Buy headphones with active noise cancellation. Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
In our testing of the latest and most expensive noise-canceling headphones, we examined four of the best Bluetooth models available today in terms of noise cancellation, sound quality, battery life, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Bluetooth headphones with noise canceling function: Testing the noise canceling function
Bose caused a stir in 2016 with its first wireless headphones with active noise cancellation: the Quiet Comfort 35 model guarantees not only great sound, but also high-quality noise cancellation. Now the successor to the Quiet Comfort 35 II has entered the market, which in our test will compete for first place with new Sony WH-1000XM2, Beats Studio 3 Wireless, and Sennheiser PXC 550. Headphones on this moment cost 20-25 thousand rubles.
The models tested have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): they are equipped with microphones that absorb ambient noise and create anti-phase sound waves that best attenuate external sounds for the listener. Their advantage over regular headphones: you don't have to turn on music to block out external noise. Accordingly, such headphones promise real silence in the workplace or on the go. Of course, construction headphones also do a good job of this task and are cheaper, but NC headphones allow you to enjoy music with very low levels of external noise, since the noise reduction adapts the music signal accordingly. And since we are talking about quite expensive models, users can, of course, count on the highest sound quality.
From left to right: Beats Studio 3 Wireless, Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, Sennheiser PXC 550
Noise reduction: this is how it works for all tested models.
To test active noise cancellation in conditions similar to a natural urban environment, we played typical external sounds, such as a moving train, a supermarket, and a playground, through the speakers in the test lab to test how the noise canceling of the headphones works without music.
Our test showed that the Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones cope best with this task, followed by the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. The Beats Studio 3 Wireless came in last place for this indicator, with the Sennheiser PXC 550 in the middle of the list. But not a single model could achieve complete silence. Bass and deeper mids are barely noticeable, but voices (albeit much quieter) still come through the headphones. It follows that over-ear headphones are particularly well suited for use in cars and airplanes, as they cope well with monotonous low-frequency noise. Some people, however, react negatively to such unnatural silence, some perceive it as pressure on the ears, others think they hear a slight noise. Wind, which creates noticeable noise when blowing into the microphones, has a bad effect on sound transmission in such headphones. The tested models did not perform the best in cases where a person wore a hood over them, or was in a noisy bus. In these situations, the sound constantly changes and begins to twitch, which does not happen in regular headphones. Fortunately, in such situations, noise cancellation can be turned off on all four models.
Noise-Cancelling headphones suppress street noise not perfectly, but quite well (Headphones in the photo: Sony WH-1000XM2) Noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones reduce battery life
If you turn off noise cancellation, battery life is extended, but the headphones start to sound worse. This is especially noticeable with the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II: the bass and mids become unclear and washed out. Unfortunately, the batteries of all four models are built-in, and you won’t be able to replace them yourself. We asked the manufacturers how much it costs to replace the battery, but we were only able to get a satisfactory answer from Beats. According to the information on their home page, the cost of replacing the battery will be slightly less than 6,000 rubles. Bose says the battery is not replaceable, and Sennheiser and Sony are willing to provide cost estimates on a case-by-case basis. It is very unpleasant that headphones costing 20,000 rubles because of this threaten to become somewhat of a disposable product.
| Name | Sony WH-1000XM2 | Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II | Sennheiser PXC550 | Beats Studio 3 Wireless |
| Sound | Rich, pronounced bass, generally warm, lacks a bit of definition | Clear and crisp but cold at times, good bass | More subdued bass, natural midrange response, highs dominate | Not very wide range and not very high detail, but warm and pleasant |
| Time battery life battery with ANC enabled | 33:50 h | 18:01 h | 19:49 h | 23:45 h |
| Battery life with ANC disabled | 45:11 h | 20:37 h | 23:09 h | 42:47 h |
| Battery charge time | 169 minutes | 96 minutes | 165 minutes | 76 minutes |
| Bluetooth connection stability | Very good | Satisfactorily | Very good | Great |
| Wearing comfort | Great | Great | Fine | Very good |
| Noise reduction | Great | Great | Fine | Satisfactorily |
| Voice signal quality when talking on the phone | Fine | Fine | Very good | Fine |
| Cable connection without Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Work through cable connection with a low battery | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| You can change the battery yourself | No | No | No | No |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Travel case | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Control | Touch | Mechanical buttons | Touch | Mechanical buttons |
| Connection via NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audio codecs | SBC, aptX, aptX HD, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC | SBC, aptX | SBC, AAC |
| Construction type | Full size | Full size | Full size | Full size |
| Weight | 275 grams | 310 grams | 227 grams | 260 grams |
| Price | 24,000 rub. | 21,000 rub. | RUB 20,200 | RUB 19,900 |
Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM2 headphones, the successor to the very similar Sony MDR-1000X model, performed best: in addition to good sound, they are distinguished by first-class noise cancellation, a stable Bluetooth connection and excellent battery life, and they also sit very comfortably. With noise cancellation turned on and music constantly playing, they lasted almost 34 hours - the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II lasted only 18 hours in similar conditions.
We liked the sound overall, but it does have a bit of a bass bias, so we found it a little lacking in clarity and definition. The headphones are not very suitable for listening to high-quality sound, but when working in the office or on the go, they will definitely please you with good meaty sound. Those who are not satisfied with “bass” headphones should pay attention to the Sennheiser PXC 550. The bass forms an excellent basis for the sound, which adds zest to electro, pop, and hip-hop tracks, as well as movie soundtracks (for example, Running Man by blade 2049), but still the sound in the headphones is a little blurry, and tends to go into the mid-range. In the high-frequency range, the 1000XM2 headphones could use a little more clarity. For example, guitars, cymbals and tambourines are heard more openly and clearly in the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, while the Sony's are a bit muted by comparison.
The Sony WH-1000XM2 has a mechanical button to change the strength of the noise reduction. IN otherwise you can control them using taps and swipes on the right earbud. The Sony WH-1000XM2 fits very well, with soft, pleasant-to-touch ear pads that fit your head well. The hidden touch controls on the right earbud take some getting used to: swiping back or forward lets you change tracks, and up and down to increase or decrease the volume. It seems that everything is simple, but in practice it’s a different matter; more than once, trying to simply change the volume, we switched to another track. In general, after a short period of getting used to, the controls no longer seem so difficult. The Bluetooth connection is quite stable and does not drop when the user moves to another room.
The WH-1000XM2 sits very comfortably on the head. However, from time to time the plastic creaks a little. Testing the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II
Compared to the Sony WH1000XM2, the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II has two significant disadvantages. Problem #1: Bose headphones were the most unstable in our test bluetooth connection. Already at a distance of three meters, the music began to go astray during testing if between mobile phone and the earphone was on the wall. Even with a line-of-sight connection, we were able to cause short disconnects simply by placing our hands on the headphones. When listening to music in these headphones, you will no longer be able to move freely around the apartment (of course, a lot depends on the thickness of the walls). Even with the Galaxy S7 and headphones close together, sudden interruptions occurred while on the go.
