How to Choose over ear headphones with noise cancelling Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones are a great option to enhance your listening experience, whether you're working from home or commuting by public transport. They create an ear-to-ear barrier that blocks out your ears and the outside sound. But how do you know which pair is right for you?
There are two primary kinds of noise cancelling headphones that are passive noise isolation and active noise cancellation. The former is made of heavily cushioned ears that are squeaky-clean to block out outside sounds, while the latter use built-in microphones that create opposing sound waves to cancel out background noise.
Comfort
Noise cancelling headphones are a great option to block out the noise of the world, whether you're on crowded public transport, trying to sleep on a plane that's overbooked or fighting with noisy colleagues. They also let you enjoy your music at a comfortable level without putting any strain on your ears, and many of our top picks come with an ultra-lightweight design that is comfortable to wear for hours.
Traditionally, noise cancellation involves using active sound-reduction technology that creates opposing sound waves to block out ambient noise. Although you can find headphones that use passive noise isolation that covers the earcups or earbuds to block out unwanted sounds, the best models we've tested use active sound cancellation to provide a true break from the monotony of everyday life.
To get the optimal results, you'll need to make sure that your headphones fit snugly and are well-designed. It is important to ensure they don't leak as this could be irritating to others who are around you. For a truly immersive audio you'll need headphones that support high-resolution Bluetooth codesc LDAC. This lets them play back hi-res music at 24 bit resolution and 96kHz which makes them an audiophile's dream.
While some people view noise-canceling headphones as big bulky, bulky headphones that aren't ideal for travel, a lot of new models fold down into a compact form factor. If you're in search of a travel headphone with an adjustable design such as the Bose QC45 we reviewed is a great option. If you're a frequent traveler, the Sennheiser HD 450BT are a good pair that folds to the size of a carry-on bag, making it easy to transport.
The majority of the models we have examined are wireless, and some even come with built-in mics for hands-free calls. The app allows you to manage the audio and noise cancellation settings, which is perfect for those who need to adjust their headphones while on the move. Some wireless models come with chargers for on-the-go listening, while others use an accessory case that can give you hours of battery life even when you're away from your home or at work.
Sound Quality
Quality of sound is a major deal for most music lovers especially when it is about headphones. While any pair of headphones will assist in removing ambient sounds, a great pair of noise cancelling headphones will not just be able to effectively block out the outside world but also be able to provide clear, high-quality audio.
If you're spending lots of money on headphones, then you need them to play your music as effectively as they can. Fortunately that's what they can do. As ANC headphones have evolved and improved their sound, they have also improved over time. The result is some of the finest audiophile headphones on the market today.
The quality of the sound you hear will depend on your listening habits and preferences. Some people will prefer an open and warm sound that's rich in bass while others may prefer high-quality headphones that can deliver every nuances of a song or album.
The kind of sound you appreciate the most is contingent on how important noise cancellation is for you. While ANC is great at removing monotonous sounds like the whooshing noise of an airplane, or the roaring of traffic, it is unable to eliminate dynamic sounds with various frequencies and intensities such as human voice or instruments.
To this end, an excellent pair of headphones that provide outstanding passive isolation and good ANC can be an excellent choice, regardless of regardless of whether you opt for earbuds that are sealed around your ears or over-ear headphones that completely cover your earlobes. You can achieve remarkable isolation without active noise cancellation by using Comply memory foam tips or similar products. They will form to fit the shape of your ear.
Of course, the majority of ANC headphones come with various Bluetooth codecs that allow you to connect them with the audio source that works the best for you. For instance the Sony WH1000XM4s come with both LDAC and DSEE Extreme support to ensure that you'll be able listen to your music in high-resolution and in stunning detail. The result is that when Sinead O'Connor sings Nothing Compares 2 U her sibilant cry as well as the forceful chorus are like she's in the room with you.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancelling headphones can put a sonic buffer between your ears and the world around you. They listen to ambient sound and then use built-in microphones to "read" the environment, allowing only the audio that you would like to hear. They're great for working from home, or any other situation where background noise 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 the earbuds listen to the sounds you're exposed to and then emit opposite frequencies, which will then be in collision and effectively block out unwanted sounds, leaving the music you're listening to. It's more complicated than that, and is contingent on the quality of your ears, the design of your headphones and the quality of its audio processing, but the basic idea is that they can effectively reduce the noise you hear, whether that's an aircraft engine or your coworker's animated conversations.
While they're not able to completely turn your surroundings into a quiet void, the best over-ear ANC headphones we tested did an excellent job of blocking out the majority of background noises. For the most immersive listening experience, look into a pair with adaptive noise cancellation, which enhances ANC to a new level by continuously listening to ambient sounds, countering the background noise in real-time and ensuring that the audio you want to hear (including hands-free calls) at a consistent volume. This technology is demonstrated in the Sony WH1000XM5s.
Apart from the noise-canceling capabilities, a lot of over the ear ANC headphones also have other useful and interesting features that will make your listening experience more enjoyable. Look for features like control buttons and high-quality audio codec support and support for voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant. A wireless Bluetooth connection is a must for hands-free and convenient audio playback, as well as a mobile charging case that lets you stay connected while on the go.
A passive mode is also useful feature. It allows you to disable the noise-canceling circuitry, and listen with the same level of isolation that regular headphones provide. This is a great option to use when you don't want to hear outside noises or don't have enough battery to charge your headphones.
Value
A good pair of headphones will make you feel as if you are in a soundproofed room while listening to music or making phone calls. Noise cancelling headphones are more expensive than non-noise cancelling headphones but they deliver better quality sound and block out distracting background sounds. For this reason, they are worth the extra investment for those who spend long periods of time on their own at work or traveling.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have outstanding noise cancellation capabilities and come packed with many useful features such as a dedicated microphone that produces clear and natural sound during phone calls as well as DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. The ANC system is very effective in blocking out outside noises, but they are not as effective at separating you from low-frequency sounds, such as trains or traffic.
They are also lightweight and folds down into a compact, D-shaped bag that tucks into a carrying case, making them perfect for travel. They are compatible with many voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and a feature that automatically will stop music when removed from your ears. You can also connect them with a wired cable to listen to your favorite music or podcasts in noisy environments.
The Razer Opus X Wireless headphones are an outstanding value for the money. In addition to an ANC system that performs well they also have a transparency mode that switches on the headphones' external microphones so more of the noise around you can pass through. The headphones come with a built-in USB-C charging port, which means they can be used while being charged. They also have low-latency Bluetooth connection which is crucial for gaming on the go and watching videos.
You might want to consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones for a more affordable alternative. They excel at blocking out distracting noises like the rumble from plane engines and buses, or the high-pitched hum of computer fans. They can last for more than 32 hours and come with an automatic off timer.