With so many options on the market, and so many features to consider, choosing the best aviation headset can seem like a daunting task. This is why I have tried to simplify the process as much as possible.
To summarize this lengthy article, if you’re only interested in the best aviation headset money can buy, the Bose A20 should be your pick, which is available in two versions: Bluetoothandnon-Bluetooth.
If you are looking for the best value aviation headset or are a student pilot, the Faro G2 is my top pick, or the Kore Aviation KA-1 if you want a PNR model.
I looked at a variety of features, including Bluetooth, battery life, noise reduction rating, ear seal material, TSO status, audio input, and volume controls, and more.
I have also made sure that you can easily compare headsets against each other, view their pros and cons, and see what type of pilot a headset is best suited for, at just a glance.
Best Overall: Bose A20, “Best noise-canceling performance from any headset. Bluetooth, excellent battery life, comfort…the A20 has it all.”
Runner-Up: Lightspeed Zulu 3, “Lightspeed’s premium model that is comparable to the A20.”
Best Value: Lightspeed Sierra, “All the same features as the more expensive Zulu 3 but at a lower price point with little compromise. Excellent value.”
Best for Student Pilots: Faro G2, “The best ANR option for student pilots with little compromise.”
Best Battery Life: David Clark DC ONE-X, “Excellent passive noise reduction from an ANR headset. The best battery life of any headset at 50 hours.”
Best On-Ear Headset: David Clark DC PRO-X2, “Leave it to David Clark to design an on-ear headset with very little compromise compared to over-ear options.”
Best PNR Headsets
Best Overall: David Clark H10-13.4 / H20-10 / H10 -30, “You really can’t go wrong with any of these PNR headsets. They come highly recommended by anyone who has used them for their noise reduction and comfort. They are, of course, all TSO approved.”
Best for Student Pilots: Kore Aviation KA-1, “An aviation headset with gel ear seals and a carrying case at this price point can’t be beaten.”
Budget Pick: Rugged Air RA200, “Any student pilot on a very tight budget will struggle to do better than the RA200.”
Best Warranty: ASA HS-1A, “You are given a lifetime warranty, which is hugely surprising considering its price point.”
Best In-Ear Headsets
Best Overall: Bose ProFlight 2, “Similar to the A20 in a smaller (arguably) more comfortable package.”
Runner-Up: UFQ L-2, “Much cheaper than the ProFlight but with comparable battery life.”
Also Great: Faro Air, “A remarkably light in-ear headset with impressive comfort.”
Top Pick Best noise-canceling performance from any headset. Bluetooth, excellent battery life, comfort...the A20 has it all.
Check Amazon for Pricing
Let’s play a quick game of word association. When you hear Bose, what immediately comes to mind? The term noise-canceling probably popped into your head straight away.
Ever since Bose introduced the first commercially Active Noise Cancellation aviation headset specifically designed for pilots in 1989, any pilot without a strict budget who is looking for an aviation headset first and usually last port of call is Bose.
If you’re looking for the best noise-canceling aviation headset, you’ve found it in the Bose A20. I found it to be outstanding in this regard. Some might even find the A20 cancels too much noise, but you won’t get any complaints from me.
Some aviation headsets come close to the A20 with their noise-canceling ability, but what really sets it apart is its consistency. You’re probably all too aware that when using some headsets, if you move around or even just turn your head, the level of noise suddenly increases. This wasn’t the case when I used the A20.
2x AA batteries are required and will give you 45 hours of battery life, which is only bettered by two premium David Clark headsets: DC PRO-X2 and DC ONE-X.
The ear seals are made from protein leather. Don’t be confused – this isn’t actually real leather. You wouldn’t be the first to have made this mistake. Nevertheless, I found the Bose A20 to be very comfortable to wear, and I was able to wear the A20 for long flights with very little discomfort setting in, even while wearing my favorite pair of pilot sunglasses.
Not surprising considering it is one of the lightest models, weighing just 12 ounces and it imparted very little clamping pressure to my head. The way in which weight is evenly distributed helps too.
There are arguably a few too many plastic parts at this price point. Then again, this inevitably contributes to better comfort due to the headset’s lighter weight. There is nothing flimsy about the A20.
It’s worth noting that if you like to listen to music when you’re in the air, you won’t be disappointed, with the A20 managing to top every other aviation headset in this regard. Bose is well-known in the personal audio world after all.
Other features include Bluetooth (a non-Bluetooth model is also available at a lower price), an audio input, and dual volume controls. A carrying case comes with the A20, and the headset is backed by a 5-year warranty. The A20 is also TSO approved, making it suitable for airline pilots and other operators that require their pilots to wear a TSO headset.
