How Noise Cancelling Headphones Can Improve Your Listening ExperienceNoise cancelling headphones use microphones to detect ambient sounds and generate an anti-noise sound to counteract unwanted noises. They are ideal for blocking out plane and train chatter, but they won't assist in blocking out your friend's chatter or screeching breaks.Active noise cancellation requires good isolation, either through padding your ears with an earbuds that are sealed or over-ear headphones. We've also tested how well the headphones block out lower frequency noises like traffic or train noise.What is noise cancelling?Noise cancellation is a feature that lets listeners focus on their music and audiobooks without being distracted by distracting background noises. Noise cancelling headphones have built-in microphones that actively block external sounds before they get to your ears, effectively reducing the outside world so you can enjoy your tunes or audiobook in peace.Active noise cancellation (ANC) is among the most commonly used headphone features available on the market. It's available from a variety of headphone brands, in various sizes and colors, and it's even found on some budget models. The technology behind it is simple: the ear cups or earbuds are equipped with mics that "listen" to ambient noise frequencies, and then play back equal but opposite anti-noise waves to block them out before they reach your ears.The crests and troughs of these waves cancel out each other, a process referred to as destructive interference, leaving you with nothing other than the music you're listened to. This is great for monotonous, continuous sounds such as the drone of an airplane engine, or your colleague Bob who just can't seem to stop talking. It's less effective with louder or more frequent sounds that are difficult to identify and block out. For instance the pinging sound of a keyboard on your computer or the alarm beeping on your smartphone.The padding of the ear cup can be used to cut down on the sound. This can be a good alternative for those who do not want to rely on batteries to provide their ANC functionality but still prefer a peaceful environment while working or relaxing at home.All headphones require power to function, regardless of whether it's an audio processor or battery. Even though ANC can block out most external noise, the headphones won't be able to create a solitary cone around your ears - if the ambient sounds are too loud, they'll be able to bleed through your ears. This is why it's crucial to wear your headphones comfortably enough that they don't have any gaps in the fit so you can get the maximum benefit from ANC.How do you make it work?The technology behind noise cancellation headphones consists of miniature microphones within the earcups, or earbuds, that listen to the sounds around you. The sound is processed by the headphones to create a soundwave opposite that blocks them out and blocks them from reaching your ears.Air molecules oscillate, generating sound waves. This means that the sound waves have a height or the amplitude. It is measured by the distances between the peaks of an unsteady graph. Taller sound waves have higher amplitudes and shorter ones have lower amplifies. ANC headphones take advantage of this by listening to sounds around you and creating an opposing sound that neutralizes them.ANC headsets are equipped with numerous features that block out background noises, including feedback mics and ANC chipsets. These chips use algorithms that convert sound and then release a counter-signal which is akin to firing antiballistic missiles at incoming warheads.The opposite signals are generated by two ANC drivers in each ear cup. When the ANC is activated by pressing a button on your headset, the sounds of the surrounding noises are reduced or even removed.The technology behind ANC is impressive, it comes with some tradeoffs. The additional electronics required to run this technology can add weight and bulk to your headphones. They also consume more power, which can cause a reduction in battery life and possibly high-frequency hiss.One other problem is that a lot of users have reported experiencing dizziness or disorientation while wearing ANC headphones. Although this can be a source of frustration, it's usually due to something else triggering those sensations, rather than the ANC headphones itself.The good news is that more advanced ANC headsets are beginning to address some of these problems. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7, for example, offers various ANC modes such as "office," "plane," and 'city' with a slider that lets you customize the amount of external sounds that you wish to hear. Apple's newest AirPods Pro 2 also feature the same feature, and comes with 'Ambient Aware' mode that digitally adapts the level of ANC to the surroundings.What are the best noise cancelling headsets?Noise cancelling headphones can improve your listening experience. They can aid in concentration at work or block out the engine noise on planes and trains. They're also great for commutes or working at home and can be used with any kind of audio equipment including smartphones, tablets, and computers. There are wireless ANC headphones for every budget. They're not cheap but they're worth it.The most effective pair of headphones that block out noise will be comfortable to wear for extended periods with a tight seal around your ears. The battery lifespan should last at least 30 hours that's enough to get you through your everyday commute or working day. Verify whether the audio source is supported, whether that be Bluetooth or USB-C.Over-ear headphones are usually more comfortable than in-ear models. They come with a bigger headband and padded cups that rest over your ears, helping to keep them in place for longer. They are also more effective in blocking out background noise. There are exceptions, however, and the best noise-cancelling headphones for you will be determined by your lifestyle and music preferences.The degree of noise reduction will differ depending on the design and how well it fits in your ears. A poor fit could allow in ambient noise and even impact the quality of bass. A great tip is to change the tips of the headphones to see if they improve the fit and reduce ambient noise, and you can do this with most headphones too.In-ear headphones aren't as comfortable to wear for long listening sessions since they do not sit over your ears but rather inside them. They can be more comfortable when you tilt them back or forwards to adjust their fit. They're also usually lighter, which makes them easier to carry and more portable. In our tests, we found that most earbuds offer some noise isolation. However, it's not nearly as good as over-ear headphones.What should I look for in noise cancelling headphones?The best noise cancelling headphones reduce ambient sound so you can concentrate on music without being distracted by your surroundings. To achieve this, they usually use active noise cancelling (ANC) however not all ANC headsets are created to be equal. It is important to consider the kind of ANC, whether it's over-ear or in-ear and also their quality of construction.In-ear and over-ear headphones provide excellent noise isolation. While in-ear headphones are more comfortable for extended durations, in-ear headphones provide greater mobility and are less bulky. Over-ear headphones tend to be more expensive but often offer superior sound quality while in-ear models provide a more affordable option with a solid sound quality.Certain ANC headphones let you alter the level of ANC to fit the needs of the moment. For headphone shopping , you might prefer to keep ANC off when you travel on an airplane or public transport, but turn it on when you are in the office or at home, to block out the whirr of your computer's cooling fans or your neighbor's lawn mower. Some headphones also feature"transparency mode" which allows some noise from outside through, allowing you to hear important sounds from the outside, such as traffic or conversations.The top noise cancelling headsets are equipped with ANC and Bluetooth for wireless listening. Some of them support the aptX and aptX HD Bluetooth codecs, which deliver superior audio quality when compared to standard Bluetooth.While there are some ANC headphones that cost less than PS50 but you'll likely get the most value from a pair of over-ear headphones like the Bose QC35 II. Their ANC is top-quality with a gap between tracks that lets you hear your voice when you speak and have high-quality audio that's clear and detailed.Kids noise-canceling headphones are also worth looking into, particularly for children who are suffering from sensory overload and need help processing auditory stimuli. They usually feature a wide selection of colors and designs that are aimed at kids and some even license popular cartoon or video game properties. They are more comfortable for children than traditional headphones, and often include parental controls like volume-limiting features.