Introduction
Are you tired of distractions from loud traffic, feeling disturbed while meeting clients at home, chatty coworkers, or aeroplane noise and now want to block out the noise around you? Most importantly worrying about where to buy headphones?
Don’t feel disturbed! We’ve tested the best noise cancelling headphones that work, headphones that cancel noise, and handpicked our top choices. These headphones not only help you stay confident during client meetings but also reduce distractions and prevent headaches.
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1- What are Noise cancelling headphones and How do they work
Noise cancelling headphones have tiny microphones that hear the ambient noise around you. They then produce opposite sound waves to cancel out the unwanted noise, making everything quieter so you can focus on your music or calls.
Let me explain it with an illustration.
That’s great to understand how noise cancellation works through headphones. Now, let me explain a bit more about noise cancellation, including its pros and cons, so you won’t be confused when choosing the best option for your ear protection.
Pros of noise cancellation:
- Enhance concentration and focus
- Improve listening quality
- Reduce background noise
- Protecting your hearing by filtering out loud ambient
- Improve the call quality by removing background noise
- Enhance audio quality by clearing the noise
- Protect your hears since you can listen at a lower volume due to reduced background noise which ultimately protects your hears from damage due to high volume
- Noise cancellation also supports better sleep quality by reducing noise
- Great for frequent travellers who pass through different noisy places like flights, trains and noisy public places by providing a calm journey.
- Incredible Sound Loved by 20 Million+ People
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- Reduce Ambient Noises By Up to 90%: Our team of engineers conducted more than 100,000 tests in real-life scenarios to fi…
cons of noise cancellation:
- Requires battery dependency, reduces playback time and requires frequent charging.
- Some users feel a pressure sensation due to ANC(anti-noise-cancellation) which is not good for long-term use.
- Limited effectiveness for sudden noise or sharp sounds like a siren
- Potential safety concerns due to unawareness of the surroundings
- Not always necessary like in a quiet environment, ANC is not needed and could drain the battery life unnecessarily
The above pros and cons of noise cancellation might be helpful for you when selecting the best noise cancellation headphones. Now let’s talk about the key features that need to be known when buying headphones.
2- Key Features to Consider When Buying Noise Cancelling Headphones:
Selecting the right noise cancelling headphones isn’t just about picking the most expensive pair. After extensively testing the multiple models, I’ve found that certain features like comfort, sound quality and battery life make a significant difference in the overall experience. Let me explain one by one what truly matters when making your purchase.
A) Noise Cancellation Type: ANC vs. Passive
Noise cancellation technology comes in two main types:
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) |
Passive Noise Isolation |
|
Comes with built-in microphones to analyze surrounding noise and generate anti-noise sound waves to cancel it out. |
Based on the headphone’s physical design (like padded ear cups or in-ear seals) to block outside sound. |
✨Pro tip:
If you want a perfect noise cancellation go with high-end ANC models. Passive noise is not as effective as ANC but due to a friendly budget, you can go with passive noise models as they still do a decent job.
B) Sound Quality
Looking feature noise cancellation is great, but it shouldn’t compromise sound quality. When testing different models, I focused on these different factors:
- Drivers: The larger the driver (e.g. 40mm–50mm), the richer the sound. High-end headphones tend to use dynamic or planar magnetic drivers for the best clarity.
- Frequency Response: A wider range (e.g., 20Hz–40kHz) means better production of bass, mids, and treble.
- Codec Support: If you’re using Bluetooth, ensure the headphones support high-quality codecs like aptX, AAC, or LDAC for superior audio performance.
✨Pro tip:
If you’re an audiophile, select a headphone with LDAC support and high resolution audio certification.
C) Comfort & Fit
Wearing headphones for long periods can become uncomfortable and hurts your ears if they’re not designed well. You can see these things when selecting:
- Over-Ear: Best for long listening sessions, offering maximum comfort and effective noise isolation.
- On-Ear: Lighter and more portable, but can apply pressure on the ears after prolonged use.
- In-Ear: Great for portability and active use, but fit and seal are crucial for proper ANC performance.
✨Pro tip:
If you need headphones for work or travel, over-ear models are the most comfortable. However, for workouts or casual listening, in-ear ANC earbuds are a solid choice.
- Immersive Noise Cancellation: Featuring a hybrid ANC algorithm and 3 ANC microphones, TOZO HT2 delivers exceptional nois…
- Long-Lasting Playtime: With up to 60 hours of battery life in ANC OFF mode and the ability to switch to a wired connecti…
D) Charging and Battery life
The most important feature of noise cancelling headphones is the battery which is a deal breaker, especially for ANC headphones. While testing some models I’ve found:
- Premium ANC headphones offer 20–40 hours of battery life per charge.
- Fast charging is truly a game changer! Some models provide 3-5 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge.
- ANC affects battery life: Absolutely! ANC affects the battery life, as it require more power for constantly monitoring and cancelling the ambient noise.
✨Pro tip:
If you travel often, choose headphones with at least 30+ hours of battery life and USB-C fast charging for convenience. And most importantly if don’t care too much about the noise when on a journey you must turn off the ANC for better battery life.
