Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic Shooting Earmuff
Priced as of May 18, 2026
4.6(10 ratings)Buy on AmazonSaved to your guest loadout. Sign up to also save to your Cabinet (consumables) or Kit (tools you own).
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Prices may varyAbout this rating. This rating is our editorial opinion, not a statement of fact. It reflects the product's published SDS data (where applicable), the manufacturer's stated certifications (such as NIOSH approval or ANSI markings), and patterns across verified-purchase user reviews flagged by the retailer. It is informational, not a safety determination for any user, task, or environment. Before using this product, check the certification markings on the manufacturer's label and follow the manufacturer's fit, use, and care instructions. For workplace use, your employer's PPE program and OSHA hazard assessment under 29 CFR 1910.132 govern selection — not this page.
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CarCareTruth's Analysis
Last reviewed May 19, 2026
TL;DR The Howard Leight Impact Sport carries a 22 NRR on the EPA label, which derates to about 7.5 dB of real-world protection at the ear under the standard OSHA formula — enough to bring an 85 dB orbital polisher down to roughly 77 dB, below the action level, but only borderline for air compressors and inadequate for force-air dryers or grinders. The electronic talk-through circuit amplifies conversation and ambient sounds below 82 dB while cutting off sudden loud noise; community reports describe the audio as natural-sounding at low ambient levels. Howard Leight sells replacement cushion kits, extending lifespan beyond most non-serviceable muffs.
What it is and how it performs
The Impact Sport is an electronic over-the-head earmuff with a 22 NRR on the EPA label. After OSHA derating ((22−7)÷2 = 7.5 dB), it brings an 85 dB orbital polisher to around 77 dB at the ear — adequate for polisher and quiet-compressor work. A force-air car dryer or grinder running 100 dB still leaves the wearer near 92 dB after derating; sustained grinder work at this NRR tier warrants double protection. The electronic talk-through circuit amplifies ambient sounds below 82 dB and cuts noise spikes within approximately 0.5 ms — the shooter-grade response spec the Impact Sport is built around. Community use in shooting ranges confirms the talk-through sounds natural at low ambient noise levels, with some tinny quality noted at high gain. A folding design and adjustable steel-reinforced headband make it practical for workshop carry. Replacement cushion kits from Howard Leight support multi-year service life.
Who should buy this — and who should skip it
Best matched for car-care owners whose loudest regular exposure is an orbital polisher or a quieter compressor — the 22 NRR is right-sized for that range without blocking all situational awareness. The electronic talk-through is a genuine advantage over passive muffs when working in a garage where conversations and equipment signals matter. Skip it if regular shop work includes grinders, impact wrenches, or force-air dryers as sustained tasks; at NRR 22, the derated protection is inadequate for that exposure tier and a higher-NRR option (NRR 30+) or foam plug underliners would be needed. Skip it for sleep, motorcycle riding, or concert use — those require different attenuation profiles.
Safety and environmental impact
The Impact Sport is a passive hearing-protection device — there is no SDS, no chemical exposure in normal use, and no inhalation pathway. Health score is 9.5 (base); no natural latex or PFAS treatment is disclosed in the product listing. A California Proposition 65 warning appears in the product listing; the specific triggering substance is not identified. On the environmental side, this is a mixed-material electronic muff — PU foam cushions, plastic cups, and internal electronics are not recyclable in consumer-accessible streams. The replaceable-cushion design meaningfully reduces whole-unit waste compared to muffs with bonded, non-serviceable pads. Spent AAA batteries should be recycled through Call2Recycle or retailer drop-off rather than landfill disposal.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Howard Leight Impact Sport adequate for orbital polisher use?▾
An orbital DA polisher runs roughly 80–85 dB at the operator's ear. The Impact Sport's NRR 22 derates to about 7.5 dB of real-world reduction under the standard OSHA formula ((22−7)÷2), bringing 85 dB exposure to approximately 77 dB — below the OSHA 85 dB action level. That's adequate for polisher work. It becomes borderline for air compressors (90 dB brought to ~82 dB) and inadequate for force-air dryers or grinders running 100 dB and up, where double protection (foam earplugs under the muffs) would be needed for sustained exposure.
Does the Impact Sport amplify quiet sounds while blocking loud ones?▾
Yes — the electronic circuit amplifies ambient sounds below 82 dB (conversations, equipment beeps, safety warnings) and cuts off at 82 dB with approximately 0.5 ms attenuation response. This allows the wearer to hear normal conversation while still protected from sudden loud noise. Community reports describe the talk-through audio as natural-sounding at low ambient noise levels; some users note slight tinniness at high amplification gain.
What batteries does the Impact Sport use, and how are they disposed of?▾
The Impact Sport runs on two standard AAA batteries (alkaline or rechargeable NiMH). AAA batteries can be recycled through Call2Recycle drop-off locations at major retailers including Home Depot, Lowe's, and Best Buy, or through municipal household hazardous waste collection.
Are replacement cushions available for the Howard Leight Impact Sport?▾
Yes — Howard Leight (now distributed by Honeywell) sells replacement cushion kits for the Impact Sport line. Replacing worn cushions extends the product's useful life and helps maintain the acoustic seal that the NRR rating depends on.
Why does the Impact Sport carry a California Prop 65 warning?▾
The product's Amazon listing flags a California Proposition 65 warning. The Rainforest data confirms the warning is present but does not identify which specific substance triggers it. Prop 65 covers a broad range of chemicals in many product categories; the listing does not disclose the specific ingredient. Buyers in California should note this disclosure.
From the manufacturer
Marketing copy from Howard Leight, via Amazon. Not editorial.
- •Headband closure
- •Clean with a damp cloth. Store in a dry place.
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Manufacturer specifications
- Product Dimensions
- 9.06 x 8.74 x 4.45 inches; 0.01 ounces
- Item model number
- R-01526
- Department
- unisex-adult
- Date First Available
- September 7, 2018
- Manufacturer
- Howard Leight
- ASIN
- B07HJRQXNY
- Best Sellers Rank
- See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors
- Care instructions
- Clean with a damp cloth. Store in a dry place.
- Brand Name
- Howard Leight
- Item Weight
- 0.01 Ounces
- Age Range Description
- 12+
- Style Number
- R-01526
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Top Amazon review
↗External — Amazon's most-helpful review for context.
pretty good hearing protection
As these have a NRR of only 22 Db, they are best suited for smaller calibers with less noise. If you shoot magnums or stand next to an artillery shooter you will want to install earplugs in addition to muffs. That said, for other than magnums, they work great. Have used with 22, 38, and 45 acp. 40 cal is borderline.