How to Choose the Best Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are a great option to enhance your listening experience, regardless of whether you're working from home or taking public transport to commute. They create an audio barrier between your ears and outside noise cancelling wireless headphones (visit the next page). But how do you know which pair is best for you?

There are two main types of noise-cancelling headphones that are active and passive noise cancellation. The former uses heavily padded headphones that fit comfortably to block out outside sounds while the latter utilize built-in microphones to produce opposite sound waves to block out ambient noise.

Comfort

If you're on noisy public transport or fighting for office space with chatty colleagues or attempting to catch some shut-eye on a long-haul flight, noise cancelling headphones offer a sonic buffer between your ears and the rest of the world. These headphones let you listen to music at the right volume without straining your ears. Many of our top picks feature a lightweight design, making them comfortable to wear throughout the day.

Noise cancellation is usually accomplished by using active sound-reduction techniques that generate opposing sound waves to cancel background noise. Although you can find headphones that use passive noise isolation that covers the earcups or earbuds to keep out unwanted sounds--the most effective models we've tested employ active sound cancellation to provide an ideal break from the monotony of everyday life.

You'll want your headphones are well-designed and fit snugly. You'll want to ensure that they don't leak, as this can be annoying to those who are around you. To experience a truly immersive sound, you'll want headphones that support high-resolution Bluetooth codesc LDAC. This allows them to playback hi res music with resolution of 96kHz/24 bits and makes them an audiophile's dream.

While some people think of noise-canceling headphones as large bulky, bulky headphones that aren't suitable for travel, a lot of new models fold down into smaller dimensions. The Bose QC45 headphones we've reviewed, for example are a great option if you're looking for an affordable travel headphone that can fold flat to fit inside its case. If you're a frequent flyer and want to travel light, the Sennheiser HD 450BT are a good pair that folds to fit in your carry-on bag to make it easy to transport.

Most of the models we've looked at are wireless, and some come with built-in mics for hands-free calls. The app lets you adjust the volume and noise cancellation settings, which is great for those who wish to adjust their headphones while traveling. Some of the wireless models come with chargers for on-the-go listening, while others come with an accessory case that can give you a long battery life when away from work or home.

Sound Quality

The majority of music enthusiasts are concerned about the quality of their headphones, especially those that have a high-quality audio. While any pair of headphones will aid in blocking out ambient noise, a high-quality pair of noise cancelling headphones will not only be capable of effectively blocking out the outside world but will also be able to provide clear high-quality audio.

If you're planning to spend an amount of money on a pair of headphones, it only makes sense that they'll able to play your tunes and possibly. Fortunately, as ANC headphone technology has advanced in sound quality, the sound they produce has also improved significantly over time. This has resulted in some of the most powerful headphones on the market today that beat the best audiophile headphones available.

Of course, the sound quality you'll hear will largely depend on the way you listen to music and what your preferences are. Some people prefer a deep warm, warm sound with plenty of bass, whereas others might prefer high-quality headphones to be able to listen to every detail in the music or album.

The type of sound you'll enjoy most also depends on how important noise cancellation is for you. While ANC is excellent in removing dull sounds such as the whistling of an aircraft or the roar of traffic, it's not able to remove dynamic sounds that change in intensity and frequency such as human voices or instruments.

If you want to get the best passive isolation, a pair of headphones with ANC that is good is a great choice regardless of whether they're headphones with earbuds or even over ear noise cancelling headphones wireless-ear ones. You can enjoy a remarkable isolation even without active noise cancellation using Comply memory foam tips or similar products that precisely fit to the shape of your ear.

Of course, the majority of ANC headphones will have various Bluetooth codecs that allow users to connect with the audio source that is most suitable for you. The Sony WH1000XM4s for example, have LDAC support and DSEE Extreme to ensure you can listen to your favorite tracks in high resolution and stunning detail. Sinead's sibilant cry and her ferocious chorus come through when she sings Nothing Compares 2 U.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancelling headphones can create an audio buffer between your ears and the world around you. They listen to ambient sounds and then use built in microphones to "read" and only allow the sound you would like to hear. They're an excellent choice for commuting, noise cancelling wireless headphones working at home, or any situation in which background noise can be distracting or irritating.

To achieve their magical effects, noise cancelling headphones have a powered technology called active noise cancellation (ANC). The tiny microphones inside the earcups or the earbuds listen to the sounds you're exposed and emit opposite frequencies that will meet and effectively cancel out those unwanted sounds, leaving the music that you're listening to. It's a little more complex than that, and it depends on the quality of your ears, the design of your headphones and the quality of its audio processing, but the idea is that they will effectively reduce the noise you hear, whether that's an aircraft engine or your coworker's animated conversations.

The best over ear noise cancelling headphones over-ear ANC headsets we tested aren't able to completely block out background noises however they do a good job in blocking them. You should consider a pair of headphones that feature adaptive noise cancelation. This takes ANC to a whole new level by monitoring ambient noises and reversing them in real-time, while maintaining the music you want to listen to (including hands-free calls) at a constant level. This 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 such as touch controls, high-quality audio codec support, and support for voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant. Wireless Bluetooth is essential for hands-free audio playback as well as easy audio playback. A portable charging case will help you stay connected when you travel.

Another handy feature is a passive mode, which allows the noise cancellation circuitry to be shut off and lets you listen with the same isolation as regular headphones. This is a great option to use when you don't want to hear outside noises or have enough battery to recharge your headphones.

Value

A quality pair of headphones will make you feel as if 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 deliver better sound quality and block out distracting ambient noise. They are well worth the extra cost for those who spend long hours in the office or out on the road.

The Sony WH1000XM5 headphone is packed with features that are useful. They have impressive noise cancellation capabilities and come with an in-built microphone that can produce natural, clear audio during calls and DSEE Extreme Audio Upscaling. The ANC system does a great job of blocking out external sounds however they struggle to shield you from bass-range noises like traffic or trains passing by.

They're also light and folds down into a compact, D-shaped bag that can be tucked away into a carry case, making them ideal for use on the road. They are compatible with multiple voice assistants including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and come with a feature that automatically pauses music when they are removed from your ears. You can also connect them with a wired connection to listen to your favorite videos or podcasts in noisy environments.

The Razer Opus X Wireless headphones are an exceptional value for their price. In addition to having an ANC system that performs well, they have a transparency mode that turns on the external microphones of the headphones so that the sound of your surroundings can be heard. They also come with an integrated USB-C charging port, which means they can be charged while still being used. They have low-latency Bluetooth connection which is crucial to play games on the go or watch videos.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless headphones. They are capable in blocking out distracting noises, from the rumble of bus and plane engines to the high-pitched hum of computer fans. They can last for more than 32 hours and come with an automatic shut-off timer.