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Should You Get Noise-Cancelling Headphones or Earphones?
Over-ear (circumaural) headphones typically offer the most effective ANC. Their earcups can create a tight seal, and the earpads act as an additional barrier. That said, the less-common on-ear ANC models can still eliminate plenty of surrounding noise, are often far more comfortable, and stow away more easily.
ANC-capable earphones have also seen significant improvements in recent years. The most significant advantage of these models is their passive isolation; their eartips seal off your ear canal, effectively eliminating high frequencies even before you enable the ANC.
The advantages one style may present over another are less about ANC performance at this point and more about your preference and comfort. You can find class-leading active noise cancellation in each category.
Are noise-canceling headphones waterproof?
Is It Worth Buying Noise-Cancelling Headphones?
Noise cancellation circuitry isn't cheap. If a model has been around for more than a year or two, you might find some deals, but a quality pair of headphones rarely sells for less than $200. If they do, the ANC on offer is probably acceptable for the price but not on the same level as the top-tier options. If you're looking for the best, prepare to pay between $350 and $400. Earphones are the exception, and you can get good performance for less than $200.
Whether it's worth spending that much depends on your typical listening environment. If you struggle to focus in the presence of noisy people, pets, or machines, then noise-cancelling headphones are absolutely worth the sense of quiet they can provide.
However, if noise cancellation isn't a major concern for you, focus on other key characteristics by exploring our lists of the best wireless headphones, the best earphones, and the best headphones overall. If you're on a tight budget, consider the best headphones available for under $50.
figured the title should be the best tldr, so ill expand.
Im looking for new headphones for the purpose of work and listening to music. Currently I have apple airpod Max and i like everything about them except how heavy they are. I wear my headphones almost all day to block out noise even if im not listening to anything, but it hurts the top of my head and i swear i’m getting an indent there :( . its not necessarily even the weight of them, but the terrible design of the headband portion is the problem.
i would say my budget is around $200-250 max, but id prefer to stay under $200.
It needs to be bluetooth (i have an iPhone), to have a mic, it has to be over ear (i have lots of ear piercings so on ear and buds do not work for long term use), and it has to be noise canceling. lightweight/comfortable for 8-10hours of wear!! lightweight isnt a must, it just needs to be soft and not indent my head.
I would describe myself as a casual listener of music (with headphones, i typically listen on speakers) so Im not a stickler about sound quality, obviously i dont want bad quality, but im not going to spend $100s more just to get the best sound when i could get good quality for cheaper.
tia for the help! i did some searching on this page already but im not finding exactly what im asking but i think thats on me for being so illiterate and having bad search terms.
EDIT: i did end up purchasing the soundcore space one pro, and i love them. they are exactly what i needed, comfortable, lightweight, and great noice cancellation. the one thing i dont like is the Transparency mode isnt that good, but thats not a big enough issue that i would stop using these. Thanks for the help!