Headphones with active noise cancellation: 3 good models

You can experience real music enjoyment in a noisy environment only with headphones with active noise cancellation. Such noise-canceling headphones receive noise from a microphone and eliminate them with a counter signal. Only really good models compensate and acoustically shield you from the outside world - even when you are not listening to music. Here we present three good NC headphones.

Active noise cancellation with the Harman Kardon NC

The Harman Kardon NC is an over-ear headphone with a classic design. The comparatively low price of around 135 euros is a strong selling point.

• Harman Kardon specifies a respectable runtime of around 40 hours for the NC headphones.
• The headphones are snug, but should still be very comfortable to wear.
• Overall, the weight is portable 272 grams.
• The scope of delivery includes two interchangeable headbands (small and large), a 1.4 meter cable with integrated microphone and a transport case.
• Active noise cancellation is said to serve well and to silence the outside world for the most part. The overall sound is also highly praised by buyers.

Listen to more music with the Sony MDR-1RNC

The Sony MDR-1RNC is more stylish. Red accents underline the otherwise black design. These NC headphones are currently available from around 224 euros.

• However, the more expensive price is said to be noticeable: The sound of the Sony MDR-1RNC is even clearer and noise is to be filtered effectively.
• The weight is a bit higher at 331 grams and could become uncomfortable if you wear it for a long time.
• The battery lasts about 25 hours of active noise reduction. You cannot change the battery.
• The scope of delivery includes a bag, a plug adapter for use in aircraft, a connecting cable 1.5 meters long, an IP cable with a length of 1.2 meters and a 1.5 meter long micro USB cable.

Noise-reducing NC headphones: Bose QuietComfort 25

The Bose QuietComfort 25 also delivers very good active noise cancellation. The NC headphones currently cost around 260 euros.

• For the money, you get excellent sound and very good noise cancellation.
• Neck pain is not an issue with these NC headphones - the product weighs around 195 grams.
• You can change the battery. The Bose headphones are powered by an AAA battery.
• The runtime is given as about 20 hours.
• The scope of delivery includes a hard case and a set of AAA batteries.
• The ratings on Amazon also speak for themselves: 4.3 out of 5 possible stars get the Bose headphones.

Conclusion: Which headphones with active noise cancellation is the right one for me?

Generally speaking, all three headphones do a good job. The Harman Kardon NC headphone is clearly the price-performance winner. For only 135 euros you get good noise suppression with a long battery life. You are more stylish with the Sony MDR-1RNC. Here you also have a better sound and increased shielding on board. However, the weight could cause neck pain during longer music sessions. The Bose QuietComfort25 is lighter. But you also have to loosen around 260 euros.