There is no doubt that the A20 is expensive – in fact, it is the most expensive option out there, but if you take your flying seriously and want the best – a Bose aviation headset it must be.
Bose have now released the Bose A30that looks practically identical to its predecessor, but is more comfortable due to less clamping force, has an improved microphone, somehow cancels even more noise, and has an adjustable ANR feature.
If you take longer flights, the A30 may be worth the upgrade for the improved physical comfort alone.
Runner-Up Lightspeed's premium model that is comparable to the A20.
New: $949.00
Lightspeed’s most expensive offering, the Zulu 3, is a step-up from the Sierra, although the difference isn’t huge. It has the same specs as its less expensive little brother, so you may ask what makes it worthwhile over the Sierra. Even the battery life at 40 hours is the same.
Well, for one thing, the warranty stands at 7 years instead of 5. Given that both of Lightspeed’s models are well-constructed, this is unlikely to make much difference, although the Zulu is the better constructed of the two. The difference is largely in what you can’t see or read.
I found that the comfort can be improved upon, so while I could feel some clamping and tightness with the Sierra, this completely disappeard with the Zulu 3 on my head.
There is a slight difference in weight, but it was just enough for it to be noticeable to me. The Sierra weighs 16 oz, compared to the 14 oz the Zulu 3 weighs. When you’re flying day in day out for hours at a time, these things add up to make a meaningful difference.
There is also a difference in the ANR and overall clarity of sound too, enough to make a pilot want to upgrade while stopping short of paying as much as the A20.
Considering that the Zulu 3 is not that much more expensive than the Sierra, it gets the nod over it.
For a couple of hundred more dollars, you’re getting a better constructed, more comfortable aviation headset with ANR and clarity improved upon.
Best Value All the same features as the more expensive Zulu 3 but at a lower price point with little compromise. Excellent value.
New: $749.00
The Lightspeed Sierra is Lightspeed’s most inexpensive current offering, costing less than the Tango Wireless and Zulu 3. It arguably offers the best value, striking the right balance between price and quality. It is the best value aviation headset.
Of course, I found that the Sierra wasn’t able to match the A20 in ANR or sound quality. If the Bose is a 9.5, the Sierra is a 7.5-8. But it will certainly get the job done and won’t disappoint you.
Comfort is very impressive, even more so when you consider comfort is one of the main things that sets apart less expensive aviation headsets to ones that cost close to $1,000 and beyond.
The cushions felt nice and soft, and any clamping was kept to a minimum, although not quite as effectively as a premium headset.
It features everything you would expect to find at this price point, including Bluetooth, an audio input, dual volume controls, and a carrying case. It is backed by a 5-year warranty. Batteries will give 40 hours of operation.
Best for Student Pilots The best ANR option for student pilots with little compromise.
New: $396.32
The Faro G2 is the most inexpensive headset on this list. It is the best aviation headset for student pilots – and many private pilots also depend on it too.
The biggest compliment that I can give to the G2 is that it just works. This may sound like faint praise, but it isn’t. At this price point, all you can really hope for is an aviation headset to work as described and be depended upon. I give the G2 gets full marks in this regard.
The ANR worked well and effectively reduced noise when I was flying. It can’t be compared to an A20 but it gets the job done. The same can be said about the comms. The battery life stands at 30 hours.
The G2 is also one of the lighter models on this list, weighing 13 oz. You may be pleasantly surprised by the comfort, given its price point. There is very little to complain about. Everything is easily adjustable, the clamping force is minimal, and the leatherette ear pads sat nicely over my ears.
It’s also nice to see an NRR rating provided, considering the only other company providing this information is David Clark. The NRR stands at 26 dB.
There is no Bluetooth, but there is an audio input that allowed me to listen to music in that way. There are dual volume controls, though, and no carrying case is provided. The G2 is backed by a 3-year warranty.
The G2 may not excite you like the thrill of finally owning a Bose aviation headset, a David Clark headset, or a model with a cool technological feature like the Tango Wireless, but if you’re a student pilot it doesn’t have to.
This is why it’s my top pick for anyone learning to fly and needs to stick to a tight budget. If you’re looking for an ANR model for passengers, you can’t go wrong with this model either.
There is also the Faro G3 that features Bluetooth, a carbon fiber design for better comfort, and superior noise reduction.
Best Battery Life Excellent passive noise reduction from an ANR headset. The best battery life of any headset at 50 hours.
