When it comes to noise canceling headphones, there are so many options that it can be hard to figure out which ones are the right fit for you. But it doesn't have to be. By learning a few things about how noise canceling headphones work, what you should look for and what features are worth the extra money, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect pair for your needs.

Sound Quality is Key

If you're looking to invest in a pair of noise canceling headphones, it's important to consider the quality of the sound they provide. This is especially true if you plan to use them for long periods of time, since good sound quality is essential for comfort.

The best noise-canceling headphones should provide you with a wide range of options in terms of what kind of music they'll play and how much you can hear. You'll also want to choose a model that provides you with the features you need, like active noise cancellation and a convenient control app.

Foldable Headphones Are Ideal for Travel

When you're planning to take your new headphones on the go, you'll need something that will be easy to store and carry around. This is why foldable headphones and earbuds are so popular, as they are designed to shrink down to the size of your pocket and can be easily stored in a tiny case when you're not using them.

Adaptive Noise Cancellation is the Most Desirable

Unlike passive noise cancellation, adaptive noise canceling works by constantly monitoring ambient sounds and counteracting them with AI-based noise cancellation in real-time. This allows them to automatically adjust the level of noise they block as needed, keeping you able to hear the music you love without the annoying interruptions caused by other people's conversations around you.

You'll find this feature in the Sony WH-1000XM4s and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, both of which are among our picks for the best noise cancelling headphones of 2018.

Design is Important

The look and feel of your noise-canceling headphones should be a big consideration, as they should be comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time. The best noise-canceling headphones are built with padded earcups and headbands, as well as materials that ensure that you stay cool when wearing them for long periods of time.

Extensive Parental Controls Are a Must: You'll want to choose headphones that offer a variety of parental controls so that you can control how loud they play. This includes volume limiters and listening modes that allow you to set different levels of sound for different activities, making it easier for you to find a pair that works best for your child.

Kids (ages 13-18): If you're taking your children to a concert or sporting event, it's vital to choose headphones that have been specifically designed with kids in mind. They should have a noise reduction rating of 20 or higher and offer volume-limiting features so that you can make sure your child's ears are safe.

How to Choose the Perfect Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise-cancelling headphones can block out environmental sounds to improve your listening experience. This is especially helpful on a noisy commute or in an office.

They often offer active noise canceling (ANC), which uses microphones to detect external sound. The ANC then blocks the unwanted sound waves and allows the desired ones to come through.

Sound Quality

If you're looking for a pair of headphones, you need to ensure that they deliver impressive sound quality. You need to be able to hear the music clearly and enjoy it without any distractions.

Sound quality is largely determined by a pair of headphones' frequency response, which determines the range of sound frequencies they can reproduce. These frequencies include high notes (bright), mid-range and bass.

A good pair of headphones should deliver a smooth, balanced response across the frequency spectrum, irrespective of where they are positioned or how their ear cups are placed over the ears.

Frequency response measurements are a key part of audio quality evaluation, although they can be hard to interpret. Large peaks and valleys over 3kHz in width are an indicator of poor headphone performance, and you should aim for a smooth, flat line within this frequency range.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor in a good pair of headphones, especially if you plan on using them for a long time. They can help you relax while listening to music, which will improve your overall experience.

If you're not sure how comfortable a particular pair of headphones are, try them on for size before purchasing. It's also a good idea to wear them for at least 20 minutes so you can see how they fit on your head and what kind of sound isolation you get.

Choosing the perfect noise-canceling headphones is a lot easier than you might think, as long as you know what you're looking for in terms of features and price range. There are a few key factors that go into making a great pair of headphones: quality, comfort, noise cancellation, and connectivity. The right pair for you will be the one that fits all your needs. The rest will fall into place.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancelling headphones - also known as active noise cancellation (ANC) - are designed to significantly drown out external sounds, so you can concentrate on what you're listening to. They do this by placing microphones on the outside of the earbud and then creating an inverse sound wave to cancel out the outside noise.

This method of cancelling out background noise is effective, but it's not perfect. For instance, it doesn't do a very good job of blocking out airplane engines or the voice of your seatmate.

But it's still a great way to drown out distracting ambient noise when you want to focus on your music. In fact, some high-end ANC headphones can even automatically adjust the amount of noise cancellation you get based on your surroundings and the headphones' fit.

As with sound quality, the right noise canceling headphones for you will depend on your own personal preferences. If you're a basshead, a pair with excellent bass response will be your best bet, while if you enjoy classical music or want to hear every detail in your audio, you'll need a pair with the highest-fidelity sound possible.

Connectivity

One of the most important aspects of the best noise canceling headphones is their connectivity. You want them to work seamlessly with your favorite mobile device and be easy to use.

The most powerful wireless headphone systems should support Bluetooth 5.0 or higher for best performance, and should have fast pairing and reconnection times. They should also be well rounded in design and comfort.

You should also have a good look at the sound quality, and be sure to choose the right headphones for your budget and taste. The perfect pair should be light and portable, and have the capability to block out all the ambient noises you don’t want to hear. The best noise canceling headphones will make even the most boring commute feel like a breeze. The best way to find the perfect pair is to spend some time researching your needs and then putting them into practice. The result will be an improved listening experience that you’ll appreciate every day.