Are you constantly battling distractions at work? The constant chatter, phone ringing, and keyboard clicking can make it nearly impossible to concentrate. Noise-canceling headphones are a game-changer for office workers seeking peace and quiet. They create a serene sanctuary around your ears, blocking out the cacophony and allowing you to focus on the task at hand. With a wide array of options available, choosing the right pair can feel overwhelming. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the world of noise-canceling headphones and find the perfect pair to boost your productivity and silence the office noise.
From budget-friendly options to high-end audiophile picks, we’ve carefully curated a selection of the best noise-canceling headphones for the office. We’ve considered factors such as noise cancellation performance, comfort, battery life, and sound quality to ensure you get the most out of your investment. Whether you’re a creative professional seeking inspiration or a data analyst needing to crunch numbers, the right noise-canceling headphones can transform your workday. Let’s dive into the world of blissful silence and discover the headphones that will help you conquer your to-do list.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the latest iteration of Sony’s flagship noise-canceling headphones, and they’re arguably the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. They offer excellent noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and great sound quality. However, they are expensive, and their design can be a bit bulky.
Pros
- Excellent noise cancellation: The WH-1000XM5 offer some of the best noise cancellation on the market, effectively blocking out a wide range of sounds.
- Comfortable fit: The headphones are very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time.
- Great sound quality: The WH-1000XM5 sound great, with a well-balanced sound signature that is suitable for a wide variety of music genres.
- Long battery life: The headphones offer up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Cons
- Expensive: The WH-1000XM5 are very expensive, making them out of reach for some buyers.
- Bulky design: The headphones can be a bit bulky, especially when folded up for travel.
- No USB-C charging: The headphones still use a micro-USB port for charging, which is outdated.
Who are they for?
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are a great choice for anyone who wants the best possible noise cancellation and sound quality. They are also a good option for travelers who need a comfortable and portable pair of headphones.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, the Bose QuietComfort 45 are a good option. They offer excellent noise cancellation and sound quality, and they’re more affordable than the WH-1000XM5.
Overall
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. They offer excellent noise cancellation, comfortable fit, and great sound quality. However, they are expensive, and their design can be a bit bulky. If you’re looking for the best noise cancellation and sound quality, the WH-1000XM5 are worth the price.
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 are a pair of over-ear noise-canceling headphones that offer excellent noise cancellation, comfortable fit, and good sound quality. They are a worthy successor to the popular QC35 II and are a great option for anyone looking for a premium pair of noise-canceling headphones.
Design and Comfort
The QC45 headphones have a similar design to the QC35 II, but with a few subtle improvements. They are still made with a combination of plastic and metal, but the headband has been redesigned to be more comfortable. The earcups are also slightly larger and more padded, which helps to improve comfort and isolation.
The headphones are very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The earcups seal well around your ears, and the headband is padded and adjustable. The QC45 are also very lightweight, which makes them easy to wear on the go.
Noise Cancellation
The QuietComfort 45 offer excellent noise cancellation. They are able to effectively block out a wide range of noises, including low-frequency sounds like engine noise and high-frequency sounds like chatter. The noise cancellation is so effective that it can almost feel like you’re wearing earplugs.
The headphones also have a transparency mode that allows you to hear your surroundings without taking the headphones off. This is helpful if you need to hear announcements or have a conversation without removing the headphones.
Sound Quality
The QuietComfort 45 sound good. They have a warm and balanced sound signature, with a slight emphasis on the bass frequencies. The bass is punchy and well-defined, without being overpowering. The midrange is clear and articulate, and the treble is smooth and detailed.
The headphones are capable of delivering a wide soundstage, with good separation between instruments. They are also very good at handling dynamic music, with plenty of headroom for loud passages.
Battery Life
The QuietComfort 45 have a battery life of up to 24 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is a significant improvement over the QC35 II, which had a battery life of up to 20 hours. The headphones also support quick charging, with a 15-minute charge providing up to 3 hours of playback.
Conclusion
The Bose QuietComfort 45 are a great pair of noise-canceling headphones that offer excellent noise cancellation, comfortable fit, and good sound quality. They are a worthy successor to the popular QC35 II and are a great option for anyone looking for a premium pair of noise-canceling headphones.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of high-end over-ear headphones that were released in December 2020. They are known for their premium build quality, active noise cancellation, and spatial audio features.
