Music listening is something that music lovers enjoy in complete isolation. What fun is listening to your favorite song when there is external noise interference? The noise-cancellation feature in headphones is perhaps the most popular feature for that very reason. Noise-canceling headphones offer the ideal solution to the dilemma music lovers face. Active and passive noise-canceling headphones block out external noise so that you can listen to music even in very noisy surroundings.
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Under 200 in 2021
- Best Overall: Panasonic RB-M700B Noise-Canceling Headphones
- Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 - Wireless Headphones
- Best Budget: Bose SoundLink Headphones
- Sony WHCH710N: Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear
- Jabra Elite 85h Noise-Canceling Headphones
- JBL LIVE 650BTNC - Wireless Headphone
- TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones [2020 Version]
- Cyber Acoustics 3.5mm Stereo Headset
1. Best Overall: Panasonic RB-M700B Noise-Canceling Headphones
Rating 4.2/5
For music lovers looking for excellent sound quality together with the utmost comfort in headphones, this is just the right product.
- Noise-canceling microphone
- Ultra-low bass response
- Deep, clear, and uninterrupted bass
- XBS DEEP bass system
- Comfortable as snug fit over the head and ears
- Bluetooth connectivity
Design
Panasonic RB-M700B Deep Bass Wireless Bluetooth headphones are designed to provide users ultimate comfort for all-day-long use. Its cushioned headband and soft earpads fit gently but snugly over the head and ears. Its instant charge gives a battery life of 1.5 hours after just 15 minutes of charging and on full charging, it can be used for up to 20 hours, uninterrupted. It can easily be paired with your device via a reliable Bluetooth connection.
Performance
Panasonic RB-M700B headphones promise smooth and even bass without any distortion. Its built-in bass reactor allows you to experience music like you are in a concert while being in the comfort of your home. The Ultra-low bass response and XBS DEEP bass system give uninterrupted, well-defined bass. With its noise-cancellation feature, you need not to worry about interference while handling business from home or while commuting.
Specs
| Battery Life: | 20 hours |
| Weight: | 1.6 pounds |
| Dimensions: | 9.1 x 8.4 x 4.2 inches |
| Charge time: | 4 hours for full charging |
| Mic: | In-built |
| Connection: | Bluetooth |
| Color: | Black |
| Batteries: | 1 lithium ion battery required |
2. Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 - Wireless Headphones
Rating 4.2/5
Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 special edition headphones are recognized for their quality sound and excellent performance.
- Noise-canceling feature (ANC)
- 24 hours streaming on Bluetooth connection
- Excellent sound quality
- Strong bass with powerful drivers
- Wireless streaming at a distance of up to a 100 meters
Design
The wireless freedom that these headphones promise is something that music lovers would die for. You can stream high-quality music from a distance of up to 100 meters from your source device. The product comes with a rigid and extremely portable travel case in which you can fit your headphones easily by swiveling their earcups.
Performance
With Plantronics BackkBeat PRO 2 special edition headphones, you can enjoy a playtime of 24 hours with Bluetooth connectivity, after which you can either charge or connect via cable. Its active noise-canceling feature minimizes ambient noise interference when in noisy places and allows you to stream uninterrupted music even in crowded areas. With Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 you are guaranteed immersive, high-resolution sound with rich bass, natural mid-tones, and crisp highs.
Specs
| Battery Life: | 24 ours wireless |
| Weight: | 10.2 ounces |
| Dimensions: | 9 x 9 x 3 inches |
| Batteries: | 1 Lithium Metal battery required |
| Sensitivity: | 93 |
| Connection: | Wireless |
| Color: | Grey |
3. Best Budget: Bose SoundLink Headphones
Rating 4.6/5
Enjoying uninterrupted music with headphones that are super convenient to use is everyone’s dream and these headphones promise just that.
- Active EQ for immersive sound
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Clear HD calls with an advanced microphone
- Seamless switching between devices
- Comfortable fit
- 15 hours playtime
Design
The wireless freedom that these headphones promise is perhaps its most appealing feature because it makes music-listening so convenient. The design is both comfortable and very durable because of its light-in-weight design and impact-resistant material. The earcups are fitted with controls that allow for convenient control of music and switching between calls. The headphones are super-portable with their ability to fold flat and fit perfectly in its sleek protective case.
Performance
The headphones are compatible with all Samsung, Apple, and Android devices. Bose SoundLink Wireless headphones have an unsurpassed sound quality with crisp and strong sound because of its Active EQ. Even in extremely noisy and crowded places, its advanced microphone system allows you to make very clear calls, and the seamless switching between devices makes it very convenient to use. Its playtime of up to 15 hours after 3 hours of charging means that you can enjoy music for long hours without interruption.
