The best noise-cancelling headphones of 2021: our top ANC headphones for
every budget
Date:
Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:54:06 +0000
Description:
We've rounded up the best noise-cancelling headphones that will keep the
world out and your music in.
FULL STORY ======================================================================
The best noise-cancelling headphones take your music (or movie, podcast and audiobook) listening to the next level. These advanced headphones can block loud outside noises and ambient sounds, which lets you to focus on whatever youre listening to and tune out everything else.
Whether you plan to use them at home or take them with you on-the-move, ANC (active noise cancelling) headphones are a must-have for music lovers, commuters, intrepid explorers, and office workers alike especially if noise distractions stop you from focusing and immersing yourself in whatever youre doing.
Let's jump right to it: the absolute best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy right now are the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. However, it might be worth considering some other cheaper options on our list first if the steep price ($349.99 / 349 / AU$549) puts you off. Or, if you're a devoted Apple fan, you might want to check out the AirPods Max , the newest addition to this list
and Apples first pair of over-ear wireless headphones if it's desirable to stay in the Apple device ecosystem.
If youve never tried a pair of ANC headphones, youre missing out. Theyre one of the true wonders of the modern era because most of them can totally tune out any unwanted noises while making your music sound better than any pair of earbuds (well, except for fantastic noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds , like the Sony WF-1000XM3 s and the Apple AirPods Pro , of course).
According to audio experts, noise-cancelling headphones can even protect your ears from damage. Thats because they tend to (not always) stop people from cranking up the volume of their music to block out the sound of the world around them. The experience sounds way better, but it might actually be much quieter than if you were making up for a lot of ambient noise.
The best thing is that high-end ANC tech isnt just included in a few of the most expensive models. There are many styles and brands to choose from these days, from the ultra-premium to more budget-friendly cans.
Whatever style, price or features you're looking for, we've selected the very best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy right now, based on value for money, design, and sound quality read on for our top picks. How a pair of noise-cancelling headphones could protect your hearing health Our favorite models (Image credit: Sony) 1. Sony WH-1000XM4
The best noise-cancelling headphones have a new winner Acoustic design:
Closed | Weight: 253g | Frequency response: 4Hz to 40kHz | Drivers: 1.57-inch dome type | Battery life: 30 hours Improved noise-cancellation DSEE Extreme audio upscaling Multipoint pairing Not water-resistant
The Sony WH-1000XM4 deliver excellent noise-cancellation and surprising sound quality all in a lightweight, comfortable design.
While they don't look significantly different from their predecessors, the Sony WH-1000XM3 , a number of new features including multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness and auto-play/pause using a built-in sensor all help the WH-1000XM4 claim the title of best headphones in 2021.
By every possible metric, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a wonderful pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They deliver exactly what they promise and then some thanks to their exceptional noise cancellation and cutting-edge codec support.
On top of the adjustments listed above, the Sony WH-1000XM4 support Sonys 360 Reality Audio format that enables spatial audio on stereo headphones plus the LDAC codec that can send a bitrate of up to 990 kbps. The unfortunate bit there, though, is that it no longer supports aptX or aptX HD, so your Hi-Res Audio support mileage may vary.
Read more: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones review (Image credit: Sony ) 2. Sony WH-1000XM3
A close second-best Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 254g | Frequency response: 4Hz to 40kHz | Drivers: 40mm dual-Layered diaphragm / dynamic | Battery life: 30 hours Outstanding noise cancellation Fantastic sound quality 30-hour battery life Small tweaks from 1000XM2
The Sony WH-1000XM3 were the best noise-cancelling headphones in the world
for two years running and while they've been surpassed by the new Sony WH-1000XM4, there's still loads to love about these over-ear cans.
For music lovers, the Sony WH-1000XM3 features aptX HD and Sony LDAC, two of the best ways to listen to Hi-Res music from your phone without a wire. Plus, all of Sony's former flagship ANC headphones offer both Google Assistant and Alexa support.
If you can get hold of the older, second-gen Sony WH-1000XM2 , they're still very much worth a look as a more affordable (if slightly lower-spec) model.
