In an increasingly noisy world, noise-cancelling headphones have become an essential accessory for anyone looking to escape distractions and immerse themselves in their music, podcasts, or work. With advancements in technology, today’s noise-cancelling headphones offer an unparalleled listening experience. This guide explores some of the best noise-cancelling headphones of the year, so you can enjoy a peaceful audio experience wherever you go.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5: The Gold Standard in Noise Cancellation
Key Features:
- Industry-Leading Noise Cancellation: The Sony WH-1000XM5 boasts superb noise-cancelling technology that adapts to your surroundings, blocking out almost all external noise, including conversations, engine noise, and even air conditioning hum.
- Crystal Clear Sound Quality: The headphones offer rich, high-resolution audio, delivering deep bass, clear mids, and detailed highs for a premium listening experience.
- Long Battery Duration: Appreciate as long as 30 hours of playback time with dynamic commotion retraction turned on, making them ideal for long flights or drives.
- Comfortable Fit: The soft ear cups and lightweight design ensure comfort even during extended listening sessions.
Why It’s Great:
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is widely considered one of the best noise-cancelling headphones available today. With top-notch noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and a comfortable design, it’s ideal for frequent travelers, commuters, or anyone who needs to block out distractions while listening to music or working.
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: Stylish and Powerful
Key Features:
- Adjustable Noise Cancellation: The Bose 700 features an adjustable noise-cancelling system with 11 levels of sound cancellation, allowing you to tailor the experience based on your environment.
- Excellent Sound Quality: Bose is known for its crisp, balanced sound, and the 700s are no exception, offering clear and detailed audio with great bass response.
- Intuitive Touch Controls: The touch-sensitive controls on the ear cups make it easy to adjust volume, take calls, or skip tracks without ever needing to take the headphones off.
- Up to 20 Hours of Battery Life: With up to 20 hours of wireless playback, the Bose 700s are well-suited for long listening sessions.
Why It’s Great:
The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 offer a combination of elegant design, powerful noise cancellation, and highly intuitive controls. They’re ideal for professionals, travelers, and anyone who demands high-quality sound and noise isolation.
3. Apple AirPods Max: Premium Sound with Dynamic Commotion Wiping out
Key Features:
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): The AirPods Max offers top-tier ANC that blocks out a wide range of ambient sounds, providing a rich and immersive audio experience.
- Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking: The headphones support spatial audio, offering a surround sound experience, which is perfect for watching movies or listening to music with depth.
- Superb Build Quality: The AirPods Max features high-quality materials like aluminum ear cups and breathable knit mesh for a luxurious feel and comfort.
- Up to 20 Hours of Listening Time: The AirPods Max offers impressive battery life, with 20 hours of listening time with ANC and spatial audio turned on.
Why It’s Great:
For Apple enthusiasts, the AirPods Max is the ultimate noise-cancelling headphone. It combines premium build quality, superb sound, and seamless integration with Apple devices. The spatial audio and noise cancellation are top-notch, making them perfect for those who want an immersive listening experience.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: Exceptional Sound and Noise Cancellation
Key Features:
- Superior Sound Quality: Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless headphones deliver exceptional sound with deep bass and clear highs, making them perfect for audiophiles.
- Advanced Noise Cancellation: With adaptive noise cancellation, the Momentum 4 adjusts to the surrounding environment, blocking out ambient sounds effectively.
- Up to 60 Hours of Battery Life: The Momentum 4 boasts one of the longest battery lives in the industry, with up to 60 hours of playback time.
- Comfortable Design: The lightweight design and plush ear cups ensure comfort even during long listening sessions.
Why It’s Great:
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is ideal for those who prioritize both sound quality and noise cancellation. With a long battery life, exceptional sound, and customizable noise cancellation, these headphones provide a top-tier audio experience.
5. Sony WF-1000XM4: Best Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds
Key Features:
- Excellent Noise Cancellation: The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds deliver exceptional noise cancellation for their size, blocking out most external noises while you enjoy your music.
- High-Resolution Audio: These earbuds support LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming, offering a premium sound experience in a compact design.
- Up to 8 Hours of Battery Life: The WF-1000XM4 offers up to 8 hours of playback with ANC on, and an additional 16 hours in the charging case.
- Water Resistance and Comfortable Fit: With an IPX4 rating, these earbuds are sweat and splash-resistant, making them perfect for workouts and outdoor activities.
Why It’s Great:
If you’re looking for noise-cancelling earbuds rather than over-ear headphones, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is the best option available. These earbuds offer great noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort, all while being portable and discreet.
6. Bose QuietComfort Headphones II: Minimized and Strong Clamor Dropping Headphones
Key Features:
- Top-Notch Noise Cancellation: The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II offers one of the best active noise-cancelling performances in true wireless earbuds, blocking out both low and high-frequency sounds.
- Clear and Balanced Sound: Bose delivers an impressive sound quality with rich bass and clear mids, perfect for all types of audio content.
- Secure and Comfortable Fit: The earbuds come with multiple sizes of ear tips and stabilizers to ensure a comfortable and secure fit during all activities.
- Up to 6 Hours of Battery Life: Enjoy up to 6 hours of playback on a single charge, with additional charges available through the charging case.
Why It’s Great:
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II offers unbeatable noise cancellation and sound quality in a small, portable form. They’re perfect for users who need the benefits of noise cancellation in a compact design, especially for travel or workouts.
7. Jabra Elite 85h: Smart Noise Cancellation with Great Battery Life
Key Features:
- Smart Active Noise Cancellation: The Jabra Elite 85h adapts to your environment and activity, adjusting the level of noise cancellation automatically.
- Impressive Sound Quality: With powerful speakers and advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing), the Jabra Elite 85h delivers deep, rich sound.
- Up to 36 Hours of Battery Life: With a long-lasting battery life of up to 36 hours, these headphones can go through an entire week’s worth of commutes and workouts without needing a recharge.
- Weatherproof Design: The Elite 85h is IP52 rated, meaning they’re resistant to dust and water, perfect for outdoor activities.
Why It’s Great:
The Jabra Elite 85h is a great option for those who want smart noise-cancelling headphones with long battery life and solid performance in all conditions. They’re perfect for those who need a versatile pair of headphones for daily use and fitness.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for over-ear headphones or true wireless earbuds, there are plenty of noise-cancelling options on the market today. From the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose 700 to the AirPods Max and Jabra Elite 85h, each model offers unique features tailored to different needs and preferences. If you value comfort, sound quality, and advanced noise-cancelling technology, any of these options will enhance your audio experience, help you focus, and let you escape the noise around you.
FAQs
Q1: Do noise-cancelling headphones really block out all noise?
While no headphones offer 100% noise cancellation, modern models like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose 700 significantly reduce ambient noise, offering an immersive listening experience.
Q2: Can I use noise-cancelling headphones for working out?
Yes, models like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are designed for active use and are sweat-resistant, making them great for workouts.
Q3: How long do noise-cancelling headphones last on a single charge?
Battery life varies, but top models like the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless offer up to 60 hours of playback, while others like the Bose 700 provide around 20 hours.
Q4: Are noise-cancelling headphones good for traveling?
Yes, noise-cancelling headphones are excellent for blocking out the noise on flights, trains, and buses. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose 700 are particularly popular among travelers.
Q5: What is the difference between noise-cancelling and noise-isolating headphones?
Noise-cancelling headphones actively reduce ambient noise using microphones and technology, while noise-isolating headphones block out noise through their physical design (e.g., ear cups or ear tips).