Two Jobsite Hearing-Protection Solutions

I’m a huge Isotunes fan; I’ve worn its earbuds for years and have reviewed them before (you can read my review of the Isotunes Xtra ear buds here and my review of its Pro model here). I bought those models on Amazon, but the company recently sent me its newest earbuds to try out: The Isotunes Free and the Pro 2.0. Both of these products feature OSHA-compliant noise reduction while providing a Bluetooth connection to my phone, so I can listen to music or podcasts or take phone calls without interrupting my work on the jobsite.

Isotunes Free. What is great about these earbuds is that there are no wires. Nada. Zero. They offer OSHA-compliant ANSI-certified 22dB noise reduction rating (NRR) and an 85 dB SafeMax volume limit to protect you from playing your music too loudly. The company claims that the earbuds have seven hours of battery life, but I don’t know if that is true. That’s because I put my ear buds in the case at lunch, which is where they get recharged; every time you put them away, you are charging (just don’t forget to keep the case charged too).

The company claims that the earbuds also provide background noise cancelling for clearer calls. I’ve received mixed reviews on that feature from people who have called and talked with me over the phone while I was using them.

At less than 5 grams each, they’re super lightweight and very comfortable. I wear them all the time even when not on the jobsite: at the gym, while walking in the woods, or anytime I want to listen to music. And they’re IP45 rated for water and dust resistance, so I can sweat profusely on a hot day and it doesn’t bother them. They are about $110, but well worth the price in my view.

Isotunes Pro 2.0. The big news with the 2.0 version of the Isotunes Pro is longer battery life (16 hours), an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, a higher 27 dB NRR for better hearing protection, and an 85 dB volume limiter.

I like the redesigned ear hooks, which work very well in holding the earbuds in place. Sound quality is good when I listen to music, and call quality is good. The earbuds are connected by a cord that hangs around the neck. Even though the cord can sometimes get caught, in general this isn’t too bothersome. Regardless of their long battery life, I typically would charge them while driving to and from work, so running out of juice is never a problem.

The Pro 2.0 comes with four pairs of foam ear tips and a single pair of silicone triple-flange ear tips, along with cable-management clips and other accessories and a storage case. They sell for about $100. isotunes.com