Although these headphones are powered, they only provide passive noise cancellation, and earn the same 23dB NRR rating as our other recommendations. Instead, 3M decided to build a pair of speakers and a Bluetooth chip into its ear muffs, turning them into a pair of wireless headphones. Designers pairs will cost considerably higher, of course, but generally speaking, we don't think you have to pay over the odds for a good pair. Where to buy the best earmuffs?

Even better, they're part of the brand's Green to Wear 2.0 standard which ensures they've been made with the aim 'to minimise the environmental impact of textile manufacturing.' How much are the best earmuffs?

Emu Angahook Double Faced Sheepskin Earmuffs: £45, Emu Australia

Some of our recommendations also have active noise cancellation, which use microphones to cancel out noises at certain frequencies. Active noise cancellation adds a significant amount of weight to the ear muffs, and requires them to be charged. Bluetooth technology lets you wirelessly stream music, plus it has a rechargeable battery for longer wear-time, and gel-filled ear cups for added comfort. At 0.96 pounds, this is the heaviest pair of ear muffs in our guide. The weight is due in part to the huge ear cups, which are made out of a gel cushion for added comfort. These two physical factors kind of cancel each other out: they’re heavier on your head, but easier on your ears. The upside is that at just 8.8 ounces these are one of the the lightest noise-reduction ear muffs on our guide. You’ll definitely feel that difference if you need to wear a pair of ear muffs for longer than a half hour. Earmuffs are all about comfort, so first of all it's best to try before you buy to ensure that headbands are not too tight (or loose). The earmuffs should sit comfortably over your ears without digging in: for this reason, anything with padding will ensure extra support and comfort.

From glam faux fur and chic plush designs to novelty animal earmuffs for kids, there are all sorts of choices out there depending on your style. And if you thought that cosy ear accessories were just the reserve of women and seven-year-olds, Louis Vuitton's SS22 menswear runway at Paris Fashion Week proved that men in overtly fluffy earmuffs is very much a thing. According to the CDC, extended exposure to noises over 70dB (decibels) can lead to permanent hearing damage. This includes activities like using a gas-powered lawn mower, or riding on a motorcycle. Noise-reduction ear muffs look like over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, but their ear pads are made out of materials that dampen (the technical word for reduce) the volume of loud sounds before they reach your ears. The noise dampening is built into the headphones, so it doesn’t require a power source to work.You can also head online and discover the plethora of independent brands offering quirky designs – places like Not On The High Street and Wolf and Badger are perfect for discovering fresh talent. What to look for in the best earmuffs? The electronics required for active noise cancellation contributes to the ear muffs weight: 0.77 pounds, which is 0.2 pounds heavier than the lightest pair we recommend. You’ll notice the difference on your head, but the trade-off is worth it given the big difference between its active and passive noise cancellation settings. The only downside is that these ear muffs require a non-rechargeable battery to work, so you’ll always have to keep some around. Powered vs. Passive: As we mentioned earlier, the noise-reduction ear muffs work passively, which means their sound-dampening properties are a function of the materials they’re made out of.