How to Choose the Best Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent option to enhance your listening experience, whether you work from home or commuting by public transport. They create an ear-to-ear barrier that blocks out your ears and outside noise. But how do you determine which pair is best for you?
There are two primary types of noise cancelling headphones that are active and passive noise cancellation. The first type uses earcups with thick padding that are tightly fitted to block out outside noises, while the second makes use of built-in microphones to create opposing sound waves that cancel background noise.
Comfort
Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent way to block out the hum of the world, whether you're in a noisy public transport or trying to sleep on a plane that is overbooked or fighting with noisy coworkers. They also allow you to enjoy your music at a comfortable level without putting any strain on your ears. Furthermore, many of our top picks have an ultra-lightweight design that is easy to wear for hours.
Typically, noise cancellation involves the use of active sound-reduction technology which creates opposing sound waves to block out ambient noise. You can find cheaper headphones with passive noise isolation, which seals the earcups or buds around the ear to block out unwanted sounds. However, the top models we tested have active sound cancelation to provide an unbeatable escape.
You'll want to ensure that your headphones are well-designed and fit comfortably. It is also important to ensure that they don't leak which can cause annoyance to those around you. For a truly immersive audio, you'll want headphones that can support high-resolution Bluetooth codesc LDAC. This lets them play back hi-res music at 24 bit resolution and 96kHz and makes them an audiophile's dream.
While some people think of noise-canceling headphones as big heavy, bulky headphones that aren't ideal for travel, a lot of new models fold down to smaller dimensions. If you're looking for headphones for travel that have a foldable design and a compact size, the Bose QC45 we reviewed is a great option. If you're an avid traveler, the Sennheiser HD450BT is an excellent pair of headphones that can be folded down to fit into your bag for carry-on.
The majority of the models we've looked at are wireless, and some have built-in microphones for hands-free calling. You can also manage your noise cancellation and audio settings through a separate app which is a great option for anyone looking to adjust their headphones on the go. Some wireless models come with an charging dock for mobile listening, while others utilize an accessory case that can give you a long battery life when away from work or home.
Sound Quality
Most music lovers are very concerned about the quality of their headphones, particularly ones that offer high-quality audio. While any pair of headphones can help filter out environmental sounds, a great pair of noise cancelling headphones will not just be able to effectively block out the outside world but also be able to provide clear high-quality, high-quality sound.
If you're planning to spend an enormous amount of money on headphones, it makes sense that they'll capable of playing your music as well as possible. Fortunately that's the case, as ANC headphones have evolved, their sound has also improved with time. The result is some of the most audiophile headphones available on the market today.
Of course, the quality of sound you'll hear will largely depend on the way you listen to music and what your preferences are. Some prefer a full warm, warm sound with plenty of bass, whereas others may prefer high-quality headphones that can be able to hear every detail of the music or album.
Noise cancellation is a personal decision. While ANC does a great job in removing dull sounds such as the whooshing of an aircraft or the roar of traffic, it can't remove dynamic sounds that change in frequency and intensity such as human voices or instruments.
This is why an excellent pair of headphones with exceptional passive isolation as well as good ANC is a solid option, whether you go with earbuds that are sealed around your ears or over-ear headphones that completely cover your earlobes. You can get impressive isolation even with no active noise cancellation using Comply memory foam tips or similar products that conform perfectly to the shape of your ear.
Of course, most ANC headphones come with a range of Bluetooth codecs that allow you to connect them with the audio source that works best for you. The Sony WH1000XM4s, as an example, feature both LDAC support as well as DSEE Extreme to ensure you can enjoy your favorite songs in high-quality and with stunning clarity. Sinead's sibilant cry and her forceful chorus, are evident when she sings Nothing Compares 2 U.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancelling headphones can put an audio buffer between your ears and the world around you. They listen for ambient sounds and then use built-in microphones to "read", only allowing the audio that you wish to hear. They are ideal for people who commute, work from home, or in any other situation where background noises could be distracting or irritating.
To make their magic happen Noise cancelling headphones employ an engineered technology known as active noise cancellation (ANC). The tiny microphones that are in your earbuds and earcups are listening to the sounds you are exposed to. They then emit the exact opposite frequency, which collides with each other to block out unwanted sounds. It's more complex than that, and it is dependent on the sensitivity of your ears, the design of the headphones and the quality of the audio processing, but the basic idea is that they effectively reduce the noise you hear, be it an aircraft engine or your friend's animated conversations.
The best over-ear ANC headsets we tested weren't able to completely block out background noises however they are effective at blocking them. Look into the possibility of a pair with adaptive noise cancelation. This enhances ANC to a whole new level by monitoring ambient noises and countering them in real-time, while maintaining the audio you'd like to hear (including handsfree calls) at a constant level. noise cancelling headset with mic advanced technology is demonstrated in the Sony WH1000XM5s.
Many pairs of over-ear ANC headphones come with other features that make listening more enjoyable. Look for features like control buttons as well as high-quality audio codecs and support for voice assistants such as Siri or Google Assistant. Wireless Bluetooth is essential for hands-free audio playback and convenient audio playback. A portable charging case will also keep you connected when you travel.
Another feature that is useful is a passive mode which allows the noise-canceling circuitry to be shut off, allowing you to listen with the same isolation as regular headphones. This is a handy trick to use when you need to hear the world around you or don't have enough battery life to charge your headphones.
Value
A good pair of headphones can make you feel like you're in a soundproof space when listening to music or making phone calls. Noise cancelling headphones cost more than non-noise cancelling headphones, but they provide superior sound quality and block out distracting background noise. They are worth the additional cost for those who work long hours in the office or on the road.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones boast amazing noise cancellation capabilities and come with lots of useful features, including a dedicated microphone that produces clear and natural audio during phone calls and DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. The ANC system is great at blocking out external noises but they are not as effective in isolating the listener from low-frequency sounds such as trains or traffic.
The headphones are lightweight and fold up into a compact D shape which can be easily tucked away in the bag of a carry-on. They're ideal for travel. They support multiple voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and they include an option to automatically pause your music when you take them from your ears. You can also connect them with a wired cable to listen to your favourite videos or podcasts in noisy environments.
The Razer Opus X Wireless headphones are an outstanding value for the money. In addition to an ANC system that is reliable they also have a transparency mode that activates the headphones' external microphones so more of your surrounding noise can be heard. The headphones are equipped with a built-in USB-C charging socket, so they can still be used while being charged. They also have low-latency Bluetooth connection, which is essential for mobile gaming and watching videos.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative you can look at the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless headphones. They excel at blocking out distracting sounds like the rumble of plane engines and buses, or the high-pitched hum of computer fans. They can last for more than 32 hours and come with an automatic off timer.