7 best headphones with active noise reduction

Increasingly, people use headphones outside their homes. And what do they face, for example, in public transport? That's right, with extraneous noises. A buzz on the subway is capable of interrupting music, especially if a person does not use “gags”, but overhead headphones. This problem is solved by active noise cancellation system. However, in many models it works inadequately - the music is complemented by some unnecessary sounds that irritate more than the people around them. That is why we decided to tell you about those headphones where the noise reduction system is best implemented. Well, the models we reviewed also sound almost perfect.

Top best noise-canceling headphones

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Top best noise-canceling headphones	1	Bose QuietComfort 35	23 990 ₽
	2	Sony WH-1000XM3	29 000 ₽
	3	Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Wireless (M2 AEBT)	17 990 ₽
	4	Bowers & Wilkins PX	26 990 ₽
	5	Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2	11 790 ₽
	6	Phiaton BT 330 NC	10 990 ₽
	7	Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC	9 190 ₽

Bose QuietComfort 35

Rating: 4.9

Very expensive headphones belonging to the full-size type. This means that they completely cover even the largest ears. This allows you to escape from external noise even without activating the corresponding function. Only the loudest sounds will penetrate the body of the cups - for example, the hum in an airplane or people on the subway talking on the phone. It is for silencing such sounds that an active noise cancellation system is used. It works with the help of two microphones; there are no complaints about the quality of the implementation of this function. This is one of the few models that shows itself perfectly even without the inclusion of music - some buyers only activate noise reduction to fall asleep on a train or plane, because complete silence contributes to this well.

Like most of the headphones reviewed here, a model called the Bose QuietComfort 35 uses Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to a smartphone. The first synchronization is carried out as quickly as possible - this process accelerates the NFC chip. Unfortunately, support for the aptX codec is not here, so do not even hope for a perfect sound. The worst impressions remain from the upper frequencies. I am glad that there is a 3.5-mm input for the audio cable. But the sound quality with a wired connection does not grow too much. Many buyers say that they would like such expensive headphones to sound noticeably better.

It must be admitted that at certain moments an audio cable can still save. We are talking about cases where the user forgets to charge the battery built into the headset. If the battery is fully charged, then you can count on 16-20 hours of sound.

The product turned out quite heavy. But what other full-size headphones weigh less than 310 grams? And do not forget that microphones are part of this representative of our rating - they allow you not only to escape from external noise, but also to talk on the phone. Interestingly, a pair connection is implemented here. Another interesting "trick" is the timer to turn off.The user has access to some other functions — they should be searched for in the Bose Connect application.

You'll love the large size of this headset. Due to the fact that the ears completely fit inside, in a short time the feeling that something is wearing on the head is completely lost. Perhaps the Bose QuietComfort 35 is worth it for the sake of perfect design. Not for nothing in the name of the accessory there is the word "comfort". But try to find a copy for relatively little money - you should not spend more than 25 thousand rubles for such headphones, which are asked for them by default.

Sony WH-1000XM3

Rating: 4.8

One more full-size headphones in our ranking. Many experts believe that this is the standard in the world of products, supplemented by a system of active noise cancellation. Indeed, it must be admitted that this function works best here. It is necessary to include noise reduction, as for you any sounds in the subway, plane or anywhere else cease to exist. You can even walk around the hump on the rail, where the cars collide with each other.

This model connects to a smartphone or other portable device via Bluetooth. At the same time, Sony introduced support for the AptX and AptX codecs. If the smartphone can work with such codecs, then you can hear the sound in CD-quality. That is, you will not have sense to listen to MP3-music - you will immediately hear all the unpleasant nuances of the compression effect.

A nice bonus is the NFC chip, which greatly accelerates synchronization. A gold-plated 3.5 mm jack is much more useful. It allows you to use headphones, even if their battery is dead. Also, the audio cable will be used regularly by those people who have a simple smartphone at their disposal, devoid of a sound processor and support for the AptX codec. The length of the cable is 1.2 m, which is enough in most cases.

Inside the cups used here are the usual 40-mm membrane. Also, somewhere inside the headphone is a very capacious battery. Its full charge may last for 35 hours. At least, this figure states the manufacturer. In practice, it all depends on the quality of the Bluetooth signal, the volume of the noise around and, of course, the volume of the sound. But in any case, you will find close to a record battery life.