Problem #2: Battery life with active noise cancellation enabled. And here the Quiet Comfort 35 II showed the worst result, lasting only 18 hours in our test.
But the noise cancellation itself works just fine and fights external noise very effectively. Voices can be heard through the headphones, but very quietly, without disturbing at all. But in our test, Sony headphones performed better in this regard. Both of them can be considered almost a standard option in terms of this indicator. The disadvantage of Bose is that people standing nearby can hear quite well what music is playing in the headphones, starting at medium volume.
The sound of the headphones is very pleasing: compared to the model from Sony, the sound of the Quiet Comfort 35 II is clearer and crisper, but at the same time colder and harsher. We really enjoyed listening to jazz and classical music with them, but not so much metal, we didn’t have enough volume of sound, which prompted us to lower the volume. The dynamic range of sound is excellent and low frequencies well defined, without blur.
The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II does not fit very tightly to the head, but it sits very comfortably. Quiet Comfort 35 II sits very comfortably on the head, not quite tightly, but this does not interfere. However, when you turn your head quickly, they slide off. The fact that Bose still relies on mechanical buttons may seem a little outdated, but we liked it. True, some people are already unaccustomed to the fact that to switch a track you have to press the button two or three times, but you definitely can’t go wrong when pressing pause or changing the volume. By the way, Quiet Comfort 35 II allows you to work directly with Google Assistant, which makes it possible to control your phone using voice commands. This is a nice bonus, but it is unlikely to be a reason for many to buy these headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM2 will have this feature with an update.
What's quite annoying is that the Bose app shares user data and information about your music preferences by default. Those who do not want this should disable this feature.
We found it quite convenient to work with the control buttons on the earphone. The large button on the left controls Google Assistant or adjusts the intensity of noise cancellation. Sennheiser PXC 550
The Sennheiser PXC 550 is an excellent purchase for fans of clear and rich sound, but compared to other models we tested, these headphones are too dominant in the heights for us, and the sound sounds somewhat dry. Bass sounds okay, but models from Bose and Sony deliver it better. Depending on the track, we were either impressed by the Sennheiser basses, because they sounded less intrusive, or not so much, since they sometimes lacked materiality and conviction. The headphones convey mid-tones and voice quite pleasantly and naturally. But when listening to quieter passages, we noticed a slight background noise that was missing from other headphones. The noise reduction system of the Sennheiser PXC 550 works, in general, quite well, but still worse than that of the Sony WH-1000XM2 and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. In the office, voices are heard through these headphones more clearly than with other models. Overall, we rate the noise cancellation system's performance as Good. When testing the battery, the headphones lasted 20 hours on a single charge, a good result. When measuring the charging time, the headphones showed themselves differently: when using only power supplies, they charged very slowly, a full charge took more than 20 hours, we replaced the power supply, everything was the same. When we managed to select a more suitable device for power supply, the entire process of 100% charging took only 165 minutes, this is a completely acceptable result.
The Sennheiser PXC 550 look very serious, but they are not very comfortable to wear due to their somewhat awkwardness and rather narrow ear pads. In the Wearing Comfort category, we would give preference to other models, although the PXC 550 fits the head quite well. But there is relatively little foam material on the ear pads, and therefore the headphones do not fit perfectly, for our taste. The Sennheiser PXC 550 as well as the Sony WH-1000XM2 are controlled using hidden touch buttons. The problem is that to activate Play/Pause here you only need to press once on the back of the right earbud (twice on Sony), which leads to frequent errors when using touch controls. In addition, two editors accidentally typed the last one typed telephone numbers, because they accidentally activated the corresponding function (swipe and hold) when putting on headphones. Our conclusion is that the controls of these headphones still take some getting used to. Plus, this Sennheiser model has a proximity sensor so the headphones automatically pause music when you take them off and start playing when you put them on.
Unfortunately, this feature didn't work very well when we put the hood on top, even though the headphones were on the whole time, they would occasionally stop playing a track when the wearer turned their head.
Plus: Like other headphones, the Sennheiser PXC 550 can be folded for travel. Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones
The sound of the Beats Studio 3 Wireless is decent, but compared to the other three models it sounds rather unremarkable, a little flat and not particularly wide-ranging. Unlike the QC35 II from BOSE, music of any genre sounds equally good with these headphones, they warm sound conveys music in a slightly less detailed and more subdued manner, but it never irritated us with any track of any genre, even at high volume levels. The Studio 3 Wireless may sound a little closed, but they can be called excellent universal headphones for travel and work.
The Beats Studio 3 Wireless has the worst noise cancellation performance of any model we tested, but it still gets a "Fair" rating from us for this feature. In our testing, the difference was especially noticeable compared to models from Sony and Bose, which handle external noise much better. But when listening to music at the lowest volume, the difference ceases to be so noticeable. Like the other models tested, these headphones should not be worn in windy conditions, because the microphones transmit the wind as a rather pronounced rustling sound.
The Beats Studio 3 Wireless sounded warm, with a slight tendency to emphasize bass, but I wanted more range and clarity in the sound. We really liked the way the Beats Studio 3 Wireless headphones fit, they are very comfortable and comfortable on the head. But the ear pads themselves could be a little larger, the inner fabric padding touches the ears, and after a while they get hot. People with long hair should also be careful when wearing these headphones; the narrow connection between the headband and ear pads in testing showed that it can tear out hair quite well. Beats is controlled using mechanical buttons on the outside of the left earpiece. We quickly got used to their control and didn’t make any mistakes.
The Beats ANC headset relies on button controls instead of touch controls. Management works well. In testing, Studio 3 Wireless showed the best stability of the Bluetooth connection, and took second place in terms of battery life: they worked for almost 24 hours on one charge. In addition, the developers equipped the Beats headphones with a special Bluetooth chip optimized for connecting to Apple devices: W1.
Headphones with active noise reduction are a good way to tune out the world around you while in transport or on the street. They greatly reduce the amount of sound entering a person's ears. The noise reduction function is designed to eliminate monotonous noise coming from outside. Thanks to active noise reduction, the wearer will not hear background noise, such as traffic.
This opportunity is implemented according to the “wedge by wedge” principle. It's very simple - headphones read the level of surrounding noise and generate similar sound waves, but in antiphase. And they seem to “cling” to those coming from outside, and they cancel each other out. Meanwhile, the music enters the ear as usual - it is not affected by such a battle of waves.
The best noise-canceling performance of these headphones occurs when there is a large amount of low-frequency noise. The technology copes somewhat worse with mid- and high-frequency frequencies. For example, she is unlikely to be able to drown out the crying of a child. Active noise cancellation runs on batteries or rechargeable batteries, and this is important to consider.
To make headphones as comfortable and effective as possible, you need to choose them correctly. What criteria should we rely on?
