From the barking of the neighbors’ dogs to the loud honking of cars, there are a myriad of annoying noises that can distract you. Even the wee bit of mechanical noise your keyboard makes can be distracting to other folks who are in the Zoom meeting with you. As such, you need a headphone to remove these disturbances.
Sound and mic quality is also crucial as you need these for phone calls. And we have made this list just for this requirement.
Top Picks: Headsets with Impressive Noise Cancellation Features and Sound Quality
Sony WH-1000XM5
The audio capabilities of this Sony headset are impressive. If you are working from home, you can mimic a corporate setting– focused, isolated, and no external noises that can interrupt you from being on top of your game. Not only that, there are customization options so you can easily set it up according to your needs.
This headphone is very suitable for background settings. You can listen to music while working on your deadline. The sound won’t come off as too distracting, it will be subtle and smooth. It offers different sound profiles that can accommodate different environment scenarios, so you can choose one to help you work more productively.
This headphone is also optimized for listening. This is super when it comes to remote work. Audio quality on both ends of the line will be audible, and quiet and both parties can concisely hear the words being uttered.
This is wireless option that feels very comfortable. Though it is less compact than the previous model, it has larger ear cuffs that feel pretty amazing especially if you have larger ears. You can wear this for longer hours of work and still feel pretty nice and not a bit of pain in the ears.
You can easily access the controls. They can find them on the right ear flap should you desire to change the settings. And if you want to maximize its capabilities, it is best to download the software and pair it with your headset.
Apple AirPods Max
This is an expensive and high-end option that is blazing when it comes to the quality of the transparency mode. The ANC capacity of this headset is already superb. It presents crisp and balanced sound, deep bass, clean high frequencies, and accurate mid-range sounds. It has only one mode and it might be the only one you will ever need. This offers the most natural sound for this mode.
It is king when it comes to noise cancellation features, it can deafen destructive sounds such as loud cars honking outside. This can set you up for success in a WFH setting.
The controls are as easy to access and ergonomically positioned. Though some may argue that this is a bit bulky and oh, on the expensive side too.
Bose QuietComfort 45
This brand’s headphone is certainly king when it comes to noise cancellation. Compared to the older model, this has upgraded noise canceling features that effectively leave out background noise so you can work in peace. You can take calls and not be worried about the people on the other side hearing the loud purrs of your cat. It can effectively dull mid and high noises.
Sound-wise, everything sounds clear and audible, so it’s great for meetings and phone calls. You can hear through everything that is being discussed. However, using this while listening to music may not give you the best experience.
Comfort-wise, it feels nice on the head and ears, so you can use it for longer hours without any hassle. You can access the controls in the ear cuffs, though it is not that ergonomically positioned, you can get used to it in no time.
Beats Studio Pro
This is satisfyingly comfortable and feels like you can use it for the entire day. The controls on the ear cuffs are easy to access and it seems it is placed in an ergonomic position.
The noise canceling feature of this headphone is more of an adaptive type, it adjusts itself to the environment. You will be able to hear the conversation from the other line clearly while dulling the outside nose and even the mechanical sound from your keyboard.
If you need a headphone that can immerse you in a more natural setting, this is one of ‘em. This somehow seems similar to how an Apple AirPods max performs, it’s the budget option counterpart.
Noise reduction during calls is very impressive. Not to mention, this is aesthetically pleasing with the engineered leather and the metal sliders.
Cleer Enduro ANC
This is a more budget-friendly wireless headphone option that can decently cancel out unnecessary noises and make speeches, phone calls, and anything coming from other parties more tangible and clear.
There aren’t any cracking sounds, and it cancels out noses from cars and people from outside. If you choose the ambient mode, the headset will be able to pick up sounds from humans while canceling background noises.
Fit-wise, it has a more customizable, easy-going fit. You can easily change how it fits and feels more flexible. The earcuffs and headband both pivot and adjust. These are conveniently located in the ear cuffs, but you can also control them via the app connected to your smartphone. You just need to download the app and start pairing it to the headset.
Anker Soundcore Space Q45
This bad boy is packed with a lot of features. This is king and can deliver impactful sounds as it features lows and bright highs. When you are working from home, music can help immerse you in work mode and leave out the annoying noises.
The ANC capabilities of this headphone are impressive given the price. It did have a bit of a struggle with very loud noises, but it can still lessen it significantly.
You can easily set yourself up in work mode and recreate a corporate-like scenario. Also, you will be able to customize the sound settings depending on your preferences and needs.
The sound technology of this model is upgraded and refined. It can make music more surreal and enjoyable.
Though this headphone is more on the chunky side it does feel substantially comfortable on the head and the ears.
This is also one of the headphones we have in here that are quite effective in canceling out noise from the wind. This is suitable if you are looking for the best wind resistance option.
The downside is that sometimes, the sounds can come off a bit harsh depending on the pitch of the sound. But the good thing is that you can adjust the sound settings. Just tinker through the sound settings and you will be able to find the perfect setting for various uses.
