Noise-canceling headphone guides

Noise-cancelling headphone guides help you understand, choose, and use headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC).

We cover both headphones and wireless earbuds with the noise-cancelling feature.  So, some guides are overlapping with other sections.

Why noise-cancelling headphones?

Noise-cancelling headphones were initially enjoyed by some frequent travelers.  Such magic headphones can give you a quiet journey in the aeroplane without using an uncomfortable earplug. You can enjoy the music in a quieter condition at the same time with a noise-cancelling headphone.

Now, more and more urban commuters find noise-cancelling headphone a necessity.

Active noise-cancelling headphones can effectively cancel out annoying low-frequency noises and bring you a quiet environment in an aeroplane, in the subway, or simply in the office.

Active noise cancelling (ANC) is different from noise blocking.

As explained in the differences among in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones, all headphones can block certain ambient sound (not just low-frequency noise) physically.

An extreme example of such physical blocking is ear muffs used in the shooting.  Some in-ear headphones may seal the air inside your ear, but most of them are not effective. Over-ear headphones can offer better noise blocking, depending on the design.

On the other hand, active noise-cancelling headphones can “filter” or cancel the ambient low-frequency noise, which is the most annoying and disturbing portion of ambient sound. An ANC unit can generate a “negative” sound wave to cancel the ambient noise. And the result is that you get music without ambient noise. Most active noise-cancelling headphones in the market can cancel up to 80-95% ambient noise.

So, if you travel a lot, or use public transport frequently, or work in a noisy office, you will find out that a noise-cancelling headphone can be your lifesaver.

However, a lot of headphone users do not fully understand the benefits of active noise-cancelling headphones.  They need some detailed guides showing how to get the best headphones with active noise canceling within their budget.

Some noise-cancelling headphone owners may be still confused about the features of these headphones with ANC.

So, we created this noise-cancelling headphone guides section to explain to you how ANC works, how to choose an active noise-cancelling headphone, and how to use noise-cancelling headphones.

Please note that active noise-cancelling is a sound technology that can be used in all types of headphones.

List of noise-cancelling headphone guides

More noise-cancelling headphone guides are added regularly. The list will be updated once new guides are released.

Here is the list of published and coming-soon noise-cancelling headphone guides.

1. What is active noise cancelling (ANC)? How does active noise cancelling headphone work?

You need an active noise cancelling headphone if you want to block the ambient low-frequency noise, like engine noise in the aeroplane.

Active noise cancelling (ANC) is different from noise blocking/isolating, which passively blocks both high and low-frequency noises.

This headphone guide explains what the active noise cancelling (ANC) is and how the active noise cancelling headphone works. It will not only help you understand ANC but also help you choose proper active noise-cancelling headphones.

Read to learn more about ANC and ANC headphones.

2. How to use active noise-cancelling headphones?

3. How to choose an active noise cancelling headphone?

4. The top 5 noise-cancelling headphones in 2019 under $100

5. The top 5 noise-cancelling headphones in 2019 under $200

6.  The best noise-cancelling headphones in 2019

7. Review of noise-cancelling headphones

8. Top 10 new features of AirPods Pro (vs AirPods 2)

9.  A review of Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

The added active nosing cancelling (ANC) makes Samsung Galaxy Buds Live a direct and serious competitor to Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM3.

This headphone guide explains the new features and improvements of Galaxy Buds Live (vs Galaxy Buds Plus), and how Galaxy Buds Live stands against Apple AirPods Pro to help you choose a pair of proper wireless earbuds.

10. and many more …….

Other headphone guides

In addition to noise-cancelling headphone guides listed on this page for headphones with ANC, you may check other specialized headphone guides:

• Headphone 101.  You can find detailed explanations of the features, technologies, and usage of headphones.
• Bluetooth headphone guides. You can find detailed guides on how to choose a Bluetooth headphone, how Bluetooth headphones work, and how to pair and use Bluetooth headphones.
• Sports headphone guides. If you are considering a headphone for sports, or if you have any questions on sports headphones, you can find answers and guides there.
• Wireless earbuds guide. You can find guides on using and choosing wireless earbuds in this section.

Do you have any questions on noise-cancelling headphones?

If you have any questions on noise-cancelling headphones, or if you encounter any problems with using active noise-cancelling headphones, please leave your question in the comment box below.

You can also post your questions on our Facebook page.

The community will help you get the answer.