How Noise Cancelling Headphones Can Improve Your Listening Experience

Noise cancelling headphones rely on microphones to monitor ambient sound and produce an anti-noise signal that counteracts unwanted noises. They are ideal for blocking out rumbles as well as chatter from planes and earphones trains but they won't make much difference to the sound of the squealing brakes or your friend's animated conversations.

Active noise cancellation requires a good isolation, either by padding your ears with a solid seal with earbuds or over-ear headphones. We've tested their ability to mute lower-frequency constant sounds like train and traffic noise, too.

What is noise cancellation?

Noise cancellation is a feature that allows listeners to concentrate on their music or audiobook without being distracted by background noises. Noise cancelling headphones are equipped with microphones that block external sounds from entering your ears. This allows you to listen to your audiobook or music in complete peace.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is one of the most common headphone features that are available. It is available on many different brands of headphones, earphones in a variety of sizes and colors, and even on some budget models. The principle behind the technology is quite simple: earcups or earbuds have mini-microphones that "listen" to the ambient sound frequencies, and then play back equal, but opposite noise waves to cancel them before they reach your ear.

The crests and troughs of these waves cancel out each other in a process known as destructive interference, leaving you with nothing other than the music you're listened to. This is particularly effective for continuous, monotonous sounds, such as the drone of an aircraft engine or Bob's incessant chatter. However, it's less effective on sudden or higher-frequency sounds that are harder to discern and filter out, such as the ping of a keyboard or the alarm sounding from your phone.

The foam padding in the earcup can be used to reduce the sound. This is a great option for those who do not want to rely only on batteries for ANC functions, but want a quiet working environment, or at home.

It's worth noting that all headphones require some form of power, whether for battery or audio processing, in order to work. Even though ANC can cut out the majority of external noise, it's important to remember that the headphones won't be able to create a quiet cone around your ears. If the ambient sounds are too loud, they'll just bleed into your ears. This is why it's crucial to wear the headphones in a snug way enough to not have any gaps in the fit, so you can get the maximum benefit from ANC.

How do you make it work?

The technology behind noise cancellation headphones is based on miniature microphones inside the earcups or earbuds which listen to the sounds around you. They are then processed inside the headphones to produce an opposite sound wave that effectively blocks out the sounds and prevents the sound from reaching your ears.

Air molecules oscillate and produce sound waves. This means that sound waves have a height or amplitude. This is measured by the distance between the peaks on an unsteady graph. Taller sound waves have higher intensities, while smaller ones have lower intensities. ANC headphones make use of this by listening to sounds around you and creating an opposing sound that neutralizes them.

ANC headsets have several features that help in blocking out ambient sounds such as feedback microphones and an ANC chipset. These chips employ algorithms to invert sound signals and then emit an opposing signal. This is basically like launching anti-ballistic missiles to destroy the incoming warheads (again think of the military-grade countermeasures from war movies).

The ANC drivers inside each ear cup produce these opposite signals. When ANC is activated by pressing the button on your headset, the sounds of the environment are reduced or eliminated.

While the technology behind ANC is impressive, it comes with a few trade-offs. The additional electronics needed to make this technology work can increase the weight and size of your headphones, making them bulkier than similar-looking models. They also use more power, which could result in a decrease in battery life and potentially some high-frequency hiss.

One other issue is that many users have reported experiencing disorientation or a feeling of dizziness while wearing ANC headphones. While this can be frustrating but it's usually due to something else that triggers these feelings, not the ANC headphones itself.

The good news is, more advanced ANC headsets are beginning to address these issues. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 headphones provide various ANC modes, such as "office," "plane," and city'. They also have a slider to allow you to customize the amount of external sound that you prefer to hear through. Apple's AirPods Pro 2 feature a similar feature, with a "Ambient Aware mode' that digitally adjusts the volume of ANC in accordance with the surroundings.

What are the best headphones for noise cancellation?

Noise cancelling headphones can improve your listening experience. They can help you concentrate in the workplace or block out the sound of engines on trains, planes and buses. These headphones are ideal for working or commuting at home. They can be used on any audio device, including smartphones, tablets and computers. They can be expensive however, there's a pair of wireless ANC headphones to suit every budget.

The most effective pair of headphones that block out noise will be comfortable to wear for long periods with a tight seal around your ears. The battery lifespan should be at least 30hrs which is enough to last through your daily commute or your working day. Check that the source of your audio is supported, whether that be Bluetooth or USB-C.

Over-ear headphones review are usually more comfortable than in-ear designs. They feature a wider headband and cushioned cups that sit over your ears, which helps to keep them in place for longer. They also work better in blocking out ambient noise. There are exceptions, however, and the best headphones for noise cancellation will be determined by your music and lifestyle preferences.

The level of noise reduction will differ depending on the design and how it fits into your ears. A poor fit could allow in ambient noise and even impact the quality of bass. You can try switching out the standard tips of your headphones to see if this improves the fit and lessens the background noise. This also works with earbuds of all types.

In-ear headphones can be less comfortable for long listening sessions, as they tend to rest on your ears instead of over them. You can alter the fit of your headphones by tilting them either forward or backward. They are also lighter, making them more portable and easier to carry. In our tests, we discovered that the majority of earbuds offer noise cancellation. However, they're not nearly as good as a pair of over-ear earphones.

What should I look for in noise cancelling headphones?

The best noise cancelling headphones reduce ambient sound so you can concentrate on your music without being distracted by your surroundings. They typically use active noise cancellation (ANC) to achieve this, although not all ANC headphones are created to be equal. It is important to take into consideration the kind of ANC used, whether they're over-ear or in-ear and their build quality.

In-ear and over-ear headphones offer excellent noise isolation. While headphones with over-ears can be more comfortable during long durations, in-ear headphones provide greater mobility and are less bulky. Over-ear headphones are generally more expensive but often offer superior sound quality while in-ear models are an affordable alternative that still delivers solid performance.

Certain ANC headphones have different levels of ANC, giving you the option to tailor the level to the situation at hand. For example, you may prefer to turn ANC off when traveling on an airplane or public transport, but turn it on when you are in the office or at home, to block out the whirrs of your PC's cooling fans or the lawn mower of your neighbor. A lot of headphones have a 'transparency mode' that allows some outside noise to pass through, so you can hear important background sounds such as traffic or conversation.

As well as ANC, the best noise cancelling headphones typically come with an impressive battery life and Bluetooth support for wireless listening. Certain headphones support the aptX or aptX HD Bluetooth codes, which offer better audio quality than conventional Bluetooth.

There are ANC headphones that cost less than PS50. However the Bose QC35 II over-ear headphones offer the best value. They feature a fantastic ANC, which includes a slight pause in between tracks so you can hear your voice when you talk. Their sound is crisp and full of detail, and their ANC is top-quality.

Children's noise-canceling headsets are also worth considering for children who suffer from sensory overload or requires aid in processing auditory stimuli. They usually come in a wide selection of colors and designs designed for children and some even license popular video games or cartoon properties. They are often more comfortable for children than regular headphones and often have parental controls that are crucial, such as volume-limiting features to ensure safe listening levels.