Six Aviation Headsets for Any Budget

Are you a power pilot looking for a new headset?

Tier One

· ASA HS-1

· Peltor Series 7000

I have used these headsets both as a student pilot and as a last-minute replacement when I forgot to load my flight bag. They get the job done and they have an affordable price but that’s about it. You’ll be able to communicate effectively but ergonomically, you may experience pressure fatigue around your head and ears on longer flights. These are entry-level headsets that would also be good to keep in your flight bag for the occasional passenger.

Price range: under $150

Good for:

· New pilots

· As a backup headset

· Short trips

· Pilots who would rather spend money on flight time

Sounds like:

· Talking through an empty soup can but clarity is good

Tier Two

· David Clark H10-13.4

· Telex Echelon 25XT

Let’s be honest, in the general aviation world David Clark is more widely known than Telex. But did you know that Telex was the brand used for the first moon landing? Most of my flight instructors used the standard “green DC’s” and they swore by them. I have tried the David Clarks myself and they offered very good sound quality, decent weight and cushioning on the head and ears.

My main headset has been the Telex Echelon 25XT. I personally prefer it over the DC’s because of the design of the headband; it cambers in a way that avoids putting pressure near the top of the ears. I also like the ability to change the volume independently on both ears, and the gray color is more contemporary than green. Just my opinion. In all, I have probably put 700-800 hours on the Telex and never had any problems. Due to normal wear and tear, I have changed out the ear cushions and boom windscreen.

Price range: $250-$400

Good for:

· Any pilot

· Improved comfort

· Better noise reduction

· Can plug in phone or other peripherals on some models

· Can be used on longer flights without inducing fatigue

Sounds like:

· Crisp

· Some models offer active noise cancellation features

Tier Three

· Lightspeed Zulu

· Bose A20

If you have the money to spend on quality gear, either one of these brands will meet your needs. Both have active noise cancellation, both are very lightweight, both have peripheral connectivity. I have used both of these models in single-engine aircraft and they offer superior noise reduction.

Price range: $850 to $1100

Good for:

· A pilot who knows what he wants

· Long flight durations

· Peripheral connectivity

· Conspicuous consumption

Sounds like:

· Superior quality

· Talking to your friend in a library

· Great noise cancellation

Disclaimer: The reviews above are the opinions of one pilot based on his personal experiences, environmental conditions, and physical attributes. No product endorsement is stated or implied. Following the links above may lead to an affiliate commission for the author of this article.