Headsets

A good tactical headset is much more than just a means of communication. During an airsoft skirmish, a headset ensures that you can communicate quickly and clearly with your team, whilst keeping both hands free to handle your replica. Whether you’re taking part in a short CQB skirmish or a multi-day milsim event, a high-quality airsoft headset enhances comfort, communication and teamwork within your squad.

Go straight to the information you need:
• Why choose a tactical headset?
• Headset with a headband or helmet mount?
• Active hearing protection
• A headset is only complete when everything works together
• Which headset is best suited to your situation?
• Professional use
• Spare parts for headsets
• What should you look out for when buying a headset?
• Frequently asked questions

In this category, you’ll find an extensive range of headsets from Baofeng, Earmor and Z-Tactical. The range varies from compact FBI-style headsets to professional headsets with one or two ear cups, versions with a headband or helmet mount, and models featuring Active Hearing Protection. You’ll also find various spare parts here, such as replacement microphones for Z-Tactical headsets and an Earmor headband cover for headsets with a headband.

Whether you’re looking for a simple communication solution or a full tactical headset for a professional loadout, you’ll find a model in this category that suits your playing style and kit.

Why choose a tactical headset?

During a skirmish, you want to be able to communicate quickly without having to keep picking up a walkie-talkie. A tactical headset makes this possible when used in combination with a Push to Talk (PTT) and a walkie-talkie. This leaves both hands free and allows you to pass on information straight away without taking your attention off the game.

What’s more, a headset makes it more comfortable to wear during long gaming sessions. Messages are easier to understand, and communication is smoother and more efficient than when you have to keep bringing a walkie-talkie up to your mouth.

A high-quality headset offers, amongst other things:

• Hands-free communication.
• Greater comfort during longer ski trips.
• Improved clarity in team communication.
• Fewer distractions whilst playing.
• Expansion options with a PTT and a walkie-talkie.

A tactical headset is one of the most important components of a complete communications system. When used in combination with a walkie-talkie and a Push-to-Talk (PTT) button, it ensures that communication is fast, clear and hands-free during airsoft, milsim and professional use. Would you like to find out more about how these components work together and which combination best suits your kit? Then take a look at our Tactical Communication & Headsets category.

FBI-style headsets

An FBI-style headset is a compact communication headset widely used by recreational airsoft players, security guards and event staff. Thanks to its lightweight design, this headset is comfortable to wear and easy to connect to a compatible Push-to-Talk device.

As only one discreet earpiece is used, ambient noise remains clearly audible. This makes an FBI-style headset particularly suitable for players looking for a simple communication solution without having to wear a full tactical headset.

For intensive milsim events or long gaming sessions, many players ultimately opt for a headset with one or two ear cups, but for casual use, the FBI Style Headset remains a popular and affordable choice.

Single Cup Headsets

A Single Cup Headset has a single earpiece, whilst the other ear remains completely free. This allows you to communicate easily via the walkie-talkie, whilst still being able to hear natural ambient sounds.

This makes a single-cup headset particularly popular during CQB, where speed, communication and situational awareness are key. As one ear remains uncovered, many players experience a natural balance between radio traffic and what is happening around them.

For players who mainly play short, fast-paced skirmishes, a Single Cup Headset is therefore an excellent choice.

Dual Cup Headsets

A Dual Cup Headset is the most popular choice in airsoft and is widely used during woodland skirmishes, milsim events and professional training sessions. Thanks to the two ear cups, the audio is reproduced clearly and the headset is comfortable to wear, even for extended periods.

Dual Cup Headsets are available with a traditional headband or in a version that can be mounted directly onto a tactical helmet. This allows you to tailor the headset to your personal preferences and the rest of your loadout.

For players who regularly have long match days or play a lot as part of a team, a Dual Cup Headset often offers the best combination of comfort, stability and clear communication.

Headset with a headband or helmet mount?

When purchasing a tactical headset, one of the most important decisions is how you want to wear it. Most models are available with a headband, whilst other versions are designed to be mounted directly onto a FAST Helmet or similar tactical helmet.

A headset with a headband is the most versatile option. You can use it straight away without any extra accessories, and it’s easy to put on and take off. This makes it popular with players who play without a helmet or who change their kit regularly.

If you use a FAST Helmet or another helmet with ARC rails, a Helmet-Mounted Headset may be a more comfortable option. As the headset is attached directly to the helmet, there is no headband. This ensures greater comfort, a more secure fit and more space under the helmet.

Which version suits you best depends entirely on your kit and the way you play.

Active Hearing Protection

Many players refer to it as ‘Active Noise Cancelling’, but technically speaking, the correct term is ‘Active Hearing Protection’ or electronic hearing protection.

Unlike traditional noise-cancelling technology, which filters out ambient noise as much as possible, these headsets work in a different way. Loud, harmful sounds are immediately dampened, whilst soft ambient sounds, such as voices or background noise, remain audible or are even slightly amplified.

