Best Noise Canceling Headphones to Buy in 2022 (Reviews)

We all switch to headphones when we want to escape from our surroundings or concentrate on the screen solely. And, noise-canceling headphones are the first solution that comes to our mind.

Noise-canceling headphones are the best way to take a vacation from your surroundings as they remove unwanted sounds. Also, after the pandemic, most of us have started working from home, and headphones are one of the most crucial gadgets. 

However, not all headphones available on the market are of excellent quality. There are a lot of factors that contribute to making the best noise-canceling headphones. Wondering what they are? You will get to know that in a while.

In this article, you will get to know the best active noise-canceling headphones of 2022 and how to choose one for yourself. We have also given a detailed review of each product. So, buckle down, and let's dive deeper.

The Best Active Noise Canceling (ANC) Headphones to Buy in 2022

Now that you know how to choose the best noise-canceling headphones, it is time to look at the best picks of the year.

We have listed down the specifications along with a brief review.

Have a look-

Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 creates a single sterile sound barrier and adapts to any environment. Bluetooth multipoint connectivity through AAC, superb microphone quality, easy touch controls, intelligent ear detection, compatibility for numerous audio codecs, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and great in-app control are some of the other features that make it the best option.

Pros

• Amazing sound quality
• Outstanding ANC
• 30 hours of battery backup

Cons

• It can be expensive for a few people

Bose QuietComfort 45

Next on our list are these headphones from Bose. They are very effective in reducing the background noises and wireless too. Moreover, the earcups are properly cushioned, so you won't feel discomfort even after using them for hours.

Additionally, the weight of these headphones is relatively light even though it appears bulky.

Pros

• Sturdy build quality
• Great ANC

Cons

• Battery backup can be better

Sony WF-1000XM4

This pick is for people who don't want to buy bulk-looking headphones and still want an exceptional audio experience. These earbuds from Sony are pretty powerful and have impressive ANC as earbuds. However, some people find the price high as these are just earbuds.

Pros

• Excellent design and built quality
• Eliminates the need for bulky-looking headphones
• The battery life is quite good

Cons

• The price is a bit too high

Sennheiser HD 450BT

It is a really great option for commuters as the battery backup and cost are pretty nice. It also supports a conference call microphone that you can use for answering calls. Moreover, the sound and built quality are outstanding.

Furthermore, the headset provides tactile control buttons that support touch gestures and thus provide comprehensive control.

Pros

• Great sound quality
• Reduces background noise quite effectively
• Supports USB-C charging

Cons

• Ear cups could be more spacious

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700UC

These Bose headphones come in a sleek and sexy design and have commendable noise cancellation. Much like Sony WH-10000XM4, it has a touch-sensitive gesture pad in the right earcup, which allows you to control the playback.

Moreover, battery backup is also acceptable, and the battery can last for a longer time than claimed by Bose if not used extensively.

Pros

• Great design
• Easy to use
• Commendable noise cancellation

Cons

• It is a bit costly

Skullcandy Hush ANC Wireless Noise Canceling

These awesome looking pair of headphones from Skullcandy are definitely a beast when it comes to the sound quality. The ANC is also fine, but it could have been better. However, considering the price, we think it is a good deal. 

Additionally, the headphones have a sleek and compact body with comfortable earcups.

Pros

• The audio quality is nice
• They are quite comfortable
• USB-C charging point support is available

Cons

• The codecs could be better

Apple AirPods Pro

There is another earbud on our list for people who want small-sized audio devices with inexplicable noise cancellation. 

These earbuds by Apple support active noise cancellation and seem to do their job quite well. They also come with multiple gesture controls for changing, pausing, and playing the audio. However, if you haven't picked the ear tips of the right size, you might not get the best experience.

Pros

• Better than previous models
• Supports multiple gesture controls
• Amazing sound quality
• Excellent noise cancellation when the proper size of ear tips is used

Cons

• It can be expensive for a few people

Apple AirPods Max

These headphones from Apple have a distinguished design that will definitely take your heart away. Apart from having a superb design, these headphones have unique features.

The sound quality, ANC, comfort, and everything else are top-notch.

Moreover, these headphones have a stainless steel build, which adds more years to their durability.

Pros

• Beautiful design 
• Outstanding noise cancellation
• Supports extra features for iOS devices

Cons

• Features for android are limited
• The cost is too high

JBL Tune 750BTNC

JBL is known worldwide for its quality audio products that too at an affordable price. And this product from JBL is also a great pick. The headphones have a sturdy body made of high-quality plastic, and the earcups are adequately cushioned for your comfort. 

