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Best Men's Earmuffs

Updated November 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
180s Degrees Fleece Ear Warmers
180s
Degrees Fleece Ear Warmers
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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

Comfortable behind-the-head earmuffs that don't pull or press on the ears.

Pros

These foldable earmuffs are more durable than most competitors and keep your ears covered and warm. If you wear glasses or use earbuds, these will still cover your ears comfortably. Made of 97% polyester, 3% spandex. Four color options.

Cons

Is a bit bulky in the closed position when carrying in a pocket.

Best Bang for the Buck
Luther Pike Seattle Earmuffs
Luther Pike
Seattle Earmuffs
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

These behind-the-ear warmers provide excellent cold-weather protection.

Pros

They're suitable for wearing during frigid winter weather, including harsh wind, snow, rain, and ice. Each side of these earmuffs is lined with fleece fabric, and they're available in 6 colors.

Cons

They don't stretch out as much as other earmuffs.

Metog Unisex Foldable Ear Warmers
Metog
Unisex Foldable Ear Warmers
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Warmest
Bottom Line

A thicker pair of earmuffs with an easy-to-adjust band.

Pros

These earmuffs are made with acrylic lining for sturdiness and imitation rabbit hair for comfort. Environmentally-safe construction for guilt-free wearing. The foldable design makes them easy to store when not using them. Seam seal keeps them breathable and durable.

Cons

These run a bit small, and some customers found them uncomfortable.

180s Men's American Wool Behind-the-Head Winter Ear Warmers
180s
Men's American Wool Behind-the-Head Winter Ear Warmers
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

These earmuffs are made with high-quality materials and are great for winter sports.

Pros

These lightweight earmuffs offer excellent protection and are great for activities such as hiking, biking, traveling, running, ice skating, and skiing. They have high-quality sherpa lining and an adjustable click-to-fit frame.

Cons

The earcups aren't very deep, making them inadequate for protection from heavy winds.

Surblue Unisex Warm Knit Earmuffs
Surblue
Unisex Warm Knit Earmuffs
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Expert Recommended
Bottom Line

These earmuffs have a folding closure and are great for cold weather and wind protection.

Pros

They're made with knitted mink cashmere and high-quality faux fur. The ear cups are plush and provide all-day comfort, and the band can be stretched for an adjustable fit. The folding design makes storage easy and doesn't distort their shape or compromise quality.

Cons

They're thicker than other earmuffs, and some customers report they easily slide off.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Researched
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Buying guide for Best men's earmuffs

When fall and winter arrive and the chill sets in, it's time to pile on the layers. You might have your coat, gloves, and scarf, but what about your ears? With a pair of men's earmuffs, you'll never have cold ears again!

It can be tough to choose a pair of earmuffs, especially if this is your first time buying them. Men's earmuffs come in a wide range of shapes, colors, and materials, so a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works.

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Earmuffs keep your ears cozy without the need to wear a hat or hood.

Types of men’s earmuffs

Standard earmuffs

Standard men's earmuffs follow the typical design of two pads linked by a band. Most contemporary earmuffs have a band that sits low around the back of the head, but you can still find some options with the classic over-the-head band style. The former option is significantly more versatile, however, because it makes it easier to wear a hat with your earmuffs and is also more comfortable for people who wear glasses.

Bandless earmuffs

Bandless earmuffs consist of a pair of pads that are completely unconnected. Each one is designed to fit on your ear, without the need for a band to hold them in place. Not only are they more discreet than standard earmuffs but they're also more comfortable to wear with a tight-fitting hat.

Headphone earmuffs

Headphone earmuffs are part headphones, part ear warmers. They look just like standard earmuffs but have a speaker in each ear, so you can also use them to listen to music. Some options have a wire that plugs into the headphone jack of a phone, tablet, or MP3 player. More high-tech options use Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to smart devices.

Noise-cancelling earmuffs

You can also find noise-cancelling men's earmuffs that partially block out ambient sounds. These are excellent for people who struggle with loud noises due to hearing or sensory issues or people who work in noisy environments, such as a building site. Since these look more like regular earmuffs than hearing protection, nobody will know you're using them for their noise-cancelling properties.