Edifier WH950NB
As with your option number 4, this is also a great choice if you need one that can cancel wind noise efficiently. This has different ambient modes so you can customize the settings depending on the environment that you are working in. So if you are outside and need to take calls, rest assured the gust of the wind will be the least of your worries.
We love the balanced sound. This can be great for listening to music while leaving out the annoying background noises. As a bonus, acoustic sounds have an airy and bright quality.
The controls are easily located on the earcuffs. The downside is, the controls are not ergonomically positioned and it is easy to accidentally override the options. It seems to be finicky and not set in the optimal ergonomic position.
Sennheiser Accentum Plus
At a very affordable price, you can get a headphone with an efficient noise-canceling capacity. It’s not a high-end option, but you will not be able to complain much considering the price points. The ANC capabilities can be customized according to your needs. It has different modes and can also help silence sound coming from the wind.
The sounds come off more natural but get rid of the deafening outside noise.
It has a smart control app that allows you to personalize the sound, and customize the other features that can make your home a more suitable environment for work.
This is also a wireless headset that you can use wired should the need and desire arise.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
Now if you are looking for a headphone where you can fine-tune the settings to your satisfaction, this impressive bad boy will indulge you. The ANC features can be customized so you can best find the setting that suits your working environment. You can enjoy vibrant and balanced sounds and whichever mode you choose. However the array of options can be a disadvantage to some as they may find it a bit too overwhelming. But this is perfect if you are very particular about what you want.
It is as easy to operate and the controls are ergonomically positioned. It has more intuitive controls that you can easily hover through and does not require much of a learning curve.
It has well-balanced sounds but it’s not the most clear on this list. But for the price points, you can’t complain.
Cambridge Melomania P100
May we just say that when it comes to battery life, this is our frontrunner. Aside from the impressive ANC capacity, the longer battery life is what draws people here. The sounds are balanced and make up for a pretty engaging and clear conversation.
Like the Apple AirPods, this presents very natural sounds while effectively getting rid of annoying outside noises. It has adaptive hybrid noise cancellation that can eliminate unwanted sounds while maintaining succinct communication so you can still be aware of your surroundings.
It is very impressive in barring lower frequency sounds, the passive isolation keeps voices at bay so you can hear music clearly.
Runner Up: What Could Have Made it to this list
Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2
This headset has accurate sound with rich lows and detailed highs.
You can select the preferred mode / ANC and control it via the app. We just find that it’s a bit underwhelming when dealing with higher-frequency sounds.
Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless
This is equipped with lots of features and can do a little bit of everything. It can also be used for gaming, but we were helping with more muscles when it comes to noise cancellation.
How We Chose Headsets with the Noise Cancellation features
Price is one, yes, this is almost always a central factor in any purchase. So best to align your budget with these factors to ensure you can get a headset that can fulfill your work needs.
- Ease of movement
Working from home has its own disadvantages. You can easily be distracted since it lacks the usual corporate setting that can amp up your productivity. That’s why it’s best to set up a workstation that can facilitate productivity and movement.
Thus we find wireless headphones more capable of achieving Since there are no wires or cables, you can easily move without the hassle of tripping over. Though we also have a handful of options that can also be used wired, should the need arise?
- Design and Ergonomics
We decided to blend aesthetics with function. Especially if you’re going to go a bit over your budget, might as we fulfill your requirements while keeping your eyes happy.
So you can find eye candy headphones here. We considered how easy these are to use. The controls must be set to an optimal position, at least 80 percent of the time. This is to ensure a better workflow.
- ANC capacity
The capability of a headphone to reduce or remove annoying outside noise is one. But we are careful to choose units that can have added value when it comes to this department.
One, we have options that offer different ANC modes. This allows you to fine-tune the settings to perfection, allowing you to mimic a corporate setting easily.
Two, we included headphones that can block wind noise, which is essential if you’re going to take calls outside or work in an open area where gusts of wind may blow anytime. And three, we have headphones that offer natural sounds. This can help you have a better disposition when taking calls, listening in to Zoom meetings, and the like.
Sound quality is a priority. How else can you work properly if the calls from the other line come off blurred and blotchy? Sounds are distinctively clear and concise. Some headphones may even allow you to tweak the EQ levels to your hearing.
- Comfort
While comfort levels may be subjective, no one can argue that this is a big metric for success. We made sure to pick headphones that are nice and comfy on the ears and head, say for 3 to 5 hours at least, these should not cause any type of pain both in the ears and head.
Set Yourself Up for Success with the Right Headset
A headset with impressive noise-cancelling features is one of the prerequisites of a decent WFH setup. No matter how skilled you are, if there are outside noises that can distract you, then you may be setting yourself up for failure.
So this bit must not be overlooked. Communication is one of the keys to success. And you can’t do that if you can’t receive or send clear audio instructions.