Specs
| Battery Life: | 15 hours |
| Weight: | 7.1 ounces |
| Dimensions: | 1.5 x 5.98 x 7.52 inches |
| Charge time: | 3 hours |
| Mic: | In-built |
| Connection: | Bluetooth |
| Batteries: | Lithium ion battery |
| Color: | White |
4. Sony WHCH710N: Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear
Rating 4.4/5
Sony Noise Canceling headphones will give you the ultimate music-listening experience with powerful beats wherever you go.
- Ultra-comfortable
- Compatible with smartphones
- Hands-free calls with Bluetooth
- Noise-canceling with dual noise sensor technology
- Powerful beats and mighty volume
- Quick charging
Design
The headphones are designed in a way that guarantees ultimate comfort with metal sliders. The soft earpads, oval in shape, further increase comfort during long-time use. The earcups can swivel flat so that you can carry them with ease wherever you go. The round design is sleek and elegant, giving appearance in addition to quality. Overall, it's one of the fanciest noise-canceling headphones under 300 bucks.
Performance
The 30mm drivers offer clear and pure sound that is ideal for all frequencies, and the noise-canceling feature further enhances the experience. The most interesting feature is its ability to detect your environment automatically with the dual noise sensor technology and adjust noise-canceling automatically. With a battery life of up to 35 hours, you can keep enjoying music all day long and its comfortable fit ensures that there is no discomfort during longtime use. USB Type-C quick charging will give a playtime of 60 minutes after 10 minutes of charging.
Specs
| Battery Life: | Up to 35 hours battery life |
| Weight: | 14.4 ounces |
| Dimensions: | 7.84 x 2.09 x 9.02 inches |
| Batteries: | 1 lithium ion battery required |
| Mic: | In-built |
| Connection: | Wireless |
| Drivers: | 30mm drivers |
| Color: | Black |
5. Jabra Elite 85h Noise-Canceling Headphones
Rating 4.2/5
If you are looking for headphones for both music-listening and for your business calls, Jabra Elite 85h offers just what you are looking for.
- Sleek and elegant
- Water-resistant
- Long battery life
- Smart active noise cancellation
- Excellent sound quality
- Clear, uninterrupted calls anywhere
Design
Jabra Elite 85h headphones are sleek and elegant. They are manufactured to be completely water-resistant, so whether it is in heavy torrential rain or in the swimming pool, you can have your entertainment uninterrupted. The internal components are all Nano-coated and having Bluetooth connectivity, they offer wireless freedom that can improve your experience tenfold.
Performance
Jabra Elite 85h headphones are engineered to offer the best call and music-listening experience with its wireless connectivity and ease-of-use. Its smart active noise-canceling feature automatically switches on when background noise is detected; making any interference virtually impossible.
Moreover, for calls, the headphone uses 6 out of the 8 microphones to improve the sound quality and block all external interference as well as it's one of the best noise-canceling headphone under $100. Even in extremely noisy locations, you and make crystal clear calls! The 36-hour battery life ensures that you can go all day long listening to your favorite music.
Specs
| Battery Life: | Up to 36 hours |
| Weight: | 10.4 ounces |
| Dimensions: | 8.9 x 7.8 x 3.6 inches |
| Charging Time: | Less than 2 hours |
| Mic: | In-built |
| Connection: | Wireless |
| Batteries: | 1 lithium ion battery required |
| Color: | Titanium black |
6. JBL LIVE 650BTNC - Wireless Headphone
Rating 4.4/5
JBL LIVE 650BTNC promises both quality and durability. With these headphones, you can enhance your music-listening and enjoy your favorite tracks wherever you want.
- Comfortable and snug fit
- Noise-canceling feature
- Bluetooth connectivity allows hands-free calls
- Enhanced bass
- Long playtime
- Voice assistant
Design
The headphones are designed to provide maximum comfort with its lightweight material so that you can enjoy 30 hours of uninterrupted music without facing any discomfort. The headband has a fitting fabric and very soft ear cushions made to fit snugly over the head. The buttons on the earcup allow you to attend calls hands-free, and if the battery runs out, you can just connect the device to the headphones via the cable.
