Noise-canceling Headphones In Test 2020: Over- And In-ear Models With Noise Cancellation

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 04:29

Headphones with active noise canceling (ANC) ensure comfortable rest when traveling and in the office by actively suppressing ambient noise. The differences in price, features, sound and comfort are decisive when buying - GIGA audio expert Stefan presents the best wireless ANC models 2020 from Bose, Sennheiser, Master & Dynamic, Libratone, Marshall and TaoTronics. Update: "Day against noise 2020" does not take place.

Buying advice

Facts

Genres: Kaufberatung More about Kaufberatung: News, articles, articles, tips, videos, photo galleries Update from 2020-29-04:Normally the “Day against Noise - International Noise Awareness Day 2020” would take place today. The annual event has been held in Germany since 1998 and serves to "educate the population about sound and its effects as well as sustainable measures to reduce it in different areas of life". As the German Society for Acoustics (DEGA eV) announces on its website, the date is officially canceled this year. The reason for this is the ongoing corona crisis, said Brigitte Schulte-Fortkamp and André Fiebig from DEGA. Of course, you can still enjoy soothing tranquility: just have a look at our list of the best noise-canceling headphones in 2020.

Original article:

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Test winner at Stiftung Warentest 2020 (over-ear)
Best noise cancellation (over-ear)
Highest quality workmanship (over-ear)
Price tip under 100 euros (over-ear)
Compact lifestyle headphones (on-ear)
True wireless earbuds with noise canceling
Active noise canceling: what you should consider when buying headphones

Noise-canceling headphones 2020: all test winners and recommendations at a glance

placement	product	price	offer
Stiftung-Warentest-Sieger 2020 (Over-Ear)	Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3	about 350 euros	To Amazon
Best noise cancellation (over-ear)	Bose Headphones 700	about 300 euros	To Saturn
Highest quality workmanship (over-ear)	Master & Dynamic MW65	approx. 440 euros	To Amazon
Price tip under 100 euros	TaoTronics TT-BH085	about 50 euros	To Amazon
Compact lifestyle headphones (on-ear)	Marshall MID ANC	approx. 160 euros	To MediaMarkt
True wireless earbuds with noise canceling	Libratone Track Air +	about 200 euros	To Tink

Noise-canceling headphones: This is how we tested and selected

Almost all of the models discussed here have been tried out by GIGA audio expert Stefan. You can find detailed test reports on some of the products on GIGA, which are linked to the respective model. The test samples were made available to us by the manufacturers. Current and popular headphone models that have received special praise from the press and customers and are therefore recommended for a purchase are also presented here.

Are you looking for other types of headphones? With us you will also find:

Bluetooth headset headsets

Test winner at Stiftung Warentest 2020: Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (3rd generation)

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (3rd generation): Official manufacturer video

Quite expensive, but also really good: The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is now in its third generation and costs 349 euros (RRP). The wireless top model was presented by the German manufacturer for the first time at IFA 2019. Momentum Wireless has been in first place on the best list of the Stiftung Warentest since February 2020, the overall rating is "good" (1.7). Of particular note is the excellent performance in terms of sound (sub-rating 1.4), but also the "satisfactory" (2.7) for "interference" (e.g. noises when moving) - to date, however, there has been no detailed test report by the Stiftung Warentest who goes into the properties.

Detailed reviews of the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are available on Bonedo (4.5 out of 5 stars) or at Soundguys (English, 8.2 out of 10 points). Finally, a note on the name: Occasionally, the third generation model is also commercially available under the name "Sennheiser New Momentum Wireless".

Advantages:

Very good sound quality with raised bass and slightly reduced highs ("warm" tuning)
First-class workmanship: matt steel frame, genuine leather upholstery. The elegant housing design also appeals.
Easy change of players: Remembers up to 8 connected devices (cell phone, laptop etc.) and can stay connected with the last two at the same time (multipoint Bluetooth)

Disadvantage:

Noise Canceling: Active noise cancellation is effective, but not as good as the top models from Bose and Sony
Software operation: The equalizer in the "Sennheiser Smart Control" mobile app takes some getting used to.

