If you’re not the best at multi-tasking, chances are you have a difficult time blocking out ambient noise when you are trying to study. To help you out, we have compiled top 5 best noise cancelling headphones. Headphones have undergone tremendous improvement in the last decade. From uncomfortable ear buds that kept falling out of the ear, we now have lightweight, comfy, wireless, noise-canceling headphones. I, for one, can’t wait to see what the future holds. Maybe embedded headphones that can be turned on and off with a voice command? Until then, we have a slew of good choices on the market. If you’re a student who is on a budget and is looking for a cheap pair of noise-cancelling headphones to block out all the noise, you’ll find some inspiration in our list. If you’re not only a student but also an active runner or fitness enthusiast, you might be looking for a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that double as sports headphones. We’ve got you covered. And if you’re looking to splurge, there are plenty of high-end products out there that combine cutting edge technologies with sleek and appealing designs.
How do noise cancelling headphones work, exactly? Unlike regular passive headphones that use soundproofing, noise cancelling headphones decrease ambient sounds through noise control engineering. This way, the listener can enjoy clear music without having to raise the volume too much. Noise cancelling headphones comprise a microphone that is in charge with measuring the ambient sound. This generates a negative waveform for that ambient sound, combined with the audio signal chosen by the listener. The active noise control technology is paired with soundproofing, which keeps high-frequency noises at arm’s length.
1. Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones
Kicking off the list with an inexpensive pair of noise cancelling headphones, the Sennheiser HD 202 II offer an excellent price – value ratio. Holding the title of number one best sellers in over the ear headphones, the HD 202 II are not only great for studying, they’re also travel-friendly. They are safe to use on airplanes, next to sleeping passengers or babies. With a sturdy build, these Sennheiser headphones provide a deep and sharp bass response, a generous Y style cable measuring ten feet and a belt clip for tackling any excess cable. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars from almost three thousand Amazon reviews, these high-quality noise-cancelling headphones offer insulation to protect the listener against ambient noise. The Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional deliver powerful music, they are light weight and have a rugged design that is bound to pass the test of time. Covered by a two-year warranty, the HD 202 II have replaceable ear pads and are super comfortable to wear. The Sennheiser HD 202 II are under 20 dollars and they are ideal for studying due to their comfortable fit, which qualifies them for extra-long wear. The affordable price tag and the sharp sound is great for listening to music and audio books.
2. Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones
At the other end of the spectrum, on the high-end side, the Bose QuietComfort dominate the expensive headphones market with a powerful and deep sound as well as an outstanding noise cancelation ability. Extremely light weight, the QuietComfort 25 are true to their name. They are perfect for prolonged wear and don’t bother the people next to you. If you’re stuck in a quiet library for a whole day, you don’t have to worry the other students will frown at you. The Bose QuietComfort come with a microphone cable, a carrying case, an airline adapter and an AAA battery. All active students out there hurrying from one class to another will appreciate how versatile and light weight these headphones are. The ear cups pivot, which helps easily slide the headphones into their pouch, minimizing storage. No matter if you want to enjoy quiet and peace or listen to your favorite music, the Bose QuietComfort 25 do an excellent job at cancelling out ambient noise. The nifty inline remote, which doubles as a mic, is 56 inches long and allows users to control calls and music on their iPhone, iPod and iPad.
3.QY8 V4.1 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone
For a pair of headphones that double as working-out headphones, the best buy under $25 are the QY8 V4.1 The ergonomic and noise canceling features are not the only assets of these headphones. The QY8 are wireless Bluetooth headphones that offer multipoint pairing. This translates to connecting the pair of headphones to two tablets or two smartphones. This way, you can rest assured you will never miss a phone call when you’re studying and listening to music. Sturdy, yet lightweight, the V.41 boast up to seven hours of playtime with a charging time of roughly two hours. All these improvements didn’t compromise sound quality in the least. The superior sound isolation paired with a super sharp bass resonance make for an awesome device that can be used in the office, on flights, in libraries and on the go. If you also want to use these Bluetooth headphones for working out, you’ll find they don’t slip out of the ear when you’re running and they are sweat proof.
4. BÖHM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Technology
Acing the under $100 noise cancelling headphones category, the BÖHM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones score 4.4 out of 5 stars from almost six hundred Amazon reviews. With a sleek design, there’s more to these Bluetooth headphones than the looks. They allow you to stream music from any Bluetooth-enabled device on a 33-foot radius. This comes in handy when you’re studying in front of a cluttered table and the last thing you want is to be chained to your laptop or tablet. The premium stereo drivers ensure a crisp sound and powerful bass. The flip of a switch is all you need to disconnect from the world and only focus on studying or on listening. These wireless headphones have a three hour charging period and they can then be used for up to sixteen hours of playtime. The BÖHM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones also allow users to pick up phone calls, with the music automatically resuming or hanging up. Not only suitable for studying, the headphones are also great for traveling and flying.
5. Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones
A mid-range pair of noise cancelling headphones, the Sony MDRZX110NC cost $50 and are the perfect combination between portability and functionality. With a crisp sound and deep bass, these Sony headphones boast an excellent active noise-cancelling feature that makes them the essential tool for studying in a noisy, crowded room. The headphones are able to analyze the environmental ambient noise and block as much as 95% of it, to deliver high audio performance. The MDRZX110NC work with one AAA battery that guarantees as much as 80 hours of playtime. The comfy fit makes them one of the best noise cancelling headphones currently on the market. The ear cups are equipped with pressure relieving cushions that block out noise. Fold the ear cups to easily stow them away and they’re ready to travel with you from the library to classes and back home. Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones were designed to suit various needs: from traveling to studying and using them on the go, they are ideal for an active user who expects top notch performance.
Parrot Zik Wireless have a unique design while offering Bluetooth connection and noise cancelling in one good sounding package, making them on of the best choices in category.