Top 5 Best 5.56 Suppressors

Based on our experience and on our customers’ reviews, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite 5.56 suppressors.

These silencers span a wide range of price points and features, so this handy list will help you narrow down your choice!

If you have any questions or want further direction or information, call or email the pros at Silencer Shop, and we’ll be happy to assist!

1.  SureFire SOCOM556-RC2
2. HUXWRX Flow 556K
3. Rugged Razor 556
4. Dead Air Sierra 5
5. YHM Turbo T3

1. SureFire SOCOM556-RC2

Credit: @SureFire_LLC

SureFire’s SOCOM556-RC2 is a perennial favorite! This year's best suppressor for 5.56 is the suppressor chosen by the U.S. military’s Special Operations Command for use on their M4 and MK18 carbines. This means it passes a brutally tough, full-auto firing schedule and is one of the most durable 5.56 suppressors on the market.

Boasting a 4.9/5 stars and an illustrious military career, the SureFire SOCOM556-RC2 has secured it position in the pantheon of 5.56 silencers. A satisfied ustoemr told us, "This thing has an amazing reputation for a reason, because it is awesome! Sound and flash suppression are both great. The "tone" when fired is really pleasant compared to some other suppressors I have heard."

With its repeatable, rock-solid QD (quick-detach) mounting system, the SOCOM556-RC2 provides a repeatable point of impact even after removing and re-attaching the suppressor. It is also designed to nearly eliminate all muzzle flash.

If you’re building a military clone rifle or simply looking for a hard-use 5.56 suppressor that can handle anything you dish out while minimizing muzzle flash and dust signature, all built around some of the best, most rugged QD muzzle devices on the market, the SureFire SOCOM556-RC2 is the suppressor for you.

2. HUXWRX Flow 556K

The HUXWRX Flow 556K takes advantage of metal 3D printing, AKA direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).

HUXWRX was able to create internal geometry that would be impossible to machine via traditional means. A fascinating series of passages, rather than traditional baffles, keeps gas and gas pressure moving forward and out the vented muzzle end of the FLOW 556K. 

This unique design drastically reduces backpressure, which is quite noticeable on an AR-15 or other gas-operated, semi-automatic firearm. The Flow 556K means less gas blowback for the shooter and no tuning required to the firearm in order to maintain proper gas system timing and operation.

Additionally, on many AR-15s and similar firearms, the Flow-Through design of the Flow 556K means lower sound volume levels at the shooter’s ear thanks to less “port pop” and gas escaping through the action.

HUXWRX QD muzzle devices reverse-thread into the Flow 55K suppressor and seal up snugly with a tapered mount surface. Since the silencer is rotated clockwise to remove it, you’ll never accidentally unscrew your muzzle device when trying to remove the silencer. Helical vents in the muzzle end of the silencer are designed to impart a clockwise spin to the suppressor, making it self-tightening.

The HUXWRX Flow 556K mitigates flash, reduces sound volume to “hearing safe” levels, and doesn’t increase blowback or require action tuning on most firearms. It’s also full-auto rated, and accomplishes all of this in a lightweight, compact package.

3. Rugged Razor 556

Credit: @RuggedSuppresors

The Rugged Razor 556 is, perhaps, the most rugged 5.56 silencer on the market. With baffles made from full-welded Cobalt 6, the Razor 556 isn’t just full-auto rated, it’s belt-fed rated and has no barrel length restrictions.

At the same time, it sounds very good and is designed to reduce blowback compared to traditional 223 / 5.56 suppressors.

Rugged backs their silencers with one of the best warranties in the industry, and designs them specifically so damage to the serialized section is highly unlikely. With Rugged’s dual taper locking system and Go / No Go gauge for a simple visual indicator of a properly locked suppressor, it’s easy, quick, and secure to move the Razor 556 across multiple firearms.

Well-priced and good-looking, the Rugged Razor 556 is a great choice for suppressing all of your 223 Remington / 5.56x45 NATO firearms regardless of barrel length.

4.Dead Air Sierra 5

Using the proven combination of Cobalt 6 baffles and a 17-4 stainless tube, the Dead Air Sierra 5 employs high-tech laser welding to deliver full penetration, extremely precise, and durable welds inside of the suppressor. This is a heavy-use can, rated for hard full-auto firing schedules and without any barrel length restrictions.

New to the market the Sierra 5 has made a splash in its first year, earning it a spot on this list and 5-star reviews including, "Thoroughly satisfied. I own several suppressors from various different companies, but Dead Air always goes above the bar." 

The Sierra 5 is the only suppressor on our list with swappable front caps and a HUB 1.375x24 universal thread pitch base. It ships from Dead Air with a flash hider front cap and either a KeyMo or Xeno mounting system, but with those HUB threads all sorts of mounts are available from dozens of manufacturers to suit your preference and requirements, or to match what’s already on your firearms.

This compact, lightweight silencer sounds great and begs for hard use. We love its knurled tube, which provides a great purchase for installing and removing the Sierra 5 and also hangs onto heat-protective wraps quite well. This is a fantastic 5.56 suppressor in every way.

5. YHM Turbo T3

Credit: @YHMachineCo

With a design improvement to the original Turbo models, the YHM Turbo T3 reduces blowback while maintaining sound suppression performance. It also maintains the Turbo’s original goal of being a great suppressor at a very affordable price point.

An Inconel blast baffle combined with 17-4 Stainless Steel for everything else results in a fairly lightweight, compact silencer that’s full-auto rated and ready to suppress any of your 5.56 NATO firearms with a 10-inch or longer barrel length.

The YHM Turbo T3 is a sharp-looking suppressor that sounds great and won’t break the bank. It ships with YHM’s Phantom QD Adapter and either a Phantom QD Muzzle Brake or Phantom QD Flash Hider, but with a base threaded in the universal HUB 1.375x24 pattern, there are all sorts of direct thread mounts, QD systems, and more from dozens of companies that are compatible.

Given its price point, solid performance, and lifetime warranty, it’s a shoe-in for our Top 5 list and is definitely number one in the ~$550 or less category.

While all of the cans in our Top 5 Best 5.56 Suppressors list are excellent choices, they have different strong points, features, sizes, and prices. The information in our list above should help guide you.

If you're looking at all of these awesome options and are wondering how to choose the best suppressor for you, we can help! 

If you need a hand in determining which one is right for you, give us a call (512-931-4556), or email, we're happy to !