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3M Peltor WS 100 Communications Headset Review | Top of the Line Hearing Protection

3M-Peltor-WS-100-Communications-Headset-Review-Angle-SmallIn this review, I will be taking a look at a top of the line Bluetooth-enabled ear protection from 3M called the Peltor WS 100 Communications Headset. This particular set of headphones is great for sound protection, especially if you’re looking for high-quality sound and the ability to engage in person-to-person and phone conversations without having to remove your earmuffs.

 

Quick Review

3M Peltor WS 100 Communications Headset Quick Review
  • Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) - 40
  • Battery Life - 80
  • Sound Volume/Quality - 95
  • Size & Comfort - 90
  • Durability - 80
  • Other Features - 85
  • Price - 75
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Summary

This 3M headset is one of higher-end hearing protection devices that also has the capability to connect to Bluetooth. This feature allows you to keep your ears safe while you work and at the same time keep yourself entertained by listening to music, your favorite podcasts, or even have phone calls while you work in a noisy environment without actually taking your headphones off.

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In-Depth Review of 3M Peltor WS 100 Communications Headset

Now that we’ve gotten the quick review out of the way, I’ll be going through all of the basic elements of any Bluetooth hearing protection device in more detail as they pertain to the 3M Peltor WS Headset we are looking at today, as well as some of the special features unique to this model. If you’d like to learn a little more about the basic features you need to consider when looking into a new set of hearing protection, please read this article:

What to Consider when Purchasing Bluetooth Hearing Protection

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

These headphones have an NRR of 20 dB, which isn’t an extreme level of protection, but it is still really good and will be more than enough for just about every workplace and/or yard noise. In addition to protecting your ears, these headphones also work to increase low-level sounds and decrease higher-level sounds. This means that even when wearing your Pelter hearing protection, you’ll still be able to hear people talking to you!

Another really great feature that 3M has built into these is how they protect your hearing not only from outside noises but also from the audio playing through the built-in speakers. It has two settings to reduce the Bluetooth sound to no more than 82 dB at all times or an 82 dB average over an 8 hour period (which is the maximum length of exposure for that level of dB over that period of time)

 

3M-Peltor-WS-100-Communications-Headset-Review-Front-SmallBattery Life

According to the manufacturers, 3M, the battery life of these Peltor headsets can range anywhere from 12-80 hours. I suppose it varies quite a bit and depends on a variety of factors: volume, whether or not you’re using the Bluetooth, how old the rechargeable batteries are, etc.

On that note, these come with two AAA rechargeable Ni-MH batteries which aren’t very good. You may want to plan on getting some high-grade AAA rechargeable batteries if you plan on using these regularly and for long periods of time each day.

 

Bluetooth Abilities

This particular product is named a “Communications Headset”, so it should make sense that it will allow you to communicate well…and it does. It easily syncs up to your smartphone, MP3 player, or 2-way radio. You are also able to accept or reject calls by using the buttons on the earmuffs themselves. Unfortunately, you are not able to control what you are listening to from the headset itself as it has no buttons for fast-forward, rewind, start, or stop.

 

Sound Volume/Quality

The sound you will get from these will be coming from a high-quality stereo system built into the earmuffs. This, combined with the protection those same earmuffs provide will keep you enjoying whatever it is you’re listening to crystal clear no matter what is going on around you.

However, even with this high-quality sound, the Ambient Listening Feature is constantly working for you and making it easier for you to hear important sounds, such as conversations, sirens, vehicles, machinery noises, etc.

 

3M-Peltor-WS-100-Communications-Headset-Review-Side-SmallSize & Comfort

The dimensions of these headsets are 6″ x 4.5″ x 9.6″ and they weigh 12.4 ounces.

For most of us, they should be more than comfortable on the head, ears, and neck. They have a band that allows them to be “one-size-fits-most” so unless you have a huge or a tiny head, these should fit great. Also, if you have big ears, you may not be able to get them completely within the earmuffs as the earmuffs are not gigantic. Finally, the light-weight make these easy to wear for extended periods of time without getting tired or sore from their weight.

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Durability

This headset is well-built and hardy and should stand up fairly well under normal use. It does have a short loop of cord that sticks out and a microphone, so you’d run the risk of catching those on things if you’re fighting your way through a thicket or something random like that…but if you’re not going to be doing such things, you shouldn’t need to worry about busting it.

 

Other Capabilities/Features

There is a noise-cancelling boom microphone mounted to this headset, which improves voice recognition and allows for clearer conversations in noisy environments. When you do receive a call, the music (or podcast, or whatever it is) you are listening to will automatically reduce while you are on the call and will continue where it left off when the call is finished.

If you don’t have a Bluetooth device, this headset can also be connected by a cord to an MP3 player or 2-way radio. When a radio is connected, it functions by pressing the Bluetooth button to talk, as if using a walkie-talkie.

 

Price

This headset does carry a pretty price tag in the high $300s on Amazon  and is one of the higher-quality options out there…you get what you buy, so if you want high-quality Bluetooth-enabled ear protection, you’ll have to ask yourself how much you’re willing to spend.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, I think the Peltor WS 100 Communications Headset is a great piece of hearing protection that will keep your ears safe from outside noise as you listen to beautiful sound inside. It will cost you a bit more, but I’m sure you’ll find it worth it once you know how much better they sound and how comfortable they are compared to the cheaper options out there.

If you have any questions or comments or anything you’re like to say regarding this specific Peltor headset model from 3M, please leave them in the comment section below! I look forward to answering your questions to the best of my ability and hearing your thoughts regarding this headset!

Dustin “Kirby” Garness

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Dustin G.

7 Comments

  1. Benjamin G. Williams November 23, 2017

    Will the Bluetooth connect to more than one device at a time? We need cell phone connection and laptop for conference calls and instructional videos. Is there a hard hat mounted solution that does connect to two devices at the same time?

    Reply
    • Dustin G. December 4, 2017

      Hey Benjamin,

      From what I can tell from the 3M website here, it does not seem like this particular headset can connect to multiple Bluetooth devices at once.

      Also, I’ve been trying to do some research and can’t find anything that is a hard hat mounted device that can connect to multiple Bluetooth devices at once yet. Hopefully, I can come across something!

      I’m sorry my answers weren’t much help. Maybe you could try to contact 3M support directly (at the bottom of the link I sent you above), to see if they have anything solutions to your situation.

      Thank you,
      Dustin

      Reply
  2. Michael March 13, 2018

    Does this have wireless (or even wired) sidetone for telephone calls using my iPhone?

    Reply
    • Dustin G. March 21, 2018

      Hey there Michael,

      As far as I know, the sidetone ability comes from whatever device you’re using to actually make and receive telephone calls, not from the headset itself. Some cell phone models have a sidetone feature and some don’t. Based on my research it looks like iPhones do support sidetone. If sidetone is enabled on your iPhone it should come through whatever headset you are using as well.

      Dustin

      P.S. I found this forum to be helpful when researching your question: http://forums.everythingicafe.com/threads/is-it-possible-to-get-sidetone-from-an-iphone-5s.107751/

      Reply
  3. Justin Dobratz July 11, 2019

    Does this headset have interchangeable covers black to orange

    Reply
  4. Butch Holladay February 28, 2021

    No, they are ( were) for communications, not tactical as in hunting or range. More like factory etc.

    Reply

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