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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Howard Leight Leightning L0F, biggest strength: a folding, ultraslim earcup with a Noise Reduction Rating of 23 and Air Flow Control technology that cuts sound across all frequencies without adding bulk.
• Howard Leight Leightning L0F, biggest trade-off: it only does one job — sound isolation. There's no audio input, no microphone, nothing to plug in.
• MilleLoom 61, biggest strength: a full 61-key semi-weighted, touch-sensitive digital piano with 200 tones, 200 rhythms and 70 demo songs that collapses into a portable package.
• MilleLoom 61, biggest trade-off: it's a beginner-focused instrument, not a professional stage piano, and it's far heavier and larger than a pair of earmuffs.
• Buy the Leightning L0F if you're a shooter who wants slim, foldable, all-day hearing protection.
• Buy the MilleLoom 61 if you're a beginner musician who wants a portable piano to learn, practice and record with.
The Leightning L0F is a shooting earmuff, and it's built around that single purpose. The ultraslim earcup is the headline design choice: it's shaped to sit close to your head so it won't bump against a gunstock when you shoulder a rifle or shotgun. That's a real, practical detail, and it's the reason this style of low-profile muff exists at all. The folding hinge collapses the whole thing down to roughly four inches, which matters if you're packing a range bag or a hunting pack and want your gear to take up as little room as possible.
On the protection side, the Leightning L0F carries a Noise Reduction Rating of 23, and the patented Air Flow Control technology is designed to reduce sound across all frequencies without making the earcup bigger or heavier. The manufacturer lists three sound reduction levels to suit different shooting environments, which gives you some flexibility depending on whether you're on an indoor range or out in the field.
Who should buy it: shooters, hunters, and anyone who wants compact, foldable, low-profile hearing protection that stays comfortable over a long session. Who should skip it: anyone who needs to hear audio, talk on a call, or play music. This is a protection device, not a listening device — if you want sound coming in, look elsewhere.
MilleLoom 61: Who It's For
The MilleLoom 61 is a 61-key portable digital piano aimed squarely at beginners, and the spec sheet reads like a starter kit. The keys are semi-weighted and touch-sensitive, which means they respond to how hard you press them — the manufacturer describes the feel as similar to an acoustic piano, and that dynamic response is genuinely useful for building finger strength and control early on. For someone moving from nothing to their first instrument, that's the right kind of keybed to learn on.
Sound comes from dual speakers and what the manufacturer calls an advanced sound source, and there's a 3.5mm headphone jack plus a set of headphones in the box. That headphone jack is a quiet-practice feature: you can play at night or in a shared space without bothering anyone. The included components — a portable bag, a music stand, headphones and a learning tool set — mean you can unbox it and start without buying extras.
The feature list is generous for a beginner board: 200 tones, 200 rhythm patterns and 70 built-in demo songs, plus USB-MIDI connectivity. That MIDI support is the part that extends the piano's life — you can connect it to a computer or mobile device, control virtual instruments, and record directly into music software. For a learner who wants to eventually produce or compose, that's a meaningful upgrade path.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for hearing protection → Howard Leight Leightning L0F. It's the only one of the two designed to block sound.
• Best for learning an instrument → MilleLoom 61. 61 touch-sensitive keys, 200 tones and 70 demo songs are built for practice.
• Best for ultra-compact storage → Howard Leight Leightning L0F. It folds down to about four inches.
• Best for quiet practice without disturbing others → MilleLoom 61. The headphone jack and included headphones make silent sessions easy.
• Best for a single-purpose tool → Howard Leight Leightning L0F. It does one job and does it with an NRR of 23.
• Best for creative flexibility → MilleLoom 61. USB-MIDI lets you record and control virtual instruments.
• Best for all-day comfort in the field → Howard Leight Leightning L0F. Padded foam headband and super-soft, replaceable cushions.
• Best for a beginner starting from zero → MilleLoom 61. The all-in-one set includes a bag, stand and learning tools.
My Verdict
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. It carries a Noise Reduction Rating of 23, uses Air Flow Control technology to cut sound across all frequencies, and its ultraslim earcup is shaped so it won't interfere with your gunstock.
Yes. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack and ships with headphones, so you can play without disturbing people around you. It also has dual speakers for when you do want sound out loud.
The Howard Leight Leightning L0F folds down to about four inches, which is dramatically more compact than the MilleLoom 61 at roughly 33 inches wide. If packability is your top priority, the earmuff wins easily.
Only in that both fold for portability. One is hearing protection for shooters; the other is a beginner digital piano. Buy based on the task, not the shared feature.
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See also: Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F vs SIMOLIO Kids, iKF T1 vs MilleLoom 61: Compact Foldable Headphones, Yunseity 5.2 vs Denash Open Ear