I own several Walker’s electronic earmuffs, with the GWP-RSEM being my go-to — but at only 23 NRR, I wanted something with higher noise reduction. These ProHear muffs offer 29 NRR, which is a meaningful upgrade in protection.
That said, they’re a step down in build quality and ergonomics compared to Walker’s. The volume/on-off dial is stiff and tends to stick, making it a bit frustrating to adjust. Hopefully, this smooths out with use.
On the plus side, both these and the Walkers support the ProHear GEP03 gel ear pad upgrade — and I highly recommend it. The gel pads significantly improve comfort, especially for long wear sessions.
The electronic noise suppression feature works well, activating quickly enough for use at the shooting range or with power tools at home. A 3.5mm cord is included for wired audio input, but I haven’t tested it yet — I’d need to dig up a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter for my iPhone anyway. Not a priority for me.
The battery compartment is easily accessible, and it runs on standard AAA batteries. Just be aware there’s no auto shut-off, so you’ll need to remember to power them down manually — otherwise, the batteries will drain in a day or two.
You also don’t get Bluetooth functionality at this price, unlike the Firemax line from Walker’s. I’ve tried Bluetooth-enabled hearing protection before, but found the audio performance lacking — likely due to inherent Bluetooth limitations for this type of device.
As for durability, time will tell. These are sophisticated electronics at a budget price point, so longevity may be limited. But for everyday shop use, I’m happy with them. At the shooting range, I plan to double up with foam earplugs underneath for extra protection.
