11 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones Under $200 in 2023 – The Perfect Budget Picks

Some say listening to music is the best way to escape reality. And, it is indeed really true. We get immersed in another realm when we listen to our favorite music or songs. To do it, and efficient headphone becomes an absolute necessity. A headphone is not just used for music listening to these days. People use it to listen to their favorite FM stations, audiobooks, podcasts, to attend calls, play games, watch videos, and so on. Most of the time, we won’t be in a quiet place when wearing our headphones. We get disturbed by the annoying external noise surrounding our environment. 

Be it traffic sounds, people talking or shouting or any construction noises, our headphone experience is more often disturbed by these obstructions. As a solution for this, noise-canceling headphones were invented. These headphones block out the external noises or sound interferences to a great extent to give you a peaceful headphone experience. Not all the regular headphones can do this, as only exclusive headphones that are designed with noise cancellation technology can do this efficiently. The noise-canceling headphones are not only used for audio listening but also used by many while sleeping, relaxing, studying, meditating, etc. 

You can use it for a wide range of activities, and hence these are highly recommended for everyone to have one. While purchasing one of these noise-cancelling headphones, you should not just look at its noise cancellation technology, but also certain other factors. The noise-cancelling headphones come in both wired and wireless models. You can choose either one according to your need. Ensure your headphone is made of durable material that would provide you utmost comfort while wearing it for many hours. Otherwise, a long time of wearing may cause physical exhaustion or ear pain. 

If you are going for the wired model, make sure the wire jack is compatible with your audio device and the cable is also tangle-free and durable. In the wireless models, you should look for a good range to pick up audio frequencies from your audio device. If you are planning to buy a noise-canceling headphone and are confused about choosing the best one, we have made your hunt easy by shortlisting and reviewing the top ten noise-cancelling headphones in the market that cost below $200. Take a look.

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones under $200 in 2023

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Sennheiser HD 4.50 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation	Color: Black Weight: 7.8 ounces Type: Wireless (Bluetooth 4.0 + NFC)	Check Price on Amazon
	Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones	Color: Silver (Comes in 3 other colors) Weight: 8.3 ounces Type: Wireless (Bluetooth + Alexa support)	Check Price on Amazon
	Sony Wired Noise Cancelling Stereo Headphones	Color: Black Weight: 6.4 ounces Type: Wired, wireless	Check Price on Amazon
	Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones	Color: Black  Weight: 5.3 ounces Type: Wired	Check Price on Amazon
	JBL LIVE 650BTNC - Around-Ear Wireless Headphone with Noise Cancellation	Color: Blue (Available in 2 more colors) Weight: 9.1 ounces Type: Both wireless and wired	Check Price on Amazon
	Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones	Color: Black (Also available in Silver) Weight: 9.3 ounces Type: Wireless (Bluetooth) and wired	Check Price on Amazon
	Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-The-Ear Headphones	Color: Blue Weight: 7.1 ounces Type: Wired	Check Price on Amazon
	Philips SHL3750NC/27 Noise Cancellation Headphones	Color: Black Weight: 6.1 ounces Type: Wired	Check Price on Amazon
	Sony Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones WHCH710N	Color: Black Weight: 14.4 ounces Type: Wireless	Check Price on Amazon

1. Sennheiser HD 4.50 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation

• Color: Black
• Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Type: Wireless (Bluetooth 4.0 + NFC)

The first one on our list is Sennheiser Bluetooth Wireless Headphone. If you are looking for a wireless noise-canceling headphone under $200, this is undoubtedly one of the best in the market. It comes with Bluetooth Version 4.0 technology to offer wireless connection. You can therefore pair the headphone easily with your audio devices that support Bluetooth. Sennheiser is known for its high-quality sound and dynamic bass levels. 

Along with Bluetooth, the headphone uses aptX codex technologies to deliver wireless powerful sound. It also supports NFC (Near Field Communication). To eliminate external noise while listening to your favorite tunes, the device uses NoiseGard active noise cancellation system. It will reduce the background ambient noise levels to a good extent to enrich your listening. 

It comes with flexible ear cups that can be folded to save the bag space and improve portability. The ear cups have controls to adjust the volume, skip / pause/play tracks, attending calls, etc. It has a built-in microphone to support calls. The battery life of this headphone is up to 19 hours after a single charge. 

