I think we can all agree that headphones generally make life easier. This is due to a varitety of reasons ranging from the fact that they can be carried easily to the idea that most of them filter music conveniently.
Unlike earphones which sit inside the ear canal, headphones are gadgets which instead go over the ears to play audio from phones and car stereo systems when connected. Some headphones are connected using cables, but technology advancements has seen to the production of wireless headphones making them more comfortable and more convenient than ever before. A popular example of wireless headphones are the Bluetooth Headphones, which connect to phones and systems (car stereo, computer devices, etc.) using Bluetooth wireless technology.
Noise cancelling headphones are headphones that prevent surrounding sounds outside the headphones from filtering into your ears, thus leaving you with higher audio quality.
There are two types of noise cancellation;
Passive noise cancelling involves using the design of headphones to block external noise. Passive cancellation is done using on-ear or better still over the ear headphones.
Active noise cancellation uses the principle of producing counter frequencies that cancel out unwanted sounds. This is done using microphones that are placed inside the headphones which identify the unwanted sound waves and produce opposite but equal frequencies, making it difficult for these sounds to be heard.
Active noise-cancelling is a commuter’s best friend
Active noise-cannelling headphones are very important, especially for music lovers who commute to and from work daily. It can be frustrating when listening to music and external sounds like the noise of other commuters’ conversations, blaring horns, etc. filter into the ears. This can make you want to increase the volume of the music, which can become potentially dangerous to your ears over time.
Previously, Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones were expensive, but new designs have been created that are quite affordable with some that cost less than 100 dollars.
I have reviewed a number of noise cancelling headphones under $100 and below is my list of highly recommended choices;
Here’s the 6 Best Noise-Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones For Commuters:
1. JLab Audio Studio ANC On-Ear Wireless Headphones
These wireless headphones by JLab are one of the most budget-friendly in the market compared to the kind of quality that it offers. The JLab ANC headphones are an on-ear design type of headphones (considering that there are not too many on-ear noise cancelling headphones that are within budget in the market) with excellent noise cancelling ability and an extended battery life up to 30 hours with the noise cancelling mode. These headphones cost between $48-$60 and can pair with many mobile phones very easily.
Pros
- This headphone has an on-ear design, which makes it quite comfortable.
- The overall performance of this gadget is quite solid.
- Excellent noise cancelling ability.
- This product is quite affordable.
- Strong battery life.
- This product comes with a carrying pouch for easy movement.
Cons
- These headphones are are not so good for making calls.
- Some users think this product is too tight for their heads.
- Foot brake may heat up.
- Needs extra attention during assembly.
2. TaoTronics SoundSurge 90
This set is one of the most sophisticated headphones produced in the TaoTronics SoundSurge range. It is an advanced design over SoundSurge 60 with a better build and sound quality. This product is an over-ear design that costs between $55-$65 with a play time of 30 hours with noise cancelling. It has a USB type C charging port and can get to full charge in as little as 45 minutes. Trust this product to pair easily with mobile phones.
Pros
- This product is very comfortable to wear.
- Gets full charge in less than 1 hour.
- This product has a battery life of up to 30 hours with noise cancelling mode on.
- The audio quality is very good.
- It is very affordable.
- This product is fairly good for making calls.
Cons
- Some models of this product have a micro USB port rather than the advertised USB-C port.
- For users with small heads, these headphones might be too big to use. Thus, they might constantly keep falling backwards.
3. Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Bluetooth Headphones
When looking for Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones that are within budget, be sure to look out for the Anker Soundcore Life Q20. This over-ear headphone design is a top pick for a lot of reasons. Not only does it actively cancel noise and give you balanced, clear sound; it also produces a good audio quality. The Anker Q20 is made with ear-pads that secure the headphones over your ear in a comfortable way. The battery charge time is between 1-2 hours and you can get up to 40 hours playtime out of a single charge. This product pairs with most mobile phones easily as well. The best part? You can get it at $60-$65.
Pros
- The secure ear-pads make this product comfortable.
