How to Choose the Best Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you're traveling by public transport or working from your home, noise-cancelling headphones can improve your listening experience by creating an audio buffer between your ears and the outside world. But how do you decide which pair is right for you?

There are two primary kinds of noise cancelling headphones that are active and passive noise cancellation. The first utilizes earcups that have thick padding that are tightly fitted to block out outside noises, while the second uses built-in mics to create opposing sound waves to cancel ambient noise.

Comfort

Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent option to block out the noise of the world, whether you're in a crowded public transport system, trying to sleep on a plane that is overbooked, or battling with noisy coworkers. They also allow you to enjoy your music at a relaxed level without putting pressure on your ears. Additionally, the majority of our top picks come with a lightweight design that's easy to wear for hours.

Typically, noise cancellation entails using active sound-reduction technology that creates opposing sound waves to block out any background noise. While you can find cheaper headphones that use passive noise isolation--which is the process of sealing the ear cups or buds around your ears to block out unwanted sounds, the top models we've tested utilize active sound cancellation to provide an unbeatable escape from the daily grind.

You'll want your headphones are well-designed and fit snugly. You'll also want to make sure they don't leak which could irritate people who are around you. For truly immersive audio, you'll want headphones that support high-resolution Bluetooth codesc LDAC. This lets them play back high-resolution music with 24 bit resolution and 96kHz which makes them an audiophile's dream.

While some people view noise-canceling headphones as huge heavy, bulky headphones that aren't ideal for traveling, many new models fold down to a compact form factor. If you're looking for a travel headphone with a foldable design such as the bose over ear noise cancelling headphones QC45 we reviewed is an excellent choice. If you're a frequent traveler the Sennheiser HD450BT is a fantastic pair of headphones that fold down to fit inside your carry-on bag.

Most of the models we've examined are wireless, and some have built-in microphones that allow hands-free calls. The app allows you to adjust the volume and noise cancellation settings, which is great for those who wish to adjust their headphones while on the move. Some wireless models include a docking station for on-the move listening, and others come with a portable case that gives you hours of battery power when you are away from home or working.

Sound Quality

Many music lovers are concerned about the quality of their headphones, particularly those that have a high-quality audio. Noise cancelling headphones are a great way to block out any external noise.

If you're spending lots of dollars on headphones, you want them to play your music as effectively as they can. Thankfully that's the case, as ANC headphone technology has evolved, the sound that they produce has also improved significantly over time. The result is some of the finest audiophile headphones that are available today.

Of course, the quality of sound you'll experience will largely depend on the way you listen to music and what your preferences are. Some prefer a full, warm sound with lots of bass, whereas others may prefer high-fidelity headphones to listen to every detail in the music or album.

Noise cancellation is a personal preference. While ANC does a great job in removing dull sounds such as the whistling of an aircraft or the roaring of traffic, it's not able to eliminate dynamic sounds that vary in frequency and intensity such as human voices or instruments.

If you want to get the best passive isolation, a pair headphones with ANC that is good will be a good choice, whether they are headphones with earbuds or even over-ear ones. You can achieve impressive isolation with no active noise cancellation using Comply memory foam tips or similar products. They will form to fit the shape of your ears.

Of course, the majority of ANC headphones come with an array of Bluetooth codecs, allowing 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 listen to your favourite tracks in high resolution and with stunning clarity. As a result, ear noise cancelling headphones when Sinead O'Connor sings Nothing Compares 2 U, her sibilant cry and powerful chorus come through as if she was in the room with you.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancelling headphones can create an sonic buffer between your ears and the world around you. They listen for ambient sounds and then use built-in microphones to "read" the environment, allowing only the sound you wish to hear. These are ideal for those who commute, work from home, or in any situation where background noises could be distracting or irritating.

Noise cancelling headphones employ a technology called active noise cancellation to create their magic. The tiny microphones that are in your earcups and earbuds are listening to the sounds that you are exposed to. They then emit the exact opposite frequency, which collides with each other to cancel out the unwanted noises. It's more complex and relies on the sensitivity of your headphones and the design of the headphones and the quality of audio processing. The main thing is that they reduce the sound of the engine of an airplane, or animated conversations with your colleagues.

While they're unable to completely turn your surroundings into a silent void, the best over-ear ANC headphones we tested did excellent job of blocking most background noises. For the most immersive listening experience, consider a pair with adaptive noise cancellation. It will take ANC to a new level by continuously listening to ambient sounds, countering them in real-time and ensuring that the audio you want to hear (including hands-free calls) at a constant volume. This cutting-edge technology is demonstrated in the Sony WH1000XM5s.

Many over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless-ear ANC headphones have additional features that make listening more enjoyable. Look for features such as control buttons, high-quality audio codecs, as well as support for voice assistants such as Siri or Google Assistant. Wireless Bluetooth is essential to allow hands-free playback of audio and easy audio playback. A portable charging case can allow you to stay connected on the move.

A passive mode is also useful feature. It allows you to turn off the noise-canceling circuitry, and listen with the same degree of isolation that regular headphones offer. This is a great trick to use if you don't want to hear outside noises or don't have enough battery to recharge your headphones.

Value

While listening to music or taking phone calls, a good pair of headphones can make you feel like you're in a soundproofed space. Noise cancelling headphones are more expensive than non-noise-canceling models but they deliver better sound quality and block out distracting background noise. Because of this, they are worth the additional expense for those who spend long periods of time at home at work or traveling.

The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones come packed with useful features. They have impressive noise cancellation abilities and include a microphone that is dedicated to producing natural clear and clear audio when you call as well as DSEE Extreme Audio Upscaling. The ANC system does an excellent job of blocking out sounds from outside, though they struggle to isolate you from low-frequency sounds like passing trains or traffic.

They are also light and fold into a compact, D-shaped bag that tucks into a carrying case, making them ideal for traveling. They are compatible with many voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and a feature that automatically pauses music when they are removed from your ears. They can also be used with wired connections to listen to your favorite videos or podcasts in noisy environments.

The Razer Opus Wireless headphones are an excellent value for the price. They feature a decent ANC system however, they also have a transparency setting that turns on the external microphones to allow more noise from the surrounding environment to pass through. The headphones have a built in USB-C charging plug, which means they can be used while charging. They also have an extremely low-latency Bluetooth connection which is crucial to play games on the go or watch 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, such as the rumble of plane engines and buses or the high-pitched buzz of computer fans. They can last up to 32 hours on a single charge. They also have an auto-off timer to reduce power consumption.