Read more: Sony WH-1000XM3 review The best Sony headphones of 2021 Browse
the best Sony WH-1000XM3 deals (Image credit: Bose) 3. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Class-leading noise cancellation, but not the best battery life Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 25g | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Battery life: 20 hours Outstanding noise cancellation Fun, lively sound Elegant design Battery life could be better
They don't quite beat the Sony WH-1000XM4s in terms of battery life and
price, but the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are still a brilliant
pair of over-ear cans and the best Bose headphones we've reviewed.
Traditionally, noise-cancelling headphones have been designed to block out
the environmental sounds around you, so that you can hear your music more clearly (or catch some shut-eye on a noisy flight).
This can be really effective if youre listening to music. If youre making a phone call however, the person youre speaking to can still hear everything thats happening around you.
The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 seek to remedy this, by applying noise-cancellation to phone calls as well as music, which is fantastic
feature that's why these are the best noise-cancelling headphones for making calls.
The sound quality is undeniably good, with a vibrant, lively character and well-balanced soundstage.
If youre trying to decide between buying the Sony WH-1000XM4s and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, wed recommend going for the former because
of that lower price and better battery life.That being said, you wouldnt be making a mistake if you opted for the Bose cans instead they sound great, look stunning, and the noise-cancellation is out of this world.
Read more: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review (Image credit: Bose) 4. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Smart noise-cancelling headphones for voice assistant diehards Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 308g | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Battery life: 20+ hours Broad and clear soundstage Amazing noise cancellation Active EQ an acquired taste Boring looks
Coming in at number four are the Bose QuietComfort 35 II a nearly identical product to the already-excellent Bose QuietComfort 35 but updated with Google Assistant . This means you still get the class-leading noise cancellation
Bose is known for, good sound quality and incredible comfort, plus a convenient assistant to answer any inquiries you might have while traveling.
Taken as a whole, the Bose QC35 II NC are an excellent pair of headphones for travelers and commuters. Bose has found a good balance of features that will satisfy most mainstream listeners.
Despite the popularity of the QC35s, Bose has shaken things up by releasing a totally new wireless noise-cancelling headphones model, with a focus on sleek design and breakthrough audio tech: the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
. They may not have pipped Sony to the top spot of the best noise-cancelling headphones, but they're still a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones, coming in at number two.
Read more: Bose QuietComfort 35 II review (Image credit: Sony) 5. Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds
Noise-cancelling true wireless headphones that made our dreams come true Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 70g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 6mm dome type | Battery life : 6 hours (earbuds) 18 hours (charging case) Efficient noise-cancellation Inconspicuous looks Great fun to listen
too Not suitable for sports
True wireless earbuds are increasingly being released with noise cancellation, and the Sony WF-100XM3 are the best you can buy right now.
The Sony WF-1000XM3s manage to offer a level of noise cancellation that's
very good for a pair of earbuds they won't offer the same isolation as a
pair of over-ear cans, but if you're after a sleek form factor then the compromise is worth it.These are the best noise-cancelling headphones for those who prefer an in-ear form factor.
Not only are these hands down the best-looking true wireless headphones out there, but they combine serious noise-cancelling tech with fist-pumping musicality. If you dont want the inconvenience of carrying full-size cans, theyre a persuasive alternative.
Read more: Sony WF-1000XM3 review Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM3 : which buds are best? (Image credit: Shure) 6. Shure AONIC 50
Shure has finally joined the wireless noise-cancelling party Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 334g | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: 50mm dynamic | Battery life: 20 hours Expansive, convincing sound Sturdy construction Good ANC No touch controls
The Shure AONIC 50 sports a wireless, active noise-cancelling over-ear
design, selling at a premium price to compete with the likes of theSony WH-1000XM4andBose NC 700 Headphones.
Ultimately, while you won't find every feature under the sun here, the Shure AONIC 50 are laser-focused on delivering the best sound-quality of almost any noise-cancelling headphone making them the best noise-cancelling headphones for audiophiles.
