The Best Radio Headphones for Lawn Mowing for 2023

Are you one of those many homeowners out there who take pride in their well-manicured lawns? Are you the type of person who would mow your lawn every other day to ensure that not even one blade of grass is out of place? If you are, are you at least using any form of ear protection?

In this article, you will learn the importance of having the best radio headphones for lawn mowing and why you should get one immediately. According to the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), workers should not be subjected to noise that is louder than 85 decibels for a couple of hours.

For reference, a normal gasoline-powered lawnmower produces noises that reach 90 decibels, which is way beyond the safe level. If you spend hours of the day just mowing the lawn or doing other tasks that subject you to similar amounts of noise then it is important to get proper ear protection.

If you are not a big fan of earplugs, mainly because you do not like working in total silence and you feel like you work better when there is a soundtrack playing in the background, then you need noise-canceling headphones for mowing. These block out the harmful noises and still allow you to play your choice of music at a safe volume.

If this is your first time searching for ear protection, then this article is here to help you, particularly the short reviews here and the short buying guide.

Top 10 Radio Headphones for Lawn Mowing Reviews of 2023 

1. 3M WorkTunes Connect Hearing Protector

The first product on our list is a pair of 3M radio headphones, which has a noise-reduction rating of 24 decibels. This means that these headphones can reduce ambient noise by 24 decibels. If your lawnmower produces around 90 decibels of noise, expect this to drop down to 66 decibels when you wear these earphones.

This is a perfectly acceptable level. Another thing I liked about this radio headset for mowing is that it comes with a built-in AM/FM radio. I find it boring and even more tiring when I am working in my yard with just the sound of my tools keeping me company. This is why I am glad that the 3M WorkTunes has a built-in radio.

I can listen to my favorite radio programs while I keep my yard in check. It offers the top-tier of both worlds. I also like the Audio Assist feature. This allows me to save up to 50 preset radio stations and simplify cycling through them while looking for something to listen to. The audio assistant can also warn you when the batteries are running low.

Another great thing about it is that when I find that there is nothing to listen to on the radio, I can plug these lawn mowing radio headphones into my smartphone and listen to my saved music and/or audiobooks. I sometimes prefer listening to audiobooks while doing manual labor as it helps sharpen my mind.

2. ZOHAN EM042 AM/FM Radio Headphone

These headphones are rated for 24 decibels, which is more than enough for tasks such as mowing the lawn using a gas-powered mower. It provides enough noise reduction for someone working in the engine room of a decent-sized boat. However, do not think that this will completely block out all noises.

You will still be able to hear your mower but not in an ear-damaging level. Besides blocking out most of the noise, I love that these headphones also feature a radio and not just any radio. It is digital radio. The sound quality of digital radio is crisper and cleaner than regular radio and it does not have any annoying static noises at all.

I also liked the clear LCD screen on the side of the earphones, as it makes it easier to tune in to my favorite radio stations. Unlike the other earphones where you have no idea what station they are on unless the DJ announces it, you can see the frequency clearly so you can save it immediately.

Also, even though these headphones are meant for the workplace, the speakers are pretty decent. They deliver great sound and have deep bass, too. I sometimes use these earphones just for casual listening because of how good they sound.

3. DEWALT DPG15 Industrial Electronic Hearing Muff

The very first thing that one would notice about the DEWALT DPG15 is that it has a lot of foam padding. You just have to look at it to know that it will be very comfortable to wear. The earpads and the headband feature a thick layer of foam that provides ample cushioning without adding weight to the product.

These headphones also have digital AM/FM so you will not get bored while tending to your lawn or garden. Having a radio is much better than just wearing plain earmuffs. Even hard chores become a bit more bearable when there is music playing in the background.

Apart from the radio, there is also an LCD screen that shows you what station the radio is on. This is pretty convenient as other headphones just let you guess what radio station they are tuned into.

The first thing that will give in these earphones is most likely the ear pad. Fortunately, they are easy to replace. You just need to pop out the old earpads then pop the new ones in their place. There are no screws to take off and there is nothing else that you need to take off.

