7 Best Bluetooth Headset for Construction Workers (revealed!)
Whether you’re onsite or working in a shop, working is how you pass the time. With a noisy work environment and ear protection requirements, listening to nothing all day might drive you crazy. So what’s the answer? How about ear protection that also plays music?
Why You Might Want a Headset
If you work in construction, you already know that ear protection is vital to block out ear-drum damaging noise. But most people don’t want to listen to their heartbeats all day long, so it’s become very common for workers to wear noise-canceling earbuds.
The earbuds protect against loud drilling, hammering, or saws while also providing music that helps you get through the day. Of course, everyone has their preferences for what goes in their ears. But the best headsets or earbuds for working in construction incorporate Bluetooth.
With Bluetooth, there are no cables, wires, or dangling bits hanging from your ears. Fewer wires mean less chance of catching them or getting tangled on tools.
There are plenty of benefits to getting yourself wireless earbuds. But you might wonder which is the right pair for you? This list looks at the best Bluetooth headset for construction workers to help you decide.
1. Dewalt DPG17 Bluetooth Hearing Protector
Ideal for woodshop working or loud yard work, this earmuff-style headset has a Noise Reduction Rating of 25 dB to block out any unwanted noise. You can listen to your favorite music or even receive calls while you work.
Dewalt’s design allows for a bigger, fuller sound than comparable ear-protecting headsets. Even though you might have a hard time hearing yourself speak, you’ll certainly hear more of your songs with better sound quality.
Pros
- NRR 25 dB
- Long-lasting battery
- Headband is adjustable
- Hi-fi speakers for clear, full sound
Cons
- Not as comfortable as comparable brands
- Hard to adjust the volume
2. ISOtunes Pro 2.0 Bluetooth Earplug Headphones
Colored safety orange for visible ear protection, this headset includes heat-activated memory foam that expands inside the ear for a better fit. With a Noise Reduction Rating of 27 dB, this set can answer calls in a noisy environment and listen to music more than thirty feet away from your device.
Ear hooks and a cable that sits around the back of your neck ensure that these ISOtunes headphones aren’t going anywhere throughout your day. Longer battery life and water, dust, and sweat-proof casing make this headset more durable than comparable brands.
Pros
- SafeMax volume-limiting technology
- Echo cancellation technology for better phone calls
- More than 16 hours battery life
- IP67 sweat, dust, and waterproof
Cons
- Microphone not the best for calls
- Can be difficult to make a seal to cut out noise and stay put
3. Wulfpowerpro FM MP3 Bluetooth Radio Headphones
While advertised as lawnmowing headphones, this headset has an NRR rating of 29dB. Other models on this list use active noise-canceling for better ear protection, but these earmuffs rely on passive methods. Despite this, they are still suitable for a variety of noisy environments such as construction sites, airports, or gun ranges.
Unlike other headsets, this Wulfpowerpro model can access the radio. You can listen to your favorite shows instead of having to regurgitate your library of music daily. A built-in antenna scans for radio stations automatically so you can easily find your favorites.
Pros
- Antenna for FM radio
- Hands-free calling
- NRR 29 dB
- Large, comfortable headband
Cons
- Can’t search for radio stations manually
- Less battery life
4. Mipeace Bluetooth Earplug Headphones
With an IPX5 waterproof rating, this Mipeace headset offers long-lasting Bluetooth connectivity throughout your day. Lightweight and comfortable, it has an ergonomic neckband design to keep the cord out of your way as you work.
The earbuds look and work exactly like earplugs, with an NRR rating of 29 dB suitable for a wide range of noisy work environments. The Advanced Bluetooth technology allows syncing up to 33 feet from your device. The volume buttons are large enough to use while wearing gloves.
Pros
- Function like standard earplugs
- Easy-to-use buttons
- Up to 16 hours of battery life
- Waterproof and sweatproof
Cons
- No active noise cancellation
- Sound quality not as good as pricier brands
5. ISOtunes Free True Wireless Earbuds
Unlike other earbud models, the Free True Wireless by ISOtunes doesn’t have a connecting cord to sit around the back of the neck. Instead, these free earplugs work like your standard earbuds, except with heat-activated foam to help cancel out unwanted noise.
