15 Gifts For The Noise Cancelling Headphones Lover In Your Life

Best Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise cancelling headphones are a great method to keep your focus, whether you're in a noisy train or in a workplace filled with chatty colleagues. We looked at comfort, sound quality, as well as the ability to block high-frequency continuous sounds like restaurant chatter, or incidental noises of short duration such as the ringing of a phone or clacking keys.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's WH1000XM5 headphones are a top choice for high-end ANC. First released in 2016 the WH-1000XM5 is one of the top choices for those who wants to enjoy their favourite music or podcasts without distractions. The latest edition of the series marks the first major overhaul since its initial release and includes a number of new and exciting features. The headphones are also eco friendly, and do not come with plastic packaging. They provide excellent noise cancellation and crisp audio.

If enabled, the WH-1000XM5's noise cancellation is unbeatable. The act of putting on a pair headphones creates a cone of silence, which blocks out the sounds of trains and subway engines as well as other 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 adjusts the acoustic balance of the headphones in accordance with the surroundings. For example, if you're at home listening to your favorite album the WH-1000XM5 can switch to a more immersive listening experience. If you're walking on a busy street they will change to a more focused profile to make you more aware of the surrounding.

The earcups of the WH1000XM5 have a touchscreen controls that are sensitive to gestures on the right side. It can be used to change tracks, pause and play music. You can also make use of the voice assistant to adjust volume, search for content and make calls using hands-free technology. The headphones boast impressive frequency response consistency and offer an immersive, full stereo image. They also have an accurate group delay, which helps them maintain a consistent soundstage.

Another great feature is the ability to connect the WH-1000XM5s to two devices at once. This is especially useful for laptop users to listen to music while making phone calls on your smartphone. They come with a built-in microphone and USB-C ports for charging. They also come with a USB-C cable for direct analog playback. Battery life is around 30 hours, which is enough to get you through one week of commute or an extended flight.

bose noise cancelling headphones 700 over ear QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the latest update to the premium headphones maker's flagship model. It was launched in September 2021, and noise cancelling headphones it is less expensive than the new Sony WH-1000XM4 as well as its sibling 700 by around PS320, $329 or 439 AUD. In terms of performance it has top-of-the-line active noise cancellation and features such as voice assistant support and automatic pausing when you remove the headphones. The design is also much more comfortable than previous versions. There are a few things to keep in mind, however. Some users may find it difficult to adjust to the touch-sensitive buttons on the backs of the ear cups which require pressure in order to activate. While you can adjust ANC and toggle an "aware" mode that lets in ambient sound however, you are not able to completely shut off the sound.

The headsets are still an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a pair of premium headphones to wear on a plane or train or at home when working. They have a long-lasting battery, excellent noise cancellation, and clear sound. They also have multipoint Bluetooth which allows them to be paired up with two devices simultaneously and switch between them with the press of the button. They also have an app that isn't quite as customizable as the other apps, but still offers a lot of useful features.

The QC45s feature a highly efficient active noise cancellation feature. In my tests it could be a bit too loud at times. However, the passive EQ modes are better balanced and give you more control over your music's distinctive. If you're listening to songs that have lots of cymbal shimmer it is possible that you will find the headphones slightly grating, but this can be easily corrected by dropping 3-20kHz in your music player's EQ.

The QC45s offer top-notch ANC at a fair price. Some might be disappointed with the absence of certain features such as adjustable ANC/transparency, EQ, and a slight drop in quality of calls. They are also comfortable to wear for hours and come with fast-charging via USB-C ports.

Shure Aonic 50

Shure's Aonic 50 are a premium pair of headphones that place the focus on audio quality. They feature a 50mm dynamic driver, and are packed with high-resolution codes that provide the best possible Bluetooth music playback. The headphones have a balanced sound that is full of detail throughout the frequency spectrum and have a natural sense spatiality and position which allows you to feel the reverberation of each note and the reverberation of music around you.

The headphones are a bit heavier than their competitors at 334g, but they're comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The headband is placed on the top of your head without putting too much pressure on it and the earcups are properly padded to make them comfortable. They're also pretty lightweight - they fold flat and can be stored in their carry case that's a nice touch.

On the right earcup are the standard controls, including playback, volume, and power/pairing. You can switch between neutral mode and what Shure calls "Environment Mode" with a slider close to the top. The Environment Mode allows more outside sound to leak through. This could be useful if you need to stay aware of your surroundings. The controls are excellent however there is some delay between pressing the buttons and what happens (i.e. If you press play when you're on a phone call, you may end up blasting music into your ears, instead of calling mom. They don't come with built-in microphones to provide voice command support however they do come with an audio response from Google Assistant and their mics are great at filtering out background noise in phone conversations.

The battery is expected to last for up to 20 hours for most people. The USB cable is included to charge your phone. It's not as convenient as Bluetooth but you have the ability to listen to your music as you recharge. They also work with audio devices with 2.5mm ports, which means you can travel with them.

Monoprice BT-600ANC

The Monoprice B-600ANC Bluetooth over-ear noise cancelling headphones come with all the features you want in a pair of wireless headphones at a fraction of the price. They come with high-quality Qualcomm aptX HD Audio, a cutting-edge type of Active Noise Cancelling, and the ability to fold down for portable use that allows them to be easily stored in bags for backpacks or in a carry bag. The headphones are a great choice for students or commuters and have a long-lasting battery that allows you to listen all day. They also have convenient control buttons that let you swipe or tap to change the volume, skip tracks, and answer calls.

The BT-600ANC headphones have a minimalistic design that recalls the Monoprice M1000ANC headphone we looked at last year. The headsets are a matte gray and are not branded at all, so they do not really stand out in public. However, they have an incredibly soft and comfortable fit that is ideal for most ears. Their compact size and carrying case make them ideal for travel.

These headphones are lightweight and have excellent passive isolation with the earcups wrapped in leatherette. The headband has lots of adjustability, and it is soft without feeling too bulky or slouchy. The headband is large enough to accommodate glasses wearers, which means they'll work for a majority of people.

Monoprice's ANC is effective and doesn't sound tinny like some other brands. They offer a slight boost of 100-200Hz, which provides a more full sound for bass notes. This can be heard in the opening of Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo with a clear and clear response. They have a steep drop in the higher frequencies above ten kHz. which means that shakers and cymbals will not sound as clear and crisp.

There are three ANC modes to switch through high, medium and low. high. The low setting is great for reducing ambient noise, but will not block out traffic or noise cancelling headphones loud conversations. The medium setting works in a variety of situations. The high setting will keep you safe from everything except your music. The earcups have touch-sensitive controls which take some time to become familiar with. Swiping upwards and downwards on the pad controls volume, while tapping the pad or swiping it left right alters the tracks. You can also double-tap to stop or answer a phone. It takes some time to master, but once you are able to master the art of it, you will be able to use it.