5 Over The Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones Projects For Every Budget

How to Choose the Best Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Whether you're commuting via public transport or working from home, noise-cancelling headphones can improve your listening experience by forming a sonic buffer between your ears and the outside world. What are the best way to choose the best pair for your needs?

There are two primary types of noise-cancelling headphones which are active and passive noise cancellation. The first type uses earcups with thick padding that is fitted to block out external sounds, while the second utilizes built-in microphones to produce opposing sound waves that cancel ambient noise.

Comfort

Noise cancelling headphones are a great method to block out the hum of the world, whether you're on crowded public transport, trying to sleep on a plane that is overbooked or battling noisy colleagues. These headphones let you listen to music at a level that is appropriate without straining your ears. A lot of our top picks also have a light design, making them comfortable to wear all day long.

Noise cancellation is traditionally achieved through active sound reduction techniques that generate opposing sound waves in order to block out ambient noise. Although you can find headphones that use passive noise isolation that covers the earcups or earbuds around your ears to keep out unwanted sounds--the most effective models we've tested employ active sound cancellation to provide a true escape from the daily grind.

To achieve the best results, you'll want to ensure your headphones fit snugly and are well-designed. You'll also want to make sure they don't leak, which can annoy people around you. And for a truly immersive audio experience, you'll need headphones that have the high-resolution Bluetooth codec LDAC, which allows them to playback hi-res music at 96kHz/24 bits resolution, making them an audiophile's dream.

A lot of new models can fold making them compact and practical for travel. The Bose QC45 headphones we've reviewed for instance are a great option to consider if you're looking a comfortable and comfortable travel headphone that folds flat to tuck into its case. If you're an avid traveler, the Sennheiser HD450BT is a great pair of headphones that can be folded down to fit in your bag for carry-on.

The majority of the models we've reviewed are wireless and some even come with built-in microphones for hands-free calling. The app allows you to adjust the volume and noise cancellation settings which is ideal for those who need to adjust their headphones traveling. Some wireless models include a docking station for on-the going listening, while others come with a case that gives you the power to run for hours when you're away from home or at work.

Sound Quality

Most music lovers are very concerned about the quality of their headphones, particularly those that have a high-quality audio. While any pair of headphones will assist in removing ambient sounds, a great pair of noise cancelling headphones will not just be effective in blocking out the outside world but will also be able to deliver clear, high-quality audio.

If you're going to spend a significant amount of money for a pair of headphones, it only is logical that they'll be able to play your tunes as well as possible. Fortunately that's the case, as ANC headphones have developed and improved their sound, they have also improved with time. This has resulted in some of the top headphones that today can rival any top-tier audiophile headsets.

The quality of your sound will depend on your preferences and listening habits. Some prefer a full, warm sound with lots of bass, while others may opt for high-quality headphones to be able to listen to every detail in the music or album.

Noise cancellation is a personal choice. While ANC is excellent at removing monotonous sounds like the swooshing sound of an aircraft, or the roar of traffic, it is unable to eliminate dynamic sounds with varying frequencies and intensities like human voice or instruments.

If you want to get the most effective passive isolation, a pair of headphones with ANC that is excellent is a great choice, whether they are headphones for earbuds or over-ear. You can get impressive isolation even with no active noise cancellation with Comply memory foam tips or similar products that precisely fit to the shape of your ear.

Of course, all ANC headphones will come with a range of Bluetooth codecs that allow you to connect them to the audio source that is most suitable for you. The Sony WH1000XM4s, for example, feature both LDAC support as well as DSEE Extreme to ensure you can listen to your favourite tracks in high-resolution and stunning detail. Sinead O'Connor's sibilant cry, and her ferocious chorus is evident in her rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancelling headphones are a great way to put a buffer between you and the outside world. They listen to ambient sounds and then use built in microphones to "read" the environment, allowing only the sound you would like to hear. They're an excellent choice for commuting, working at home, or any other situation in which background noise can be distracting or annoying.

To achieve their magical effects, noise cancelling headphones have an engineered technology known as active noise cancellation (ANC). The tiny microphones inside your earcups and earbuds are listening to the sounds you are exposed to. They then emit exactly the opposite frequency, which collides with each other to block out unwanted noises. It's more complicated and depends on the sensitivity of your ears and the design of the headphones and the quality of the audio processing. The main thing is that they reduce the sound of the engine of an airplane, or animated conversations with your colleagues.

While they're unable to completely turn your surroundings into a silent void, the best over-ear ANC headphones we tested did a very good job of blocking out the majority of background noises. For the most immersive listening experience, you should consider an ANC pair that has adaptive noise cancellation. It will take ANC to a new level by continuously listening to ambient sounds, reversing them in real time and ensuring that the audio you want to hear (including hands-free calls) at a consistent volume. The Sony WH-1000XM5s provide an example of this advanced technology in action.

Aside from the aforementioned noise-canceling features, many pairs of over-the-ear ANC headphones also have other interesting and useful features that can make listening more enjoyable. Look for features such as touch controls, high quality audio codecs and support for voice assistants such as Siri or Google Assistant. A wireless Bluetooth connection is a must for hands-free and convenient audio playback as well as a portable charging case that allows you to stay connected while on the go.

Another handy feature is the passive mode which allows the noise-canceling circuitry to be turned off, allowing you to listen to music with the same level of isolation as regular headphones. This is a great feature to use when you need to hear the world around you or haven't enough battery life to charge your headphones.

best noise cancelling over ear headphones

When listening to music or making phone calls, a good pair of headphones will make you feel as if you're in a soundproofed space. Noise cancelling headphones may be more expensive, but they will provide better sound quality and block out distracting background noise. Because of this, they can be well worth the extra investment for those who spend a lot of time alone in the office or traveling.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have outstanding noise cancellation capabilities and come packed with many useful features that include a microphone that produces natural and clear audio when you make phone calls, and DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. The ANC system is very effective in blocking out external noises but they are not as effective in separating the listener from low-frequency sounds such as trains or traffic.

They're also light and fold down into a compact D-shaped box that tucks into a carrying case, making them perfect for travel. They work with a variety of voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and have a feature which automatically will stop music when removed from your ears. They can also be used with a wired connection for listening to your favorite podcasts or videos in noisy environments.

The Razer Opus X Wireless headphones offer an outstanding value for the money. They feature a decent ANC system, but they also have a transparency option that turns on the external microphones to allow more noise from your surroundings to be heard. The headphones have a built-in USB-C charging socket, so they can be used while charging. They also have an extremely low-latency Bluetooth connection, which is essential for gaming on the go and watching videos.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless headphones. They do a great job of blocking out distracting sounds such as the rumble of buses and plane engines to the high-pitched sound of computer fans. They can last for over 32 hours and have an automatic shut-off timer.