With an NRR of 22 dB and an 85 dB SafeMax Volume Limiter, these earbuds are certified by ANSI and compliant with OSHA standards. Comfortable and secure for all-day use, these earbuds have up to seven hours of battery life and a charging case so you can charge them without a plug.
Containing a noise-suppressing microphone with echo cancellation technology, the Free True Wireless provides noise cancellation for your caller so they can hear you perfectly even in a loud environment.
Pros
- Completely cordless
- Ear tip sizes are provided for universal ear comfort
- Option of using only one earbud at a time for sound
- Charging case will charge up to three times
Cons
- Less battery life
- Earbuds don’t fit in charging case with any tips larger than smallest size
6. Plugfones Basic Pro Earplug Earbuds
The SoundSeal noise-suppressing technology of the Plugfones allows for premium ear protection while also listening to music or podcasts. With an NRR of 25 dB, the Plugfones are ANSI certified and OSHA compliant.
Automatic syncing lets you work without fumbling for the buttons. A flexible cord and clip allow for easy sizing so you can adjust for the best fit. The Quickcharge and Quickdraw features make short work of charging time and help you efficiently switch from content to phone calls with less bumbling.
Pros
- Function just like industrial earplugs
- Sweatproof
- Tuned speaker for better sound quality
- Quickcharge and Quickdraw
Cons
- Cord longer than other models
- Less battery life
7. Protear Bluetooth AM FM Radio Safety Earmuffs
With the Protear Earmuffs, you can easily listen to the radio and protect your hearing. With an NRR of 25 dB, exterior noise is reduced to safe levels. These earmuffs include a channel memory function so you can save up to eight radio channels.
A multifunction button and integrated microphone allow you to easily switch from radio to calls. The Bluetooth technology lets you sync to any device you choose so you can mix it up between podcasts, music, or radio.
Pros
- Channel memory function
- Built-in microphone
- Lightweight
- Built-in antenna
Cons
- Tighter fit
- Not the most helpful instructions
Buying Guide
The best Bluetooth headset for construction workers has several factors that need addressing. Among them, their noise-canceling ability, durability, sound quality, and comfort.
Not everyone has the same preferences or even the same shaped head, so what will matter most for you might not matter to your coworkers and colleagues.
Noise Cancelling Ability
First and foremost, your headset’s ability to cancel noise is imperative. Without this feature, there’s no point in buying a headset at all. You may as well purchase earplugs and listen to nothing all day.
Any available headset that nicely cancels unwanted sound might not have the greatest quality when it comes to your music, but the primary focus needs to be on ear protection.
If you can’t hear the noisy stuff that could damage your ears, the headset should definitely be on your try-out list. All the other features are just perks.
Durability
Construction work isn’t known for being clean. There’s sweat, sawdust, and all kinds of dirt you have to deal with at all times. Because of this, your headset needs to be able to stand up to a little grime. If they are durable and well-made, they should last a long time despite the working conditions.
Certain features like water-proofing can resist damage from sweat and other liquids. Similarly, the battery life should be long-lasting to get you through the day. If your Bluetooth headset doesn’t have a long battery life, it might die long before your shift is done.
Sound Quality
Sound quality will likely not be very good when you want a headset for construction sites. After all, the primary function is to reduce the sound you hear, not amp up the music. But if sound quality is important to you, choose a headset with the best track record.
Some people want music as more of a distraction than anything else. If you’re one of these people, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of time figuring out sound quality. Then again, if a song keeps cutting in and out on your headset, that can be more distracting than what you bargained for.
Sound quality is also an important feature for anyone also taking calls on their Bluetooth. For anyone doing construction at home, you might want an easy way to pick up a call. But if you can’t hear the person on the other end, or if they can’t hear you, choosing a headset with the best possible sound quality will be in your best interest.
The best Bluetooth headset for construction workers will keep you safe and entertained at the same time.
Ease of Use
How easy it is to control the volume on your headset, as well as any control over your music, podcast, or radio, will determine the headset’s worth. After all, the fancy features are a great idea, but if you can’t easily use them, what’s the point?