The noise cancellation is also quite good, and the controls are on the right earcup.

Pros

• The noise cancellation is excellent
• The build and sound quality is fantastic

Cons

• Buttons don't have a modern feel

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

These headphones from Anker are remarkable for their price, and it is one of the best picks for people on a low budget. The build quality is fantastic, and the headphones have a battery life of whopping 30 hours. So, if you are on a tight budget or if you don't want to spend too much, this is the ideal pick for you.

Pros

• Amazing battery life
• The price is quite affordable
• The cushioned ear cups are comfortable and of good quality.

Cons

• It lacks clarity or bass definition.

What is Noise Cancellation?

Noise cancellation is a process by which the sound of the disturbing sounds in the background can be blocked. It lets the user focus solely on what they are listening to. Hence, a lot of gamers and working professionals use these headphones. 

However, you must note that noise cancellation works in more than one way.

Here are a few of them for your understanding-

Passive Noise Cancellation

It is a technology used in in-ear earphones in which the earbud keeps the noise from the surrounding away.

Active Noise Cancellation

It's a method of shutting out ambient noise using a series of components housed within the headphones' ear cups. This method usually uses speakers and microphones for canceling the background disturbances.

Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation

This noise cancellation method is the same as the previous one, but the only difference is that you get more control here. You get to control how many background voices you want to hear.

Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation

It works the same as ANC, but the only difference is that the level of noise cancellation gets adapted according to the surroundings digitally.

How Do Noise-Cancellation Headphones Work?

To understand how Active Noise cancellation headphones work, you must first understand the concept of a sound wave.

Every sound around you can be represented in the form of a soundwave wherein the height of the crests and depth of the troughs is more or less continuous.

So, when you make a sound wave with the same amplitude but the opposite phase, you get an antiphase, and these two waves cancel each other out. So, it is this antiphase that reduces the background noise. Look at the following image for a better understanding.

If the above explanation was way too technical for you, then here is a simple one for you -

Noise-canceling headphones function by capturing ambient noise using microphones and then feeding an opposite version of that sound into the headphones' tiny speakers.

However, the technology doesn't need to eliminate every single noise around you; it is just a way to improve your listening experience.

Also, the ANC headphones are usually fantastic at curbing the lower frequency sounds, and the chances of eliminating the higher-pitched human voices are minimal.

How to Choose the Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Yourself?

Choosing the ideal noise-canceling headphones can be challenging, but if you follow the tips mentioned below, you can undoubtedly choose the right headphone for yourself.

Have a look -

• Make a list of specifications you want and shortlist accordingly.
• Don't forget to take the budget into your consideration.
• Always check the customer reviews or blog/video reviews before settling for one.
• Know the purpose of buying the headphones; is it just for meetings or for high-level gaming?
• Be clear about whether you want headphones of a particular brand or are open to different options.

Things to Consider When Buying Noise-Canceling Headphones

Buying the ideal noise-canceling headphones is not an easy task. As mentioned earlier, there are a lot of things and factors that must be taken into consideration before settling on one. We understand that it might seem like a daunting task, and that is why we have listed down the factors for you.

Make it a note to check all these points to compare your shortlisted top noise-canceling headphones before buying. 

Effective Active Noise Canceling

As mentioned earlier, the noise cancellation technology does not cancel the noises altogether. Hence, it is best to check the extent to which a headphone can curb the noises.

Sound Quality

It goes without saying that sound quality is a crucial factor to consider. You can look up different blogs or YouTube videos to gain a realistic review of the excellent quality of your shortlisted ANC headphones.

Build Quality

The better the build quality, the better the performance and life of your headphones will be. So, do not compromise on the build quality for saving some bucks.

Comfort

Remember that you might be wearing these headphones for hours, and if they are not comfortable, your ears are going to hurt a lot.

Wire or Wireless- Preference

Most of the headphones available on the market now are wireless, but there are still a few with wires. Some people find wired headphones quite bothering and want an undisturbed experience possible with wireless ones. So buy accordingly.

Battery Life

If you are going for wireless headphones with batteries, make sure that the battery backup is commendable. Otherwise, you will find yourself stuck, and your work will also get hampered.

Wrapping Up

Although all the headphones listed above are excellent in their own ways, Sony WH-1000XM4 is definitely the best. It is packed with all the features that one could ask for, and its price to value ratio is also quite impressive.

Buying ANC headphones is a one-time investment so make sure you purchase the one that suits your needs. Also, now that you know how to choose and what to look for, we are sure that you will make a sound decision.