Bestcovery's Ranking Metrics
We compared our top 4 Noise-Canceling Headphones based on the following criteria.
Connectivity: Do the headphones connect through Bluetooth or a wired connection? If wired, what kind of cord is used?
Battery Life: How long do the headphones last on a single charge?
Noise-Canceling: Is noise-canceling mainly active or passive?
Style: How do the headphones fit on the head? Over-ear or in-ear earbuds?
Water/Weatherproof: Can the headphones handle water, and if so, to what degree?
Sound Quality: What do users say about the sound quality and fidelity?
Voice-Calling: Can the headphones be used for phone calls, video conferences, etc.?
Other Features: What special features do the headphones have to set them apart from the competition?
Comfort: How comfortable are the headphones, and what comfort features do they offer?
How Noise-Canceling Headphones Work
There are two basic forms of noise-canceling: Passive and Active.
Passive noise-canceling uses form-fitting seals and sound-proofing techniques to physically block external sound from reaching your ears.
Active noise-canceling, on the other hand, uses a complex system of microphones and signal processing to cancel out the specific background noise around you. To achieve this, a pair of noise-canceling headphones will listen to the noises around you to understand the precise shape of the sound waves reaching your ears. Along with whatever audio you play through them, the headphones will also play an opposite-shaped soundwave to the external sound, effectively flattening out the waveform and leaving a fresh canvas of clean silence around your ears, allowing you to focus solely on your audio of choice.
Frequently Asked Questions for Noise-Canceling Headphones
Are good noise-canceling headphones worth it?
Since this is a complex technology, not all noise-canceling headphones are made the same, which can lead to huge variances in quality. It also means that noise-canceling headphones tend to be on the higher end price-wise. It takes a lot of research and engineering to make high-performing equipment of this type, and the best are often made by companies that put a great deal of care into the tech and user experience. Though there might be hidden gems at lower prices, you tend to get what you pay for when it comes to noise-canceling headphones.
If noise-canceling isn’t your priority, take a look at our list for best headphones overall.
Why does active noise cancellation give some people a headache?
Though most people don't experience headaches while using noise-cancellation, some people find that using it can have those adverse effects. One common reason is the pressure change that active cancellation creates in the inner ear. The closed seal, paired with consistent pressure, can lead to headaches for those who are sensitive to it. Additionally, some may also be sensitive to specific frequencies within the negative sound used to cancel their surrounding exterior noise.