The brand offers 2 years warranty for the product when purchased from an authorized dealer. The brand’s first noise-canceling headphones were developed for airlines’ purposes and have been certified by FAA-TSO. It, therefore, has a good brand value and trustworthiness among consumers. It comes in a completely black finish to increase the style quotient of the users.

2. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones

• Color: Silver (Comes in 3 other colors)
• Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Type: Wireless (Bluetooth + Alexa support)

Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones come with three levels of noise canceling system to provide you a better listening experience. It is of wireless type and uses Bluetooth to pair with your audio devices. The headphone also supports Alexa voice control. You can easily access your music tracks and info through Alexa. 

It comes with a dual microphone system to offer clear crisp audio quality during calls. It picks up the voice of your opponent with good clarity and also comes with a noise canceling feature to block unwanted noises from disturbing your calls. You can balance the sound performance by easily adjusting the volume. 

Bose headphones come with the Bose Connect app. You can use this app through your smartphones to customize or personalize your music settings. You can also do headphone software updates through this app. It comes in 4 attractive colors for you to choose from: Silver, Black, Triple Midnight, and Rose Gold. 

The battery life of this headphone is decent, up to 20 hours. For people who are looking for noise canceling headphones for VR purposes, the brand offers VR supported headphones only for Apple devices currently. VR support for Android devices is still in the development stage. This headphone package provides you a free carrying case along with the audio cable and charging cable.

3. Sony Wired Noise Cancelling Stereo Headphones

• Color: Black
• Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Type: Wired, wireless

Just because we are talking about noise-cancelling headphones doesn’t mean we only have to include the super expensive options on the list. The Sony Wired Noise Cancelling Stereo Headphones are a fairly good choice and are priced under $50.

The only downside as many would point out with this device is the fact that it’s wired, which can restrict your comfort to an extent but you have to sacrifice something, right? The noise-canceling circuit in this is designed to reduce the unwanted noise by 95%, which is nothing short of magic.

As for the processor and the design, the sound drivers in the headphones are further backed with neodymium magnets that deliver optimal sound output without any kinds of distortions. Also, the device can be used as wireless and supports up to 80 hours of battery life, which is crazy.

Besides that, the foldable design of this headphone features foldable earcups, which again add to the list of benefits. Not only does it save space, but it also improves the portability of the product, especially when you are travelling long distances.

4. Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones

• Color: Black 
• Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Type: Wired

If you are looking for a wired noise canceling headphone at a budget-friendly price, this is one. Sony MDRZX110NC noise cancelling headphones come with wired over the ear connectivity. The cable is 3.94 feet in length. It uses a 30 mm Neodymium Driver to deliver optimum performance. 

The battery life of this headphone is up to 80 hours. You can expect uninterrupted performance for a long period. It is suitable for multiple purposes including traveling, hiking, etc. The ear cups are padded to give you a soft comfort while wearing for many hours. 

However, the headband lacks padding. The ear cups are foldable and thus ensure greater portability by saving the desk space. You can place the headphone easily inside your bags while traveling. It is also lightweight to carry. 

The frequency response of this headphone is about 12 – 22,000 Hz. You can listen to music with enhanced bass and treble. The highlight of the headphone is its price. It is one of the cheapest noise canceling headphones with decent sound performance.

5. JBL LIVE 650BTNC – Around-Ear Wireless Headphone with Noise Cancellation

• Color: Blue (Available in 2 more colors)
• Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Type: Both wireless and wired 

JBL noise canceling headphones is known for its unbeatable sound performance. Needless to say, the brand is known for its quality audio devices. This one is not an exception. It uses 40 mm drivers to produce the signature JBL audio quality with enhanced bass and sound details. You can listen to your favorite tunes with high clarity sound and efficient noise canceling technology that can block ambient noises around you to a great extent. 

The headphone looks dashing in three attractive colors. It is available in blue, black and white. It supports both wired cable and wireless connectivity. You can connect it wirelessly through Bluetooth + ANC with your audio devices or use the provided cable to listen in direct wired mode. 

