Noise Canceling Headphones

Drown out the noise around you while listening to your favorite music and podcasts with a pair of noise-canceling headphones. These headphones sound clear and crisp even when listening with them in noisy environments. They're ideal for private listening on daily commutes and long flights as well as in busy offices and public venues. Browse the large selection of wired and wireless headphones at Staples to find models with noise-cancellation features.

Choose from different types of noise-canceling headphones
While many of the units available are wireless models, there are also wired headphones with this headlining feature. Some wireless units have headphone jacks and include standard 3.5mm audio cables so users can keep listening when their batteries die. Both wired and wireless units are available as on-ear, over-ear, and in-ear headphones. On-ear headphones have cups that rest on the ears, while over-ear units have cups that cover the ears fully. While they're heavier, over-ear units reduce ambient noise further by enclosing the ears.

In-ear headphones, or earbuds, are smaller and lighter than the other two types. The earbuds rest inside users' ear canals. This design contributes to noise reduction by blocking ambient sounds from reaching the ears. In addition to wired and wireless earbuds, there are also true wireless earphones. Unlike regular wireless earbuds, there's no cable connecting the two earbuds of a pair of true wireless headphones.

Features to look for when shopping for noise-canceling headphones
Besides connectivity and design, other key factors to consider when comparing headphones in this category include fit, adjustable noise cancellation, and battery life. Over-ear headphones are more comfortable to wear for extended periods than on-ear units. They have better weight distribution and amply padded earcups made with soft leather and fabrics. On-ear models are lighter and easier to pack for travel. When opting for noise-canceling earbuds, look for a pair that fits snugly or hooks securely around the ears. For a custom fit, opt for a model that includes multiple pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes in the box.

Headphones with noise-canceling capabilities have tiny built-in electronics and microphones. These powered components take a significant toll on battery life. When shopping for wireless noise-canceling headphones, note their rated battery lives with the feature turned on and off. The ability to adjust the level of noise cancellation is important for those who like to hear some ambient sounds. They can also adjust noise cancellation to match the noise levels of different environments.

Is noise cancellation the same as noise isolation?
Noise isolation involves physically blocking ambient sounds from reaching the ears. Manufacturers achieve this by using sound-absorbing materials like high-density foam in earcup padding. Alternatively, the physical design of the headphones can also reduce the level of ambient noise reaching the ears. The tight seal formed by an earbud that fits snugly in the ear is an example of this approach. Noise isolation is a passive way of achieving noise cancellation. Active noise cancellation is more effective at reducing ambient noise and uses analog and digital filters to do so.

How do noise-canceling headphones work?
Headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) use dedicated microphones to pick up sound from outside their earcups. Then, they generate counteracting audio frequencies to cancel out the ambient noise.

Are Apple AirPods noise-canceling headphones?
Regular AirPods earbuds don't have active noise cancellation but offer noise isolation by fitting snugly in the ears. However, AirPods Pro earbuds have ANC and are noise-canceling earphones.