- Type (full-size, monitor, etc.). Which headphones the user prefers depends only on his own tastes.
- Connection method (wire or Bluetooth). Affects ease of use and similarly depends on tastes.
- Battery life (for wireless models).
- Frequency range. Shows what frequency the headphones are capable of reproducing sound. The wider this range (ideally, from 1 to 20,000 Hz), the more full spectrum of sound waves the speaker can reproduce.
- Sensitivity. Responsible for the volume of the reproduced sound. It is desirable that this characteristic be at least 100 dB.
- Resistance. Depends on the technology on which the headphones will be used. For smartphones, players and other portable devices, the resistance should be in the range of 16-40 Ohms, no more. For a computer or laptop, you can raise this number to 80 ohms.
We invite everyone who loves travel comfort and high-quality music to read the TOP best headphones with active noise cancellation. We offer three categories:
- full-size headphones;
- vacuum headphones;
- wireless headphones any form factor.
The best over-ear noise-canceling headphones
Full-fledged (or monitor) large headphones for those who prefer comfort to the compact size of peripherals. They cover the auricle with ear pads, but at the same time practically do not put pressure on the head. For constant listening, monitor headphones are much more convenient and useful than other models. Therefore, we bring to your attention four models of full-size headphones with active noise reduction.
4 Panasonic RP-HC800E
The best noise reduction technology among budget models
Country: Japan
Average price: 6960 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5
Budget headphones with noise canceling and a 1.5 meter wire that can perfectly cope with background noise. The technology in this model is implemented very well. The wide frequency range of damping is pleasing - unlike even expensive models, the headphones are able to slightly reduce the volume even of a nearby conversation. This helps not only technical capabilities– Tightly fitting earcups further dampen the sound. The frequency range (10 – 25000 Hz) covers more than a person can hear. And low resistance (19 Ohms) and good sensitivity (94 dB) make them ideal for smartphones and players.
The kit includes a hard case and an airplane adapter. But the lack of a foldable design is unlikely to make the headphones convenient for long-term transportation. An unpleasant feature is the thin and fragile plastic that attaches the speakers to the headband. But with careful use they will last a long time.
3 Bose Quiet Comfort 25
Lightest weight (195 g)
Country: USA
Average price: 20990 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
Light and small headphones especially for long trips. The wire (1.4 m) is detachable from them, so there will be no problems with packaging the device. Included is a durable case. Additionally, there is an adapter for an airplane - an excellent solution for those who travel frequently. There are two options for headphones - with compatible cables for iPhone or Android smartphones. So it’s better not to make mistakes when buying. There is also a microphone that can turn the model into a headset.
The headphones have a built-in Active EQ. It adjusts the sound to the included track. Thanks to it, the sound quality is excellent. But there is a small drawback - with the noise reduction mode turned off, Active EQ is disabled, and the quality deteriorates somewhat. The noise canceler will work for 35 hours on one battery, and then you will have to change it.
2 Sony WH-CH700N
Convenient ergonomics. NFC
Country: Japan
Average price: 10,001 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Full-size wireless headphones from a manufacturer famous for its active noise cancellation system. If you are looking for a model with the best noise reduction, take these, you won’t go wrong. In reviews, users unanimously claim that these Sonys dampen the sounds of the subway so that they are almost inaudible, including voice announcements. In order to provide a decent level of noise reduction, the manufacturer had to increase the size of the cups.
But at the same time, the ergonomics are excellent - the headphones fit perfectly on your head and do not put pressure on your ears, even if you listen to music for many hours in a row. And you can listen to music for many hours in a row, because with the duration offline mode everything is fine here too. With noise reduction turned on, they work up to 22 hours, and without it - up to 35. The sound is excellent - thanks to the 40 mm membranes and 22 Ohm impedance. This is one of best options for smartphones and more.
1 Sennheiser PXC 480
The most functional noise canceling headphones
Country: Germany
Average price: 16,440 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Designed specifically for long journeys on noisy transport - trains, planes and subways. The kit includes an adapter for connecting to an aircraft audio system and a 6.3 mm plug for professional equipment. And the headphones themselves can be folded, disconnect the wire (a comfortable length of 1.4 meters) and put it in a thick carrying case. The frequency of 17-23000 Hz covers the ear's capabilities with a margin. A sensitivity of 109 dB allows you to listen to music at a fairly high volume, even with a resistance of 150 Ohms when the active noise reduction mode is turned on (in the passive mode the resistance is 45 Ohms). The built-in battery for the noise reduction works for 50 hours, and charges in only 3 hours.
Among the nice features: there is a TalkThrough function. Thanks to it, the user will not miss a direct address to himself. The headphones will suppress background noise but leave the human voice intact for the wearer to hear. There is also a sensitive microphone - you can use the headphones as an excellent quality headset. Unfortunately, there is also a drawback - the ear pads will peel off after a year or two of use. But you can always find a replacement.
Best Vacuum Noise Canceling Headphones
Vacuum headphones are designed to be compact and as comfortable as possible. They are easy to roll up and put in your pocket when not needed, or leave them hanging around your neck. These headphones are inserted directly into the ear canal. They additionally isolate the ear from external noise, since they clog the canal and prevent sounds from getting inside. Well, what could get through the ear pads will eliminate active noise cancellation. Unfortunately, most of these headphones cannot be called loud - due to noise reduction, the resistance increases, and the smartphone’s power is not always enough. But this is a minor omission. Below - three best models vacuum headphones with active noise reduction.
3 Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS
Excellent noise reduction among budget plugs. The most for a long time work
Country: Japan
Average price: 5175 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5
Relatively cheap, but high-quality headphones with active and passive noise reduction. They are not 100% damped, but you can’t expect that from inexpensive vacuum models. They compensate for the lack of noise reduction with pleasant sound and good volume. They support a frequency between 20 and 20,000 Hz, which is very comfortable for the ear. I am pleased with the operating time - up to 60 hours from one battery.
The headphones are supplied in a nice velvet bag. The kit includes an adapter for an airplane and many interchangeable ear pads, making it easy to choose the right ones. A big plus of the model is that when noise reduction is turned off, the sound quality drops much less than even that of top models. The disadvantage is that the cable is short: only 1.2 meters, some may not have enough length.
2 HUAWEI ANC3
Three modes of active noise cancellation
Country: China
Average price: 3668 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The headphones delight with as many as three “noise reduction” modes of operation. With the help of the most powerful of them, environmental sounds are removed from the public transport, cursing of neighbors at home and barking of their own dog. These plugs are also suitable for airplanes - they write in the reviews. You won’t achieve complete silence, but you will greatly reduce the volume level of external sounds.
The sound quality is decent, the connector USB Type-C convenient for everyone who has a smartphone with the same port. Some users point out that noise reduction is mainly aimed at creating a counterbalance to low and partially mid frequencies, while high frequencies are passed through and still reach your ears. These are good headphones with a vacuum design that deserve your attention and a high position in our rating of the best models.
