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Best noise isolating headphones 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated September 1, 2023
I’m Willow Arnold Simmons. My friends call me “stone” and it just kind of stuck. I spent 51 hours researching and testing 13 different types of noise isolating headphones and found that material, variety of sizes, and style were most important.
Eventually, I found something that would suit my needs but it occurred to me that I wasn’t the only one who might be having the same problems I did. Like most products, some outdo others, so use my top three list below to get started on your search for the best noise isolating headphones of 2018.
Best noise isolating headphones of 2018
There is a wide range of products available on the market today, and below I have reviewed 3 of the very best options. I am going to specify each good-to-buy feature as much as possible for your references.
You must have heard that the best noise isolating headphones should allow you to save money, right? Sure, but that’s not the only reason you should consider getting one. I must say I am quite a fan of noise isolating headphones, so when the question “What are the best noise isolating headphones available on the market?” came to my mind, I excitedly started gathering information together with personal experience to write this article in the hope that it may help you find the suitable noise isolating headphones.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
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| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Style |
5 points
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5 points
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4 points
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| Materials |
5 points
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5 points
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5 points
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| Construction |
5 points
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4 points
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4 points
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| Price |
4 points
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4 points
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4 points
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| Awards |  |
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How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the noise isolating headphones by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – ISOtunes Noise Isolating Bluetooth Earbuds
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this noise isolating headphones win the first place?
I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product. The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack. I was completely satisfied with the price. Its counterparts in this price range are way worse. I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing!
5
|
5
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5
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4
|
№2 – Edifier H650 Hi-Fi On-Ear Headphones – Noise-isolating Foldable and Lightweight Headphone – Fit Adults and Kids – Black
| Total: |
4.5
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Why did this noise isolating headphones come in second place?
The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed. This is a pretty decent product that perfectly fitted the interior of our office. I recommend you to consider buying this model, it definitely worth its money. Managers explained me all the details about the product range, price, and delivery.
5
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5
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4
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4
|
№3 – Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-the-ear Headphones – Hi-Fi Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Closed Monitor Music Listening Stereo Headphone – Blue
| Total: |
4.3
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Why did this noise isolating headphones take third place?
The material is incredibly nice to the touch. It has a great color, which will suit any wallpapers. This price is appropriate since the product is very well built. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new.
4
|
5
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4
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4
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noise isolating headphones Buyer’s Guide
Touch controls
You’d want to pick these Sony headphones over the Bose because not only do they provide the same level of awesome noise-cancellation, but they have three neat tricks that Bose just doesn’t have on its headphones: One is an ambient noise mode that only lets in mid-to-high frequency tones (announcements over a loudspeaker, for instance) and another being Quick Attention mode that allows you to let in all outside noise without taking off the headphones. (The latter is perfect when giving a drink order on a plane or speaking to a coworker for a brief moment before diving back into your work.) The last trick Sony has up its sleeve is the LDAC codec. Alongside the widely adopted aptX HD standard, LDAC enables Hi-Res Audio playback using the 1000XM2.
Great-sounding, feature-packed and just as affordable as the competition? The Sony WH-1000XMare our all-around pick for best noise-cancelling cans.
Still wired
You get a lot for the money here. In the box comes the headphones, a hard case for storage and the headphones rock a rechargeable battery that provides noise cancellation for close to 30 hours. But best of all, the sound performance is extremely well balanced and warm.
Wired headphones
A few years ago, the Bose QuietComfort 2are the best noise-cancelling headphones we’ve ever used. The lows, mids and highs came through clear as day, never stepping over each other. Music of all sorts sounded predictably incredible. With the noise-cancellation turned on, we never felt further immersed and concentrated than when we let the QC2engulf our ears.
But that was a few years ago and time has moved on since. Bose has released not just one sequel to these headphones, but two: the QC3and QC3II with Google Assistant built in, both of which we’d recommend above the QC25.
Sound lacks definition
The Samsung Level On Pro Wireless are one of the few headphones we’ve tested that feel like they’re meant as a package deal for another device. Yes they’ll work with every Bluetooth and 3.5mm jack-equipped handset on the market, but you’re better off sticking to a Samsung device in order to squeeze every ounce of aural goodness from the Ultra High Quality (UHQ) audio codec.
It’s one of the comfiest pair of cans on the market, and they’re also much cheaper than a lot of the competition. If it had a better sound quality for the vast majority of cell phone users it would be an easy recommendation but, as it stands, really makes the most sense at checkout when purchased alongside Samsung’s Next Big Thing.
Looking for some headphones you can take in the pool or on a run? Check out our guide to the best swimming headphones and best running headphones.
