The best noise-canceling headphones

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The best noise-canceling headphones buying guide: Welcome to TheIndianSubcontinent's round-up of the best noise-canceling headphones to buy
in 2019.The best noise-canceling headphones can help you slip into audio nirvana in all kinds of situations, whether you're commuting and
trying to escape the sound of traffic and sniffling fellow commuters, on a long-haul flight and need to drown out the sound of kids
screaming or just want to get away from everything and get comfy with your favorite music at home.Noise-canceling headphones are true
wonders of the modern era because they can totally tune out any unwanted sounds, while simultaneously making your music sound even better
truly blown away by just how well they can cancel out the outside world so you can focus on your favorite music, audiobook, podcast or
anything else with zero distractions.Plus, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday fast approaching, it's a great time to start researching which
noise-canceling headphones, the PX7 and the PX5 Wireless Headphones
The Bowers - Wilkins PX7 Wireless Headphones are an over-ear model, offering fantastic audio fidelity, while the Bowers - Wilkins PX5
Wireless On-Ear Headphones provide a compact on-ear solution for commuters
We're impressed by both models so far, but stick around to see if they make it into the best noise-canceling headphones following our full
fantastic wireless headphone deals
Usually you'll find that mid-range brands like Optoma and Jaybird get the biggest discounts at retailers like Amazon, but it's worth bearing
discounted
Make sure you bookmark our Black Friday deals page for the best noise-canceling headphones deals as they come in.Noise cancelation
explainedWhat is noise cancelation?Noise canceling 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-canceling headphones make use of the following two approaches:Passive noise cancelationThis is when the headphones physically
block outside sound from reaching your ears, and this can be achieved in a number of ways
Noise-canceling 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 cancelationThis 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.Things to look forHow to choose the best
noise-canceling headphonesWe believe that noise-canceling headphones are just as vital as your laptop, TV or mobile phone when it comes to
you'll only ever use at home.Design is hugely important, as a good pair of noise-canceling headphones need to be comfortable for long
This works in tandem with active noise cancelation, with the best noise-canceling headphones using a combination of the two methods to get
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?Luckily, to help you pick out a pair of over-ear headphones (or in-ear headphones)
that deliver all of the above in spades, we've put together a list of our favorite noise-canceling headphones, listed below and ranked by
their price-to-performance ratio.Best noise-canceling headphones at a glanceSony WH-1000XM3Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700Sony
WH-1000XM2Bose QuietComfort 35 IISony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless EarbudsJabra Elite 85HPhilips Fidelio NC1Bose QuietComfort 25Bowers and
WIlkins PX WirelessSennheiser HD 4.50 BTNCJBL Live 650BTNCMicrosoft Surface headphonesOur favorite modelsWhat are the best noise-canceling
headphones?(Image credit: Sony)1
Sony WH-1000XM3The best noise-canceling headphones in the world, two years runningAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: .8.99 oz | Cable length:
3.94 ft | Frequency response: 4Hz to 40kHz | Drivers: 40mm Dual-Layered Diaphragm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 104.5 dB |
Impedance: 47 ohm | Battery life: 30 hours | Wireless range: 30 meters (98ft) | NFC: YesOutstanding noise cancelationFantastic sound
quality30-hour battery lifeSmall tweaks from 1000XM2Mediocre call qualityThe Sony WH-1000XM3 are the best noise-canceling headphones in the
world two years running
Sure, they might be a small refinement of last year's excellent WH-1000XM2, but subtle tweaks like using USB-C instead of microUSB and
Well, it's exceptionally good at cancelling outside noise
LDAC, two of the best ways to listen to Hi-Res music from your phone without a wire
Finally, all of Sony's flagship headphones offer both Google Assistant and, starting in 2019, Alexa support, making them not only the best
noise-canceling cans on the market but some of the smartest, too.Read the full review: Sony WH-1000XM3 review(Image credit: Bose)2
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700Class-leading noise cancelation, but not the best battery lifeAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: 25g |
Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 20 hours |
