When it comes to active noise canceling technology, most think of large in-ear headphones. However, there are much smaller and more discreet options available. Read on to see our picks for the best headphones with the best active noise cancellation.
Contents1. Apple AirPods Pro2. Amazon Echo Buds3. Bose QuietComfort 204. Sony WF-1000XM35. Plantronics Backbeat Go 410It's no secret that Apple's AirPods have been a smash hit. Despite their popularity, some criticisms have been leveled at the overall sound quality. With the AirPods Pro, Apple has largely eliminated these issues, while also including some awesome premium features. First, active noise cancellation (ANC) technology. This significantly reduces ambient sound while including a transparency mode that allows users to hear outside sound. This is a good option when full noise cancellation may be a safety issue.
Plus, the Echo Buds are a true wireless stereo, which means they're wireless. They're housed in their own charging case and come with a variety of silicone tips to fit most ear canals. Amazon's Echo Buds are compatible with Siri and Google Assistant; however, you will need to use your phone to activate them at this point. However, Alexa can be used completely hands-free.
The Bose QuietComfort 20 headphones feature Bose's signature active noise cancellation technology. Bose is an industry leader when it comes to ANC, and these headphones manage to squeeze that performance into a compact package. This makes the QuietComfort 20s very tempting for those looking for something smaller than standard ANC cans. Additionally, the QuietComfort 20s' ANC is provided by a rechargeable battery that provides an impressive 16 hours of noise cancellation.
Although the Bose QuietComfort 20s offer superior ANC and a comfortable fit, they do have a few downsides. First, they're not wireless, so you'll have to struggle with a cord in addition to recharging the battery responsible for the ANC. Plus, the QuietComfort 20s are quite expensive at $250, a hefty price tag for wireless headphones.
Sony is no stranger to noise-canceling headphones, nor are they treading uncharted territory when it comes to true wireless stereo headphones, so it's no surprise that Sony married these two technologies and developed one. of the best ANC headphone systems available. The Sony WF-1000XM3 Headphones are a true wireless option that offers excellent sound quality and ambient noise cancellation.
Plus, they offer really impressive battery life. Sony estimates that users will get around six hours of listening time with noise cancellation on and eight hours without. Either way, you get better performance on a single charge than most competitors. Unfortunately, the Sony WF-1000XM3s are quite bulky and housed in a bulky charging case. Also, although they are good value for money, they are still expensive.
The Plantronics Backbeat Go 410 headphones are unlike the others on this list due to the fact that they feature a neckband design. While these types of Bluetooth headphones aren't everyone's cup of tea, the flexible neckband provides stability and extra comfort. Plus, the Backbeat Go 410s have a few neat features up their sleeve.
The first is the "smart magnet" function. When the headphones snap together, the headphones will automatically turn off, saving battery power. Additionally, the Backbeat Go 410s feature a USB charging cable that doubles as a 3.5mm audio cable. This allows users to convert the Backbeat Go 410 into a pair of wired headphones. While the Plantronics Backbeat Go 410s offer decent sound quality, their active noise cancellation leaves a bit to be desired. That being said, for around $100 they are a solid choice for those looking for budget ANC headphones.
Are you interested in buying active noise canceling headphones? Which would you choose? Let us know in the comments!
