Top 8 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones: A Specialist’s Review
Wireless noise cancelling headphones come in handy if you are continuously distracted by surrounding noises while listening to music or talking over a call. After all, they are built to give you peace of ear. Whether you are enjoying your favorite tunes while traveling, watching your comfort movie, or attending an online meeting, all you want is clean audio.
However, when you decide to buy perfect noise cancelling headphones, the unlimited options might overwhelm you. Not every wireless noise cancelling headphone is as great as it is advertised. Some are better at canceling noise, but some don’t even fit right. That’s why it can be very frustrating to choose headphones that are worth your money. Therefore, in this article, you will explore the top noise cancelling headphones reviewed, tried, and tested. So, let’s start and make the right choice.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4: Overall Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
Tech Specs:
- Frequency: 4Hz to 40kHz
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth range: 10 metres
- Battery life: 30 hours
- Weight: 253g
Pros:
- Remarkable ANC
- Great sound quality
- Snappy conversation awareness
Cons:
- Call quality needs improvements
- No water resistance
- Singing along stops the music
Quick Review
WH-1000XM4 is a few years old but unbeatably one of the best Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones. They are not only excellent noise cancelling beasts, but the audio quality is also rich. You will find many excellent features, such as multipoint pairing, DSEE upscaling, and conversation awareness, at a very reasonable price.
The build is high-quality, and the padding is comfortable. It is the kind of headphone you can comfortably use while traveling. Overall, XM4 is packed with all the features necessary for a seamless listening experience.
The one thing that bothers me the most in wireless noise cancelling headphones is inconsistent touch controls. However, in the case of XM4, the controls are precise and consistent, and they just sense what you intend to do.
However, there are a few things that bothered me while using it for the first time. The call quality is good, but not as many of you might anticipate. Also, the music stops when you sing along. I mean who doesn’t sign along to Taylor Swift’s Black Space? So, it was personally very irritating. You can call it the efficiency of conversation awareness that backfired, which is why I keep it disabled.
2. Sony WH 1000xm5: Great Sound Profile But Expensive
Tech Specs
- Frequency: 20Hz to 40kHz
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- Bluetooth range: 10 metres
- Battery life: 30 hours
- Weight: 249g
Pros:
- Outstanding ANC
- Beautiful sound quality
- Great app
Cons:
- Expensive
- No water resistance
Quick Review
As far as the design is concerned, these Sony noise cancelling headphones are even more comfortable and lightweight than MX4. Their leather ear pads fit snugly and are more durable. I was able to wear them for 6 straight hours while traveling because they also breathe better and don’t heat your head. The touch controls also work well, as you would expect with a Sony product.
Moving on to the sound profile, I would say Sony has done an amazing job of keeping the sound warm and soft. Although dynamic sounds produce a better bass response, I am still not a huge fan, so XM5 is for listeners like me. The call quality has also improved compared to XM4. However, more dynamic listeners might find the bass less defined. You can always use the equalizer app to tune the headphones to your liking.
XM5 has great noise canceling, so you can easily use it while commuting. Its battery life is also 30 hours, and you will get 3 hours of sound after 3 minutes of charging. However, they are rather costly, so if you are on a budget, it’s better to look for alternative options.
3. Bose QuietComfort 45: Great Bass but not as Quiet
Tech Specs
- Frequency: 2400 kHz
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
- Bluetooth range: 10 metres
- Battery life: 22 hours
- Weight: 0.1 kg
Pros:
- Rich audio quality
- Intuitive controls
Cons:
- Noise cancellation can be improved
- Lackluster call quality
Quick Review
If you like high bass and want the feel of listening to the music live in the studio, Bose 45 is for you. It comes with the equalizer app, so you can adjust the sounds as you like. The sound quality is superior, but the noise cancelling ability is ok.
The headphones successfully blocked the sound of the lawnmower while I was listening to Coldplay in my room. However, they didn’t do a good job blocking the sounds of the crowd while I was working in a cafe. I mean, it’s not like they did not entirely work, it’s just I was aware of the ambient sounds.
The Aware and Quiet moods allow and block the surround sounds. As I mentioned previously, I am not a huge fan of chat awareness because it interrupts the music even when you sing along, so for me Quiet mood it is.
The earcups fit great and do not feel too heavy. I could comfortably wear them for hours. You will also find button controls for all the functions. It actually feels satisfying to use the buttons instead of touch. If you want comfy, good sound everyday headphones at a low price, Bose 45 will be a great choice. However, the price cut does reflect the noise cancellation quality.
4. Bose 700 Headphones: Good ANC but Expensive
Tech Specs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth range: 10 metres
- Battery life: 20 hours
- Weight: 8.8 Ounces
Pros:
- Great ANC
- Immense sound quality
- Comfortable design
Cons:
- Expensive
- lack of folding hinges
- Low battery time
Quick Review
The Bose 700 is one of the best wireless noise cancelling headphones that attract music lovers due to its design and sound quality. The stainless steel headband and the streamlined earcups are pleasing to wear and lightweight. I like that the ear cups fit snugly but don’t feel too tight. Your ears will breathe fine when you wear them for a long time. The touch controls work swiftly and are a great update from the previous model that had playback buttons.
The sound quality of the Bose 700 is good. From start to end, no song ever sounds muddy. Moreover, the noise cancellation also works great. According to Bose, they have applied ANC to both music and phone calls. At first, I was a bit skeptical about the idea but when I used it, Its ANC came through amazingly. I could hear the person from the other crystal clear and without any interruption from the ambient sounds. Also, you can switch the ANC level between 0-10 from the Bose app.