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (3rd generation), over-ear headphones with ANC

Now from € 346.14 at Amazon Similar offer at Mediamarkt Price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 23:58

The ANC over-ear headphones with the best noise suppression: Bose Headphones 700

Current top model from the American manufacturer Bose, who brought the topic of noise canceling from the professional sector (aircraft pilots) to the consumer market a long time ago. The company's many years of experience can also be seen in the Bose Headphones 700 model, which is commercially available for around 290 euros. The noise insulation is excellent and can be regulated in 11 levels, the sound when listening to music is well coordinated and suitable for almost every music style. Thanks to Multipoint Bluetooth, it is easy to switch between connected devices (e.g. cell phone and tablet) without needing the Bluetooth menu. You can find detailed information in the GIGA test (rating: 88 percent).

Advantages:

Good and pleasant sound
Noise canceling at the highest level
Good sound quality even when making calls (headset function)
Multipoint Bluetooth for quick change of the player

Disadvantage:

Relatively high price
Not foldable
Comprehensive use requires installation of the associated smartphone app (Bose Music)

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700

Now from € 281.71 at Amazon Similar offer at Cyberport price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:22 a.m.

The ANC over-ear headphones with the best workmanship: Master & Dynamic MW65

While most manufacturers rely on plastic, the buyer of a MW65 from Master & Dynamic is offered finely processed aluminum and real leather. The sound is provided by 4 mm beryllium drivers - high-quality equipment that you will certainly not find in cheap models. Clearly a luxury product with a price of over 400 euros. In his review, Alex Bracetti from Tomsguide praised the “remarkable audio performance” and the strong battery life. The sound quality when phoning (headset function) is disappointing for such an expensive model.

Advantages:

Outstanding workmanship and fine materials
Clear and dynamic sound
Good endurance: up to 24 hours run time

Disadvantage:

Very high price
Phone calls sound dull

Master & Dynamic MW65 over-ear headphones

Now from € 437.35 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 1:47 a.m.

The best ANC over-ear headphones for less than 100 euros: TaoTronics TT-BH085

The Chinese TaoTronics TT-BH085is popular on Amazon, the catastrophic name there is: "Noise Canceling Headphones TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones Over Ear 40 Hours Running Time Microphone CVC 8.0 Type-C Fast Charging for Smartphones Tablets Laptops [2020 Version]". You can tell from the title that you are dealing with a "cheap home". Even the design of the headphones may seem familiar to some … But none of that matters, because at a price of 49.99 euros the TaoTronics is an absolute hit for bargain hunters. The big brand manufacturers just can't keep up. No wonder the thing is a bestseller that always makes it to the first place at Amazon in the noise-canceling headphones category. Note: The model is also sold by the manufacturer under the name "SoundSurge 85".

Advantages:

Does its job surprisingly well considering the low price

Disadvantage:

Significant drawbacks in terms of durability, sound quality and comfort compared to premium models

TaoTronics Bluetooth TT-BH085

Now from € 49.99 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-26-07 11:33 p.m.

The best compact ANC on-ear headphones: Marshall MID ANC

Over-ear headphones are too bulky for some users; they prefer more compact on-ear models in which the ears are not completely enclosed by large housings. Just like the Marshall MID ANC (around 160 euros), here the pads are on the ear cups. As usual with Marshall, special emphasis was placed on the design - these headphones have a lot of style with their look inspired by stage technology and the iconic brand lettering and are a real eye-catcher. The sound is rocky and punchy, which fits wonderfully with corresponding music styles. It is operated using a multidirectional button that works similar to a tiny joystick. All information about the Marshall Mid ANC can be found in the GIGA test (rating: 78 percent).

A level nobler and at least as cool is the Beats Solo Pro from Apple, which got a rating of 84 percent in the GIGA test. With a price of around 280 euros, the Beats is also significantly more expensive and also more optimized for use in conjunction with iPhones. From this point of view, the MID ANC is the more sensible choice if it is to be an on-ear that looks good.