We’re constantly reviewing new noise-cancelling headphones, but let us know on Twitter if there is a set that you’d like us to take a look at.
Remote weighs cable down
NuForce knocked it out of the park with the BE Sportheadphones. They’re an incredible value for a pair of wireless headphones that sound good, last all day, have a bulletproof build and incredible noise isolation. While they’re not the most dynamic or resolving headphones, NuForce shows us that the future of wireless headphones is a bright one.
Sony WH-1000XM2
Not only do they provide awesome noise-cancellation, but they have three neat tricks that few other wireless headphones have: One is an ambient noise mode that only lets in mid-to-high frequency tones (announcements over a loudspeaker, for instance) and another being Quick Attention mode that allows you to let in all outside noise without taking off the headphones. (The latter is perfect when giving a drink order on a plane or speaking to a coworker for a brief moment before diving back into your work.) The last trick Sony has up its sleeve is the LDAC codec. Alongside the widely adopted aptX HD standard, LDAC enables Hi-Res Audio playback using the 1000XM2.
Great-sounding and feature-packed, the Sony WH-1000XMare great travel companions and all-around excellent wireless headphones.
Overblown bass
If you’re not too picky about audio, you’ll love the Beats Studio Wireless. They look good, are comfortable and sound decent while releasing the pressure valve of city life with active noise cancellation.
Aukey Latitude Wireless Headphones
Headphones — the original wearable tech — have grown up. They’ve also become specialized; there’s a pair for every use, from sweat-resistant fitness headphones to commuter-friendly active noise-cancelling cans. And each of those types comes with different fit options: on-ear, over-ear or in-ear. Heck, there are even bone-conduction headphones, that sit behind your ear instead of over or in them.
Just to shake things up even further, Apple has ushered in a new era of headphone jack-less smartphones thanks to its latest smartphones that are causing wireless and Lightning-based headphones — including the company’s own AirPods — to thrive.
Noise Cancelling
Having a good set of active noise-cancelling headphones can make the difference between a peaceful commute or flight and a chaotic one. Enter the Bose QuietComfort 3II headphones, which keep the sleek design, best-in-class noise cancelling and crystal-clear audio quality and add a dedicated button to activate Google Assistant. Some of the best headphones on the market just got a whole lot smarter.
How We Test Headphones
To help you separate the wheat from the chaff when shopping for headphones, Tom’s Guide evaluates the following criteria: design, comfort, features, performance and value. We employ a rigorous review process, comparing products with similar fit, features and pricing.
Each pair is worn over the course of a week for hours at a time. During this testing period, the staff is evaluating comfort, ease of use and, of course, audio quality. We listen to several predetermined sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, and we evaluate the volume, clarity and fullness.
In terms of features, we test the effectiveness of active noise cancelling, Bluetooth range and battery life. For the fitness-focused models, we test to see how they stand up to vigorous workouts, evaluating both how securely they fit while we exercise and how well they handle ambient noise from things like falling weights and gym machines.
Once we complete our testing, we rate headphones based on our ten-point system (= worst, = best). If a product is truly exemplary, it’s awarded an Editors’ Choice.
And now that more streaming music services are offering high-resolution resolution audio, be sure to read our audio codec FAQ for everything you need to know about FLAC files, MP3s and everything in between.
How We Tested
To help you separate the wheat from the chaff when shopping for headphones, Tom’s Guide evaluates the following criteria: design, comfort, features, performance and value. We employ a rigorous review process, comparing products with similar fit, features and pricing.
Each pair is worn over the course of a week for hours at a time. During this testing period, the staff is evaluating comfort, ease of use and, of course, audio quality. We listen to several predetermined sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, and we evaluate the volume, clarity and fullness.
In terms of features, we test the effectiveness of active noise cancelling, Bluetooth range and battery life. For the fitness-focused models, we test to see how they stand up to vigorous workouts, evaluating both how securely they fit while we exercise and how well they handle ambient noise from things like falling weights and gym machines.
Once we complete our testing, we rate headphones based on our ten-point system (= worst, = best). If a product is truly exemplary, it’s awarded an Editors’ Choice.
And now that more streaming music services are offering high-resolution resolution audio, be sure to read our audio codec FAQ for everything you need to know about FLAC files, MP3s and everything in between.
Jump straight to our full budget headphones list
Mobile music lovers have never had it so good – although the iPhone doesn’t have a headphone jack, the standard headphones you get with smartphones are at an all-time high in terms of quality.
This does tend to be flagship phones, though and cheaper ones might not even come with some in the box. Either way, spending a little to upgrade your earphones is one of the best ways to get the most from a smartphone, or any other portable music player. Here are the best cheap headphones under £100, with most under £50.
