We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
If you want lightweight wired headphones that stay put while you move, choose RCA HP245; if you need serious noise-reduction earmuffs for shooting, mowing or machinery, choose PROHEAR 016.
Let's be clear about what this comparison actually is. The RCA HP245 and the PROHEAR 016 are two completely different tools that happen to share one label: both are "non in ear" headphones in the sense that neither one goes inside your ear canal. The RCA HP245 is a wired neckband headphone built for listening — music, podcasts, games. The PROHEAR 016 is a pair of over-ear safety earmuffs built for blocking loud noise, with a noise reduction rating of NRR 26dB. So the real question isn't which one is "better." It's which category of product you actually need. Below I break down the specs, the design intent and the everyday scenarios for each, so you can make the call in a couple of minutes.
• RCA HP245 — biggest strength: A foldable neckband design with ear hooks that keeps the headphones stable on your head without going inside your ears, plus a wired 3.5mm connection that never needs charging.
• RCA HP245 — biggest trade-off: It's a listening device, not a hearing protector. It plays sound up to 98 dB, which means it adds noise rather than blocking it, and the wired 3-foot cable limits how far you can wander from your device.
• PROHEAR 016 — biggest strength: True hearing protection with an NRR 26dB / SNR 31dB rating, low-profile cut-out earcups, and a two-pack so you can keep one at home and one in a range bag or toolbox.
• PROHEAR 016 — biggest trade-off: It doesn't play audio at all. It's a passive muff, so it's useless for music, calls or gaming, and the bulkier over-ear fit isn't something you'd wear casually around town.
• Who each is for: Pick the RCA HP245 if you want cheap, simple, charge-free wired listening that stays on during runs, bikes and hikes. Pick the PROHEAR 016 if your priority is protecting your hearing around gunfire, lawn equipment, power tools or machinery.
The RCA HP245 is a behind-the-neck headphone with a neckband that's designed to stay in place, which is the whole point of the form factor. Instead of a headband arcing over the top of your skull, the band wraps around the back of your neck and the earpieces hook over your ears. That means no pressure on the crown of your head and nothing pressing your ears flat against your skull. The earpiece shape is listed as ear hooks or wings, and the ear placement is on-ear — so sound sits at your ear opening rather than inside the canal. If you've ever had in-ear buds slip out mid-run, this is the alternative that solves that problem.
Portability is the other headline. The neckband folds, so the whole thing compacts down to something you can drop in a pocket or purse. It's a lightweight plastic build in black and silver, and the wired 3.5mm connection means zero charging, zero pairing, zero battery anxiety. Just plug into a smartphone, tablet, MP3 player or handheld gaming device and go. The 3-foot cable is short by headphone standards — fine when your player is in a pocket or armband, less ideal if you like to set your phone down across the room.
Buy the RCA HP245 if you want a grab-and-go wired headphone that stays secure during movement, folds flat for travel, and works with basically any 3.5mm device. Skip it if you need wireless freedom, long cable reach, or any meaningful blocking of loud environmental noise.
PROHEAR 016: Who It's For
The PROHEAR 016 is a different animal entirely, and it's worth saying plainly: this is not a headphone for listening to anything. It's a shooting ear protection muff sold as a two-pack in black and green, and every design choice serves noise reduction. The sound-dampening composite housing and foam are there to stop harmful sound from reaching your ears, and the foam ear pads seal around them. The rating is NRR 26dB with an SNR of 31dB — that's a real, measurable reduction in what reaches your eardrums, which is the opposite job of the RCA.
Comfort for long sessions is clearly a design priority. The shell is durable ABS with an ultra-soft, lightweight material, and at 7.36 ounces for the pair these aren't bricks. Wide ear cups, soft cushioned pads and a padded headband are meant to let you wear them for extended stretches without hot spots. The adjustable headband accommodates different head sizes and shapes, and the whole thing folds compactly — PROHEAR even includes a carry bag, so it can live in a range bag, luggage or ammo box.
The low-profile cut-out earcups are a detail worth understanding. That notch at the bottom of each cup is shaped so a rifle or shotgun stock can sit against your cheek without the muff getting in the way — a thoughtful touch for hunters and target shooters. The listed applications are broad: hunting, mowing, woodworking, aircraft, chainsaws, gardening, fireworks and machining. PROHEAR states the muffs are supported by ANSI S3.19-1974 and CE EN 352-1 certification, which are the relevant standards for this category.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for listening to music, podcasts or games → RCA HP245. The PROHEAR 016 plays no audio at all, so this isn't close.
• Best for hearing protection → PROHEAR 016. NRR 26dB / SNR 31dB versus a headphone that outputs sound at up to 98 dB. Opposite purposes.
• Best for running, biking and hiking → RCA HP245. The neckband stays in place, the build is lightweight, and there's no cable-free battery to manage.
• Best for gun range, hunting and loud machinery → PROHEAR 016. The low-profile cut-out cups and certified protection are built for exactly this.
• Best for travel and storage → tie, for different reasons. Both fold. The RCA compacts into a pocket; the PROHEAR folds into its included carry bag.
• Best for no-charging simplicity → RCA HP245. It's wired with a 3.5mm jack, so it works the moment you plug it in.
• Best for sharing or keeping one in two places → PROHEAR 016. It ships as a two-pack, so you can split the pair between a range bag and a garage shelf.
• Best for wearing for hours at a stretch → PROHEAR 016. The padded headband and wide cushioned cups are explicitly designed for extended wear; the RCA is built for movement, not marathon sessions.
In my opinion, there's no single winner here because these two products don't compete — they solve opposite problems. If I had to pick one for the average person reading a headphone comparison, I'd buy the RCA HP245, because most shoppers searching for "non in ear headphones" want to listen to something, and the foldable neckband plus wired 3.5mm connection makes it a fuss-free everyday option. But if your actual need is protecting your ears from gunfire, mowers or power tools, the RCA is the wrong tool and I'd recommend the PROHEAR 016 without hesitation. Decide which job you have first, then the choice makes itself.
how do non ear headphones work
Non in ear headphones rest outside the ear canal rather than inside it, so sound travels from a driver to your ear opening instead of being piped directly into the canal. The RCA HP245 does this with on-ear ear hooks, while the PROHEAR 016 covers the whole ear with a sealed foam-padded cup. Neither design inserts anything into your ear.
what are non in ear headphones called
They go by several names depending on the design: on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, neckband headphones and ear-hook headphones all describe styles that sit outside the ear. The RCA HP245 is specifically a neckband, on-ear model with ear hooks, while the PROHEAR 016 is an over-ear earmuff style.
what are the best open ear headphones
"Best" depends entirely on your goal, which is why I frame this as opinion rather than fact. For casual wired listening with a secure, foldable fit, I'd recommend the RCA HP245. For blocking loud noise with NRR 26dB protection and a two-pack value, I'd recommend the PROHEAR 016. They serve different buyers.
how to wear in ear headphones
This comparison's two products aren't in-ear models, so neither is worn inside the canal. The RCA HP245 hangs from a neckband with the ear hooks resting over your ears, and the PROHEAR 016 sits over your ears with the padded cups sealing around them. If you specifically want in-ear buds, you'd be looking at a different product category entirely.
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