🔍 Click to zoom
3M E-A-Rflex UltraFit banded hearing protector (SKU 50020)
$180.00
Final price set by Amazon · may vary
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the 3M E-A-Rflex UltraFit banded hearing protector, SKU 50020 Read the full 3M E-A-Rflex UltraFit banded hearing protector (SKU 50020) review → Editorial assessment by St...
Check Price on Amazon🔒 Amazon Associate · You pay the same price · We earn a small commission
Zero Sponsored ListingsNo paid placements. Every recommendation is based on compliance, build quality, and field performance.
Curated SelectionExpert-chosen safety gear
Independently ReviewedUnbiased assessments — no manufacturer input
Built for Industrial BuyersSourced and reviewed for safety managers, procurement teams, and field supervisors.
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the 3M E-A-Rflex UltraFit banded hearing protector, SKU 50020
Read the full 3M E-A-Rflex UltraFit banded hearing protector (SKU 50020) review →
Editorial assessment by Steven Eaton, WC Safety editor, based on published 3M specifications and category fit. We did not laboratory-test this product.
3M E-A-Rflex UltraFit banded hearing protector Overview
The 3M E-A-Rflex UltraFit banded hearing protector (SKU 3M 50020, product 350-1100) is a banded hearing protector that pairs the E-A-Rflex headband with 3M's UltraFit-style tips: two pre-molded, flanged pods on a lightweight band instead of deep-insertion foam. As semi-aural hearing protection, the tips seal at the outer ear canal, so the unit goes on and off in seconds and can drop around the neck between noise exposures rather than being lost like loose plugs.
The draw over the foam-pod E-A-Rflex is the tip style: UltraFit flanged tips seal without rolling down and are wipeable and replaceable. As reusable banded earplugs, this banded ear plug is built to be worn shift after shift, with the tips swapped when they harden or stop sealing. It suits crews who move in and out of noise all day and want protection that redeploys in one motion.
One honest note up front: 3M does not publish a single NRR figure on this listing, so we do not state one — check the packaging or 3M's datasheet for the exact rating, and derate any printed NRR per NIOSH before relying on it for a measured noise level. Compare formats in our ear plugs vs ear muffs guide and disposable vs reusable ear plugs guide, or start with the best hearing protection guide.
What This UltraFit Banded Protector Is Built For
| Use case | Fit | Buyer guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Intermittent noise (on/off all day) | Purpose-built | The band redeploys in one motion — the core reason to choose a banded protector over reinserting foam plugs. |
| Workers who dislike deep foam insertion | Strong | UltraFit flanged tips seal at the canal entrance without rolling down; more comfortable for some ears than compressed foam. |
| Very high continuous noise | Verify rating | Banded designs typically attenuate less than a deep-seated foam plug; confirm the NRR covers your exposure, or double up with earmuffs. |
| Under a hard hat | Check clearance | Worn over the head or behind the neck; verify the band clears your hard-hat suspension. Not a cap-mount accessory. |
| Tips worn out | Replaceable | Swap the UltraFit tips when they crack, harden, or stop sealing rather than discarding the band. |
Hearing protection only works when it seals and when its rating covers your noise. 3M does not publish an NRR on this listing, so confirm the figure on the packaging and apply the NIOSH derate before assuming a banded protector covers your exposure — real-world attenuation runs below any laboratory NRR, and a band worn loose or with hardened tips protects less than one sealed correctly. For very high or continuous noise, combine it with earmuffs or choose a higher-rated in-ear plug, and follow your OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 hearing-conservation program. Browse ear plugs and banded ear plugs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Redeploys in one motion for workers moving in and out of noise all day
- UltraFit flanged tips seal at the canal entrance without rolling down like foam
- Reusable and wipeable, with replaceable tips instead of a discarded plug each use
- Band drops around the neck between exposures rather than losing loose plugs
- Passive design with no batteries or electronics to maintain
Cons
- 3M does not state an NRR on this listing — confirm the rating on the packaging before relying on it
- Typically attenuates less than a correctly inserted deep foam plug
- Headband can conflict with some hard-hat suspensions — check clearance
- Tips wear out and must be replaced to keep the seal
How It Compares
The E-A-Rflex band comes in more than one tip style; match the construction hearing protection format to how you work:
| Format | Wear | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| E-A-Rflex UltraFit (this page, 50020) | Banded, flanged UltraFit tips | On/off noise with reusable, replaceable pre-molded tips |
| E-A-Rflex foam-pod (e.g., 320-1000) | Banded, foam pods | On/off noise with soft foam pods |
| Foam disposable earplugs | Deep-insertion, single-use | Continuous high noise where maximum attenuation matters |
Choose the UltraFit band for reusable flanged tips, the foam-pod E-A-Rflex for soft pods, and foam plugs when you need the highest attenuation for continuous noise. Compare all three in our disposable vs reusable ear plugs guide and the ear plugs range.