Read more: Shure AONIC 50 review (Image credit: Jabra) 7. Jabra Elite 85H
Jabra's new noise-cancelling headphones give Sony and Bose a run for their money Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 294g | Frequency response: 10Hz to 20kHz | Drivers: 40mm dynamic | Battery life: 36 hours Class-leading battery life Excellent ANC performance Lacks support for high-end codecs Bass could
be punchier
Offering class-leading battery life, terrific style and plenty of personalization when it comes to sound profiles, the Elite 85h is easy to recommend. That said, purists will bemoan the lack of high-end codec support and there are punchier headphones on the market at this price point.
When you consider that Jabras Elite 85h headphones are the companys first attempt at premium wireless ANC headphones, the result is quite commendable. We cant wait to see what the companys next premium ANC headphones will accomplish.
If you want an alternative to Sony's WH-1000XM4, these are a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
Read more: Jabra Elite 85H review (Image credit: Apple) 8. Apple AirPods Pro
The perfect earbuds... for Apple fans Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 5.4g
| Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: Dynamic | Battery life (on-board): 5 hours (earbuds) 24 hours (charging case) Good noise
cancellation Better fit than AirPods (2019) More expensive than better rivals USB-C charging cable in box
Apple's most recenttrue wireless earbuds come with active noise cancellation, as well as a better fit and sound than their predecessors, the Apple AirPods
.
However, at $249 / 249 / AU$399/ R4199, theyre pretty pricey, but they're optimized for iPhone users. The redesign means theyre far less likely to fall out, and the additional microphones provide strong noise cancellation, as
well as a useful Transparency mode, which really does let the outside world in.
The sound quality of the AirPods Pro has certainly improved since the
previous iteration theres a notable emphasis on vocals and bass, meaning these earbuds are better for pop fans than those that enjoy a more natural presentation that lends itself to classical music or more orchestral sounds.
Apparently, there's a new AirPods model on the horizon to join the original buds and the newer Pros. The AirPods Pro 2 are rumored to be a new, cheaper variant of the company's popular true wireless earbuds, and they could be released this year.
Read more: Apple AirPods Pro review Apple AirPods Pro vs AirPods : which
buds are best? (Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins) 9. Bowers and Wilkins PX7 Wireless
Strong all-rounders with a stylish look Acoustic design: Closed | Weight:
310g | Frequency response: 10 30,000 Hz | Drivers: 43.6mm full range | Battery life: 30 hours Best-in-class sound quality Competitive battery life Robust Bluetooth connection Earcups don't collapse
If youre looking for really stylish noise-cancelling headphones and you're
not put off by the $399 / 349 / AU$600/ R3999 price tag, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 are well worth considering.
With sophisticated noise cancellation, brilliant sound quality, and a honed aesthetic, the PX7 could give any of the headphones on this list a run for their money.
Plus, they're packing aptX Adaptive for improved stability and latency
between the headphones and your device, as well as high-quality (24-bit) streaming aptX HD brought to the table.
Read more: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Wireless Headphones review (Image credit: Apple) 10. Apple AirPods Max
The perfect headphones for Apple devotees Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 350g | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: 40mm dynamic | Battery life: 20 hours Unbelievable audio performance Fantastic user experience Brilliant
extra features for iOS Great noise cancellation Very expensive No 3.5mm audio port Limited features for Android Ineffective carrying case
The Apple AirPods Max were the most hotly-anticipated headphones for quite some time, having been the subject of rumor and speculation for two years,
and come with active noise cancellation, superb audio quality, and a design that sets them apart from most noise-cancelling headphones on the market.
While their exceptional audio performance and class-leading ANC impresses, they're let down by their eye-watering price, baffling carrying case, and
lack of support for Hi-Res Audio codecs.
Despite their high price, the AirPods Max arent exactly aimed at the audiophile crowd, owing to their lack of 3.5mm audio port; instead, these
cans are squarely targeted at card-carrying members of the Apple ecosystem, with nifty features for iOS users and an unmistakably Apple design.