Performance
JBL LIVE headphones are equipped with powerful 40mm drivers that give enhanced bass at all volumes and with all types of songs. When you wish to listen to music in peace, without any interference, the noise-canceling feature allows you to do just that. In addition to 30-hour playtime, a quick charge of 15 minutes gives an additional 2 hours of playtime. The headphones are extremely easy to use because of its Voice Assistant which you can use to text, check on the weather, play songs, and much more.
Specs
| Battery Life: | 30 hours |
| Weight: | 9.1 ounces |
| Dimensions: | 8.07 x 3.15 x 8.78 inches |
| Charging Time: | 2 hours |
| Drivers: | 40mm drivers |
| Connection: | Wireless |
| Color: | Blue |
7. TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones [2020 Version]
Rating 4.4/5
![Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones [2020 Version]](https://mlgys3vf5md6.i.optimole.com/5f8Dk0k.Vzyy~4f4d3/w:auto/h:auto/q:75/https://www.headphonesaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Active-Noise-Cancelling-Headphones-TaoTronics-Bluetooth-Headphones-2020-Version.png)
TaoTronics headphones 2020 version allow you to enjoy music in peace by isolating the music and blocking all external interference. These are just the headphones music-lovers need!
- Light-weight and comfortable
- Active noise-cancellation
- Noise-canceling mic for clear calls
- Deep bass and excellent sound quality
- Ultra-long playtime of 40 hours
Design
These headphones are extremely light in weight and have a customizable comfort feature. The rotatable ear cups and adjustable headband with soft foam earpads all further enhance the level of comfort you are promised.
Performance
The active noise-canceling feature allows you to fully immerse in your music and block out unwanted sounds from the environment. This means that you can now listen to your favorite songs even in the bustling airports or train stations. Being equipped with powerful 40mm drivers, thee headphones produce sounds with deep bass with little audio delay.
Moreover, the most incredible feature is its super low charge time (45 minutes) coupled with the very long playtime (40 hours). The noise-canceling microphone also ensures that the calls you make are interruption-free and crystal-clear.
Overall, it's one of the best noise-canceling headphone under 50 dollars you can et in the market.
Specs
| Battery Life: | 40 hours playtime |
| Weight: | 0.459 ounces |
| Dimensions: | 6.3 x 7.48 x 1.97 inches |
| Charging Time: | 45 minutes |
| Mic: | In-built |
| Connection: | Bluetooth |
| Color: | Black |
8. Cyber Acoustics 3.5mm Stereo Headset
Rating 4.1/5
Another one of the products popular among die-hard fans of music is the Cyber Acoustics 3.5mm stereo headset which is an amalgamation of quality and comfort.
- Noise-canceling feature for uninterrupted music listening and clear calls
- Excellent sound quality
- Easy-to-use
- Plug and play
- Durable design
- 1-year warranty
Design
Cyber Acoustics 3.5mm stereo headset has an adjustable headband with leatherette earcups which make it a comfortable fit for the majority of users. The ambidextrous microphone broom arm makes it possible to keep the microphone on either side of the head.
Performance
Tired of not being able to listen to music in peace in noisy places? Cyber acoustics 3.5mm stereo headset guarantees excellent unidirectional noise-cancellation that minimizes unnecessary noise interference. By picking out sounds from one direction, the microphone blocks out all unwanted noise and allows for clear calls. The simple plug and play feature makes it very convenient to use and the 1-year warranty provides all the assurance necessary.
Specs
| Weight: | 5.6 ounces |
| Dimensions: | 6.5 x 3 x 7.5 inches |
| Mic: | Noise-canceling microphone |
| Connection: | Wired |
Buyers Guide: How to find the best noise-canceling headphones
Types of noise-canceling headphones
There are two different kinds of noise-canceling mechanisms differing in terms of their ability to block external unwanted noise.
1.Passive noise cancellation
Passive noise-cancellation involves no additional mechanism; it relies instead on the materials that make up the headphones to act as a shield against external noise interference. Headphones that offer passive noise-cancellation use padding of some sort to block the noise. This padding can be of different materials offering different degrees of noise-cancellation.
Passive noise-cancellation lowers interference by blocking out high-frequency noise. Headphones with earmuffs completely covering the ear are best at offering passive noise-cancellation. Since this does not involve any machinery, unlike active noise-cancellation discussed below, these headphones are cheaper than active noise-canceling headphones.
2.Active noise cancellation
Active noise-canceling headphones have a mechanism in addition to that for passive noise-cancellation. It filters out low-frequency sounds in addition to the high-frequency interference. These headphones have microphones that generate “anti-noise” to cancel out the incoming low-frequency waves. These waves are different from the incoming waves only in terms of their direction (out of phase by 180 degrees), effectively canceling the incoming sound waves. This process is known as destructive interference.