Advantages:

Fun sound with strong bass
Effective noise canceling
Striking retro design

Disadvantage:

Sound tuning is not for lovers of musical subtleties
Comfort could be better

Marshall Mid ANC on-ear headphones

Now from € 144.99 at Notebooksbilliger Similar offer at Saturn Similar offer at Mediamarkt Price comparison Price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 00:05 a.m.

True wireless earbuds with noise canceling: Libratone Track Air +

In-ear headphones usually offer a fairly high level of isolation from ambient noise because they seal the ear canals with silicone fittings. The Libratone Track Air + (around 200 euros) have a somewhat flatter shape than usual, so that they give a less pronounced feeling of "corks in the ears". The special feature of the Track Air + is the additional integrated active noise canceling, which means that especially low frequencies such as the rumble of the subway are electronically filtered out. The effect is not as strong as with the above-mentioned over-ear models (e.g. Bose Headphones 700), but still sufficient. All information about the Libratone Track Air + can be found in the GIGA test (rating: 84 percent).

Industry experts rightly have the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 (around 300 euros) and the Apple AirPods Pro (around 280 euros) on the screen, both of which sound even better. Nevertheless, the Libratone Track Air + is our "darling of the heart" because it has a good price-performance ratio and has proven itself in everyday life almost as well as its expensive competitors.

Advantages:

Compact and independent design
Fair price

Disadvantage:

Full functionality (e.g. regulation of ANC strength) requires the associated app (free of charge) and a login
Somewhat cautious in the details

Libratone TRACK Air +

Now from € 444.99 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 15.07.2020 04:56 a.m.

Active noise canceling: what you should consider when buying headphones

"Active" noise canceling means more than just a particularly well-sealing headphone. In fact, the ANC models are equipped with electronics that record the ambient noise and cancel it in real time. The technology required for this consumes additional electricity, which is also noticeable in practically all models. In practice, around 20 hours of battery life with the ANC switched on are the standard for over-ear models, while conventional Bluetooth headphones can sometimes reach 30 hours or more. In the end, the runtime is completely sufficient for everyday use, at least for over-ear and on-ear models. Only completely wireless models (True Wireless Earbuds with ANC) currently barely last a full day, they are limited to around 5 hours.

For some users, noise canceling gives a “feeling of pressure” on the ears, sometimes a quiet background noise can be heard. This perception differs individually, just as much as it actually bothers the wearer in everyday life. If you are sensitive here, you should definitely try an ANC headphone in retail before buying. By the way, you don't have to have any health concerns with noise canceling, as Dr.-Ing. Hannes Seidler (Technical University Dresden) has confirmed. On the contrary, the noise insulation means that you tend not to turn up as much and thus protect your hearing.

How does noise canceling work for headphones?

All ANC headphones work in principle with two methods: First, with a high level of passive insulation (insulation through the housing and ear pads), which above all attenuates the high frequencies (e.g. twittering birds) - just like normal hearing protection. Secondly, counter-sound is used: This means that the headphones with external microphones analyze the ambient noise and generate an inverted sound signal. This signal then extinguishes the ambient noise in the wearer's ear, so that the artificially created silence is perceived here.

You can imagine that with waves in a water bowl that meet and cancel each other out. You can find more about this in our article "How noise-reducing headphones work".

How much noise can ANC headphones actually shield?

How effective noise canceling is depends on the manufacturer. The tendency is: if you spend more on your headphones, you get the better result. But that doesn't mean that cheap ANC models don't work - they do the job, but not always as well. You can find out for yourself how the soundproofing sounds. Put on (normal) headphones and watch this video:

Test: Noise Canceling is so quiet

In conclusion, you have to be aware: Absolute silence as in an anechoic room - no noise-canceling headphones can do this, no matter how expensive. Technically, only a noticeable reduction in ambient noise is currently feasible, so that together with music played at the same time, the feeling is created that one is isolated from the noisy environment. Low frequencies in particular, such as the hum in the aircraft, are attenuated and make noise-canceling headphones ideal travel companions that you can no longer do without.