An aviation headset is a critical part of any pilot’s flight bag—it can protect your hearing, improve communications, and reduce fatigue. Just about every pilot flies with one, so it’s no surprise that we get a lot of questions at Sporty’s about aviation headsets. One of the most popular questions is: “I’m shopping for a new headset, and I want the best one. What do you recommend?”
Picking the best pilot headset seems like a simple question, but it leads to a complicated answer. The right choice for you depends on what you fly (noisy piston plane or quiet jet?), your personal preferences (do you prefer active noise reduction or passive?), and your budget. Our quick advice is to buy as much headset as you can afford—you generally get what you pay for in terms of performance and quality.
At the top end of the market, three headsets dominate: the Bose A30, the Lightspeed Delta Zulu, and the David Clark DC ONE-X. All three are great ANR headsets that will serve any pilot well for many years, but there are important differences. Here’s a look at each one, with comments from our team of pilots and from our customers.
Bose A30 Aviation Headset
A household name for home audio products, Bose has also been a long-time player in aviation, introducing the first active noise reduction headset for pilots in 1989. Bose’s latest generation, the A30, incorporates a number of lessons learned since then, including lighter weight, better ear seals, 20% less clamping force than the A20, three tailored ANR modes to best suit your type of flying, and a side-swappable microphone with no tools needed. Even with all the recent innovations, the focus remains the same: use the latest electronic noise-cancelling technology to improve quiet, comfort, and clarity. It’s one of the most expensive headsets we sell, but it’s also one of the highest-rated headsets we sell.
Sporty’s test pilot comments: “It’s simply the most comfortable headset I’ve worn. The overall weight is lower than almost every other headset, but it’s more than just the specs that makes a difference. The Bose A30 has really comfortable ear seals and clamping force that relieve pressure, and a headband that doesn’t squeeze you like traditional headsets. I can wear a Bose headset for a full day of flying and not get a headache. It’s not cheap, but I’ve been flying with my A30 for over three years now without any issues, so it’s a great long-term investment.”
Customer rating: 189 total reviews - 130 are five stars (69%).
“Really enjoyed the low contact pressure on the head but excellent noise cancellation quality. The entire headset is noticeably lighter and more comfortable. High-quality audio and swapping the mic from side to side is easier than ever. Still an expensive headset, but the quality is top-notch, and the warranty makes it worth the price.
- Garret G.
“As a new pilot flying in one of the most restrictive airspaces in the country, hearing the radio calls clearly and responding quickly is important. I used the entry-level headset for about 20 flight hours, and upgraded to the Bose A30 right before my solo. WOW, what a difference. Sound is clear, they are light and comfortable, and I love the Bluetooth connectivity."
- Jeff B.
“I did a ton of research and settled on the Bose A30 and decided to spend the money on the best I could afford, you know, "buy once, cry once". I have completed 4 trips with this headset so far, and I absolutely love it! It is lightweight, comfortable, and has great sound quality and noise-cancelling. Buy this headset and forget about it, you won't be disappointed."
- Denny S.
“I get to fly some pretty noisy aircraft, C150, C172, and Piper Comanche. This headset has been life-changing. I turn on the ANR, and everything quiets down and is peaceful. This is an expensive piece of equipment, but so are hearing aids. I choose the headset to protect my hearing."
- Maria Dianne E.
Lightspeed Delta Zulu
Lightspeed upended the headset market in the early 2000s with its line of innovative and affordable active noise reduction headsets. Since then, they have continuously upgraded their products with new materials and new features, with the Delta Zulu representing one of their latest evolutions. It has some thoughtful design choices, including a built-in carbon monoxide detector, personalized HearingEQity audio profiles, a rechargeable battery option, and Lightspeed’s most advanced ANR yet. It’s also built for long-term durability, with a stainless steel headband, Kevlar-wrapped cables, and a seven-year warranty.
Sporty’s test pilot comments: “It feels really solid when you take it out of the case. From the ear cups to the headband to the cable, it can stand up to daily use, and it’s backed by a seven-year warranty. I find it a little heavier than the other two headsets here, but the noise cancelling is outstanding. The built-in carbon monoxide detector and HearingEQity personalized audio are also features you won’t find on most other aviation headsets.”
Customer rating: 102 total reviews - 57 are five stars (56%).
“I had no idea how much this would change my flying experience. Having the noise gone, clear communication and music that sounds wonderful has reduced the stress level that I didn't even know I had till it was gone. Love my new headset"
- Robert W.
“Excellent service from Sporty's and superb headset - crystal clear audio, adapted to my level of hearing loss by the Delta-Zulu's on board EQuity software"
- Geoff S.
“The noise cancellation is better than my previous Zulu 2. Carbon Monoxide feature is easy to set up and monitor. Same great armored cords. Easy to switch between the rechargeable batteries and the AA batteries"
- Joey R.
