Don’t neglect your ears when bundling up. Instead, keep them toasty with these 7 Best earmuffs and ear warmers.
Winter is a great season for fashion (especially if you love layering), but it demands a practical approach to style. Milder winters aren’t too difficult to cope with. But if you live in a place prone to icy winds, you’ll need to be prepared.
But for whatever reason, most guys completely forget about protecting their ears from the elements. They’ll layer up and even wear scarves but leave their ears exposed.
One possible reason for this is the fact that the majority of earmuffs and ear warmers are marketed to women. (Think of the kind of fuzzy, oversized earmuffs you’d see at a department store). Inexplicably, there just aren’t that many options for men.
As normal as it is to have bare ears, it’s not ideal. For one, it’s supremely uncomfortable, and even dangerous, once the wind picks up. It’s also distracting to have bright red ears once you get inside.
Even if you already have a good winter hat that provides coverage, you should seriously consider picking up earmuffs or ear warmers. They’ll provide more targeted warmth to keep your ears toasty.
While the pickings are admittedly pretty slim for guys, there are still some excellent options for ear warmers. Read on to see my top picks!
Quick Take
Here are our recommendations from the list:
Crafted from 100% Merino Wool, this slim, flexible headband keeps ears cool and hair away from the face. Ideal for men with longer hairstyles, but beneficial for everyone, regardless of hair length.
The design blends earmuffs and ear warmers, featuring a wraparound band for full ear coverage. Despite not being the most stylish, these affordable ear warmers are often available for under ten dollars on sale.
The Winter Ear Warmers from 180 Degrees offer a classic earmuff style, excellent performance, collapsibility, and an adjustable headband for a comfortable fit on most head sizes.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
The 6 Best Earmuffs and Ear Warmers for Winter
From classic earmuffs that resemble old-school headphones to sleek headbands that multitask, here are the best earmuffs and warmers.
Best Men’s Earmuffs Overall: 180 Degrees Winter Ear Warmers
For the classic earmuff style and all-around performance, it’s hard to beat the Winter Ear Warmers from 180 Degrees. These earmuffs are collapsible and feature an adjustable headband to accommodate most head sizes.
While mostly made of polyester for thermal purposes, there’s a touch of spandex for that much-needed stretch. A nice aspect of the Winter Ear Warmers is that they go around the back of the head so they won’t mess up your hair — and you can wear them with a hat.
This pair of earmuffs is available in six colors, including a reflective sports version for enhanced visibility. They retail for under $25, so you’re getting a ton of bang for your buck.
Best Ear Warmers for Cold Weather: Smartwool Thermal Merino Reversible Headband
There’s a reason most companies turn to wool when designing winter gear. This natural fabric is perfect for staying warm, so consider making it a staple of your winter wardrobe or during the colder months.
Of the wool ear warmer options, the Thermal Merino Reversible Headband from Smartwool is easily one of the best.
Made from 100% Merino Wool, this thin and flexible headband keeps your ears cool while keeping your hair out of your face. It’s an especially good option for guys with longer hairstyles. But you don’t have to have flowing locks to benefit from this headband.
Uniquely, this headband has a double-layer reversible knit, so you effectively get two headbands for the price of one. That’s a pretty good deal when you consider that this runs for just above twenty bucks.
Best Earmuffs for Small Ears: Turtle Fur Chelonia 150 Classic Fleece Double-Layer Headband
If you prefer a headband-style ear warmer, check out the Chelonia 150 Classic Fleece Double-Layer Headband from Vermont-based Turtle Fur. This headband has a height of just 3”, so it should fit most smaller ears well.
The fleece material is seriously soft, so you don’t have to worry about any scratchiness or discomfort. Plus, the double-layer construction helps retain heat. Turtle Fur claims the Chelonia 150 fleece blocks 97% of UPF rays.
At just $15, this midweight headband is a great deal overall. It’s also available in almost every color you could want, which is a nice bonus.
Best Earmuffs for Big Ears: Metog Unisex Foldable Ear Warmers
If your ears are on the bigger side, check out Metog’s Unisex Foldable Ear Warmers. These 100% acrylic earmuffs have a little extra real estate for maximum coverage.
These earmuffs tick all the right boxes: they’re fleece, they’re easy to fold and tuck into a pocket, and they’re cheap. And they weigh at just 60 grams so they won’t feel clunky on your head.
Best Affordable Ear Warmers: JOEYOUNG Fleece Ear Warmers
Most earmuffs and ear warmers are pretty cheap (no matter what your definition of the word is), but these JOEYOUNG Fleece Ear Warmers are the least pricey of the lot at just $13.
The design is a hybrid of earmuffs and ear warmers that offers a wraparound band that contours to the shape of the head.
While this tapered construction allows for full ear coverage, it’s not the sleekest design in the world. Still, for an ear-warming solution that can often be found on sale for under ten bucks, the Fleece Ear Warmers aren’t shabby.
Best Ear Warmers for Cycling: REI Co-op Polartec Power Stretch Fleece Earband
Of course, REI Co-op has the best ear warmers for cycling; what else would you expect? The brand’s Polartec Power Stretch Fleece Earband is a trail-ready headband that is equally fitting for activities like running and hiking.
The star of the show here is the Polartec® Power Stretch® fleece. Polar fleece is insulating yet breathable and stays snug on the head without getting too tight. The only caveat is that this headband may not provide coverage if you have bigger ears.
Best Earmuffs for Winter FAQ
Here are a few short answers to commonly asked questions about earmuffs and ear warmers:
Are ear warmers better than earmuffs?
It depends on your needs. If you just want to keep your ears warm, go with ear muffs. If you want a headband that can provide some additional warmth at the expense of losing some ear coverage, go with ear warmers.
What material is best for winter earmuffs?
Polyester and acrylic are the most popular materials for earmuffs. However other high-quality materials like wool are also popular.
Where can you buy earmuffs?
There are plenty of options on Amazon (but scroll back up to the full list for the details).
Your ears aren’t the only things you need to protect during the winter. Read our guide to winter-proofing shoes to safeguard your footwear.
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