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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Howard Leight Leightning L0F — biggest strength: A Noise Reduction Rating of 23 combined with patented Air Flow Control technology that reduces sound across all frequencies without making the earcup bigger or heavier.
• Howard Leight Leightning L0F — biggest trade-off: It's a single-purpose tool. It protects your hearing at the range or on a hunt, but it does nothing for music, phone calls, or everyday listening.
• ABCPOW USB C — biggest strength: A USB-C wired connection with a built-in microphone and active noise cancellation, aimed squarely at phones that dropped the 3.5mm jack.
• ABCPOW USB C — biggest trade-off: It depends entirely on your device's USB-C port and its software support — some devices handle music only, and calls may not work at all.
• Who the Leightning L0F is for: Shooters and hunters who want compact, foldable, all-day-comfortable ear protection.
• Who the ABCPOW USB C is for: Android and iPhone users who need a cheap, wired backup or daily earbud and don't want to deal with a dongle.
The Leightning L0F is a folding shooting earmuff, and everything about its design serves that one job. The ultraslim earcup is the headline feature here. On a range, a bulky cup gets in the way of your cheek weld and your gunstock — that's the practical reason slim matters, not just aesthetics. Howard Leight's Air Flow Control technology is what lets the cup stay slim: it reduces sound across all frequencies without adding bulk or weight.
The folding design collapses the whole thing down to about four inches, which makes it easy to toss in a range bag or a hunting pack. The Noise Reduction Rating of 23 is a solid middle-to-upper figure for passive muffs, and Howard Leight notes the design offers three sound reduction levels depending on your shooting environment. I'd recommend this for anyone who spends real time at an indoor or outdoor range, hunts, or wants a compact set of muffs they can leave in a bag. I'd steer you away if you're looking for electronic hearing amplification, Bluetooth, or anything you'd wear to listen to music — this is a protection device, full stop.
ABCPOW USB C: Who It's For
The ABCPOW USB C is a two-pack of wired in-ear headphones that plug into a USB-C port instead of a 3.5mm jack. That's the entire reason it exists. Plenty of current phones — Samsung's Galaxy S and A series, the Z Fold and Z Flip lines, recent iPhones, and most USB-C devices without a headphone jack — have no analog audio port at all. This earbud skips the dongle and plugs straight in.
On the audio side, it uses a dynamic driver with a stated frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz, which covers the full range of normal human hearing. It also lists active noise cancellation with push-button control, which is unusual at this tier and worth understanding clearly: this is ANC in an in-ear bud, so expect it to knock down some steady background rumble, not to silence a room the way over-ear ANC does. The enclosure is plastic with silicone tips, and the package includes three pairs of eartips in small, medium, and large so you can find a seal that fits. You get two full sets of earbuds in the box, plus two small clips, and the cable is four feet long.
The catch is compatibility, and ABCPOW is upfront about it. The earbuds work with most USB-C devices that lack a 3.5mm port, but some devices — MacBooks, iPad Pro, and older Samsung models like the S8, S9, and Note 5 — support music playback only, with no phone call function. If you get no sound, ABCPOW suggests adjusting the inline volume switch or trying a different port. I'd recommend this for someone who wants a cheap wired backup pair, a spare set for a bag or desk, or a first earbud for a phone with no headphone jack. I'd skip it if you need guaranteed call audio on a laptop or tablet, or if you want wireless freedom.
• Best for hearing protection → Howard Leight Leightning L0F. An NRR of 23 is the whole point of the product.
• Best for listening to music or taking calls → ABCPOW USB C. The Leightning L0F has no audio playback function at all.
• Best for range and hunting use → Howard Leight Leightning L0F. Ultraslim cups, folding to four inches, and a steel-wire headband built for demanding use.
• Best for a phone with no headphone jack → ABCPOW USB C. USB-C connectivity means no adapter needed on compatible devices.
• Best for all-day comfort during a long session → Howard Leight Leightning L0F. Super-soft cushions, padded foam headband, and telescopic adjustment are designed around extended wear.
• Best for carrying a spare → ABCPOW USB C. You get two complete sets of earbuds and a four-foot cable in one package.
• Best for long-term ownership → Howard Leight Leightning L0F. The snap-in cushions mean you can replace the wear part instead of the whole muff.
• Best for travelers juggling multiple devices → ABCPOW USB C, with one caveat: check that your specific device supports call audio, not just music.
In my opinion, these aren't competitors — they're answers to two different questions, and the honest advice is to buy based on the job. If your goal is protecting your ears at the range or in the field, I'd buy the Howard Leight Leightning L0F: the NRR of 23, the slim folding design, and the replaceable cushions make it a tool that holds up to repeated use. If your goal is listening on a phone that has no headphone jack, I'd buy the ABCPOW USB C — just confirm your device supports call audio before you commit. Buy the one that matches your actual problem, and you won't be disappointed.
FAQ
On most compatible phones, yes. But ABCPOW notes that some devices — including MacBooks, iPad Pro, and older Samsung models — support music playback only, with no call functionality. Check your specific device first.
For extended wear, the Leightning L0F is built around it: super-soft cushions, a padded foam headband, and telescopic adjustment to spread pressure. The ABCPOW earbuds include three eartip sizes, so comfort depends on getting a good seal.
Both come in at different budget tiers, and the Leightning L0F and the ABCPOW two-pack aren't really comparable on cost since they do different jobs. Check the current price on Amazon for each before you decide.
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