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Winter brings with it cold weather, festive walks in the snow, or running as fast as you can to your car and back to stay warm. We stop enjoying the great outdoors when winter hits, with many of us only going outside because of necessity.
However, with the right gear and accessories, you can enjoy going outside for longer. Earmuffs are a small accessory that will make a massive difference to your day. They will keep you warm and comfortable and keep your spirits high.
There are many styles and types of earmuffs on the market, with options varying from the traditional shape you probably imagine when you think of earmuffs to more non-traditional earmuffs. The best pair for you depends on your style preferences.
There are many more factors you should consider if you want to make the best purchase possible. We will advise on these factors later in the article.
First, check out our selection of the top earmuffs of 2022 below and learn to enjoy winter again!
Comparing in Detail the Leading Earmuff of 2024
HIG Earmuff — Best Overall
Key Features
- Available in several colors
- It folds down to a compact size
- It lies almost flat against your ears
- Made from warm and soft faux fur
These earmuffs are entirely flexible and fold down to a small and compact size. You can carry them in your pocket or a purse to prepare for any random bouts of cold weather. They are even available in several colors as individual items, pairs, or sets of three.
They are made from faux fur that is soft and comfortable and will keep your ears warm during cold weather. With so many colors and a classic unisex friendly style, most people will love these modern-looking earmuffs.
If you do not like how far a regular pair of earmuffs stick out from your ears or head and would prefer something more streamlined, you should consider purchasing a pair of these fashionable earmuffs.
Winter Fleece Headband — Runner Up
Key Features
- Available in several colors
- Available in multipacks
- Made from fleece and polyester
- A headband with full ear coverage
This product is an excellent option for those who do not like traditional-looking earmuffs. These stylish and streamlined ear warmers are available in several colors and are suitable for both men and women.
You can buy them as an individual item or in a pack of two or three. This allows you to match your headband with any outfit in your wardrobe. These ear warmers are made from fleece and polyester, making them durable, warm, and soft.
This product is perfect for joggers and hikers or anyone who might need to wear a hood outdoors.
Brook Ear Muffs — Contender
Key Features
- Thick faux fur earmuffs
- A hairband will keep your hairstyle intact
- Extremely comfortable and warm
- Available in several colors
These beautiful classic style earmuffs are lightweight and foldable, making them easy to store. In addition, these muffs are made from high-quality natural fur that feels soft and comfortable against your skin while keeping you warm.
These earmuffs look like Princess Leia's cinnamon buns hairstyle and look feminine, elegant, and equally cute, while the band is soft and smooth and will hold the muffs in place securely without messing up your hair. They’re available in different colors that will match most styles.
These muffs are so comfortable that you will wish for a long winter so you can wear them for as long as possible.
JOEYOUNG Ear Warmers — Worthy Mention
Key Features
- Available in different colors
- Available in multi-packs
- A great alternative to traditional earmuffs
- Made from fleece and polyester
This earmuff headband is made from warm and durable fleece and polyester. It is available in several colors (our favorite is yellow) and suits various tastes and styles. These headbands look as stylish as a hairband but with more of a sporty practical look to them, making them an excellent product for anyone who wears a hood or helmet during the winter months.
The headband will fully cover and protect your ears from the cold and wind but without the weight and mass of traditional earmuffs. You can buy this product as an individual item in a color you love or in a set of two if you cannot decide or simply enjoy variety.
Metog Ear Warmers — Best Value
Key Features
- It folds down to compact size for storage
- Large ear covers
- Light in weight and streamlined
- Made from polar fleece and faux fur
These earmuffs can fold down into a compact size, making storage easy. The inner fluff is thick and will insulate your ears, as well as protect them from the wind. In addition, this product has a large amount of material around the ear to ensure your ears are fully covered and comfortable.
The high-quality polar fleece fabric will keep your ears warm while not feeling bulky. You will also enjoy the softness and luxurious feeling of the faux rabbit fur. Plus, the material does not cause too much static build-up, which causes frizzy hair.
These earmuffs are lightweight, making them perfect for hiking or jogging. They lie relatively flat against your face, so they are compatible for use under tight hoods. This product is made using environmentally friendly natural materials.
