When it comes to noise cancelling earbuds vs headphones debate, there are always going to be mixed opinions on the matter. Quality silence can come from different devices nowadays, it just depends on what you plan on using them for.
Earbuds or headphones, noise cancellation has undeniably become a top feature when choosing this peripheral. Why? Well, for starters it ensures that distractions are minimal and thus better focus on the task at hand. You may be trying to concentrate on a university assignment or work-related presentation. Or you could even decide to immerse yourself in that great casino game with that new no deposit bonus you’ve had your eye on for a while. If it’s the latter case, there’s a new juicy list of deals available at NoDepositTracker.com, so it’s worth having a look.
How Do Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Work?
If you’re still not convinced that noise-cancelling earbuds are for you, it might be interesting to find out how these work before making any decisions. These little pieces of tech make use of what’s known as Active Noise Control (ANC) to significantly reduce any background noise that might be audible. This effectively cancels out any other sounds leaving you only with what you want to hear.
What Are Noise-Cancelling Earbuds?
Noise cancelling earbuds are a type of headphone that uses noise cancelling technology to significantly reduce any background noise potentially heard by the user. This is done by creating a series of soundwaves that are 180 degrees out of phase with any incoming sounds, effectively cancelling them out in the process.
These types of ear buds are generally used by people who work in loud environments such as factory workers, air traffic controllers, or remote workers opting to carry out their day’s work in a local coffee shop rather than in the office. They’re also used by people interested in enjoying their music while they work or work out without being distracted by any background noise. Some of these earbuds are also equipped with special microphones designed for making clear calls or recording audio.
Noise Cancelling Earbuds Pros Apart from blocking out any other sounds, noise cancelling earbuds include several other advantages which include:
- Affordability: way more cost effective than their headphone counterparts, earbuds are able to offer a decent amount of noise cancellation for half the price.
- Small, Lightweight and Portable: earbuds are small in size and come with different plug sizes to make sure you get a really snug fit whenever you wear them. You’re able to carry them around easily irrespective of whether they happen to be wireless or not, but the lack of any extra wires will guarantee less tangling.
Noise Cancelling Earbuds Cons
- Hearing Issues: while earbuds can provide an affordable and practical noise cancelling solution, there’s also the chance of causing hearing loss if you listen to loud music directly into your ears for too long.
- Inferior Sound Quality: most earbud users will commonly agree that the sound quality of these devices isn’t always top notch. Some models offer better bass tones than others but usually these aren’t quite as loud and crisp as we’d like them to be.
- Fragile: because earbuds are small and light they are also more fragile and tend not to last as long, especially the wired version which tends to get tangled and rip up quite easily.
What Are Noise-Cancelling Headphones?
Noise cancelling headphones are becoming more popular and there are two main types from which to choose, which include over-ear or on-ear models. In both cases we’ve got closed earcups with the chance of enabling or disabling the ANC at will. Some models also include passive noise cancelling features that will block out any sounds at 20 decibels or more.
Noise Cancelling Headphones Pros
We’ve already established that noise-cancelling headphones will block out any sound that’s 20 decibels or more, here are another couple of benefits.
- Increased Focus: Focusing on the task at hand while wearing noise reduction headphones eliminates all the background noises that might cause distractions. The best models of this type can block out any low to mid-level background sounds to allow you to focus on what matters.
- Low Music Listening: it’s easier to concentrate without songs literally blaring into your head and that’s where noise cancelling headphones come to the rescue. Due to their superior noise quality, these headphones will allow you to enjoy music as it was intended without damaging your hearing.
- Improved Noise Cancellation: the foam padding found on most headphones will allow for some higher frequencies to be automatically cancelled out, while ANC headphones will also cancel any low to medium frequency sounds that might be present while you’re trying to do your thing.
Noise Cancelling Headphones Cons
- Portability and Fit: noise-cancelling headphones tend to be a little on the bulky side, they won’t fit as snugly as earbuds will so its harder to wear them for extended periods of time. Today many headphones are foldable, however packing and carry them can prove cumbersome at times.
- Cost: because you can’t expect the best in the business to come for free, there’s a chance that headphones are always going to be a little bit pricier than earbuds when it comes to noise cancellation tech.
- Reduced Battery Life: ANC will have a significant impact on your battery life, however as technology gets better and stronger, you’re able to pick up a headset that’s able to last for as long as 30 hours when it comes to wireless models.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best noise cancellation earpieces out there, then earbuds will tend to carry out a better job because they are smaller and can fit more securely inside your ear. They’re also able to block out larger frequencies of sound if you’re not worried about compromising battery life. Noise cancelling headphones are more comfortable for longer wear in general and are generally more recommended for watching movies or chilling out listening to music where too much movement isn’t involved.
Author’s Bio:
As a Senior Content Writer, Jenny Landsdowne understands the importance of research – it’s one of the main components of her job. Besides, as she very well puts it, ‘an article without properly researched data to substantiate an argument, is just pure drivel!’ In her free time, Jenny enjoys exploring her local library and discovering new books – her favorite genre being Historical Fiction. Although, she equally enjoys a good Dystopian novel by authors like Orwell.