“Super comfortable, the audio is great, and the mobile app is intuitive and convenient. The CO detector is an amazing feature and seems to work perfectly. The Kevlar cable is flexible and comfortable, and the headset looks great. The personalized equalizer was easy to use and very helpful, and I love the option to use either AA batteries or the rechargeable battery pack"
- Timothy G.
David Clark ONE-X
As one of the original aviation headset companies, David Clark has a legendary reputation among pilots. Each headset is made in the USA and meets the FAA’s TSO requirements (although that may not matter unless you’re an airline pilot). The ONE-X is a clean sheet design that takes a completely different approach noise cancelling compared to David Clark’s older models. It features a lightweight headband, compact ear cups, and full Bluetooth connectivity—so it goes toe-to-toe with Bose and Lightspeed on features.
Sporty’s test pilot comments: “I grew up in aviation using David Clark headsets, so I was thrilled when they released an all-new ANR headset a few years back. The ONE-X is surprisingly lightweight, so I barely know it’s there, but the noise reduction is enough to keep up even in a noisy airplane like a piston twin. I’m also really impressed with the microphone quality—even in a loud airplane it cancels noise and comes through crystal clear, better than any other headset I’ve tried.”
Customer rating: 108 total reviews - 92 are five stars (85%).
“All the finest quality I've been used to from DC for forty-six years. Had several models of DC. They've kept the quality as they've evolved the tech… Light, yet sturdy. Really nice mic. They're still made in the US.”
- Amy E. G.
“Super comfortable headset. Once I put them on I forget they are even on my head. Definitely recommend and they are less than the Bose and IMHO as good if not better. Super happy.”
- Nick F.
“Spent 4.5 hours in a very loud Aztec and it worked well. It’s a very sturdy headset and the power consumption has been good. Got about 10 hours of use and still have not changed the battery yet.”
- Christopher R.
“This headset is more compact which keeps the carrying case small enough to fit in the backpack that I use as a flight bag.”
- Jeremy F.
Final results
There is no wrong answer here—each of these headsets represents a major upgrade over the previous generation and will provide years of reliable service. They all feature active noise reduction, Bluetooth connectivity for iPad alerts, and reliable support from companies that have been in aviation for decades. As one test pilot told us, “It’s like picking between a Porsche, a Ferrari, and a Lamborghini—they’re all amazing!”
Having said that, customers usually ask us to pick just one headset, so we’ll do our best to be definitive. Remember—this is our opinion, based on many years of flying on the part of dozens of Sporty’s pilots, plus reading thousands of customer reviews. Your priorities and experience may be different.
Best overall: Bose A30
The Bose A30 seems to have the best balance of the three most important features for pilots: quiet, comfort, and clarity. Pilots can (and do!) debate which headset is the quietest, but the reality is that all three of these headsets provide excellent noise reduction. We think the Bose is as good as any other headset on the market (and maybe better), but quiet is not enough to make a great headset.
The A30 stands out because it manages to reduce engine and propeller noise without squeezing your ears or weighing down your head. Add in a great microphone and full Bluetooth audio features, and you have a great all-around headset. We have flown with Bose headsets in taildraggers, two-seat trainers, high-performance piston singles, Sporty’s Aztec (a notoriously noisy airplane), turboprops, jets, and even helicopters. The A30 works well in a wide variety of aircraft.
Are there any downsides? Yes. The A30 is one of the most expensive headsets on the market. It’s also perhaps not quite as rugged as the Lightspeed Delta Zulu, with its stainless steel headband and Kevlar-wrapped cables. But neither of these minor squawks has prevented Bose from remaining one of the most popular choices among pilots.
Best value: Lightspeed Delta Zulu
While the Bose A30 may win the award for best overall headset, we think it’s worth highlighting the Lightspeed Delta Zulu for its impressive list of features. It offers the same core features, including active noise reduction, full Bluetooth connectivity, and excellent customer support, but adds some unique technology of its own.
The Delta Zulu is a little heavier than the A30, but it’s still a very comfortable headset. It also stands out in terms of durability, with a stainless steel headband and Kevlar-wrapped cables. Add in the built-in carbon monoxide detector and HearingEQity personalized audio profiles, and the Delta Zulu offers one of the most advanced feature sets of any aviation headset.
Ready to buy?
Whichever headset you choose, the pilots at Sporty’s are here to make your purchase fast and easy. Every headset purchased from Sporty’s includes our Signature Headset Service, giving you access to pilot experts who can help you compare models, answer questions, and make sure you choose the right headset for your aircraft and flying. We offer same-day shipping on orders placed by 5 pm eastern (weekdays), and all three of the headsets above ship for free. If you have questions, contact our headset experts for honest advice: just email headsets@sportys.com.
Learn more
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