Best noise canceling headphones: Top 10 and comparison 2021
Published on December 1, 2021, 12:11
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Whether you wear them to get to work in the morning, on a trip, or if you're just trying to find some peace and quiet while working from home, noise-cancelling headphones are more essential than ever today. And you have a lot of great options to choose from.
The criteria for selecting the best noise canceling headphones hasn't changed, however you use them: the most important criteria are comfort, ability to block out outside noise, sound quality, battery life and whether or not it supports multipoint pairing, which lets you connect to two audio sources at once. Which headphone is best for you will differ depending on which criteria you favor, but our overall pick for the best noise canceling headphone is Sony's WH-1000XM4. They offer a good mix of sound quality, everyday durability, and noise cancellation.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Related to this article:Google Nest Camera (indoor & outdoor) review: Full review 2021Sony's 1000XM4 headphones improve on their popular predecessors with new features like multipoint pairing and automatic speech detection. They retain the same excellent comfort and top-notch sound quality.
But if you're looking for something a little different, there are still plenty of options. If you want supreme comfort on long-haul flights, the Bose QuietComfort 45s are the way to go. If you own an iPhone and only settle for the best, the AirPods Max are worth the price. But Sennheiser and Shure also offer excellent ANC headphones if sound quality is your priority. Trying to find the best headphones for Zoom life? Both Microsoft and Bose have serious competitors. And if you're looking for something a little more stylish, the Marshall Headphones might just surprise you.
The best noise canceling headphones for most people
Sony's WH-1000XM4 may look identical to previous 1000XM3s, but the company has made slight design changes for better comfort. days when you find yourself wearing the M4s for hours.
Noise cancellation has been further improved over the performance of the M3s, putting Sony neck and neck with Bose in terms of overall effectiveness in silencing your surroundings. The sound quality is virtually identical to previous headphones – it's still punchy, full and very enjoyable – as is the marathon 30-hour battery life. But Sony has solved two of the M3s' biggest problems this time around: the 1000XM4s have improved voice microphone performance, and they can now connect to two devices simultaneously, so you can stay up to date with what's going on. your phone while working on your laptop or tablet.
Sony also offers a really handy trick: the optional 'speak to chat' feature automatically pauses your music and plays ambient sound when the headset detects you've started talking, which comes in handy when you're grabbing a coffee . And unlike its predecessors, the 1000XM4s is able to tell when it's been taken out of your ears to auto-pause. They're still $350, but you get more for your money with the 1000XM4s than before.
The most comfortable noise canceling headphones
The Bose QC45 headphones are a return to basics at the best of times. Its design is very similar to that of the QC35II, which means that it is remarkably light and comfortable on the head, even when worn all day. Oval ear cups never tire your ears, and no one can compete with Bose when it comes to comfort. Best of all, unlike the 700 noise canceling headphones, it can be folded up for easy travel.
Bose QC45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones update the company's popular and incredibly comfortable design with USB-C, better noise cancellation and longer battery life.
Bose has made modest improvements to active noise cancellation and stretched battery life to 24 hours from 20 previously. The QC45s also feature a USB-C port instead of the Micro USB connector of their predecessors. And they add a transparency mode for when you need to chat with someone quickly or want to be more aware of your surroundings.
The sound quality of the QC45s is a little more consistent than that of the Sony 1000XM4s. And unfortunately, Bose does not offer EQ customization for this headset at this time. Another frustration is that there's no way to disable noise cancellation without enabling transparency mode. It's one or the other and there's no basic "off" mode. I'm still hoping Bose fixes both of these flaws with future software updates, but that's not to be counted on.
Best noise canceling headphones for sound quality
There was definitely a price shock when Apple introduced a $549 set of noise canceling headphones. The AirPods Max cost significantly more than all of our other recommendations. But Apple's build quality is on another level: These headphones trade the plastic found in many noise-canceling headphones for steel and aluminum, and the ear cups are made of breathable mesh. These are heavy headphones, that's undeniable. But aside from the fact that Apple refused to include a headphone cable in the box, nothing about the AirPods Max feels cheap. And I appreciate the simplicity of using the Digital Crown for controls instead of relying on random gestures like taps and swipes.
Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max feature exemplary build quality, phenomenal sound, and noise cancellation on par with the best.
Most importantly, the AirPods Max deliver the best audio quality you can get from high-end Bluetooth headphones. They have a wide and immersive soundstage, fantastic dynamics, and you'll find yourself browsing through your music library just to hear what they bring out of your favorite songs. Apple's noise cancellation is on par with Sony's and Bose's, and no one does it better than Transparency Mode; sometimes it feels like you're not wearing a helmet. Additional features like Spatial Audio (surround sound for movies and TV shows) and automatic switching between Apple gadgets make swallowing that exorbitant price a little easier.
