By Brian Jones

Sennheiser has a lot of professional grade headphones on the market. If you are in the market for headphones but don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars on a pair, these might be for you. They are almost a steal. Don’t let the price of these headphones change your opinion on the quality of the product because they sound great. The HD 202 II is not completely noise cancelling, but since the ear cups are closed a large amount of ambient noise is reduced. On the plus side, you don’t need a battery for an active cancellation feature. The best feature here is portability. They are lightweight, so they are not uncomfortable during use and when stored in a bag they won’t weight you down. There is probably not another pair of headphones under $30 that can compete with these.

Quick Specs

• Not completely noise cancelling
• 18Hz-18KHz range
• Very lightweight
• Inexpensive

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Brian Jones

Sony’s lower end of the noice cancelling headphone offerings has its fair share of pros and cons. On the positive side, the MDRNC7′s are pretty inexpensive, they can get very loud, initially comfortable ear pads and headband, they are very light at 4.7 ounces, and can be folded up for easy storage and travel. Some of the cons are the included soft carrying case versus a hard case, a frequency range that doesn’t really compete with other headphones in the same price range at 30Hz -20,000Hz, the quality of the build seems to be a little weak and flimsy, and extended use can result in some discomfort for the ears. All in all this pair of headsphones from Sony does a good job of balancing the good and the bad. The $32.99 to $49.99 price tag really makes these worth it.

Quick Specs

• 1 AAA battery required
• Up to 50 hour battery life
• 87.4% noise reduction
• Cloth carrying case included
• 30Hz -20,000Hz frequency range

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Brian Jones

Audio-Technica has a great line of noise cancelling headphones, which means there are plenty of options for you. This pair has 2 40mm drivers with neodymium magnet systems that accurately reproduce every low, mid, and high for your listening pleasure. The headphones are slightly heavier and bigger than some others on the list at 7.1 ounces, but not enough to make or break them. These headphones are going to set you back $129.99, which isn’t bad at all for the quality that is offered.

Quick Specs

• 1 AAA battery required
• 40 hour battery life
• Up to 85% noise reduction
• 10 – 25,000 Hz frequency response
• 109 dB, 260 ohms

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

This is a great middle of the road pair of noise cancelling headphones. On top of the powered noise cancellation technology, JVC has added a double housing in each ear piece for extra insulation and they connected the ear pads in such a way that noise can’t sneak in. So even with noise cancellation off they do a good job keeping sound out. HANC250′s also deliver on sound quality. JVC made sure of that by putting 40mm drivers in each ear piece to push sound to the next level and achieve an 8-24,000Hz frequency range. You should be able to find these headphones at a reasonable price (usually ranging from $100 to $199.95) as long as you shop around.

Quick Specs

• 1AAA battery required
• 50 hour battery life
• 85% noise reduction
• 5.3 ounces
• Carrying case included

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Brian Jones

This pair of headphones from Audio-Technica has a perfect combination of features and price. If you are serious about noise cancelling headphones, these will do the trick without dropping $300+ dollars, and you get features like the Tri-Level Cancellation. You also get comfort, which is very important is you plan on using them for extended periods of time. Sound leaks can be problematic when it comes to the sounds of your music getting out in quiet spaces. 40Mm drivers are used to ensure you get high quality sound in all the ranges. The Audio Technica ATH-ANC9 Quiet Point headphones sell for $274.99.

Quick Specs

• 1 AAA battery required
• Up to 35 hour battery life
• Up to 95% noise reduction
• 3 modes of operation
• 100 dB, 100 ohms

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Brian Jones

Sony has incorporated digital noice reduction into their NC500 headphones. What is digital noise reduction? It is a feature that automatically selects outside noises and gets rid of them while you enjoy your music and never notice. Pretty cool. There is also a monitor switch that is used for hearing without taking off the headphones, which can be a useful feature. The headphones are fairly light at 6.9 ounces and are very comfortable for long periods of use. Sound quality is good but there are other options on the list at sometimes half the price that out perform these. If you want some cool features in your headphones and price is not an option, this would be your best bet. The NC500′s usually go for $399.99.

Quick Specs

• Lithum-ion/AA battery operated
• 28 hours of combined battery life
• Up to 99% ambient noise reduction
• 5Hz – 24,000Hz frequency response rate
• 40 ohms, 102 dB

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Brian Jones

This is one of Sennheiser’s top of the line headphones, and its really one of the best performers on the list. Sennheiser really focused on achieving great sound quality with some of the best noise cancellation out there when they put these headphones together. The PXC 450′s are advertised as having user replaceable parts, which means they intend on you having these headphones long enough to wear out parts and love them enough to bring them back to working condition. Basically, they want these to be the last headphones you ever buy, and with a hefty price tag of $349.95 they really should be the last headphones you ever buy.

Quick Specs

• 1 AAA battery
• 20 hour batter life
• Up to 90% noise cancellation
• 8 – 28,000 Hz frequency range

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Brian Jones

Headphones have not always been the focus of Polk Audio, it’s been big speakers for home theater systems and car stereos. And their products are very well received by audiophiles far and wide. This still applies to their initial attempts at creating a fantastic pair of noise cancelling headphones. Audio quality is first and foremost the best thing about the Ultra Focus 8000. You get a 8Hz-28kHz frequency response range, a 100 ohms impedance, 110dB maximum sensitivity, and 40mm dynamic balance drivers. This set does lack in the design department though. At a weight of 8.9 ounces they are heavy and bulky which makes them lack the portability of other headphones. These run for $299.99 but will be well worth the investment for many years to come.

