Noise-canceling headphones are one of the best ways to enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks without being disturbed by the sounds of the outside world. Whether you’re traveling, working, studying, or relaxing, noise-canceling headphones can help you block out unwanted noise and focus on what matters.
But how do noise-canceling headphones work? What are the benefits and drawbacks of using them? And how do you choose the best pair for your needs and budget? In this article, we’ll answer all these questions and more. We’ll also review some of the best noise-canceling headphones available in 2023, based on our own testing and expert opinions.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of noise-canceling headphones and how to use them to enhance your listening experience. Let’s get started!
What Are Noise-Canceling Headphones?
Noise-canceling headphones are headphones that use active noise cancellation (ANC) technology to reduce or eliminate ambient noise. Ambient noise is any sound that comes from your surroundings, such as traffic, airplanes, trains, crowds, or office chatter.
ANC works by using microphones on the headphones to pick up the ambient noise and create an opposite sound wave that cancels it out. This way, you hear less of the noise and more of your audio source.
Noise-canceling headphones are different from noise-isolating headphones, which use passive noise reduction to block out noise. Noise-isolating headphones rely on the physical design of the ear cups or ear tips to create a seal around your ears or ear canals, preventing sound from entering or escaping.
Both types of headphones can reduce noise, but noise-canceling headphones are more effective at blocking out low-frequency sounds, such as engine hums or air conditioners. Noise-isolating headphones are better at blocking out high-frequency sounds, such as voices or sirens.
Why Use Noise-Canceling Headphones?
Noise-canceling headphones have many benefits for different types of listeners. Here are some of the main reasons why you might want to use them:
- They improve sound quality. By reducing ambient noise, noise-canceling headphones allow you to hear more details and nuances in your audio source. You can also listen at lower volumes, which can protect your hearing and prevent ear fatigue.
- They enhance concentration and productivity. If you work or study in a noisy environment, noise-canceling headphones can help you tune out distractions and focus on your tasks. They can also help you relax and unwind by creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
- They reduce stress and anxiety. Noise pollution can have negative effects on your mental health, such as increasing stress levels, lowering mood, and impairing cognitive functions. Noise-canceling headphones can help you cope with noisy situations and improve your well-being.
- They make traveling more comfortable. If you travel frequently by plane, train, or bus, noise-canceling headphones can make your journey more enjoyable by blocking out engine noises, announcements, and other passengers. They can also help you sleep better by creating a calm and quiet environment.
How to Choose Noise-Canceling Headphones?
Noise-canceling headphones come in various shapes, sizes, features, and prices. To choose the best pair for your needs and preferences, you should consider the following factors:
- Type. Noise-canceling headphones can be either over-ear or in-ear. Over-ear headphones have large ear cups that cover your ears completely, while in-ear headphones have small ear tips that fit inside your ear canals. Over-ear headphones usually offer better noise cancellation and sound quality than in-ear headphones, but they are also bulkier and heavier. In-ear headphones are more compact and lightweight than over-ear headphones, but they may not be as comfortable or secure for some people.
- Battery life. Noise-canceling headphones require battery power to operate ANC technology. The battery life of noise-canceling headphones varies depending on the model and usage, but it usually ranges from 10 to 40 hours per charge. You should look for a pair that has enough battery life for your needs and preferences. Some models also have a quick charge feature that allows you to get several hours of playback with a short charge time.
- Wireless or wired. Noise-canceling headphones can be either wireless or wired. Wireless headphones use Bluetooth technology to connect to your audio source without a cable, while wired headphones use a 3.5mm jack or a USB-C port to connect to your audio source with a cable. Wireless headphones offer more freedom and conveniencethan wired headphones, but they also have some drawbacks, such as battery life, latency, and compatibility issues. Wired headphones offer more reliability and stability than wireless headphones, but they also limit your mobility and may not work with some devices that lack a headphone jack.