1 Bose Quiet Comfort 20
The Best Active and Passive Noise Canceling
Country: USA
Average price: 17990 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9
The most efficient and high-quality vacuum models on the market. They are capable of drowning out almost any noise - from loud conversations to rumble in the aircraft cabin. Issue high quality sound with active noise cancellation turned on. A massive but fairly light battery pack is attached to a thick 132-centimeter-long wire (closer to the end of the cord), and a little higher is a control panel. The battery charge provides up to 16 hours of noise reduction operation. It is convenient to transport the headphones in a special case (included).
Improved StayHear+ technology is used for passive noise insulation. There is an additional membrane for greater protection from extraneous noise. There is an active equalizer built in that changes the sound of the music depending on the genre and what is happening outside. But there is also a negative side - when noise reduction is turned off, the equalizer does not work, and the sound quality drops significantly.
Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Not everyone likes “tails” stretching across the body. They cling to everything and break more often than we would like. Therefore, another option for those who do not like noisy places is wireless headphones. They do not have the disadvantages associated with the presence of a cord. But because wireless communication The sound quality may drop slightly. We present the three best models of wireless headphones with active noise reduction.
3 Marshall Mid A.N.C.
Great volume
Country: UK
Average price: 15990 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5
The noise reduction system, which the UK manufacturer calls the A.N.C. function, does a great job of eliminating sounds in public transport and more. Active “noise reduction” is praised by users in reviews, calling this model one of the best noise reduction among wireless models.
The frequency range varies from 20 to 20,000 Hz. A sensitivity of 99.3 dB ensures high sound volume, and support for the AptX codec will allow you not to lose sound quality when transmitted via Bluetooth. The connector is standard – 3.5 mm. The operating time with noise reduction turned on reaches 20 hours – an excellent indicator. Features include a twisted cord. It takes 3 hours to charge to 100%. The complaints are that they are overpriced and that they are uncomfortable to wear with glasses.
2 Beats Studio 3 Wireless
Long working time
Country: USA
Average price: 20,740 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The noise cancellation of these Bluetooth headphones will save you when traveling on public transport, on a train, on an airplane and in a noisy open space. Reviews claim that when active noise reduction is turned on, about 80-90% of external sounds are cut off. There is also a convenient case and an ergonomic shape, thanks to which they sit comfortably and do not put pressure on the ears.
Without noise cancellation, this wireless model can withstand 40 hours of playback, and with it – 22. Due to the monitor design and leather ear pads, passive noise insulation is implemented, which does its job well. The only complaints the owners of these Boss have are the high price and the fact that the maximum volume here is not high enough. If you don't crank the volume up to 100% on your old headphones, you'll be happy with these. The sound here is excellent, the build quality and materials are excellent.
1 Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Most Popular
Country: USA
Average price: 23990 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0
Bluetooth headphones with such noise reduction that even the most picky users are delighted. The device is gorgeous - and it has an excellent appearance, and the build quality, and the materials of the ear cushions and headboard, and the battery life - 20 hours, and even NFC support is here - to simplify communication with a smartphone.
The connector is classic 3.5 mm. This is a model that quickly gained popularity and is not going to fall from the top of the top of the best active noise canceling headphones. Here he is able to relieve you of the oppressive external sound background almost completely. Management is implemented thoughtfully. The sound is also decent - for wireless model even chic. Works with Apple products without problems. You can connect them to both your laptop and your smartphone at once. This way you won't miss a call when you're watching a movie on your laptop with headphones.
People are gradually abandoning wires in headphones, and smartphone manufacturers are abandoning 3.5 mm jacks. The mass consumer is switching to Bluetooth headphones and there are fewer and fewer adherents of high-quality sound over a wire with a separate Hi-Fi player. This fact cannot be ignored and it was decided to make a rating of the best full-size Bluetooth headphones at the moment: good sound, an active noise reduction system, its own applications and preferably support for aptX, aptX HD, LDAC codecs. These currently include the Sony WH-1000XM3, Bose QuietComfort 35 II and Bowers & Wilkins PX. All three couples were guests at the editorial office for some time gg and were actively used with a pair of modern smartphones Sony Xperia XZ2 and LG G6 with support for all of the above codecs. First, a couple of paragraphs of theory.
What is active noise cancellation?
We won’t go into detail; there are specialized resources for this and huge articles on this topic, so those who want to go deeper into the hardware can easily google it. The operating principle of an active noise reduction system is the interference of sound waves. These headphones have additional microphones that determine the level background noise and additional speakers that create waves with the same amplitude and inverted phase. As a result of the interference of waves, they “cancel” each other and we do not hear external noise in the headphones. Of course, this is in theory, but in practice, creating a perfectly matching wave in antiphase is not so easy and all ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) systems are not ideal. The first idea for such an application of wave interference was proposed back in 1934 by the American scientist Paul Luge. Of course, the first application was military: in the 50s, this system was used to reduce noise in airplane cabins, and the first active noise-canceling headphones (also for aviation) were made by Willard Meeker in 1957. The first production model was released in 1986 by Bose (and again for aviation). The system was adapted for “consumer” use in 1989. Now there are a huge number of models with an active noise reduction system, in different form factors, so there is plenty to choose from.
What is aptX, aptX HD, LDAC and why is it needed?
A certain part of high-quality sound lovers are in no hurry to give up wires for obvious reasons: if you miss the quality of DACs, amplifiers and all the other electronic components that are needed to obtain high-quality analog signal at the output, there are also transmission losses digital signal from the source (smartphone, in most cases) to the headphones. This is largely due to the limited bandwidth of Bluetooth. And here these same codecs come to the rescue - algorithms for encoding (and subsequent decoding) this very signal to obtain the maximum bitrate as a result. The first and most common codec is SBC, which only supports up to 328 kbps. The most common now are aptX and aptX HD developed by Qualcomm, which provide bitrates of 352 and 576 kbps, respectively. The most advanced in terms of quality is LDAC, developed by Sony, which can provide up to 990 kbps. But it has one significant drawback in the form of low prevalence: to work, both the smartphone (or player) and headphones must support LDAC. And if the first one is not so problematic: the codec was included in AOSP (Android Open Source Project) starting with Android 8.0 Oreo, then I have not seen wireless headphones with LDAC support from third-party manufacturers. Below is a diagram with a visual comparison of existing codecs:
Higher bitrate does not guarantee better quality sound (there are many more factors, including how well the recording itself was made). Well, now let’s move on to today’s trio of headphones, which, in the opinion of our editors, can rightfully bear the title of “the best noise-canceling headphones.”
Sony WH-1000XM3
Sony WH-1000XM3 was announced at IFA 2018 in Berlin. Today, these are the top and most technologically advanced wireless noise-canceling headphones from the Japanese giant, with support for aptX, aptX HD and LDAC, touch and push-button control, active noise reduction and a bunch of additional features. A good margin of parameters indicates that the model will not lose its relevance not only in 2020, but also in the next few years.