4. PROTEAR Digital AM/FM Radio Earmuff

These muffs can effectively block out 25 decibels from the ambient noises. This means that if the noise you are exposed to is around 90 decibels, which is very much above the acceptable limit of 85 decibels (the amount of noise measured in decibels increase exponentially), the noise will be significantly lowered to 75 decibels.

This is already in the safe range, making the act of wearing these muffs beneficial. I like the digital radio that is built into these headphones. The sound quality is excellent. It is like listening to a CD when you are in the FM band. When you are listening to the AM stations, they sound like FM radio stations but without the static.

Speaking of the sound quality, these headphones have above average speakers. They are not the best but they are far from being the worst. Do not expect the same kind of sound quality that you get from $300 headphones. However, if you are not an audiophile then these headphones will sound alright.

These earmuffs are also very lightweight and comfortable to wear. The headband is extra wide to prevent it from digging into your head. Also, the ear pads are thick and filled with very soft foam. This also forms a good seal around your ears for better noise cancellation.

5. WULFPOWERPRO FM MP3 Bluetooth Radio Headphones

This pair of headphones have the top-rated noise-canceling functionality of all the ones that I have tried so far. This can block 29 decibels of noise, which is quite an improvement over the 25-decibel noise-canceling that most of the other headphones can do.

When I am wearing these headphones while using my ride-on mower, the amount of noise that gets blocked out is amazing. Another thing that I liked about these headphones is that they have Bluetooth connectivity. This means one can do away with the aux cord, which can get in the way when using power tools, like table saws and such.

This improves safety by quite a significant amount. Aside from streaming audio from Bluetooth-enabled devices, I can also use these headphones to answer phone calls. This product has a built-in microphone so I do not need to pull out my phone and take off the headphones whenever a call comes in.

It is also a nice touch that these noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones for mowing have a built-in digital radio. I listen to the radio more than MP3s while working mainly because it does not drain the batteries as fast as the Bluetooth streaming does. The digital radio has decent reception and scanning for stations is quite fast.

6. Honeywell Sync Digital AM/FM/MP3 Earmuff

I am pleased that these headphones come with digital radio, which is infinitely better than the old-fashioned analog radio. First of all, digital radio is much clearer. It is like listening to audio CDs. Secondly, the stations do not fade into static noises when the signal is not strong.

These lawn mowing headphones with radio will keep you entertained while you tame the grass in your lawn. Another feature that I like about this product is the “Air Flow Control”. This is not a ventilation system that keeps your ears cool. It is a way for the ear cups to reduce noise across all sound frequencies without increasing thickness or size.

I could tell the difference between these and the other noise-canceling headphones I have used and these are definitely more compact but still effective. Now, if I am not in the mood for radio, I can also connect my smartphone and listen to the songs and podcasts that I have saved on them.

These headphones have an auxiliary input jack while also featuring an aux cord, so I do not need to buy any additional parts or accessories. I just need to plug in my phone and I am all set. It is also nice that these AM/FM headphones for mowing are so thin and lightweight.

7. Safety Works 10121816 MP3/AM/FM Radio Earmuffs

The thing that I liked about these headphones is that they are very cheap for the features that they have. There are many headphones on this list that offer the same functions like this but they are all twice the price of this one.

Another great thing about these headphones is that they come with an auxiliary input. Aside from that, the package comes with a 1m long aux cord. Even a taller person will not have trouble with the cord not reaching their phones in their pockets with this one.

This allows the user to listen to the music saved in their phones or MP3 players if they so wanted. There is also a digital AM/FM radio built into the headphones, which is great because listening to the radio is much easier on the batteries compared to playing MP3s on my phone. This product also gets decent reception even when I am indoors.

The sound quality is not half bad too. The sound gets a bit distorted when it comes to deep bass but this is understandable as these are not hi-fi headphones anyway. I am not much of an audiophile, so I am perfectly fine when I am wearing these while I am working. As work headphones, these are above average in my opinion.

8. PROTEAR Bluetooth Radio Headphones

As the name suggests, these headphones have Bluetooth connectivity. This means you do not have to worry about getting tangled from the aux cord because you can connect your smartphone with the headphones via Bluetooth without minding about cables. This is especially useful when operating power tools.