If you’re looking for something more premium and high-end then check out our chart of best headphones. If you’re current bargains, take a look at our pick of the best headphones deals.
In-line remotes and microphones
Once you’ve had headphones with an inline remote and microphone you’ll never go back. These allow you to answer calls, shuffle tracks and change the volume on audio playback, while the integrated microphone means you can carry on a conversation – and use voice activated software – without pulling your phone from your pocket. It’s a very useful addition to look out for.
Circumaural headphones
Circumaural is another way of saying that a pair of headphones totally enclose the ears they’re worn over – typically known as over-ear. The advantage to this is lots of bass and good isolation from outside noise. And, because the speakers are effectively sealed against the wearer’s head, there’s minimal sound leakage.
In-ear headphones
These are arguably the most common type you’ll see, and it’s obvious why. In-ear headphones are small, very portable, and don’t weigh very much.
Most of the in-ear headphones mentioned below are canal headphones, which means they have rubber grommets or tips on the end which are pushed slightly (and carefully) into the ear canal. This produces excellent audio quality, thumping bass and lots of noise isolation if you find the right size tips.
Noise isolation
Blocking out the outside world is an important job of a decent pair of headphones. Cancelling a rowdy office or the hum of the engines on a long flight can make life much more pleasant. At its most basic, noise isolation simply forms a seal around or inside the ear, preventing unwanted sound waves entering.
You don’t often find decent wireless headphones for under £50 but there are some to choose from in our list – handy for the likes of the iPhone We also have a chart just for the best wireless headphones.
Great Value
The SimpTech Sports Headphones are an outstanding set of earbuds at a very affordable price. They provide an exceptional value for the price and are a solid choice if you’re not ready to splurge on the above two options.
Don’t be fooled by the cost, however, as there is no sacrifice in performance at this price point. The sound quality is smooth, robust, and powerful. These noise isolating earbuds fit snugly into the ear and provide a tight seal, which is key, to reduce noise from the outside coming in. They’re sweat proof and are a wonderful option for running, walking, hiking, and any other high energy activity.
Working out without music can be like torture, and with these earbuds, you never have to worry about staying focused. Listen to your favorite tunes to pump you up, help you relax, or unwind after a long day. These earbuds are designed for endurance and built with a tensile twisted cord, so they’ll last you quite a while as well – providing, even more, value as time goes one. It’s so disappointing when a pair of earbuds break or rip, and with this design, you don’t have to worry about wearing them out.
So there you have it – the list of the top best noise canceling ear buds. There are options for everyone on this list, but you really can’t go wrong with any of these choices. It’s all about preference and there’s something for everyone on here.
Whether you decide to go with the premium option, or something more practical, all these headphones deliver big on reducing and/or blocking out background noises completely. There is a mix of noise isolating earbuds, for those that don’t need to completely block out sounds but still want to reduce background noise, as well as noise canceling earbuds for those times when you need to block out anything from the outside.
Noise canceling earbuds can be a true lifesaver to commuters and frequent flyers, who rely on those periods of time to rest or to prep for the day ahead. Listen to music to get you pumped or take in a podcast or audio book while you travel from point A to B.
Watch this
When buying a headphone these days people typically debate the style of headphone they want (in-ear, on-ear, around-ear) whether to go wired or wireless (or even totally wireless) and whether to opt for such extra features as active noise-cancellation to help muffle ambient noise. Oh, and then there’s price. Everybody has a budget.
If you’ve narrowed your choice down, we have plenty of models to choose from in our list of the best headphones, with breakdown of the best headphones in various categories including wireless, sports, noise-cancelling and cheap.
But if you’re still a little lost in the headphone maze, here’s some info that will hopefully help steer you in the right direction.
Features
The size, type and technology of a pair of headphones are all critical to a purchasing decision. But it’s important to demystify the bevy of features and headphone-specific vocabulary. Listed below are the most important features you’ll need to consider before finding the perfect pair of headphones.
Bass: Even at its very best, headphone bass is never the sort of pants-flapping, sock-it-to-your-gut experience you literally feel from massive speakers or subwoofers, but many manufacturers custom tune their “signature sound” to emphasize the lower frequencies, albeit at the cost of instrument separation and natural delivery. Earbuds are tiny and portable, but — except for a couple of high-end models — they can’t compete with full-size, over-the-ear headphones for deep bass response or visceral dynamic range.
Sealed (closed) vs. open: Sealed headphones — the noise-isolating, in-ear models or the full-size earcup designs — acoustically isolate your ears from your environment. Of course, the degree of isolation varies from one pair of headphones to another, and the seal limits the leakage of the headphones’ sound out to the room. Sealed models are ideal for private listening, where you don’t want the sound to be heard by other people. Open headphones — such as foam earpad models and many sports designs — are acoustically transparent and allow outside sound to be heard by the headphone wearer, and a good deal of the headphones’ sound will be audible to anyone near the listener.