Some headsets come with a fixed volume that won’t adjust. This might be fine if the sound level is perfect for you. But if it isn’t, there’s no point keeping it.
If you’re constantly struggling to up the volume, switch a song, or even get back to the music after a phone call, all those great Bluetooth features don’t seem so great anymore. Any easy-to-use headset makes your life much more hassle-free and less tedious, which is what they’re supposed to be in the first place.
Comfort
Other than noise-canceling ability, comfort is one of the more important features of a Bluetooth headset. After all, if you can’t stand to wear it all day, what’s the point?
Some headsets can take more time than others before you break them in, and until that moment, they aren’t very comfortable to wear. In fact, most headsets will probably take a little getting used to.
If you can stick it out until they fit well, great. If you can’t, or they never really adhere to the shape of your skull, they’re not worth it.
There are plenty of different designs that incorporate Bluetooth for consideration. If you can test a headset first before buying it, you’ll have a better idea of whether or not it will fit comfortably.
Design
Headset design is a feature that caters to personal preference. There are two main designs for headsets: earmuffs, and earbuds. The design of your headset will determine whether it is a good fit for your head, and it can really affect your personal comfort.
Earmuffs are larger, bulkier, and can fall off your head if you don’t have a very big skull. But they also cover your entire ear and do a phenomenal job cutting out sounds with a tight seal.
Earbuds can fall out of your ear or strain your ear opening. But they are small, compact, and effortlessly act as earplugs.
Within the two categories of earmuffs and earbuds are a wide range of stylized headsets. If you know which kind you want (muff or bud), you can delve into the category to find the perfect fit for you. For instance, if you’re an earmuff person but you have a small skull, search for an earmuff with a smaller headband.
Similarly, if you’re an earbud person, but you’re afraid of the buds popping out of your ears, look for a design that has a cuff.
Battery Life
How long your headset’s battery will last is a huge determining factor of its usefulness. If you’re working all day every day and need constant music, a battery life of eight hours or more is a must. If you frequently plug overtime, a headset that can run for up to 16 hours is likely more in your best interest.
Whatever kind of battery life you choose, the headset has to withstand the hours you work. If you run it dry every day and charge it every night, it should be able to handle this treatment longer than, say, three weeks. If it can’t, you’ll have to upgrade to a longer-lasting, perhaps pricier device.
Connectivity
Like sound quality, your Bluetooth connectivity will keep you from going crazy all day. So, choosing a headset with the best connectivity is key. Unfortunately, this is one of those tricky features where you can’t be one hundred percent sure it will work until you try it out. After all, there’s always the chance for faulty products.
Connectivity includes how well your headset connects to a music player, and how far away it will remain connected. If they constantly drop the music or have consistently bad sound quality, that’s a problem.
If you have to struggle to get the Bluetooth feature working, you should try a different headset.
Most Bluetooth headsets will still be connected up to thirty feet away from their device. This distance allows you to wander around a workstation and not have to worry about dropping your connection.
If you don’t need much distance but still desire freedom, a headset with a shorter connectivity distance will do. But if you need to be moving around a larger space every day, a longer distance will be more suitable.
Some headsets can answer calls as well as play music. If your songs or podcasts are stored on your phone, any incoming calls will come through your headset. This feature gives you easy communication with anyone you choose without pausing in your work.
If this kind of feature is valuable to you, consider a headset with strong call connectivity. If your headset is great at connecting for songs but not so great for calls, find one that does both exceptionally.
Most phone calls are hard to hear in noisy environments, so these kinds of headsets work to eradicate background noise. Some function at this reduction better than others. If your caller can’t easily hear you, a different headset with a better connection is the best way to go.
Price
Price is another factor to look for when purchasing a Bluetooth protective headset. The range in prices for these kinds of headsets completely depends on what they can do and how much protection they provide. The more features you require, the more money you’ll likely spend.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider if you’re thinking of buying a Bluetooth headset for work. In construction, the primary function of your headset should be to protect your ears. The secondary features of sound quality, durability, and design are important for your comfort as opposed to your safety.