- Noise cancellation level. Not all noise-canceling headphones are created equal. Some models offer stronger and more adjustable noise cancellation than others. You should look for a pair that has a noise cancellation level that suits your needs and preferences. Some models also have different modes or profiles that let you customize the noise cancellation for different scenarios, such as traveling, working, or sleeping. Some models also have a transparency or ambient mode that lets you hear some of the outside sounds when you need to be aware of your surroundings.
- Sound quality. Noise-canceling headphones are not only about blocking out noise, but also about delivering great sound quality. You should look for a pair that has a sound signature that matches your taste and preferences. Some models also have an equalizer or a sound profile that lets you adjust the bass, treble, and other aspects of the sound quality. You should also consider the codec support of the headphones, especially if you use them wirelessly. Codec is the technology that compresses and decompresses audio data for wireless transmission. Some codecs offer better sound quality than others, such as aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and AAC.
- Comfort and fit. Noise-canceling headphones should be comfortable and fit well on your ears or ear canals. You should look for a pair that has a lightweight and ergonomic design, soft and breathable ear pads or ear tips, and an adjustable headband or ear hooks. You should also consider the size and shape of your ears or ear canals, as some models may not fit well for some people. You should also consider how long you plan to use the headphones per session, as some models may cause discomfort or fatigue after prolonged use.
- Features and controls. Noise-canceling headphones often come with additional features and controls that can enhance your listening experience. Some of these features include voice assistants, touch controls, gesture controls, app support, auto-pause/play, multipoint pairing, water resistance, and more. You should look for a pair that has the features and controls that you need and want. However, keep in mind that more features may also mean higher price and lower battery life.
The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones in 2023
Now that you know what to look for in noise-canceling headphones, let’s take a look at some of the best models available in 2023. We’ve selected these models based on our own testing and expert opinions from reputable sources such as PCMag , TechRadar , CNET , and more.
Sony Noise cancelling Headphones WH-1000xm4
The Sony Noise cancelling Headphones WH-1000xm4 are the best noise-canceling headphones overall for most people. They offer excellent noise cancellation that can block out almost any ambient noise. They also deliver superb sound quality that can be customized with an equalizer and various sound profiles. They have a sleek and comfortable design that can be folded for easy portability. They have a long battery life of up to 40 hours with ANC on, and a quick charge feature that gives you 10 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. They have touch controls that let you adjust the volume, skip tracks, activate voice assistants, and more. They also have an app that lets you access more settings and features.
The Sony Noise cancelling Headphones WH-1000xm4 are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and support multiple codecs such as LDAC, AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive. They have multipoint pairing that lets you connect to two devices simultaneously. They have an ambient mode that lets you hear some of the outside sounds when you need to be aware of your surroundings. They also have adaptive sound control that automatically adjusts the noise cancellation level based on your activity and location.
The Sony Noise cancelling Headphones WH-1000xm4 are not perfect though. They are quite expensive compared to other models. They may also cause some pressure on your ears due to the strong ANC. They are not very water-resistant either, so they may not be suitable for sweaty workouts or rainy days.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are the best noise-canceling earphones overall for most people. They offer outstanding noise cancellation that can rival some over-ear models. They also deliver rich and balanced sound quality that can be adjusted with an equalizer.
They have a sleek and comfortable design that comes with three sizes of eartips and stability fins that ensure a secure and comfortable fit. They have a decent battery life of up to 6 hours with ANC on, and a wireless charging case that provides an additional 12 hours of juice. They have touch controls that let you adjust the volume, skip tracks, activate voice assistants, and more. They also have an app that lets you access more settings and features.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are compatible with Bluetooth 5.1 and support AAC and SBC codecs. They have 11 levels of noise cancellation that you can adjust with the app or the touch controls. They have a transparency mode that lets you hear some of the outside sounds when you need to be aware of your surroundings. They also have an IPX4 rating that makes them resistant to sweat and splashes.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are not perfect though. They are quite expensive compared to other models. They may also cause some pressure on your ear canals due to the strong ANC. They do not support any high-quality wireless codecs such as aptX or LDAC. They also have some latency issues when watching videos or playing games.