Design and Features
The AirPods Max have a distinctive design with a stainless steel headband and ear cups that are made from aluminum. They come in five different colors: space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink. The headphones are also equipped with a digital crown for controlling volume and playback, as well as a button for switching between noise cancellation and transparency mode.
Audio Quality
The AirPods Max feature custom-designed 40mm dynamic drivers that deliver high-fidelity audio with rich bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. They also support Apple’s Spatial Audio feature, which creates an immersive listening experience by using directional audio cues to simulate a surround-sound effect.
Noise Cancellation
The AirPods Max’s active noise cancellation technology effectively blocks out external noise, allowing you to focus on your music or other audio content. They use a combination of microphones and algorithms to identify and cancel out unwanted sounds.
Battery Life
Apple claims that the AirPods Max can provide up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge with noise cancellation enabled. They also support fast charging, which allows you to get up to 1.5 hours of listening time from just a 5-minute charge.
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Effective active noise cancellation
- Immersive spatial audio experience
- Premium build quality
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- High price
- Bulky and not very portable
- No USB-C charging
Conclusion
The Apple AirPods Max are a premium pair of over-ear headphones that offer excellent audio quality, effective noise cancellation, and an immersive spatial audio experience. However, their high price and bulky design may not be suitable for everyone. If you’re looking for the best possible sound quality and features, the AirPods Max are a great option, but if you’re on a budget or need a more portable pair of headphones, there are other excellent options available.
Jabra Elite 85h
The Jabra Elite 85h is a premium pair of wireless headphones that offer excellent noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a long battery life. They are a great choice for anyone who wants a high-quality pair of headphones for listening to music, making calls, or working from home.
Pros:
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Long battery life
- Good sound quality
- Multiple listening modes
Cons:
- Expensive
- Can be bulky
Noise Cancellation
The Jabra Elite 85h features an impressive noise cancellation system that effectively blocks out ambient noise. This is great for anyone who wants to focus on their music or work without distractions. The headphones also have a “HearThrough” mode that allows you to hear your surroundings, which is useful for safety reasons.
Comfort and Fit
The Jabra Elite 85h are very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time. They have a soft earcup padding and a headband that adjusts to fit your head. The headphones are also relatively lightweight, which makes them easy to carry around.
Battery Life
The Jabra Elite 85h offer a long battery life of up to 36 hours with noise cancellation turned on. You can also use the headphones for up to 40 hours with noise cancellation turned off. This makes them a great choice for travelers who want to be able to listen to music for extended periods of time without having to worry about running out of battery.
Sound Quality
The Jabra Elite 85h offer good sound quality for both music and calls. The headphones have a balanced sound signature with clear highs, well-defined mids, and punchy bass. The microphone is also good quality, which makes these headphones a good choice for making calls.
Listening Modes
The Jabra Elite 85h offer multiple listening modes, including noise cancellation, HearThrough, and a “MySound” mode that allows you to customize the sound signature of the headphones to your liking. This gives you a lot of flexibility in how you use the headphones.
Conclusion
Overall, the Jabra Elite 85h are a great pair of wireless headphones that offer excellent noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a long battery life. They are a good choice for anyone who wants a high-quality pair of headphones for listening to music, making calls, or working from home.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are a pair of wireless over-ear headphones that offer excellent noise cancellation, comfortable fit, and good sound quality. They are a great option for anyone looking for a premium pair of headphones for listening to music, taking calls, or working from home.
Design and Comfort
The Surface Headphones 2 have a sleek and modern design. They are made from high-quality materials, including aluminum and leather. The earcups are large and comfortable, and they rotate to allow for a better fit. The headphones are also very lightweight, making them easy to wear for extended periods.
Sound Quality
The Surface Headphones 2 deliver excellent sound quality. They have a wide frequency range and can reproduce both high and low frequencies with clarity. The bass is powerful and punchy, while the treble is crisp and detailed. The headphones also have a good soundstage, which gives music a sense of space and depth.
Noise Cancellation
The Surface Headphones 2 feature excellent noise cancellation. They use active noise cancellation technology to block out unwanted noise. The noise cancellation is very effective, even in noisy environments. The headphones also have a transparency mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings without taking the headphones off.
Battery Life
The Surface Headphones 2 have a battery life of up to 20 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than enough battery life for most people. The headphones also have fast charging, which allows you to get up to 1.5 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge.