- It is quite good for making phone calls.
- The battery life is long, staying up to 40 hours.
- The sound quality and clarity produced by this product is high.
- It is very effective in noise cancellation.
- This product comes with a carrying pouch for safety and convenience.
Cons
- Some users feel the charge time is quite long.
4. Panasonic Retro Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
The Panasonic brand is not a strange name when it comes to audio appliances ranging from home sound systems to pressing irons and headphones; and the RP-HTX90N is one in a long list of amazing offerings. These wireless headphones are one of the most stylish on the market, with different colors in a “retro” design. These over-ear headphones have a closed back design that are lightweight and are quite comfortable. These headphones block out background noise actively, giving a good audio quality. This product also has a strong battery life up to 24 hours. The playback time can even be extended by up to 2 hours when charged for 15-20 minutes. This product can also answer calls smoothly. This product costs $70 and pairs easily with a wide range of mobile phones.
Pros
- The design of these headphones is super stylish, super retro.
- The over-ear and closed-back design makes it a very comfortable product.
- The audio quality of this product is good.
- The battery life is quite good as a little power gives a long playback time.
- This product is lightweight and can be carried conveniently.
Cons
- The sound produced by the headphones might not be very clear and dynamic.
- This product is considered to be quite pricey and other colors of this particular design are even more expensive at prices higher than $100.
5. Tribit QuietPlus Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
These are one of more expensive of the list but rightly so – you’re buying quality. The QuietPlus headphones are a great choice for active noise cancelling as its over-ear design gets rid of unwanted ambience and background noise with a battery life up to 30 hours. The charging port of this headphone is compatible with the USB Type-C and this product also comes with a carry pouch. You can own this one for just under $90.
Pros
- The Tribit QuietPlus has a long battery life of up to 30 hours.
- This product is quite effective in active noise cancelling.
- The QuietPlus headphones are compatible with a wiee range of mobile devices.
- There is a carrying pouch for safety of the product when it is not in use.
- The over-ear design helps to eliminate background noise.
Cons
- This product has a limited efficiency with producing music with high sound clarity.
- It is considered to be pricey as there are similar designs by other manufacturers that are sold at cheaper rates.
Things to Look for when buying Noise-cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
When buying noise cancelling headphones, you should look out for certain factors such as;
- Design: There are headphones with different designs, from those that cover the ears to those that go directly into the ears (earbud). There are also different sizes for you to choose from. Many noise cancelling headphones combine the physical design for passive noise cancelation with inbuilt microphones for active noise cancelation to give you the ultimate effect.
- Budget: Tech gadgets are considered to be quite expensive, as should be expected. But this is not always the case as you can get a noise cancelling headphone at an affordable price. Check the price before you make that order.
- Battery life and Power: This is one of the most important factors as no one would enjoy a product that does not have a long battery life. And like every other appliance, the battery life of headphones begin to decrease after a period of consistent use. So it is advisable to buy headphones with good and stable battery life that can stay strong after a few minutes of charging.
- Compatibility: This is another important thing to check when buying headphones as not all headphones are compatible with some mobile phones and other devices. So before you buy a headphone, ensure that it is compatible with your device, especially your mobile phone!
Final Thoughts…
I would highly recommend the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 wireless headphones. This is because it has great noise-cancelling abilities, has a comfortable over-ear design that balances sound and clarity, has a really long battery life and, for those who really like accessories, this product has a carry pouch. This does not mean that you might not find a different product that works for you. But whichever product you choose, do not forget to ensure that it has active noise-cancelling abilities and can pair with your mobile phone. With this, you can be sure that commuting to and from work just got smoother; in fact, you can say that the word commute sounds like “music to your ears”, literally!
One of the only downsides to wireless headphones is they need to be kept charged in which case I always reccomend carrying a pair of wired earbuds as well, just in case! Don’t worry though, as per usual we’ve done the hard work for you and selectected 7 of the best corded earphones with mic, especially for you.
Happy Commuting!
