6 Best Earplugs for Shooting
One of the biggest mistakes that first-timers make is going out on a hunt or onto the range and not protecting their ears. Mainly this is due to the movies showing the hero blasting off rounds without so much as a wince. In the real world, earplugs are a necessity.
Getting protection for your ears is a no brainer, knowing which are the best earplugs for shooting is a little more difficult to work out. This is because they come with a range of options and their quality varies wildly.
Use this guide to find the right pair for you and all of the information you need.
Features to Think About
Before you look over the list of the top available earplugs on the market, you should pay attention to the following features:
- Cord or Cordless. Corded means that the earplugs will be linked together and then will hang around your neck when they are not in your ears. These are ideal for those that will be constantly moving from a loud environment to a quieter one, such as going in and exiting a range.
- Disposable vs. Reusable. There are some very cheap single-use earplugs that are widely available and provide simple protection. They are the foam plugs that are compressed and put into your ear. Multiple-use earplugs are generally better as they offer the user the chance to take them out but they can occasionally not offer as much protection.
- Custom Molded. On our list, we have included earplugs that come with a do-it-yourself custom molded option. With new developments in technology you now have access to a product that would have cost hundreds of dollars in the past.
Top 6 Earplugs for Shooting Table
| Picture | Name | dB NRR | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Liberty DuraPlug Uncorded Disposable Foam Earplug with 32 dB NRR, Orange | 32 | $$$ | 4.4 |
 | 2. 3M Peltor Sport Tri-Flange Corded Reusable Earplugs, 3-Pair Per Pack | 26 | $ | 4.2 |
 | 3. Decibullz - NRR 31 Custom Molded Earplugs, Perfect Fit Ear Protection | 31 | $$$$ | 4.1 |
 | 4. SureFire EP4 Sonic Defenders Plus Filtered Earplugs, Triple Flanged Design, Reusable | 24 | $$$$ | 4.1 |
 | 5. SureFire EP3 Sonic Defenders filtered Earplugs, double flanged design, reusable | 24 | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 6. Howard Leight by Honeywell Quiet Band Earplugs, 1-Pair | 25 | $ | 4.0 |
What Makes for the Perfect Earplugs for Shooting?
The key feature that you should be looking at is what is listed on our table as: dB NRR. This stands for the noise reduction rating (NRR) and it is measured in decibels (dB).
As a quick guide to decibels, a gun will usually produce a noise at a 160dB level. The human pain threshold, when it comes to sound, is set around 120-130dB.
For indoor shooting, where the sound is the loudest, it is recommended to get earplugs that have an NRR of 26dB and higher. Lower options are perfect for hunting, where there are fewer echoes of the same sound, as with inside ranges.
Top 3 Best Earplugs for Shooting Reviews
1. Liberty DuraPlug Uncorded Disposable Foam Earplug
Liberty DuraPlug earplugs are a great disposable option for anything from shooting to sleeping. These are uncorded and cut out a lot more noise than you would expect from such a seemingly simple product.
Rather than having to keep track of an expensive pair of the same quality, you can buy these 200 for a bargain and have a newly wrapped pair right at your fingertips.
In terms of size, these are made of flexible and soft foam that lets you fit them without issue to any size ear. You will actually even be able to reuse them if you would like to before changing to another pair.
2. 3M Peltor Sport Tri-Flang
In terms of the noise that gets cut out, the Peltor Sport Tri-Flange earplugs really do their job well. They are corded and come in a sporty style, which means they are the best earplugs for shooting.
The cord itself means that the earplugs will stay more secure while you are using them and that you are less likely to lose them when you’re not. These are washable earplugs that you can use over and over again.
Having three pairs does really help if you have a few people going to the range or you misplace a pair by chance. There is even a carrying case included that you can keep with all of your other shooting gear.
3. Decibullz – NRR 31 Custom Molded Earplugs
If you are looking for a more personalized product then the Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs are the closest to having earplugs professionally molded that you are going to get. They are easy to set yourself, which is always a plus.
For anyone that is new to such high-end ear plugs for shooting, it should be noted that they are meant to be used with the foam attachment in order to block out the most sound possible.
This is also one of the most comfortable pair of earplugs that you will ever wear. They are on the higher end of the price scale but it is really worth it when you don’t have sore ears after shooting.
