The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Whether you're a commuter, a student, an office worker, or a music enthusiast, there comes a time when you can no longer stand the hubbub. Whatever the source of the sound that's stressing you may be, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones will block out the din and let you focus on what's important. Noise-canceling technology has developed rapidly in recent years, and thanks to that, you don't have to sell the family farm to test it out for yourself.
What to Look For
The best noise-canceling headphones must have a combination of three things: great sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and comfort. If price is no object, the cream-of-the-crop choice is the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. These headphones provide pillow-worthy comfort for your ears and keep the world around you to a whisper. For the budget-conscious, consider Anker Soundcore Life Q20. While it does not offer the same EQ options as more expensive headphones, we were pleasantly surprised by how effective they were with canceling noise. In this article, our team has cut through the noise and rounded up our absolute favorite noise-canceling headphones. Read on to find out more.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
We’ll be straight with you. Though we encourage you to perform your due diligence as you research your ideal pair of headphones, there’s a very good chance that all that research will lead you right back to this pair. Lauded for its second-to-none noise-canceling abilities as well as its superb comfort, this option from Bose is truly the perfect pair — if you have the money to spend, that is.
Pros:
- While these headphones appear bulky, they actually feel very lightweight and are comfortable after long stretches.
- Yes, these are noise-canceling headphones, but we were pleasantly surprised that the Bose could limit background noise associated with phone calls.
- We were especially impressed with its battery life. Even after several days of use, these headphones still retain a charge.
Cons:
- Though the sound quality is commendable, audiophiles may be underwhelmed.
Sony WH-1000XM4
I can hear you now
With some companies, you pay extra for the brand name alone; with others, you pay for true in-house expertise. The latter is the case with these headphones from Sony. A high-tech alternative to comparable models, this pair may not be the absolute pinnacle of comfort, but for working professionals and audiophiles alike, it’s hard to find a better pick. Why? With these headphones, you can expect crystal-clear sound quality when you’re making phone calls, even in a busy office environment. And, when it comes to music, it’s hard to beat these in terms of sound fidelity.
Pros:
- While these are noise-canceling headphones, Sony did not skimp on the sound quality. These headphones should satisfy most audiophiles.
- The Sony Connect App is surprisingly intuitive.
- The Bluetooth range is impressive and lets you venture 30 feet away from whatever device you’re connected to.
Cons:
- It’s costly, but if you’re truly interested in high-quality sound and effective noise-canceling, it’s worth every penny.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
I'm ear for you
Available in four sleek colorways, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Live pair offers an alternative to clunky over-ear headphones. Like their competitors, these buds utilize active noise cancellation to counteract incoming noise from the environment. What sets them apart, though, is that you can simply tap a button to disengage the active noise cancellation when you want to let sounds in from the environment. This comes in handy when you need to hear an announcement, order a coffee, or otherwise pay attention to the noise of your surroundings.
Pros:
- Earbuds are notorious for ear fatigue, so we were happy to note that these buds feel comfortable after long-term use.
- The sound quality is quite impressive, especially for music. Audiophiles will be impressed by the balanced highs and mids, as well as its deep bass.
- If you live a mobile lifestyle, you’ll appreciate the versatility of these buds. No need to pack a bulky case into your pack; simply toss the tiny wireless charging case into your pocket and head out the door.
Cons:
- The buttons aren’t the most responsive.
Jabra Elite 85h
The underdog
Touting both active and passive noise cancellation, this pair utilizes six of its eight microphones (yeah, that’s a lot) to analyze and react to your environment, and the result is effective noise cancellation. But it isn’t only noise cancellation that makes these an attractive option. One feature that sets them apart from others on the market is their water- and rain-resistant build. Coupled with nano-coated internal components, this helps ensure that if you get caught in a sudden downpour, you’ll have some time to react before worrying about the demise of your headphones.
Pros:
- We found that the battery lasts longer than similarly priced noise-canceling headphones.
- These headphones may appear bulky, but they fold to a compact size, making them perfect for traveling.
- If you are a commuter and have to brave the elements, this set is a great choice. They’re water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your headphones short-circuiting on you.
Cons:
- When connected to multiple devices simultaneously, the headphones may get confused and cycle back and forth between each device.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20
We don’t want to lead you to believe that you have to break the bank to get yourself a functioning pair of noise-canceling headphones. This pair from Anker demonstrates that you can obtain comfort, effective noise-cancellation, and high-fidelity audio in a reasonably priced package. With soft memory foam earcups and an adjustable headband, throw these comfy puppies on and enjoy the same noise-canceling capabilities as your co-worker who just spent four times as much on the fancy-pants brand.
Pros:
- For the price, these headphones offer incredible bass and overall solid sound quality.
- When it comes to noise-canceling, the Anker holds its own. They may not completely silence the world as the Bose headphones do, but they come pretty close.
- Though most budget-tier headphones sacrifice comfort to lower cost, these memory foam earcups are wildly comfortable.
Cons:
- They don’t offer customizable EQ settings like other headphones do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ANC?
ANC is short for Active Noise Cancellation.
How does noise-canceling technology work?
The simple explanation goes like this: headphones with noise-canceling technology have a number of built-in microphones. These microphones pick up low-frequency sound from the environment, analyze it, and cancel it out before you get the chance to hear it. How? Basically, the microphones take the waveforms of the low-frequency sounds, copy them, and invert them. This inverted waveform neutralizes the incoming sound. Strange, but true.
I like being able to hear my environment. Can it be dangerous to use noise-canceling headphones?
The truth is, yes, they can be dangerous — if you use them irresponsibly, that is. You wouldn’t want to cross a busy street while blasting music on your ANC-activated headphones. Only use your noise-canceling headphones when it makes sense to do so.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.