How Noise Cancelling Headphones Can Improve Your Listening Experience

Noise cancelling headphones utilize microphones to detect ambient sounds and generate an anti-noise sound that counteracts unwanted sounds. They are ideal for blocking out train and plane chatter however they will not assist in blocking out your seatmate's animated conversation or squealing breaks.

Active noise cancellation requires a good isolation, either by padding your ears or a solid seal with earbuds or over-ear headphones. We've tested their ability to mute lower-frequency constant sounds like traffic and train noise also.

What is noise cancelling?

Noise cancelling is a feature that allows listeners to concentrate on their music or audiobook without distraction from background noise. Noise cancelling headphones are fitted with microphones that block outside sounds from entering your ears. This lets you listen to your music or audiobook in peace.

Active noise cancellation, also known as ANC, is one of the most well-known features of headphones available today. It's available from a variety of headphone brands, and in various sizes and colors, and is even available on some budget models. The principle behind the technology is quite simple: the headphones or earcups contain mini-microphones that "listen" to the ambient sound frequencies, and then playback equal but opposite anti noise waves to block the sound before it reaches your ears.

The crests and troughs of these waves cancel out each other, a process referred to as destructive interference, leaving you with nothing other than the music you're listened to. This is particularly effective for monotonous, continuous sounds like the drone of an airplane engine or the hum of your colleague Bob who is unable to stop talking. However it's not as effective on sudden or higher-frequency sounds that are more difficult to recognize and filter out, such as the ping of a keyboard or the alarm sounding from your phone.

Another type of noise isolation is passive, which stifles noise by forming an ear-to-ear connection using the foam padding in the ear cups. This is a good option for those who do not need to rely on batteries for crystal earbuds ANC functionality, but still need a quiet work environment or at home.

It's worth noting that all headphones require some kind of power, whether it's for battery or audio processing in order to work. While ANC can cut down on most external noises, headphones cannot create a cone-shaped silence around your ears. If the sounds around you are loud enough, they will bead into your ears. This is why it's important to wear the headphones in a snug way enough that they don't have any gaps in the fit so you can get the maximum benefit from ANC.

How do you make it work?

The technology behind noise cancellation headphones consists of miniature microphones within the earcups, or earbuds, that listen to the sounds around you. They're processed inside the headphones to produce an opposing sound wave that effectively blocks out the sounds and prevents them from reaching your ears.

Sound waves, whether emanating from outside or your music, are made up of oscillating air molecules. This means that the sound waves have a height or amplified. It is measured by the distances between peaks on an undulating graph. Taller sound waves have higher amplitudes and shorter ones have smaller intensities. ANC headphones employ this technique to create a sound that is opposite of the sounds that you hear around you.

ANC headsets come with a variety of features that make them more effective at blocking out ambient sounds such as feedback microphones and an ANC chipset. These chips make use of algorithms to invert incoming audio signals, and then release an opposite signal, which is basically like launching anti-ballistic missiles to destroy the warheads that are incoming (again think of military-grade countermeasures from war movies).

The ANC drivers inside each ear cup create the opposite signals. When ANC is activated by pressing the button on your headset, the sounds of the surrounding environment are reduced or completely eliminated.

While the technology behind ANC is impressive, it does come with a few drawbacks. The additional electronics required to run this technology can add weight and size to your headphones, making them heavier than comparable models. They also consume more power, which can result in a decrease in battery life and potentially some high-frequency hiss.

Another issue is that some users have reported being disoriented or dizzy while wearing ANC headphones. It can be very frustrating, but is usually caused by something else, not the ANC.

The good news is that more sophisticated ANC headphones are starting to address these issues. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7, for instance, has several ANC modes such as 'office', 'plane' and 'city' with an adjustment slider that lets you adjust the amount of external sounds you want to pass through. Apple's new AirPods Pro 2 also feature the same feature, and comes with 'Ambient Aware' mode that digitally adapts the level of ANC to the surroundings.

What are the top noise cancelling headphones?

Noise cancelling headphones can improve your listening experience. They can help you concentrate at work or block out engine noise from trains and planes. They're also great for commuting or working at home and can be used with any kind of audio equipment like computers, tablets and smartphones. There are wireless ANC headphones to suit every budget. They can be expensive however they're well worth the cost.

The most effective pair of headphones that block out noise will be comfortable to wear for extended periods with a tight seal around your ears. The battery lifespan should be at least 30 hours, which is enough to get you through the everyday commute or working day. Check that the source of your audio is supported, whether it be Bluetooth or USB-C.

Over-ear headphones are usually more comfortable than in-ear models. They have a larger band and cushioned cups that are placed over your ears. This helps keep them in position for longer. They are also more effective in blocking out background noise. However, it's worth noting that there are exceptions, and the best headphones for noise cancellation will depend on your lifestyle and musical preferences.

The degree of noise reduction will differ based on the design and how well it fits in your ears. An insufficient fit could let in more ambient sound, and could affect the quality of the bass. One great suggestion is to change the headphones' stock tips to check if they improve the fit and lessen ambient noise and you can do this with the majority of earbuds too.

In-ear headphones can be uncomfortable to wear during long listening sessions because they tend not to rest over your ears instead, but inside them. They can be more comfortable if you tilt them forwards or backwards to adjust their fit. They're also typically lighter, which makes them more portable and more mobile. In our tests, all crystal earbuds provide a certain amount of noise isolation but it's not as good as over-ear headphones.

What should I look for in noise cancelling headphones?

The best noise cancelling headphones reduce ambient noise, allowing you to concentrate on music without having to worry about your surroundings. They typically employ active noise cancellation (ANC) to achieve this, although not all ANC headphones are made to be equal. It is important to take into consideration the kind of ANC employed, whether they're over-ear or in-ear, and also the build quality.

In-ear and over-ear headphones are generally the more popular options and both provide excellent noise-cancellation. In-ear headphones are lighter and less bulky. While over-ear models are more comfortable but they can also be more expensive. Over-ear headphones are generally more expensive, but they often provide a better sound quality, while in-ear models offer an affordable alternative that still delivers solid performance.

Some ANC headphones allow you to alter the level of ANC to suit the situation. You can choose to disable ANC on an airplane, in public transport, or even at home, but switch it back on when at the office or home to block out the whirr of your PC cooling fans or the lawn mower of your neighbor. Many headphones also have the 'transparency' mode which allows some noise from outside through so you can hear important ambient sounds, like traffic or conversations.

The top noise cancelling headsets are equipped with ANC and Bluetooth for wireless listening. Some of them support the aptX and aptX HD Bluetooth codecs, which deliver superior audio quality when compared with traditional Bluetooth.

While there are some ANC philips headphones that are priced less than PS50 but you'll likely get the most value from a pair of over-ear headphones like the Bose QC35 II. The ANC is superb, with a slight gap between tracks that lets you hear your voice while talking and they also are high-quality and sound crisp and full of detail.

Children's noise-canceling headphone are also worth looking into, particularly in the case of children who are suffering from sensory overload and require help in processing auditory stimuli. They typically come with a broad selection of colors and designs that are aimed at kids and even licensed by some popular video games or cartoon properties. They are more comfortable for children than conventional headphones, and they often come with parental controls such as volume-limiting features.