Over-ear defenders (3M Peltor / similar)

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Passive over-ear defenders. No batteries, no processing, no electronics to fail; they simply block.

noise
heavy-duty
no-battery

What it is like to use

Higher noise reduction than any earplug, but a real clamping pressure on the skull that becomes its own sensory problem after an hour or two. Better for a supermarket trip than a working day.

How to choose

Both are passive, so neither needs charging and neither can go flat on you. The X4 has the slimmer cup and stays comfortable longer. The X5 blocks more and clamps harder for it. Take the X4 for a supermarket trip and the X5 for something genuinely loud.

Where to get one

Peltor X5, passive, blocks the most on Amazon
The heaviest blocker of the two, and the heavier clamp with it. The listing title says NRR 21 dB while the rest of the page says 31 dB, so treat the exact figure as unconfirmed.
Peltor X4, passive, slimmer cup on Amazon