As of: February 21, 2024, 10:23 a.m
By: Philipp Mosthaf
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Active Noise Canceling provides comfort and sound without background noise.
© Antonio Guillen Fernández/PantherMedia
Noise-canceling headphones can isolate you from the outside world.
Which headphones with ANC are best?
We show you the advantages and disadvantages of the best models.
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This doesn't change anything for you.
Whether it's listening to music or talking on the phone in a noisy environment - it's not uncommon for you to just want to withdraw and relax or concentrate on work.
Over-ear headphones with Active Noise Canceling (ANC) offer this comfort.
Thanks to ANC, you can completely isolate yourself from the outside world.
We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of the best noise canceling headphones for you.
Overview: Which noise canceling headphones are the best?
Sony WH-1000XM4
Bose NC 700
Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H95
Philips Fidelio L3
How does Active Noise Canceling work?
Headphones equipped with Active Noise Canceling actively suppress the noise in the environment.
This means you can listen to music or podcasts or have a clear phone conversation without any outside noise.
With noise canceling, ambient noise is recorded with a microphone and played out of phase through the speakers.
The sound waves that disturb are simply deleted.
But you can not only understand the people you are talking to better, you can also be heard much better.
What is the difference between ANC and NC?
While the acoustics and electronics of the headphones play an important role in active noise cancellation (ANC), passive noise cancellation (NC) is just isolation.
The headphones are equipped with insulating materials that prevent noise from the outside world from reaching the ear.
The mechanics are also important here.
With over-ear models, the earcups sit tightly and firmly on the ears so that as little air and noise as possible can penetrate.
Models with NC use sound-absorbing materials, but are therefore somewhat heavier.
Over-ear headphones already have passive noise canceling due to their design.
The tested models all have ANC.
The test winner among over-ear headphones with ANC: Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones © Amazon product image
Advantages |
✔️ Excellent sound |
|---|---|
✔️ Intelligent ANC |
|
✔️ Smart operating concept |
|
Disadvantages |
❌ AptX is no longer supported |
❌ Does not support Siri |
|
Amazon review |
4.6 ⭐ |
Now €269.99 instead of €379
Industry-leading ANC
thanks to HD noise canceling processor QN1
Transmission with LDAC: Sony's
new Bluetooth technology
is significantly faster than conventional Bluetooth transmission.
This means you can listen to high-resolution audio content like you would otherwise only do via cable.
Multipoint connection:
The Sony WH-1000X M4 can be connected to two Bluetooth devices at the same time.
Speak-to-Chat:
Simply speak and the outside noises become audible.
You can also have conversations with headphones.
Compatible with
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Battery life:
up to 30 hours, depending on mode.
Talkthrough function:
If you place your palm on the auricle, the music becomes quieter and the surroundings are perceived more clearly.
Wearer detection:
A distance sensor and two acceleration sensors detect the wearer and adjust the sound.
Weight:
254g
Headphones with ANC in the test: Bose NC 700 – Excellent noise canceling and strong sound
Bose NC 700 headphones © Amazon product image
Advantages |
✔️ Strong ANC in 11 levels |
|---|---|
✔️ Great sound |
|
Disadvantages |
❌ Many features only work via the app |
Amazon review |
4.5⭐ |
Now €339.99 instead of €399.95
Innovative ANC:
Active noise cancellation in 11 levels.
World-class voice capture:
A revolutionary microphone system ensures your voice sounds crystal clear when you're on the phone - even in noisy or windy environments.
The Bose NC 700 headphones can
be paired
with two devices at the same time .
Simple
operation via touch elements
.
Battery life:
up to 20 hours
Compatible with the voice assistants
Alexa and Google Assistant
.
High-quality design and best wearing comfort:
Lightweight stainless steel headband and angled earcups for an ideal fit.
Pairing with Bose Soundbar:
Bose SimpleSync technology allows you to pair the Bose NC 700 with the Bose Soundbar 500 or 700.
Weight:
249.5g
Headphones with ANC in the test: Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H95 – When money is no object
Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H95 © Amazon product image
Advantages |
✔️ Excellent sound |
|---|---|
✔️ Great design |
|
✔️ High-quality workmanship |
|
✔️ Innovative operating concept |
|
Disadvantages |
❌ Very expensive |
Amazon review |
4.4 ⭐ |
Now €829 instead of €999.00
Adaptive ANC:
Thanks to an arrangement of eight microphones, ambient noise is suppressed.
The ANC adapts to your environment.
Precise sound reproduction and improved bass reproduction
thanks to 40 mm titanium drivers.
Tuned by industry-leading acoustic engineers.
Operation via
touch, button and wheel
on the ear cups.
Compatible with
Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant
.
Battery life:
up to 38 hours
High-End Materials:
Made from high-quality materials including soft lamb leather, memory foam and aluminum for long-lasting elegance.
Includes
carrying case
Weight:
323g
Headphones with ANC in the test: Philips Fidelio L3 – best sound experience
Philips Fidelio L3 © Amazon product image
Advantages |
✔️ Great sound |
|---|---|
✔️ ANC with intelligent adjustment |
|
✔️ Convenient app control |
|
✔️ High-quality workmanship |
|
Disadvantages |
- |
Amazon review |
3.6 ⭐ |
Now €171 instead of €349.99
State-of-the-art Hybrid Active Noise Canceling:
Thanks to the ANC, you can always listen to music, podcasts and audio books at the perfect volume.
40mm drivers provide
natural, balanced sound
.
The Philips Fidelio L3 offers audio content in high resolution.
Two microphones in each ear pad
ensure crystal-clear conversations and reduce ambient noise.
Compatible with
Alexa and Google Assistant
.
Also supports
iOS devices
.
Ear pads with memory foam
for a perfect fit.
Battery life:
up to 38 hours
Weight:
360g
Stiftung Warentest has tested Bluetooth headphones with a particularly long battery life and excellent sound.
We have analyzed the three test winners here.