If you often take public transportation or travel on planes and trains, you may have wondered about noise-canceling headphones to reduce some of the lower-frequency ambient noise surrounding you. Several different types of technology use either digital processing or soundproofing to minimize sounds in order to create a quiet atmosphere.
The experts at My Paper Writer helped us research and write a list of the best products in the market. Most of these fall within the same price range, and while they may seem a little pricey, their quality certainly shows for it. And the ability to reduce surrounding noises will make any of these eight products a great investment.
1. WH-1000XM3 by Sony
Weighing at just less than 9 ounces, this pair by Sony has been at the top of most consumer lists for over two years. With over 30 hours of battery life and USB-C connectivity and additional padding, the subtle upgrade from WH-1000XM2 model is worth the price. All Sony headphones come with Alexa support and Google Assistant and high-quality audio that are perfect music lovers.
2. WH-1000XM2 by Sony
These have a shorter battery life than the upgraded WH-1000XM3 model that tops our list you may want to take these at a lower cost. Both Alexa support and Google Assistant comes standard, as well as aptX HD and LDAC. These are a great all-around pick for the average consumer.
3. Bose 700 NCH
This over-ear pair is great when listening to music but the shorter battery life (about 20 hours) and price means that they don’t quite outdo our top two choices by Sony. When wearing these to make a phone call, the person on the other end will still be able to hear all of the sounds around you – so beware of this inconvenience.
4. Bose QuietComfort 35II
This pair has great noise cancellation. It also has about 20 hours of battery life and weighs about .68 lbs. That makes an excellent choice for regular commuters who use public transportation and is the first product on our list that you might find under $300 at certain retailers.
5. Bose QuietComfort 25
Another great and affordable pair from Bose has excellent sound and simple design. These are a great starter pair if you are looking to save money, but the tech from 2014 might seem a bit outdated compared to the other stuff that is available today. Keep in mind that these are wired and do not include any support for Alexa or Google Assistant.
6. WF-1000XM3 by Sony
These in-ear buds are great if you don’t like the bulk that comes from the over-the-ear products topping our list. Battery life is pretty low (about 6 hours), but its small charging case can be carried around everywhere that you might overlook this inconvenience for an efficient and inconspicuous product.
7. PX Wireless by Bowers and Wilkins
This wireless pair uses USB-C charging (e.g., connect to your laptop) and can hold power for about 22 hours. They are relatively new to the noise-cancellation industry, but they have quickly gained a lot of buzz because of the quality and price. These are also considered a great starter product for music lovers.
8. Fidelio NC1 by Philips
Finally, our last product on this list is great if you are looking for a higher-end look with great sound and excellent noise-reduction capabilities. The Fidelio NC1 has about 30 hours of battery life and is not wireless – but this is not a good enough reason to pass them over if you are in search of a high-quality product. Just be aware that you can’t find these everywhere, so you might have to some digging around.
Our reviewers tested several makes and models in developing this list. All features and tech specifications were considered, and it was determined that the ones in our top 10 list are the highest quality and most affordable. Some other great options are Surface Headphones by Microsoft and the Nura Nuraphone. Both are priced in the $250 to $400 range, but the cost for each is just about the range for noise-canceling headphones of this type. Let us know what you think of our list by commenting below.