All students have been there, no matter what age you are and what style of education you’re taking part in… You are trying to cram for an exam, read a book, or complete an otherwise high-pressure task in a school library, cafeteria, or another spot on campus. Your only requirement– literally all you want– is a quiet place where you can be alone with your task. Unfortunately, on campuses these days, this is becoming increasingly impossible.
So what’s the best noise-reducing ear muffs for studying on the market?
- HIGH ATTENUATION: Very high attenuation earmuffs recommended for high-noise exposure...
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES: High attenuation as a result of newly designed spacers, specially...
- COMFORTABLE: Wide, soft foam ear cushions and earcup tilting pivot points designed for...
- EXTENDED COMFORT: Internal stainless steel wire in headband helps maintain consistent...
- DURABLE: ABS plastic cups create a rigid, high-strength and impact-resistant earmuff to...
Now, if you ask people to quiet down, you will often be greeted with the same response: “just put your headphones in!”
Unfortunately, some people can’t quite focus when music is blaring into their ears. Is simple quiet too much to ask for? Seemingly, the answer is (sadly) yes. Unless, of course, you invest in ear muffs or earplugs that cancel out noise from external sources. Some prefer muffs due to their comfort, while others like the considerably less bulky but slightly more invasive plugs. If you’re in the former camp, this is the article for you.
With a solid pair of earmuffs, all of the big and little noises from others in the room will be blocked out. No more loud conversations, environmental sounds, music, digital sound effects, air conditioners, cars and sirens from the outside, or other such disturbances will enter your head as you attempt to focus on your work. Yes, sometimes all you need before you truly put your nose to the grindstone is some tranquillity.
If this is resonating with you, earmuffs will definitely help your studying process and save you from the pitfalls of frustration and distraction which come with the territory of trying to learn in the modern age.
Whether you go with the following recommendations or not, here are some basic tips which informed these rankings and which you can carry into your decision-making process when shopping for the right earmuffs for you and your situation.
Comfort! More important than anything else, the last thing you want to save you from the ills of noise is to plague yourself with the discomfort of a bad set of earmuffs. These are going to be on your head for hours at a time, so there is no reason not to scrutinize accordingly. If you are shopping online rather than going to a store, make sure to read reviews and see what people are saying about how they feel. Different people have different preferences, but generally, if something is not made to be agreeable, you can detect this from a consensus of largely negative reviews as found in the review sections online.
Actual noise cancellation! Another very common mistake is that people will choose comfortable, stylish earmuffs that are hardly designed to cancel the force of loud environments… That’s right, not all earmuffs are created equal when it comes to reducing the volume of the outside world. Often, the “NRR” (Noise Reduction Rating) will be included somewhere, and this is pertinent information! Seriously, don’t overestimate some of the lesser earmuffs. Be careful when it comes to this and make sure you’re actually purchasing something that suits your needs.
Style… Okay, this is not quite as important as the previous two, but you do want to make sure you aren’t particularly offended by or embarrassed to add these to your aesthetic. Not to say they have to be high-fashion, but still… Make sure you are confident wearing them, or at least that their utility is worth even slightly compromising your style.
3M Peltor X5A
- HIGH ATTENUATION: Very high attenuation earmuffs recommended for high-noise exposure...
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES: High attenuation as a result of newly designed spacers, specially...
- COMFORTABLE: Wide, soft foam ear cushions and earcup tilting pivot points designed for...
- EXTENDED COMFORT: Internal stainless steel wire in headband helps maintain consistent...
- DURABLE: ABS plastic cups create a rigid, high-strength and impact-resistant earmuff to...
These have an excellent NRR of 31 dB. The foamy cushions are extremely comfortable and very easy to clean and eventually replace. You can also verify the fit with the E-A-Rfit DUal-Ear validation system, which is something offered by the 3M company to ensure customer satisfaction. These might even be too strong for just studying, but that doesn’t mean they won’t come in handy in a variety of situations. And, if you think about it, what is the downside of industrial-strength earmuffs in the library? Sometimes it gets exceedingly loud and they may be a perfect fit. Also, in terms of comfort, there is a tilting system that makes these earmuffs customizable, comfortable, and extremely effective. Stylistically, they are a little bit bulky, but they are still slick and cool in their matte black finish. Consider these exceptional earmuffs!
Howard Leight Leightening
- Affordable earmuff with contemporary, low-profile design ideal for shooting sports and...
- Super-soft ear cushion eliminates "squeezing" sensation on head; snap-in feature allows...
- Headband features telescopic adjustment for custom fit, steel wire construction to...
- Earcup features patented Air Flow Control technology to reduce sound across all...
- Noise Reduction Rating: 25
These lightweight earmuffs sport an NRR of 30 but are also slightly less bulky than the 3M Peltor’s, with a very light and sleek design that pays a bit more attention to the stylish side of things. Although they are also simply black in colour, they are shaped intentionally and have a visual effect that people tend to appreciate. Of course, they are at a high level in terms of functionality, as well… The earcup utilizes a patented technological advancement that controls airflow in order to reduce sound across the whole range of frequencies, doing so while, again, being very efficient and light. These also offer three levels of sound reduction, so you can customize the effect depending on your preference and environment. No batteries are included and these use an AC/DC power source. They fit snugly without squeezing, are light while still being substantial, and balance comfort, style, and functionality without compromising any aspect of what you might want from earmuffs. These are a good choice and are typically available for a great price.
Champion Electric Ear Muffs
- Hunting range gear hearing protection muffs
- Available in both standard and electronic offerings
- Noise reduction for superior auditory protection
- Collapsible for easy storage
- Adjustable for best fit
In terms of electronic earmuffs, these are very affordable and they look great. Although the 25 dB NRR is a bit lower than other earmuffs on this list, these manage to compensate for this in other ways. Besides, 25 dB is going to be a fine level of noise protection in almost any environment you’d ever be studying in, anyway (other than maybe a construction zone). Anyway, these are especially adept at cutting off annoying noises while also using microphone technologies to deepen quieter, more pleasant and natural sounds in your environment. Each ear has a microphone as well as its own volume control. Each ear muff uses two triple-A batteries, which last quite a long time considering how effective these earmuffs consistently are!
