15 Gifts For The Noise Cancelling Headphones Lover In Your Life

Best over ear Headphones Noise cancelling-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent method to keep your focus no matter if you're on a noisy train or in a workplace with a crowded office full of chattering coworkers. We looked at comfort, sound quality, as well as the ability to block high-frequency continuous sounds like restaurant chatter, or short-duration incidental noises like ringing phone or clacking keys.

Sony WH-1000XM5

If you're looking for premium ANC headphones, Sony's flagship WH-1000XM5 is the best choice. First released in 2016 the WH-1000XM5 is among the top choices for those who wants to enjoy their favourite music or podcasts without distractions. This latest version of the series marks the first major update since its original release and offers many new and exciting features. In addition to a sleek design and sustainability efforts (including the absence of plastic packaging) the headphones offer excellent noise cancellation, clear audio, and natural-sounding ambient audio.

When enabled, the WH-1000XM5's noise cancelling capabilities are unbeatable. The strapping of a pair on your head creates an entire cone of silence that will block out engine noises on subways and trains, the whir of HVAC systems, and even neighbouring conversations. They're also among the top ANC headphones at blocking out low-frequency drones and bass hums.

Another great feature is Ambient Sound Control, which adjusts the headphones' acoustic balancing based on the environment you're in. For example, if you're at home listening to your favourite album, the WH-1000XM5 will switch to an experience that is more immersive. If you're walking on an avenue that is busy, they will change to a more focused profile to make you more aware of the surrounding.

The ear cups of the WH-1000XM5 feature touch-sensitive controls on the right, which can be used to play, pause and switch tracks. You can also make use of the voice assistant to adjust volume, search for content and make hands-free phone calls. The headphones offer a rich stereo image and a consistent frequency response. They also have an incredibly accurate group delay, which ensures a consistent soundstage.

The WH-1000XM5s is able to be connected to two devices at once. This is especially useful if you are looking to listen to music on your laptop and make phone calls with your phone. They have a built-in mic and a USB-C port for charging. They also come with a cable for direct analog playback. The battery life is around 30 hours, which is enough to last for one week of commute or a long-haul flight.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45, the top model of the premium headphones manufacturer, is the most recent update. It was released in September 2021 and it is priced lower than the Sony WH1000XM4 by around PS320 or $329 or $439 when compared to its 700-related sibling. In terms of functionality, it offers top-tier active noise cancellation and features like voice assistant support as well as automatic pause when you remove the headphones. The design is also a lot more comfortable than earlier models. However, there are a few things you should know. Some users may be unable to adjust to the touch-sensitive buttons on the back of the earcups which require pressure to activate. You can adjust ANC and switch to an "aware" setting that allows ambient sound to be heard. However, you are unable to disable the audio.

The headsets offer outstanding performance and are a solid purchase for anyone who is looking for a high-end pair of headphones to wear on a train, plane or while working at home. They have a long battery lifespan with excellent noise cancellation as well as clear audio. They also come with multipoint Bluetooth which means that they can be connected to two devices at the same time and jump between them with the press of a button. They also have an app that's not as flexible as some of their competitors but it still has a lot of useful features.

The QC45s feature a highly effective active noise cancellation mode. It can be too loud at times. However the passive EQ modes are more balanced and offer greater control over your music's sound signature. If you listen to music with lots of cymbal sparkle, you may find that your headphones are grating. This can be easily resolved by lowering 3-20kHz on the equalizer of your music player.

While some might be disappointed by the omission of some features, such as adjustable ANC/transparency or an EQ, and a small decrease in the quality of calls, overall the QC45s are an excellent choice for those looking for top-quality ANC at a reasonable price. They are also comfortable to wear for long periods of time and come with fast-charging via a USB-C port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 headphones are premium headphones that focus on ear noise cancelling headphones audio. They have a dynamic 50mm driver, and come with high-resolution codes to deliver the best possible Bluetooth music playback. The headphones provide a balanced sound with rich detail throughout the frequency spectrum and have a natural sense of space and location and allow you to feel the vibrancy of each note and the movement of the music around you.

They're a bit heavier than other brands at 334g but they still feel comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is placed on the top of the head without putting too much pressure on it, and the earcups are properly padded to make them comfortable. They're also very portable. They fold flat and can easily be stored in the accompanying carrying case.

There are a standard assortment of controls that are arranged around the right earcup, including playback, volume and power/pairing. A slider near the top lets you change between noise cancellation, a neutral mode, and what Shure calls "Environment Mode". Environment mode allows more noise from outside to leak through it, which is useful for those who need to stay aware of your surroundings. The controls are well-designed however there is a slight delay between pressing them and the action they perform (i.e. when you press the play button while on a phone and you're on a call, you'll end up blaring your ears with music rather than picking up your mom). They don't have any built-in microphones for voice command support however, they do have an audio response from Google Assistant and their mics are great at removing background noise from conversations.

They operate on one battery that can last for up to 20 hours, over ear headphones noise cancelling which should be plenty for most people. They come with the USB cable to connect to your phone for charging however it's not as easy as using Bluetooth, but it's a useful feature to have and ensures you can play your music back when charging. They're also compatible with all audio devices with a 2.5mm port, which means you can use them even when you travel.

Monoprice BT-600ANC

The Monoprice B-600ANC Bluetooth over ear headphones noise cancelling-ear noise cancelling headphones have all the features you need in a pair of wireless headphones for just a fraction of the cost. They come with premium Qualcomm aptX HD Audio, an advanced type of Active Noise Cancelling as well as an easy-to-fold design that allows them to be easily stored in bags for backpacks or in a carry bag. They are an excellent choice for students or commuters and have a long-lasting battery that allows you to listen all the day. They also have convenient control buttons that allow you to swipe or tap to alter the volume, skip tracks or answer calls.

The BT-600ANC headphones sport an elegant design that is reminiscent of the Monoprice M1000ANC headphone we have reviewed last year. The headsets are a matte gray barely branded, and don't really stand out in public. However, they do have an extremely soft and comfortable fit that will appeal to the majority of ears. The small dimensions of these headphones and the carrying case included make them ideal for travel.

The earcups are covered in leatherette, and offer excellent isolation via passive. The headband provides a lot of adjustability and is soft without being heavy or soft and slouchy. The headband is wide enough to fit glasses wearers, so they'll fit most people.

Monoprice ANC is effective and does not sound as tinny as other brands. They offer a slight boost around 100-200Hz to provide a fuller sound for bass notes. This can be heard in the opening of Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo with a clear and clear response. However they have a noticeable drop-off in the higher frequencies that go above 10kHz, meaning that the cymbal or shaker sound won't be as crisp and clear as on other headsets.

You can cycle through three ANC modes that are low, medium and higher. The low setting is great to block out most ambient noise but will not block out traffic or loud conversations. The medium setting is ideal for most situations, and the high mode keeps you from all noise, except for your music. The earcups with touch-sensitive controls are a little difficult to operate at first. Swiping upwards and downwards on the pad controls the volume and the pad's pressure or swiping it left or right changes tracks. Double-taps can also be used to play a pause or answer a call. This system takes some practice to get used to but once you are able to master the art of it, you'll be able to use it.