What do they look like and what's in the box?
Supplied in a large box made of black thick cardboard in a white cover with plenty of printing. Includes headphones, hard case, cable for wired connection, USB-C cable for charging, adapter for airplane and instructions/warranties:
Sony WH-1000XM3 is made of matte plastic with a texture. The headphones look minimalist and very stylish, without any unnecessary decorative elements. The design is foldable, and the cups can be unfolded for convenient placement on the neck. On the left cup there are two mechanical buttons (turning on and adjusting noise isolation modes, you can assign a call to the Google assistant to it) and an NFC tag, on the right - Touchpad. The ear pads and the inside of the headband are made of leatherette with soft foam filling. The cups are moderately large and are fixed very movably for ease of use.
The headset is not too heavy, and the shape and size of the cups with ear pads are optimal and the ears fit completely inside. The clamping force is sufficient for a secure fit, but the headphones do not press. The Sony WH-1000XM3 can be used for hours without any discomfort (it can only be caused by the active noise reduction system, just like in other models, this is something specific to the body). The controls are interesting, but not perfect. Of the physical buttons, there are only power and ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) buttons; the rest of the control is done using the touch panel on the right earcup. Horizontal movements switch tracks, vertical movements adjust the volume, and touching is responsible for Play/Pause or accepting a call. Among the interesting features - you can temporarily turn off the music and the noise reduction system by placing your palm on the right cup; this will be useful if you need to exchange a few phrases with someone. I found the headphones very easy to use, but, as practice has shown, not everyone likes the touch panel and takes some getting used to. The usual progressive USB-C port is used for charging.
There is a branded Sony app Haeadphones Connect, which displays basic information (charge level, codec used, transmission quality, etc.) and allows you to very flexibly customize the headphones to your liking. This applies to both the noise reduction system with internal pressure and the sound itself: there is an equalizer, surround sound emulation, and the DSEE HX enhancer, which (in theory) “completes” what was lost during MP3 compression. There is an adaptive mode in which the headphones detect the location and type of activity (rest, walking) and adjust the ANC themselves depending on the situation:
The headphones are very good in terms of sound quality: it is adequately balanced in frequency, there are no significant peaks or dips. Very sensible detailing of low and mid frequencies, the highs are slightly smoothed out. There is enough bass, but it doesn’t penetrate the mid-frequency range and drowns out everything else. The mid frequencies are not failed, but it goes without saying that the combination of a Hi-Fi player with sensible wired headphones is far from being detailed. The manufacturer deliberately smoothed out the upper frequencies for versatility in terms of the audience (there are really a lot of HF-phobes). As for codecs, the difference between the ancient SBC and LDAC is very clearly felt (of course, when listening to high-quality tracks in FLAC, for example): mid and high frequencies become more detailed and controlled. With the help of proprietary equalizers and enhancers, you can tune the sound to suit your personal tastes. The built-in microphone copes with its task without any problems, the interlocutor can hear perfectly well even on the street.
Of course, Sony focuses on the noise cancellation capabilities of its Sony WH-1000XM3 headset: it is implemented really well. According to Sony, the headset can adapt ANC to a specific person, using data about the shape and size of the head, hair length and the presence or absence of glasses. For those who have not used such gadgets before, it is worth understanding that absolute silence in real conditions is impossible to achieve, but in this case the noise is really reduced to a minimum. According to the results of experiments on experimental acquaintances who were not previously familiar with active noise cancellation, in the first seconds they experience an extremely unusual feeling of vacuum, especially if ANC is turned on without music (this point applies to all headphones with active noise cancellation). I didn't have to use a headset on the plane, but the Sony WH-1000XM3 copes perfectly with subway noise. An additional advantage of this solution is that there is no need to increase the volume, which we like to do in transport or on the street with regular headphones.
Sony promises 30 hours of operation with noise reduction turned on, 38 hours without it, and 40 with noise reduction and no music. The headset was used for 2-3 hours a day with noise reduction and music, in this mode it lasted a week, so with battery life everything is fine. Plus, fast charging is supported: they promise that 10 minutes of charging will provide 5 hours of music listening. The headset takes about 4 hours to fully charge.
Headphones Sony WH-1000XM3
Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM3 are headphones that cannot be praised enough. These are the best wireless noise-canceling headphones on the market, giving the user maximum control over both noise-canceling options and sound profiles via the app. This model contains all the technological advances of Sony, which have been improved over the years. A large number of possible settings and impeccable sound along with high battery life (you can charge the headphones once a week, while fast charging is supported) do not leave any chance for competitors.
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Editor's Choice
Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II
Bose QuietComfort 35 II is the manufacturer's current flagship model of wireless over-ear headphones. As you might guess, this is an updated version of the Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones, about which one could say that these are the best wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, but I will not draw any analogies since I did not use the first generation and cannot physically compare. In addition to active noise reduction, the model is interesting because it has an official Google support Assistant. Neither Ukrainian nor Russian languages have been introduced into Google Assistant yet, but everyone who is interested and curious can use English.
What do they look like and what's in the box?
The packaging and delivery are similar to the previous model in our article. The box is medium in size, on the outside there is an outer “wrapper” made of soft white cardboard with printing, on the inside there is a black box made of hard cardboard. The set includes headphones, a hard case, a charging cable, a cable for a wired connection and a small instruction brochure:
The headphones are made of plastic and metal (frame), the design is foldable, like the Sony WH-1000XM3. The cups are rotating, their outer part is plastic and painted with matte paint. It looks expensive and beautiful, but it collects fingerprints. Microphones for active noise reduction and Bose logos are located on the outer parts of the cups. To turn on and create a Bluetooth pairing mode, there is a slider switch on the right earphone. On the front there is a conversational microphone and an NFC tag. On the back there are three mechanical playback control buttons with two LEDs next to them. Bottom - MicroUSB for charging. The left earphone has a connector for a wired connection and a large button for calling Google Assistant. It can be reassigned, which I did right away; as a result, it was used to switch noise reduction operating modes. The inside of the headband has a soft Alcantara insert. The ear pads are soft, the inside is memory foam, the outside is leatherette. Inside the cups are the designations of the left and right earphones. The headset turned out to be light, despite this, it does not feel cheap or unreliable. Visited us black version, it also comes in silver.
How convenient is it to use?
The headset is very light and comfortable, the clamping force of the headband is optimal. Bose QuietComfort 35 II can be used for hours without removing it without any discomfort. The ears fit completely inside the ear pads. Nothing presses, does not interfere, the headset perfectly adapts to the shape of the head. The ears do not sweat, although it is not summer yet and there are suspicions that this may change a little in the heat, but it is worth checking in practice. In general, of the trio of heroes in the article, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II seemed to me the most comfortable. It’s very easy to get used to the controls: there are only three buttons on the right earpiece. The two extreme ones are responsible for the volume, the middle one is multifunctional: click - Play/Pause, double click - the next track, triple click - the previous track, and is also responsible for answering/hanging up a call. The design of the headphones is foldable for easy transportation, and a MicroUSB connector is used for charging.