Furthermore, this hearing protection gear runs on a 1,200mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery. Now, you might think that is a bit small, especially if you are basing on smartphone battery standards but note that these are more than enough for headphones.

I can even use the headphones for a full workday on a full charge, which is not bad at all. Another great feature is that they fold up for easy storage. When all folded up, they become almost half their original size. I like that these headphones fit in my EDC bag quite easily.

They can also fit in my workshop drawer whenever I need to stow them away for a while. These headphones also have a built-in microphone so you can use them as a hands-free headset. I like this feature because I can easily take calls even while I am in the middle of a task.

9. JESSON Walkman Headphone Radio

These noise-canceling headphones sound so nice that you can also use them for personal enjoyment and not just when operating heavy equipment. These headphones have nice-sounding speakers. They have clear high and mid-tones and the bass is somewhat full and not distorted, perfect for listening to all genres of music.

This headset runs on two AA batteries, which is a good thing in my book because they are easily replaced. This is a great advantage when you are traveling. If you run out of batteries, you do not have to wait a couple of hours beside a wall socket waiting for the batteries to get fully charged.

With these earphones, you just need to buy some brand new ones that are always available in any convenience store. Pop those into the battery compartment and you are good to go again. I also like the FM radio that comes with the headphones. The signal reception is pretty good.

Even when I am indoors, I can still get a strong signal from my favorite radio stations. Also, these headphones come with five preset stations so I did not need to fiddle with the tuning knob every time I want to listen to a particular station. I just need to press one button and I am there.

These headphones also come with an auxiliary input jack, which means these can also be used just like ordinary headphones. Just insert one end of the auxiliary cord into the headphones and the other end into the 3.5mm jack of the device and you are set.

10. PROTEAR Bluetooth Hearing Protection Headphones

This is the first of all the headphones that I have used that has a detachable microphone. When paired via Bluetooth to a smartphone, the microphone makes the headphones into a great hands-free headset. The microphone allows for clearer communication, much better than the built-in mic in other headphones.

Because of the Bluetooth connectivity, this product allowed me to seamlessly stream music and other audio content from my smartphone and other enabled devices. I do not have to bother with messy wires and cables anymore, which makes working safer because there are no wires that can get snagged.

Aside from using the Bluetooth connectivity, I can also use the built-in digital radio to listen to music and my favorite radio programs. These headphones have a nice reception and can get clear signals regardless of where I work in the yard. There are no dead spots.

The ear cups are a perfect size. They cover my ears completely and the soft padding conforms to the shape of my ears to provide a complete seal that blocks out most of the noise. This product is rated for 25 decibels’ worth of noise reduction, which is more than enough for most noisy worksites.

What is a Radio Headphone for Lawn Mowing

Gas-powered lawn mowers might have made it very convenient to maintain a nice-looking lawn but it also produces a lot of noise, which can be very damaging to the ears. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration stated that the human ear can only withstand around 85 decibels of noise for a couple of hours.

That is before it sustains irreparable damage. So, if you still want to preserve your hearing until your retirement, you need to use noise-reducing headphones. These are not like the ordinary headphones used for purely listening to music. These are made for the workplace.

Expect them to be more durable and can withstand quite a bit of shock without sustaining damage. These headphones can also greatly reduce the amount of noise that reaches your ears, thus protecting them from irreparable damage.

These headphones cannot be called noise-canceling as they do not have active noise-canceling features. However, thanks to their huge ear cups and the foam-filled ear pads, they do a great job of isolating the wearer’s ears from ambient noise.

These headphones are usually rated to block out at least 25 decibels of noise, making them suitable for most noisy work environments. Also, because working on your lawn can get boring fast, these headphones have built-in radios so you can listen to your favorite stations.

Most of these headphones even have digital radio. This offers a much clearer sound and better reception.

How to Radio Headphones for Lawn Mowing Work

Traditional headphones work by playing audio through the small speakers that are in each ear cup. The ear cups are shaped in such a way that they can somewhat block out the noises from the outside to let the wearer hear the audio clearer and with less interruption. Hearing protection earphones take this to the next level.

