With noise-cancelling headphones you can escape your daily routine. Fade out annoying background noise and dive into your own sound world or just enjoy the silence. Frequent travelers or office workers not only use this type of headphone for more listening pleasure, but also for peacefulness and quietness.
Active and passive noise canceling
Noise-cancelling headphones reduce unwanted low-frequency noise thanks to active electronics (ANC). The ambient noise from the outside is detected by microphones and the headphone’s electronics then generate these (noise) waves but with 180 degrees out of phase. These anti-sound waves and the noise then get mostly extinguished. Good models achieve his acoustic trick without distorting the sound of the original material. The correct ear-cup design (over-ear or on-ear) ensures that unwanted noise in the mid-range and high-range gets absorbed (so called passive noise cancelling). There are also headphone models that only rely on passive noise cancelling, but these are not nearly as powerful as the active models.
Advantages and disadvantages of noise cancelling headphones
Biggest advantage: Mainly audiobooks and film scores, which usually have a much larger dynamic range than music, can be played much quieter, because the ambient noise does not have to be drowned out.
Disadvantage: The active electronics of the noise cancelling headphones require batteries or rechargeable batteries. But with play times of usually 25 to 30 hours per battery it’s enough for a long-haul flight.
Many models can also be used as normal headphones when the noise cancelling electronics are turned off or the battery is empty. With good models, there will be no sound difference to the operation with active noise canceling.
The 1more ColorBuds 2 are suitable for anyone who values style and is looking for affordable True Wireless in-ears with a balanced sound plus good ANC function (noise cancelling). In addition, the sound can be adjusted to suit your own taste via the app, thanks to SoundID. In contrast to its predecessor ColorBuds 1, version 2 has been thoroughly optimised in terms of function and features.
The EarFun Free Pro 2 are the successors to the EarFun Free Pro and offer good sound, a good fit, active noise cancellation (ANC) and a low-latency mode for a price of 70 euros. That might sound good at first, but all that glitters is not necessarily gold.
The idea of a pair of solar-powered Bluetooth headphones starts to become a reality with the Los Angeles by Urbanista. Thanks to Powerfoyle solar cells, these over-ears can charge themselves - provided there is a light source.
With the Nothing ear(1), one of the founders of the smartphone company OnePlus relies on transparent materials and, in the accompanying app, on chic design accents. The result is a successful all-round package of good sound, good app and good design – at a good price.
The Jabra Elite 7 Active are perfectly fitting and very good-sounding in-ears with extensive functions for sporty, active everyday use. The "Sound+" app enables the Elite 7 Active to be personalised in many ways.
Jabra's Elite 7 Pro are very well equipped in-ears with variable noise cancelling (ANC) and sound personalisation. While the sound of the Jabra Elite 7 Pro is impressive right from the start, there are unfortunate "hiccups" in other areas. Our test reveals where these can be found.
With their QuietComfort 45, Bose are committed to a consistent product: these new over-ears come with active noise cancelling (ANC, noise suppression), long battery life and great sound. Compared to the competition, however, they lack some important features. Will it be enough?
In their second generation, the Libratone Air+ again offer an attractive combination of sound quality, improved functionality and wearing comfort at an attractive price. Their range of use is quite universal and extends from mobile applications to sports and office use.
If you're comfortable with true-wireless headphones that use an over-ear hook, then the Shure Aonic 215 Gen 2 is attractively priced, sports-ready in-ears with convincing sound quality. What's more, they can be converted to wired operation for high-resolution music listening away from compressed Bluetooth signals.
The LG Tone Free DFP8 follow in the footsteps of the LG Tone Free FN7, which we praised for their good price-performance ratio. A lavish further increased functionality, including noise cancelling, high wearing comfort and convincing sound, also result in a recommendation for 2021, especially since the price has been reduced to 179 euros.