E) Connectivity Options
The most important feature of noise cancelling headphones is the battery which is a deal breaker, especially for ANC headphones. While testing some models I’ve found:
- Bluetooth 5.0+ ensures stable wireless connections with minimal latency.
- Multipoint Pairing allows you to connect to two devices at once (e.g. laptop & phone).
- Wired Mode (3.5mm or USB-C): A must have for high-fidelity audio or when the battery runs low. Mostly, USB-C headsets may offer a little bit better sound quality compared to those that use a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, because the digital signal can be transmitted more accurately over a USB-C connection.
✨Pro tip:
If you often switch between devices, look for multipoint pairing support. If you don’t want to delay in sound, make sure they can also be plugged in with a cable.
F) Microphone & Call Quality
The quality of a microphone decides the sound quality. When choosing the microphone you need to consider things, like frequency, polar pattern and quality components.
Factor affecting microphone quality:
- Frequency Response: Check the microphone and determine how well the microphone captures sounds across different frequencies, affecting audio clarity.
- Polar Pattern: It shows the microphone’s pickup direction, showing which sounds it captures best.
- Directional Pattern: A visual representation of the microphone’s sound pickup range (e.g., cardioid, omnidirectional).
- Quality Components: High-quality materials ensure durability and consistent sound performance over time.
- Handling Noise & Vibrations: Measures the microphone’s sensitivity to movement, reducing unwanted noise from handling or external vibrations.
✨Pro tip for improving microphone quality:
To get better call quality, position the microphone close to your mouth which improves the sound quality. Adjust it with your hand at 2 inches from your lips and then check the microphone so you get a better experience. Also the same for a wireless microphone.
G) Build Quality and Design
The build quality of noise cancelling headphones is determined by the materials used and how they are assembled. The well built headphones are durable and sturdy. After gaining a deep understanding of the material quality and design you need to make sure before choosing:
Design:
The noise cancelling headphones generally come in 3 designs as,
Over EarOver ear headphones are well designed to sit over the ears, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM5 |
In earIn ear headphones are designed to sit in the ear, such as the Apple AirPods Pro |
ErgonomicErgonomic headphones have pads that fit comfortably against the ears, such as the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e |
Build materials:
- foam (often memory foam for comfort) provides good seal and isolation,
- rubber for flexibility and elasticity which provides a secure fitting
- leather or leatherette for the ear pads usually used for expensive headphones provide a premium or luxurious feel,
- plastic for the housing or exterior designing structure
- small microphones to detect ambient noise and cancel it
✨Pro tip:
In case you need long lasting over ear headphones avoid too much plastic and see the outer ear cushion for comfort which also gives a solid soft grip to the ears and does not feel boring.
h) Smart Features
High end headphones now come with smart features that improve usability like ai integration:
- Adaptive ANC: Adjusts noise cancellation based on surroundings automatically you can call it AI headphones or smart headphones.
- Transparency Mode: Lets in ambient sound when needed like when in a noisy environment (great for outdoor safety).
- Best Voice Assistant Support: Works well with voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa for hands-free control.
- Wear Detection: Auto-pauses music when you remove the headphones.
- Adaptive Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient: Adaptive Noise Cancelling means zero distractions whether you’re studying …
- Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio: Wirelessly stream high-quality JBL Pure Bass Sound. In the JBL Headphones app select Audio …
✨Pro tip:
If you love smart tech, go for models with adaptive ANC and wear detection for a seamless experience.
FAQs
Are noise cancelling headphones bad for your ears?
No, noise cancelling headphones are not bad for your ears. In fact, protects your hearing by allowing you to listen at lower volumes in noisy places. Long term use of ANC may cause discomfort and a pressure sensation in some users. Use them at a safe volume level to avoid these issues.
Can noise cancelling headphones cause headaches?
Some users experience discomfort or a pressure sensation due to long term use of ANC(anti-noise-cancellation). So, if you feel uncomfortable using them for a shorter time or adjust the noise cancellation level.
Do noise cancelling headphones work without music?
Yes, you can use the best headphones that cancel noise without playing music simply to block out background noise.
How long do noise cancelling headphones last?
Here the battery life matters. Premium ANC headphones offer 20–40 hours of battery life per charge and some offer fast charging.
Can I sleep with noise cancelling headphones?
Yes, but over ear models may feel uncomfortable for side sleepers. In ear headphones are designed to sit in the ear, such as the Apple AirPods Pro are better options for sleeping.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right headphones depends on your needs, whether for work, sleep, meetings, or travel in an aeroplane. We’ve explored the key features, pros and cons, and what to look for when buying the perfect pair. Now, by thinking about factors like ANC type, battery life, comfort, and also smart features, you can easily make a decision that which pair fits your lifestyle.
Now, it’s your turn to choose the best noise cancelling headphones that enhance your daily life by reducing distractions, reducing sound quality, and protecting your hearing. Invest in the best quality and enjoy a distraction-free sound experience.