Apple AirPods Pro 2
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the best noise-canceling headphones for iPhone users. They offer excellent noise cancellation that can adapt to your environment and your ear shape. They also deliver crisp and balanced sound quality that can be customized with an equalizer and spatial audio. They have a sleek and comfortable design that comes with three sizes of silicone eartips that ensure a snug and comfortable fit. They have a long battery life of up to 7 hours with ANC on, and a wireless charging case that provides an additional 21 hours of juice. They have force sensors that let you adjust the volume, skip tracks, activate voice assistants, and more. They also have an app that lets you access more settings and features.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and support AAC codec. They have adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts the noise cancellation level based on your activity and location. They have a transparency mode that lets you hear some of the outside sounds when you need to be aware of your surroundings. They also have an IPX4 rating that makes them resistant to sweat and splashes.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are not perfect though. They are quite expensive compared to other models. They may not fit well for some people due to their stem design. They do not support any other wireless codecs besides AAC. They also have some compatibility issues with non-Apple devices.
Anker Soundcore Space A40
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 are the best noise-canceling headphones under $100. They offer decent noise cancellation that can block out some of the ambient noise. They also deliver good sound quality that can be customized with an equalizer and various sound profiles. They have a sturdy and comfortable design that can be folded for easy portability. They have a long battery life of up to 20 hours with ANC on, and a quick charge feature that gives you 4 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. They have physical buttons that let you adjust the volume, skip tracks, activate voice assistants, and more.
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and support AAC and SBC codecs. They have three levels of noise cancellation that you can adjust with the buttons or the app. They have a bass boost mode that enhances the low frequencies for more punchy sound. They also have an aux cable that lets you use them in wired mode when the battery runs out.
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 are not perfect though. They are not very stylish compared to other models. They may also cause some discomfort or fatigue after prolonged use due to their tight clamping force. They do not support any high-quality wireless codecs such as aptX or LDAC. They also have some latency issues when watching videos or playing games.
Urbanista Los Angeles Headphones
The Urbanista Los Angeles Headphones are the best energy-efficient noise-canceling headphones. They offer good noise cancellation that can block out some of the ambient noise. They also deliver decent sound quality that can be adjusted with an equalizer and various sound modes.
They have a unique and innovative design that features solar cells on the headband that can charge the headphones with any kind of light, indoor or outdoor. They have an impressive battery life of up to 50 hours with ANC on, and a virtually infinite battery life with solar charging. They have physical buttons that let you adjust the volume, skip tracks, activate voice assistants, and more.
The Urbanista Los Angeles Headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and support AAC and SBC codecs. They have four levels of noise cancellation that you can adjust with the buttons or the app. They have a voice mode that enhances speech frequencies for clearer phone calls or podcasts. They also have an aux cable that lets you use them in wired mode when the battery runs out.
The Urbanista Los Angeles Headphones are not perfect though. They are not very stylish compared to other models. They may also cause some discomfort or fatigue after prolonged use due to their tight clamping force. They do not support any high-quality wireless codecs such as aptX or LDAC. They also have some latency issues when watching videos or playing games.
Conclusion
Noise-canceling headphones are a great way to enjoy your favorite audio without being disturbed by the noise of the outside world. They can also improve your concentration, productivity, well-being, and comfort. However, choosing the best pair for your needs and budget can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider.
In this article, we’ve explained how noise-canceling headphones work, what are the benefits and drawbacks of using them, and how to choose the best pair for your needs and preferences. We’ve also reviewed some of the best noise-canceling headphones available in 2023, based on our own testing and expert opinions.
We hope this article has helped you find the best noise-canceling headphones for you. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy listening!
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