- Attenuation value: 33 dB (SNR)
- Type: Passive hearing protection
- Battery life: Not applicable
- Weight: 234 g
- Material: ABS plastic, foam
More info on the 3M product page
Hearing protection - best choices for work
By Simon Berg Nov 24, 2024
Hearing protection is crucial for safeguarding hearing when working in noisy environments, whether on construction sites, or other areas.
When choosing hearing protection, it’s important to consider several factors to find the best option for your needs. First, what type of work environment will you be using the hearing protection in? If you’re working in a very noisy setting, such as a construction site or industrial environment, you’ll need hearing protection that offers high noise reduction to protect your hearing and reduce the risk of long-term hearing damage.
Comfort is also crucial, especially if you’ll be using the protection for extended periods. An adjustable headband, good fit, and padding can make a significant difference in how comfortable they feel, even during long hours of use. For those who need to combine noise reduction with communication capabilities, models that include Bluetooth or built-in radios can be advantageous in certain professions.
Finally, consider whether you need lighter, more ergonomic protection for daily use or if you require a more robust and professional option. In this article, we’ll go through some of the best options, from budget-friendly models to professional-grade hearing protection with advanced features.
1. 3M Peltor X Series X4A Headband
Price Range: 400 - 700 SEK
The 3M Peltor X Series X4A is a high-quality hearing protection with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 33 dB, designed to protect against high levels of noise in industrial environments.
- FM radio: No
- Bluetooth: No
- Microphone: No
- 3.5mm audio input: No
- Noise reduction: Yes
- Built-in communication radio: No
- High noise protection
- Comfortable for long use
- Lightweight
- Lacks electronic features but provides excellent passive noise protection.
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
8/10
Value for money
9/10
Total rating: 8.8/10
2. Hellberg Secure 2H Relax Headband
Price Range: 900 - 1,300 SEK
Hellberg Secure 2H Relax offers reliable protection against noise while allowing you to listen to FM radio, perfect for long hours in noisy environments like workshops or factories.
- Attenuation value: 30 dB (SNR)
- Type: Electronic hearing protection with built-in FM radio
- Battery life: Up to 130 hours
- Weight: 394 g
- Material: Plastic, foam
More info on the Hellberg product page
- FM radio: Yes
- Bluetooth: No
- Microphone: Yes
- 3.5mm audio input: Yes
- Noise reduction: Yes
- Built-in communication radio: No
- Long battery life
- Comfortable for extended use
- Good sound quality
- Slightly basic sound quality for music but comfortable for long-term use.
Quality
8/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
8/10
Value for money
8/10
Total rating: 8.3/10
3. 3M Peltor ProTac III Slim Headband
Price Range: 1,250 - 1,500 SEK
The 3M Peltor ProTac III Slim is designed for use in environments with high noise levels. It is slim and lightweight while providing solid protection.
- Attenuation value: 25 dB (SNR)
- Type: Electronic hearing protection with level-dependent listening
- Battery life: Up to 100 hours
- Weight: 303 g
- Material: ABS plastic, foam
More info on the 3M product page
- FM radio: No
- Bluetooth: No
- Microphone: No
- 3.5mm audio input: Yes
- Noise reduction: Yes
- Built-in communication radio: No
- Slim profile for comfort and fit
- Long battery life
- Effective noise reduction
- Limited noise reduction for extremely loud environments but perfect for medium noise levels.
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
9/10
Value for money
8/10
Total rating: 8.8/10
4. Hellberg Xstream MP Headband
Price Range: 2,150 - 3,000 SEK
The Hellberg Xstream MP is an advanced hearing protection with Bluetooth and microphone capabilities, offering communication in noisy environments.
- Attenuation value: 29 dB (SNR)
- Type: Electronic hearing protection with Bluetooth® Multi-Point
- Battery life: Up to 80 hours
- Weight: 410 g
- Material: Plastic, foam
More info on the Hellberg product page
- FM radio: No
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Microphone: Yes
- 3.5mm audio input: Yes
- Noise reduction: Yes
- Built-in communication radio: No
- Bluetooth for wireless communication
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Effective noise reduction
- Battery life could be longer with Bluetooth use but sound quality is excellent.
Quality
8/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
8/10
Value for money
8/10
Total rating: 8.3/10
5. Zekler 412RDB
Price Range: 2,300 - 4,000 SEK
The Zekler 412RDB is a reliable hearing protection device with FM radio and active noise reduction, perfect for environments with high noise levels.
- Attenuation value: 30 dB (SNR)
- Type: Electronic hearing protection with Bluetooth® and FM radio
- Battery life: Up to 62 hours
- Weight: 419 g
- Material: Plastic, foam
More info on the Zekler product page
- FM radio: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Microphone: Yes
- 3.5mm audio input: Yes
- Noise reduction: Yes
- Built-in communication radio: No
- Good sound quality for music and radio
- Comfortable for long-term use
- Slightly bulkier design but offers good noise reduction and comfort.