But the AirPods Max have flaws. The carrying case is abysmal, battery life is only average for the category, and just like regular AirPods, they were designed with Apple's ecosystem in mind. It becomes much harder to justify dropping $550 on them if you live outside of the iPhone and Mac universe.
The best noise-canceling headphones if you're not an Apple user.
If you'd rather enjoy your music than drown out the world, Sennheiser and Shure have some fantastic options with a superb sound quality and adequate noise cancellation. Sennheiser's Momentum Wireless deliver detailed, bass-rich, vibrant sound paired with sublime comfort. The same can be said for the new Shure Aonic 50 headphones, which support advanced codecs like apt-X HD and LDAC.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
Sennheiser's premium noise-cancelling headphones offer exceptional comfort, rich sound with plenty of bass and a timeless design.
If you're a fan of audio quality, both headsets can be used wired with a 3.5mm headphone jack or USB-C. They both outperform Bose and other more mainstream brands. They both outperform Bose and other more mainstream products in build quality and materials. That premium feel demands a bit more, as both headsets are priced at the same $400. Their noise cancellation isn't at the level of the best, but you still get handy software features, like ambient pass and customizable EQ, in addition to brilliant sound.
Shure Aonic 50
Shure is best known for its earbuds, but the Aonic 50 is a fantastic set of noise-canceling headphones that support both Bluetooth and wired audio via 3.5mm or USB-C.
The best noise-canceling headphones for multitasking
With the Surface Headphones 2, Microsoft has retained the brilliant first-generation thumbwheel control system and made some notable quality improvements sound and battery life. Once you get used to adjusting volume or noise-canceling levels by simply twisting the dial around each earbud, you'll never want to fumble for buttons.
Microsoft Surface 2 Headset
Microsoft's Surface Headphones 2 have the same intuitive controls as the originals for volume and noise cancellation. But the sequel offers better sound quality and battery life at a cheaper price.
Surface Headphones 2 is also a great choice for productivity, as its multipoint pairing works seamlessly when a call comes in on your phone while you're busy working on your PC. Microsoft's way of handling simultaneous Bluetooth connections seems more reliable and consistent than everyone else's. It's rare that I encounter bugs when I'm connected to two devices at once. It's hard to overestimate this benefit in the context of a work-from-home life, and you get this convenience for a fraction of the price of Sony or Bose headphones.
Best Noise Canceling Headphones for Voice Calls
Bose is the brand synonymous with noise canceling headphones, and the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are another example of why that reputation is well-deserved . It offers satisfying sound, excellent voice call quality and great noise canceling efficiency. In the eyes of many, it really is a toss-up between this headset and Sony's 1000XM3 headset. The Sony offers better battery life and more lively, punchy sound, but Bose's support for multipoint pairing with two devices at once is a big plus. The Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, although they aren't as lightweight as the company's cheaper QC35 II headphones.
When it's time to join a Zoom meeting or call someone, you'll be heard loud and clear by the person on the other end, which is not the case with all wireless headsets from this list. Bose's microphone setup on the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 is second to none, although Jabra does well too. Battery life is where Bose trails its competition, with the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 rated at 20 hours, a far cry from the 30 hours you can hit with Sony or other choices. below.
7. Marshall Monitor II ANC
Best noise canceling headphones for style
Marshall's wireless headphones have proven to be surprisingly popular, and the company's most expensive pair are also the best nowadays. The Monitor II ANC headphones are priced at $320, putting them on par with Bose, Sony, and other tech companies that have been making premium noise-canceling headphones for many years.
Marshall doesn't quite match them in terms of sound quality or NC efficiency; the Monitor IIs sound warm and textured and do a decent job of reducing ambient noise. But they definitely stand out when it comes to aesthetics, with a design that evokes the company's heritage. The headphones fold up for easy transport, and Marshall's signature gold joystick makes the Monitor IIs easy to control.
Marshall Monitor II ANC
Marshall's noise-canceling headphones stand out with their unique look and easy-to-use joystick to control your music. It's also a battery life champ with up to 45 hours of playtime.
They can also last up to 30 hours with the NC function activated or up to 45 hours if you are already in a quiet place and can do without this function. This impressive longevity beats out our primary picks. The lack of AAC codec support at this price point is a pain, but I enjoyed the Monitor IIs every time I put them on. They're more than just an amp brand stamped on an average pair of headphones.
Dominique MonjeauAfter an experience in the written press, Dominique now specializes in writing Buyers' Guides and Product Tests to enlighten Mirror Mag readers in their choices of High Tech products, connected objects, Hardware or Software. Latest articles by Dominique Monjeau (see all)
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