In this post, I’ll walk you through the various aspects of the best noise-canceling headphones to help you make an informed buying decision.
Moreover, I’ll also touch on the important parameters to help narrow down the options.
Lastly, I’ll be taking quite a few questions on the topic best noise-canceling headphones asked by my clientele as well as readers.
In short, you’ll get all the ingredients that you’re looking for as a first-time buyer or even an experienced one.
I know many of you would be inquisitive about who am I to guide you, right?
Well, I’m a soundproof consultant with a decade of experience, and I’ve helped individuals and corporates in their journey of soundproofing.
The post is gonna be gigantic should have a cup of tea, relax, and ENJOY THE SHOW.
Well, let’s start with what really the noise-canceling headphones are and what is the reason why they are so DEMAND.
A noise-canceling headphone is a device that reduces mainly the ambient sounds using active noise control.
I’ve seen people getting confused between active and passive headphones.
Passive headphones are the ones that reduce ambient sounds using techniques such as soundproofing.
Often you would’ve realized that if your background is noisy then you’ve to raise the volume of the headphones to listen to the audio clearly.
But, the problem is there is a limitation to raising the volume because the higher volume may lead to noise-induced hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss is a common problem in America and is caused by exposure to loud sounds.
So, who are at risk of Noise-Induced Hearing loss?
To be honest, anyone and everyone is at risk of NIHL, the worst part is, even though you’re exposed to loud noise for an epigrammatic span of time, you may have NIHL.
Prevention is always better than cure, so the best thing that you can do is to prevent your ears from getting exposed to loud pitch.
NIHL is caused by to damage the sensitive structure in our inner ears.
Once someone is affected by NIHL, symptoms may be visible instantly or it may even take a long course of time for them to be visible.
NIHL can be temporary or permanent and it can happen in one or both ears.
You’ll be astonished to know that based on a CDC study at least 10 percent of adults in the USA alone have a problem of noise-induced hearing loss in one or both ears.
Furthermore, researchers also estimated that as many as 17 percent of teens, aged between 12 and 19 years may be affected by the NIHL. (Link to report)
In short, the probability is quite high that you may end up being a victim of NIHL.
So, what’s the solution?
Definitely, a noise-canceling headphone is one of the best solutions but it is NOT only the solution.
You can also try soundproof earmuffs, noise-canceling earplugs, and white noise machines as an alternative to noise-canceling headphones.
Later in the post, I’ll be discussing some of the feasible alternatives to noise-canceling headphones to help you make an informed buying decision.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin.
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Review
Well, I’m assuming that you’re as excited as me to know more about the headphones that made it to our list.
However, I just want to make it clear that the headphones are NOT in any order.
For us, all the noise-canceling headphones that were made to our list are good to go.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 3rd Gen Wireless Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones
The Beoplay H9 wireless active noise cancelation headphone is well-known for their superlative design and idiosyncratic sound quality.
However, this active noise-canceling isn’t meant for everyone, indeed.
Especially, if you’re on a shoestring budget, then I would suggest you should look for a more affordable option.
(Check the Current Price of Noise-Cancelling Headphones On Amazon)
Needless to say, this high-end headphone comes with all the qualities that you would’ve ever dreamt of.
I’m not kidding as I’ve been using this phone for quite a few months now, and trust me, the experience you’ll have is definitely mindboggling.
Not only it is capable of playtime of 25 hours but also, it is made of high-quality materials that give you everlasting comfort.
On top of it, this ANC headphone comes with a dedicated voice assistant button to help you with the superlative experience.
The unique thing about the ADVANCE active noise-canceling feature is that it can block both high as well as low-frequency noises such as human conversation, traffic noise, etc. making them the best noise-canceling headphones for traveling.
Moreover, Beoplay H9 is compatible with the Bang & Olufsen App making your experience much better as compared to its counterparts.
The headband and ear cushions are made of leather and the latter comprises memory foam to help you experience what you haven’t before.
Definitely, the headphone has a classy look and is meant to target class and not mass.
Because of anodized aluminum discs, the headphone is extremely lightweight.
It has an impressive battery life so you don’t have to worry at all while you’re traveling.
Without any doubt, you can wear these headphones for a longer duration as the padded cushions are designed to envelop your ear.
You can connect it via Bluetooth as well as a wire connection.
It comes with a 3.5mm mini-jack for wire connection.
On the other hand, Bluetooth is extremely powerful with an impressive range of 10m.
Not only that Beoplay H9 headphones are meant to connect up to two devices while remembering up to eight.
The control panel is simple yet aesthetically appealing.
In fact, you can control volume and track selection using a visually appealing touchpad on the right ear.
In short, a unique blend of style and superlative features exclusively made for music lovers who are looking for a superlative luxurious experience.
Lastly, the 3rd generation has a higher clamping force resulting in a minimal leakage of sound, so you can expect a tangible improvement in sound quality.
Do you find any reason for NOT buying these headphones?
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Definitely, BOSE is a well-established and trusted brand when it comes to ANC headphones or other electronic items.
Whether you want to have a peaceful sleep or enhance your productivity at the workplace, the Boise QuietComfort will help you to focus.
The headphone is extremely powerful at dampening background noise so that you don’t have to increase the volume for the clarity of the music.
On top of it, the phone is Alexa enabled, so you can have all the fun, be it entertainment, information, or whatever.
To help you experience extreme comfort it has embedded multi-directional motion sensors.