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Did you know?
Standard men's earmuffs – even noise-cancelling varieties – can’t safeguard your hearing. You'll need another type of ear protection for that.
STAFF
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Key considerations

Material

Men's earmuffs are made from a range of materials. Inside the earmuffs is a framework that's usually made of plastic or metal. This is surrounded by padding and warmer, softer materials. The inside of the earmuffs – the side that sits next to your ears – is often made of a synthetic fleece material that’s warm and feels pleasant against the skin. The exterior is usually made from a denser, more windproof or weatherproof material, such as wool or acrylic yarn, nylon, or a range of other materials.

Warmth

The main reason for wearing earmuffs is to keep your ears toasty, so warmth is important. However, depending on where you live, you may or may not want them to be too warm. It rarely drops to freezing in coastal Southern California, so extremely warm earmuffs would be overkill. On the other hand, you'll want those muffs as warm as you can get them if you live in Alaska or North Dakota.

Unfortunately, earmuffs don't have any kind of warmth rating system, so all you can do is look at the material and the amount of padding and judge the warmth from that. Well-padded earmuffs will obviously be warmer than those without much insulation, but these can look bulkier on your head and might not fit neatly under hats or hoods. That said, some earmuffs contain several layers of thinner varieties of insulation, so they're great for use in very cold climates but still have a sleek appearance.

Color

Men's earmuffs tend to come in more muted colors than those designed for kids or women. The vast majority are either black or gray. These neutral tones are extremely versatile and go with almost anything. Plus, they don't draw too much attention to the fact that you're wearing earmuffs. However, if bold colors are more your style or you want your earmuffs to be more noticeable, don't worry, You can find colorful men's earmuffs if you shop around a bit more.

Style

As with color, most men's earmuffs are fairly simple and toned down in style. You won't find a whole lot of fuzzy ones or earmuffs sporting bunny faces. Again, this is what makes them discreet and versatile and enables you to wear them with almost anything. However, it can be disappointing if you're looking for something a bit bolder or more fashion forward. There are some flamboyant men's earmuffs to be found, so don't be discouraged if that's what you're looking for.

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Expert Tip
It's possible to wear earbud-style headphones under a pair of standard earmuffs.
STAFF
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Men’s earmuff prices

Inexpensive: Basic earmuffs start at less than $10. These are fine for occasional use, but the quality isn't up to par with more expensive options, so they might not last very long with regular use.

Mid-range: Earmuffs that cost between $15 and $25 are warm, durable, and will suit most users. You only really need to pay more if you want a designer brand or you're looking for a particular feature, such as headphone earmuffs.

Expensive: Even high-end earmuffs rarely cost more than $40 to $60, though we have found some options around the $100 mark.

"Some earmuffs are waterproof, which is great if you work outdoors or live where it rains a lot."
STAFF
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Tips

  • Consider whether you need foldable earmuffs. If you're often in and out of stores running errands, or you work both indoors and outdoors, earmuffs that fold up small enough to fit in a pocket are a real space- and time-saver.

  • Pick earmuffs that work for your specific needs. For example, if you wear glasses, choose earmuffs with a band that goes behind the head rather than over the top.

  • Check that the earmuffs you choose fit correctly. While some earmuffs come in a single size, that doesn't mean they'll fit everyone comfortably. You might need to measure around the part of your head where the earmuffs will sit to find a pair that fits.

  • Think about how regularly you'll use your earmuffs. The cheapest pairs out there won't be constructed well enough to stand up to daily use through the winter months. It's worth splurging if you know you'll be wearing your earmuffs often.
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Your earmuffs should be comfortable to wear. If they rub or press too hard on your ears, you probably need a larger size.

FAQ

Q. Can I wear earmuffs while running or will they fall off?

A. It's possible to wear a well-fitting pair of earmuffs while running or jogging, but a loose-fitting pair is likely to slide down from the movement. If you're looking for earmuffs to wear while jogging, it's best to measure your head before buying to get a secure fit.

Q. How do I clean my earmuffs?

A. Some men's earmuffs are machine washable, but if yours aren't, or if they didn't come with washing instructions, you can gently hand-wash them. In either case, you should air-dry them because they're unlikely to stand up to tumbling in a dryer.

Q. Will I still be able to hear my surroundings well while wearing earmuffs?

A. Unless you buy noise-cancelling or acoustic earmuffs, you'll be able to hear your surroundings almost as clearly as not wearing earmuffs. As such, they're suitable for situations in which you need to be aware of what's happening around you.

Q. Are men's earmuffs adjustable?

A. The vast majority of earmuffs are not adjustable. However, you can find a small number that are.

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