Howard Leight by Honeywell Hi-Vis Radio and MP3 Ear Muff Review | Gets the Job Done

In this review, I will be taking a look at a popular and reasonably priced hearing protection headset called the Howard Leight by Honeywell 1010390 Hi-Vis Radio and MP3 Ear Muff. This headset has nearly 500 customer reviews on Amazon and has an overall rating of 4.3/5.0 stars…so, that’s a good start!

Continue reading to get a much more in-depth look at all of the features this headset offers (and the ones it doesn’t).

Quick Review

In-Depth Review

Now we’ll get to the in-depth review of this hearing protection headset by Honeywell. I’ll cover all of the basic features one would expect to find in a headset such as this as well as any unique features or designs specific to this headset. If you’d like to learn more about the basic features you should consider when purchasing any hearing protection headset, please have a look at this article:

What to Consider when Purchasing Bluetooth Hearing Protection Headsets

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)

With an NNR of 25, this headset is one of the more protective sets available, especially in this price range. In addition to protecting your hearing from outside sources, it also limits the audio levels of the headset itself to less than 82 dB. So, if you’re listening to the radio or an MP3 player, you’re not going to unwittingly damage your ears.

This headset utilizes a unique design feature called Patented Airflow Control Technology which allows the headset to be lighter and the earcups to be more comfortable than standard hearing protection headsets.

With this relatively high NRR, this headset should be more than you need for common house/yard work, working in a woodshop, going to the races, or even on the job in noisy/industrial settings…or, you know, to just isolate yourself from your screaming kids!

Battery Life

You should expect to get well over 100 hours of life from 2 AA batteries according to the manufacturer’s information. That being said, if you’re going to be wearing this for many hours a day or even for a full-time job you will find yourself going through batteries like crazy. I’d suggest investing in some Ni-MH rechargeable batteries to save yourself a good amount of money in the long run.

Bluetooth

Unfortunately, this headset is only Radio and MP3 capable which means it will not connect to any devices via Bluetooth. However, it does come with a 3.5 mm AUX cable so you can easily connect to any MP3 device (phone, MP3 player, etc.) directly. As long as you can find a safe way to run the cable from the headset to your device, this should work perfectly fine if you’re unable to purchase a more expensive Bluetooth enabled hearing protection headset.

Size & Comfort

This headset comes in at an even 16 ounces (1 pound) which is a bit heavier than some other models. The dimensions are also a bit larger at 23″ x 12″ x 8″, including the antenna.

Despite the slightly heavier weight, the band and earcups are soft and well-cushioned allowing for a comfortable fit for long periods of time. In addition, the band is constructed using reinforced fork slides to allow for maximum comfort.

There are a few reviewers on Amazon who mentioned that this headset was a bit too snug, which means, if you have a large head like myself, these might be a wee bit too small.

Durability

Overall, this headset is well built and should withstand any normal wear and tear for a long time without breaking down. They have a flexible antenna which is great and allows for it to bend and flex instead of snapping if it gets caught on a tree branch or something else while you’re working. Additionally, the ear cushions are snap in which allows for easy cleaning and/or replacement if they get dirty, ripped or broken.

Radio

The radio system consists of a high-quality AM/FM receiver (which actually gets pretty good reception compared to some other similarly priced headsets), a 10 station preset memory to allow for quick navigation between your favorite stations, and an LCD display to show you relevant information.

Color + Safety Features

This Howard Leight headset features bright green earcups and a reflective band across the headband to allow for high visibility/contrast with surrounding natural environments. This is a great feature if you plan on using these for hunting or in an environment where there might be hunters around.

Price

The price on this headset is reasonable when compared to other hearing protection headsets with similar features and abilities. It will cost you just under $65 on Amazon, plus shipping. If you’re going to be using them regularly for long hours, you may also want to consider the price of the batteries you will need to purchase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a reasonably priced hearing protection headset with standard features, then the Howard Leight headset by Honeywell will probably work for you. However, if you’re looking for a headset with top-notch sound, advanced hearing protection features, and Bluetooth ready, there are some better, albeit more expensive, options for you!

If there are any questions or comments rattling around in your head regarding this review, hearing protection, or any other random topic, please drop me a comment below and I’ll get back to you with an answer or appropriate response as soon as humanly possible!

Peace,
Dustin “Kirby” Garness