The battery life of this headphone is up to 30 hours after 2 hours of charging time. Even after the battery is completely down, you can continue listening to tracks using the cable. The headphone features Ambient Aware and TalkThru Technology. It also has a voice assistant feature to control your playlist. You can activate it by tapping the ear cup. 

You can use the My JBL Headphones App through your smartphones to personalize music settings. The ear cups come with buttons to control your music and also attend calls. The ear cups are foldable and therefore easy to take anywhere in your bags. The package comes with a free JBL carry pouch.

6. Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

• Color: Black (Also available in Silver)
• Weight: 9.3 ounces
• Type: Wireless (Bluetooth) and wired 

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid noise canceling headphones is known for its high-resolution audio performance. It uses oversized 40 mm, dynamic drivers, to produce high-resolution sound clarity. You can expect to listen to every minute detail and sound effects of your audio file. This makes it a highly recommended one for professionals, gamers, and musicians. 

It will allow music frequencies to reach up to 40 kHz for amazing clarity. It produces powerful bass levels to enrich your headphone experience. It blocks ambient noise levels up to 90% for uninterrupted music listening. It comes with a built-in ANC microphone that supports a great noise reduction. It is compatible with almost all smartphones and computer devices.

The active noise cancellation technology incorporated in this headphone can detect and eliminate various ranges of low and mid-frequency noises like airplane engines, traffic noise, etc. The battery life of this headphone is up to 40 hours in ANC mode. In standard music mode, without a wireless ANC connection, it can work up to 60 hours non-stop. 

The fast charging will enable you to listen to 4 hours of music after just 5 minutes of charging. The ear cups are stuffed with memory foam to provide you comfort. The headband and ear cups are adjustable according to different head shapes. The headphone package comes with the headphone, micro USB charging cable, and 3.5 mm AUX cable to support wired connection.

7. Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-The-Ear Headphones

• Color: Blue
• Weight: 7.1 ounces
• Type: Wired

This headphone is known for delivering professional-quality sound. It uses 40 mm driver units to deliver optimum performance. It is lightweight and comes with comfortable soft leather material earmuffs to provide you with a great listening experience with the utmost comfort for long hour usage. It is off solid construction and good durability. 

The headband provides decent noise isolation. It is made of reinforced Steel and ensures good fitting and best durability. However, it lacks padding. It is of the wired model and therefore comes with a 3.5 mm gold-plated plug to connect with your audio devices. 

The 3.5 mm standard is a common plug standard and therefore is suitable for major audio devices including smartphones laptops and computer systems. The product comes with a one-year warranty period and therefore a good value for your money. The headphone comes with adjustment features and therefore you can adjust it according to your head size. 

The ear cups are comfortable for a long time wearing. It is available at an extremely cheaper price when compared to other models. The lightweight feature of it makes it easily portable for traveling purposes. You can fold it flat and place it inside your backs while traveling.

8. Philips SHL3750NC/27 Noise Cancellation Headphones

• Color: Black
• Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Type: Wired

Phillips Headphones are known for their brand value. This specific headphone is a wired model. It is an over the ear headphone that comes with active noise canceling technology. The headphone is known to reduce external noise up to 97 percent. It uses a 32 mm Neodymium speaker to deliver optimum performance. It produces sound quality with rich bass levels. 

The headphone is completely in Black finish and looks stylish. It is available in just Black color. Now, coming to the design, it is of slim design and compact in size. It is also foldable. This ensures great portability. You can take it anywhere inside your small bags. The ear cups are equipped with soft cushions to promote long time usage. 

The cushions of the ear cups are pressure-relieving in nature and suitable for traveling purposes. The sound quality clarity is good in this headphone. It comes at a cheaper price when compared to other models in the market. For this price, the quality of this headphone is quite good. 

You cannot expect a 100 percent noise cancellation with this price, but it works decently to provide basic noise cancellation. If you are looking for a budget-friendly wired noise-cancelling headphone you can opt for this. The drawback of this one is the headband. It is not padded. This might cause inconvenience for a long time wearing.

9. Sony Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones WHCH710N

• Color: Black
• Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Type: Wireless

We have already reviewed the Sony wired noise-canceling headphone model. Now, we are going to see the features of the Sony noise canceling wireless WHCH710N headphones. This wireless Bluetooth headphone is one of the popular ones in the market. It is an over the ear headphone. It uses a smart noise cancellation system to block out the external noises around you. 