There is a proprietary Bose Connect application, in which you can change the name of the headset, switch between sources, adjust the level of noise reduction, reassign the Google Assistant button, view current data on charge, volume and track being played (including pulling up information from Google Music) and enable voice prompts. There is already a Russian-language localization, albeit crooked, with a funny accent:
What about sound, noise cancellation and battery life?
Perhaps the weakest point of the headset is the sound. No, it's not bad (especially considering that it's a Bluetooth headset). In general, for its category of gadgets, the sound is quite good, but worse than the other two models in this material. In terms of frequencies, the low frequencies are slightly raised, but not critically. Otherwise, there are no pronounced peaks or troughs, but detail throughout is very poor frequency range: some “cloudyness” and blurriness are felt. In terms of sound, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is optimal for creating a musical background, rather than attentive and thoughtful listening to music, which is quite forgivable. It's worth mentioning that Bose fundamentally still doesn't use aptX or aptX HD. It is sad.
Given Bose's track record of active noise cancellation, it's no surprise that the QuietComfort 35 II's noise reduction works great. In this regard, the Bose and Sony models are comparable: you can listen to music comfortably and comfortably even in a noisy metro. There are three modes of noise reduction: maximum (just for the metro and other extremely noisy places), medium, which is quite suitable for walking. Plus, active noise cancellation can simply be turned off. There were no complaints about the built-in microphone; it performs its functions without problems both indoors and outdoors.
The declared operating time in wireless mode with noise reduction function is 20 hours. In real conditions, this figure depends very significantly on the volume, and I got about 17 hours, which is also very good. One charge will probably be enough for a working week of travel to and from work. Charges in about 2 hours.
Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II
An updated model of popular headphones with active noise cancellation
Lightweight and very comfortable full-size Bluetooth headphones with an active noise reduction system with three operating modes. Equipped with NFC for quick connection to your smartphone and support Google Assistant. To enable it, there is a separate Action button, which can be reassigned in the settings.
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13,860 UAH
Bowers & Wilkins PX
Despite a very long track record and history that dates back to 1966, Bowers & Wilkins was in no hurry to release noise-canceling headphones, while its competitors already had a bunch of models. Finally, the company decided to take this step and Bowers & Wilkins PX became the first model from the British manufacturer with an active noise reduction system.
What do they look like and what's in the box?
Bowers & Wilkins PX comes in a large, beautiful white box with images of the headphones themselves and information about the main advantages. Inside are headphones, a soft carrying case, a 3.5 mm cable for a wired connection, a Type-C to Type-A cable for charging and connecting to a PC, and a small instruction booklet:
Bowers & Wilkins PX - perhaps the most interesting and unusual in terms of design and appearance in our selection today. The design combines massive metal parts: the headband frame is made entirely of metal, the outer parts of the earcups are also metal, and have Bowers & Wilkins logos on them. Around the metal inserts on the cups and on the top of the headband is nylon, which (theoretically) should be much more durable than leatherette or plastic. According to the official website, the ear pads and the inside of the headband are made of leather. Another constructive and interesting feature is the cable that connects the headphone cups. It is braided with fabric and located in an open groove on the cup mounts. The size of the headband is adjustable smoothly. The only not very convenient design point: the earcups rotate, but the headphones cannot be folded for transportation. Bowers & Wilkins PX is available in two versions: blue-gold and gray-black:
How convenient is it to use?
Of the entire selection, it took me the longest to get used to the Bowers & Wilkins PX: at first it seemed that the headband was too tight and there was too little padding in the ear pads. After some time, these strange sensations go away. The cups and ear pads are the optimal size and the ears fit completely inside them. Despite the noticeable weight in your hands, it does not strain your head even after prolonged use. All controls are located on the top earpiece. On the back are long buttons for volume control and Play/Pause (it also serves to switch tracks forward and backward by double and triple pressing, respectively). Below is a button to turn on active noise reduction and a power slider and switch to Bluetooth connection mode. At the bottom of the right earphone there is a 3.5 mm jack for wired connection and USB connector Type-C, for which special thanks. The headset can be used directly from a PC using the included cable, and using a Type-C cable on both sides, it can be connected directly to modern smartphones (this will be especially true for models without a 3.5 mm jack). The controls are simple and intuitive. The only thing I didn’t really like was the inclusion slider: it seemed to me that it was a little tight.
The proprietary application is designed to configure the headset and looks quite minimalistic. But for some reason it takes a long time to start up and connect to the headphones. There is a battery indicator, the ability to update firmware, reset, noise reduction and sensor settings. The noise reduction system (ambient noise filter) has three operating modes: office, city and flight, for each of them you can adjust the pass-through of voices. Another interesting feature is the wear sensors: the headset automatically pauses the music if you take it off. The sensitivity of the sensors is also adjustable:
What about sound, noise cancellation and battery life?
The Bowers & Wilkins PX uses 40mm dynamic drivers that are angled. The aptX and aptX HD codecs are supported, which is very pleasing (fortunately, there are smartphones at hand that support these codecs). The sound in the PX was pleasantly pleasing: it is balanced and not compressed, while driving and detailed, as much as possible in Bluetooth headphones. There is no outright muddiness in the mids or high frequencies and they are not failed. There is enough bass, it adds the necessary density and impact, but does not try to climb into the middle and push it back. The imaginary scene is very good, taking into account the class of headphones. High frequencies are fully present, as one would expect, they have been softened a little for HF-phobes, but without fanaticism. When using noise reduction, the sound does not become duller, which is what really affects many models of similar headsets.
It seemed to me that the noise reduction is just a little short of its competitors, but this can only be noticed in the noisiest places, and even this difference is minimal. As mentioned above, the software has three operating modes: office, city and flight. In addition to the intensity of noise reduction, for each of these modes you can adjust the pass-through of voices. This will be useful, for example, in an airport or train station terminal, so as not to miss the desired announcement.
The headset is powered by a built-in 850 mAh battery and promises 22 hours of operation on a single charge (via Bluetooth, with active noise cancellation). I got about 20 hours.
Bowers & Wilkins PX
Bowers & Wilkins' first noise-canceling Bluetooth headset
A very unusual and interesting Bluetooth headset from a design point of view with pleasant sound, support for aptX, aptX HD codecs and an active noise reduction system.
Pairing with a smartphone is properly supported using NFC. The microcircuit is located in the left capsule, made in the form of a touchpad. This allows you to control the volume so you can skip parts you don't like. Light tapping interrupts the music to accept phone call, which, by the way, works for both parties in excellent quality.