You can easily operate it using the Bose connect app or else using action buttons.
The headphone has three settings for noise-cancelation.
In other words, Bose QuietComfort is a unique blend of performance, durability, and comfortability.
Whether you’re playing your favorite song at a low or extremely high volume, you can expect a balanced audio performance.
All the credits go to the volume-optimized EQ.
On the other hand, if your background is noisy, then noise-rejecting dual-microphone comes into play to help you with clear calls.
With the headphones, you can certain accessories such as a carrying case, charging cable, and audio cable.
Needless to say, the company has not taken any risk when it comes to the comfort of the end-users.
Moreover, you can use it on your office premises or for traveling purposes as it has a long battery life of 20 hours.
If you use an iPhone then I would suggest you should operate these headphones using the Bose Connect app because it gives you the feasibility to control all the things at one go, be it adjusting the noise-cancellation level, enabling music sharing, accessing software updates, or even managing Bluetooth connections.
So, what are you waiting for?
I’m not telling you to believe my words rather see what customers have to say.
Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones WH1000XM3
Sony is a well-known and highly trusted brand when it comes to dealing with loud noises.
It goes without saying that WH1000XM3 is an industry-leading noise-cancelation headphone that can help you achieve the epitome of silence.
In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that you’ll experience a personalized virtually soundproof experience.
Like other high-end noise-canceling headphones, it also comes with a voice assistant.
The voice assistant is Alexa enabled, so you’ve access to a broad database of music, information, etc. with the help of a simple touch.
Personally, I like its quick attention mode feature which is of great help when you’re using this noise-canceling headphone on a regular basis at your workplace.
All you need to do is, cover your right ear cup to turn down your music for instant easy conversation.
Another important aspect of WH1000XM3 is smart listening.
As the name suggests, smart listening can help you to adjust the ambient sound to your activity to help you with the best noise cancelation.
The control panel is compact and alluring so that you can have a superlative experience.
With the help of the control panel, you can control music tracks and volume.
Some other things that you can do are to activate your voice assistant and take phone calls.
In short, this headphone gives you access to all the important features that one needs to have on his noise-canceling headphones.
Similar to some other high-end headphones, it also comes with great battery life.
Whether you want noise-canceling headphones for office purposes, sleeping, or even traveling, these headphones will serve the purpose.
On top of it, on a single charge, you can expect this headphone to get up to 30 hours of battery life.
Well, if we talk in the context of sound quality, then you would be amazed to know that the technology used in this headphone will allow you to hear every note, tone, and word with utter clarity.
On top of it, additional microphones enhance your phone call quality.
On the downside, it is not capable of multiple device pairing which may be a point of concern for you if you’ve previously used Bose QC35 which can connect two devices.
(Check the customers’ reviews on Amazon)
Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you’re an avid reader of this blog, then you would be well aware of the fact that Jabra Elite 85h is the new addition to our list of best noise-canceling headphones.
It comes with Alexa built-in and is engineered for the best wireless calls and music experience with SmartSound.
Smart active noise cancelation is adaptive in nature, so when it comes in contact with the noisy environment it automatically switches on to help you with the superlative experience.
The smart sound audio technology doesn’t stop here.
In order, to help you experience the best, these noise-canceling headphones analyze your environment in the most appropriate way, and then automatically apply your personalized audio.
For example, the headphone automatically detects if you’re at a noisy place such as an airport and switch on the smart active noise cancellation feature.
Similarly, it enables the HearThrough feature if you’re on a train platform.
By doing so, it helps you to achieve your favorite sound environment without your intervention- a sort of automation, indeed.
Another thing that may grab your attention is the battery life of 36 hours which is definitely tangible and will suffice the power requirement even though you’re traveling continuously.
15 minutes of charging can help the battery to run for 5 hours.
Moreover, in terms of sound quality, definitely, Jabra Elite 85h is definitely one of the best as it comes with 8 built-in microphones.
Mostly, it uses 6 of the 8 built-in microphones to help you hear crystal clear sound by blocking not only background noise but also wind noise.
You can definitely consider it while traveling even in the rainy season because it is a certified water and rain-resistant headphone.
The internal components are even safe and secure because of the use of nano coating on them.
I highly recommend you, use the Jabra Sound+ app with this headphone if you want to control everything in one go.
Be it setting customization, in-app navigation, or access to the most used widgets, the Sound+ app will serve the purpose in an effective way.
All in all, a product you can consider taking home if you enjoy experimenting with new and innovative products.
(Check the current price on Amazon)
Bose Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones 700
The Bose Noise Canceling Headphone 700 is known for its superlative microphone system for voice pickup.
To add to it, they come with a first-of-its-kind audio augmented reality platform and the headphone is optimized for both Alexa as well as Google Assistant.
If you’re still not convinced then let me tell you, these noise-canceling headphones are one of the best when it comes to personalizing the environment for you.
You can choose from 11 levels of noise cancelation which is definitely something to brag about.
Trust me, the kind of audio experience that you’ll get from Bose AR, you would’ve never experienced before.
In short, this headphone is among the few that allows you to stay connected to your digital world as well as remain engaged in your physical activity at the same time.
So, you can listen to your favorite music by connecting your headphones to Alexa, and at the same time, you can perform a regular task at the manufacturing unit.
The headphones can run up to 20 hours at one go without the need for charging, so you can use them for multiple purposes such as travel, exercise, office privacy, sleeping, etc.
