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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-19 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Howard Leight Leightning L0F — biggest strength: Purpose-built shooting earmuff with patented Air Flow Control sound reduction, an NRR of 23, and a folding design that collapses to roughly four inches for easy storage.
• Howard Leight Leightning L0F — biggest trade-off: It only does one job. It's hearing protection, not a storage product, so it won't protect anything except your ears.
• PowerLocus Hard Carry Case — biggest strength: Hard EVA shell with a rainproof, water-resistant design, a hanging loop, and a universal fit for most foldable over-ear and on-ear headphones.
• PowerLocus Hard Carry Case — biggest trade-off: It protects headphones but produces no sound protection of its own — it's an accessory, not a device.
• Pick the Howard Leight L0F if you shoot and want slim, comfortable, foldable ear protection.
• Pick the PowerLocus case if you already own foldable headphones and want to carry them safely.
The Leightning L0F is a shooting earmuff first and foremost. Its defining feature is the ultraslim earcup combined with patented Air Flow Control technology, which the manufacturer says reduces sound across all frequencies without making the cup bigger or heavier. That slimming matters at the range: a bulky cup tends to bump your gunstock when you mount the rifle, and a slim one doesn't. The stated Noise Reduction Rating is 23, and the design offers three sound reduction levels to suit different shooting environments.
Comfort is clearly the other design priority. The headband uses steel wire construction with padded foam to cut down pressure on your head, and the super-soft ear cushions are meant to eliminate that "squeezing" feeling you get from cheaper muffs after an hour. The cushions are also snap-in, so you can replace them quickly rather than tossing the whole unit. The headband telescopes for a custom fit, and the whole thing folds down to about four inches wide — small enough to tuck into a range bag. Note the spec sheet lists the unit as ultralight at 40 ounces, which is worth confirming against your own expectations since that's the figure given.
Buy it if you shoot regularly and want protection that stays comfortable over a long session and won't fight your rifle. Skip it if you need something for blocking general noise like power tools or engine drone, or if you're actually shopping for a headphone case — this does neither.
The PowerLocus Hard Carry Case is a protective travel shell for foldable headphones. Its core selling point is the hard EVA construction: the manufacturer describes a rainproof, water-resistant design meant to shield over-ear headphones from shocks and drops. If you've ever thrown a pair of headphones loose into a backpack and found a cracked hinge later, that's the problem this solves. The case measures about 8.27 inches at its largest compatible device size, with the internal dimensions listed as roughly 8.27" × 3.86" × 6.10".
It's positioned as a universal fit. The manufacturer says it accommodates most foldable over-ear and on-ear models regardless of brand, and specifically lists PowerLocus P1/P2/P3/P6 and MoonFly noise-cancelling models, along with a broad range of other foldable headphones. There's an inner pocket for small accessories like cables or adapters. A hanger loop lets you clip it to a backpack so you're not digging through a bag for it. And the brand backs it with a 2-year full warranty, which is a genuinely useful signal for something as unglamorous as a case.
Buy it if you own foldable over-ear headphones and travel, commute, or just want them stored safely at home. Skip it if your headphones don't fold, if they're larger than the stated maximum size, or if what you actually need is ear protection rather than a place to put headphones.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for protecting your gear → PowerLocus Hard Carry Case. The Leightning L0F protects your ears, not your equipment.
• Best for shooting sports → Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F. The slim earcup, NRR of 23, and three reduction levels are all aimed squarely at the range.
• Best for travel and commuting → PowerLocus Hard Carry Case. Hard shell, rainproof, hanging loop, inner pocket — all travel features.
• Best for long-session comfort → Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F. Padded foam headband, steel wire frame, and soft snap-in cushions are designed for all-day wear.
• Best for packability → a tie, for different reasons. The L0F folds to about four inches; the PowerLocus case is compact and clips to a backpack.
• Best for universal compatibility → PowerLocus Hard Carry Case. It's built to fit most foldable over-ear and on-ear headphones across brands.
• Best warranty coverage → PowerLocus Hard Carry Case. It carries a 2-year full warranty; the Howard Leight lists only a general manufacturer warranty.
In my opinion, this isn't a close call once you're honest about what you need — it's two products in different categories. If I were buying for the range, I'd take the Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F without hesitation: the slim folding cup, the NRR of 23, and the comfort-focused headband are exactly what a shooter wants. If I already owned foldable headphones and wanted them to survive a commute or a flight, I'd buy the PowerLocus Hard Carry Case for its hard shell and 2-year warranty. Buy the one that matches the job you actually have.
They're not comparable products. The L0F is shooting hearing protection with an NRR of 23; the PowerLocus is a hard storage case for headphones. "Better" only makes sense once you know which one you need.
No. It's a hard EVA shell that protects headphones from drops, shocks, and rain. Any noise reduction comes from the headphones you put inside it, not from the case itself.
It's designed as a universal fit for most foldable over-ear and on-ear headphones, with a maximum compatible device size of about 8.27 inches. Non-folding or oversized headphones may not fit.
Ask what you're protecting. If it's your ears at the range, get the Leightning L0F. If it's a pair of foldable headphones in a bag, get the PowerLocus case. If you want both jobs handled, you'd realistically buy both — and you can check the current price on Amazon for each before deciding.
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