Generally speaking, such headphones produce better, more “open” sound than sealed designs. Because they don’t block out everything from the outside world, open-backed headphones are recommended for outdoor activities, such as jogging, which require awareness of your environment.
Pro-style headphones are comparatively bulky and can feel uncomfortably heavy after hours of use. Lighter headband-style headphones are almost always more comfortable than heavier ones. And even if they’re not, they’re less of a hassle to carry around.
Cable dressing and length: Most stereo headphones have just one cable, usually attached to the left earpiece (sometimes called single-sided cabling). Some models — and all earbuds — use a Y-cable that connects to both earpieces (double-sided). The actual cable plug, meanwhile, is usually one of two designs: a straight I-plug or an angled L-plug; the latter may be useful if your portable player has a side- or bottom-mounted headphone jack.
Quick reference glossary
Frequency response: Frequency-response specifications in full-size loudspeakers are generally pretty useless in predicting sound quality, but headphone frequency-response numbers are even worse. Manufacturers have routinely exaggerated frequency-response figures to the point that they’re irrelevant. Even the flimsiest, cheap headphones routinely boast extremely low bass-response performance –15Hz or 20Hz — but almost always sound lightweight and bright. Generally, bass buffs will be happier sticking with larger ‘phones.
Total harmonic distortion: True, headphones with lower actual total harmonic distortion (THD) will sound better than those with higher THD. But the quoted THD numbers — “less than percent” — aren’t helpful in predicting sound quality. Listen to recordings of simply recorded acoustic guitar to assess the distortion of one set of headphones versus another. Some will sound appreciably cleaner than others.
Impedance: Generally speaking, the lower the headphones’ electrical impedance (aka resistance), the easier it is to get higher volume. But here again, the low impedance is no guarantee of high volume capability; other factors can still limit loudness potential. Since many MPplayers have feeble power output — the iPod is a notable exception — smart shoppers should check the loudness before purchasing any pair of headphones. To be sure, listen with your player.
With the
Quick Attention Mode, you can communicate without taking your headphones off. Just place your hand over the right ear cup to turn the volume down for instant conversation.
The only problem with these is that you cannot use them while they are on charging.
All in all, these over-ear headphones by Sony are best in this category and value for money headphones with great features such as noise cancellation, touch control, quick attention mode and longer battery life.
The Sennheiser RS 17is a set of wireless headphones intended for home use that delivers strong performance for both movie watching and music listening with excellent range and thunderous bass.
The SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless Headphone II is very comfortable to wear, sounds excellent for a Bluetooth headphone, and offers a very good battery life of around 1hours.
Although these are not for those who like their music loud and bass-heavy.
Sometimes start to feel a little warm over time.
The Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless Headphones II are a mix of strong blend of comfort and performance designed very attractively.
Mpow Bluetooth headphones comes with a good control scheme and a long battery life of around 1hours.
Now, these are not ideal headphones for working out or for blocking the noise of your commutes, but their sound quality and features are surprisingly decent for their price range.
Features of Mpow 05Bluetooth Headphones
The closed-back design provides immersive Hi-Fi sound with CSR chip and 40mm driver together.
The Memory-protein ear cushion simulates human skin texture, ensuring lasting comfort.
The stainless steel slider and softly padded headband allow you to find the perfect fit without constraint and provide excellent durability.
The Wired mode: you can also use it as a wired headphone with the provided audio cable so the headphones will never power off.
The foldable Headband is not only designed for saving your desk space but for carrying in the provided bag.
Mpow Bluetooth headphones provide a quick and stable connection with your Bluetooth enabled devices like cell phones, tablets, pc, TVs within 3feet, with a high-quality built-in microphone for hands-free calls. Note: The Microphone only works in the wireless mode.
Specifications
They are very comfortable over my ears and are easily adjustable. Also, the battery seems to last long enough for me before I need to recharge. They are not noise canceling but do block out enough outside sound that I can forget the world around me and enjoy my music.
The Oppo PM-combines true audiophile sound, classy style, noise isolation and portability into a pair of stylish lightweight Planar Magnetic headphones.
At just over 320 grams, the PM-is the lightest closed-back planar magnetic headphone in the world. Its elegant styling and exquisite workmanship make them a pleasure to wear, and its light weight and superb comfort make them easy to listen for hours on end.
Optimized for use with mobile devices, these headphones deliver high-fidelity sound and come with a nice carrying case as well as a bonus cable for cell-phone use (you choose between an Android or iOS inline remote).