Active noise-cancellation is very effective against steady low-frequency interference like sound waves from a fan or an engine. This type of noise-cancellation can minimize noise interference by 70% and this is why these headphones are effective in noisy places.
How does active noise-cancellation work?
Active noise-canceling headphones involve a complex mechanism designed to produce the “anti-sound” waves that cancel out the incoming low-frequency sound. This process relies on the use of the following components:
1.Battery
This type of noise-cancellation is referred to as “active” because it needs a power source to power its components. A rechargeable battery is mostly used as the source of power.
2.Microphone
Before the headphones can produce the “anti-noise”, they need to receive and interpret the external noise so that these sound waves can be mimicked. The microphone fulfills that purpose.
3.Noise-canceling circuitry
Both the ear cups have the noise-canceling circuitry. This is involved in determining the amplitude and frequency of the incoming sound waves and producing a “fingertip” sound wave. The produced sound waves are identical to the incoming waves except for being 180 degrees out of phase. This feature enables them to cancel out the external noise.
4.Speaker
The sound wave generated at the circuitry is inputted into the speaker.
How to find the best noise-canceling headphone
When it comes to making the life-altering decision of which headphone to buy from the hundreds of options in the market, it can be difficult to shortlist one product that best meets your requirements. There are too many features to go over and too many dimensions to consider, but with a little assistance, you will know exactly what to look for. Let’s look at several important considerations for making the decision.
1.What type and category of headphones do you prefer?
The primary choice to make is the category of headphones you need to look into. Only after you have decided how to go about the search can you look at other factors. Do you want noise-canceling or normal headphones? Do you prefer passive or active noise-cancellation? Earpads, full-size headphones, or earbuds?
2.Decide your budget
Make up your mind beforehand as to how much you are prepared to pay for your headphones. This will ensure that you do not waste time looking at products you cannot afford. Price ranges vary between different types of headphones with noise-canceling headphones being more expensive than others. Active noise-canceling headphones are more costly than passive noise-cancelation. The cost of a product also depends on the shape, quality, size, and internal drivers of the headphones.
3.Do not forget to test the features
Testing the headphones prior to purchase is the only way you can guarantee that you are not being given anything less than promised. If allowed, try on the headphones and play some music to test the sound quality and the effectiveness of the noise-cancellation feature. To check passive noise-cancellation, simply wear the headphones to see if they fit snugly and lower external noise. For active noise-cancellation, you need to turn them on, without any music, to see if they block external noise effectively. Also, check for comfort before you seal the deal.
4.Test other features
Other features like audio quality are equally important to test.
5.Consider the battery life and warranty
For active noise-canceling headphones, which are battery-operated, battery life and warranty are necessary to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can in-ear headphones be noise-canceling?
Although not always easily available and uncommon, such headphones do exist. However, these are as effective at noise-canceling as over-ear headphones because they lack the degree of padding necessary for effective passive noise-cancellation.
How do active noise-canceling headphones cancel low-frequency noise?
Active noise-canceling headphones use digital signals to receive and produce sound waves. Interfering ambient noise is received, interpreted by an audio processor, and then “anti-noise” sound waves are produced. Since the produced waves are identical to the incoming waves expect being 180-degrees out of phase, they are able to completely cancel out the incoming waves.
Do noise-canceling headphones eliminate all ambient noise?
Different degrees of noise-cancellation are offered by different headphones, but none can guarantee 100% noise-reduction. High-frequency noise-cancellation is much harder than eliminating low-frequency sounds and thus never can a headphone eliminate all high-frequency noise interference. Ideal noise-cancellation is possible only while music is being played on the headphones.
Can I listen to music in peace in busy terminals with my noise-canceling headphones?
Yes, you can. Noise-canceling headphones were primarily designed for the purpose of blocking noise in airports and train stations for commuters. This is why these headphones are ideal for canceling such noise. Some other models are designed specifically for commuting is trains or airplanes with an additional feature that allows you to hear certain necessary sounds (PA announcements, for example) by pausing or lowering the volume.
How is noise-isolation different form noise-cancellation?
Noise-isolation refers to the feature that blocks noise by the use of earcups covering the entire ear and acting as earmuffs. This is the same as passive noise-canceling. On the other hand, noise-cancellation cancels incoming noise by producing “anti-noise” sound waves with an audio processor and an internal microphone. It cancels out incoming waves instead of blocking them, as is the case with noise-isolating headphones.