This offers several advantages:

• Hearing protection during shooting sports.
• Clear communication with team members.
• Betere situational awareness.
• Comfortable to wear during long training sessions or events.

This type of headset is particularly popular in shooting sports, as it protects you from loud gunshots without completely cutting you off from your surroundings. In airsoft, too, more and more players are opting for Active Hearing Protection, especially when they want to put together tactical kit that is as realistic as possible.

A headset is only complete when everything works together

A common misconception is that you can communicate directly using just a headset. In reality, a headset is only one component of the communication system.

For a communication constellation to work, you generally need three elements:

Tactical Headset → Push to Talk (PTT) → Portofoon

Furthermore, these three components must be compatible with one another. The right brand of headset, the right PTT and the correct connection to the two-way radio are essential to prevent problems during use.

You should therefore always check in advance that all components of your communication system are compatible with one another. This will help you avoid disappointment and ensure that your communication runs smoothly during a skirmish.

Which headset is best suited to your situation?

The best tactical headset depends on your playing style, kit and personal preference. If you only play the occasional recreational skirmish, your requirements for a headset will be different from if you regularly take part in milsim events or practise shooting sports.

Whichever model you choose, the most important thing is that the headset suits your playing style and is compatible with the rest of your communication system.

Always check that the brand of the headset matches the brand of the PTT. For example, an Earmor headset works with an Earmor PTT, whilst Z-Tactical headsets are designed for Z-Tactical PTTs. Also check that the PTT has the correct connector for your walkie-talkie, such as Kenwood or Midland.

Professional use

Tactical headsets are used worldwide by military units, the police, security services and emergency services personnel. In these environments, reliable communication is essential and a headset must be comfortable to wear during long shifts.

Professional communication systems are also becoming increasingly common in the world of airsoft. Particularly during milsim events, where players are active for several hours or even days, a high-quality headset offers many advantages in terms of comfort, communication and teamwork.

In addition, headsets with Active Hearing Protection are widely used in shooting sports, where they help to protect hearing without completely blocking out important ambient sounds.

Spare parts for headsets

A high-quality headset often lasts for years. That’s why you’ll also find a range of spare parts in this category, so you can maintain your headset or easily repair it if a part gets damaged.

These include, amongst others:

• Replacement microphones for Z-Tactical headsets.
• Earmor Headband Covers for headsets with a headband.

By replacing worn parts in good time, you’ll extend the lifespan of your headset and ensure it continues to function comfortably and reliably.

What should you look out for when buying a tactical headset?

You shouldn’t choose a headset based solely on its appearance. It’s important that it’s compatible with your communication system and your playing style.

Please note, amongst other things:

• Or you can choose an FBI-style, single-cup or dual-cup headset.
• Headband or direct helmet attachment.
• Wel of geen Active Hearing Protection.
• Compatibility with your Push-to-Talk (PTT).
• Compatibility with your two-way radio.
• Comfort during longer ski trips.
• Option to replace parts at a later date.

By giving careful thought to your entire communications system in advance, you can avoid components not being compatible with one another later on.

Common mistakes

People often make the same mistakes when buying a tactical headset.

Common mistakes include:

• Thinking that a headset can be connected directly to a walkie-talkie without a Push-to-Talk (PTT) button.
• Failure to take into account the compatibility between the headset, PTT and walkie-talkie.
• Choosing a headset that doesn’t suit your own playing style.
• Choosing a headband when the headset is mainly going to be used with a FAST Helmet.
• Thinking that Active Hearing Protection is the same as traditional noise-cancelling.
• Replacing damaged parts with a completely new headset, even though individual parts are often readily available.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tactical Headsets

Do I need a PTT as well as a headset?
Yes. In most cases, a Push-to-Talk (PTT) device forms the link between the headset and the two-way radio. Without a compatible PTT, communication will usually not work.

What is the difference between a single-cup and a dual-cup headset?
A single-cup headset has one ear cup, leaving one ear free to hear ambient sound. A dual-cup headset covers both ears and offers greater comfort and clearer communication during longer skirmishes.

Can I fit a headset directly onto a FAST helmet?
Yes, many models are available as helmet-mounted headsets or can be fitted to a FAST helmet using helmet rail adaptors.

Is Active Hearing Protection the same as Noise Cancelling?
No. Active Hearing Protection attenuates loud noises, whilst soft ambient sounds and conversations remain audible. This differs from traditional noise cancelling, which filters out as much ambient noise as possible.

Can I replace parts of my headset?
Yes. Spare parts are available for various models, such as replacement microphones for Z-Tactical Headsets and an Earmor Headband Cover for headsets with a headband. This makes it easy to extend the lifespan of your headset.

With a high-quality Tactical Headset from Baofeng, Earmor or Z-Tactical, you can communicate comfortably, clearly and professionally during any skirmish, milsim or shooting training session. Discover our full range of headsets and spare parts, and put together a communication system that suits your kit.