Whether you are shooting or mowing your lawn, you need a set of comfortable hearing protection headset to protect your ears from the loud noise. The Howard Leight Impact Sport and Peltor Tactical 6S are some of the choices to consider. In the following guide, we’ll see how they compare.
Hearing protection headsets are essential when working in a loud environment. Loud noises can really damage the ear even causing permanent hearing loss. Two of the protection headsets you should consider in the market today are the Howard Leight Impact Sport and Peltor Tactical 6S. They are both low profile slim design hearing protection headsets with almost similar low noise reduction ratings. Other than that, the two units differ heavily which we’ll see in the sections below. They however do a great job at cancelling out loud noises such as gunshots, mowers and power saws. The table below highlights their major differences.
What are the differences between Peltor Tactical 6sandHoward LeightImpact Sport?
Feature |
Howard LeightImpact Sport |
Peltor Tactical 6s |
Noise reduction rating |
22 dB |
19 dB |
Comfort padding |
Thicker padded leather headband and ear cups |
Thin padded headband |
Power source |
2 AAA batteries |
4 AAA batteries |
Battery life |
350 hours |
200 hours |
Weight |
0.2 kg |
1.3 kg |
Availability |
Peltor Tactical 6svsHoward LeightImpact Sport – How do they compare?
Noise reduction rating (NRR)
Noise reduction rating is simply how efficient the earmuffs are at dampening loud sounds. The general rule of thumb is, the higher the NRR, the better the earmuffs are at cancelling noise. Here, the Impact Sport is better as it is rated higher than the Peltor 6S Tactical. It has a rating of 22 decibels whereas the Peltor is rated at 19 decibels. Generally speaking, these are not high NR ratings. Nonetheless, the Impact Sport dampens gunshots better even after testing them. Peltor 6S does performs well in the shooting range but not as the Impact Sport. For this reason, the Impact Sports wins this category.
Comfort and design
Having electronic ear protection on your head should not feel like a bother, especially because you’ll be wearing them for hours. It should rest easy and fit perfectly on the head. This is usually made possible by great design and nice cushioning around the headbands and ear plugs. The Peltor 6S Tactical is more comfortable and versatile in design for two main reasons. First, there are two versions of the Tactical 6S which include a behind-the-head design and a regular headband design. They are exactly the same with only the design difference for versatility. Secondly, the earmuffs offer more cushioning in the ear cups and headbands. This provides the user with premium comfort that just isn’t attainable on the Impact Sport.
Foldability and portability
One of the main features of hearing protection manufacturers focus on is portability. This is the reason many hearing protection earmuffs are foldable. Being low profile, both the Impact Sport and Peltor 6S tactical utilize a two-fold design that allows them to fold inwards into a small, compact piece. Therefore, they both check the foldability box. However when it comes to ease of carrying (portability), the Impact Sport excels over the Tactical 6S due to a number of reasons. It is smaller and significantly lighter than the Peltor 6S. At 1.3 kg, Peltor 6S really adds weight to the shooting range bag.
Power source
Electronic headsets need a power source and batteries are the main source for the Impact Sport and Peltor Tactical 6S. Peltor uses 4 AAA batteries with two on each side since it works in stereo mode. What this means is that each earmuff is powered independently by the two batteries. The main disadvantage of this system is that one earmuff may die before the other causing an uneven balance in noise cancellation and amplification. The Impact Sport on the other hand is powered by 2 AAA batteries. It works in mono which means the both sides are powered by the two batteries. Impact Sporthas a longer battery life of 350 hours against 200 hours on the Tactical 6S.
Howard LeightImpact SportvsPeltor Tactical 6s– A comparison overview
Howard Leight Impact Sport
- Built-in directional microphones amplify range commands and other ambient sounds to a safe 82 dB,...
- Actively listens and automatically shuts off amplification when ambient sound reaches 82 dB; Noise...
- Features low profile earcups for firearm stock clearance; adjustable headband for secure fit; compact...
- Includes AUX input and 3.5 mm connection cord for MP3 players and scanners. Integrated power/volume knob
The Impact Sport has been the top hearing protection in the U.S for years now. This popularity can be attributed to a number of reasons. It has a decent noise reduction rating of 22 decibels and amplification rating of 82 decibels. This means that loud noises are reduced to 82 while ambient sound is amplified to the same limit. Hearing colleagues at work is made possible in this way. The Impact Sport is also a low profile earmuff. With a slim design, it is easy to aim and shoot since the shoulder can easily rest against the flat headsets. On top of this, it comes with a 3.5 mm jack to plug in some music.
To power this unit, you need two AAA batteries. These provide up to 10 hours of service before needing replacement. It is great for daily activities and can last through a work day. Furthermore, there is also a 4 hour automatic shutdown featureto conserve battery life. Lastly, the unit is foldable for portability and storage reason and is also water resistant.
Pros
- Low profile design is attractive
- Comfortable and fit well on the head
- Long battery life
- Automatic shutdown feature to conserve energy
Cons
- The ear cups are easily affected by wear and tear
Peltor Tactical 6s
- Active volume hearing protector
- Reduces hazardous impulse noises from firearms to harmless levels within 5 milliseconds
- Localizes weak sounds and attenuates impulse sounds
- Equipped with separate microphone, receiver, amplifier and volume control; powered by four 1.5 Volt AAA...
The Peltor Tactical 6S is one of the key competitors of the Impact Sport in the low-profile design category. It is a low profile hearing protection headset with a noise reduction rating of 19 decibels. Although this is low, it still does a decent job at cancelling out loud noise and amplifying ambient noise. The unit is however better for outdoor shooting and home activities such as lawn mowing. Being a slimline, it is smaller than other Peltor products and much more comfortable to wear. It’s also easy to aim since the slim ear cups don’t interfere with the shoulder.
Perhaps the most outstanding feature of this product is the comfort. The low profile design doesn’t trade off comfort like on the Impact Sport. The headband and ear cups on the Peltor Tactical 6S are well-cushioned with squishy foam material that feels wonderful against the ears. Moreover, it is powered by 4 AAA batteries with two on each earmuff for stereo mode. The downside to this is that one earmuff may discharge and die before the other.
Pros
- Wonderful sound quality
- Great directional foam microphones with little noise
- Superbly comfortable for all-day wear
Cons
- Battery design makes it difficult to replace batteries
- Low noise reduction rating limits its usage
Conclusion
In summary, the Impact Sport and Peltor 6S are low profile headsets withrelatively low NRR. The Impact Sport is designed for all types of shooting and loud activities while the Peltor is recommended only for outdoor shooting.
So which is better? Impact Sport or Peltor Tactical 6S?
With all factors considered, the Impact Sport is better than the Tactical 6S. With a low profile design, the Impact Sport is lighter and easier to carry. It also offers better noise cancellation, nice comfort and is way more budget-friendly than the Peltor.
FAQs
-
Is there Bluetooth connectivity on the Peltor Tactical 6S?
No. It only has 3.5 mm audio jack for connections
-
Is the Impact Sport water resistant?
Yes. All Howard Leight Impact protection headsets are water resistant