Lastly, this lightweight headphone is highly comfortable and uniquely designed with a streamlined stainless-steel headband.
You can access Alexa by using a wake-up word or with the push of a button.
Adaptive technology is used in a four-microphone system to help you isolate your voice from noisy surroundings.
In short, the company has taken into consideration almost all the important parameters to help you with the best possible experience.
So, what are you waiting for?
(Check the current price on Amazon)
Sony WF-1000XM3 Industry Leading Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Earbuds
So, here are the leading noise-canceling wireless earbuds that you’ll love to carry with you wherever you go.
To be honest, the SONY WF-1000XM3 is a revolutionary product when it comes to noise-canceling, compactness, and portability.
So, what makes these headphones so special?
First and foremost, this headphone leads from the front when it comes to wireless freedom.
On top of it, the brand SONY has its own reputation and is known to be the manufacturer of some of the best noise-canceling headphones available on the market.
Moreover, from an industry-leading digital noise cancellation product, I mean that you’ll hear each and every word with 100 percent clarity, and the same holds true for note and tune as well.
The USP of this product is HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1e which helps WF-1000XM3 to reach the pinnacle of noise cancelation, and of course at an affordable price.
On top of it, you’ll find these noise-cancellation headphones have best in class signal to best-in-class signal-to-noise ratio which further strengthens its claims to be the pioneer in the industry.
To help you experience high performance and the best quality, it comes with 24-bit audio signal processing.
However, when we talk about extended battery life its competitors definitely have an upper edge.
Though the extended battery life and a quick charge are enough to cater to the needs of most of the end users still I feel some of you may not be satisfied with the 6 hours of battery life on a single charge.
But to suffice it, the headphone comes with a charging case that is capable of supplying another three full charge.
So, technically you can say that the headphone delivers up to 24 hours of battery life.
Especially for traveling purposes, it may do wonders for you in terms of quick charge because 10 minutes of charge time gives you up to 90 minutes of playback.
Well, like the aforementioned headphone, it also comes with an adaptive sound control which allows you to switch to ambient sound mode depending upon your activity.
So, if you’re in a very noisy place such as an airport or a railway station, then you don’t have to manually perform any function to switch to ambient sound mode rather the headphones will adapt to the situation automatically, Interesting isn’t it?
In short, you’ll get only music and nothing else.
So, what are you waiting for?
(Check the current price on Amazon)
JBL Live 650 BT NC
Well, your wait is over, as here comes the best noise-canceling headphones that you can get for under $200.
So, even though you’re on a shoestring budget, you can afford to listen to your favorite tracks without any disturbances.
Moreover, I can assure you that JBL Live 650 BT NC comprises all the ingredients that a good noise-canceling headphone should possess.
(Check the Premium Quality Noise Cancelling Headphones Price On Amazon)
I highly recommend JBL Live to all the music fanatics who love to listen to music with enhanced bass.
And, if music is the ONLY thing that matters to you, then definitely, I’ve got a piece of great news for you.
This headphone is capable enough to block almost all the noise in your background so that you can hear your favorite beats with utter clarity.
If you’re wondering whether this headphone has access to smart devices such as Alexa and Google Assistant, then you should be more than happy to know that it can easily connect to these devices by simply tapping on the ear cup.
On top of that, you can enjoy flawless music for a longer duration.
Thanks to the JBL Live batteries which are capable of running for 20 hours at one go when Bluetooth and ANC are switched on.
Lastly, the headphones will fascinate you because of their cool look and idiosyncratic design.
Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Canceling Over-Ear Headphones
Well, if you’re madly in love with the brand APPLE and seems like nothing else appeals to you other than Beat Studio3, then definitely, your quest will end on Beats Studio3.
It’s one of its kind and the Beats Studio3 Wireless syncs well with the quality of the brand Apple.
Of course, there can be numerous reasons why you shouldn’t buy it.
For example, it may be price or better options are available.
But, at the same time, there are tons of reasons as well that why you should take Beats Studio3 home.
However, if you’re on a shoestring budget, I would recommend you refrain from buying it as some great cheap alternatives are available that can very well cater to your needs.
To cut a long story short, let’s have a quick look at what this product has in its baggage.
Keeping the brand value of Apple in mind, it goes without saying that the Studio3 uses adaptive noise-canceling technology which means it adjusts the noise-canceling attribute as per your activity.
On top of it, the Beats Studio3 uses real-time audio calibration to preserve clarity, range, and even emotion.
When it comes to design and comfort, it is no less than other Apple products.
The unique design makes it possible to fit in a head of any size without compromising on the comfortability.
In short, it is meant for long-duration wearing, and the credit goes to the soft over-ear cushions feature.
As well all know, the brand Apple is known for high-end products, so you may find it difficult to buy if you’re on a shoestring budget.
Undoubtedly, you’ll experience superlative range and signal strength.
You can expect lots of accessories with this top-notch noise-canceling headphone.
A RemoteTalk cable, a USB 2.0 charging cable, a hard shell carrying case, a warranty card, and a quick start guide come with the product.
Another amazing thing about this headphone is that a quick charge of 10 minutes gives 3 hours of play when the battery is low.
In fact, you can very well exploit this feature when you’re traveling, camping, etc.
At the same time, this is one of the best noise-canceling headphones when it comes to protecting your ears at the workplace.
You can use it for almost 22 hours at one go without worrying about charging, and extended battery life is made possible by the rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
All in all, buy these headphones if you’re in love with the Apple brand and willing to pay a premium price.