Quick Specs

• 1 AAA battery required
• 50 to 60 hour battery life
• A bit bulky
• On ear controls are a neat feature
• Carrying case included

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Brian Jones

This pair of headphones from V-moda is unique in many ways. The lightweight metal construction and kevlar reinforced audio cables make this one of the most durable pairs on the list. V-moda even calls it “Military Level Quality.” The large 50mm drivers ensure that your listening experience has the full range of lows, mids, and highs for a great listening experience. There is virtually no sound leakage in these headphones, that’s why there is no need for batteries and active noise cancellation. 50% off lifetime repairs is a neat addition to the 1 year warranty. These headphones will set you back anywhere from $122 to $199.99 depending on the color you choose.

Quick Specs

• Powerful passive noise reduction (no battery)
• 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers
• Durable
• 3 button remote
• Carrying case included

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Brian Jones

Bose has a good reputation in the world of audio. The Quiet Comfort 15 headphones are aptly named. They provide a comfortable fit while quieting the noise around you to whispers and hums. They produce a great and wide range of sound, but some say they may be a little too heavy on the bass. A second cord is included that has a mic and a three-button remote that works specifically with Apple products. (A separate purchase is required to make it compatible with device outside of Apple.) Bose made this pair of headphones very small and lightweight. It weighs in at 4.9 ounces and can fold up small to fit in its carrying case for those always on the go. This wonderful sounding pair of headphones can be a little pricey at $299.00, but you can be assured everything about them is top quality.

Quick Specs

• 1 AAA battery required
• 35 hour battery life
• Carrying case included
• Interchangeable cords
• Superior noise cancellation

Prices

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

By Brian Jones

Listening to music on the go is becoming increasingly popular due to the flooding of smartphones that are capable of storing our entire music libraries. Since we are out and about while we are catching some tunes, there is bound to be some distracting environmental noise that takes us away from our music listening experience. Noise cancelling headphones are designed to counter and drown out environmental and ambient noise to create the perfect listing conditions. This way we can fully enjoy our music during travels, on our commute, in the office, or at school. Plus, if you don’t feel like listening to music, these headphones can create your own little space of peace and quiet by just having them on. We looked for the following criteria when compliling our list on noise canceling headphones:

1. Size and comfort for short and extended period of use
2. Sound Quality
3. Noise cancelling ability
4. Power source (and battery life if required)
5. Price vs. functionality
6. Extras like additional cords, adapters, and carrying cases
7. Durability

Noise Cancelling Headphones Buying Guide

Understanding Sound Quality When Buying Noise Cancelling Headphones

People buy noise cancelling headphones for one main reason. These are used for getting rid of sounds from the real world when you want to be fully engaged in your mobile music or videos. Noise cancelling headphones create anti-wave sounds to effectively cancel out sounds on similar wavelengths. This is most effective for the low rumbling sounds of a plane, train, or any other similar sound. Many have modes that will cancel out sounds of the office or library that aren’t as loud as a plane but sometimes get through a good pair of headphones. Many can also be used just to cancel out noise. No music or video needed. They are a good investment if environmental and ambient noise become a real problem in the work space or during travel.

Whether you’re a casual music listener or an audiophile, it’s worthwhile to review the basics of sound quality so you understand the specs on the side of a headphone box.

Sound perception is different for everyone. The only way you are going to know if you like something is to try it. Because everyone has different shaped heads and ears, they’ll perceive music and sound differently, especially since noise cancelling headphones pipe music directly into the ears. Hence, it’s important to try on different headphones not only to see which ones are comfortable to wear, but to get an idea of how rich and full the music sounds.

Consider the following questions:

• Since you are looking at noise cancelling headphones, how quiet do they really get?
• Does the sound come out clear with no distortions or muddiness?
• Is the bass clear, powerful, and controlled?
  • You don’t want a bass so strong that it overpowers the vocals and lighter sounds.
  • Some headphones have shaking technology that lets you feel as well as hear the thumping bass.
• Are the high sounds tinny or smooth?
• Is there a distinguishable hiss with a wireless set?

A comfortable fit is almost as important as sound quality. Many modern headphones are incredibly lightweight, but make sure you’re comfortable wearing a set for times longer than half an hour. Padded surfaces are a must. Ths goes for the headband too. With circumaural headphones, you want a good seal over the ears, but make sure it’s not so tight that it puts undue pressure on your ears and head. Some headphones make your ears heat up or feel tingly if you wear them too long.

Being able to adjust your headphones is critical, especially if you’re a professional who wears them a lot. The headband should adjust for different head sizes, and pivoting ear cups making getting a comfortable position easier. Unless they’re wireless, headphones typically come with a cord anywhere from 6 to 10 feet. Some have a Y split in the cord, with each end connecting to an ear cup. Headphones with a single-sided cord allow for more freedom of motion.

Understanding Other Sound Terms

Frequency: Headphones capture the complete range of sounds that humans can hear, from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The question is how well they reproduce those frequencies. Any low frequencies below 20 Hz aren’t audible, but you can sometimes feel them.

Sensitivity: Headphones measure their loudness efficiency in terms of decibels per milliwatt of power. You want a high sensitivity number of at least 100 dB if you’re using a portable device. The lower the sensitivity, the harder the headphones have to work to sound as loud as those with high sensitivity.

Impedance: Impedance is measured in ohms and it relates to how much resistance the headphones put on an amplifier. Most headphones for professional and commercial use have impedances under 100 ohms. The higher the impedance, the more power you’ll need.

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

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