15 Gifts For The Noise Cancelling Headphones Lover In Your Life

Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are an excellent way to stay focused no matter if you're in a noisy train or in an office full of chatty co-workers. We looked at the comfort, the audio quality, and the ability to block high-frequency continuous sounds like restaurant chatter, or incidental sounds of short duration like phones ringing or keys clacking.

Sony WH-1000XM5

When it comes to premium ANC headphones, Sony's flagship WH-1000XM5 is a top choice. The WH-1000XM5 was first released in 2016 and is a great option for those who want to listen to their preferred music or podcasts without distractions. This latest version of the series marks its first major overhaul and offers many exciting features. In addition to sleek design and sustainable efforts (including the absence of plastic packaging) the headphones offer excellent noise cancellation, clear audio, and a natural-sounding ambient audio.

When enabled, the WH-1000XM5's noise cancelling is simply unmatched. Attaching a pair of headphones to your head creates a cone of silence that can block out engine noises in trains and subways and the whirring of HVAC systems, and even neighbouring conversations. They're also among the best ANC headphones to block out low-frequency drones and bass hums.

Ambient Sound Control is another excellent feature. It alters the acoustic balance in the headphones based on the environment. For instance, if at home listening to your favorite album the WH-1000XM5 can switch to an immersive listening experience. On the other side when you're walking along an area with lots of traffic, they'll switch to an enhanced sound profile to provide you with greater awareness of the surroundings.

The earcups on the WH1000XM5 feature a touch-sensitive gesture control on the right side. It can be used to change tracks and play music. You can also pause or pause the music. You can also utilize a voice assistant in order to find content, alter volume and make calls hands-free. The headphones boast an impressive frequency response consistency and offer an impressive, full stereo image. They also have an incredibly accurate group delay, which ensures a consistent soundstage.

The WH-1000XM5s can be connected to two devices simultaneously. This is especially useful if you are looking to listen to music on your laptop and make phone calls using your phone. They come with a built-in mic and USB-C charging port. The headphones include a cable that permits direct analog playback. The battery life is around 30 hours. It can last for a week or even a long trip.

best noise cancelling headphones  is the most recent update to the premium headphones manufacturer's flagship model. It was released in September 2021, and it undercuts the new Sony WH1000XM4 by approximately PS320 or $329 or AU$439 compared to its 700-sibling. In terms of functionality it comes with top-of-the-line active noise cancellation and features such as voice assistant support as well as automatic pausing when you remove the headphones. The design is also more comfortable than earlier models. However, there are a few things to know. Some people may have difficulty adjusting to the touch-sensitive buttons on backs of the ear cups which require pressure in order to activate. And while you can adjust ANC and toggle an "aware" mode that lets in ambient sound but you can't completely shut off the sound.

The headsets offer outstanding performance and are a solid purchase for anyone seeking an expensive pair of headphones to wear on a train, plane or when working from home. They feature an extended battery life, excellent noise cancellation and clear audio. They also have multipoint Bluetooth which means that they can be paired with two devices simultaneously and jump between them with just a touch. They also have their own app, which isn't quite as customizable as some competitors but provides plenty of useful features.

The QC45s have an active noise cancelling mode that is very effective. It can be too loud at times. The passive EQ modes are, however, more balanced and allow you to have greater control over the sound of your music. If you're listening to songs that have a lot of cymbal shimmer you may find your headphones slightly grating, but this is easily fixed by reducing the frequency range of 3-20kHz within the EQ settings of your music player.

While some may be disappointed at the absence of some features, like adjustable ANC/transparency and an EQ, and a small drop in call quality, overall the QC45s are a great option for those looking for top-quality ANC at a low cost. They are comfortable to wear and feature the USB-C charging port.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones that place an emphasis on audio quality. They have a dynamic 50mm driver, and are packed with high-resolution codes to deliver the best possible Bluetooth music playback. The headphones have a balanced sound with rich detail throughout the frequency range and they have a natural sense space and positioning to them which allows you to feel the vibrancy of each note and the movement of music around you.

They're a bit heavier than the competition at 334g, but they feel comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is placed on the top of your head without applying too much pressure. The earcups are padded to make them extremely comfortable. They're also pretty portable - they fold flat and can be put away in their carrying case that comes with them that's a nice touch.

There's a basic set of controls located around the right earcup including volume, playback and power/pairing. A slider near the top lets you switch between noise-cancelling, neutral mode, and what Shure calls "Environment Mode". The Environment Mode lets more outside sounds to pass through. This can be beneficial when you want to be aware of your surroundings. The controls are well-designed but there's a small delay between pressing them and the actions they take (i.e. If you press the play button while on a call, you may end up blasting music into your ears instead of picking up mom. The phones don't have microphones, but they have an audio response from Google Assistant. Their mics are also great for filtering out background noise when calling.

They are powered by a single battery that lasts for up to 20 hours, which should suffice for most. The USB cable is included to charge your phone. It's not as user-friendly as Bluetooth, but you still have the ability to listen to your music while you recharge. They're also compatible with most audio devices with a 2.5mm port, which means you can use them while you travel.

Monoprice BT-600ANC

The Monoprice BT-600ANC Bluetooth over ear noise cancelling headphones have all the features you require in a pair of wireless headphones at just a fraction of the cost. They come with high-quality Qualcomm aptX HD Audio, a cutting-edge type of Active Noise Cancelling, and an easy-to-fold design that makes them easy to put in the backpack or carry bag. These headphones are great for students and commuters, because they feature an extremely long-lasting battery that lets you to listen for the entire day. They also come with handy control buttons that let you swipe or tap to alter the volume, skip tracks, and answer calls.

The BT-600ANC headphones have an elegant design that is reminiscent of the Monoprice M1000ANC headphones we have reviewed last year. They're a matte gray color and barely branded and don't stand out much in the crowd, but they offer a soft, comfortable fit that will appeal to the majority of ears. The compact size of these headphones as well as the carrying case included make them ideal for travel.

The ear cups are covered with leatherette, which provides excellent isolation through passive. The headband is also soft and provides plenty of adjustability without feeling too slouchy or bulky. The headbands are wide enough to accommodate glasses wearers. They are comfortable for the majority of people.

Monoprice's ANC is effective and doesn't sound tinny like other brands. It has 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 steep drop-off in the higher frequencies above 10kHz so the shaker and cymbal sound won't be as crisp and clear as they are on other headsets.

There are three ANC modes to cycle through: low, medium and high. The low setting is perfect for blocking out the majority of ambient noise, however it won't block out traffic or conversations that are loud. The medium setting is suitable for most environments, and the high setting keeps you from all noise, except for your music. The earcups have sensitive controls that require some getting used to. Swiping up or down on the pad regulates the volume, and tapping or swiping left or right changes the track. Double-taps can be used to pause the music or answer a phone call. It takes a while to become familiar with this system but once you are, you will find it to be extremely useful.