Student Pilot Headsets Under $500

Six dual GA headsets that were under $500 on Amazon on Oct 29, 2026, compared on maker-listed noise reduction, weight, warranty and price.

By Pilot Gear Compare · How we pick · Last reviewed Oct 29, 2026 (ET)

What changed: Oct 29 Amazon recheck (RA200 $99.99, KORE $124.95, ASA $159, Faro PNR $189.95, Faro ANR $379.98, H10-13.4 $395), FAQ schema (Oct 29, 2026).

Quick answer

Six dual GA headsets that were under $500 on Amazon on Oct 29. Five are passive; one has ANR. Figures are each maker’s own.

  1. Under $100

    Rugged Air RA200

    Lowest price here, with a 7-year warranty.

    • Good for: $99.99 on Amazon on Oct 29, the lowest price here
    • Skip if: No ANR and no Bluetooth
    Check price on Amazon

  2. Lifetime warranty*

    ASA AirClassics HS-1A

    Lifetime defect warranty if the headset is yours, not a rental.

    • Good for: Lifetime defect warranty for the original buyer
    • Skip if: Warranty excludes fleet and rental use
    Check price on Amazon

  3. ANR under $400

    Faro G2 ANR

    Electronic ANR for $379.98, with passive fallback.

    • Good for: The only ANR headset in this guide under $500 on Oct 29
    • Skip if: 20 oz, the heaviest listed weight here
    Check price on Amazon

  4. TSO C57b/C58a

    David Clark H10-13.4

    TSO C57b/C58a passive with a 5-year warranty.

    • Good for: 5-year warranty and TSO C57b/C58a from David Clark
    • Skip if: $395 on Amazon on Oct 29, the highest of the passive picks here
    Check price on Amazon

Compare at a glance

Specs from each maker’s own pages. Amazon prices and stock checked Oct 29, 2026, about 11:44 PM ET; prices change, so use the button for the live price. No Prime-only prices were showing for these listings.

ModelTypeNoise (maker)Weight (maker)WarrantyAmazon Oct 29Where to buy
Rugged Air RA200 headsetRugged Air RA200PassiveNRR 24 dB16.24 oz7 yr$99.99 Amazon
KORE P1 headsetKORE P1PassiveNRR 24 dB19.4 ozNot listed$124.95 Amazon
ASA AirClassics HS-1A headsetASA AirClassics HS-1APassiveNRR 23 dBNot listedLifetime*$159.00 Amazon
Faro G2 PNR headsetFaro G2 PNRPassive26 dB (Faro)Not listed3 yr$189.95 Amazon
Faro G2 ANR headsetFaro G2 ANRANR23 dB passive / up to 52 dB ANR (Faro)20 oz3 yr$379.98 Amazon
David Clark H10-13.4 headsetDavid Clark H10-13.4PassiveNRR 23 dB16.5 oz w/o cable5 yr$395.00 Amazon

*ASA’s lifetime warranty covers defects for the original buyer and excludes fleet and rental use. Faro’s 26 dB and “up to 52 dB” are Faro’s own figures, not NRR. Weights are as each maker lists them; David Clark measures without the cable.

How to choose a first headset

  • Passive or ANR: passive headsets block noise with the ear cup and clamp alone and need no batteries. ANR adds electronics that cancel low-frequency engine noise; the Faro G2 ANR is the only one here under $500 on Oct 29.
  • Plugs: every pick here is dual GA. Check the jacks in your flight school’s aircraft before you buy.
  • Mono or stereo: the HS-1A and both Faros have a stereo/mono switch; the KORE P1 is mono. Faro’s support replies on its G2 page say most planes need mono.
  • Warranty fine print: Rugged Radios lists 7 years, David Clark 5, Faro 3, and ASA lifetime for the original buyer with a fleet and rental exclusion.
  • Above $500: ANR headsets with Bluetooth, like the Lightspeed Sierra ($749.00 on Amazon on Oct 29), are on our GA headsets page.

The six headsets

Rugged Air RA200 headset

Rugged Air RA200

Passive · NRR 24 dB · 16.24 oz
Under $100

Check price on Amazon

  • Noise control: Passive, NRR 24 dB
  • Weight: 16.24 oz (Rugged Radios)
  • Audio: 50 mm speakers; separate volume control; 3.5 mm audio jack
  • Fit: Adjustable stainless-steel headband; foam ear seals
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Plugs: Dual GA
  • Warranty: 7-year factory warranty; headset bag included
  • Listed price (Oct 29, 2026): $99.99 · In Stock · sold by RuggedRadios
  • $99.99 on Amazon on Oct 29, the lowest price here
  • 7-year factory warranty
  • Headset bag included
  • No ANR and no Bluetooth
  • Stereo/mono support not stated by Rugged Radios
  • Foam ear seals rather than gel

Watch a review: Rugged Air RA-200 headset review (Adventure Men)

Check price on Amazon Affiliate link (Amazon)
KORE P1 headset

KORE P1

Passive · NRR 24 dB · Mono
24 dB, mono

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  • Noise control: Passive, NRR 24 dB
  • Weight: 19.4 oz (KORE spec sheet)
  • Mic: Electret noise-cancelling with preamp (M65)
  • Audio: Mono; 3.5 mm jack for phone or music
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Plugs: Dual GA, gold-plated; 5 ft shielded cord
  • Warranty: Not on KORE’s spec sheet
  • Listed price (Oct 29, 2026): $124.95 · In Stock · sold by Kore Headset
  • NRR 24 dB for $124.95 on Amazon on Oct 29
  • 3.5 mm jack for phone or music
  • Sold by KORE itself on Amazon
  • 19.4 oz, heavier than the RA200’s 16.24 oz
  • Mono only
  • Warranty length not on the spec sheet

