We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-08 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want proper noise-blocking earmuffs that fold down small enough to tuck into a bag for a library or a range day, choose Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F; if you need compact wireless earbuds for music, calls and a pocket-sized case, choose ABCPOW Earbuds. They solve two completely different problems, and the "compact foldable" angle is where they briefly overlap — the L0F folds, the ABCPOW case is tiny, but that's about all they share.
• Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F — biggest strength: Real passive hearing protection. A Noise Reduction Rating of 23, Air Flow Control technology that reduces sound across all frequencies, and a folding frame that collapses to roughly four inches.
• Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F — biggest trade-off: It's a passive earmuff with no electronics. No Bluetooth, no music, no calls. You wear it to block sound, not to stream it.
• ABCPOW Earbuds — biggest strength: Bluetooth 5.3 wireless audio with up to 8 hours per charge, a charging case that extends total playback far beyond that, touch controls, four ENC microphones and an IPX7 water resistance rating.
• ABCPOW Earbuds — biggest trade-off: In-ear buds rely on a seal and sound isolation rather than a certified NRR. They won't match a dedicated earmuff for blocking loud continuous noise.
• Who each pick is for: The L0F is for shooters, loud-workshop users and anyone who wants serious sound blocking in a foldable package. The ABCPOW Earbuds are for commuters, students and gym-goers who want wireless audio from something that disappears into a pocket.
The Leightning L0F is built around one job: reducing sound. The headline number is the NRR of 23, which tells you this is a piece of protective equipment, not a lifestyle accessory. Howard Leight achieves that with patented Air Flow Control technology that reduces sound across all frequencies without making the earcup bigger or heavier — a neat trick, because slimmer cups mean the muff is less likely to bump into a gunstock or get in the way when you're shouldering a rifle.
Then there's the folding feature, which is the reason this model shows up in compact-gear searches. It collapses to about four inches, so it drops into a range bag, a glovebox or a backpack side pocket without hogging space. In my opinion, that folding design is what makes the L0F worth considering even for non-shooting use — a quiet study room, a noisy open-plan office, a flight, or anywhere you want to physically block sound rather than mask it with audio.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants to listen to anything. There is no Bluetooth, no cable input mentioned, no microphone. It's a muff, full stop. It's also a one-size adult fit with a standard fit type, so it isn't a kids' product. If your goal is "headphones for library" in the sense of listening to lo-fi while you study, this is the wrong tool. If your goal is silence, it's a very direct one.
ABCPOW Earbuds: Who It's For
The ABCPOW Earbuds are the opposite philosophy: tiny in-ear buds that pipe audio into your head and live in a case smaller than a matchbox. The spec sheet is dense — Bluetooth 5.3, up to 33 feet of range, auto-pairing the moment you lift them out of the case, and 13.2 mm dynamic drivers covering a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range. That driver size is on the larger side for buds, which is why the marketing leans on the bass and the "9D stereo" framing.
Battery is where they're strongest on paper. A single charge gives up to 8 hours of playback, and the charging case extends total listening time dramatically — the description cites up to 48 hours of combined battery life, with a full case recharge taking roughly 1.5 to 2 hours over USB-C. The dual LED display shows the charge level of both the buds and the case, which is a genuinely useful detail if you're the type who forgets to plug things in until they die mid-commute.
The practical features are all here: touch panels on both buds for play/pause, track skipping, volume, calls and voice assistant, plus four ENC microphones for call clarity in noisy places. The IPX7 rating means sweat, light rain and dust aren't a problem, and the arc-shaped fit is designed to stay put during running or workouts. Compatibility is broad — iOS, Android, laptops and desktops.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for actual noise blocking → Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F, because it carries an NRR of 23 and is designed purely to reduce sound.
• Best for wireless audio and calls → ABCPOW Earbuds, with Bluetooth 5.3, touch controls and four ENC microphones.
• Best for long listening sessions → ABCPOW Earbuds, since a single charge covers up to 8 hours and the case stretches total playback far beyond that.
• Best for folding compactness → Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F, which collapses to about four inches for bag storage.
• Best for workouts and sweaty use → ABCPOW Earbuds, thanks to the IPX7 water resistance rating and secure in-ear fit.
• Best for a shooting range or loud workshop → Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F, where a slim earcup that won't foul a gunstock is a real advantage.
• Best for studying in a noisy room → either, depending on intent. The ABCPOW Earbuds let you play your own audio; the L0F lets you hear almost nothing at all.
• Best for zero charging hassle → Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F, since there's no battery to manage.
For a library, I'd buy the Howard Leight Honeywell Leightning L0F. That sounds like an odd pick for a quiet room, but the reasoning is simple: the thing a library actually demands is reliable sound reduction you can carry, and the L0F delivers an NRR of 23 in a package that folds to about four inches and stays comfortable for hours. It never needs charging and it never runs out mid-session.
The ABCPOW Earbuds are the better buy if what you really want is music, podcasts and calls — and if "headphones for library" to you means listening quietly while you work. If you're gaming in a shared space and searching for the best gaming headset for library use, wireless buds like these give you audio and a mic without leaking noise everywhere.
So: silence and protection, go Howard Leight. Audio and portability, go ABCPOW. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since both sit in very different budget brackets.
No. The L0F is a passive earmuff with an NRR of 23 and no Bluetooth, drivers or audio input. It exists to block sound, not to play it. For music, the ABCPOW Earbuds are the relevant product here.
Not to the same degree. They use sound isolation from the in-ear seal, which helps, but there's no certified noise reduction rating attached. For genuinely loud environments, a dedicated earmuff is the safer choice.
Up to 8 hours of playback per charge according to the specs, with the charging case extending total listening time considerably — the listing cites up to 48 hours combined. A full case recharge takes about 1.5 to 2 hours via USB-C with an 18W-or-higher charger.
It depends on the kind of wear. The L0F spreads pressure across a padded steel-wire headband and super-soft cushions, which suits hours of passive use. The ABCPOW Earbuds sit inside your ear, which many people prefer for movement but find tiring over very long sessions.
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