Best Shooting Earplugs of 2026
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Shooting earplugs are designed to protect the ears of shooters from the loud noise of firearms. These earplugs are made of high-quality materials that offer excellent noise reduction and comfort. They are available in different sizes and shapes to fit different ears and come in a variety of colors. Shooting earplugs are perfect for hunters, military personnel, law enforcement officers, and anyone who regularly engages in shooting sports. They are an essential tool for protecting the hearing of those who love shooting and want to keep their ears safe from loud noises.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Shooting Earplugs
Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs
Decibullz Earplugs offer a unique custom fitting experience that ensures comfort and effective noise isolation. You can easily mold these earplugs to the exact shape of your ears by heating the thermoplastic material and shaping it to fit perfectly. This means they won’t hurt or fall out during use. The re-moldable feature allows you to adjust the fit anytime, giving you flexibility for different activities. Whether you're at a concert, shooting range, or traveling, these earplugs provide reliable protection from loud noises, making them a versatile choice for any situation.
SureFire EP4 Sonic Defenders Plus Earplugs
The SureFire EP4 Sonic Defenders Plus Earplugs feature a 24dB noise reduction rating and allow you to hear safe sound levels as if you weren't wearing earplugs. The soft, adjustable, triple-flanged stems provide secure seals in ear canals and all-day comfort. The low-profile design allows you to keep them in place while wearing a mask, helmet, hat, or while using supplemental hearing muffs. The patented EarLock retention rings utilize seven contact points to lock earpieces in place and fit the same way every time. Made from hypoallergenic, medical-grade polymer, these earplugs are soft, durable, and long-lasting.
Decibullz Custom-Molded Percussive Filters
The Decibullz Custom-Molded Percussive Filters are perfect earplugs for shooting as they combine custom-molding earplug technology with a percussive filter that reduces sound waves to safe levels without blocking ambient noise. Developed for shooting ear protection, the Percussive Filters filter sounds up to 33 decibels, yet allow for situational awareness not provided by traditional hearing protection. These noise-reduction earplugs are easy to mold to the exact shape of your ears, and no batteries are required, meaning they are always ready to protect you when you need it.
Walker’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds
The Walker’s Suppressor Earbuds offer excellent hearing protection by blocking out harmful loud noises, helping you keep your ears safe in noisy environments. They also enhance surrounding sounds, so you can stay aware of important audio cues while enjoying clear, high-quality sound. These earbuds connect wirelessly and are controlled through the Walker’s Link app, giving you the convenience to adjust sound settings, volume, and battery status right from your phone or smartwatch. Designed for comfort, they fit snugly with multiple ear tip options, making them perfect for active users who need both protection and great sound during workouts or shooting sessions.
Mack's Covert Ops Soft Foam Shooting Ear Plugs
Mack's Covert Ops Soft Foam Shooting Ear Plugs have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 32 decibels to protect your ears from harmful noise while hunting, shooting, and blocking snoring buddies. The earplugs are black and discreet, providing extreme comfort with low-pressure foam. They are also recommended by doctors to prevent hearing loss.
ISOtunes Sport CALIBER BT Shooting Earbuds
ISOtunes Sport CALIBER BT Shooting Earbuds offer tactical sound control, all-day battery, Bluetooth connectivity, clear calls at the range, and durability. These earbuds block impact noise while allowing conversation and environmental awareness. The rechargeable lithium-ion batteries provide up to 13 hours of battery life while the charging case can provide an additional 26+ hours of battery. The earbuds seamlessly connect to your phone, computer, or tablet via Bluetooth 5.2 technology. The noise-suppressing microphone with echo cancellation technology helps block percussive noise for clear calls in loud environments. ISOtunes Sport CALIBER BT Shooting Earbuds feature IP67 rated protection against sweat, water, and dust for durability.
ISOtunes ADVANCE BT 2.0 Shooting Ear Protection
The ISOtunes ADVANCE BT Earbuds offer powerful hearing protection with up to 8 times sound amplification, helping you stay alert to your surroundings while shooting. They provide strong noise reduction rated at 26dB, using heat-activated memory foam earplugs that ensure comfort and excellent sound quality. With upgraded Bluetooth 5.4, you can enjoy clear, hi-fi audio and easily connect to two devices at once, including 2-way radios. The earbuds also boast a long-lasting battery that gives you over 15 hours of continuous audio or up to 24 hours of noise protection, plus fast charging for quick power boosts. These features combine to make your shooting experience safer and more convenient.
AXIL GS Extreme 3.0 Bluetooth Shooting Ear Protection
The AXIL GS Extreme Earbuds offer advanced hearing protection and sound enhancement, making them ideal for shooters and outdoor enthusiasts. They use SonicShieldX filters to block harmful loud noises while boosting voices, so you can stay aware of your surroundings. With three modes, you can easily switch between listening to music, amplifying sounds around you, or protecting your ears from loud impacts. These earbuds provide long-lasting battery life, giving you up to 40 hours of use in hearing enhancement mode and fast USB-C charging for convenience. Plus, their secure fit with multiple ear tip options ensures comfort during long shooting sessions or outdoor activities.
