The best shooting hearing protection for 2025

For serious shooters seeking premium hearing protection without compromising situational awareness, the Swatcom Active8 delivers a high level of safety and performance. Priced £375-£400, this military-specification headset delivers professional-grade protection with a single number rating (SNR) of 26dB and a weight of 400g. What sets the Active8 apart is its sophisticated approach to sound management. Rather than simply cutting off loud noises, the ASIC digital electronics compress impulse sounds down to 82dB(A), preserving natural stereo sound reproduction. The gel ear seals provide exceptional comfort during extended range sessions, while twin speakers in each ear cup provide redundancy. Battery life is rated at 600 hours from two AAA batteries. The Active8 can withstand water submersion to 1m for 30 minutes.

For over 30 years CENS has revolutionised hearing protection, delivering state-of-the-art modular earplugs designed exclusively for shooters. The flagship ProFlex DX5, priced from £899, features five digitally optimised modes – Game, Clay, Range, Wireless Comms and Hunter – plus a dedicated mute function. Each mode employs digital signal processing (DSP) optimised for specific shooting activities. Unlike universal-fit products, CENS ProFlex devices require custom ear impressions, creating perfectly fitted earpieces. For accessible entry, the Mino CENS offers universal-fit electronic protection from £299, providing 31dB SNR attenuation. All CENS products are rigorously CE tested to EN352-2 & EN352-7 standards and have a two-year warranty. ProFlex DX5 SNR: 25dB. Weight: 2.2g (per module). Battery life: 400 hours

Browning’s BDM Bluetooth combines a traditional over-ear design with contemporary connectivity. Priced around £170, this headset delivers a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 23dB with a 10ms response time, while incorporating active electronics that amplify ambient sounds through an omni-directional microphone system. The Bluetooth functionality operates independently from external sound adjustment, allowing separate control of wireless and environmental audio. Practical features include gel ear pads for extended comfort, adjustable headband and standard audio jack connectivity. Weight: 460g. Battery life: 600 hours. Warranty: two years. Water resistance: suitable for all weather

The Howard Leight Impact Sport represents exceptional value at around £90. These over-ear defenders offer an NRR of 22dB with built-in directional microphones that amplify ambient sounds to a safe 82dB, automatically cutting amplification when impulsive sounds exceed this threshold. The slim earcup design incorporates Air Flow Control technology for firearm stock clearance. Features include a padded telescopic headband and external audio jack They run on 2x AAA batteries. Weight: 400g. Battery life: 350 hours. Response time: 0.5ms. Warranty: 12 months. Water resistant: Yes

Available in basic (£79.99) and Bluetooth (£119.99) variants, the DEFY Slim weighs 289g and delivers an SNR of 27dB. The proprietary Tactical Sound Control technology amplifies environmental sounds up to 8x while cutting harmful noise in under 2ms. The ultra-slim design features contoured shells for firearm stock compatibility. The Bluetooth version offers a 25-hour battery life with music streaming and hands-free calling, while the basic model provides a 300-hour battery life on AAA batteries. Both feature IPX4 water resistance, easy-access control wheels and an adjustable headband. Backed by a one-year warranty against defects and a 30-day money-back guarantee.