5.JBL Live 660NC: Decent Everyday NC Headphones
Tech Specs
- Frequency Response: 20 KHz
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth range: 10 metres
- Battery life: 55 hours
- Weight: 265 Grams
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reasonable ANC
- Straightforward app
- Great battery life
Cons
- Inconsistent bass response
- Subpar microphone
- Uncomfortable ear cups
Quick Review
JBL headphones are not the best over ear noise cancelling headphones, but they work fine for routine use. The design is simple and might not appeal to people who want their headphones to be a fashion statement. They fit great, but the earcups are too tight. I couldn’t wear them for more than 3 hours. So, if you want to make your headphones your work buddy, JBL 660NC is definitely not for you.
Moving on to the sound quality, I was not very impressed but not very disappointed either. The sound is bass-rich, so you will find extra thump when listening. However, you can adjust the EQ on the app to customize the sound as you like.
When it comes to active noise canceling, you will enjoy listening in your home because they do a decent job of blocking ambient chats. However, they are not effective against plan and bus engines.
The battery life of the JBL noise cancelling headphones is its biggest perk. It has 60 hours of battery life, so you won’t have to charge it more often.
6. Beats Studio Buds: Good but not the Best
Tech Specs
- Design: In-Canal
- Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Battery life: 8 hours
- Sweat and water resistance: Yes
- Weight: 5g (buds), 48g (case)
Pros
- Good Bass
- Decent ANC
- Comfortable to wear
- Great battery life
Cons
- Call quality is ok
- No auto play/pause
Quick Review
Bose earbuds are a good pair for enjoying music. They come in an egg-shaped case and fit right into the ear. These earbuds are water and sweat-resistant, so you can use them in the gym.
The sound quality is nice. You will enjoy listening to almost everything with their good high and low bass response. However, the call quality is just ok. You can hear the other person clearly, but it feels like buds lack something in terms of call sounds, especially, when you are outside in noisy surroundings.
Noise cancellation almost has the same effect. It works great to block the chatter from your colleagues in the office but is not as remarkable to limit traffic or plan engine noise. The best thing about the Beast earbuds is their compatibility with both Apple and Android. The battery also works great, but Beast Studio Buds have a long way to go to be the best noise cancelling earbuds.
7. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Balanced Audio, Great Battery
Tech Specs
- Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Battery life: 8.5 hours
- Sweat and water resistance: Yes
- Weight: 0.3 ounces
Pros
- Good Audio
- Excellent Battery
- Affordable
Cons
- ANC is just fine
- Bulky earpiece
Quick Review
Bose’s earbuds are not as magical as the flagship promises, at least not in the case of QuietComfort. The earpieces do not include wings as a part of the design, making them loose a little while running.
However, you will get three pairs of wings separately. You can use the right pair to make the earbud fit better. Also, touch controls work sleek and promptly follow commands. Also, battery life is amazing with 8.5 hours to play your favorite songs.
When it comes to sound quality, the music comes out immense. I was listening to Adele’s Rolling in the Deep to test the audio, and the bass response was solid. You can change the sound settings from the Bose app, but the EQ presets are pretty basic. Similarly, the Bose earbud’s noise canceling needs some improvement. I was using this earbud for 4 hours straight while traveling and I could hear the hum of people talking. It wasn’t so bad but not as sufficient as you expect.
8. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Amazing Sound and ANC
Tech Specs
- Design: In-Canal
- Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Battery life: 6 hours
- Sweat and water resistance: Yes
- Weight: 6.2g (buds)
Pros:
- Outstanding sound
- Fantastic ANC for an earbud
- Comfortable to use
Cons:
- Battery timing is not that great
- Call quality needs improvement
Quick Review
QC earbuds 2 is definitely an improved version of the flagship. Their design is one of my favorite things about the earbuds. They fit perfectly and without the fear of falling out because of the ear stem. However, the battery timing is nothing compared to other similarly priced earbuds. You will just get 6 hours of juice. Well, it’s not the end of the world because the goodness of Bose earbuds 2 comes with its sound quality and ANC.
Bose has included a CustomTune feature in this model that adjusts the sound frequency and ANC based on an audio signal. The frequency response is great and well-balanced throughout the range. While listening to Harry Styles’s As It Was, the bass worked nicely, and the instruments did not feel like taking over the bass.
Similarly, the in-ear active noise canceling is remarkable. It is better than most earbuds I have tested so far, all thanks to the four mics in each earbud that detect and block unwanted sounds. However, the call quality is just fine. The earbud didn’t perform that well in a windy and trafficky environment. I felt like XM4 and even QC Earbud did a little better job in call quality.
Final Verdict
Wireless noise cancelling headphones are a great way to enjoy music and talk to your loved ones. They are designed to provide a seamless audio experience in isolation. However, you can not purchase a perfect earpiece with the ability to completely block the outside world. Therefore, regardless of the price you pay, there will always be some cons. The last thing you can do is research, see which wireless headphone fits your needs the best, and go for it.
FAQs
1. Do noise cancelling headphones really work?
Yes, noise cancelling headphones work, but the ultimate listening experience depends on the quality of the headphones. More high-end devices have superior ANC than entry-level devices.
2. Which noise cancellation headphones are best?
There is not a single answer to that question ANC is never perfect. Even if you buy expensive Sony headphones, you will end up with a little bit of sound from the surroundings.
