Commercial/Pro Headsets Comparison Chart

Are you a professional pilot looking for the best commercial aviation headset? Our comparison chart helps you review the features of the top-sellers right now.

Bose A30 Bose Proflight David Clark ProX2 DC ONE-X Clarity Aloft Pro Plus Telex Airman 750 Telex Airman 7+ Telex Airman 850 Telex Airman 8 Telex Airman 8+
Features
TSO*
Warranty 5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years
Weight (ounces) 14.2 4.5 8 12.3 2 3.2 4.4 4 4.2 4.4
ANR**
ANR Power Battery Battery Battery Battery Passive Passive Passive Mic Bias*** Mic Bias*** Mic Bias***
Bluetooth additional purchase
Battery Type 2 AA 2 AA 2 AA 2 AA Batt. not req'd Batt. not req'd Batt. not req'd Batt. not req'd Batt. not req'd Batt. not req'd
Battery Life 45 hours 45 hours 50 hours 50 hours n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
In/Over Ear Over In On Over In On On On On On
Ear Seal Cover Leatherette Ear tip Leatherette Leatherette Self molding tips Open-Cell Foam Leatherette Leatherette Leatherette Leatherette
Ear Seal Composition Foam Ear tip Memory Foam Memory Foam Self molding tips Open-Cell Foam Foam Foam Foam Foam
Stereo or Mono**** Stereo/
Mono		 Stereo/
Mono		 Stereo/
Mono		 Stereo/
Mono		 Stereo/
Mono		 Mono Mono Mono Mono Mono
Reversible Mic Boom
Flexible Mic Boom
Rotating Ear Cups Partial N/A Partial Partial No Full Partial Full Partial Partial
Single Side Available
Tap Control*****
IOS App Bose Connect Bose Connect
Available Configurations
G.A. Dual Plugs
Helicopter
XLR/Airbus
LEMO
Accessories
Bag/Case
Batteries Included
Battery Box Mounting Clip
Clothing Clip

* TSO

Technical Standard Orders (TSO) are FAA performance standards for equipment used in aircraft. There are specific certifications that are required for Aviation Headsets used in most Commercial Aircraft, especially Part 121 Operators. The result is that these pilots must use a TSO-certified Aviation Headset.

** Passive vs. Active

Aviation headsets can have either Passive or Active noise protection.

 

Passive headsets use thick ear cups to block out noise like earmuffs do. They work well but don't reduce all noise, especially continuous sounds like the engine and wind-rush. 

 

Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headsets (also known as Noise Canceling Headsets) have tiny microphones inside and around the ear cups that hear the noise around you (such as the airplane engine or wind). When they detect these sounds, they create an equal and opposite sound wave to ‘cancel’ the target sound. The result is that the sound you are trying to hear - radio communications, conversations, etc. stand out when the background noise is suppressed.

 

ANR headsets are great because they make flying more comfortable, less fatiguing, and they make it easier to hear important radio calls from air traffic control. They also help protect you from hearing loss!

*** Mic Bias

Mic bias in aviation headsets refers to the slight electrical power that comes from the audio panel that certain ANR headsets use to power the Active Noise Cancellation circuitry. Most ANR headsets require batteries to power the ANR signal. Certain brands (such as Telex) do not require batteries because they use this slight electronic current from the audio panel to power the ANR.

**** Stereo/Mono

Aviation headsets come in two main types: Mono, and Stereo/Mono. Stereo headsets provide separate audio channels, one for each ear. But, since all radio communications and internal cockpit communications are in mono, if you switch your headset to Stereo mode, all communication will come out of only one earcup. This can be very disorienting.

 

Stereo mode is useful if your audio panel is a stereo panel. If your panel is mono, Stereo mode is better reserved for passengers who are not listening to and receiving radio communications.

***** Allows you to control the Noise Cancellation Levels by tapping the ear cups