New: $995.00
David Clark is a company that has a rich and varied history in aviation, with the company’s designs even having been used by NASA and the U.S. Air Force. The David Clark DC ONE-X and PRO-X2 are the picks of the bunch when it comes to the company’s ANR offerings.
It has everything you would expect from a headset with such a stellar reputation. David Clark is one of the very few companies that publish the NRR for their models. The ONE-X has an NRR of 30 dB. Battery life is superb and best-in-class. You will be able to get 50 hours of operation from 2x AA batteries.
David Clark is known for their passive pilot headsets, so it came as no surprise that the ONE-X beat all other ANR aviation headsets in its passive noise reduction in testing. It has the best passive noise reduction from any ANR headset.
There may be times when you forget to switch the noise cancellation on and only notice some time later. Run out of battery life and the ONE-X will be perfectly useable thanks to this.
I found the comfort to be excellent. You will find very few complaints from any pilot who uses the ONE-X, which is rarely the case with other models. Construction is also superb and everything you would expect from the company: rugged and can take some abuse without issue.
One downside to the ONE-X is that there is no audio input. Some of you won’t care about this in the slightest while for others it might be a deal-breaker.
I could still of course listen to music through Bluetooth, but it’s something worth noting. In fact, it is the only model on this list of best ANR aviation headsets that doesn’t come with this input.
Best On-Ear Headset Leave it to David Clark to design an on-ear headset with very little compromise compared to over-ear options.
Check Amazon for Pricing
The David Clark DC PRO-X2 is similar to the One-X in many ways, including the same excellent 50-hour battery life, NRR of 30 dB, 5-year warranty, dual volume controls, TSO approved and comes with a carrying case.
However, there is one major difference between the two. You’ve probably already noticed it: the design.
The PRO-X2 is an on-ear instead of an over-ear model. This contributes significantly to each respective weight. The X2 weighs just 7.5 oz while the ONE-X weighs 12.3 oz. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you will find one more comfortable than the over though.
Some pilots prefer the comfort that an on-ear model can provide while others can’t get along with how the earpads sit on the ears rather than cover them.
What this also means is that, while David Clark is known for their passive headsets, I found that this model wasn’t great in this regard. Inevitably, when a company designs an in-ear model its passive noise reduction is going to suffer.
The other big difference is that the PRO-X2 comes with an audio input. So when you want to listen to music but do not want be stuck with Bluetooth as your only option, you don’t have to with this aviation headset.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for the best on-ear ANR headset there is nothing better than the PRO-X2.
Best PNR Models David Clark make terrific PNR headsets - the H10-13.4 is the best of the lot.
New: $382.61
Rather than talk about these 3 aviation headsets individually, it is best to group them together.
All David Clark pilot headsets on this list are similarly priced with as little as $50-100 separating the three. It is the H10-30, however, that is the least expensive.
Despite this, it has the best NRR rating at 24 dB, although there is only a 1-2 dB difference compared to the H10-13.4 (23 dB) and H20-10 (22 dB).
The PNR from all models are comparable and top all others on this list. All feature a single volume control.
The H10-30 is the heaviest of the three, weighing 20 oz, followed by the H20-10 at 19 oz, and the H10-13.4 at 16.5 oz. This all made very little difference when it came to comfort, though, which was still great thanks to all three coming with ear gel pads and soft head pads. The H10-13.4 head pad has double padding for even better comfort.
All three models are superbly constructed and maintain the quality David Clark has become known for over the years. These really will last a lifetime. In any case, the company offers their standard 5-year warranty.
If there is one thing I will say that lets the H10-30 down slightly, it is its microphone. It tended to pick up some background noise. This didn’t appear to be an issue with the H10-13.4 or H20-10.
You really can’t go wrong with any of these PNR headsets. They come highly recommended by anyone who has used them for their noise reduction and comfort. They are, of course, all TSO approved.
Best PNR Model for Student Pilots An aviation headset with gel ear seals and a carrying case at this price point can't be beat.
New: $219.95
The Kore Aviation KA-1 is priced similarly to the RA900 but many will agree it is the better deal.
Kore doesn’t release specs apart from the NRR (24 dB), so it is hard to know how much the KA-1 weighs or the frequency response – the latter probably isn’t important to many anyway. The warranty is 5 years compared to the 7 years the RA900 is backed by.
However, the KA-1 has two important features that the RA900 lacks.
First are the gel ear pads.
Anyone who has used an aviation headset with gel ear pads knows just how much they contribute to better comfort. The only other PNR models that feature gel pads come from David Clark, which are at least double the price. It’s probably a good idea to get a pair of cloth ear covers too.
