The Best Budget Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.
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There are two main types of noise-cancelling headphones: active and passive. Here is a quick rundown how each method works.
- Active Noise Cancellation — “ANC headphones” use a microphone to record ambient sounds, then replay those sounds out-of-phase so the noise cancels itself out. This method filters out monotonous, low-frequency sounds like white noise from an air purifier, but it isn’t effective at blocking voices. Some ANC headphones use a feedforward design with the microphone placed outside of the earcup; others use a feedback design with the microphone placed inside of the earcup). Hybrid noise cancellation is a best-of-both-worlds approach that places microphones both inside and outside of the earcup. All active noise cancellation headphones require a power supply to function (usually, a battery).
- Passive Noise Cancellation — Some headphones and earbuds have a fit and shape that muffles sounds like earmuffs or earplugs would. Many of these “noise-isolating headphones” don’t do much, but the good ones form an acoustic seal that lowers the volume of everything around the listener, including voices. Passive NC headphones don’t require batteries.
Some noise cancelling headsets also tout “CVC” noise cancellation, which stands for “clear voice capture.” This Qualcomm technology is described as “a suite of algorithms that work on the transmission and receiving path of voice calls to deliver optimum voice quality.”
The best noise-cancelling headphones have the potential to protect hearing by encouraging safe listening levels. However, any type of headphone can damage the inner-ear if played too loudly. Just because a headphone reduces noise doesn’t make it safe by definition: Always be mindful of volume.
How Much Do Good Noise-Cancelling Headphones Cost?
A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $50, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same headphones cost around $27 while on sale: an average discount of 46%. Here are the best inexpensive noise-cancelling headphones for the money:
Methodology for Selecting Products
I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find noise cancelling headphones with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any pair of headphones with a price above the mid-point.
To find noise-cancelling headphones with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Headphones with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, approximately 85% of the products that are analyzed are eliminated for one or more of the reasons above. The surviving products are the best noise cancelling headphones for the money.
Mpow H19 Hybrid Noise Cancelling Headphones
Good Value: $55 | Great Deal: $40
Mpow’s inexpensive noise-cancelling headphones are nearly as good as models from Bose, but at a fraction of the price, according to several customers who praise the H19’s sound quality and durable build. Some reviewers say these headphones have a disappointing microphone; others warn that they are heavy.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
RCA H070 Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Good Value: $60 | Great Deal: $44
RCA’s budget ANC headphones are handsome, comfortable and they have excellent sound quality, according to several online customers. Several reviewers warn that these headphones won’t form an acoustic seal on every head because they aren’t adjustable. Others say that the battery life and microphone are disappointing.
JLab Audio Studio ANC Wireless On-Ear Headphones
Good Value: $60 | Great Deal: $48
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JLab’s affordable ANC headphones have long battery life, excellent sound quality and very good noise cancellation, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say these headphones pinch their ears.
Cowin E7 Active Noise-Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Good Value: $55 | Great Deal: $20
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Cowin’s noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones are comfortable, have good sound quality and the battery life is excellent, according to several online customers. Many reviewers wish the noise cancellation did a better job of blocking voices and unpredictable sounds; others were disappointed with the onboard mic.
Monoprice SonicSolace Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Good Value: $60 | Great Deal: $34
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Monoprice’s budget noise cancelling headphones have great sound quality, better-than-expected noise cancellation and good battery life, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say these headphones are large and heavy (i.e. uncomfortable); others wish that a travel pouch was included.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Cyber Monday.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Good Value: $54 | Great Deal: $40
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Anker’s inexpensive noise-cancelling headphones are well-built, comfortable and have a long battery life, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say that loud noises (like a slamming door) cause a crackling or popping sound; others complained of Bluetooth connectivity issues and a poor microphone.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
Srhythm NC25 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Good Value: $48 | Great Deal: $38
Srhythm’s budget ANC headphones are comfortable, easy to travel with (thanks to an included case) and have good noise cancellation for the money, according to several online customers. Many reviewers wish these headphones had a longer cord; others say that voices pierce through the noise cancellation.
Boltune BT-BH011 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Good Value: $69 | Great Deal: $20
Boltune’s inexpensive noise cancelling headphones are a no-frills alternative to Sennheiser and Audio-Technica, according to several online customers. Some reviewers were disappointed by the battery life; others say that garbled voices and Bluetooth pairing issues make these headphones a poor choice for calls.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Amazon Prime Day and Cyber Monday.
Utaxo Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Good Value: $54 | Great Deal: $36
These budget noise-cancelling headphones are comfortable and reduce background noise while listening to music, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish these headphones had more volume; others say the sound quality is “so-so.” Many describe these headphones as good, but not great.
Edifier H840 (Passive) Noise-Isolating Headphones
Good Value: $37 | Great Deal: $15
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Edifier’s noise isolating headphones sound great and reduce noise surprisingly well, according to several online customers. Some reviewers (even happy ones) say these headphones have a fragile cord.
Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones
Good Value: $36 | Great Deal: $17
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These Sony headphones are good at reducing engine noise on airplanes and buses, according to several online customers, many of whom also claimed excellent battery life. Several reviewers say that music doesn’t sound as good when noise-cancellation is turned off; others criticized the build quality of these headphones.
Mpow H12 Noise Cancelling Headphones (BH366A)
Good Value: $45 | Great Deal: $27
Mpow’s ANC headphones have fantastic noise cancellation, according to several online customers. Many reviewers caution that these headphones run large and have an unreliable Bluetooth connection.
TaoTronics Active-Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds
Good Value: $47 | Great Deal: $39
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TaoTronics’ active-noise cancelling earbuds are comfortable, sound great and work well to cancel out airplane- and commuting-noises, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say these earbuds have mediocre battery life and build quality. Others wish the noise cancellation was stronger.
Avantree Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth 4.1 Headphones
Good Value: $42 | Great Deal: $31
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Avantree’s Bluetooth headphones have comfortable ear cups and excellent battery life, according to several online customers. Critical reviewers say that the sound quality and noise cancellation are nothing to write home about; others say that these headphones are easily heard by other people (i.e. the sound leaks out).
Paww WaveSound 3 Bluetooth Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Good Value: $80 | Great Deal: $30
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Paww’s WaveSound 3 headphones are well-packaged and built, according to several happy customers who say these noise cancelling headphones sound and work as well as models that cost four times as much. Many reviewers said these headphones are heavy; others were disappointed by the battery life.
About the Author: John DeFeo is an avid audiophile, a one-time A/V salesman, and more recently, the head of editorial insights for Tom’s Guide.