The noise cancellation technology equipped in this headphone will automatically sense your environment and cancel out unwanted noises. It uses dual noise sensor technology to do this. It is of good durability and brand value. It comes with a good battery life of up to 35 hours. It also uses quick charging technology to save your time. 

It is of high compatibility with your smartphones and computer systems. You can use the voice assistant feature in this headphone to activate the hands-free mode. You can attend calls and respond to them in a hands-free operation. Along with Bluetooth it also offers NFC technology. It uses 30-millimeter driver units to deliver powerful performance. The ear cups are soft and padded to provide utmost comfort for long time music listening. 

There are metal Sliders in the headphones to adjust it according to your head size. You can use this headphone for a wide range of purposes including traveling, working, gaming, video editing, etc. It uses USB type-c charging. With just 10 minutes of charge, you can listen to music for up to 1 hour.

Ultimate Buyer’s Guide To Choose the Right Noise-Cancelling Headphones under $200

Before you decide on the best noise canceling headphones, make sure it is rich in both sound quality and durability. For your headphone to perform well and last long, assessing both the above two factors is necessary. Along with them, ensure it has flexible and adjustable ear cups and headband to fit over your head perfectly. Below are some of the important factors to look for while buying a headphone.  

1. Sound quality

Sound quality is one of the topmost factors that anybody will look for while buying a headphone. As we are dealing with noise cancelling headphones here, ensure your headphone has powerful noise cancellation technology with great sound performance. If you are a professional or you are going to use the headphones for work purposes, you can go for high-end noise cancelling headphones with Crystal clear audio clarity. These professional headphones also come with deep bass and treble. 

It is believed that the sound performance of wired headphones is slightly higher than the wireless models, as the wired ones receive audio frequencies directly through the cable. You can also check the sensitivity and noise cancellation level of the headphones in its specifications if you are looking for high-end headphones. For casual uses, decent noise cancelling headphones will serve best. You don’t have to look much into the technical details. 

2. Durability

The durability of the headphone is the top factor to check after its sound performance. Good durability will ensure a longer life and also make you feel comfortable wearing it for a long time. Cheaper quality headphones tend to break easily in few or rough uses. The earmuff and headband of your headphone should be made of sturdy and strong construction, which is also soft enough to provide you no discomfort for extended wearing. 

Some headphones even come with foldable type to save bag space and increase portability. Ensure the cable of the headphone is made of durable material. Headband made of steel construction will give a sturdy fit over your head, but padding to that is also very necessary to give a comfortable feel. You will experience discomfort with just the steel construction. 

3. Type

Noise cancelling headphones come in both wired and wireless types. You can choose either one of your choice, but remember to choose the best one among the type. In wired models, check if the cable is durable and tangle-free. You also have to check if the audio jack is compatible with your audio device. 

Choosing a wired model with a universally compatible jack will allow you to connect it with your Android phones, Apple phones, and other devices too. There are exclusive headphones for Apple users as well, which you can prefer if you want to. In wireless models, you have to check the maximum range in which it can work. Opt for wireless models that come with the latest Bluetooth version for fast pairing and efficient connectivity. Be it wired or wireless, the headphone’s compatibility with your audio device is the must criterion to check. 

4. Price and Warranty

Noise cancelling headphones are available in all price ranges, varying from low, average to expensive ones. So, before you get attracted to the features of a particular headphone, decide your budget first. Remember that the pricey ones are always the best ones and cheaper ones are not always low-quality ones. There are amazing noise cancelling headphones even in low and mediocre price ranges. So, go through the specifications of the headphone before you purchase it blindly over the price. 

Next is the warranty. The Warranty factor will ensure your investment is not gone waste. It will ensure you value for money. Imagine getting a defective headphone accidentally and unable to return or replace it due to warranty issues. The reality will be as frustrating as the imagination. A headphone with a warranty period or at least return or replacement or money back policy will allow you to return it or sort out any technical fault if there is any. Some headphone brands also provide customer support to clear your queries or doubts. Opting for such brands would be a wise choice. The warranty also increases the trustworthiness of the brand. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Noise-Cancelling Headphones under $200

1. Does a noise cancelling headphone block out voices?

A noise cancelling headphone will block out low pitched voices to a great extent, but very high pitched voices cannot be completely blocked even in high-end noise cancelling headphones. Remember that these headphones work to a great extent in blocking noises, but do not completely mute them.