But, at the same time, I’ll not negate the fact that the premium listening experience suffices for the price as happens with most Apple products if NOT all.
(Check the current price on Amazon)
Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones
So, if you’re not an Apple fanatic then definitely, you would be looking for some great options that could sync well with Samsung devices, right?
Well, I’ve come up with the Bose QuietComfort 20 noise-canceling headphone that is NOT only known for its high performance but also, the ability to sync well with Android devices.
This headphone is manufactured keeping an Android lover in mind, so you can expect it to be ideal for Samsung Galaxy and other similar devices.
Similar to other noise-canceling headphones that made our list of “best noise-canceling headphones“, it also dampens the surrounding sounds to help you concentrate on your task.
You can expect the quality of sound to be crystal clear and it was made possible with the help of exclusive TriPort technology.
Moreover, if you’re in an airport or some other important place and wants to hear what’s happening in the surrounding, all you need to do is activate AWARE MODE.
It also uses a rechargeable lithium battery which can run up to 16 hours after charging.
Needless to say, this is one of its kind and one of the best in-ear noise-canceling headphones from Bose.
I would recommend this headphone if you’re using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone because it allows you to switch smoothly between the music and the calls with the help of the inline microphone.
Lastly, it comes with all the necessary accessories such as 3 pairs of StayHear+ tips (S, M, L), a clothing clip, a rechargeable built-in lithium-ion battery, a USB charging cable, and a carrying case.
However, it may not be your choice if you’re looking for Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones.
(Check the price on Amazon)
Sennheiser HD 4.50 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
Well, the Sennheiser Bluetooth Wireless Headphone is the last noise-canceling headphone that made it to our list.
The company has been serving its customers for a long time. I’m sure that many of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that Sennheiser’s first active noise reduction headsets were developed for Lufthansa Airlines in the year 1984.
On the top Sennheiser had the first-mover advantage when it comes to receiving FAA-TSO certification.
In short, the company has vast experience in the field of noise-canceling, and it has used all its expertise as well as experience to make Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones a great product.
Hardcore music lovers are especially going to enjoy this headphone because of its well-balanced sound and dynamic bass listening.
I would highly recommend this idiosyncratic headphone if you’re planning to buy one for traveling purposes.
It uses active NoiseGard active noise cancelation to virtually eliminate ambient noise so that you can focus on your work or sleep peacefully even though the background is noisy.
The instant pairing of this headphone is highly possible and the credit goes to Near Field Communication (NFC).
Similar to other high-quality headphones, it also comes with ear-cup mounted controls which makes adjusting volume, changing tracks, as well as managing incoming calls much easier and hassle-free.
The headphones can operate non-stop for up to 19 hours with NoiseGrad active noise cancelation switched on.
On the other hand, if you switch off the NoiseGrad the battery life increases to 25 hours.
Hence, you can easily use these headphones for your tour and travel.
Needless to say, the product provides you with a high level of comfort and you can wear it for hours without any irritation or uncomfortableness the credit goes to soft leatherette-covered ear pads.
Moreover, the Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones are highly compact, durable and portable.
It comes with a protective ear case, so you’ll not find any difficulty in carrying it to places while you’re traveling.
The side-swiveling ear cups and foldable headband design add to the portability.
All in all, a great all-rounder noise-cancellation headphone that you can consider buying if your top priority is a value-for-money product.
(Check the current price on Amazon)
Noise Cancelling vs. Noise Isolating Headphones
Even before you start doing product research as well as reading product reviews, it is highly important for you as an informed consumer to understand the difference between noise-canceling and noise-isolating headphones.
Well, to begin with, noise-isolating headphones generally block external noises by physical means.
The noise-isolating headphones are also known as “passive noise cancellation” headphones.
I know most of you would be inquisitive to know what it really does, right?
In fact, they create a seal between your ear and the headphones.
In over-ear models, thickly padded cups are used for the purpose of dampening external noises.
The main focus of noise-isolating headphones is to focus on creating a strong comfortable seal around your ears so that you can only hear your music.
You can enjoy the music even at low volumes because the seal helps in muffling outside noise.
In short, it tries to block almost all the sounds coming from your surroundings.
On the contrary, noise-canceling headphone uses digital signal processing to actively cancel out sound waves from the ambient noise, and so it is also known as an active noise-canceling headphone.
So, what does it mean for a normal person who is not tech-savvy or technical?
It uses the concept of destructive interference which means noise-canceling headphone has an internal microphone and audio processor that listen to the sounds around you and plays opposite sounds to cancel them.
Buyers Guide
Well, I’m assuming that now you’re well aware of the difference between noise-isolation and noise-cancellation headphones, so moving forward we’ll discuss the important parameters that you need to consider while narrowing down on options.
Noise-Canceling Properties
First and foremost, you need to decide whether you want to go for a noise-isolation headphones or a noise-cancellation counterpart.
Well, if you’re not able to decide which of the two you want then you need to analyze whether you’re looking for a device that can completely muffle the external noise or you’re looking for something that can cancel the noise in your surroundings.
After all, it is you who has to take the final call, isn’t it?
Comfort and Style
It goes without saying that comfort and style plays a major role when it comes to wearing noise-canceling headphone for a longer duration.
Moreover, if the appearance of the noise-canceling headphones matters a lot to you, then, you definitely need to look for stylish headphones.