Mack's Maximum Protection Shooting Ear Plugs
Mack's Maximum Protection Earplugs offer a high level of noise reduction with a 33 dB rating, helping you shield your ears from loud sounds like gunfire that can cause lasting damage. These earplugs are made from soft Comfy Cush foam, designed to fit comfortably even in larger ear canals without feeling bulky or tight. Whether you're involved in hunting, tactical training, or target shooting, these plugs provide reliable protection. Plus, as the top doctor-recommended foam earplugs in the USA, you can trust Mack's to help keep your hearing safe during noisy activities.
Equinavia BudZ Horse Ear Plugs
The Equinavia BudZ Ear Plugs help reduce loud noises, creating a calm environment for your horse during shows, training, or grazing. Made from soft, lightweight PU rubber, they fit comfortably in your horse’s ears without causing discomfort. The plugs come in sets of six, so you can protect multiple horses or have extras on hand. Plus, they’re reusable and easy to clean — just wash with soap and water after each use. These ear plugs are designed to gently expand inside the ear, providing a secure and snug fit that stays in place while your horse moves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should you wear earplugs when shooting?
Yes, it is crucial to wear earplugs or earmuffs when shooting a firearm. The loud noise generated by shooting can cause immediate and permanent hearing loss, as well as damage to vision. To protect your hearing, always use properly fitted ear protection with a high Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).
2. What decibel ear protection is suitable for shooting?
For shooting, aim for as much noise reduction as possible. Earplugs typically have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 33 dB, earmuffs have an NRR of 31 dB, and wearing both together provides an NRR of 36 dB. These levels of noise reduction help minimize the risk of hearing damage while shooting.
3. What happens if you don't wear earplugs when shooting a gun?
Not wearing hearing protection while shooting can result in severe hearing loss, even with just one shot under the right conditions. Audiologists frequently see cases of hearing damage, particularly during hunting season when hunters and bystanders may be exposed to rapid fire from various firearms.
4. Can you use AirPods as earplugs for shooting?
AirPods are not suitable as earplugs for shooting. Gunshots produce short, abrupt, and high-intensity sounds that may be too fast for noise-canceling technology to effectively block. While AirPods might create a perception of muffled sound, they do not provide adequate protection against the loud noise of gunshots.
5. Can shooting a gun damage your ears?
Yes, shooting a gun without proper hearing protection can cause significant hearing loss and tinnitus. Despite the awareness of the importance of hearing protection, many shooters fail to use it consistently, leading to potential long-term damage to their hearing.
6. Are ear muffs better than earplugs?
Ear muffs are easier to fit but generally offer less protection than earplugs. This is because ear muffs sit over the ears rather than directly in the ear canal. However, ear muffs may cause discomfort in hot environments due to heat build-up. Ultimately, the choice between ear muffs and earplugs depends on personal preference and the level of protection needed.
7. Is 135 dB hearing safe?
No, 130 dB is not safe for hearing. Exposure to sounds at this level, even for a few seconds, can cause immediate hearing damage or loss. It is important to avoid prolonged exposure to high decibel levels and to use appropriate hearing protection when exposed to loud noises.
8. Is 27 decibels good for shooting?
A Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 27 is considered suitable for shooting with larger caliber handguns, larger long guns, and shotguns. However, it is always advisable to err on the side of caution and use higher NRR levels for better protection depending on the type of firearm being used.
9. Is it safe to shoot a 9mm without ear protection?
No, it is not safe to shoot any firearm without ear protection, including a 9mm pistol. Regular exposure to gunshots, even at 90 dB, can lead to hearing loss. It is essential to wear proper hearing protection whenever shooting a gun, regardless of the caliber.
10. How long can your ears ring after shooting a gun?
Ringing in the ears after shooting a gun can last for several days. While it may diminish over time, it serves as a warning sign of potential hearing damage. Permanent hearing loss is irreversible, and there are limited treatment options available once the structures of the ear have been damaged.
During our shooting earplug research, we found 24 shooting earplug products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 138,292 customer reviews through our big data system to write the shooting earplugs list. We found that most customers choose shooting earplugs with an average price of $76.22.
The shooting earplugs are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of shooting earplugs, including Decibullz, SureFire, Walker's, Mack's, ISOtunes. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 160 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.
Paul Tilton is a fitness enthusiast. He doesn't like to work in front of a computer screen so he quit his job and runs a gym in Washington. He spent a lot of time on the road and has been a contributing writer for a well-known travel guide website. He is now happy to share his travel experience and professional knowledge of travel gear and fitness here.
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| Brand | Decibullz | SureFire | Decibullz | Walker's | Mack's | ISOtunes | ISOtunes | AXIL | Mack's | Equinavia |
| Color | Black | Black | - | - | Black | OD Green | - | Black | Orange | Black |
| Material | Thermoplastic | Polymer | - | - | Polyurethane Foam | - | - | - | Foam | PU rubber foam - slow rebound, 180kg/m3. |
| Size | 2 Count (Pack of 1) | 1 Count (Pack of 1) | - | - | 50 pair (Pack of 1) | - | - | - | 1 count (Pack of 1) | Horse |
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