Regardless if you’re a true blue audiophile looking for a richer listening experience or you just want to drown surrounding noises for a power nap, noise cancelling headphones are a must especially if you are a frequent traveler.
Unlike your average, run-off-the-mill headphones, noise-cancelling headphones minimize ambient sounds using a special noise control component that generates an opposite sound wave. This technology blocks unwanted noise headed to the eardrums, allowing you to listen to your favorite tracks in peace while reducing crowd noises, and improving audio quality during calls. Noise cancelling headphones allow you to reduce ambient sound without cranking the volume all the way up.
Do all noise-cancelling headphones block out external noise? Yes and no. Majority of these headphones reduce external noise but as far as performance goes, it will vary from brand to brand. Some headphones offer efficient noise cancellation feature, others have their limitations.
There are different types of noise-cancelling headphones and the design and features will affect the overall cost of the product. Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones are perfect for those who do not want to bother with wires. These noise-cancelling headphones are portable, convenient, and practical. Of course, the added convenience comes with a price; they are pricier than traditional headphones.
Bluetooth headphones provide effective interference and better audio but the range is less than those offered by conventional RF devices. If you are on the hunt for a great set of Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones, here are our top picks:
Phiaton Chord M-Series Wireless Headphones
Pros & cons
- Long battery life
- Sleek, modern design
- Excellent noise cancelling feature
- Not as comfortable to wear as other headphones
- Gets a little warm during extended use
If you’re serious about blocking ambient noise then we’d highly recommend Phiaton’s M-Series wireless headphones. This beast blocks 98% of external noise and with no wires to deal with, it’s the perfect travel buddy! The Phiaton M-Series noise-cancelling headphones feature Bluetooth 4.0, which allows simultaneous connection to two devices. These Bluetooth headphones also come with a dual microphone, which enhances voice quality during phone calls.What’s more, these noise-cancelling headphones come with lithium ion battery, not the usual AAA battery so expect a longer battery life. On top of that, this product features EverPlay-X technology, which allows for continuous calling or music listening even if the battery runs out. Plus points for the very sleek, contemporary design.
These Bluetooth headphones also come with a dual microphone, which enhances voice quality during phone calls. What’s more, these noise-cancelling headphones come with lithium ion battery, not the usual AAA battery so expect a longer battery life. On top of that, this product features EverPlay-X technology, which allows for continuous calling or music listening even if the battery runs out. Plus points for the very sleek, contemporary design.
Apart from the M-Series’ obvious good looks, these headphones are efficient in terms of noise cancellation. The sound quality is equally impressive. We are nitpicking at this point but the ear pads aren’t as comfortable to wear. One happy Amazon customer is blown away by the M-Series’ audio quality and range:
The Bluetooth range and sound quality is super impressive – they’re easy to pair and I was able to walk freely wearing these even across two floors which was pleasantly surprising.
Parrot Zik Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Pros & cons
- Feature-rich
- Stylish design
- Excellent noise cancelling feature
- Excellent connectivity
- Poor battery life
The Parrot Zik brings together luxurious design and innovative technology, elevating noise cancelling headphones to a new level. This headset features a touch sensitive control panel, allowing you to control the device on the right ear disk.
The touch panel can detect “sensual” movements as well as head positions, thanks to its very responsive sensors. It impresses with its intuitive design (music pauses automatically when the headset is removed from your head) and delivers “spatialized” music level, enabling for easy adjustment.
Incredibly, these headphones feature five microphones as well as a digital signal processor. The Zik plays well with iPhones and Androids, boasting of full wireless connectivity. Because it’s wireless, there’s no wires to deal with, always a plus in our book! These noise-cancelling headphones block ambient sound effectively. They are also sweat resistant, perfect for music listening while working out.
Our only gripe is the non-standard battery, which is expensive to replace. Also, the battery life is not that great either. Now, the length of its battery life will depend on the features you use. Use more features at the same time and you’ll find yourself constantly recharging the headphone. Still, the Zik continues to impress with its lightweight, portable design and overall performance, as one Amazon user attested in a review:
The Zik fills the void – great travel partner by offering a compact design, reduced noise, and have good sound.
Bose QuietComfort 25 Headphones
Pros & cons
- Comfortable design
- 30 Hours playback on an AAA battery
- Affordable
- Mediocre sound quality
- Not compatible with some phones
These noise-cancelling headphones come with cutting edge noise reduction technology, delivering clear, life-like audio quality. Although the Bose QuietComfort is designed for the iPhone, it is compatible with any mobile device as long as said device comes with a headphone jack.
We love the Bose QuietComfort’s lightweight and portable design (weighs only 7 ounces) as well as the snug fit. The ear pads are well padded and they fit the contours of the ears perfectly, making these headphones perfect for extended use.
This product gets brownie points for providing better control over music and telephone calls thanks to its innovative, in-line microphone and remote. The QuietComfort is also fairly affordable, making it one of the most reasonably priced noise cancelling headphones on the market.
As for the performance, the sound quality is great but it’s not mind-blowing. Also, when you switch off the noise cancelling feature, the audio quality suffers even more. It’s also worth noting that this set may not work on some phones so this is best for iPhone users. According to one reviewer, these headphones offer great value for the money.
If you’re looking to supplement a set of QC20 ear buds, this is a great buy. If you have no Bose noise cancelling headphones, this is THE clear choice.
