Earbud brands that have active noise cancelling (ANC) keep your device monitoring ambient sound within your vicinity and stopping it from reaching your ears.
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In general, headphones are a great way to tune out the rest of the world, especially when you are in public. Having a quality pair can also, in some ways, enhance your focus while you’re exercising, studying, or working. These days, there’s a multitude of headphone types to fit any type of listener — you can opt for traditional headphones that sit over your ear or go for the more portable and less conspicuous earbuds. Furthermore, audio accessories are constantly going through improvements in terms of the technology they use. For instance, if you have the desire to drown out distracting and potentially loud external noises while you listen, you can take advantage of headphones that have noise cancelling features.
Earbud brands that have active noise cancelling (ANC) listed in the tech specifications means that when the feature is enabled, your device is constantly monitoring ambient sound within your vicinity and stopping it from reaching your ears. Instead, small built-in microphones in the earbuds produce an inverted version of the audio frequency it intercepts, effectively cancelling it out. What you are left with is minimal background noise that’s more muted. If you have something playing through your earphones, it clarifies the audio track.How to pick noise cancelling earbuds
When used in scenarios that won’t require much situational awareness, noise cancelling earbuds are an awesome step up from basic headphones as they allow you to immerse yourself in sound. When you’re choosing a pair to try out for the first time, there are several factors you ought to consider apart from the overall sound quality.
Enabling noise cancelling is a sure way to drain your earbuds’ battery life, so make sure you pick a brand that’s well-reviewed. In addition, the quality and charging capabilities of the case that comes with the earbuds are also relevant — some offer fast charging, which could be great for people hoping for a quicker battery turnaround.
Another make-or-break component is design and comfort. Since earbuds by design mostly sit on your ears’ openings, they ought to provide a good ear seal, which is crucial for noise cancelling devices. It’s also a plus if they’re made with soft and durable materials for long wear.
Finally, as is the case when you shop for other consumer electronics, you should go for a pair of earbuds that fit your budget. Big-name audio companies like Bose and Sony will demand more money, but these top-shelf earbuds will likely last longer over time and have better sound quality than cheaper alternatives. The good news is earbuds are commonplace now and are often on sale, so if you find a pair you like, snag them right away.
Not sure where to start? Here are a couple of noise cancelling earbuds that are currently popular among consumers online.For the earbuds newbie (and those on a budget)
Hailed by many best-of tech lists as the best entry-level noise cancelling earbuds out there today, Soundcore by Anker’s Space A40 earbuds provide great quality sound and noise cancelling capabilities, considering the price point: they’re currently on sale for $79. They’re equipped with adaptive ANC — which means they adjust automatically based on the combination of the amount of environmental sound, the fit of the earbuds, and the amount of noise leaking through them — making them effective in tuning out loud noises one usually hears while traveling, for example.