Finding the Top Earmuffs: A Buyer’s Guide
We hope our earmuff recommendations give you something to think about. However, we also suggest learning a thing or two about earmuffs to inform you of your next purchase. Read on for our comprehensive buying guide, where we’ll cover everything you need to know about these winter accessories.
How to Choose the Right Earmuffs
To choose premium earmuffs, there are several things you should consider before you make a purchase. Continue reading to see what we suggest.
Warmth
Your earmuffs should keep your ears warm. When choosing a pair of earmuffs, consider how much insulation the muffs will offer. Also, consider the materials used, especially around the ear and not just on the outside of the muff.
Faux fur
Faux fur is a common material used when making earmuffs. This material feels soft on your skin and will insulate the ears well. It can also look very stylish and is available in many colors. However, you will find it is mostly available in natural fur colors.
Fleece
Some earmuffs are made from fleece and mixed with other materials such as polyester. This material will keep you warm but still offer a little breathability to your skin. You may also see the fleece material referred to as polar fleece.
Headband
A headband can wrap tightly to your head. It is excellent for people who do not like the clunky style of the traditional earmuff. Headband earmuffs usually are entirely flexible, and the shape can be molded perfectly to the contours of your head.
Headband earmuffs look like regular headbands but are intended to go over the ears, and some even have extra padding over the ear section for added warmth.
Adjustable size
Buying a pair of earmuffs with an adjustable strap will allow you to adjust the size to fit your head correctly. Most designs have an adjustable strap but make sure this is the case before buying a pair of earmuffs. Similarly, make sure the muffs you buy are large enough to cover your ears fully.
Comfort
Comfort is a vital part of wearing earmuffs. The muffs should rest gently on your skin without moving as you walk. If they feel too tight or too warm for you, you may end up with a headache.
Try the earmuffs on before you buy. Alternatively, if ordering online, order a pair of muffs you have the time to return before the really cold weather sets in if they are not comfortable.
Windproof
Choose a pair of earmuffs that not only maintain the heat but block out too much wind. If you are outside on a windy day, the sound and pressure of the wind on your ears can cause earaches. If you live in an area that can get very windy, consider buying muffs with a hard outer layer.
Style
Earmuffs are available in a variety of styles and colors. You could begin your search by looking for a particular theme, such as an animal you love, a material, or a color. One of the great things about shopping on the internet is that you have thousands of options at your fingertips.
Multi-packs
Some earmuffs come in sets, so you can wear different colored muffs to suit different outfits. We found this most common in headband-style ear muffs.
Noise sensitivity
If you are sensitive to noise, you will need to purchase a pair of earmuffs that block more sound out. There are specific earmuffs that have been designed with this purpose in mind. These types of earmuffs can make any journeys you take much less stressful.
Look for earmuffs with noise reduction and noise-reducing capabilities if this is the case. NNR stands for noise reduction rating and will tell you how much noise they can reduce. If your chosen earmuffs do not have this rating, they will not block out much sound.
Electric earmuffs
Electric earmuffs are often used in a work environment when operating heavy machinery or tools that make a lot of noise. This type of earmuff is usually the best for noise reduction but will not offer much warmth. Many of these types of earmuff have a volume control, so you can hear more or less when you need to.
Bluetooth earmuffs
Some earmuffs have Bluetooth speakers inside so you can take phone calls and listen to music while keeping your ears warm.
Customer reviews
Before you purchase a pair of earmuffs, read the product’s reviews. This will tell you things like their durability and if a product has any recurring defects. You will also find out how popular a product is and if it looks and performs as advertised.
How We Chose the Top Earmuffs
There are several things to consider when choosing the best earmuffs. First, we considered the quality of the materials used and if they were comfortable and warm. Second, we selected products that are durable and affordable for the majority of budgets. Finally, we also read customer reviews and only recommend well-reviewed products.
Earmuff Price Range
As with any clothing product, earmuffs will cost more if they are a designer brand or electric earmuffs. With that being said, a pair will range in price between $3 and $115.