2. Are noise cancelling headphones safe to wear?

Yes, absolutely. There are no harmful effects in wearing a noise cancelling headphone. It prevents your ears from harmful loud noises and does well to your ears. Listening to harmful loud noises constantly will impair your hearing ability soon. 

3. What is the difference between active and passive noise Cancelling headphones?

The Active noise cancelling headphones will remove the sound while passive noise cancelling headphones will block the sound. The active noise cancelling headphones eliminate sound using their shape and construction. The Passive noise canceling headphones will just reduce the sound intensity as they do not have any built-in technology to completely block audio frequencies.

4. How to check the durability of the headphone?

You can check the durability of the headphone through the material in which it is made. Ensure it is not made of cheap quality plastic. Make sure the headband and ear cups are padded to provide you comfort for long time usage. You can also go through online reviews for durability. 

5. Can we use headphones while sleeping?

Yes, you can use headphones while sleeping. There are also exclusive sleeping headphones available for you. But, make sure the headphone does not provide any discomfort and it is kept in low or medium volume. High volume for a long time may damage your hearing ability.

6. What are Noise-Cancelling headphones made of?

Noise Cancelling headphones are made of sound-absorbing material and high-density foam. These sound-absorbing materials block the high-frequency sound waves and add an extra level of sound reduction by actively eliminating low-frequency sound waves. They create their own sound waves that mimic the incoming noise. The sound waves produced by noise-cancelling headphones are 180 degrees out of phase with the incoming waves (using a noise-cancelling electronic circuit) to provide you a noise-free sound experience. 

The material used in noise-cancelling headphones makes them heavier than regular headphones and also contributes to the noise reduction by 18-20dB. This means that these headphones can effectively block 70 percent of ambient noise to offer you a noise-free audio experience.

7. Does noise-cancellation hamper the sound quality of a headphone?

Yes, noise-cancellation hampers the sound quality of a headphone up to some extent. This is because noise cancellation is achieved by incorporating a microphone and noise-cancelling electronic circuit under the headphone. This microphone and circuit record the outsound sound and filter the unwanted high-frequencies. Then it mimics that sound by creating sound waves to match perfectly with the music you listen to. 

But in this process, the incoming music is digitized, filled with filters and converted to analog sound, resulting in a bit of sound degradation or hissing that you can sometimes experience in these headphones. This degradation is caused by the electronics used in these headphones to achieve active noise cancellation.

8. What is the average lifespan of noise-cancelling headphones?

Every headphone has a different life expectancy that depends on its usage, care, maintenance, and build quality. Some high-end headphones last longer than budget-friendly ones. But, on average, a good quality noise-cancelling headphone lasts for 2-3 years if you take good care of it. Here are a few care and maintenance tips to keep your headphones safe and active for an extended period:

•  Keep them in a protective case, so it doesn’t get damaged or break easily.
• Prevent cord dangling by using braided cords because cord dangling can cause damage and loss of function to the internal cable.
• Do not wind the cord around because it can cause micro-tears and permanent damage.
• Do not put pressure or tension on the headphones’ wires and connection points, as it can cause your headphones to break after a while.
• When travelling, always keep your headphones in a hard storage case.
• Keep them away from moisture to prevent corrosion, like taking them in the shower or rain.

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Conclusion

Noise cancelling headphones are known for their high efficiency in blocking out unwanted and external disturbing noises surrounding your environment. Apart from just for single-use, you can use them for a wide range of uses, including studying, meditating, traveling, exercising, walking, working, etc. This gives them a high edge over the regular headphones. You can listen to your favorite music tracks with high sound performance and effective noise cancellation in these headphones. This will give you complete concentration in listening to your audio files. If you are done scrolling through the top 10 noise cancelling headphones we have shortlisted here, it is now time for you to review them with patience and choose the desired one according to your purpose and budget.

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