Best Shooting Earbuds in 2025

It wasn’t until my mid-to-late 20s that I began to take my hearing protection seriously. I ran heavy equipment for a living and loved shooting and hunting, so my ears were often under fire from dangerously loud noises. I began to notice a slight hearing decline, so I started wearing foam earplugs at work and ear pro while shooting and hunting. However, I found that shouldering my rifle and shotgun while wearing my old earmuffs didn’t allow me to get a good cheek weld on the stock. So, I began the search for the best shooting earbuds. Below are my top picks for 2025.

Specs

• Price: $1,599
• NRR: 22 dB
• Battery: Lithium-ion
• Battery Life: 23 hours (4 hours of streaming)
• Special Features: Also a hearing aid, custom fit, wind noise management, omnidirectional microphones, volume control wheel, auto on/off, adaptive feedback canceller, Apple and Android connectivity

Pros

• Custom fit
• Rechargeable battery
• Bluetooth compatible
• Hearing aid and protection
• Loaded with the latest technologies

Cons

• Very Expensive

Why I Chose It

The SoundGear Phantom earplugs are the best shooting earbuds because they’re designed to fit your ears perfectly, use a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that lasts all day, and are Bluetooth compatible with Apple and Android devices. Oh, and they’re also an FDA-listed prescription hearing aid, if you need help hearing on the range.

My experience with SoundGear products has been positive over the last several months. I no longer miss important instructions or conversations while wearing my ear pro.

I love the SoundGear Phantom because the earplugs are custom-made for your ears. This means you experience the most comfortable fit while shooting. Unlike a lot of shooting earplugs, you’ll forget you’re wearing them.

Don’t worry about the batteries either. I know replacing the tiny batteries in electronic earplugs is annoying. The SoundGear Phantom uses rechargeable batteries that literally last all day (23 hours). So you don’t have to worry about them dying halfway through your shoot (as long as you’ve charged them beforehand).

However, be prepared to fork over several big ole Benjamins to pay for these custom earplugs. Since they use the latest technologies and are custom-made, you’ll pay a high price ($1,600).

If you want the best shooting earbuds you’ll ever wear, check out the SoundGear Phantom because they’re a comfortable custom fit, protect your hearing, and are Bluetooth compatible, so you don’t have to take them out to answer the phone.

Specs

• Price: $17.49
• NRR: 24 dB
• Battery: N/A
• Battery Life: N/A
• Special Features: Hypoallergenic polymer, patented double-flanged stem earplugs, carry case

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Reusable
• Comfortable
• Radio comm compatible

Cons

• Does not provide hearing protection if the noise-reducing filter is removed
• Non-electronic, which makes hearing more challenging (without removing the filter)
• ~6-month lifespan

Why I Chose It

I used the SureFire EP3 Sonic Defenders for years, while on a broke college student budget. They’re reasonably comfortable, inexpensive, and effective at blocking dangerous sound levels.

I got tired of throwing away the cheap foam earplugs that got nasty after each use, so I bought some of these plugs and loved them from the first use. I found them very comfortable, considering how cheap they were and how they compared to the foam earplugs I was using at the time.

A few disadvantages emerged while I wore these. The biggest was that they have a lifespan of about 6 months. I tried to take really good care of them, and they lasted me about 9 months before I needed a new pair.

The other significant downside is that they’re non-electronic. After using electronic earplugs, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the others (unless I’m in a serious bind). I had to open and close the filter cap to switch between clearly hearing what was being said and protecting my ears from dangerous noise levels. It was a bit of a hassle, unlike with electronic earplugs.

You can’t go wrong with the SureFire EP3 Sonic Defenders if you’re on a tight budget. They’re inexpensive, comfortable, and protect your hearing (as long as you use them correctly).

Specs

• Price: $249.99
• NRR: 24 dB
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
• Battery Life: 14 hours
• Special Features: Auto shutoff, Bluetooth 5.0, Sound Activated Compression, Four frequency modes, Walkers Link App

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Rechargeable batteries
• Auto shutoff
• Versatile

Cons

• Okay battery life
• Expensive

Why I Chose It

The Walker’s Restrictor Bluetooth Earbuds are a pair of shooting earbuds I just couldn’t overlook. They’re made by one of the leading ear pro brands, rechargeable, and versatile.

While they are a tad pricey, I think they’re well worth it because they’re so versatile. You can stream directly to these from your phone while shooting, mowing, or doing other loud activities, so you don’t have to remove them if you get a phone call or want to listen to something.

Most importantly, they block out dangerous sound levels with split-second Sound Activated Compression. This means you can hold conversations at normal levels at the shooting range or whisper in the deer blind, without having to remember to turn them on.

I love the auto-shutoff feature because it helps save battery life, which is a little short but plenty long enough for a full day at the gun range.

If you’re looking for a pair of shooting earbuds in the mid-tier price range, you can’t go wrong with the Walker’s Restrictor Bluetooth Earbuds.

Specs

• Price: $249.99
• NRR: 26 dB
• Battery: Rechargeable
• Battery Life: ~4 hours
• Special Features: Bluetooth, Ultra-fast 0.5MS Reaction Core, clear voice tracking, three modes (outdoor, indoor, silent)

Pros

• Directional sound
• Versatile
• Higher hearing protection rating

Cons

• Uncomfortable after long periods
• Shorter battery life

Why I Chose It

I also had to mention the GLORYFIRE Electronic Silencer Earbuds because they’re so highly rated by hundreds of shooters. These shooting earplugs are versatile, offer shooters directional sound, and provide greater hearing protection than some other electronic earbuds.

I appreciate the directional sound feature because it helps you identify who’s talking and where they’re standing while shooting at the range. Or if you use them for hunting, as I would, you can also tell which direction the sounds are coming from.

However, several shooters have reported a short battery life (only 4 hours, compared to 14+ hours for others on our list at a similar price point), and they can become a little uncomfortable to wear for extended periods. If you like spending several hours at the range, these likely aren’t for you.

The GLORYFIRE Electronic Sliencer Earbuds are worth checking out if you shoot at an indoor range more often than an outdoor range because they offer shooters an indoor mode, so if that’s you, be sure to check out these electronic shooting earbuds.