Quality
8/10
Ease of use
8/10
Performance
8/10
Value for money
9/10
Total rating: 8.3/10
6. 3M Peltor WS Alert XPI Headband
Price Range: 4,500 - 6,000 SEK
3M Peltor WS Alert XPI is designed for environments with high noise levels, featuring both Bluetooth and FM radio for enhanced communication.
- Attenuation value: 30 dB (SNR)
- Type: Electronic hearing protection with Bluetooth® MultiPoint and level-dependent function
- Battery life: Up to 70 hours
- Weight: 411 g
- Material: ABS plastic, foam
More info on the 3M product page
- FM radio: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Microphone: Yes
- 3.5mm audio input: Yes
- Noise reduction: Yes
- Built-in communication radio: No
- Long battery life
- Bluetooth and FM radio
- Comfortable for extended use
- Premium price but combines noise protection with advanced connectivity.
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
9/10
Value for money
7/10
Total rating: 8.5/10
7. Husqvarna X-COM Active Headset
Price Range: 6,800 - 8,000 SEK
The Husqvarna X-COM Active Headset is designed for professional environments, offering both Bluetooth and FM radio for communication in noisy workplaces.
- Attenuation value: 33 dB (SNR)
- Type: Electronic hearing protection with Bluetooth® and level-dependent listening
- Battery life: 17 hours
- Weight: 453 g
- Material: Plastic, foam
More info on the Husqvarna product page
- FM radio: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Microphone: Yes
- 3.5mm audio input: Yes
- Noise reduction: Yes
- Built-in communication radio: No
- Great for communication in noisy environments
- Comfortable fit
- Includes both Bluetooth and FM radio
- Microphone can pick up ambient noise in loud environments but remains clear in normal use.
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
9/10
Value for money
8/10
Total rating: 8.8/10
8. 3M Peltor WS LiteCom Pro III Headset Headband
Price Range: 14,900 - 19,000 SEK
The 3M Peltor WS LiteCom Pro III is one of the most advanced hearing protection products on the market, featuring an integrated communication radio, Bluetooth, and FM radio, making it ideal for noisy and communication-intensive environments.
- Attenuation value: 33 dB (SNR)
- Type: Electronic hearing protection with built-in communication radio and Bluetooth®
- Battery life: Up to 11 hours
- Weight: 475 g
- Material: ABS plastic, foam
More info on the 3M product page
- FM radio: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Microphone: Yes
- 3.5mm audio input: Yes
- Noise reduction: Yes
- Built-in communication radio: Yes
- Built-in communication radio for communication
- Bluetooth and FM radio functionality
- Highly effective noise reduction
- High cost but top-of-the-line communication and noise suppression.
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
8/10
Performance
10/10
Value for money
7/10
Total rating: 8.5/10
Compare products
| # | Product | Attenuation value | Price Range (SEK)Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3M Peltor X Series X4A Headband | 33 dB (SNR) | 400 - 700400 - 700 SEK |
| 2 | Hellberg Secure 2H Relax Headband | 30 dB (SNR) | 900 - 1,300900 - 1,300 SEK |
| 3 | 3M Peltor ProTac III Slim Headband | 25 dB (SNR) | 1,250 - 1,5001,250 - 1,500 SEK |
| 4 | Hellberg Xstream MP Headband | 29 dB (SNR) | 2,150 - 3,0002,150 - 3,000 SEK |
| 5 | Zekler 412RDB | 30 dB (SNR) | 2,300 - 4,0002,300 - 4,000 SEK |
| 6 | 3M Peltor WS Alert XPI Headband | 30 dB (SNR) | 4,500 - 6,0004,500 - 6,000 SEK |
| 7 | Husqvarna X-COM Active Headset | 33 dB (SNR) | 6,800 - 8,0006,800 - 8,000 SEK |
| 8 | 3M Peltor WS LiteCom Pro III Headset Headband | 33 dB (SNR) | 14,900 - 19,00014,900 - 19,000 SEK |
Summary
When choosing the right hearing protection, it’s essential to consider both noise reduction and comfort. If you work in extremely noisy environments, such as construction sites or industrial settings, products like the 3M Peltor X5A or Zekler 412RDB may be the best choice, as they offer exceptional noise reduction and comfort over long periods. For those who need communication features and might be working in high noise but also need to stay in touch with others, models like the 3M Peltor WS LiteCom Pro III or Husqvarna X-COM Active are more suitable, as they combine noise reduction with built-in Bluetooth and communication.
On the other hand, if you're looking for something more compact and lightweight for everyday use, 3M Peltor X Series X4A or Hellberg Secure 2H Relax Headband may be a good option, as they are lighter and more ergonomic while still providing adequate noise reduction for less noisy environments.
The choice depends on the type of work you do and the features you need. For the highest noise reduction and comfort during long work shifts, premium options are recommended, while simpler models are better suited for shorter, less intense uses.
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