Microphone
The Surface Headphones 2 have a built-in microphone that is designed for clear voice calls. The microphone is very effective, and it can pick up your voice even in noisy environments. The headphones also have a dedicated button for muting the microphone.
Conclusion
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are a great pair of wireless over-ear headphones that offer excellent noise cancellation, comfortable fit, and good sound quality. They are a great option for anyone looking for a premium pair of headphones for listening to music, taking calls, or working from home.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are a solid choice for anyone looking for a pair of headphones that offer great sound quality, a comfortable fit, and a stylish design. They’re also very versatile, thanks to their active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode, making them suitable for a wide range of listening scenarios.
Sound Quality
The Momentum 4 Wireless headphones deliver excellent sound quality, with a balanced and detailed sound signature. They have a wide frequency response, meaning that they can reproduce a wide range of sounds, from the deepest bass to the highest treble. The bass is punchy and tight, the mids are clear and present, and the highs are crisp and detailed. Overall, the sound quality is very impressive for this price range.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Momentum 4 Wireless headphones feature active noise cancellation (ANC) that effectively blocks out unwanted noise. The ANC works very well, effectively reducing ambient noise like airplane engine noise and chatter. This is great for listening to music in noisy environments, or for focusing on your work or studies.
Transparency Mode
In addition to ANC, the Momentum 4 Wireless headphones also feature a transparency mode. This allows you to hear your surroundings without having to take your headphones off. This is useful for situations where you need to be aware of your surroundings, such as when you’re walking in traffic or when you’re talking to someone.
Comfort and Fit
The Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are very comfortable to wear. The earcups are made of plush padding and they rotate to fit your ears perfectly. The headband is also padded and adjustable, so you can get a snug fit. The headphones are lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
Battery Life
The Momentum 4 Wireless headphones have a battery life of up to 60 hours with ANC turned off, or up to 28 hours with ANC turned on. This is great battery life for a pair of wireless headphones, and it should be enough to get you through multiple days of use without having to recharge them.
Overall
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are a great choice for anyone looking for a pair of headphones with excellent sound quality, comfortable fit, and a stylish design. They offer a lot of features for the price, including active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and long battery life.
Shure AONIC 50
The Shure AONIC 50 is a premium pair of noise-canceling headphones that are designed for audiophiles and anyone who wants the best possible sound quality. They offer excellent sound, a comfortable fit, and a long battery life.
Sound Quality
The AONIC 50s deliver exceptional sound quality with a rich, detailed soundstage. The 40mm dynamic drivers are capable of producing powerful bass, clear midrange, and crisp highs. The headphones also have a wide frequency response, which means that they can reproduce a wide range of sounds. This results in a listening experience that is both immersive and enjoyable.
Noise Cancellation
The AONIC 50s feature industry-leading noise cancellation technology. The headphones use multiple microphones to pick up ambient noise, which is then cancelled out by the headphones. This makes them ideal for use in noisy environments, such as public transportation or busy offices.
Comfort
The AONIC 50s are very comfortable to wear, thanks to their soft earcups and adjustable headband. The headphones are also lightweight, making them easy to wear for long periods of time.
Battery Life
The AONIC 50s have an impressive 20-hour battery life with noise cancellation turned on. This means that you can use the headphones for a full day without having to worry about running out of power. The headphones also come with a carrying case, which makes them easy to transport.
Overall
The Shure AONIC 50 are a great choice for anyone looking for a premium pair of noise-canceling headphones. They offer excellent sound quality, comfortable fit, and long battery life. The only downside is the price, as they are relatively expensive compared to other headphones on the market. However, if you’re looking for the best possible listening experience, then the AONIC 50s are well worth the investment.
Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC Traveller
The Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC Traveller is a pair of over-ear headphones that offer a combination of features designed for the modern traveller. This includes active noise cancellation (ANC), a comfortable fit, and a long battery life. These headphones are marketed as being capable of blocking out unwanted noise, whether you’re on a plane, train, or in a busy city. They are also designed to be comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time.
One of the key features of the Lagoon ANC Traveller is its active noise cancellation. This technology uses microphones to pick up ambient noise and then generate a sound wave that cancels it out. This can be particularly useful for blocking out the sounds of engines, crowds, or other distractions. The ANC on these headphones is effective at reducing noise, making it easier to focus on your music or podcasts.
