How Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Can Make Your Music Sound Amazing
If you're on the move or at home, noise-cancelling headphones can make your music sound fantastic. There are many options available, from longtime heavyweights like Bose to Apple's premium AirPods Max.
When looking for noise-cancelling headphones, you should consider comfort, sound quality, and active noise cancellation. We suggest that you determine whether the headphones can handle high-quality audio codes such as aptX or AAC.
Comfort
If you plan on listening for long periods of time the comfort of your ears is a key factor to consider. You'll want headphones that are lightweight and fit snugly around your ears. Choose models that feature soft padding and adjustable headbands, so you can adjust the headset to your preference. The earcups must be sealed in a way that they can block ambient noise and sound leakage.
Over-ear headphones are generally more comfortable than noise-cancelling headphones in-ear. There are certain situations when earbuds are more suitable for fitness or audio apps on the move. Wireless earbuds are the ideal option for these scenarios because they provide the perfect balance of comfort and performance.
In addition to comfort, you should be aware of the audio codecs that your headphones use. Apt-X and LDAC are high-performance Bluetooth headset codecs that offer the same quality of audio as CD. They work with a variety of Android phones, as well as a few Apple devices, but not the iPhone. Apple's AAC codec which is exclusive to Apple, is not as reliable. It's best to stay clear of it.
Apart from the excellent sound quality, active noise cancellation is an important benefit of premium headphones. These technologies use microphones and speakers to sense external sounds and produce opposing sounds to block out the sound, creating a quieter listening environment. The best headphones on the market feature this technology and include our top picks.
The Sony WH1000XM5s are the most effective wireless noise cancelling headphones due to their outstanding audio quality, comfort and a variety of other features. They're great for frequent travelers. They block out unwanted sounds from the whoosh and rumble of the air conditioner on your airplane seat to the noises of subways and trains during your commute. They also have unique features such as Quick Attention mode, which stops music and pipes in background audio when you're talking or need to hear what's going on around you.
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 are the most expensive headphones on our list however, they're also some of the most strikingly designed. These headphones are constructed with genuine leather around the ear and have push buttons instead of touch controls for easy operation. They're not the most comfortable for everyday wearing, but they're very lightweight and pack serious audio clout, including excellent bass, a rich midrange and crystal clear highs. In our tests they did well in all situations, but trains' noise was noticeable at higher volumes, and the cymbals could become a little harsh at high volume.
Sound Quality
Noise cancelling headphones don't just have to be about drowning out the outside world. They also need to to reproduce music with great quality. Like all headphone types the sound quality is contingent on both the physical construction of the headphones and the software that runs them. Over- best noise cancelling headphones have better audio quality than on-ear models because of their larger drivers. This enables greater airflow, which results in more encompassing and richer headphones.
On-ear headphones can provide good audio if they are designed well and come with the appropriate software and sound drivers. They don't have the same depth as over-ear headphones.
If you're trying to get the most out of your headphones, think about purchasing headphones that support high-quality audio codecs such as AAC or aptX. These codecs ensure that the audio isn't compressed, and can be transmitted over Bluetooth at higher speeds than the older versions.
The Bose QC45 headphones are a ideal choice for a majority of users. They offer excellent audio quality, and an ergonomic design. Their ANC is pretty effective in blocking out background noise, but still allows for some background sounds to pass through like the wind or the voices of those around. They also have an option to alter the amount of the outside world you hear which is helpful for tuning back in without removing your headphones or turning off your music.
The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones are another alternative. They offer excellent audio reproduction and noise cancellation. In fact, they're the most impressive headphones have been tested to date. They're loaded with features, including the Quick Attention mode, voice assistant integration as well as DSEE Extreme scaling.
The large earcups make them bulky and difficult to store in a bag, or to travel with. They also require a power cord, which can cause problems in certain situations. Despite these limitations, the WH1000XM5 headphones are an excellent pair wireless noise cancelling headphones. They let you concentrate in noisy offices, and also take a quiet rest on the plane.
Noise Cancellation
Whether you're listening to music or podcasts during a flight, train commute, or even at home, noise cancelling headphones allow you to concentrate on your audio without distraction. While you can find a wide range of headphones that cut out background noise, the best headphones have active noise cancellation capabilities which make them stand out from the others.
Active noise cancellation is achieved by sampling ambient sounds using tiny built-in mics and creating sound waves that are contrary to the original sound, thus blocking it out. It's not perfect, but it should be close enough to make your music the only thing you hear. In the ideal scenario, you'll be able to turn down' the noise cancelling when you want to hear the sounds around you.
Passive isolation is another essential component of a quality headphone, and this means that you need a headphone with good fit that forms an airtight seal around your ears. This typically means earbuds that are comfortable to wear or over-ear headphones that fully enclose your ears. Over-ear headphones that are too loose can cause discomfort and allow in plenty of noise.
The best headphones have good passive isolation, and are usually very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. They'll also have an option that allows you to quickly tune back into the sounds of your surroundings. This is an extremely useful feature in noisy transport and other occasions where hearing the sound of the train's rumble or the voices of your colleagues will be important for security reasons.
The best headphones will also include features that make them more appealing to audiophiles. This could include extra features like touch controls and high-quality audio codecs, or it could mean premium finishes and a sleeker design that makes them more attractive to wear.
You can find excellent headphones at a lower cost by shopping around. Monoprice's BT600ANC headphones provide excellent ANC sound quality for a fraction of the price of Bose or Sony's flagship models. They're not as good at cutting out lower-frequency background noise as the other models on this list, and they don't have an 'hear through' option for when you need to talk to someone, but they still offer compelling audio quality for their price point.
Battery Life
The active noise control circuitry in most headphones requires power. Typically this is supplied by a battery, which must be replaced or recharged periodically. This can increase the size, weight and price of the headphones. It can also cause the headphones to emit high-frequency hiss and other sound anomalies that might not be audible to others but may be distracting to some.
Noise-cancelling headsets are a great option to enhance your listening experience on an airplane, during an evening commute, or in the office. They're also good for isolating your ears from noise pollution at home such as the whirr of your HVAC system or your neighbor's lawn mower. You can make use of headphones to rest or meditate.
Over-ear noise cancelling headphones come in many styles from Bose, Sony, Sennheiser and many more. Target offers a wide range of brands with features like hands-free, Bluetooth and around-ear. You can also pick from a variety of prices and comfort levels as well as color options.
The most recent models in this category have improved audio quality, noise cancellation and battery life compared to their predecessors. Bose QC 700 headphones are 30% smaller, lighter, and more ergonomic, yet still deliver the same ANC performance. Other improvements include the more refined sound signature, a quicker attention mode, smart voice activated with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and DSEE Extreme scaling.
The Sony WH1000XM5s is a second set of over-ear noise cancellation headsets which we highly recommend. They have an impressively long battery and excellent sound quality, earning them the highest rating in our rating. They have a premium feel and are comfortable for long wear periods and fold down into an extremely compact case that fits easily into the majority of bags. They also come with a variety of useful extras like ambient sound control, Speak to Chat Quick Attention mode, and wear detection.
The WH950NB is a pair of Edifier headphones which are a great value and are able to be competitive with higher-end models made by major manufacturers. They are comfortable and have a long battery life (you can use them for all week without needing to charge them) and fold flat for easy transportation.