For Android users, the AirPods Max are simply a high-performance pair of noise-cancelling headphones with an unusual design, as fantastic as they may sound and for these users, we can't see how the high price is justified.
But, if you've already bought into the Apple ecosystem, you have a lot of money to burn, and you don't care about Hi-Res Audio, you won't find headphones that sound better or are easier to use than the AirPods Max.
Read more: Apple AirPods Max review (Image credit: Sennheiser) 11.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
Headphones that don't skimp on smart features Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Frequency response: 6Hz - 22,000Hz | Drivers: 42mm | Battery life: 17 hours Brilliant audio quality Cool design Customizable settings Battery life isn't great
In terms of sheer sound quality, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
headphones sound brilliant, with high levels of detail, warm bass, and natural-sounding highs.
The customizable noise cancellation on offer here is also good, but it doesnt quite reach the class-leading standards set by the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless headphones.
They have nowhere near the battery life of Sonys headphones, and are more expensive which begs the question, why buy the Sennheisers when you could have the WH-1000XM4?
Well, if built-in Tile tracking appeals to you, and you like the industrial design and premium materials of the Momentum 3 Wireless, that could be reason enough and if you do opt for them over the Sony model, you wont be missing out on any audio quality. In that respect, theyre truly matched.
Read more: Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless review (Image credit: TechRadar) 12. JBL Tune 750BTNC
Quality noise-cancelling headphones for a great price Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 220g | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz | Drivers: 40mm | Battery life: 15 - 22 hours Good sound quality Strong active noise cancelation No waterproofing Average battery life
JBL is a popular name in the world ofheadphonesand Bluetooth speakers , and rightly so. Solidly dependable, consumers know what to expect from the brand decent sound quality for a decent price.
That's what we found with the JBL Live 650BTNC last year and now, ready to take their place are the JBL Tune 750BTNC, a superior successor to the 650BTNC's as a high-spec and well-priced set ofover-ear headphones.
The JBL Tune 750BTNC sound great, look great, and they fit well. Reliable and easy to use, you might miss waterproofing and a few minor features but at this price, it feels foolish to complain too readily.
Read more: JBL Tune 750BTNC review (Image credit: Microsoft) 13. Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
Impressive bass and great noise cancellation from Microsoft cans Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 290g | Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz | Drivers: 40mm free edge | Battery life: 20 hours Warm, wide soundstage Great controls Sound could be more detailed Slightly boring look
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are the tech giants second pair of noise-cancelling headphones , and they offer a ton of great improvements over the original Surface Headphones , while retaining some of their best qualities.
In spite of those improvements which includes a longer battery life and a more comfortable design the Surface Headphones 2 are considerably cheaper than their predecessors, making them the obvious choice if youre trying to choose between the two.
That lower price also makes them a great alternative to the best headphones
of 2021, the Sony WH-1000XM4 , especially as theyve retained the winning design features of the original Surface Headphones, with built-in dials on each earcup to control your music and the active noise cancellation.
Read more: Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 review (Image credit: Sennheiser) 14. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
A great Sony WF-1000XM3 alternative Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 6g | Frequency response: 5Hz to 21kHz | Drivers: 7mm dynamic | Battery life: 7 hours (earbuds) 28 hours (charging case) Incredible sound Sleek design
Support for Hi-Res Audio Pricier than rivals
The sound quality, battery life, and design of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are truly brilliant and they're a really good alternative to the Sony WF-1000XM3, particularly if you prefer a more flashy design to adorn
your ears.
We did find that those with smaller ears sometimes find them a little uncomfortable, however, and their high price just stops them from taking the top spot of this round up.
Otherwise? Sennheiser has pretty much knocked it out of the park with these buds, offering great noise cancellation alongside smart looks and stunning sound.
