-ear. They’re electronic earplugs, so you still get ambient sound, but the bang gets cut down. The foam tips fit snug if you roll them right. And yes, they pair to your phone. Music between rounds? Sure—just keep it low and smart.
While we’re on the topic of using your phone mid-match, some shooters I know use those quiet reloading tables to swap a little flirtatious banter with their partner. If that sounds like you, take a peek at this rundown of the best sexting apps. On the flip side, maybe your weekend match wraps up near Canton, Ohio and you’re curious about offline adult fun; in that case, jump over to Erotic Monkey Canton where you’ll find updated listings, photos, and candid reviews to help you choose responsibly and discreetly.
Real example: Steel challenge outside in July. I wore these with a wide-brim hat and sunglasses. No muffs bumping my hat or stock. After a couple months, the tips got gross, so I swapped them. Easy fix.
Stuff I like:
- No sweaty ear cups
- Good with rifles; nothing hits the stock
- Fast to toss in a pocket
Stuff I don’t:
- Foam tips need replacing; I keep spares
- The neck cord can snag a sling if I’m not careful
Decibullz Custom Molded Plugs — No batteries, solid seal
If you want simple plugs that really fit, these are it. You heat the molds in hot water, shape them in your ears, and that’s your custom fit. I keep a pair in my range bag as a backup.
Real example: Indoor pistol league night. I forgot my muffs (yep), so I used these. The seal was strong enough that I didn’t miss the mics. Friends had to wave more, but my ears felt fine. If I’m talking a lot, they can loosen, so I check the fit now and then.
Stuff I like:
- Custom fit for cheap
- No batteries to chase
- Great as a “just in case” set
Stuff I don’t:
- No amplification, so you’ll miss some range calls
- You do have to remold if you don’t nail the fit
What actually matters (learned the hard way)
- NRR matters, but fit matters more: A big number means nothing if your glasses break the seal. Gel cups help a lot.
- Double up when it’s loud: Indoors, short barrels, muzzle brakes—foam plugs under muffs make a big difference. My ears thank me later.
- Comfort is safety: If it hurts, you’ll take them off. If you take them off, you’ll regret it.
- Electronic mics are worth it: Hearing “Cold range!” is not optional.
- Glasses and hats change everything: Thin temple arms and a soft headband help keep the seal.
- Wind is sneaky: Outdoor days can bring mic hiss. Adjust volume, angle your hat, or switch sets.
Real use cases and what I reach for
- Indoor pistol lanes: Peltor Tactical 500. If it’s packed and echoey, I add foam plugs.
- Indoor rifle or heavy brake: Double up with any muff I like that day; often the Sordins with foam plugs.
- Outdoor skeet and trap: Howard Leight Impact Sport or Sordins with gel cups. Easy to hear the coach and the call.
- Summer rifle zero: ISOtunes in-ear to stay cool.
- Forgotten gear or quick farm chores: Decibullz plugs in the pocket.
Little lessons I keep relearning
- Keep spare batteries in your range bag. Tape them in a tiny zip bag so they don’t wander.
- Bring two types of ear pro. Someone always forgets theirs, and you’ll save the day.
- Try on with your glasses and hat before you buy, if you can. Sounds silly. It’s not.
- Replace foam tips and worn pads. Fresh foam seals better. Old pads leak sound.
- Don’t blast music while you shoot. It masks commands. I only