Bose has set the standard in aviation headsets for over 20 years, with innovative noise reduction technology and unmatched comfort features. At just 12 oz., the A20 is one of the lightest headsets on the market;
Bose has set the standard in aviation headsets for over 20 years, with innovative noise reduction technology and unmatched comfort features. At just 12 oz., the A20 is one of the lightest headsets on the market; combine that with its soft sheepskin ear cushions and minimal clamping force and you can wear this headset all day. Bose's proprietary active noise reduction cancels an impressive amount of engine and propeller noise but maintains outstanding battery life. The fully-adjustable microphone can be connected to either earcup and set in a range of stable positions for optimal communications. The Bose A20 is certified to FAA TSO-C139 and EASA ETSO-C139 standards nd comes with a 5-year warranty.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4
At the top of our list is the new Sony WH-1000XM4, which is the best noise canceling headphone overall as it offers good noise cancellation capabilities, quality audio output, amazing battery life, a sleek design, along with some rather functional add-ons.
The headphones feature large 40mm drivers that sound phenomenal, they’re rated for up to 30 hours of continuous playback, and they’ve got some really comfortable ear cups that ensure that you won’t feel any fatigue if you wear the headphones for long stretches of time.
The active noise cancellation (ANC) of the Sony-WH1000XM4 might not be the best out there, but Sony makes up for it by including a bunch of additional features that add a significant amount of value to the product.
I especially like the gesture that allows you to pause the music briefly by covering an earcup and the touch-sensitive volume/playback controls on the earcups. All-in-all, the Sony-WH1000XM4 is the best noise canceling headphone you can buy right now, but they’re a bit on the expensive side.
Pros
- Best ANC experience
- Noise cancellation is excellent
- 30-hour battery life
- Touch Sensor controls
- Speak to chat
- Wearing detection
Cons
- Expensive
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphone 700
The Bose 700 takes the second spot on this list as it falls slightly behind the Sony WH-1000XM4 in the audio quality department which, I believe, should be the primary criteria in judging any headphones, even noise cancellation headphones.
The headphones feature a compact and lightweight design with excellent earcups, making them one of the most comfortable noise canceling headphones out there, and they’re rated for up to 20 hours of continuous playback.
The headphones offer the best noise cancellation out there, even better than the Sony-WH1000XM4, which is probably the only reason why anyone would be prompted to go for this pair instead.
Functionally, the Bose 700 don’t offer as many features as the Sony-WH1000XM4 either, packing in just an additional dedicated voice assistant button for Alexa, along with the volume and playback controls, and not much else. The Bose 700 is a great buy for anyone who wants to experience the best noise cancellation and doesn’t care too much about the other factors.
Pros
- Second only to Sony in ANC
- Rich sound
- Access Voice Assistant
- 20-hour battery life
- Comfortable earcups
Cons
- Expensive
3. Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
Microsoft’s new Surface Headphones 2 are also a great option for buyers looking for a solid pair of noise canceling headphones, as they offer a premium design, great wireless performance, and excellent noise canceling capabilities.
On the downside, however, the headphones are rated for just up to 20 hours of continuous playback and they aren’t as comfortable as some of the headphones on the list.
- Very comfortable
- Hands-free assistance
- Skip tracks, answer calls
- 13 levels of ANC
- 20-hour battery life
- Supports AptX codec
Cons
- No AAC or LDAC support
Sennheiser Momentum 3
If comfort and long-time usability are some things that you prioritize over other factors, then you should consider getting the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless – a great pair from the German manufacturer that is by far the most comfortable noise canceling headphones out there.
Not only do the headphones sound great, they’re rated for up to 15 hours of continuous playback and have some solid features that befit a headphone in this price range
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless offers decent noise canceling capabilities, a clean design, and some of the most comfortable earcups you’d find on any headphones (noise canceling or not) out there.
On top of that, the headphones also pack some additional features, with the earcup trackpad being one of my personal favorites. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is a great buy for any user who tends to use their headphones for long hours at a stretch.
Pros
- Comfortable earpads
- ANC is pretty good
- Smart controls
- Alexa integration
- Bluetooth 5.0
Cons
- Battery life could have been better
5. Anker Soundcore Life Q20
Users on a tight budget can consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q20, a decent pair of wireless noise canceling headphones that have a lightweight and sturdy design, decent audio quality for the price, good battery life, and a rather premium travel case. The headphones are rated for up to 40 hours of wireless playback at a stretch, which is amazing for the price.
You can even extend the battery life by up to 30 hours just by using the wired connection. The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 also features touch controls on the earcups, but they’re way too sensitive and might not appeal to some users. However, if you’re looking for a decent noise canceling headphone on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the Anker Soundcore Life Q20.
Pros
- Best ANC experience at affordable price
- Exceptional battery life
- Touch controls
- Sturdy design
- Supports wired connection
Cons
- ANC output might not impress everyone
How to Choose the Best Noise Cancelling Headphones?
Before choosing a noise canceling headphone, you must check if the brand has done substantial work in sound technology as it directly affects your ANC experience. For example, Sony and bose aviation headset are the industry leaders so their techniques to cancel out ambient noise is far better than other companies.
Apart from that, battery life is a key factor and an ANC headphone should at least have 15 hours of battery life. The more the better. Next, you should definitely check out how comfortable the headset is for long sessions. In addition, if the headphone allows you to access voice assistants, change tracks, and other cool features then that is an added bonus.
Get Yourself a Pair of Noise Canceling Headphones Today
A good pair of noise canceling headphones can really be a great purchase for several reasons and since they’re mostly high-end headphones, you’ll also notice an overall improvement in sound quality if you’re currently using just any other regular pair of headphones.
Granted, the sound quality might not be as great as with some studio quality headphones, but for an average consumer, noise canceling headphones can be a great combination of functionality and great sound quality.
So, that rounds up our list of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy in 2021. Have you tried any of these headphones before? Which one would you go for depending on your particular use case? Let us know in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is It Worth Buying Noise Cancelling Headphones?
Absolutely. If you generally live or travel in a noisy environment then noise canceling headphones can completely change how you perceive sound. You won’t experience any kind of noise unless it’s significantly high-pitch sound.
Q. What are the Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in the Market?
I would blindly recommend the Sony WH-1000XM4, but if you want other options, you can check out Bose 700 and Anker Q20 if you are on a budget.
Q. Do Noise Cancelling Headphones Block All Sound?
No. If there is considerably high-pitch sound then even the best noise canceling headphones can’t sufficiently block the sound.
Q. Is Noise Cancelling Bad for Ears?
No. In fact, it can protect your ears if you generally live in a noisy environment. That said, keep in mind, some users notice a hissing sound while ANC is turned on. It can get irritating for some users.
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