Read more: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 review (Image credit: Urbanista) 15. Urbanista Miami
Budget noise-cancelling headphones with a bassy sound Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz | Drivers: 40mm moving coil | Battery life: 40 hours Cool design Extended bass response Excellent battery life and connectivity Noise cancellation isnt the best Audio could be more detailed
Urbanista has exceeded expectations with its first pair of noise-cancelling over-ear headphones theyre an easy recommend for those on a budget, who dont want to sacrifice style or sound performance. Noise cancellation itself isnt the best on the market, and while the audio could be more detailed, an extended bass response makes the Urbanista Miami ideal for pop and RnB. Battery life and connectivity are also decent for the price, making these a great alternative to pricier models such as the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the Apple AirPods Max.
Read more: Urbanista Miami review (Image credit: Nuraphone) BONUS: Nura Nuraphone
The strange in-ear, over-ear hybrid boasts decent ANC Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: Dynamic | Battery life: 20 hours Rich, full sound Excellent noise isolation Limited controls on headphones Form factor can be restricting
If you haven't found something quite to your liking so far, we have one last option for you to look at the all-new Nura Nuraphone over-ear/in-ear hybrid. Their form factor means youve not only got an earbud sitting at the entrance of your ear canal, but also an over-ear cushion sitting over your entire ear. This effectively means youve got two physical barriers meaning that the noise from the outside world cant get to your ears.While more traditional over-ear headphones do a better job offering useful features at a reasonable price,
the Nuraphone will appeal to the more experimental audio crowd looking to be on the bleeding-edge of the next big thing.
Read more: Nuraphone Headphones review Noise cancellation explained What is noise cancellation?
Noise-cancelling headphones use analogue and electronic methods to block out the environmental sound around you, allowing you to listen to your music in peace without distraction. Most noise-cancelling headphones make use of the following two approaches:
Passive noise cancellation
This is when the headphones physically block outside sound from reaching
your ears, and this can be achieved in a number of ways. Noise-cancelling over-ear headphones typically have heavily padded earcups to achieve this, while in-ear headphones need to fit snugly in your ear to create a tight
seal, stopping environmental sounds from entering.
Active noise cancellation
This method uses inbuilt microphones to analyze environmental noise and create 'anti-noise' frequencies that are mixed in with your music playback. This effectively cancels out the sound of your surroundings using analogue or digital filters. What to look for How to choose the best noise-cancelling headphones Which headphones style is best for you?
Check out TechRadar's exhaustive guides to the best headphones you can buy today:
- Best headphones
- Best on-ear headphones
- Best over-ear headphones .
- Best wireless headphones
- Best wireless earbuds
- Best true wireless earbuds
- Best swimming headphones
- Best workout headphones
- Best running headphones
- Best Apple headphones
- Best Sony headphones
- Best Bose headphones
We believe that noise-cancelling headphones are just as vital as your laptop, TV or mobile phone when it comes to tech that'll change how you live, work
and play especially if you have a long commute each day or a flight ahead of you. That means that choosing the right pair for you is important the
demands of a good pair of headphones for a flight are different to those you'll only ever use at home.
Design is hugely important, as a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones
need to be comfortable for long listening sessions look out for padded earcups and headbands in materials like memory foam for ultimate comfort.
Padded earcups also help with passive noise cancellation in other words,
they physically block sound from entering your ears. This works in tandem
with active noise cancellation, with the best noise-cancelling headphones using a combination of the two methods to get rid of outside noise.
Not a fan of over-ear headphones? Nowadays, you can even find true wireless earbuds with noise cancellation built-in, so there really is an option for everyone.
As with any pair of headphones, the sound quality needs to be good, even if your focus is blocking out the world around you. How you define good sound quality depends on your personal taste. Do you like a warm, well-rounded sound, or do you prefer ultra high-fidelity that allows you to hear every single detail of your music? Are you a dedicated bass head or a classical music junkie? Best noise-cancelling headphones, at a glance: Sony WH-1000XM4 Sony WH-1000XM3 Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 Bose QuietComfort 35 II Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds Shure AONIC 50 Jabra Elite 85H Apple AirPods Pro Bowers and Wilkins PX Wireless Apple AirPods Max Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless JBL Tune 750BTNC Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 Urbanista Miami Deals
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/news/audio/portable-audio/best-noise-cancelling-head phones-1280490/
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