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 improve your listening experience by forming an acoustic buffer between your ears and the outside world. How do you choose the best pair for you?
There are two types of noise cancelling headsets: passive isolation, and active noise cancellation. The first utilizes earcups that have thick padding that is fitted to block out external noises, while the second utilizes built-in microphones to produce opposing sound waves to block out background noise.
Comfort
If you're spending your day on noisy public transport, battling for office space with chatty colleagues or attempting to catch some sleep on a flight that's overbooked, noise cancelling headphones offer an audio buffer between your ears and the rest of the world. These headphones allow you to listen to your music at an appropriate volume without straining your ears. A majority of our top picks come with a light-weight design, making them easy to wear throughout the throughout the day.
Noise cancellation is usually achieved by using active sound-reduction techniques that generate opposing sound waves in order to block out background noise. While you can find cheaper headphones that use passive noise isolation that covers the earcups or buds around your ears to block out unwanted sounds, the best models we've tested use active sound cancellation to offer an ideal break from the monotony of everyday life.
For the optimal results, you'll need to ensure that your headphones fit snugly and are well-designed. It is important to ensure they don't leak since this can be annoying to those who are around you. For a truly immersive audio experience, you'll need headphones that support the high-resolution Bluetooth codec LDAC, which lets them playback high-res music at 96kHz/24 bit resolution--making them the ultimate audiophile's device.
While some people view noise-canceling headphones as large heavy, bulky headphones that aren't ideal for travel, the majority of the latest models can fold down to a compact form factor. If you're looking to find headphones for travel that have a foldable design, the Bose QC45 we reviewed is an excellent choice. If you're a frequent traveler the Sennheiser HD450BT is a great pair of headphones that fold down to fit into your carry-on bag.
Most of the models in our roundup are wireless, and many of them are mobile headsets that have built-in microphones that allow hands-free phone calls. You can also manage your noise cancelling and audio settings using a separate app that is a great option for anyone looking to adjust their headphones on the go. Some wireless models come with a docking station for on-the move listening, and others come with a case that provides plenty of battery life when you're away from home or working.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is a big deal for most music lovers especially when it is about headphones. Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent option to block out any external noise.
If you're spending lots of dollars on headphones, you need them to play your music as good as they can. Fortunately that's what noise cancelling headset with mic can do. As ANC headphones have evolved, their sound has also improved over time. The result is the best audiophile headphones currently 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 full, warm sound with lots of bass, while others may opt for high-fidelity headphones to hear every nuance in the music or album.
Noise cancellation is a personal preference. While ANC is excellent at eliminating monotonous sounds such as the swooshing sound of an aircraft, or the roar of traffic, it cannot eliminate dynamic sounds with various frequencies and intensities such as human voice or instruments.
To this end, the best pair of headphones with outstanding passive isolation and good ANC can be an excellent choice, whether you go with headphones that fit around your ears or over-ear headphones that completely cover your earlobes. You can get impressive isolation even with no active noise cancellation using Comply memory foam tips or similar products that mold perfectly to the shape of your ears.
Of course, most ANC headphones will have a range of Bluetooth codecs, allowing you to connect them with the audio source that works best for you. The Sony WH1000XM4s, for example, feature both LDAC support and DSEE Extreme to ensure you can listen to your favorite songs in high-quality and with stunning clarity. 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 put an audio buffer between your ears and the world around you. They listen to the ambient sound you hear, and then make use of built-in microphones to "read" those sounds, only allowing the audio you wish to hear through. These are ideal for those who commute or work from home, or in any situation where background noises can be distracting or irritating.
To make their magic happen Noise cancelling headphones employ an active technology that is powered by noise cancellation (ANC). The tiny microphones inside the earcups or earbuds listen to the sounds you're exposed and emit opposite frequencies that will meet and effectively block out unwanted noises, leaving only the music that you're listening to. It's more complicated and relies on the sensitivity of your ears and the design of the headphones and the quality of audio processing. But the main point is that they reduce the sound of the engine of an airplane or animated conversations with your colleagues.
The best over-ear ANC headsets that we tested didn't completely block out background noises however they are effective at blocking them. For the most immersive listening experience, look into an ANC pair that has adaptive noise cancellation. It enhances ANC to the next level by continuously listening to ambient sounds, reversing them in real-time, and maintaining the audio you would like to hear (including hands-free calls) at a consistent volume. The Sony WH-1000XM5s are an example of this advanced technology in motion.
Many over-ear ANC headphones have 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. 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 do not want to hear any outside noises, or don't have enough battery to charge your headphones.
Value
If you are listening to music or taking phone calls, a good pair of headphones can make you feel like you're in a soundproofed area. Noise cancelling headphones may be more expensive, but they will provide superior audio quality and block out distracting background noise. This is why they're worth the investment for those who spend much time alone in the office or traveling.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones boast amazing noise cancellation capabilities and come packed with many useful features such as a dedicated microphone that can produce clear and natural sound during phone calls and DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. Their ANC system does a great job of blocking out sounds from outside however they struggle to isolate you from bass-range noises like the sound of passing trains or traffic.
The headphones are lightweight and fold into a compact D shape that can be tucked into a carrying bag. They're perfect for traveling. They are compatible with multiple voice assistants like 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 music or podcasts in noisy environments.
The Razer Opus X Wireless headphones are an exceptional value for their price. Alongside an ANC system that performs well they also have a transparency mode that activates the external microphones on the headphones, so the sound of your surroundings can be heard. The headphones have a built-in USB-C charging plug, which means they can still be used even while charging. They have low latency connections via Bluetooth, which is important to play games on mobile devices and watch videos.
Take a look at the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones for a more affordable option. They do a great job of cancelling out distracting sounds such as the rumble of buses and plane engines to the high-pitched sound of computer fans. They can last up to 32 hours on a single charge. They have an auto-off timer that can conserve power.