Optimized for Mobile Use: The OPPO PM-has a sensitivity of 10dB, which allows it to be easily driven by mobile devices. PM-provides isolation from the outside world, blocking out the unncessary surrounding noise.
What We Like
One of the best uses of these headphones is in the gym; they don’t fall off or anything.
Comfort: Earbuds normally cause a lot of pain but these are just nice. They don’t cause any after use pain which some of the other (big names) cause.
Noise Cancellation: For noise cancellation they get a rating of 8/10, Here is one of the reviews which caught our eyes “not sure how it really works but this is ok I work near a train station and I don’t get to hear the engines coming in again and again. So yeah that’s a plus” apparently we can take from that that these have some good tech on them.
These headphones get a 10/for being a really nice set of earbuds, get this one now. It is well worth it. The entire package is a win-win for the buyer and there is nothing negative to report about them. They pass all trails fair and square.
Headphone Features
Most importantly they score an all 5-star on the comfort level, there are technically hundreds of reviews about these headphones where people have worn them for more than hours in a go and they faced no soring issues or any sort of un-comfort, for that matter. They have been reported to cover the ears perfectly well and are good for ambient noise reduction at the same time.
Most of the sounds with are drowned by the NC function in them. The mids and the highs are also very well balanced. NC function gets a 7/but the other headphones like Bose are very expensive so we can live with that.
Noise Cancelling vs Noise Reduction
The Sony MDR-ZX770BN are the companies value minded noise cancelling headphone option for those people that don’t want to break the bank on the MD-1000’s. The are still a mighty fine headphone with typically excellent Sony build quality and some very strong noise cancellation tech inside. They are quite bass heavy with their sound so should go well with a lot of hip hop and electronic music.
Parrot Zik 3.0
Whilst we were left feeling massively underwhelmed when we reviewed the B&O Hearlier on this year the same cant be said for the brilliant H8.
The premium feel shines throughout these headphones with outstanding build quality and materials and the sound is very good. The only thing holding them back from top marks is a poorly integrated touch control system.
The ANC might not be as strong as the Sony or Bose headphones but its still pretty impressive and one thing no other manufacturer has managed to do is compete with BOHM on price. Despite the budget tag on these headphones they still feel like a quality design. Build quality is good, sound is good and comfort for an on ear is excellent. The might not win out on features but if you are looking for a cheap set of noise cancelling headphones for travel then these can’t be beat.
Active vs Passive Technology
This is the most important feature of a pair of headphones. Passive noise cancellation uses sound absorbing materials, like high density foam to lessen the amount of ambient noise that reaches your ears.
Active noise cancellation is not limited by the physical design and materials. An active system uses additional components like a microphone, an electronic circuit, internal speaker, and batteries. The microphone listens to the ambient noise and the electronic circuit processes the signal. From there an opposite signal is sent through the speaker, with the net effect of the unwanted noise being reduced in your ears.
With active noise cancellation you can even wear the headphone without music, and the external sounds will be effectively muted to you.
The quality of the electronic circuit is an important part of the headphones. Bose spends a lot of money on research and development to make sure their proprietary noise cancelling technology is the best in class, and is why they demand a premium price for their products.
Over Ear vs On Ear vs In Ear
The technology isn’t the only choice you’ll have to make. You need to choose between over the ear, on the ear, or in ear headphones.
On the ear means the cup of the headphone does not completely cover over your ears. The foam cups rest on top of your ear, so if you wear them for long periods of time you may end up with sore ears. On the ear types also leave a space for ambient noise to leak into your audio.
Over the ear headphones will give you the best performance, but usually cost more for it. An added benefit is they do not press on your ears so you can wear them for long flights, or over long study and work sessions.
Noise isolating in ear headphones are the most compact of the three, but because of their size you don’t always get the biggest sound. Not to mention, if you think on the ear phones can make your ears sore, I’m sorry to say that the earbud types can be much harder on your earholes. Take a very close look at how the earbuds will fit in your particular ear so you aren’t sore a few hours later. In ear heapdhones that are shaped to plug up your ear canal are actually pretty good at blocking out sound, but not at active noise filtering.
In the following sections, I make my recommendation for the best pair of headphones in each category. They are not always the most expensive, but they are the best based on features, price, and user feedback.
That leaves me with either the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B or the newer Sony MDR10RDC premium digital noise cancelling headphones. Both feature 40mm drivers, and similar frequency ranges. Sony delivers better bass, and the high end is won by The ATH-ANC7B.
The Sony model first caught my eye for the absolutely huge ear cups and padding. The comfort is the deciding factor here. For overall performance, comfort, and value, the Sony MDR10RDC takes the category for me.