Wireless range: 33 ft | NFC: YesOutstanding noise cancelationFun, lively soundElegant designBattery life could be betterMore expensive than
the Sony WH-1000XM3sThey don't quite beat the Sony WH-1000XM3s in terms of battery life and price, but the Bose 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
standing on a busy street or trying to speak on a rumbling train.The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 seek to remedy this, by applying
noise-cancelation to phone calls as well as music, which is fantastic feature.The sound quality is undeniably good, with a vibrant, lively
TheIndianSubcontinent)3
Sony WH-1000XM2If you can find them, Sony's second-gen WH-1000XM2 are still greatAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: 23g | Cable length: N/A |
Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 10 hours | Wireless range: 33
ft | NFC: YesSuperb noise cancelationGreat-sounding audio30-hour battery lifeHinges are fragileTouch controlsIf you can find a pair, the
Sony WH-1000XM2 are still some of the best noise-canceling headphones around: They sound great, deftly wield noise cancelation technology
they have three neat tricks that Bose just doesn't have on its older 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
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-1000XM2 are a solid all-around pick for noise-canceling cans.Read the full review:Sony
WH-1000XM2 review(Image credit: Bose)4
Bose QuietComfort 35 IISmart noise-canceling headphones for voice assistant diehardsAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: 0.68 pounds | Cable
length: 3.94 feet | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 20+ hours
| Wireless range: N/A | NFC: YesBroad and clear soundstageAmazing noise cancelationActive EQ an acquired tasteBoring looksComing in at
number four are the Bose QuietComfort 35 II - a nearly identical product to the already-excellent Bose QuietComfort 35 but updated for 2018
with Google Assistant
This means you still get the class-leading noise cancelation Bose is known for, good sound quality and incredible comfort, plus a convenient
travelers and commuters
Bose has found a good balance of features that will satisfy most mainstream listeners
While we don't love them as much as the better-sounding Sony WH-1000XM2, they're still top of the class for noise cancelation.Despite the
popularity of the QC35s, Bose has shaken things up by releasing a totally new wireless noise-canceling headphones model, with a focus on
They may not have pipped Sony to the top spot of the best noise-canceling headphones, but they're still a fantastic pair of over-ear
headphones, coming in at number two.Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 35 II review(Image credit: Sony)5
Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless EarbudsNoise-canceling true wireless headphones that made our dreams come trueAcoustic design: Closed |
Weight: 70g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 6mm | Driver type: Dome Type | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life
(on-board): 6 hours | Battery life (charging case): 18 hours | Wireless range: 30ft | NFC: YesEfficient noise-cancellationInconspicuous
looksGreat fun to listen tooNo volume control on earbudsNot suitable for sportsIt's not often you'll find a pair of wired earbuds, let alone
a pair of true wireless earbuds on a list of the best noise-canceling headphones; considering it's still rare to find the technology in
headphones out there, but they combine serious noise-canceling tech with fist-pumping musicality
review(Image credit: Jabra)6
Jabra Elite 85HJabra's new noise-canceling headphones give Sony and Bose a run for their moneyAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: .65 pounds |
Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 10Hz to 20kHz | Drivers: 40mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery
life: 36 hours | Wireless range: 10 meters (33ft) | NFC: N/AClass-leading battery lifeExcellent ANC performanceLacks support for high-end
codecsBass could be punchierOffering class-leading battery life, terrific style and plenty of personalization when it comes to sound
profiles, the Elite 85h is easy to recommend
commendable
are a great option.Read the full review:Jabra Elite 85H review(Image credit: Philips)7
Philips Fidelio NC1Executive looks and great sound reproduction Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .74 pounds | Cable length: 3.9 feet |
Frequency response: 7-25,000Hz | Drivers: Two 1.5" Neodymium drivers | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 107 dB | Impedance: 16 ohm |
Battery life: 25+ hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: NoBrilliant, electric soundGreat build quality and battery lifeSome sound leakageStill
wiredPhilips presents a more elegant noise-canceling solution with its NC1
These on-ear headphones aren't wireless like our top pick, but that's hardly a reason to knock them
