Five Noise Cancelling Headphones Compared

JVC HANC250

The JVC HA-NC250 headphones provide outstanding sound quality through JVC’s advanced noise-cancelling and isolation technologies. The noise cancelation circuitry boasts of feedback technology that monitors the noise cancelation process. These headphones eliminate up to 85 percent of background noise and have an extra sound insulation layer through a double housing structure for the earpiece and cushioned ear pads. What’s so good about these headphones? The fact that you can still use them even when the active noise cancelation feature is switched off. The JVC HA-NC250 features a 40mm neodymium driver in each of its earpieces while maintaining a light weight form factor. The headphone uses a single 1.5-volt AAA battery to power its noise cancellation circuitry. (Price: $108.19)

Sony MDR-NC60 Noise Cancelling Headphone

These Sony Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear headphones shut out up to 85% of the ambient noise around you. They’re so powerful that they can shut out the sound of jet engines, office printers and even subway chatter. These headphones are comfortable to use so you can use them for a long time without stressing your ears. They feature a clever built-in monitor switch that lets you hear surrounding sound without needing to take off the headphones. They also feature a 40mm dome-type drive and have a frequency response of 14-22,000Hz. They are powered by an AAA alkaline battery which provides up to 30 hours of usage time. (Price: $121.29)

Denon AH-NC732 Active Noise Cancelling Headphone

If the Sony MDR-NC60 headphones offer only 85% noise reduction, the Denon AH-NC732 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones offer up to 95% outside noise reduction. These headphones collapse into a small moulded carrying case, which comes in very handy if you are travelling. Using a single AAA battery, these headphones will continue to work for over 40 hours. These noise cancelling headphones are also compatible with the iPhone/Touch without needing an adaptor. (Price: $134.99)

Philips HN 110 Folding Noise-Cancelling Headphones

The Philips HN 110 Folding Noise-Cancelling Headphones feature 20Hz-20kHZ frequency response and noise cancelling features which you can adjust easily using an integrated headphone shell. They have closed-style, dynamic headphones with 40mm drivers, neodymium magnets and CCAW voice coils. You can use these headphones everywhere - on buses, trains, and airplanes. The headphones cover your ears with their full-size form factor but you can also fold them up to fit them in the supplied soft pouch. (Price:$89.64)

Sennheiser PXC 250 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

These folding and lightweight noise cancelling headphones are the cheapest on the list. They drop steady-state low-frequency noise by 15 dB. These closed, dynamic, and supra-aural mini stereo headphones have NoiseGard active noise compensation that attenuates ambient noise. They require 2 AAA batteries and come with a belt pouch that fits the folded headphones comfortably. (Price:$62.90)

Headphones are an everyday item nowadays and they make use of some advanced technology to bring us quality sound and cancel out the world around us. The first headphones were invented in the early 20th century but they were very basic compared to these five examples. If you are looking for noise cancelling headphones you are sure to find a suitable pair here.