A hundred bucks can actually buy you a solid pair of headphones. The active noise reducing technology is still there, but you start to see a smaller design with less substantial materials used in the construction.
The HD-280 Pro still boasts full over the ear design, so you get the best noise isolation possible. The sound quality is excellent, clear and accurate, with none of the ridiculous artificial bass that you find on some brands.
The Creative HN-900 headphones fit nicely into this category. The ear cups are large, and cancel a respectable 85% of ambient noise (-18dB). The sound quality is very good considering the low price, and many other people agree with me.
The Crossfade boasts a 50mm dual diaphragm driver, for super solid sound at all ranges. It also is available in different colors, has a fully padded headband, and comes with a hard exoskeleton carry case.
It still showcases the hallmark Beats design and is available in many attractive finishes such as glossy or matte black, white, gold, rose gold, and silver. We are loving the matte black and matte silver models because their texture matches the look and feel of the iPhone and is less prone to fingerprints (and scratches). What we love about the newest models of the best selling Solo, are that the appearance is less aggressive and more mature. For instance, you can now pull off a Beats headphone if you are over 2The bright red “B” logo has now been color-matched to the shade you pick.Think more sophisticated and mature.
Whereas some testers weren’t that over the moon about the plastic design, almost all liked the controls of the Beats SoloThe left earcup includes the 3.5mm input for use when the battery is dead. The Beats logo found on the right earcup is actually the button that controls playback, navigates tracks, and answers/ends calls depending on how many times you tap it. Tapping the ring above or below the “B” logo controls the volume levels and the right earcup also controls power and pairing. The Solohas a mic hidden in the ear cup to let you take calls, but it is important to note that this model does not have active noise cancellation. They are fine for those who want some isolation and muffling of outside noises, or don’t want the sound from the headphones to escape and disturb others. They do both well.
One other great feature of the Solois that it folds easily and compactly and comes with a durable and handy carrying case.
Comfort
When it comes to on-ear headphones, it is very rare to find a pair that is both comfortable and securely fitted. We feel that the Beats Solodoes a good job of marrying these two ideas. The Solofeels substantial and solid, but is surprisingly lightweight. The headband is sturdy – there is no flexing of the material – and the earcups swivel to aid in a better fit.
We had no issues when briskly walking outside and working around the office and house – some testers used them at the gym and on a brisk run, but it is important to note that the Solois not considered sweatproof.
We would definitely recommend them for shorter listening sessions, but for those who wear headphones all day, you are best to check out an over-ear model like the super comfortable Bose QuietComfort 3or the Sony H.ear On Wireless NC.
Features
Time to geek out a bit. The Apple WBluetooth chip is the abracadabra that makes the Soloa better buy than its predecessors. It makes pairing your Apple device as simple as the good ‘ole days when you just plugged in a wire. It also has ridiculously long battery life, touting 40 hours, and the Wacts as the magic wand that stretches out the juice in a same size battery.
Additional Information
If you are not using iCloud, the connection is still very quick, and if you don’t use iOS devices at all, the SoloWireless still operate as standard Bluetooth headphone.When you connect the included audio cable, the Soloautomatically powers down. We found no dramatic difference in audio performance between wireless and wired modes. The same cable even comes with an inline remote for music and phone calls making it pretty versatile.
Comfort
What impressed us was the soft leather and ultra lightweight brushed aluminum that made these headphones feel like a premium model.
The ear cups were also very pleasant and did not create as much ear fatigue or head pinching as some on-ear models.
Budget Studio Monitors
AKG is rather well known for its high end pro audio headphones like the K70& K71With the K77, AKG’s expertise in studio monitors is brought to the budget conscious.
AKG hasn’t wasted any money in providing additional frills to the circumaural headphones. There isn’t a case or a mic, and aesthetically, they aren’t particularly attractive. The synthetic grey ear cushions aren’t exactly plush, and the blue plastic casing on the closed backs of the earpieces is equally utilitarian. Build quality isn’t impressive either.
Despite these faults, what they are, is comfortable. Adjusting the fit doesn’t come via a metal mechanism but by a traditional flexible headband, with a cage above it providing structural support and a place for the stereo cable to run. This along with the light weight makes them perfect for long listening sessions.
Although, these headphones sound impressive, the pronounced bass is what hinders its claim of being an actual studio monitor. For that specific purpose, the M20x is definitely much better.
Open Back Bassy Headphones
Founded in 1924, Beyerdynamic is one of the oldest audio companies in the world. With the DTX 710, the company attempts to bring semi open back headphones to the masses. Whether they do succeed remains to be seen.
The build quality however, isn’t exactly high-end by Beyerdynamic’s standards and is a bit plasticky. The swivels also feel a little vulnerable. But, at this price, you can’t really complain too much.
