Here is my rundown of the most popular headset brands and links to sites where you can purchase them online. Keep in mind that you can also often find good quality used headsets at various consumer shopping sites including Ebay. We recommend you purchase the best quality headset you can afford, preferably one that offers active noise reduction (ANR). Bluetooth connectivity is a nice to have feature, but not necessary for flight training. No matter which headset you choose, be sure it has a dual plug and not a six-pin plug. — Meredith
Bose — Top of the line ANR aviation headset. As of May 2024, Bose is still selling and supporting the A20 headset (retail $1,095) but their latest model is the A30 (retail $1,299). I’ve personally owned several Bose headsets over the last 20 years and have found the quality and customer support to be excellent.
Lightspeed — Top tier ANR aviation headset. The ear cups and headband are slightly wider than the Bose, which might be more comfortable for larger pilots but not as comfortable for more petite pilots. The newer headsets models also offer a tangle-free cord. Lightspeed also offers several options at lower price points including certified pre-owned headsets. Prices range from about $700 for a pre-owned Zulu 3 headset to $1,199 for a new Lightspeed Delta Zulu ANR headset.
Hobbs Flyer — A very good quality ANR headset at a much lower price point. Hobbs Flyer doesn’t offer the stylish fit and finish of a Bose or a Lightspeed, but it gets the job done nicely for about half the price. I recommend the H2 Active ANR headset (no Bluetooth) which retails for $350 new. Excellent customer service.
David Clark — If you just can’t afford an ANR headset right now but want to have your own headset for training, the classic green DC passive headset is the way to go. You can find a used DC for a fraction of the price of a new ANR. David Clark doesn’t appear to sell its classic, passive aviation headset anymore but instead offers the DC One-X ANR headset which retails for $995. We don’t have any experience with it other than casual observation of a few customers who’ve had one. David Clark has been in business for over 50 years and their customer service is legendary.