Best Aviation Headset

It’s not surprising that our three favorite headset brands — Bose, David Clark, and Lightspeed — are also the industry’s best-selling. Headsets from these manufacturers tend to be on the higher end of the pricing spectrum (for good reason), so if you’re on a tight budget, you might want to take a look at lower-tier options, which include several good headsets that cost hundreds less than the top-rated models, but which shouldn’t be overlooked just because they’re built by manufacturers that sell in lower volumes.

What the headsets from Bose, David Clark, and Lightspeed all have in common, however, is unrivaled build quality, exceptional customer support, and the very best in comfort and ANR quality, important considerations if you fly a lot or on long legs.

Here’s a rundown of the best ANR headsets your money can buy from each of the manufacturers that are active in this highly competitive market segment.

Best For: Sound Quality

The Bose A30 is the newest version of the Bose ANR (active noise reduction) headset. Building upon the popularity of the A20 headset, the A30 features a reduction in weight, lighter clamping force, and an overall more comfortable feel than the previous version. The bluetooth capability allows for connectivity to devices in the cockpit, and the multiple plug options allow for extreme flexibility. They are comfortable with hats or sunglasses, Bose knocked this one out of the park. If you want to learn more, check out the full review of the Bose A30 headset.

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Best For: Hybrid Noise Cancellation

David Clark is a legendary name in pilot headsets. The company introduced the industry's first noise-attenuating headset in 1975, and its products have long been recognized among aviators the world over for their pale-green ear domes and exceptional quality. The DC One-X is David Clark's newest headset for general aviation pilots, with hybrid electronic noise cancellation that is as good as anything we've tested. One of the cool features of the DC One-X is that it folds up into a size that fits in the palm of your hand when not in use, allowing it to be tucked away into an easy-to-pack carrying case.

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Best For: Improved Ear Seal

Lightspeed Aviation has recently introduced the Delta Zulu headset, a Bluetooth-enabled active noise reduction (ANR) headset that aims to help pilots recognize and reduce risks in the cockpit. The headset features Kanari smart alert technology, which measures carbon monoxide levels in the cabin and provides an audible warning if CO is detected. Pilots can use the Lightspeed app to visually check CO sensor data during flight and customize the auditory acuity of the headset based on their individual hearing needs. The app also offers additional functionalities such as recording radio conversations, playback transmissions, drawing diagrams, and archiving flight recordings. The Delta Zulu headset, described as a "safety wearable," is designed to provide both entertainment and situational awareness during flights. With a stainless steel headband and comfortable ear seals, the headset offers a lightweight and comfortable fit. Delta Zulu comes with a seven-year warranty and various accessories, and it is available in different plug configurations.

Compare these three headsets:

Best For: Wireless Headset

We love the idea of a wireless headset, but that convenience comes at a price, namely that the Tango, weighing in at 18 ounces, is among the heaviest ANR models we tested. Still, this headset is so comfortable that the extra heft isn't really noticeable. The Tango doesn't use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth but another signal technology called Lightspeed Link that provides exceptional sound quality and allows as many as six Tango headsets to be connected to the audio panel simultaneously. That's a lot of wires magically gone for good.

Best For: Lightweight

The Avcomm AC1000 is a headset you’ll want to compare side by side with other midpriced models. Like competing products from Rugged Air and Faro, this one is also made from strong and light carbon fiber. Heck, you might even pit it against the Bose A20 since the AC1000’s ultralight weight of 9 ounces, integrated Bluetooth capability, excellent sound quality and lower price make it an alternative worth consideration.

Bluetooth: Yes

Battery: Two AA

Weight: 9 oz.

Warranty: Avcomm 3 year warranty

Plug Type: Dual GA

Best For: High-Quality Materials

The RA980 is a seriously cool headset from a California company that formed its headset division in 2005. Made from high-quality materials, including leather ear seals and carbon-fiber ear cups, the top-of-the-line RA980 model is one of the lighter headsets we've come across, tipping the scale at 10.23 ounces. Individually selectable modes let the pilot choose whether to mute music when radio calls are received, a nice feature. Rugged Air is the only headset-maker besides Lightspeed to offer a seven-year warranty.

Bluetooth: Yes

Battery: Two AA

Weight: 10.23 oz.

Warranty: Rugged Air 7 year warranty

Plug Type: Dual GA

Best For: Value

With the Pro-X headset, David Clark makes a bold claim. The company says that with this model's "hybrid" noise-cancellation technology and Bluetooth capability, you "simply won't find a better headset or a better value." What we found is that the on-ear cup and light clamping force make for an exceptionally comfortable headset. The hybrid technology uses two microphones to pick up ambient sound, an approach that David Clark claims can reduce sound to the ear by 30 db. We agree the results are impressive. At 7.5 ounces, the Pro-X is the lightest ANR headset we tested, and the well-padded alloy headband makes it a joy to wear even on long flights.

