Noise canceling is great for blocking out consistent sounds, so the microphones have time to detect the sound and cancel it out. Loud, sudden noises are too quick to be properly canceled out, so you’ll still hear these unless you have really good passive isolation.

Make sure you put your headphones into pairing mode, which is different for each pair of headphones. Open up settings on your computer, and find the Bluetooth settings menu. There should be a list of devices, and the headphones should show up as a device to connect to. Click on the name of the headphones in the menu, and you should connect almost instantly.

In most modern office environments, wearing headphones while working is generally accepted and often encouraged. They can help you focus by blocking out distractions and signaling to coworkers that you’re in a focused work mode. However, it’s always best to check your specific workplace policies. Some offices may have guidelines about when headphones are appropriate, especially in customer-facing roles or during meetings. It’s also important to be mindful of your coworkers and maintain awareness of your surroundings. Many of the headphones we’ve recommended, like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, offer transparency modes that allow you to hear your environment when needed, making them well-suited for office use.