If you want a wired, lightweight headset for casual mobile gaming, choose EXMAX HWE-05; if you need adjustable hearing protection for a child in noisy settings, choose PROTEAR Kids Hearing Protection.
The difference is more important than the shared over-ear shape: EXMAX is a wired stereo headphone for listening, while PROTEAR is an earmuff designed to reduce exposure to loud surroundings. Neither is a dedicated gaming headset, so the right pick comes down to whether your priority is game audio or a quieter environment.
• EXMAX HWE-05 strength: 3.5 mm wired stereo audio works with devices that have a compatible jack; trade-off: it is described as intended for short-term use, not long-term wear.
• PROTEAR strength: stated 25 dB NRR sound reduction and an adjustable, foldable design; trade-off: it is hearing protection, not a headphone for game sound.
• EXMAX HWE-05 suits someone who wants simple wired audio for a compatible phone or tablet.
• PROTEAR Kids Hearing Protection suits a child who needs earmuffs for noisy events, travel, home, or school.
• For mobile gaming, choose EXMAX for audio playback; choose PROTEAR only when reducing surrounding noise is the main need.
The EXMAX HWE-05 is a wired, over-ear stereo headphone with a 3.5 mm plug. That straightforward connection is useful if your phone, tablet, computer, or other audio device has a matching jack. There is no wireless connection to manage: the cable carries the audio, and the adjustable headband helps it fit a range of head sizes. The listed weight is 50 g, making it a lightweight option to carry alongside a tablet or other gaming device.
For mobile gaming, its clearest role is delivering game audio through a familiar wired connection. It is also described for music, movies, and educational use, so it can cover more than gaming when a compatible device is available. Soft padded ear cushions are intended to sit around the ears and help limit ambient distractions. The supplied information describes passive noise reduction, but the product information also lists active noise cancellation; I would not choose it on the assumption that it provides a particular level of active cancellation. There is no stated noise-reduction figure to compare with PROTEAR’s 25 dB NRR.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-19 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The key compromise is its intended use. The product information describes the HWE-05 as suitable for short-term use and says it is not designed for long-term use. That matters if a gaming session tends to stretch on or if you want a headset for everyday, extended listening. The listed cable lengths also differ within the product information, so I would avoid relying on a precise reach without checking the packaging details.
PROTEAR Kids Hearing Protection: Who It's For
PROTEAR Kids Hearing Protection is an adjustable over-the-head earmuff for children. Its stated 25 dB NRR is the central reason to consider it: this is a hearing-protection product for noisy settings such as concerts, fireworks, sports events, and airplane travel. The product information also identifies home and school as possible settings. That makes it a different kind of choice from a conventional headphone: its stated purpose is to reduce incoming noise, not to play a game soundtrack.
The adjustable headband and 360-degree swivel ear cups are intended to help the earmuffs fit growing children. The product information gives an age range of 3–16 years, while the feature description also refers to a fit for ages 3–15. Because those ranges do not match exactly, a caregiver should check the fit rather than assume the age label settles it. Soft ear cushions and padding on the headband are designed to make the fit more comfortable, while the ABS and PU construction and noise-dampening foam form the listed materials.
Its foldable structure is a practical plus for families moving between home, school, and events. The ear cups tuck back toward the headband for more compact storage, which can make carrying them in a backpack easier. But PROTEAR does not list a 3.5 mm plug, speakers, or stereo audio features. It is therefore not a substitute for the EXMAX when a child wants to hear mobile-game audio. Its noise-reduction rating also does not mean that all sound is blocked.
Skip PROTEAR if you want earbuds or headphones that connect to a phone and play game audio.
• Best for wired game audio → EXMAX HWE-05. It has a 3.5 mm connection and stereo sound for compatible devices.
• Best for reducing loud environmental noise → PROTEAR. It lists a 25 dB NRR and is intended for events and other noisy settings.
• Best for a child who needs adjustable earmuffs → PROTEAR. Its headband adjusts, and the ear cups swivel.
• Best for a lightweight wired option → EXMAX HWE-05. Its listed weight is 50 g, and the headband adjusts.
• Best for compact storage between outings → PROTEAR. Its folding design allows the ear cups to tuck toward the headband.
• Best for use with a device that has a 3.5 mm jack → EXMAX HWE-05. The wired plug is its stated audio connection.
• Best for a child at fireworks or a sports event → PROTEAR. Those are among the noisy use cases named for the earmuffs.
• Best for a short, simple gaming session → EXMAX HWE-05. It can provide audio from a compatible device, though it is not described for long-term use.
Buying Considerations
First, decide whether the need is listening or protection. A child playing a game may want to hear dialogue and effects, which points to the EXMAX if the device has a compatible 3.5 mm jack. A child attending a loud event may need the PROTEAR earmuffs instead. One product cannot be treated as a direct replacement for the other: the HWE-05 plays stereo audio, while PROTEAR’s listed function is sound reduction.
Connection details matter for gaming. The EXMAX is wired, so it does not depend on wireless pairing, but it does require a matching audio jack. Check the device itself before choosing it. The supplied information does not establish a wireless option or a microphone for either product, so I would not assume either has those features. If a mobile game requires voice chat, confirm that the chosen setup supports it before buying.
Finally, sound reduction is not the same as complete silence. PROTEAR’s 25 dB NRR is a stated reduction figure, not a promise that every sound will disappear in every situation. The EXMAX cushions are described as helping limit ambient distractions, but no comparable reduction figure is provided. If protection is the deciding factor, focus on the earmuff’s fit and intended use rather than expecting a listening headphone to do the same job.
I would choose the EXMAX HWE-05 for mobile gaming when the device has a 3.5 mm jack and the sessions are relatively short. It is the only one of these two that is described as stereo audio equipment, and its wired design keeps the choice simple.
For a child who needs help reducing loud environmental noise, I would choose PROTEAR instead. Its stated NRR and foldable, adjustable earmuff design fit that job better. My recommendation is EXMAX for game audio, not as a replacement for dedicated hearing protection.
Is EXMAX HWE-05 a noise cancelling headphone for mobile gaming?
It is a wired stereo headphone with padded ear cushions, and its description refers to passive noise reduction. The product information also lists active noise cancellation, but it provides no reduction figure, so I would not treat it as equivalent to PROTEAR’s stated NRR.
Choose it to reduce surrounding noise, not to hear a game through the earmuffs.
Neither product is described as clip-on earbuds. EXMAX is an over-ear wired headphone, while PROTEAR is an over-the-head earmuff. If you specifically want clip-on earbuds or sports earbuds for mobile gaming, these two designs do not match that form factor.
PROTEAR is the more relevant option because it is designed as hearing protection and lists a 25 dB NRR. Check the fit and use it according to its instructions; the EXMAX is an audio headphone intended for short-term listening, not a substitute for earmuffs.
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