Watch a review: KORE P1 headset review (Free Pilot Training)

Check price on Amazon Affiliate link (Amazon)
ASA AirClassics HS-1A headset

ASA AirClassics HS-1A

Passive · NRR 23 dB · Stereo/mono
Lifetime warranty*

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  • Noise control: Passive, NRR 23 dB
  • Mic: Electret noise-cancelling flex boom, mic muff included
  • Audio: Stereo/mono switch; separate volume for each ear
  • Fit: ASA says the headband fits eyeglasses and hats
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Weight: Not listed on asa2fly.com
  • Warranty: Lifetime against defects for the original buyer; not valid for fleet or rental use. Wear-and-tear program: $99 voucher toward a new headset
  • Listed price (Oct 29, 2026): $159.00 · Only 8 left · sold by AvShop Pilot Shop
  • Lifetime defect warranty for the original buyer
  • Stereo/mono switch and dual volume controls
  • $159.00 on Amazon on Oct 29
  • Warranty excludes fleet and rental use
  • Only 8 left on that Oct 29 check
  • No weight published by ASA

Watch a review: ASA HS-1A aviation headset review (airportpilotshop)

Check price on Amazon Affiliate link (Amazon)
Faro G2 PNR headset

Faro G2 PNR

Passive · 26 dB (Faro) · Gel seals
Gel ear seals

Check price on Amazon

  • Noise control: Passive; Faro lists 26 dB noise reduction
  • Fit: Dual-thick silicone gel ear seals
  • Audio: 3.5 mm aux input; separate volume each side
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Weight: Headset weight not on Faro’s product page
  • Plugs: Dual GA (also a helicopter version)
  • Warranty: 3-year (Faro)
  • Listed price (Oct 29, 2026): $189.95 · Only 4 left
  • Faro lists 26 dB noise reduction (Faro’s figure, not an NRR)
  • Gel ear seals
  • 3-year Faro warranty
  • Only 4 left on that Oct 29 check
  • Headset weight not published on the product page
  • No Bluetooth
Check price on Amazon Affiliate link (Amazon)
Faro G2 ANR headset

Faro G2 ANR

Over-ear ANR · 3.5 mm aux · No Bluetooth
ANR under $400

Check price on Amazon

  • Noise control: ANR plus passive; Faro lists 23 dB passive and “up to 52 dB” with ANR on; ANR band 20–650 Hz
  • Power: 2× AA, up to 30 hours (Faro); works as a passive headset if batteries die
  • Audio: 3.5 mm aux input; separate volume each side; mono/stereo
  • Weight: 20 oz (570 g) per Faro’s reference guide
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Plugs: Dual GA (also a helicopter version)
  • Warranty: 3-year limited (Faro)
  • Listed price (Oct 29, 2026): $379.98 · Only 20 left · sold by Fallon Pilot Shop
  • The only ANR headset in this guide under $500 on Oct 29
  • Falls back to passive if the batteries die
  • 3-year Faro warranty
  • 20 oz, the heaviest listed weight here
  • No Bluetooth
  • “Up to 52 dB” is Faro’s own figure, not an NRR

Watch a review: Faro G2 ANR headset review (Free Pilot Training)

Check price on Amazon Affiliate link (Amazon)
David Clark H10-13.4 headset

David Clark H10-13.4

Passive · NRR 23 dB · TSO C57b/C58a
TSO C57b/C58a

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  • Weight: 16.5 oz without cable (David Clark)
  • Noise control: Passive, NRR 23 dB
  • Mic: M-7A amplified electret, noise-cancelling
  • Bluetooth: No
  • Plugs: Dual GA, 5 ft straight cord
  • TSO: C57b / C58a
  • Warranty: 5-year
  • Listed price (Oct 29, 2026): $395.00 · Only 5 left · sold by Headsets Etc.
  • 5-year warranty and TSO C57b/C58a from David Clark
  • No batteries to run out
  • M-7A amplified noise-cancelling electret mic
  • $395 on Amazon on Oct 29, the highest of the passive picks here
  • No ANR and no Bluetooth
  • 16.5 oz without cable

Watch an unboxing: David Clark H10-13.4 and H10-13S headsets (Sporty’s Pilot Shop)

Check price on Amazon Affiliate link (Amazon)

Questions

Should a student buy ANR on the first headset?

Not required. Five of the six headsets here are passive and need no batteries. The Faro G2 ANR is the budget electronic option under $500 on this list. Many students start passive and upgrade after the checkride. For the full GA ANR ladder see GA aviation headsets.

Why is the David Clark H10-13.4 still on a student list?

It lists TSO C57b/C58a, a 5-year warranty and a long training-fleet record. On Oct 29, 2026 it was about $395 on Amazon (Only 5 left on that check), still under $500. Skip it if clamp force or price is the blocker.

Where are the flagship ANR compares?

Zulu 4, Zulu 3 and Bose A30 and Bose A30 and David Clark ONE-X. Airline plugs: airline headsets. Category: General Aviation.

How we choose

How this page was researched

Specs come only from each maker’s own product pages and data sheets, listed below. Prices and stock come from Amazon on Oct 29, 2026, about 11:44 PM ET. This is a spec-based comparison: no hands-on test was done for this page, and fit is personal, so use each maker’s or seller’s return window to try a headset in your own aircraft.

More on our method: About & how we pick.