Bluetooth: Yes

Battery: Two AA

Weight: 7.5 oz.

Warranty: David Clark 5 year warranty

Plug Type: Dual GA

Best For: Modern Aesthetics

Faro is another headset-maker that's opting for the carbon-fiber look, though we're not sure we're completely sold on the big, gold metallic Faro logo under the clear coating (but at least you won't have to worry about it wearing off). The G3 also isn't as comfortable, nor does it offer the sound quality of the top ANR headsets we've tried, but it does boast among the lightest weight of any of the ANR headsets included here, weighing in at just 9 ounces, same as the Avcomm AC1000, proving carbon-fiber construction isn't only about a hip look — it's the reduced weight these headsets offer that really matters, which we're sure buyers will appreciate over the long run.

Bluetooth: Yes

Battery: Two AA

Weight: 9 oz.

Warranty: Faro 3 year warranty

Plug Type: Dual GA

Best For: Microphone Flexibility

Lightspeed bills the Sierra ANR headset as its "value-priced" model, and we agree. This is a headset that sells for less than competing headsets that, quite frankly, aren't as good. Built-in Bluetooth capability, Lightspeed's ComPriority feature and compatibility with the FlightLink playback app for iPhone and iPad add premium features to this budget headset, which also features plush ear seals and sturdy construction that will hold up to abuse and last for years. Another nice feature is the ability to swap the microphone from one side to the other.

Bluetooth: Yes

Battery: Two AA

Weight: 16 oz.

Warranty: Lightspeed 5 year warranty

Plug Type: Dual GA

Best For: Reduced Pressure Points

The Stratus 30XT ANR headset from Germany's Telex is positioned as a less expensive alternative to the Bose A20 that delivers good value but is the heaviest ANR headset we tested. Sound quality is judged as excellent for this price range, though it's also a bit bulky compared with the competition. Telex's ComfortCam technology built into the headband lets users adjust clamping pressure, which helps, and the ear pads are made from memory foam to reduce pressure points on the ear. Overall, a good choice if you're looking for a midpriced headset that delivers decent performance.

Bluetooth: No

Battery: Two AA

Weight: 18.5 oz.

Warranty: Telex 5 year warranty

Plug Type: Dual GA

Best For: American Made Product

This ANR headset from Sigtronics is another that pilots on a tighter budget should consider if they're looking for good sound quality, great noise-reduction capability and adequate comfort for half the price of the top products. There's really not much to complain about with this no-frills headset that's made in America. A nice option in this line is the child-size S-ARY version Sigtronics also offers.

Bluetooth: No

Battery: One 9-Volt

Weight: 11.9 oz

Warranty: Sigtronics 3 year warranty

Plug Type: Dual GA

Best For: Rechargeable Battery

This is a budget-priced alternative to the big boys' products that delivers quality sound and a comfortable fit. Weighing in at almost 17 ounces, it's one of the heavier headsets out there, but it sounds good and noise canceling is decent for an ANR headset in this price range. It's also one of the few headsets we tested that uses a rechargeable NiMH battery. This company also produces the Pilot BluLink Bluetooth adapter, a unit that is compatible with most dual-plug GA headsets.

Bluetooth: No

Battery: One NiMH

Weight: 16.9 oz

Warranty: Pilot USA 5 year warranty

Plug Type: Dual GA

Best For: Least Expensive

FlightCom's Denali D50ANR headset qualifies as a budget-priced alternative to higher-priced headsets from other manufacturers, and is the least expensive ANR headset we tested. While noise canceling isn't on par with top models, sound quality is adequate, and comfort, with its twist-flex headband and extra-thick ear cups, is acceptable. For the money, this isn't a bad option among a field of great, if pricier, competitors.

Bluetooth: No

Battery: One 9-Volt

Weight: 13.4 oz.

Warranty: FlightCom 3 year warranty

Plug Type: Dual GA

OK, we’re cheating by including these non-ANR passive headsets. Many GA pilots are growing to love the Clarity Aloft Pro Plus and QT Halo because of their extreme light weight and comfort made possible by their ingenious ear buds, which block external sound without the need for ear cups or built-in active noise-canceling technology. A favorite of airline pilots, these headsets work well in piston-airplane cockpits as well, and come with different size earbuds to fit different size ears. They look and feel a little flimsy but stand up to abuse surprisingly well. The fact that there are no batteries to worry about appeals to pilots who stay away from home base for extended periods. Best of all, perhaps, they won’t give you a case of “headset hair” after you land.

Bluetooth: No

Battery: None Required

Weight: 2 oz.

Warranty: Clarity Aloft 3 year warranty

Plug Type:

Bluetooth: No

Battery: None required

Weight: 2 oz.

Warranty: Quiet Technologies

Plug Type:

Whether you're looking for a custom auditory experience or a light weight inexpensive headset, this guide of noise cancelling headphones can help you narrow down your list!

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