How to choose an aviation headset
The aircraft decides the plug, cockpit noise decides between active and passive noise reduction, and flight length decides how much weight and clamping force matter. Check the headset jack first: dual GA plugs for most piston aircraft, 6-pin LEMO for panel-powered installations, U-174 for helicopters, 5-pin XLR for Airbus.
Noise reduction: ANR, ENC or passive
A passive headset relies on cups and seals alone and needs no power. The David Clark H10-13.4 has a certified Noise Reduction Rating of 23 dB, with published attenuation rising from 16.6 dB at 125 Hz to 38.1 dB at 4 kHz. In-ear passive models such as the Clarity Aloft Classic seal the canal with foam tips; the maker lists 29–47 dB.
ANR (active noise reduction) uses microphones in the ear cups and generates anti-phase sound. It is most effective at low frequencies, such as engine and propeller drone, so the passive seal still matters for the rest. ENC is David Clark's term for its hybrid feed-forward and feed-back noise cancelling in the DC ONE-X, with peak attenuation of 30 dB at 150 Hz. The Telex Airman 850 is a battery-free ANR for low-noise cockpits, up to 12 dB.
Plugs: GA dual, LEMO, U-174, XLR5
- GA dual plugs: headphone and microphone plugs, used in most general aviation aircraft. Battery powered.
- 6-pin LEMO: one plug that carries aircraft power. Standard on Cirrus and Cessna 350 and 400 series, per the Zulu 4 page. Not every aircraft powers multi-pin connectors.
- U-174: the single plug used in helicopters.
- 5-pin XLR: offered by Bose for Airbus aircraft.
Weight, clamping force and comfort on long flights
Over-ear ANR headsets here weigh 349 g (DC ONE-X, without cable) to 454 g (Lightspeed Sierra). The Bose A30 weighs 404 g, with 20% less clamping force than the A20 according to Bose. The Zulu 3 and Zulu 4 weigh 414 g; the Zulu 4 seals around glasses frames. In-ear models are much lighter: Bose ProFlight Series 2 127.6 g, Clarity Aloft under 57 g. Try a headset with glasses for a full flight.
Bluetooth and audio input
Bluetooth carries phone calls, music and app alerts, and the headset mixes it with intercom audio or mutes it during transmissions. It is optional on the A30 and ProFlight Series 2; the Zulu 4 connects two devices. The Clarity Aloft models instead have a 1/8 inch listen-only music input, not usable with phones, without mute.
Helicopter and open-cockpit use
Helicopters use the U-174 plug. The Bose A30, Zulu 3, Zulu 4 and Delta Zulu come in U-174 versions, and the David Clark H10-13H is a passive helicopter model with a coil cord. Bose does not recommend the A30 for open-cockpit aircraft; the maker of the Clarity Aloft Classic lists it for helicopters, aerobatic, ultralight and open-cockpit aircraft.
Comparison table
Values come from the product pages; "–" means not stated. Weights of David Clark and Telex models exclude the cable.
| Model | Noise reduction | Weight | Power, battery life | Bluetooth | Plugs on the shop page | Helicopter version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose A30 | ANR | 404 g | 2x AA, 45 h | Optional | GA dual, LEMO, XLR5, U-174 | Yes (U-174) |
| Bose ProFlight | ANR | – | 2x AA, 45 h | Yes | GA dual | – |
| Bose ProFlight Series 2 | ANR, in-ear | 127.6 g | 2x AA, 45 h | Optional | GA dual, XLR5, LEMO | – |
| Lightspeed Zulu 3 | ANR | 414 g | 2x AA, up to 40 h | Yes | GA dual, LEMO, U-174 | Yes (U-174) |
| Lightspeed Zulu 4 | ANR | 414 g | 2x AA, up to 40 h | Yes, dual | GA dual, LEMO, U-174 | Yes (U-174) |
| Lightspeed Delta Zulu | ANR, CO sensor | 422 g | Li-ion 30 h+, 2x AA 15–20 h | Yes | GA dual, LEMO, U-174 | Yes (U-174) |
| Lightspeed Sierra | ANR | 454 g | 2x AA, up to 40 h | Yes | GA dual | – |
| David Clark DC ONE-X | Hybrid ENC | 349 g | 2x AA, up to 50 h | Yes | GA dual | Separate model |
| David Clark DC ONE-XP | Hybrid ENC | 349 g | Aircraft power or 2x AA, 50 h | Yes | 6-pin | – |
| David Clark H10-13.4 | Passive, NRR 23 dB | 16.5 oz | None | – | GA dual | Separate model |
| David Clark H10-13H | Passive, NRR 23 dB | 16.5 oz | None | – | U-174 | Yes (U-174) |
| Clarity Aloft Classic | Passive, in-ear | under 57 g | None | No | – | Per maker |
| Clarity Aloft Pro Plus | Passive, in-ear | under 57 g | None | No | – | – |
| Telex Airman 850 | ANR, battery-free | 114 g | None | – | GA dual | – |
Frequently asked questions
Is ANR worth it in a piston single?
Engine and propeller noise is mostly low-frequency, which passive ear cups attenuate least. The H10-13.4 data shows 16.6 dB at 125 Hz against 38.1 dB at 4 kHz. ANR works on that part, so it matters most on long flights; on short circuits passive can be sufficient.
Can I use a GA headset in a helicopter?
A dual GA plug does not fit the single U-174 jack used in helicopters. Choose a U-174 version or use an adapter. Impedance must also match the intercom: for helicopters with low-impedance audio the Bose A30 is offered as a U-174 Low-Z version.
Do ANR headsets work without batteries?
The David Clark DC ONE-X and Lightspeed Zulu 4 keep working as passive headsets when the batteries are empty, without active noise reduction. LEMO versions take power from the aircraft, and the Telex Airman 850 has no battery but needs continuous microphone power for its ANR.
LEMO or dual plugs?
Choose the plug that matches the aircraft jack. Dual GA plugs run on batteries. A 6-pin LEMO plug carries aircraft power, so no batteries are needed, if the aircraft supplies power on that connector. Adapters exist, but they do not change impedance or wiring.
Does Bluetooth replace the aircraft radio connection?
No. Radio and intercom audio still come through the plug. Bluetooth adds phones, music and app alerts, mixed with intercom audio or muted during transmissions. David Clark does not recommend phone calls while plugged into the aircraft intercom.