Another important aspect for travellers is the comfort of the headphones. The Lagoon ANC Traveller is designed with a focus on ergonomics, and they do a good job of providing a comfortable fit. The earcups are made of soft, breathable materials, and they have enough padding to ensure that they don’t press too hard on your ears. The headband is also adjustable, so you can find a fit that’s comfortable for your head size. The headphones are relatively lightweight, which is another plus for long-term wear.
The battery life of the Lagoon ANC Traveller is another crucial aspect for travellers. On a single charge, the headphones can last for up to 30 hours with ANC turned on. This makes them a great choice for long flights or road trips, and you won’t need to worry about constantly needing to recharge them. The headphones also support quick charging, so you can get a few hours of playback with just a short charge.
In addition to ANC, comfort, and battery life, the Lagoon ANC Traveller also offers good sound quality. The headphones have a balanced sound signature with clear highs, warm mids, and deep bass. They are well-suited for listening to a wide range of genres, from classical to electronic music. The headphones also have a built-in microphone, making them suitable for making phone calls.
Overall, the Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC Traveller is a well-rounded pair of headphones that offer a great combination of features for travellers. They provide effective noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, long battery life, and good sound quality. While they may be on the pricier side compared to some other ANC headphones on the market, they are a solid investment for anyone looking for high-quality headphones that can handle the demands of travel.
JBL Tour One
The JBL Tour One are wireless over-ear headphones that offer active noise cancellation (ANC) and a comfortable fit. They are designed for both listening to music and making phone calls.
The JBL Tour One feature a 40mm dynamic driver, which is responsible for delivering a rich, full-bodied sound. They also have a built-in microphone, allowing you to take calls without having to remove your headphones.
The JBL Tour One headphones offer up to 25 hours of battery life with ANC turned on. You can also use the JBL Tour One for up to 50 hours of playback with ANC turned off.
The JBL Tour One come with a charging case that provides up to 25 hours of battery life. They also have a USB-C charging port.
The JBL Tour One are available in black and white.
Features
Here are some of the key features of the JBL Tour One:
- 40mm dynamic driver
- Active noise cancellation (ANC)
- Built-in microphone
- Up to 25 hours of battery life with ANC turned on
- Up to 50 hours of battery life with ANC turned off
- USB-C charging port
- Charging case provides up to 25 hours of battery life
- Available in black and white
Pros
Here are some of the pros of the JBL Tour One:
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfortable fit
- Effective active noise cancellation
- Long battery life
Cons
Here are some of the cons of the JBL Tour One:
- Can be a bit expensive
- The case is a bit bulky
Conclusion
The JBL Tour One are a great pair of wireless over-ear headphones that offer excellent sound quality, a comfortable fit, and effective active noise cancellation. They are a bit expensive, but they are worth the price if you are looking for a high-quality pair of headphones.
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 is a great option for those looking for a comfortable and stylish pair of wireless headphones. They are well-built, with a comfortable fit and an excellent sound quality. The headphones offer a good amount of features for the price, including noise cancellation, Bluetooth 4.0, and a long battery life. They are available in a variety of colors to suit your style. The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 is a great option for those looking for a comfortable and stylish pair of wireless headphones.
Design and Comfort
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headphones are very comfortable to wear, thanks to their soft earcups and headband. They are also very lightweight, which makes them great for wearing for long periods. The headphones have a sleek design and are available in a variety of colors. The earcups are made of soft leather and the headband is made of a comfortable, padded material.
Sound Quality
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headphones have excellent sound quality. The bass is strong and deep, while the highs are clear and crisp. The headphones also offer good noise cancellation, which is perfect for blocking out distractions while you’re listening to music. The sound quality is very good for the price, and the noise cancellation is effective in blocking out ambient noise.
Battery Life
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headphones have a long battery life. The headphones can last for up to 24 hours on a single charge. They also come with a carrying case and a USB charging cable. The long battery life is a big plus, as it allows you to use the headphones for long periods without having to worry about them running out of power.
Features
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 headphones come with a variety of features, including noise cancellation, Bluetooth 4.0, and a built-in microphone. The headphones also have a volume control and a play/pause button on the earcup. The noise cancellation is effective in blocking out ambient noise, and the Bluetooth 4.0 connection is stable and reliable. The built-in microphone is good for making calls, and the volume control and play/pause button are easy to use.
Conclusion
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 is a great pair of wireless headphones that offer excellent sound quality, a comfortable fit, and a long battery life. They are also stylish and well-built. The headphones are a good value for the price and are a great option for those looking for a pair of wireless headphones for everyday use.