It’s also good to see the KA-1 coming with a carrying case. Even David Clark does not provide a case when buying one of their PNR headsets. Other features include dual volume controls and an audio input.
Best Budget Headset Any student pilot on a very tight budget will struggle to do better than the RA200.
New: $93.99
Along with the Kore Aviation P1, the Rugged Air RA200 is the most inexpensive model on this list. It would make a great starter option for student pilots, passengers or even to have as a backup pair. These are really the only situations where headsets at this price point should be considered.
Comfort right out of the box wasn’t the best, but after some wear-in time, I got used to it. Weighing just 13.4 oz the RA200 is the lightest model on the list.
The RA200 also comes with an audio input, single volume control, and the warranty is very generous at 7 years.
If you’re looking for a step-up from the RA200, the logical choice would be the RA900.
While specs and warranty are the same as its little brother, with the RA900 you get dual volume controls and a push-to-talk function. Not to mention that comfort is improved upon.
With the Best Warranty A great PNR headset with an astoundingly good warranty.
New: $147.94
When it comes to headsets for student pilots, if you’re looking for ANR models you are limited in your choices with the Faro G2 being the best option. However, when it comes to PNR headsets there are a few to choose from. The ASA HS-1A is one of the best.
If I were to ask you which headset comes with the best warranty, you would instinctively name the Bose A20 or a couple of David Clark models. However, it is the HS-1A that has them all beat. You are given a lifetime warranty, which is hugely surprising considering its price point.
To put this into perspective, a competing model like the Kore Aviation P1, while being a fantastic headset for the price (around half the price), especially for student pilots, is only backed by a 1-year warranty. Even the Bose A20 is only backed by a 5-year warranty.
Comfort was pretty good with these. They started to become uncomfortable after a few hours of continuous use, but when I used them for a couple of hours at a time, there weren’t any issues – it’s a bit much to expect gel instead of foam ear seals at this price point. The dual volume controls are a nice touch, though.
Best In-Ear Headset Similar to the A20 in a smaller (arguably) more comfortable package.
New: $1,099.00
The Bose ProFlight 2 is the best in-ear aviation headset but there are some genuine gripes.
First, the good stuff. I found the ANR to be superb. Bose really know how to do noise-canceling. Whether it’s the A20, one of their popular consumer audio products, or the ProFlight, it doesn’t matter – Bose has figured it out.
The comfort level is high. The ProFlight weighs 4.5 oz, which is excellent considering that it takes batteries. The way in which any clamping was kept down to a minimum was also excellent. Operation from the batteries stood at an impressive 45 hours
Now the bad – or perhaps not so good.
If you are coming from the A20, you may be a bit disappointed with the sound quality when listening to music. The ProFlight is an in-ear model compared to the bigger, over-ear A20, so to an extent, this is to be expected.
However, due to Bose being very popular in the personal audio world expectations are always going to be higher than other aviation headset manufacturers.
Some may be disappointed with the sound quality, while others won’t. Your mileage may vary, depending on how much of an audiophile you are.
There was no issue with the comms, though, which is arguably more important. The sound came across as crisp and clear.
One of the main complaints about the original ProFlight was its cord. It was on the thick and heavy side and could move the headset’s position on your head.
However, Bose fixed this with ProFlight 2 with a thinner, lighter and more flexible cable in addition to Winglets on the mic boom to assist in correct mic alignment and adjustment.
Other features include a single volume control, carrying case, audio input, and Bluetooth. A big plus to the ProFlight is how it is TSO approved. You certainly aren’t spoilt for choice when it comes to TSO approved in-ear headsets, so this alone is a big enough selling point for many.
Runner-Up Much cheaper than the ProFlight but with comparable battery life.
New: $339.99
UFQ isn’t the most well-known brand out there. They make some decent over-ear models, but none were good enough to replace any of the others listed in the section above.
In the UFQ L-2, however, the company has produced a viable option for pilots looking for a budget ANR in-ear headset. It costs a third of the price of the Bose ProFlight and manages to match it in at least one aspect.
For one, the battery life is very similar. While the ProFlight gives you 50 hours of operation, the L-2 lasts for 48 hours. The weight of each is in the same ballpark, with the L-2 weighing a little over an ounce more.
Comfort was good and it’s unlikely you will have many complaints – at least until a few hours of continuous use have passed. The same applies to the noise-canceling implementation.
Of course, it can’t compare to a ProFlight, but there isn’t much to choose between the L-2 and something like the Faro Air, even though one uses ANR and the other PNR.
Unsurprisingly, there is no built-in Bluetooth, but a Bluetooth adapter is included. A carrying case is even included, as is an audio input and dual volume controls.