The ear cups or “cans” used by hearing protection headphones are much larger and bulkier compared to the ones used for exclusively listening to music. This is so that the ears can fit inside the cans. Also, the padding on the edges is much thicker, thereby creating a better seal around the ears to prevent outside sounds from getting inside.

Work headphones can even block out at least 25 decibels of noise. This usually lowers the amount of noise that reaches the ears significantly down to a safer level. This means that the wearer can work in noisy environments without having to worry about his/her ears slowly getting impaired.

These are not the same as noise-canceling headphones though because these just block sounds. Noise-canceling headphones have a mic outside of the cans that listens to the ambient sounds outside. You can also find small speakers in each can that will playback the sounds the mic caught.

However, in an opposite frequency, both noises will cancel out each other, hence the name. Even though these headphones are not noise-canceling, they still do a great job of protecting the hearing of the person wearing them.

Types of Radio Headphones for Lawn Mowing

There are not that many “types” of radio headphones. The only categories that these headphones can be separated into include if they are battery-powered or come with rechargeable batteries.

The headphones that come with rechargeable batteries have their own set of pros and cons. First, the batteries are lighter and usually pack more power. When fully charged, these batteries can power the headphones for the better part of the day. When you have used up all the charge, you just need to plug the batteries into the wall charger.

On the other hand, headphones that use disposable batteries can still supply the same amount of playtime even though they weigh a bit more. One unexpected advantage of battery-powered headphones, at least for some, is that when the batteries run out of juice, you just need to replace them with brand new ones.

You can then immediately go back to listening to your favorite music. One can also categorize headphones into Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth enabled. The non-Bluetooth enabled headphones can still connect with smartphones and MP3 players via the auxiliary input jack.

Although the aux cord can be a bit cumbersome and sometimes gets tangled on objects, the one benefit that it has over Bluetooth connectivity is that it does not drain the batteries as fast. Also, according to some people, audio sounds better when transmitted via a wired connection.

On the other hand, Bluetooth connectivity gives you the freedom to move around without worrying about cables getting entangled on branches, nails, and others. This makes BT connectivity much safer, which is important in any workplace.

Why Do You Need Radio Headphones for Lawn Mowing

One would think that getting headphones just for mowing the lawn is not that important, which is true when it is worded that way. However, if you were to get protective gear to prevent irreparable damage to your ears caused by extremely loud noises then you would be more inclined to buy them, wouldn’t you?

The first and foremost reason why you need headphones for lawn mowing is that they will protect your ears from the loud noises produced by your gas-powered lawnmower. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, people should not subject themselves to loud noises for a certain number of hours, which is specifically 85 decibels over 8 hours.

If you need to shout for another person standing three meters away to understand you then your environment is already too noisy. If you own a riding mower, note that it produces up to 90 decibels of noise, which is way beyond the safe levels.

If you own a push mower, it can produce up to 80 decibels of noise but that is just for brand new machines. The older they get, the noisier they become, so it is not a stretch to think that your two-year-old mower is already pushing around 85 decibels.

Here is what happens when you expose your ears to dangerously loud noises. First of all, the vibrations caused by the noise will severely damage the nerve endings in the inner ear. The longer the time of exposure, the more nerve endings are killed.

Unfortunately, modern medicine still does not have any way to repair the nerve endings in the ear. The damage is permanent and it gets compounded the more you expose your ears to loud noises.

Hearing loss induced by loud noises severely limits your ability to discern high-frequency sounds, which unfortunately includes most of the human speech. You can use hearing aids but you will need to wear them full-time and they do not work quite as well as a healthy pair of ears.

Hearing protection headphones can help by decreasing the amount of noise that reaches your ears, often down to a safe level. For instance, if you are using a ride-on mower that pumps out 90 decibels of noise, wearing a pair of headphones rated for 25 decibels will effectively lessen the amount of noise your ears hear down to a manageable 65 decibels.

The headphones also sometimes have built-in radios or can connect to your smartphone or MP3 player so you can still enjoy listening to music while working on your lawn, a task that can get boring fast.