If I could recall when I was buying a noise-canceling headphone for the first time, my top priority was to make sure that the headphone was comfortable enough to be worn for a longer duration.
Needless to say, whether you want to buy a headphone for traveling, sleeping, working or any other purpose that involves wearing noise-cancellation headphones for a longer duration, qualities such as comfortability and compatibility are definitely gonna play crucial roles.
On top of it, choosing a wireless headphone over a wired one may add to the comfort quotient.
Well, corded headphones may not be a suitable option if you’re buying one for the sleeping purpose.
Individuals who change postures quite frequently while they are sleeping may find it difficult to use corded headphones.
Sound Quality
Definitely, sound quality plays a crucial role when it comes to making a buying decision.
A noise-canceling headphone with good sound quality will add to the clarity of words, notes, and tunes.
Good sound quality means the headphone is playing a song with utter clarity even at low volume.
Warranty Stats
Since the active noise-canceling headphones have a complex electronic mechanism and come with an audio processor, you can’t negate the possibility that they will not fail or there will not be any problem with the electronic circuit.
So, having a good warranty in place can help you to minimize the damage.
Needless to say, none of us would love to buy a headphone which doesn’t have a good warranty on the offer.
Spending somewhere around $300 and then falling prey to faulty warranty stats can be the worst thing that any of us would ever want to experience.
Battery Life
I hope you have definitely noticed that I’ve always mentioned the battery life of the product when I’m reviewing it.
Battery life plays a crucial role in the case of wireless noise-canceling headphones if you’re a frequent flyer or want the device for office purposes.
A good battery life assures uninterrupted operation of the headphones for a longer duration.
It is also good to buy a headphone with a battery life of at least 15 hours.
Price
Of course, irrespective of the product, price is a parameter that definitely influences one’s buying decision.
In fact, the buying power of an individual is influenced to some extent by the price.
However, it is important for you to understand that if you want to buy a premium product then you must be ready to pay a premium price.
The brands charge a premium price because they have invested a good amount of money in building their brand.
When it comes to noise-canceling headphones, I highly recommend my clients to NOT COMPROMISE on the quality of the product.
It is good to pay some extra bucks and be relaxed rather than buying a cheaper counterpart and struggling with its performance on a day-to-day basis.
Benefits of Active Noise Canceling Headphones
Before you narrow down the options, it is very important for you to know about the value that these noise-canceling headphones bring to the table.
Nowadays, the use of active noise-canceling headphones is so common.
Whether you go to an airport or a gym, you’ll find people using noise-canceling headphones to have a noiseless nap on the airplane or to concentrate on their workout in the gym.
Since noise pollution is increasing at an alarming rate, so you’ll see more and more people using noise-canceling devices.
In short, if you’re one who wants to do your work with full concentration without getting distracted by your colleagues’ gossip then definitely you must try noise-canceling headphones.
What differentiates active noise headphones from their passive counterparts is the use of active noise control.
I’m sure that many of you especially the first-time buyers wouldn’t be well-versed with the term “active noise control”, right?
So, what active noise control does?
Active noise control dampens the surrounding/background noise around your headphone by creating “anti-noise”.
If you have a close look at the active noise-canceling headphones, you’ll definitely find tiny built-in microphones within the earpiece and active battery-powered electronics.
This built-in microphone plays a crucial role as it NOT ONLY reverses and amplifies the external unwanted sound BUT ALSO feeds it along with the listening source sound.
In this way, it reduces the external noise and thus, enhances the audio quality.
Moreover, you don’t have to raise the volume of the headphones to enhance the clarity of the audio rather you’ll have a quieter listening experience at a lower volume under the safe limit.
Nonetheless, if you think that the benefits of noise-canceling headphones are only limited to dampening the surrounding noise and thus, helping you to concentrate better, then my dear friend you’re absolutely WRONG.
Noise-Canceling Headphones Reduce the Chance of NIHL
It goes without saying these headphones can protect you against noise-induced hearing loss ONLY IF you’re willing to use it on a regular basis and most importantly when you’re supposed to get exposed to loud noise.
High-intensity noise is a common problem in our society and it is high time that we should be aware people about the ill effects of loud noise and how it can lead to noise-induced hearing loss.
If reports are to be believed then since 2004 almost 125,000 people have suffered permanent hearing loss due to loud noise at the workplace.
Many of you would agree with my statement if I said that most of us play music very loud on our headphones because we’re not able to hear the music clearly in the presence of ambient sounds.
However, if you’re using an active noise canceling headphone then you don’t have to worry about ambient noise at all.
Even at low volume, you can hear your favorite music very clearly.
Use Noise-Reducing Headphones to Tackle Stress
Yes, you heard it RIGHT, The noise-reducing headphones can help you lower your stress level.
The research was conducted by the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America which studied the implication of high noise such as trains, traffic, buses, etc. on children and the result was something that you could never imagine.
The study showed that the children who were living in the vicinity of high noise such as a railway station or an airport were found to have a higher level of cortisol (stress hormone) as compared to those who were living in a quieter environment.
Noise Reduction Headphone can Enhance your Productivity
Similar to a white noise machine, noise reduction headphones can enhance your productivity by helping you concentrate on your work in a better way.
It’s not limited to productivity at the workplace, if you’re a student then these headphones can help you to prepare well for your exam by minimizing the distractions in your surroundings.
As discussed earlier, the anti-noise created by these headphones will eliminate the ambient noise, and as a result, you can concentrate solely on what you’re doing.