Also Great A remarkably light in-ear headset with impressive comfort.
New: $566.87
The first thing you’ll notice about the Faro Air is how remarkably light it is. It is the lightest in-ear pilot headset available, weighing – wait for it – just 1 oz.
This is usually the part where I talk about clamping pressure. But with the Faro Air being so light there is nothing to add. Any discomfort would come from the ear tips themselves.
Made from composite foam, the ear tips are slightly longer than any others. This is done so they fit deeper into the ear canal to provide more noise isolation. No need to worry about fit either, as 3 pairs of standard and 3 pairs of large ear tips are included.
The only issue is the placement of the mic. I needed to adjust it every now and again because it didn’t always stay in its correct position, although this was easy enough to fix.
Deciding whether you want an ANR or PNR aviation headset is likely to be the most important factor to consider.
They both work to reduce noise in different ways.
Price
Unless you’re a student pilot, need a backup headset, or one for passengers it’s not a good idea to skimp on price. The biggest influence on the price will be whether you opt for an ANR or PNR model. ANR models use noise-canceling technology so are inevitably more expensive – sometimes substantially so when it comes to the best ones.
Other things that can influence price include the quality of the noise reduction and comms; the comfort of the aviation headset, more specifically if the pads are foam or gel; as well as the build quality and a feature like Bluetooth is implemented. Whether the headset comes with a carrying case and is TSO certified can also make a difference.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
Not all manufacturers provide an NRR (Noise Reduction Rating), but when specified by a manufacturer I have listed it. The higher the NRR the quieter the headset will be.
Comfort
Comfort is such an important factor that it really can’t be overstated. A headset may have terrific noise reduction capabilities, excellent audio quality, and come with all the features you want, yet if you can’t stand having it on your head it will be nothing more than an expensive paperweight.
You’ll want a model that doesn’t clamp too tightly on the top of your head and your ears. While a PNR headset must seal well (more than an ANR model) this doesn’t mean you should have to put up with any discomfort.
Earpads are another consideration. Gel ear pads go a long way in enhancing comfort and helping to avoid sweaty ears.
Don’t forget padding either. The more padded and softer the headband the better the comfort will be.
The weight of the headset is another important consideration. A heavy model can result in strain on your neck and shoulders, though a heavier aviation headset with better weight distribution can be more comfortable than a lighter one.
Bluetooth
Buying a headset with Bluetooth is usually a good idea, as it allows you to connect and use many devices while eliminating cables. You’ll usually have to pay a little more for this functionality, but many pilots won’t even consider a headset without it.
Audio Input
For some pilots, a headset without an audio input will be a big deal, and others won’t mind at all. Price doesn’t necessarily play a role in this.
It may be surprising to see a quality headset from a manufacturer like David Clark not feature an audio input while some budget models do. The reason for this is that some of those David Clark headsets have been around for years and years, so being able to connect a phone or music player wasn’t of concern.
Sound Quality
We’re not just talking about the quality of the comms, like with the best aviation handheld radios, so you can communicate clearly inside the cockpit through the intercom, and outside when talking to air traffic control, flight service, or other aircraft. This is of course a key concern. I also mean the sound quality if you like to listen to music. As you might expect the Bose A20 beats all others if you’re a music lover given their experience in personal audio, but this best-in-class performance comes at a high price.
Build Quality
Like the best ADS-B Receivers, Aviation headsets aren’t cheap, so you’ll want one that will last a long time. There’s no reason why the one you buy shouldn’t last for years and years, even with daily use. Inevitably, cheaper models won’t be particularly well constructed and are designed for those starting out or as a backup. You will reach a point when you start to take flying more seriously that upgrading will be the next logical step. At this point, you have to be willing to spend more to achieve this. A David Clark headset is said to last a lifetime.
A good warranty can also go a long way. Take the ASA-HS1A, for example, it may be an inexpensive aviation headset, but you can be safe in the knowledge that it is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Helen Krasner holds a PPL(A), with 15 years experience flying fixed-wing aircraft; a PPL(H), with 13 years experience flying helicopters; and a CPL(H), Helicopter Instructor Rating, with 12 years working as a helicopter instructor.
Helen is an accomplished aviation writer with 12 years of experience, having authored several books and published numerous articles while also serving as the Editor of the BWPA (British Women Pilots Association) newsletter, with her excellent work having been recognized with her nomination of the “Aviation Journalist of the Year” award.
Helen has won the “Dawn to Dusk” International Flying Competition, along with the best all-female competitors, three times with her copilot.