An interesting feature of the product is a quick switch to the surround mode. This allows you to ride the headphones on a bicycle - you will definitely hear the signal of the approaching car or the hail of a passerby.

Based on our description, it may seem that the headset is perfect. Unfortunately, this word can not be called any headphones with active noise cancellation. This representative of this rating is too expensive - in Russian stores they are asked for at least 30 thousand rubles. Also embarrassed by the fact that when using bass boost and some other useful features, the transition to the outdated SBC codec occurs. Another drawback will be noticed by people using headphones on the street at minus temperatures - the sensor on the right ear in such conditions simply refuses to work! Not everyone will like the voice alerts about each change in the level of noise reduction - they can not be disabled, there is no such item even in the corporate application. By the way, the running program very much devours the battery of the smartphone - it also strains.

Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Wireless (M2 AEBT)

Rating: 4.8

It must be admitted that outwardly this representative of the ranking of the best headphones with active noise cancellation differs from its competitors. The plastic headband here is complemented by metal frames to which the cups are already attached. The latter are full-size - their ears are literally buried. External noise is almost inaudible even if you just wear this accessory. Well, if you use active noise reduction, then you will hear only some kind of jackhammer that works right next to you. By the way, here this function uses as many as four microphones!

The manufacturer was able to greatly facilitate the design. 258 grams are felt on the head only for the first time. Also, the company Sennheiser decided to release several versions of these headphones - they differ in the colors of the case. And it should be noted the price tag - Russian stores ask for this model no more than 22 thousand rubles.

Headphones are connected to a portable device via Bluetooth 4.0. If it has the support of the AptX codec, then you can enjoy sound that is close to CD-quality! However, it also depends on several other factors - for example, on the presence of a full-fledged DAC in the smartphone and the format of the file being played. It should be noted that there is also an NFC-chip, which significantly speeds up the pairing with the device.

This model can be used as a headset. However, do not expect pairing and support for other similar technologies - the manufacturer has saved on this. It is good that at least the voice dialing works here. Also, headphones allow you to control the playback of music - to do this, use the corresponding mechanical buttons on one of the cups.

The product includes a very capacious battery. Buyers write that a full charge is enough for 22 hours of work - this is an excellent result. But if the charge has dried up, then this is not the end! There is an audio jack, through which a wired connection. It should be noted that the sound is transmitted through the cable in the best quality - it is noticeable.

The active noise cancellation system works here continuously. This is the main difference of this representative of the rating from the majority of competitors. On the one hand, someone may want to turn it off, but will not get this opportunity. On the other hand, this function works so well that it practically does not affect the sound quality. By the way, this is a rare case when active noise cancellation continues to work even with a wired connection.

Perhaps the headphones turned out to be very good, they deserve the money spent on them. Problems can arise only among people with large ears - it is quite likely that planting a headset will seem uncomfortable to them. This is due to the small diameter of the ear cushions used here.

Bowers & Wilkins PX

Rating: 4.8

Another Bluetooth headset that supports wired connection. They belong to the type invoice. The size is very large, but in appearance it can immediately be said about maximum reliability.It is unlikely that such headphones will break even after falling to the floor from a height of human growth. The disadvantage of this design is a lot of weight - it reaches 335 grams.

Like the other headphones covered in this article, the Bowers & Wilkins PX headset is in fact wireless. Inside it is a battery with a capacity of 850 mAh. The manufacturer claims that its full charge lasts for 22 hours of battery life. In practice, this parameter strongly depends on the codec used, the volume of the sound and some other factors. But in any case, even 15 hours is an excellent result, allowing you not to use the charger for a whole week (unless you are listening to music all day).

The microphone here is used not only for the implementation of active noise cancellation system. With it, you can talk using mobile communications - the caller will hear you very well. Synchronization with a smartphone via Bluetooth 4.1. Greatly happy that the manufacturer has endowed these headphones with support for the AptX HD codec. If you have a flagship smartphone at your disposal, then it is likely that it will transfer music to the headset in CD quality! Owners of unpretentious devices, we recommend to abandon the wireless connection method, using the included cable. In this case, you will hear the maximum that the 40 mm diaphragms used here are capable of.

Headphone electronics are endowed with three filters for the environment, which allows the active noise cancellation system to work as precisely as possible. But experts note that in this regard, the product is still inferior to the models discussed above. By the way, the manufacturer recommends downloading its application in order to use additional functionality - it does not work perfectly on all smartphones.

Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2

Rating: 4.7

This representative of our rating differs from competitors in a lower price. You can buy these headphones for 12-15 thousand rubles, depending on your chosen online store. At the same time, this model is almost the same in many respects from more expensive products. It also works via Bluetooth. Its case also has a 3.5 mm audio jack, which allows you to use a wired connection if the battery charge is exhausted. There is even support for the AptX codec! In short, the buyer can definitely count on high sound quality, no matter what connection method he uses. Of course, subject to the availability of a good sound source. It is foolish to try to connect such a headset to a simple mobile phone to listen to compressed MP3-files.

Curiously, the NFC chip is integrated into the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2. This means that the pairing can be accelerated - the connection to the smartphone will take only a couple of seconds. As for the battery life, the manufacturer claims 24 hours. We make allowances for increasing the volume of the sound and some other factors, as a result of which we get 18-20 hours. Excellent result!

Recharging the battery lasts three hours. While this is the standard for such headphones. No doubt, some models support fast charging, but usually they are either not equipped with an active noise cancellation system, or they sound lousy - at least not good enough to fall into our rating.

Despite the capacious battery inside, the headphones weigh 289 g. Not bad for a full-size design! Please note that the manufacturer has endowed his creation with very soft ear cushions, as a result of which the headset is able to boast a tight fit. However, some people write in the reviews that even too dense - they have this model puts pressure on their ears.But to abandon it is extremely difficult, since in this price segment it is almost impossible to find other noise-canceling headphones that would sound just as good.

Phiaton BT 330 NC

Rating: 4.6

Another one is quite inexpensive headphones, which fell into our rating, including thanks to the support of the AptX codec. If you connect the headset to a good smartphone via Bluetooth, you can appreciate the sound quality. Of course, it is recommended to listen only to files in FLAC and ALAC formats.

These headphones do not have to be used exclusively in wireless mode. One of the cups has an audio jack to which the bundled cable is connected. In wired mode, headphones can work indefinitely. Bluetooth consumes the charge of the internal battery - it lasts for about a half dozen hours of sound.

The headset belongs to the full-size type. This means that her ear cushions completely encircle her ears. Well, the active noise cancellation system allows you to hide from extraneous sounds.

In this case, you can only grieve over the materials used. It hurts a lot of plastic involved in the manufacture. Yes, thanks to this, the product turned out very light - its weight does not exceed 200 grams. But there are questions to reliability. Perhaps, we still will not recommend such a purchase to those people who are not a model of accuracy.

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC

Rating: 4.5

The most accessible representative of our rating. For this Bluetooth-headset they ask about 10 thousand rubles, and sometimes it can be purchased at a lower price. In this case, the product belongs to the full-size type, and inside its cups are the usual 40-millimeter speakers. There is also a microphone here - it is with its help that the active noise cancellation system works. Also, the microphone can be used for talking on the phone. But you may encounter problems in a noisy room - the interlocutor in such conditions will hear more extraneous sounds than your voice.

Despite the not very high cost, the accessory looks expensive. An untrained person might well think that you bought headphones for several tens of thousands of rubles. The sound, too, can not be said that the manufacturer tried to somehow save. The bass in the music is well felt, while they do not drown out the upper or middle frequencies. These headphones will make you switch from MP3 to better quality music file formats.

It should be noted high-quality assembly. One feels that such a headset should definitely survive an accidental fall on a hard surface from a height of human height. It is also pleasing that it is not necessary to use headphones paired with a smartphone exclusively via a Bluetooth connection. The case has a familiar audio cable connector, which allows in the case of a dead battery to get wired headphones. However, such situations rarely occur, because the built-in battery lasts for 20-25 hours of sound. But there is also support for the AptX codec! This means that the sound quality of a wireless connection is almost the same as what you hear when using a cable.Of course, this is true only for those cases when music is taken from a smartphone that also supports AptX.

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC headphones come with a case that is quite useful. To recharge the headset used micro-USB connector. We did not add this fact to the list of shortcomings, as long as the obsolete micro-USB is used in the vast majority of wireless headphones.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, active noise cancellation technology is still far from ideal. Even in those headphones, which are described in this article, this music fan will feel an admixture of extraneous sounds. It remains to be glad that the activation of noise reduction is not required very often, and when the function is turned off, the headphones show themselves from the best side.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.