I personally use noise-reduction headphones whenever I’m traveling on public transport to reduce all sorts of distractions.
Noise Dampening Headphone can Enhance your Quality of Sleep
Needless to say, noise-dampening headphones will lower the background noise, and as a result, you can sleep faster and for a longer duration.
The quality of your sleep will enhance tremendously because your brain will not have to face disturbances such as traffic noise, dog barking, etc.
A series of sleepless nights could be the result of a noisy neighbor your snoring partner or something else.
But, quite a few sleepless nights could add to your stress level.
All you need to do is to wear noise-reduction headphones to achieve the sleep that you’ve always dreamt of.
From the noiseless sleep, I don’t mean sleeping in the bedroom only, even you can have a quick nap while traveling in a train or airplane with the help of these headphones.
If you’re looking for an all-rounder, then nothing could match the potential of this noise-canceling headphone. (Check the Current Price On Amazon)
Pros and Cons of Using Noise-Canceling Headphones
Well, in this section, we’ll have a quick look at the pros and cons of using noise-canceling headphones so that you can decide whether you want to try these headphones or their alternatives such as earplugs, earmuffs, etc.
Pros
There are numerous pros of noise-canceling headphones.
However, due to time constraints, we’ll highlight some of the important PROS only.
Blocks External Noise
The world is full of noises of different frequencies and achieving an epitome of silence definitely needs lots of hard work on your end.
However, noise-canceling headphones can be of great relief if you’re willing to cancel out the background noise and give your mind a little peace.
Though these headphones do have certain limitations still I believe they are capable enough to help us concentrate on our work as well as sleep well next to our snoring partner or while traveling in an airplane, train, etc.
No Need for High Music Volume
Well, if you would’ve been using passive headphones then you can easily correlate with the statement that I’m gonna make now.
Most of us increase the volume of our headphones to enjoy the music clearly when our surroundings/background becomes noisy, right?
Unfortunately, listening to music above a certain threshold decibel can lead to noise-induced hearing loss.
So, what’s the solution?
Buy a noise-canceling headphone and you’ll not face the problem of clarity of music even though your surrounding is noisy.
With the help of “anti-noise”, a noise-canceling headphone can dampen the background noise in an effective way, so that you can listen to your favorite music with full clarity even at low volume.
If you’re an innovative person and love to try new things, then definitely this one is for you. (Check the Current Price On Amazon)
Superlative Listening Experience
Since these headphones are great at reducing external noises the quality of music enhances automatically.
In fact, the music that you’ll hear will be of high quality and almost free from distractions such as background noise.
However, the superlative listening experience also depends to a large extent on the quality of the noise-canceling headphones.
If you’re looking for highly comfortable noise-canceling headphones, then definitely you should try this out. (Check the Current Price On Amazon)
Perfect for Traveling and Studying
One of the important aspects of noise-canceling headphones is that you can use it for both traveling and studying purposes.
Since it dampens the background noise, you can use it while you’re traveling on an airplane or via other modes of transportation.
It will definitely help you to get a quick nap as well as concentrate on whatever you’re doing.
Cons
Well, similar to other products these noise-reduction headphones also come with certain CONS.
Cost
Because of its sound-dampening capability as well as sophisticated design, it falls under the premium range category.
If you’re on a shoestring budget then you might find it difficult to buy these noise-canceling headphones.
In fact, they are costlier than your normal headphone.
I personally feel the cost of a noise-canceling headphone is something that can influence a buyer’s decision if he has a budget constraint.
High Power Usages/ Weight
As compared to the normal headphones the noise-canceling ones are heavier as well as demand more power.
These headphones are uniquely designed to provide you with a superlative noise-canceling experience and high level of comfort but all of this comes at a cost.
Quality of Sound
If the external environment is too noisy then you may feel that these headphones have compromised the quality of sound to some extent.
This is because the way these noise reduction headphones are designed and structured they suppress the external noise which comes at a cost of compromising sound quality.
Potential Risk of Hearing Loss
I know you may be wondering, these headphones act as a savior against external noise how come they can be a cause of hearing loss, right?
Well, to be honest, you’re absolutely RIGHT, and I too agree with you but what if you’re hearing the music on these headphones on a decibel that is above the allowed range?
Definitely, you’ll have to suffer from its side effects.
In short, you need to use these noise-canceling headphones properly else you’ll have to pay a big price for misusing them.
Again, I’m repeating, never exceed the recommended limits else you’ll fall into trouble.
Noise-Canceling Headphone Alternatives
Well, depending upon your budget as well as requirements, you can look for noise-canceling headphones alternatives if you’re not willing to buy a headphone.
I’ll walk you through some of the best noise-canceling headphones alternatives to help you compare them with the headphones before making a decision.
White Noise Machine
Definitely, a white noise machine is a good way to block out external noise.
Whether you want to enhance your productivity at work or want to sleep peacefully, a white noise machine can serve your purpose in an effective way.
On top of it, it can help you deal with your snoring partner as well as tinnitus in an effective way.
Moreover, if your baby isn’t getting the required hours of sleep because of the noisy ambiance then a white noise machine can be of great help.
Not only that you can even use a white noise machine to help your pets such as dogs and cats to sleep peacefully.
A white noise machine is also good at reducing the pet’s anxiety.
All in all, a white noise machine can serve multiple purposes and is highly affordable as well.
Earmuffs
Another great option would be to try earmuffs.
