Technics is best known for its luxurious hi-fi systems and revolutionary DJ decks, but now it has made waves in wireless noise cancelling with its PX7 headphones – lightweight yet comfortable, they feature adjustable settings as well as an innovative transparency mode to allow ambient sounds through and enable hands-free listening.
These headphones deliver exceptional noise canceling performance, effectively turning train roar into distant clatter. Equipped with both aptX and aptX HD codec support, these headphones make pairing and using them simple across Android and iOS devices.
Sound quality
No matter if you use noise cancelling headphones to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks or take phone calls; sound quality must always be optimal. A pair that accurately reproduces all the details of your tracks while providing full and rich audio is ideal – in particular those designed to block higher frequency sounds such as restaurant chatter and short duration incidental noises effectively.
The top ANC headphones deliver a high-fidelity listening experience, featuring clear vocals, deep bass and an expansive soundstage. In addition, these models include convenient features such as voice control, USB-C charging support for lossless audio codecs such as LDAC or DSEE Extreme support and other useful additions such as USB audio codec support.
For example, Sony WH-1000XM5s offer exceptional noise cancellation and come with an app to control music playback. Their stylish appearance and comfortable wearability make them great choice; also featured with flexible headband and portable portability as well as additional modern features such as Ambient Sound mode and customizable EQ controls.
Comfort
A great pair of headphones can make an immense difference to your music listening experience. Noise-canceling headphone are designed to block out distracting ambient sounds so you can concentrate on listening or sleep during an overly noisy flight.
Active noise cancellation works by employing sensors to detect unwanted sounds. Once detected, an opposing sound wave is generated to cancel out the original noise source. For maximum effectiveness, headphones with high-quality microphones that can pick up vocals during phone calls and podcasts are often featured for active noise cancellation purposes.
Anker’s ComfoBuds Pro offer excellent audio quality and noise neutralization at less than half the price of top-rated Sony and Bose headphones, plus an aptX/aptX HD support feature to allow you to hear what is going on around you – perfect for anyone on a tight budget looking for noise-canceling headphones!
Noise-canceling ability
Noise-cancelling headphones (also referred to as active noise-canceling headphones) are designed to block out external sounds so you can enjoy music, films or podcasts without raising the volume to unsafe levels. Their noise-canceling ability varies between models; knowing what features to look out for when selecting your next pair is crucial when selecting them.
ANC headphones feature outward-facing microphones which monitor ambient sounds around you and use clever digital signal processing to play back exactly the opposite of what they hear. This works to effectively eliminate most environmental sounds; however, higher frequency sounds such as those produced by aeroplane engines can still be difficult to eliminate completely. In response, some ANC headphones feature a transparency mode which lets some outside noise through for traffic-heavy areas or can even offer adaptive ANC which adjusts itself according to your surroundings.
Battery life
If you use your headphones on long commutes or trips to work, selecting models with long battery lives is essential. Most models feature USB charging; many also provide quick-charging for up to an additional two hours of playback; and some come equipped with carrying cases designed specifically to charge and store your headset when not in use.
Monoprice’s BT-300ANC headphones are one of the top noise cancelling headphones under $500, featuring high-quality sound quality, superior noise cancellation and an outstanding battery life. While not as stylish or attractive as some of their more costly competitors on this list, these do an outstanding job of noise cancellation.
Master & Dynamic’s MW65 headphones combine their industrial design and signature sound with modern features like USB-C charging, swipe gestures to control playback, and an app with customizable EQ settings. They’re comfortable to wear and provide above-average noise cancellation performance; however, some other headphones on this list may provide better ambient noise removal.