Coming to the cable, it is inordinately long, thick and heavy duty. It’s excellent if you’re using these headphones at home, but on the move, the sheer bulk and weight of cable pulling down from the left cup might get cumbersome quickly.
Moving on to noise isolation, it’s not optimal. Because of the semi-open nature of these headphones, noise leakage is also an issue. So, you should definitely avoid using these while at work.
Sound is where the DTX 7excels in. These deliver some quality punchy and extended bass, it can get sloppy sometimes, but on the whole, it’s quite a fun bass response that isn’t really very accurate. The mid-range is pure and well defined. The highs are also nothing to scoff at, being rather clear and exciting.
The sound stage is generally very clear with good placement of instruments from furthest left to furthest right and with a reasonable depth back to front as well. The soundstage is much better than many competing models.
Powerful Bass from the house of Sony
The Sony XB450AP is an upgrade to the XB400. The over-ear come in a metallic build and features an in-line microphone and remote.
The headphones come in a aluminium housing design, which lends it a rich bold look. The build is extremely sturdy, ensuring durability for a long while before they die out on you. Its ear cups and head band has been generously padded to lend you maximum comfort for long listening sessions.
The XB450AP features an in-line remote and microphone. Using your earphones is easier when travelling as you can conveniently answer phone calls and control music. Travelling with these headphones is convenient, lending you a complete hands free experience.
The swivel design of the XB450AP lets it fold flat making it highly portable.
When it comes to the sound, the XB450AP hosts a 30mm driver unit that produces a very powerful bass. The bass is powerful enough that lends a nice punchy sound. The mids and highs sound clear and detailed. They are suitable enough to produce music from all genres.
Rahul Ghosh
Rahul is one of the original members of the ExtensivelyReviewed team. Born in Chennai and living most of his childhood in Kolkata, he originally moved to the United States for school and earned his electrical engineering degree at the University of Central Florida, graduating with honors. Rahul enjoys reviewing the latest electronics and gadgets.
In-ear vs. over-ear
Bose also makes our current pick for over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, the QuietComfort 2For an article I wrote for Forbes, appropriately titled “Bose QuietComfort 2Vs QuietComfort 20,” I listened to both on a flight to Denver. I found that the QC20 did a little better with lower-midrange frequencies (think whooshing air) but that the QC2did better with lower and higher frequencies. So overall, the QC2offers more overall reduction in noise.
But that’s not the whole story. As small as the QC2folds, that set is still massive compared with the tiny QC20 earbuds. And if you wear glasses, the frames might prevent you from getting a good seal with the QC25, reducing the effectiveness of its noise reduction. The over-ear design is also a lot harder to sleep in compared with the more-or-less in-ear design of the QC20.
If overall noise reduction is all you care about, you don’t mind carrying around something a bit bigger than a paperback book when folded, you don’t wear glasses, and you don’t plan to sleep on a plane, the over-ear QuietComfort 2is your best bet.
However, if you want something that’s more compact and easier to tote around but isn’t quite as quiet overall, get the QuietComfort 20.
For what it’s worth, I travel a lot, and I bought myself the QC20—and I wouldn’t leave home without it.
Pull Quote
Noise isolating is a passive effect—in its most basic form it’s akin to sticking fingers in your ears. Noise cancelling, on the other hand, is an active process: Microphones on the earbuds work with circuitry in an attached dongle to create inverse sound waves that cancel out incoming noise. Check out my Forbes article “Noise Cancelling Vs. Noise Isolating Headphones” for more details.
If you can get a good fit (always crucial with in-ear headphones) and the headphones are designed well, noise-isolating headphones can do an okay job lowering ambient noise.
Noise cancelling goes one step further, dropping the ambient noise lower than what is possible with basic in-ear headphones. In some cases this makes only a slight difference. In the case of our Bose pick, it’s a lot.
Here’s an objective example of what I mean. To measure overall noise isolation, we can create 7decibels of pink noise and then measure how much sneaks past the headphone. If noise cancelling is in use, that circuit can be measured, as well. So everything below 7dB here is a reduction in sound (which is what you want). You can read more detail on how we measure this in the How we tested section.
Above is a chart illustrating the noise-cancelling capabilities of our four picks, in comparison with one of our favorite non-NC in-ear headphones, the Sony XBA-H(shown in cyan). Anything below 7dB indicates noise reduction. As you can see, the active NC reduces more noise at low frequencies, which for frequent fliers is where it counts, because jet-engine noise mostly consists of low frequencies. Results with higher frequencies, above kHz, will vary depending on fit, your ears, and other factors, so are less comparable. As reflected in the above chart, the Bose QC20 (orange) offered the most overall electronic noise cancelling, followed closely by the QC30 (purple). The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS and the Phiaton BT 100 NC offered remarkably similar amounts of NC in this test.