A slide switch in the upper right corner of the right capsule activates or deactivates two different levels of noise reduction. Level II is the highest level, where everything that is possible is hidden. There is another layer between this and the off mode: here the PXC 550 automatically adjusts to ambient noise, but not as effectively. Overall, noise reduction is almost at the same high level as that of Sony headphones.
The touchpad built into the right capsule responds instantly, which again makes work easier. However, it's even more reliant on "tapping" than the Sony's: while a light tap is for playing and pausing music, a double tap activates the talk-through feature.
In terms of music reproduction, the Sennheisers are, as expected, in the same league as the Sony headphones, just with a slightly different voice. So there's a very slight drop off in the midrange for Sony listeners, where the Sennheiser dissolves a little better but sometimes provides a little more punch at higher frequencies.
The Sennheiser PXC 550 is available different modes sounds - “Club”, “Cinema” and “Speech” - they differ only in nuances. I liked the sound best when they are turned off. What Sennheiser especially likes is the fact that there are barely audible differences in sound whether the noise reduction is on or off.
Sennheiser was also convinced that they are actually not inferior in noise reduction to either s.Sony or Bose. In addition, they are much cheaper and therefore offer very good value prices and quality.
Bottom line
All four headsets presented in the rating are very good, each in its own way, and which one to choose is a personal matter. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, there is no clear favorite: the Sony WH-1000XM3 seemed to me the most interesting in sound and the most technologically advanced, plus it lasts the longest on a single battery charge. On the other hand, not everyone will like touch controls and a huge number of settings. Bose QuietComfort 35 II and Bowers & Wilkins PX are simpler and more intuitive in terms of control. The Bose model (according to personal impressions) turned out to be the most convenient, but the sound is slightly inferior to the other two models, and the lack of aptX and aptX HD is somewhat surprising. Bowers & Wilkins PX is the most unusual and interesting model in design with pleasant sound, but it lags a little behind in the implementation of the noise reduction system. I think each of the above models would be a good buy for those looking for a flagship Bluetooth headset. Surely other manufacturers also have something to show in this category, write options for your “top” in the comments.
| Sony WH-1000XM3 | Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II | Bowers & Wilkins PX | Sennheiser PXC 550 | |
| Emitters | Dynamic, 40 mm | Dynamic | Dynamic, 40 mm | Dynamic |
| Frequency range | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz (via cable) | Manufacturer does not indicate | 10 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 17 Hz - 23000 Hz |
| Acoustic design | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Impedance | 41 Ohm | Manufacturer does not indicate | 22 Ohm | 46 Ohm |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB | Manufacturer does not indicate | 111 dB | 110 dB |
| Charging connector | USB Type-C | MicroUSB | USB Type-C | MicroUSB |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 4.1 | Bluetooth 4.1 | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Codec support | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | aptX, aptX HD |
| NFC | Eat | Eat | No | Eat |
| Weight | 255 g | 235 g | 335 g | 227 g |
Noise canceling headphones are one of those things that every music lover needs. This device will allow you to enjoy music anywhere and not hear what is happening around you. That is why there are a large number of popular models of headphones with active noise cancellation on the market, and many of them receive good feedback thanks to the good price-quality ratio. But we selected only the best devices and combined them into one rating. The result is a Top 10, in which you will definitely find a model that you will like.
No. 10 – Bluedio T4
Price: 4,379 rubles
Bluedio T4 are excellent wireless on-ear headphones with a microphone that can work for 16 hours without recharging. They have a sensitivity of 116 dB, an impedance of 16 Ohms and are equipped with a 3.5 mm audio jack.
This model made of very high quality and from good materials, solid design increases reliability. Ear pads that are pleasant to the ear and convenient controls are installed. The sound quality does not disappoint, for such a price, Bluetooth can be heard at a considerable distance.
The headphones are made from heavy cast metal. In terms of design, this is undoubtedly a plus, but metal greatly increases the weight of the device.
No. 9 – Tronsmart Encore S6
Price: 4,641 rubles
These are headphones with a wireless connection that can work on a single charge around the clock without recharging. Connection to iPhone is supported.
This device offers excellent capabilities for such a price, because most devices that can compete with it cost several times more. The design of the headphones is made in a pleasant minimalist style, the battery lasts quite a long time. Thanks to the foldable design, it is convenient to put it in your pocket. The sound is excellent, and the noise cancellation works correctly.
In terms of sound, the model cannot compete with most wired devices. The ear pads are far from universal, so not everyone will be comfortable wearing these headphones.
Tronsmart Encore S6
No. 8 – Bluedio T5
Price: 3,466 rubles
Bluedio T5 are on-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation that connect via a USB Type-C connector. The device can operate up to 25 hours, has a sensitivity of 116 dB and an impedance of 16 Ohms.
This is an excellent gadget, the body of which is made of titanium and aluminum. The overlays have comfortable ear pads that keep your ears comfortable. The built-in battery lasts a really long time. I'm glad that the USB Type-C cable is included. The main advantage is the sound insulation, which actually allows you to isolate yourself from external sounds. There is not much difference between the quality of playback via Bluetooth and via wire.
Noise reduction, of course, works, but the sound quality may decrease because of it. You can use the device as a headset for your phone only in quiet places, because the microphone does not pick up sound well outdoors.
No. 7 – JBL Tune 600BTNC
Price: 3,990 rubles
JBL Tune 600BTNC are headphones with a microphone from the popular JBL company, which have a sensitivity of 100 dB and an impedance of 32 Ohms. The foldable device weighs 173 grams, and the battery provides autonomous operation for up to 22 hours.
The device provides high-quality sound with excellent bass and good ergonomics. The headphones are durable and fit well on the head. There is a soft insert on top for convenience. The control buttons are quite convenient, noise reduction works perfectly, it is noticeable even when the music is not turned on. They work perfectly as a headset.
The design looks very flimsy, and the included cables are not the most convenient.
JBL Tune 600BTNC
No. 6 – JBL Live 650BTNC
Price: 7,160 rubles
Another headphone from JBL has a sensitivity of 100 dB and an impedance of 32 Ohms. These are full-size headphones that weigh 260 grams and can work up to 30 hours without recharging.
The device is very comfortable and feels good on the ears. The folding design is made of very high quality, there are no noticeable gaps that could lead to breakage in the future. Noise insulation is made on top level, you can’t even hear it on the subway extraneous sounds. When used as a headset, both incoming and outgoing sound can be heard perfectly.
There is no charging indicator on the headphones themselves, only in a special smartphone application.
JBL Live 650BTNC
No. 5 – Sony WH-CH700N
Price: 8,800 rubles
Sony has released a model called Sony WH-CH700N, which is a full-size closed headphone capable of operating for 35 hours, having a sensitivity of 97 dB, an impedance of 22 Ohms, a weight of 240 grams, support for NFC, as well as AptX, AptX HD and AAC codecs. The device can work with iPhone.
