Hearing protection - best choices for work

Hearing protection - best choices for work

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.

Our selected Hearing Protection
After reviewing the market, we have selected 8 Hearing Protection from affordable options to premium models. See our recommendations below.
Price Range: 400 - 700 SEK
3M Peltor X Series X4A Headband
8.8/10
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.
Damping Value33 dB (SNR)
TypePassive hearing protection
Battery LifeNot applicable
Weight234 g
MaterialABS plastic, foam
Product page Link
  • FM radio: No
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Microphone: No
  • 3.5mm audio input: No
  • Noise reduction: Yes
  • Built-in communication radio: No
  • Lacks electronic features but provides excellent passive noise protection.
  • High noise protection
  • Comfortable for long use
  • Lightweight
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
8/10
Value for money
9/10

Total rating: 8.8/10

Price Range: 900 - 1,300 SEK
Hellberg Secure 2H Relax Headband
8.3/10
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.
Damping Value30 dB (SNR)
TypeElectronic hearing protection with built-in FM radio
Battery LifeUp to 130 hours
Weight394 g
MaterialPlastic, foam
Product page Link
  • FM radio: Yes
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Microphone: Yes
  • 3.5mm audio input: Yes
  • Noise reduction: Yes
  • Built-in communication radio: No
  • Slightly basic sound quality for music but comfortable for long-term use.
  • Long battery life
  • Comfortable for extended use
  • Good sound quality
Quality
8/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
8/10
Value for money
8/10

Total rating: 8.3/10

Price Range: 1,250 - 1,500 SEK
3M Peltor ProTac III Slim Headband
8.8/10
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.
Damping Value25 dB (SNR)
TypeElectronic hearing protection with level-dependent listening
Battery LifeUp to 100 hours
Weight303 g
MaterialABS plastic, foam
Product page Link
  • FM radio: No
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Microphone: No
  • 3.5mm audio input: Yes
  • Noise reduction: Yes
  • Built-in communication radio: No
  • Limited noise reduction for extremely loud environments but perfect for medium noise levels.
  • Slim profile for comfort and fit
  • Long battery life
  • Effective noise reduction
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
9/10
Value for money
8/10

Total rating: 8.8/10

Price Range: 2,150 - 3,000 SEK
Hellberg Xstream MP Headband
8.3/10
The Hellberg Xstream MP is an advanced hearing protection with Bluetooth and microphone capabilities, offering communication in noisy environments.
Damping Value29 dB (SNR)
TypeElectronic hearing protection with Bluetooth® Multi-Point
Battery LifeUp to 80 hours
Weight410 g
MaterialPlastic, foam
Product page Link
  • FM radio: No
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Microphone: Yes
  • 3.5mm audio input: Yes
  • Noise reduction: Yes
  • Built-in communication radio: No
  • Battery life could be longer with Bluetooth use but sound quality is excellent.
  • Bluetooth for wireless communication
  • Comfortable and lightweight
  • Effective noise reduction
Quality
8/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
8/10
Value for money
8/10

Total rating: 8.3/10

Price Range: 2,300 - 4,000 SEK
Zekler 412RDB
8.3/10
The Zekler 412RDB is a reliable hearing protection device with FM radio and active noise reduction, perfect for environments with high noise levels.
Damping Value30 dB (SNR)
TypeElectronic hearing protection with Bluetooth® and FM radio
Battery LifeUp to 62 hours
Weight419 g
MaterialPlastic, foam
Product page Link
  • FM radio: Yes
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Microphone: Yes
  • 3.5mm audio input: Yes
  • Noise reduction: Yes
  • Built-in communication radio: No
  • Slightly bulkier design but offers good noise reduction and comfort.
  • Good sound quality for music and radio
  • Comfortable for long-term use
Quality
8/10
Ease of use
8/10
Performance
8/10
Value for money
9/10

Total rating: 8.3/10

Price Range: 4,500 - 6,000 SEK
3M Peltor WS Alert XPI Headband
8.5/10
3M Peltor WS Alert XPI is designed for environments with high noise levels, featuring both Bluetooth and FM radio for enhanced communication.
Damping Value30 dB (SNR)
TypeElectronic hearing protection with Bluetooth® MultiPoint and level-dependent function
Battery LifeUp to 70 hours
Weight411 g
MaterialABS plastic, foam
Product page Link
  • FM radio: Yes
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Microphone: Yes
  • 3.5mm audio input: Yes
  • Noise reduction: Yes
  • Built-in communication radio: No
  • Premium price but combines noise protection with advanced connectivity.
  • Long battery life
  • Bluetooth and FM radio
  • Comfortable for extended use
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
9/10
Value for money
7/10

Total rating: 8.5/10

Price Range: 6,800 - 8,000 SEK
Husqvarna X-COM Active Headset
8.8/10
The Husqvarna X-COM Active Headset is designed for professional environments, offering both Bluetooth and FM radio for communication in noisy workplaces.
Damping Value33 dB (SNR)
TypeElectronic hearing protection with Bluetooth® and level-dependent listening
Battery Life17 hours
Weight453 g
MaterialPlastic, foam
Product page Link
  • FM radio: Yes
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Microphone: Yes
  • 3.5mm audio input: Yes
  • Noise reduction: Yes
  • Built-in communication radio: No
  • Microphone can pick up ambient noise in loud environments but remains clear in normal use.
  • Great for communication in noisy environments
  • Comfortable fit
  • Includes both Bluetooth and FM radio
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
9/10
Value for money
8/10

Total rating: 8.8/10

Price Range: 14,900 - 19,000 SEK
3M Peltor WS LiteCom Pro III Headset Headband
8.5/10
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.
Damping Value33 dB (SNR)
TypeElectronic hearing protection with built-in communication radio and Bluetooth®
Battery LifeUp to 11 hours
Weight475 g
MaterialABS plastic, foam
Product page Link
  • FM radio: Yes
  • Bluetooth: Yes
  • Microphone: Yes
  • 3.5mm audio input: Yes
  • Noise reduction: Yes
  • Built-in communication radio: Yes
  • High cost but top-of-the-line communication and noise suppression.
  • Built-in communication radio for communication
  • Bluetooth and FM radio functionality
  • Highly effective noise reduction
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
8/10
Performance
10/10
Value for money
7/10

Total rating: 8.5/10

Compare products
#ProductDamping ValuePrice Range (SEK)Price Range
13M Peltor X Series X4A Headband33 dB (SNR)400 - 700400 - 700 SEK
2Hellberg Secure 2H Relax Headband30 dB (SNR)900 - 1,300900 - 1,300 SEK
33M Peltor ProTac III Slim Headband25 dB (SNR)1,250 - 1,5001,250 - 1,500 SEK
4Hellberg Xstream MP Headband29 dB (SNR)2,150 - 3,0002,150 - 3,000 SEK
5Zekler 412RDB30 dB (SNR)2,300 - 4,0002,300 - 4,000 SEK
63M Peltor WS Alert XPI Headband30 dB (SNR)4,500 - 6,0004,500 - 6,000 SEK
7Husqvarna X-COM Active Headset33 dB (SNR)6,800 - 8,0006,800 - 8,000 SEK
83M Peltor WS LiteCom Pro III Headset Headband33 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.

Read more

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Comfort
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