Best Electronic Shooting Earmuffs · head-to-head

3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protector vs Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection is cheaper at $39.97. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the 3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protector or Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection is the cheaper at $39.97.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec 3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protector Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection
US price $189.99 $39.97
Brand3M PeltorCaldwell
Released
Noise reduction rating (d b) 26 23
Amplification cutoff time (ms)
Microphone type (directional/omni) omni
Bluetooth (yes/no) Yes No
Battery type & runtime 2x AA, or optional 3M Alpha 1100 Li-ion pack (USB-charged); ~8 hrs on the rechargeable pack 2x AAA (not included)
Cushion type
Foldable design
Weight (oz) 14.9 16

Sources — 3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protector: 3m.com (verified 2026-08-11). Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection: caldwellshooting.com (verified 2026-08-11).

What's the difference between the 3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protector and Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Noise reduction rating (d b): 3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protector 26 vs Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection 23
  • Bluetooth (yes/no): 3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protector true vs Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection false
  • Battery type & runtime: 3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protector 2x AA, or optional 3M Alpha 1100 Li-ion pack (USB-charged); ~8 hrs on the rechargeable pack vs Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection 2x AAA (not included)
  • Weight (oz): 3M Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Smart Electronic Hearing Protector 14.9 vs Caldwell E-Max Low Profile Electronic Hearing Protection 16

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