Buying Guide

There are so many hearing protection radio headphones in the market these days that it can be hard to pick just one. If this is your first time buying one, here are some of the things that you need to keep in mind while shopping:

Fit and Comfort – This is the most important aspect you should look out for because if you are not comfortable wearing the headphones then you will most likely not want to wear them in the first place. First, check if the ear pads have enough padding. You should not be able to feel the plastic casing of the speakers through the padding.

Also, it should be soft enough that it can take the shape of your ears easily. The headband should also have a bit of padding to protect the top of your head. Check the flexibility of the headband, too. It should not be so tight that after some time, it feels like your head is being squeezed by a vise.

However, it should not be so loose that it could not hold the ear pads tight against your ears. Play around with the headband adjustment until you can find the right fit. If there is no amount of tweaking that makes the headphones even close to being comfortable then look for another pair.

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) – Most of the hearing protection radio headphones currently in the market have an average NRR of 25 decibels. This might seem low but keep in mind that these usually do not have active noise-canceling capabilities. They just isolate your ears from the ambient noises.

In the first place, a noise reduction of 25 decibels is more than enough when you only need them at the time you are using your lawnmower. However, higher NRR is always better, so if you find a pair of headphones that have a higher rating then you should seriously consider getting them.

Radio Functionality – Most of the hearing protection radio headphones these days already use digital radio instead of analog. This means that you will be getting superior sound and signal quality compared to analog radio. If you find a pair of headphones that still use standard radio frequencies then you should look at another one.

Digital radio music is so crystal clear that you could swear that you are listening to an audio CD. Now that you know that you should get headphones with digital radio, the second thing that you need to check is how great their reception is.

If you do not want to suffer through the ordeal of listening to your favorite song then getting it cut off because your headphones lost the signal, then get a pair that has an excellent antenna. That way, you will not hit any dead spots while you are mowing your yard.

Connectivity – Most hearing protection headphones can be connected to a smartphone or an MP3 player via a 3.5mm auxiliary input jack. You just connect an aux cable to the source device then plug in the other end into the headphones. This will allow you to playback any audio content from the device through the headphones.

Also, some headphones can connect to your smart devices via Bluetooth. The headphones effectively eliminate the use of the aux cable, allowing you to stream audio content seamlessly from your device. Furthermore, Bluetooth-enabled headphones can also be used as wireless headsets for the phone.

This means you can make and answer calls without even removing them from your head. If I were to choose, I would like the Bluetooth-enabled headphones better as they remove the risks associated with having a cable connected to my head getting tangled into the machinery.

The wireless connection also provides excellent freedom of movement.

Care and Maintenance

Work radio headphones are very low-maintenance and they have to be because they are supposed to be tough enough to withstand the rigors of the work environment. This means you do not have to do much in terms of care and maintenance. However, that does not also mean you can just ignore them completely.

First of all, you need to wipe them down after every workday. Not only will the outsides of the headphones be caked with dirt and dust, the earpads and the padding on the headband will also be soaked in sweat. You need to take a clean, damp rag and wipe away all the dirt and grime on the plastic surfaces of the headphones.

Get another damp piece of fabric and add a bit of rubbing alcohol to it. Use it to wipe off the sweat in the ear pads and headband. The alcohol will prevent the bacteria from your sweat to cause the foam padding to smell.

If you will be storing the headphones for a while, clean them thoroughly first. Disconnect or remove the batteries then place them inside a plastic bag (or if they came with one, a cloth storage bag).

Store them in a place that is away from direct sunlight. The batteries need to be removed as they might leak and cause battery acid to seep into the sensitive electronic components.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much hearing protection do I need for mowing?

Lawnmowers typically emit noise that ranges from 80dB to 100 dB. With this in mind, experts recommend lowering the sounds to below 80dB. This means you need to choose earplugs, muffs, or headset radio for mowing that can reduce 25dB to 30dB of noise.

As mentioned in the buying guide, go for grass-cutting headphones with a higher noise reduction rating. The PROTEAR Bluetooth earmuffs for mowing is a good example, considering that their NRR rating is 25dB.

Do noise-canceling headphones block outside noise?

