How to Choose the Best Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Whether you're commuting via public transport or working from your home, noise cancelling headphones can enhance your listening experience by creating an audio buffer between your ears and the outside world. What are the best way to choose the best pair for your needs?

There are two kinds of noise cancelling headsets: passive isolation and active noise cancellation. The former uses heavily padded ears that are squeaky-clean to block out sounds from outside and the latter rely on built-in microphones to create opposite sound waves that cancel out any background noise.

Comfort

Noise cancelling headphones are a great method to block out the noise of the world, whether on crowded public transport, trying to sleep on a plane that's booked to capacity or fighting with noisy coworkers. They also allow you to enjoy your music at a relaxed level without putting too much strain on your ears. Furthermore, the majority of our top picks come with an ultra-lightweight design that is easy to wear for hours.

Typically, noise cancellation involves using active sound-reduction technology that creates opposite sound waves to block out any background noise. You can find cheaper headphones with passive noise isolation which encases the earcups or buds around the ear to block out noises that are not needed. However, the most effective models we tested employ active sound cancelation to provide an unbeatable escape.

You'll want your headphones are well-designed and comfortable. Also, you should ensure that they aren't leaking which can cause annoyance to those who are around you. For a truly immersive audio, you'll want headphones that support high-resolution Bluetooth codesc LDAC. This lets them play back hi-res music at resolution of 96kHz/24 bits and makes them an audiophile's dream.

While some people view noise-canceling headphones as big, bulky over-ear headphones that aren't suitable for travel, the majority of the latest models fold down into a compact form factor. The Bose QC45 headphones we've reviewed, for example are a great choice to consider if you're looking a comfortable travel headphone that folds flat to fit into its case. If you're an avid traveler, the Sennheiser HD450BT is an excellent pair of headphones that can be folded down to fit in your bag for carry-on.

Almost all the models featured in our roundup are wireless, and many of them are headphones with built-in microphones to make hands-free phone calls. You can also manage your noise cancelling and audio settings using a separate app which is a great alternative for those who want to adjust their headphones on the go. Some of the beats studio 3 wireless bluetooth noise cancelling headphones models also have a charging dock for on-the-go listening, Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones while others come with an accessory case that can give you hours of battery life even when you're away from home or work.

Sound Quality

Many music lovers are concerned about the sound quality of headphones, especially ones that offer high-quality audio. Noise cancelling headphones are a great option to block out external sounds.

If you're spending lots of dollars on headphones, you want them to play your music as good as they can. Fortunately that's what they can do. As ANC headphones have developed and improved their sound, they have also improved with time. The result is the finest audiophile headphones currently available.

The quality of your sound will depend on your preferences and listening habits. Some people will prefer a warm and full sound that's rich in bass while others may prefer high-quality headphones that can deliver every nuance of a song or album.

The type of music you enjoy most also depends on how important noise cancellation is for you. While ANC is excellent at eliminating monotonous noises like the whistling of an airplane or the roar of traffic, it can't stop dynamic sounds that fluctuate in frequency and intensity, such as human voices or instruments.

If you want to get the most effective passive isolation, a pair headphones with ANC that is high-quality is a good option regardless of whether they are earbuds or over-ear headphones. You can achieve remarkable isolation with no active noise cancellation using Comply memory foam tips, or similar products. They will conform to the shape of your ears.

Most ANC headphones have various bluetooth over ear headphones noise cancelling codes that allow you to connect to the audio source you prefer. For instance the Sony WH1000XM4s come with both LDAC and DSEE Extreme support to ensure that you'll be able listen to your music in high-resolution, and in stunning detail. Sinead O'Connor's sibilant cries, and her forceful chorus, come through when she sings Nothing Compares 2 U.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancelling headphones are a great method of creating a barrier between you and the outside world. They basically listen to the ambient sound that you hear, and use built-in microphones to "read" the sounds, only allowing the audio you wish to hear through. They're an excellent choice for working at home, or in any other situation where background noise is distracting or annoying.

Noise cancelling headphones use the technology known as active noise cancellation to create their magic. Miniature microphones in the earcups or earbuds listen to the sounds you're exposed and then emit opposite frequencies, which will then collide with each other and effectively cancel out those unwanted sounds, revealing only the music you're listening. It's more complicated and relies on your sensitivity as well as the design of the headphones and the quality of the audio processing. But the main point is that they reduce noises, whether it's the engine of an airplane, or animated conversations with your coworkers.

The best over-ear ANC headsets that we tested didn't completely block out background noises, but they do a good job at blocking them. For the most immersive listening experience, look into the headphones with adaptive noise cancellation. This will take ANC to a new level by constantly listening to ambient sounds, reversing them in real-time and ensuring that the audio you would like to hear (including hands-free calls) in a steady volume. This technology is demonstrated by the Sony WH1000XM5s.

Many pairs of over-ear ANC headphones include additional features that make listening more enjoyable. Look for features like touch controls and high-quality audio codec support and support for voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant. A wireless Bluetooth connection is essential for hands-free and convenient audio playback as well as a mobile charging case that helps you remain connected traveling.

A passive mode is a handy feature. It lets you turn off the noise-canceling circuitry, and listen with the same isolation that regular headphones provide. This is a handy trick for those who want to hear the world around you or haven't got enough battery power to charge your headphones.

Value

A great pair of headphones will make you feel as if you are in a soundproof space when listening to music or making phone calls. Noise cancelling headphones are more expensive, but they provide superior audio quality and block out background noise. Because of this, they can be well worth the extra investment for those who spend much time alone in the office or traveling.

The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones come packed with useful features. They are incredibly sound cancellation capabilities and Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones an in-built microphone that can produce natural clear and clear audio when you call as well as DSEE Extreme Audio Upscaling. Their ANC system does a fantastic job of blocking out external sounds, though they struggle to separate you from low-frequency sounds like passing trains or traffic.

They're also light and folds down into a compact D-shaped package that tucks into a carrying case, making them ideal for traveling. They are compatible with multiple voice assistants including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and a feature that automatically stops music when removed from your ears. They can also be connected to wired connections to listen to your favorite videos or podcasts in noisy environments.

The Razer Opus Wireless headphones are a great value for the money. In addition to having an ANC system that works well and has a transparent mode that activates the headphones' external microphones so more of your surrounding noise can pass through. The headphones have an integrated USB-C charging port, which means they can still be used even while charging. They also have low-latency Bluetooth connection which is crucial to play games on the go or watch videos.

Take a look at the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones to get a cheaper alternative. They're great at cancelling out distracting sounds like the rumble of plane engines and buses or the high-pitched buzz of computer fans. They can last for more than 32 hours on a single charge and have an auto-off timer that can save power.