Noise canceling headphones are the best headphones for people who need to block out noise while listening to music. They can effectively cancel out the background noise and allow the listener to concentrate on the music without any distractions. In this guide, I have reviewed the top 10 best noise canceling headphones in the market that can give you great sound quality and provide a safe listening experience.
Top picks
In-depth reviews
1. Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
The Apple AirPods Max are wireless headphones that come in a range of colors and styles, and they look fantastic.
They’re equipped with Apple’s W1 chip, and this helps to ensure that you hear the music with a crystal clear sound. The chip helps to reduce distortion, and improve the clarity and volume of sound.
You can use them as normal, over-the-ear headphones, or as wireless over-ear headphones.
They come with a charging case, so you can charge them while you’re on the go, and the case is designed to keep the AirPods safe from damage.
The case is magnetic, so it easily attaches to the back of your device, and it’s designed to fit all iPhones, including the iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone XS Max, iPhone X, and others.
Pros:
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Battery life: up to 5 hours of continuous play time
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Highly portable; comes with a charging case for convenience
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Works with all iOS devices and most Android smartphones
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AirPods are sweat and water resistant
Cons:
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Charging case is bulky
2. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Overhead Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones deliver superb sound quality thanks to their dynamic stereo drivers and balanced armature drivers.
The noise-canceling technology uses four microphones to detect and block ambient sounds such as traffic or a television. It then combines them with the audio signal from the headphones, reducing the interference so you can hear what’s important.
With the new Bluetooth® 5.0 chip, they’re compatible with many devices. This means you can easily connect the WH-1000XM4s to other smartphones, tablets, PCs, or laptops.
The WH-1000XMs have a soft touch finish and a soft cord that’s easy to grip. And they have a long range of about 100 meters.
There are three buttons on the side: one for volume adjustment, one to adjust the noise cancellation setting, and one to turn the headphones on or off.
They can store up to 40 hours of battery life. To get the most out of the batteries, you should always turn the noise canceling off, and use the lowest volume setting when listening to music.
Pros:
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Comfortable; provides good sound quality
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Comfortable fit
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Easy to use; connect to devices using Bluetooth technology
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Suitable for use with PCs, mobile devices and gaming consoles
Cons:
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Some users complain about the quality of the microphone
3. Bose Noise Canceling Headphones
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 is a great-sounding, noise-canceling over-ear wireless Bluetooth stereo headphone with built-in microphone for clear calls and Alexa Voice control.
When you're on the move, the Bose NC700 is compatible with iOS devices and Android smartphones. With a high quality stereo headset and a noise-canceling microphone, you can keep in touch with others and enjoy crystal clear calls. With built-in GPS navigation and a battery life of 15 hours, you can go wherever your day takes you with ease.
You'll love the sound quality of the Bose NC700 because it delivers high-quality sound, with deep bass, rich mids and smooth highs. It also features a convenient foldable design that's comfortable to wear.
Pros:
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Great audio quality
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Comfortable and lightweight; durable and sturdy
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Dual Ear Cushions provide a snug fit
Cons:
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Expensive
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones is a great wireless headset that has been designed to be comfortable to wear and provides a premium listening experience.
It has noise reduction technology to minimize background noise. This will make it easier to understand what people are saying, even if they're shouting.
It has a comfortable padded design that will fit nicely on your ears, and a headband design that fits snugly against your head.
The headphones have a large volume control, which means that you can adjust the volume for each earpiece individually. You can choose from a range of different functions, such as talk, mute, voice memo and call hold.
The battery life of the headphones is impressive. They provide up to 60 hours of use from a single charge, which is more than enough time to last you throughout the day.
You can connect to your smartphone, tablet, laptop and other devices using the included 3.5 mm cable. The cables are designed to be detachable, making them easy to use with multiple devices.
Pros:
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Exceptional audio quality
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Lightweight folding design
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Can be used with both wired and wireless devices
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Works with PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices
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Supports Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Cons:
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No in-built volume control
5. Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 Headphones
The Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 is a great pair of headphones for people who want to reduce background noise and enjoy the best-quality audio while they do it.
They’re also very comfortable to wear, and they provide a stable fit. They’re wireless and fold up when not in use, making them a great choice for travel.
They also come with a handy app, which is easy to use and allows you to control your music and other functions.
It also supports LDAC technology, which allows you to stream high-resolution lossless audio. You can even use it to listen to your Spotify playlist or podcasts directly from your phone.
Pros:
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High-quality sound
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Sleek and modernistic look
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Great battery life
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Offers interference-free wireless connectivity with low latency
Cons:
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Limited compatibility with PS4
FAQs
What happens if you wear noise canceling headphones all the time?
Yes, you can wear noise canceling headphones all the time. They won't cause any adverse effects or problems for your hearing, but they can definitely dampen the amount of sound you hear around you. You can also listen to music with them as usual.
How effective are noise canceling headphones?
If you are looking to hear the music at a louder volume, there are earbuds which are designed to offer better bass performance. They are available in various shapes, sizes and types, and are usually paired with a set of earphones.
Some headphones have a built-in microphone that allows you to talk and make calls hands-free.
There are also noise-canceling headphones available that can cancel out unwanted sounds, while allowing you to listen to the music at a louder volume.
