We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-06 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want serious hearing protection with a foldable, packable design, choose PROHEAR 038; if you need wireless Bluetooth listening with a microphone for calls, choose XuanGui On-Ear Headphones. These two products share the words "foldable on ear," but they solve completely different problems — one is a passive safety earmuff, the other is a budget Bluetooth headphone. If you're shopping for library study sessions or noisy commutes, read on, because only one of these is built for what you probably have in mind.
• PROHEAR 038 — biggest strength: NRR 28dB passive noise reduction in a compact, foldable safety earmuff that weighs just 7.3oz and is built from a durable ABS shell for workshops, construction sites, and loud environments.
• PROHEAR 038 — biggest trade-off: It has no Bluetooth, no microphone, and no audio playback at all. It blocks sound; it doesn't play it.
• XuanGui On-Ear Headphones — biggest strength: Bluetooth 5.3 wireless audio with a built-in HD microphone, 20 hours of playtime, a 40mm driver, plus FM radio and a micro SD/TF card slot — all at 144g.
• XuanGui On-Ear Headphones — biggest trade-off: Noise control is listed as "None," so it does not actively or passively block loud environments the way a dedicated earmuff does.
• Who PROHEAR 038 is for: anyone who needs to protect their hearing around mowers, power tools, machinery, or gunfire — kids to adults.
• Who XuanGui On-Ear Headphones is for: anyone who wants lightweight wireless music, calls, and radio on the go, including quiet study settings.
The PROHEAR 038 is a safety product first. Its whole reason for existing is the NRR 28dB rating, achieved through a composite housing paired with high-density foam. That number matters: it means the earmuff is engineered to reduce harmful loud noise, not to stream music. If your day involves a lawnmower, a table saw, a factory floor, or a shooting range, this is the kind of tool that protects the one sense you can't replace.
Where it quietly impresses is portability. The entire unit weighs only 7.3oz, and the ear cups fold up compactly enough to drop into a bag for travel or a work site. The headband is padded, the ear cushions are soft, and the sliders adjust — PROHEAR even notes that if the fit feels too tight at first, you can prop the cups over a case for about 48 hours to ease the pressure. The ABS shell is described as rugged and compact, meant to survive workshops and construction sites without falling apart, and it's easy to wipe clean. It fits kids through adults, and it comes in purple.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants to listen to something. There's no Bluetooth, no jack, no microphone — noise control here is sound isolation, full stop. If you want a hi res headset for library listening, this isn't it. It's also a passive design, so it won't cancel sound electronically; it simply blocks it. Buy it to protect your ears, not to entertain them.
The XuanGui Q9M is the opposite kind of product: a lightweight wireless on-ear headphone built for listening. Bluetooth 5.3 handles the connection with a claimed range up to 15 meters, pairing in about 3 seconds, and a memory function that reconnects automatically next time. The built-in HD microphone is processed by an internal chip that filters wind and background noise, which is why the brand positions it for online meetings, online learning, hands-free calls, and video calls.
The spec sheet is unusually loaded for a budget headphone. You get 40mm dynamic drivers for stereo sound, a 500mAh battery rated for about 20 hours of playback and a 2.5-hour charge, and multi-point connection so it can pair with two devices at once. Beyond Bluetooth, there's FM radio and a micro SD/TF card slot, so you can play music without a phone at all. It weighs just 144g, the headband adjusts at both ends, and the cushions use soft protein leather over faux leather and plastic. There's also a built-in LED light feature.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for hearing protection → PROHEAR 038. NRR 28dB is the entire point of the product.
• Best for wireless audio → XuanGui On-Ear Headphones. Bluetooth 5.3, a 40mm driver, and a microphone.
• Best for battery life → XuanGui On-Ear Headphones. About 20 hours per charge from a 500mAh battery.
• Best for loud workplaces → PROHEAR 038. The ABS shell and compact build are aimed at workshops, factories, and construction sites.
• Best for calls and online meetings → XuanGui On-Ear Headphones. The HD mic with noise filtering is designed for exactly that.
• Best for travel packing → a tie, with a twist. Both fold and both are light (7.3oz vs 144g), but only XuanGui gives you music on the trip.
• Best for off-grid listening → XuanGui On-Ear Headphones. FM radio and a TF card slot mean no phone required.
• Best for a library study setup → XuanGui On-Ear Headphones. If you want a headband headphones for library setup that plays audio quietly, this is the one — just don't expect it to silence a loud room.
For most people reading this, the answer comes down to one question: do you want to block sound or hear it? If you're buying for library listening, calls, or casual music, I'd pick the XuanGui On-Ear Headphones — Bluetooth 5.3, a mic, 20 hours of playtime, FM radio, and a TF slot make it the far more versatile everyday pick. If your goal is protecting your hearing around mowers, tools, or gunfire, I'd buy the PROHEAR 038 without hesitation; NRR 28dB is a job the XuanGui simply isn't built to do. In my opinion, these aren't really competitors — they're two tools for two different jobs. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever job is yours.
are on ear headphones good
On-ear headphones like the XuanGui Q9M rest against your ears rather than around them, which keeps them light (144g here) and easy to pack. They're good for casual listening, calls, and travel. Just note the XuanGui lists noise control as "None," so they won't block loud environments.
what are the best open ear headphones
That depends on your priority, and neither product here is an open-ear design — the XuanGui is on-ear and the PROHEAR is an over-the-head earmuff. If you want open audio plus calls, look specifically for open-ear models; the XuanGui's strength is its Bluetooth 5.3 mic and 20-hour battery instead.
which are the best over the ear headphones
"Best" depends on the job. For wireless listening with a mic, FM radio, and a TF card slot, the XuanGui Q9M covers a lot for a lightweight on-ear. For noise reduction, the PROHEAR 038's NRR 28dB is the relevant spec — but it plays no audio at all.
what are the best over the ear headphones to buy
Match the product to the task. Buy the XuanGui On-Ear Headphones if you want Bluetooth audio, calls, and portability. Buy the PROHEAR 038 if you need passive hearing protection around loud tools or gunfire. They serve different buyers, so the "best" one is the one that matches your use case.
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