The noise-canceling earmuffs are great options when it comes to peaceful sleep or distractions at work.
They are similar to headphones in many ways and buying them could help you to achieve whatever you want to with a noise-canceling headphone.
Earplugs
Earplugs are more effective than earmuffs when it comes to dampening external noise.
They are in-ear sort of device and a few high-end earmuffs can be customized as per your ear’s shape and size.
However, the problem with earplugs is that they may fall down from your ears if you change your posture very frequently while sleeping.
On the contrary, earmuffs are worn over ears and some come with an attached eye mask as well to help you sleep faster and for a longer duration.
Soundproofing Room
Till now, we’ve discussed the temporary solutions to the airborne as well as impact noises.
Of course, temporary solutions can help you to tackle unwanted noise instantly.
But, at the same time, it would be difficult for anyone to use these methods around the clock throughout the year.
For example, if you live in the vicinity of a high-traffic zone such as an airport or a railway station, then definitely, a permanent solution to the unwanted noise is something that you would look for, right?
So, the best solution would be to soundproof your apartment or at least a couple of rooms such as a bedroom or the home office.
Well, soundproofing a room may be an expensive project but at the same time, it will help you to get rid of external noise permanently.
In case, you’re planning to soundproof your room then you can go through the related articles on our blog.
Noise-Canceling Earphones vs. Earbuds
I know you would be inquisitive about the comparison, right?
Earbuds are definitely a great alternative to noise-canceling headphones.
However, both of them have their own pros and cons.
Diving a bit deeper could help you to understand which one is better for your requirements.
Let’s start with the noise-canceling headphones.
It goes without saying that there has been a steady increase in the demand for noise-canceling headphones because noise pollution is increasing at an alarming rate.
Let’s have a quick look at the Pros and Cons of noise-canceling headphones.
Pros
I’ll only talk about the important Pros which can influence your buying decisions.
Clarity of Sound at Low Volume
Definitely, it is much easier to listen to your favorite songs at a low volume even though your surrounding is noisy.
Even at low volume, you’ll have the clarity of sound.
As a result, you don’t have to increase your volume to enhance clarity.
Well, some of the noise-canceling headphones are BASS heavy while the rest have balanced mid and high levels, so as to give you a superlative listening experience.
Focus
Using noise-canceling headphones can enhance your productivity at the workplace to a great extent because it helps you to concentrate by dampening all the unwanted noise in the background.
Moreover, exposure to a noisy environment at your workplace for a longer duration of time could impact your health adversely.
Those people are prone to stress, anxiety, and depression and spend lots of their time in a noisy environment.
In short, it’s always good to be safe than sorry.
The headphones that made our list of “best noise-canceling headphones” are capable enough to dampen low and mid-frequencies which are considered to be the main source of distraction.
Noise Canceling Quality
Well, it is very important for you as a buyer to know the noise-canceling quality of a headphone so that you can make an informed decision.
Let me explain this with an example.
Active noise headphones are capable of canceling low and mid frequencies whereas, for the cancelation of high frequencies, you need to look for foam padding.
So, it’s you who has to decide whether you want to get rid of high frequencies or their lower version.
Cons
Nothing is perfect, everything has flaws and noise-canceling headphone is NOT an exception.
Long-Wear and Portability
In order, to deal with the unwanted noise in the best possible manner, these headphones become bulkier, and some brands may not provide you the kind of comfort you’ve been expecting especially if they don’t seal tight around your head.
High Power Usage
To provide you with a superlative experience as well as to deal with background noise, the active noise-cancellation headphones have a unique circuit that is known to consume lots of power.
Definitely, your battery will have a shorter run time because of the high power usage of ANC headphones.
Cost
To be honest, if you’re on a shoestring budget I would suggest, you should look for an alternative.
Due to their high sound quality and exceptional design, they charge you a good lump sum which could be easily sufficed in the long run by the value and quality that these ANC headphones bring to the table.
Pros
The main difference between the earbuds and ANC headphones is that the former is put in the ear canal while the latter is worn over the ears.
Portability
It goes without saying that the earbuds are highly portable as compared to the ANC headphones and it is definitely for a reason.
Earbuds are lightweight, small in size, and come with small, medium, and large plugs to fit in your ear canal in the best possible manner, and thus, give you a superlative experience.
Needless to say, earbuds are a great alternative to ANC headphones when it comes to camping, trekking or even traveling.
The only problem I find with earbuds is that they may fall down from your ears when you’re changing your posture while sleeping.
So, I would advise you to use earmuffs in place of earbuds to deal with your snoring partner or external noise such as a dog’s barking.
Affordability
Definitely, earbuds are more comfortable when compared to noise-canceling headphones.
So, if you’re on a shoestring budget, then definitely, you should try earbuds.
However, the affordability comes at a cost of lower noise-canceling capability, comfort, shorter battery life & product lifespan, etc.
Cons
Digging a bit into the flipside will definitely help you in narrowing down the options.
Sound Quality
I’ll speak the truth.
Noise-canceling earbuds don’t have the exceptional sound quality.
Especially when they find difficulty in clearing mid-range frequencies.
If you’re a music lover and want to thoroughly enjoy each and every instrument that plays in your favorite song, then definitely, you’ll definitely have to raise the volume in a noisy environment.
And, as we know, raising the volume above the threshold audible frequencies could damage your ears permanently.
Hearing Loss
We have had an in-depth discussion on noise-induced hearing loss.