Specifications
| Brand | 3M (E-A-R) |
| Model / SKU | E-A-Rflex UltraFit, SKU 50020 (product 350-1100) |
| Type | Banded / semi-aural hearing protector |
| Tips | UltraFit-style flanged pods (replaceable) |
| Materials | ABS / elastomeric polymer band |
| Fit | One size fits most; over-head or behind-neck wear |
| NRR | Not stated on this listing — confirm on packaging / 3M datasheet |
Related Guides
best hearing protection guide, ear plugs vs ear muffs, disposable vs reusable ear plugs, when you need hearing protection, NRR explained.
Related Resources
ear plugs banded ear plugs ear muffs hearing protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRR of the 3M E-A-Rflex with UltraFit?
3M's listing for this SKU does not state a specific NRR figure, so we do not publish one here. Check the packaging or 3M's official datasheet for the exact rating before relying on it for a particular noise level, and remember any printed NRR is a laboratory figure that real-world performance falls below once derated.
What are the UltraFit tips on this E-A-Rflex model?
This 50020 version carries 3M's UltraFit-style pods on the headband - pre-molded, flanged tips that seal at the outer ear canal without rolling down like foam. They are the reusable, wipeable contact point; replace them when they crack, harden, or stop sealing.
How does a banded (semi-aural) protector differ from foam plugs?
A banded protector mounts two tips on a headband that seal at the entrance of the ear canal instead of a deep-insertion foam plug. That makes it much faster to don and doff, at the tradeoff of typically lower attenuation than a correctly inserted foam plug.
Is the E-A-Rflex UltraFit reusable?
Yes. The banded design and its UltraFit tips are meant to be worn repeatedly and wiped clean, unlike single-use foam earplugs. Inspect the tips for cracking or hardening and replace them or the unit when the seal degrades.
Who is this banded protector best for?
Workers who step in and out of noisy areas repeatedly - forklift operators, machine tenders, inspectors on and off the floor - who don't want to reinsert foam plugs each time. See our ear plugs vs ear muffs guide and disposable vs reusable ear plugs guide for where banded protectors fit.
Can I wear it around my neck between exposures?
Yes - that is a core advantage of the band over loose reusable plugs: drop it around your neck between exposures instead of misplacing plugs, then reposition the UltraFit tips over the ear canal before re-entering noise.
Does the E-A-Rflex UltraFit work under a hard hat?
The band is worn over the head or behind the neck depending on preference; check clearance against your specific hard-hat suspension, since a headband can conflict with some shells. It is not a cap-mount accessory.
Is this an electronic hearing protector?
No. It is a passive banded protector with no electronics, amplification, or Bluetooth. If you need situational awareness or radio integration, look at electronic ear muffs instead.
How do I clean and maintain it?
Wipe the UltraFit tips and band with a damp cloth and mild soap between uses; avoid submerging the band mechanism. Replace the tips or the unit when they crack, harden, or no longer seal against the ear.
Does OSHA 1910.95 accept banded hearing protectors?
Banded protectors can be part of an OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 hearing-conservation program if the derated attenuation covers your measured noise exposure. Confirm the actual NRR on the packaging and derate it per NIOSH guidance before assuming compliance.
Can I double up with earmuffs for very loud work?
Yes. In-ear protectors including banded designs can be combined with earmuffs for very high noise, adding roughly 5 dB over either device alone rather than the sum of both ratings. See our ear plugs vs ear muffs guide for the dual-protection approach.
How does the UltraFit version differ from foam disposable earplugs?
Foam plugs are single-use, inserted deep in the canal, and typically reach a higher NRR when fitted correctly. The E-A-Rflex UltraFit band trades some attenuation for speed and reusability. Compare both formats in our foam vs reusable ear plugs guide, or browse the full banded ear plugs collection.
Written by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial. Specifications sourced from 3M published data. Compare the range in banded ear plugs.
WC Safety is an independent PPE review site; we did not laboratory-test this product. Match the protector to your measured noise exposure and follow your site hearing-conservation program.
Brand / Vendor
3M
Model / SKU
50020
Product Type
Banded Earplugs
Price
$180.00 (Amazon)
Availability
Check current availability on Amazon
No Paid Placements
Every product earns its place based on safety credentials and field performance, not advertising spend.
Industrial Grade Only
Products sourced for professional use in manufacturing, construction, and industrial environments.
Compliance Verified
Every product listed on WC Safety is reviewed for standards compliance and safety credentials before publication.
Sourced for Professionals
Gear selected for safety managers, procurement teams, and field supervisors — not casual consumers.
Verified Buyer Reviews
Customer Reviews
Share Your Experience
Write a Review
Thank you for your review!
Your submission has been received and will be published after verification.