Despite their names, noise-canceling headphones don’t completely block outside noises – they only reduce loud sounds to a comfortable level. So devices with this technology may not necessarily make good lawn mower headphones. To get the record straight: Noise-canceling headphones aren’t necessarily the same as hearing protection devices.

While they both filter out loud sounds, noise-canceling headphones, and hearing protection devices have major differences:

• Active noise-canceling headphones—often used for listening to music—block low-frequency ambient sounds. As such, they’re useful for sleeping or office work, since they can filter out the hum of your air conditioning or people chatting.
• HPDs are designed to safeguard your ears against harmful industrial noises. The product’s manual or packaging always states the noise reduction rating and the various tests the device underwent.

Granted, manufacturers now create radio ear muffs for mowing, which in a way, function like headphones.

Likewise, lawnmower headphones can also be protective. One example from the products I reviewed is the WULFPOWERPRO’s mowing Bluetooth headphones that can block 29dB of noise.

How long do radio headphones for lawn mowing last?

The lifespan of the headphones for yard work is influenced by their usage, maintenance, and build quality. Generally, these devices can last anywhere from a few months to at least a decade.

To get your hands on high-quality AM/FM radio headphones, check out our buying guide above. Granted, features such as genuine leather for wireless headphones for mowing might sound like a luxury, but they mean the product will stay in good shape for much longer.

How you use the device also determines its lifespan. For instance, exposing your yard work headphones to rain or dirt can damage them faster, especially if the devices don’t have ingress protection. Therefore, it is important to choose a model that is safe to use outdoors or only use yours when the weather is good.

Regardless of the brand or model you buy, gadgets typically last longer when properly maintained. Clean your headphones regularly, and make sure not to overcharge their batteries!

What are the most popular brands of radio headphones for lawn mowing?

You will discover that dozens of brands of hearing protection radio headphones are presently out there. However, not all of them are worthy of your time and money. Let me help you by providing some of the brands that I know are some of top-tier at present.

Among my recommendations are 3M, Honeywell, ZOHAN, DEWALT, JESSON, PROTEAR, Safety Works, and WULFPOWERPRO. I have tried and tested quite a lot of headphone brands and by far, these are among the best.

What do you listen to while mowing?

This is a matter of personal preference. Some people like to listen to their favorite FM stations for a random mix of music and talk shows. Others prefer listening to AM stations so they can catch up with the news.

On the other hand, some people choose to connect their headphones to their smartphones or MP3 players so they can play their preferred playlist of songs. You can also find those who like to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It is up to the person what kind of audio content he/she consumes while mowing his lawn.

How to use radio headphones?

You can wear this type of headphone in the same way as regular headphones. You just need to ensure that the ear pads make a good seal around your ears to make the noise isolation more effective. If you are listening to digital radio, you just need to press on the “scan” button to cycle through all the available stations.

If you want to, you can save the stations to the preset slots so you can get back to them easier. If you will be listening to content in your smartphone or MP3 player, you can either connect the devices using an auxiliary cord or via wireless Bluetooth if it is available on both devices.

What is the warranty?

Most of the products out there usually have 30-day warranties against factory defects. However, some manufacturers provide an entire year for the warranty. Just to be sure, you should check the manufacturer’s website or call their customer care number for more details.

Where to buy radio headphones?

The problem with buying something as specific as hearing protection headphones in brick and mortar stores like Walmart or Lowes is that they usually do not have that many in stock if ever they carry some. This means that you do not have much variety in terms of choices.

However, you do have the luxury of getting to test out the headphones before you decide on buying them. On the other hand, if you go to websites like Amazon or Home Depot, you will get dozens of choices. You can also compare prices to find out which ones are the better deal.

Conclusion

It is best to pay close attention to your hearing health while you can still hear. It is because once it gets damaged, there is no going back. When you are fond of regularly tending to your lawn using your trusty gas-powered mower, make sure that your ears are protected by using the best radio headphones for lawn mowing.

Andrew Carnegie

Having worked in the field of personal protective equipment for over two decades, Andrew Carnegie is a specialist in the field.

At EDC, he strives to improve performance efficiency and promote workplace safety for EDC’s readers and customers. He also researches the most up-to-date equipment that has earned relevant accreditation for use in a wide range of industries and specialties.