Listening to high-volume music in earbuds can cause hearing loss because the sound goes directly into your ear canal.
It is highly recommended that you take short breaks and don’t raise the volume to its maximum limit if you’re planning to opt for a pair of earbuds.
Vulnerability
In spite of being small, compact, and portable, the earbuds aren’t as durable as the ANC headphones.
A little mistake from your side can easily break them apart.
So, my advice would be to keep them separate in an earbud case while you’re traveling or taking them to your workplace.
FAQs
In this section, I’ll be answering questions related to the best noise-canceling headphones asked by my clientele as well as readers of this blog.
In case, you also have queries related to the topic, feel free to ask me in the comment section.
Is it bad to sleep with noise-canceling headphones?
Definitely NOT…
Most of the noise-canceling headphones that we’ve discussed in this post are designed to help you achieve the epitome of silence.
Moreover, the headphones that are made to our list of “best noise-canceling headphones” will help you to block sounds such as dog barking, traffic noise, etc.
Needless to say, if your partner snores then nothing could suffice a good noise-canceling headphone.
In short, you should use noise-canceling headphones for sleeping as they help you to listen to your favorite song and at the same time, block the external unwanted sounds.
So, I don’t find any reason, why you shouldn’t use noise-canceling headphones for sleeping.
Can wearing headphones cause tinnitus?
Well, the main cause of tinnitus is exposure to excessive noise which may damage the tiny hair cells in the inner ears.
Tinnitus prevails if you’re working in a noisy environment such as a manufacturing unit without any ear protection.
Fortunately, devices such as noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, earmuffs, etc can help you dampen the external noises, so you should wear noise-canceling headphones to protect your ear against loud noise.
Furthermore, we can infer that noise-canceling headphones can act as a preventive measure against tinnitus.
Some other causes of tinnitus could be the natural process of aging, sudden impact noise, prolonged exposure to stress, negative reactions to medicine, etc.
How do I know if my noise-canceling headphones are too loud?
Well, there are quite a few ways through which you can easily find out whether your noise-canceling headphone is too loud or NOT.
However, I’m gonna discuss a simple yet practical way that anyone can perform without the need of any professional help.
All you need to do is, turn ON your headphones and tune them to the VOLUME you often listen to and then hold them at your arm’s length.
If you can still hear them, it simply means the volume is too loud and can impact your hearing ability adversely.
Another easy way to know about the intensity of your headphone volume is to ask your friend to sit next to you and ask him whether he is able to listen to music.
Well, if the answer is “YES”, then definitely, you need to lower the volume of your headphones and develop a habit of listening to the music at a low volume else you may incur a noise-induced hearing loss.
What is the best frequency for headphones?
On average, the audible frequency range that most of the headphones have to offer falls in the range 20 Hz to 20, 000 Hz.
However, there are quite a few headphones that offer wider ranges (5 to 33, 000 Hz).
What does sensitivity mean for a headphone?
The sensitivity of a headphone can be defined as the loudness at which a headphone can play at a given power level.
For example, keeping the power level constant, if headphone A has a higher sensitivity rating than headphone B, then you can expect the audio produced by the former to be louder at that power level as well as in general.
Can earwax ruin headphones?
Definitely, a headphone caked with ear wax is most likely to horrify your friends and co-workers.
Even worse, the wax can interfere with the sound quality leading to a worse audible experience.
However, there is nothing as such to worry as removing the headphone wax is not difficult and you can do it on your own.
Is higher or lower sensitivity better for headphones?
Well, it is an important question, indeed.
Most of us, prefer listening to the range of decibels that falls in the range of 60 to 80 decibels.
However, people who prefer listening to loud music can dare to go up to 90 dB.
If you had done some research about the topic “headphone sensitivity” then definitely, you would’ve noticed that the sensitivity rating of most headphones resides in the vicinity of 100 dB.
At the same time, it is equally important for you to understand that when a headphone is said to have a higher sensitivity, then it guarantees better driver performance without using that much power.
But at the same time, it is also important for you to understand that using a headphone that has high sensitivity at higher volume can cause damage to your ears as well as the headphone’s drivers.
On the contrary, low-sensitivity headphones are more durable as compared to high-sensitivity headphones and also, require more power to drive.
The good thing about the lower sensitivity headphones is that even though they are supplied with more power they don’t damage the driver unit.
Lastly, to get the best out of the lower-sensitivity headphones, you’ll need a headphone amplifier.
| LEVEL (dB SPL) | NIOSH MAX TIME (Hours) |
| 80 | 24 (continuous) |
| 82 | 16 |
| 85 | 8 |
| 88 | 4 |
| 91 | 2 |
| 94 | 1 |
| 97 | 0.5 |
| 100 | 0.25 |
| 103 | 7 minutes 30 seconds |
| 106 | 3 minutes 45 seconds |
| 109 | 1 minute 52 seconds |
| 112 | 56 seconds |
| 115 | 28 seconds |
| >115 | NONE |
It’s A Wrap
I hope you would’ve thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this post.
So, which are your favorite noise-canceling headphones?
Secondly, what is your budget for noise-canceling headphones?
To be honest, there is nothing a UNIVERSAL best noise-canceling headphones.
In fact, it varies from person to person depending upon their needs and the money that they are willing to spend on noise-canceling headphones.
However, what I can assure is that all the headphones that made our list of “Best noise-canceling headphones” are good to go and you can expect high-level performance from them.
Lastly, share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
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