How to Choose the Best Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

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

There are two types of noise cancelling headphones: passive noise isolation and active noise cancellation. The former uses heavily padded ears that are squeaky-clean to block out outside sounds while the latter utilize built-in microphones to produce opposite sound waves that cancel out any 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, trying to sleep on a flight that's booked to capacity or battling noisy coworkers. They also let you enjoy your music at a relaxing level without putting too much strain on your ears. Furthermore, many of our top picks have an ultra-lightweight design that is comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Noise cancellation is usually achieved by using active sound-reduction technologies that create opposite sound waves to block ambient noise cancelling over Ear headphones. There are headphones that come that have passive noise isolation which seals the earcups or buds around the ears to block out noises that are not needed. However, the best models we tested have active sound cancellation to give an unbeatable escape.

You'll want your headphones are well-designed and fit snugly. You should ensure that they don't leak since this can be annoying to others near you. To truly experience a full audio experience, you'll need headphones that are compatible with the high-resolution Bluetooth codec LDAC, which allows them to playback hi-res music at 96kHz/24 bits resolution, making them the ultimate audiophile's device.

While many people think of noise-canceling headphones as big heavy, bulky headphones that aren't ideal for travel, a lot of new models can fold down to a compact form factor. If you're looking for an affordable travel headphone that has a foldable design such as the Bose QC45 we reviewed is a great option. If you're a frequent traveler, the Sennheiser HD450BT is an excellent pair of headphones that fold down to fit into your carry-on bag.

The majority of the models we've looked at are wireless, and some even come with built-in microphones for hands-free calling. You can also manage your noise cancellation and audio settings using a separate app that is a great option for anyone looking to adjust their headphones while on the move. Some wireless models include docking stations that allow on the going listening, while others come with a portable case that gives you hours of battery power even when you're not at home or at work.

Sound Quality

The majority of music enthusiasts 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 external sounds.

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 as well as possible. Fortunately that's what they can do. As ANC headphones have evolved, their sound has also improved with time. This has resulted in some of the top headphones available today that can rival any top-tier audiophile headsets.

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

The kind of sound you enjoy most also depends on how important noise cancelling is to you. While ANC is excellent at eliminating monotonous sounds like the whooshing noise of an airplane, or the roaring of traffic, it's not able to eliminate dynamic sounds with various frequencies and intensities like human voice or instruments.

To this end, the best pair of headphones that provide exceptional passive isolation as well as good ANC can be a solid option, whether you go with headphones that fit around your ears or over-ear headphones that completely cover your earlobes. You can get a remarkable isolation even without active noise cancellation using Comply memory foam tips, or similar products. They will conform to the shape of your ear.

Of course, most ANC headphones will come with various Bluetooth codes, allowing users to connect with the audio source that works the best for noise cancelling over ear Headphones you. For example, the Sony WH-1000XM4s feature both LDAC and DSEE Extreme support to ensure that you can listen to your music in high-resolution and in amazing detail. Sinead O'Connor's sibilant cry, and her powerful chorus come through when she sings Nothing Compares 2 U.

Noise Cancellation

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

To make their magic happen Noise cancelling headphones employ an active technology that is powered by noise cancellation (ANC). Small microphones in earcups or the earbuds listen to the sounds you're exposed and emit opposite frequencies, which will then be in collision and effectively cancel out those unwanted noises, leaving only the music that you're listening to. It's more complex and relies on your sensitivity and the design of the headphones, and the quality audio processing. The main thing is that they reduce the noise, whether it's from the engine of an airplane or animated conversations with your colleagues.

While they're not able to completely turn your surroundings into a solitary empty space, the best over-ear ANC headphones we tested do an excellent job of blocking most background noises. For the most immersive listening experience, you should consider an ANC pair that has adaptive noise cancellation, which will take ANC to a new level by continuously monitoring ambient sounds, countering the background noise in real-time, and maintaining the audio you would like to hear (including hands-free calls) at a consistent volume. The Sony WH-1000XM5s provide an example of this technology in the action.

Apart from the noise-canceling features, lots of over the ear ANC headphones also have other useful and interesting features that can make listening more enjoyable. Look for features like control buttons, high-quality audio codecs, as well as support for voice-assistants such as Siri or Google Assistant. A wireless Bluetooth connection is a must to allow hands-free and comfortable audio playback as well as a portable charging case that lets you remain connected traveling.

Another useful feature is a passive mode, which allows the noise-canceling circuitry to be shut off and allows you to listen with the same isolation as regular headphones. This is a handy trick for when you need to hear the outside world or haven't enough battery power to recharge your headphones.

Value

While listening to music or making phone calls, a good pair of headphones will make you feel as if you're in a soundproofed space. Noise cancelling headphones cost more than non-noise cancelling headphones noise but they deliver better quality sound and block out distracting ambient noise. They are worth the additional cost for those who spend long hours alone in the office or on the road.

The Sony WH1000XM5 headphone is packed with useful features. They have impressive noise cancellation capabilities and come with an in-built microphone that can produce natural clear and clear audio when you call and DSEE Extreme Audio Upscaling. The ANC system does a fantastic job of blocking out external sounds but they struggle to shield you from low-frequency sounds like traffic or trains passing by.

The headphones are lightweight and fold down into an elongated D shape that can be put into the bag of a carry-on. They're great for traveling. They work with a variety of voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and a feature that automatically stops music when removed from your ears. They can also be used with a wired connection for listening to your favorite podcasts or videos in noisy environments.

The Razer Opus Wireless headphones are a great value for the price. They have a good ANC system however, they also have a transparency option that turns on the external microphones of the headphones to allow more noise from your surroundings to be heard. They also come with an integrated USB-C charging port, which means that they can be charged while still being utilized. They have a low-latency Bluetooth connection, which is essential to play games on the go or watch videos.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider 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 sound of computer fans. They are able to last for longer than 32 hours, and include an automatic off timer.