In the box comes the headphones, a hard case for storage and the headphones rock a rechargeable battery that provides noise cancelation for
close to 30 hours
But best of all, the sound performance is extremely well balanced and warm.(A quite note for our Australian readers: Philips sadly no longer
sells the NC1's down under, so you'll need to import a pair if you're keen.)Read the full review: Philips Fidelio NC1 review(Image credit:
Bose)8
Bose QuietComfort 25Headphones fit for a king and an excellent value for allAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: 0.68 pounds | Cable length:
3.94 feet | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 20+ hours |
Wireless range: N/A | NFC: YesStunning noise-cancellationSimple, seamless designFull, robust soundFrom 2014Wired headphonesA few years ago,
the Bose QuietComfort 25 are the best noise-canceling 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 QC25 engulf 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 QC35 and QC35 II with Google Assistant built in, both of which we'd
recommend above the QC25.But, it's not all bad
If you don't mind using the older, wired headphones, the QC25s are a finely-tuned set of cans that provide over 35 hours of very good
Bowers and Wilkins PX WirelessNoise-canceling headphones with a couple of tricks up their sleeveAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: 335 grams
| Frequency response: 10Hz - 20kHz | Drivers: 40mm | Driver type: Full range | Sensitivity: 111dB | Impedance: 22 Ohms | Battery life: 22
hours | Wireless range: 30 meters | NFC: NoNoise-cancellation impressesAuto pause-play works wellUSB-C chargingSound lacks definitionBowers
pair of headphones, they've also got a number of other interesting tricks up their sleeve
They'll turn on and off automatically depending on whether you're wearing them or not, and they also feature the future-proof USB-C charging
the full review: Bowers and Wilkins PX Wireless review(Image credit: Sennheiser)10
Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (2019)Headphones that don't skimp on smart featuresAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Cable length: N/A |
Frequency response: 6Hz - 22,000Hz | Drivers: 42mm | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 17 hours |
Wireless range: N/A | NFC: YesBrilliant audio qualityCool designCustomizable settingsBattery life isn't greatMore expensive than rivalsIn
terms of sheer sound quality, the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (2019) headphones sound brilliant, with high levels of detail, warm bass, and
JBL Live 650BTNCGreat noise-canceling headphones for those on a budgetAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: 249g | Cable length: 3.93ft |
Frequency response: 16Hz - 20kHz | Drivers: 40mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 100 dBSPL@1kHz/1mW | Impedance: 32 ohms | Battery
life: 20-30 hours | Wireless range: 30ft (10m) | NFC: NoGreat soundCompact designOn-ear form-factor gets uncomfortableInitially confusing
controlsFor the money, the JBL Live 650BTNC punch above its weight in terms of sound quality, build, and features
They offer your choice of either Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa voice assistant, and can have their EQ customized by the JBL Headphones
app
review(Image credit: Microsoft)12
Microsoft Surface headphonesImpressive bass and great noise cancelation from Microsoft cansAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: 0.64Ibs | Cable
length: 3.94 ft | Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz | Drivers: 40mm Free Edge Driver | Driver type: Free Edge | Sensitivity: 115 dB |
Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 15 hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: YesBrilliant sound qualityEffective noise cancelationIntuitive
environment, especially if you're somewhere noisy
That being said, if you have the noise-canceling turned on while listening to music, you can pretty much get lost in the experience without
high price (particularly when you can buy quality cans from heritage audio brands for less), most of the Surface Headphone's features work
so seamlessly that it feels justified.Read the full review:Microsoft Surface Headphones review(Image credit: Nuraphone)BONUS: Nura
NuraphoneThe strange in-ear, over-ear hybrid boasts decent ANCAcoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Cable length: N/A | Frequency
response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 20 hours | Wireless range: N/A |
NFC: YesRich, full soundExcellent noise isolationLimited controls on headphonesForm factor can be restrictingIf you haven't found something
your entire ear
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 our full review:Nuraphone Headphones
reviewNoise-canceling headphones deals2SqPQj4CcRktWmw2YAWbSH.jpg?#