Active noise cancelling technology was developed for military pilots’ headsets in the seventies and eighties. It works by producing a sound wave which neutralizes the unwanted noise. Today, it is a feature of many of the best headphones you can buy in the shops.
Top-of-the-range noise cancelling headphones are ground-breaking; try a pair on, and you’ll be amazed. But they are not cheap. Budget models don’t reduce noise quite so much, and you might be left wishing you had spent more. Whether you can afford to splurge or are sticking to a budget, we’ve selected some of the best buys.
Sony WH-1000XM3
What Hi-Fi magazine described the Sony WH-1000XM3 as “as close to the perfect pair of noise cancelling headphones as it’s currently possible to find.” The noise cancelling function is outstanding, and listening to music is unadulterated joy. Controlled by touch, with only two buttons, they are beautifully simple to use.
These headphones can be used with with Bluetooth 4.2, and come with an adapter for in-flight entertainment systems. Noise cancelling can be optimized when the cabin pressure changes.
Battery life is 30 hours, and ten minutes of charge gives you five hours of power – fantastic for long journeys. They fold to fit into a small case, taking up very little space. The closed earcups avoid pressure on your ears, keeping you cool. You won’t want to take them off.
Buy them: Sony WH-1000XM3 $278
Bose 700
Bose was one of the pioneers of noise cancelling headphones, designing them for the pilots of the record-breaking Voyager flight in the eighties. They also made the first pair sold to consumers.
Noise cancellation shuts out conversations nearby as well as background noise, and with 11 different levels, you can let in as little or as much sound as you like. Sound quality is so clear it will make you want to get up and dance.
Travelers will love Bose AR, a series of apps that allow you to tune in to hear directions or find places of interest nearby. You can even listen to reviews of the restaurant you’re standing in front of.
Of all the headphones in this list these are the most stylish. The headband is thin and adjusted via an ingenious sliding mechanism. They look great, but perhaps a little too great for a rough and ready backpacking lifestyle.
Buy them: Bose 700 $349
Jabra Elite 85h
Danish brand Jabra launched their Elite 85h headphones in 2019. The noise control works perfectly and can be customized in the Jabra Sound+ app, and the Smart Sound system adapts to your surroundings, which is perfect if you’re on the move. Another stand-out feature is the extraordinary battery life. They can last up to 36 hours, which is ideal if you are taking a lengthy trip.
The Jabra Elite 85h feel tighter on your head than either the Sony or the Bose and are perhaps a little clunkier overall, but the difference is marginal. And, the smooth fabric coating feels softer to the touch than hard plastic. With a water-resistant fabric coating, these headphones feel like they could withstand some wear and tear and their warranty guards against rain and dust. A well-made, well-designed product.
Buy them: Jabra Elite 85h $249.99
Sennheiser HD 4.50
Award-winning German company Sennheiser has developed its own active noise canceling technology called NoiseGard. Although effective, it’s not quite in the same league as the tech in the Sony WH-1000XM3 or the Bose 700. But the sound quality is clean and bright and can be customized in the accompanying Captune app.
While the design of the HD 4.50 is quite straightforward, they are small when folded in on themselves and come in a soft travel pouch rather than a hard case, making them easier to pack. Weighing only 238 grams, they are one of the lightest sets of headphones on this list. They have 19 hours of battery life with noise cancelling on. High-quality headphones at a very reasonable price.
Buy them: Sennheiser HD 4.5 $149.98
JBL Tune 600BTNC
American company JBL is famous for making loudspeakers, but has also designed several high-quality sets of headphones. The Tune 600BTNC are inexpensive as far as noise-cancelling headphones go, which means neither the sound quality nor the active noise-cancellation are as good as on more expensive versions. JBL makes a point of mentioning how good the bass sound is – so if you’re a wannabe DJ who loves their hip hop or electronica, these could be the headphones for you.
What makes these headphones attractive to travelers is their weight. At 173 grams, they’re the lightest on this list. However, there isn’t a carry case or pouch, so they may get damaged unless you purchase one. Battery life is 12 hours if you’re using Bluetooth or noise cancelling, so you won’t be able to wear them the whole time on a long flight. They are lighter to wear than some of the other models, and for the fashion-conscious, they come in pink, blue and white.
Sony WH-CH700N
Sony has cracked active noise cancelling. On these headphones, the noise cancellation function is fantastic – background noise and conversations nearby can be almost completely shut out. The sound quality is also excellent for headphones at such a low price.
The Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancellation (AINC) feature uses AI to optimize itself at the push of a button, perfect if you’re en route through a changing environment such as an airport, as you don’t need to keep readjusting them.
Lightweight and comfortable, they swivel flat for easy storage and can be neatly tucked into an aircraft seat pocket. With a long battery life too, these are an excellent choice for travelers. And while they lack the design credentials of the top models, they are well made and comfortable to wear.
Buy them: Sony WH-CH700N $179.95
The verdict
The top of the range headphones by Sony and Bose transform the experience of listening to music – and of being out in the world. But, for traveling, our top pick is the Jabra Elite 85h. The water-resistant coating is an innovative feature and means you won’t be worrying about damaging them all the time. The battery life is good, as are the sound quality and noise cancelling function.
The Sony WH-CH700N are another great choice. Sony doesn’t compromise on either noise control or audio quality with these headphones. They are light and comfortable to wear and, importantly, won’t bankrupt you!