Sony spared no effort to create truly high-quality headphones with excellent lows. They weigh a little and have a good comfortable design. The noise insulation is quite good, the buttons are conveniently located, which increases the ease of operation. The device is assembled with high quality.
One of the disadvantages is that wearing headphones around the neck is not very comfortable.
No. 4 – Marshall Mid A.N.C.
Price: 12,344 rubles
This model can work up to 20 hours without recharging, has a sensitivity of 99.3 dB, an impedance of 32 Ohms, a weight of 208 grams and a folding design. AptX codec is supported.
The device sits very comfortably on the head and does not create discomfort even with prolonged use. Excellent sound insulation is implemented, which allows you to save a lot of sounds that are lost due to external noise. A carrying case is included, and the folding design makes it easy to carry the device. The volume reserve is excellent, and the controls are convenient.
The headphones are quite expensive, there are worthy cheaper competitors.
Marshall Mid A.N.C.
#3 – Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Wireless
Price: 16,839 rubles
This gadget is a full-size headphone weighing 258 grams that supports the AptX and NFC codec. There is a function voice dialing.
This model provides a very smooth sound, which is almost in no way inferior to wired analogues in quality. Noise reduction is excellent, and the sound does not deteriorate somewhat because of it. The design allows the headphones to sit very comfortably on your head. The design is implemented extremely well, the thing looks really stylish. Management is thought out to the smallest detail.
With a wired connection, noise isolation cannot be turned on. The ear pads are not suitable for people with large ears.
Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Wireless
#2 – Beats Studio 3 Wireless
Price: 15,150 rubles
Beats Studio 3 Wireless are popular over-ear headphones with 22 hours of battery life. The device has a foldable design and weighs only 260 grams. It is possible to connect the device to an iPhone.
The headphones provide clear, high-quality sound without any distortions or errors. The bass is excellent for wireless headphones. The device comes with quite a lot of equipment. The design of the device is very stylish and looks good on the head. Soundproofing, of course, cannot drown out everything around you, but it is enough to fully enjoy the music.
Unfortunately, there is not enough volume reserve. Additionally, the ear pads are quite small for full-size headphones, but they will fit well for most users.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless
No. 1 – Sony WH-1000XM3
Price: 26,490 rubles
Sony WH-1000XM3 are premium headphones from a well-known company. They are full-size, closed, have a sensitivity of 104 dB and can operate for up to 38 hours. There is support for AptX, AptX HD and AAC codecs, as well as NFC technology.
Perhaps the best sound insulation among all the listed models is implemented here. There is a proprietary application specifically for headphones with big amount settings.
In terms of appearance, the device looks simply gorgeous, and it weighs very little and is almost not felt on your head. NFC technology has been successfully implemented, making it easier to pair with a smartphone.
Due to the specifics of the control, one of the headphones may turn off spontaneously in cold weather. In addition, the sensor may respond to non-existent touches after cold weather. The smartphone application is very demanding on resources, in particular on battery power.
Here are the ten best noise-cancelling headphones we've found on the market today. Our rating includes both inexpensive and premium headphones, so anyone can find good device, which will not only satisfy all needs, but also will not empty your pocket.
28.02.2019
The promotion has expired
Noise-canceling headphones are not the cheapest, but very useful devices that protect against extraneous noise. A special system captures sound outside world through a microphone and creates a mirror sound wave. The two waves overlap each other and are mutually suppressed.
Thus, you can enjoy silence by simply wearing these headphones - they cut off excess noise even without music on. And when you turn on your favorite song, you will only hear it, without the noise of the street or the screams of children on public transport.
Sony WF1000X – Full sound control
The Sony WF1000X headphones provide noise reduction control in several modes. Standard – completely isolates you from external sounds. Ambient Sound mode, on the other hand, mutes the music so that the microphones transmit sounds from the outside world. The third mode completely turns off sound insulation.
For advanced control of the gadget, the proprietary Sony Headphones Connect application is provided. Here you can view the battery charge level, fine-tune the noise reduction function, set a virtual sound source, set the equalizer parameters and set the highest priority for sound quality.
The bass in the headphones is clear and tight, vocals are clearly distinguishable, and the highs are clear and sonorous. At a volume level of about 70%, the headphones will last about 2 hours on one charge. When periodically charged in a powerbank case, the headphones will work for at least 2 days without any problems.
Sony WH1000 – almost studio quality sound
The noise reduction of the Sony WH1000 model can be called one of the best for wireless gadgets. Even in the noisiest subway car, external sounds will not disturb you. At the same time, the model implements a smart optimization system. The gadget independently adapts to the user's listening style and even the height at which you are.
A powerful speaker and proprietary amplifier provide high quality sound close to studio. When playing songs, noise is reduced and the smallest nuances of sound are emphasized.
One charge of the built-in battery lasts for 38 hours of continuous sound. At the same time, a reserve of 70 minutes can be achieved in just 10 minutes of connection to the charger.
JBL Everest 750bt – individual sound for everyone
JBL Everest 750 headphones are full of technical features. Active noise reduction is complemented by NXTGen technology. Through the app, you can individually adjust the level of external noise that enters the headphones through the microphone.
The special TruNote mechanism allows you to adapt the gadget to each user. You put on your headphones and press the Smart button. The device plays sound signal, which is reflected from the ear and analyzed by the device. After this, Everest 750 creates a sound profile specifically for you with the optimal combination of low, mid and high frequencies. At the same time, using the equalizer in the proprietary application, you can adjust the sound quality even more precisely.
After a 3-hour charge, Everest 750 provides up to 19 hours of battery life in standard mode and up to 15 hours in noise reduction mode.
Marshall Mid ANC Bluetooth – Maximum Bass
Another model from the legendary Marshall brand. The Marshall Mid ANC is a headphone where every detail has been carefully thought out. For example, you can use the gadget in both wireless and wired mode. Another nice detail is the Share function. When you listen to music via Bluetooth connection, you can connect the headphones with a cable to another headset or speakers.
The speakers, designed specifically for this model, perfectly reproduce songs in any genre. The bass is especially well-developed here. Noise cancellation does its job well. It takes 3 hours to fully charge the gadget, after which the headphones work up to 30 hours with noise cancellation turned off and up to 20 with it on.
Beats Studio3 - Apple-powered headphones
Since the company from Cupertino bought the Beats brand, headphones released under this brand symbolize the complete triumph of high technology.
Beats Studio3 uses Apple's proprietary W1 processor, which is responsible for careful battery consumption. Therefore, even at maximum volume, the gadget can work for up to 40 hours. The headphones feature a Fast Fuel system that will provide 3 hours of music listening in 10 minutes. The PureANC function recognizes the surroundings and adjusts the level of suppression of extraneous sounds.
Despite their impressive appearance, the headphones fit perfectly on the head and do not put pressure on the ears. The ear pads themselves are placed on a rotating mechanism, so you can more comfortably adjust the fit of the gadget.
Even more models cool headphones with noise reduction you will find on the pages of our catalog.