Future Perfect
In fact, the iPad is the best excuse for a Bluetooth headphone set. Why, you ask? Because unlike an iPhone or iPod that can be slipped into a breast pocket or bag, the iPad is a device you want to put down and use from a distance. Once you’ve used wireless headphones with your tablet, believe me, you won’t want to go back.
The problem is that Bluetooth headphones are still quite expensive and there are a lot of junk models on the market at the moment. I’ve had a look at the most popular ones available online today and you can go check out those reviews to see if one catches your attention.
If however you want to go headphone hunting on your own, here are some of the most important things to look out for when shopping for BT headphones.
File Under Audio
Obviously one of the most important aspects of the headphones is the sound quality, but defining that is pretty hard, as it turns out. The manufacturers can throw numbers at you but there are plenty of examples of headphones that sound better subjectively, even though they have lower specifications. Things like the BT compression math and cup material and shape can affect how the speakers sound; it is not just about the speakers themselves.
You want headphones that have a low bass frequency and good separation between low, mid, and high frequency sound. Often the best headphones will have multiple speakers in each cup that are dedicated to different frequency levels.
This poses a problem when buying online of course, since you can’t try them out first. Pay attention to user reviews and their impression of the sound. Also, be sure to make use of short term, no-questions-asked return policies if the headphones don’t sound good to you.
Another thing that can dramatically improve the perception of sound quality is active noise cancellation. This is where the headphones use an external mike to measure ambient noise and then counter it with tuned white noise so you can hear the audio in silence. It’s pretty amazing and worth getting if you can afford it.
Out of Control
The whole point of BT headphones is to give you some freedom, and it would be pretty dumb if you had to stay within arms length of the iPad in order to control playback or volume. Almost all BT headphones have onboard controls. While they will all work, some are easier and more comfortable to use. Give them a good look before you make a purchase to ensure your butter fingers will get on with them.
When you are on vacation or traveling to your destination you often find yourself in noisy environments, whether it is a flight, train or even car. Noise Cancelling Headphones are a perfect solution for blocking out the surrounding noise and making your trip a little more comfortable.
Active Noise Cancelling Headphones (ANC) can detect incoming external sounds and cancel out the sound waves effectively, by doing this they remove the background noise of your environment so you can clearly hear music without cranking the volume. They also work perfectly for making and receiving phone calls and some models offer internal microphones.
There are 100s of different models and types available for different budgets and this guide is designed to help you choose the best noise cancelling headphones for your budget and requirement.
External noise Reduction
When traveling you can block out the external noise even without music playing to enable you to sleep, read or work on the road. They are perfect for taking on any vacation or holiday.
Some external sounds do remain
The majority of sounds are blocked by Noise Cancelling Headphones however some sounds may remain. The system is most effective at blocking out continuous noise like an aircraft rather than intermittent noise like an alarm.
All the noise cancelling headphones we have reviewed use active noise cancelling we have selected a mixture to suit each budget.
Sennheiser PXC 550 TRAVEL Wireless Bluetooth Headphone
The Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless is perfect for traveling and is a truly smart travel companion. Featuring Sennheiser’s NoiseGard adaptive Noise Cancellation technology, voice control and a unique trackpad to control audio while also featuring a foldable design. These headphones allow up to 30 hours of battery life on a single 3hr charge amd connect using the latest Bluetooth 4.wireless technology. Pack a set of these great Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Headphones on your next travel adventure.
I couldn’t resist.
The Cowin Eis an over-ear, sealed, Bluetooth, noise canceling headphone. The styling is decidedly cheap and flashy in full-dress chromed plastic and fingerprint-magnet gloss black.
Size adjustment arms slide out from either end of the headband. Arms are detented, but the mechanism is rather stiff and difficult to adjust, though it does remain securely in place once adjusted.
Ear pad openings are about average at 53mm x 35mm, but are not very deep delivering a somewhat confining feeling when worn. Overall comfort is below average; I’d say the fit is more clumsy than painful.
Electronics
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the noise isolating headphones by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your noise isolating headphones wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of noise isolating headphones
- №1 — ISOtunes Noise Isolating Bluetooth Earbuds
- №2 — Edifier H650 Hi-Fi On-Ear Headphones – Noise-isolating Foldable and Lightweight Headphone – Fit Adults and Kids – Black
- №3 — Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-the-ear Headphones – Hi-Fi Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Closed Monitor Music Listening Stereo Headphone – Blue
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about noise isolating headphones is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better!
