Being in college is tough. Between getting good grades, participating in extracurricular activities, maintaining friendships, and trying to maintain a social life, it can be hard to find the time for anything else. One thing that always seems to fall by the wayside? Sleep.
Luckily, there are some great solutions out there for those of us who struggle with insomnia or just want some peace and quiet after a long day of class. From earplugs to noise-cancelling headphones, there are plenty of tools out there for students looking to manage their sleep schedule.
We explore some of the best options here so you can pick the one that’s right for you.
9+ Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for College Students
Noise-cancelling headphones aren’t just for professionals and audiophiles anymore. College students can benefit from them too.
They allow you to experience your content without any outside distraction, which can be crucial in some situations
1. Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony WF-1000XM4 gets you immersed in your music while staying in the loop with all that goes around you.
Of course, no earbud is faultless, and not everyone will enjoy the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds’ fit or be rich enough to afford their hefty price. These earbuds, on the other hand, check all the boxes if you’re seeking fantastic-sounding earbuds with excellent noise cancellation, solid voice-calling features, and long battery life.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have excellent noise cancellation and sound quality, but the Sony has somewhat higher sound quality and is more portable, especially for the case (albeit the Sony buds aren’t small).
The previous Sony WH-1000XM3 model was fantastic. However, if it had a flaw, voice calling was especially problematic in noisy surroundings. The WH-1000XM4 model improves on that and adds multiple access Bluetooth pairing. If a call comes in when you’re using headphones while working on your computer, the audio will transition to your phone when you answer it.
The Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 have a tiny advantage for voice calls, but the 1000XM4 headphones are undoubtedly a little bit pleasant and feature some other minor noise cancelling and sound upgrades that make this model a terrific all-around pick.
Highlighted Features:
- Earbud Tips with Noise Isolation.
- Dual noise sensor microphones with exceptional productivity.
- NoNoise-cancelling units are valid in the industry.
- V1 of the Integrated Processor
- A new 6mm driver unit has been added to the mix.
- Keeping wind noise to a minimum.
What We Like:
- True wireless earphones with the best noise cancelling.
- Support for 360-degree audio and high-resolution audio.
- The battery life is incredible.
- LDAC and Hi-Res Audio Wireless are both supported.
- EQ can be changed.
- Touch controls that are simple and trustworthy.
- Wireless charging capabilities in a small enclosure.
What we Don’t Like:
- There is no Bluetooth multipoint available.
- Qualcomm aptX isn’t supported.
- It might not fit small ears.
- It can be difficult to adjust to new ear tips.
- Speak-to-chat is convenient, but it’s not flawless.
- The cost is quite high.
- There is no acceptable headphone output solution.
2. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ
A game-changing headphone that brings quality and adaptive noise cancellation.
Bang & Olufsen’s previous Beoplay E8 earphones were decent but unimpressive given the price. The new Beoplay EQ is also somewhat pricey, but they’re amongst the best true wireless earbuds on the market right now, with excellent quality, intelligent noise cancellation, and a transparent mode that sounds natural. In addition, you may link them to a smartphone and a PC simultaneously via multipoint Bluetooth pairing. Each bud has three microphones and is adequate for voice calls, but not extraordinary.
The premium design components are, of course, present: The aluminium-shelled box glides open and shut with precision, and the buds itself have a metal accent on the outer surface where the touch controls are located.
The buds are rather huge and protrude from your ears, similar to expensive Sony and Sennheiser buds. However, they are a perfect suit with an IP54 splash-proof rating and are appropriate for sporting activities. A reasonable noise resetting the battery life is rated at roughly 6.5 hours, and the case, which features USB-C and wireless charging, provides an additional two charges.
Highlighted Features:
- Elegantly functional.
- Noise-cancelling headphones that adapt to your environment.
- It’s possible to charge wirelessly.
- Original audio.
- Seamless connections.
What We Like:
- The battery life is outstanding.
- Beautifully detailed audio.
- The build quality, design, and materials are all excellent.
- On-device sound card.
- Bluetooth has long-range and is dependable.
- It’s possible to charge wirelessly.
What we Don’t Like:
- Costly.
- ANC and battery life are about average.
- It takes considerable effort to achieve a consistently good fit.
- In some cases, earbuds do not fit well.
- The touch controls are a bit shaky.
3. Anker SoundCore Life Q30
Customized with 3 noise Isolation settings, Anker SoundCore Life Q30, has a fantastic noise cancellation that’s great for travellers and commuters.
It doesn’t have the same sharpness or bassline definition as some of the top luxury models, which is much less than one-third of the price and gives you about 75% of the way there in terms of sound (it’s well proportioned overall with powerful bottom, and there’s an app to modify the sound).
Only when it comes to voice calls does the Q30 fall short. It picks up your speech alright in calmer areas, but it doesn’t do a very good job of reducing background noise.
Highlighted Features:
- Noise Cancellation with Several Configurations has been improved.
- Certified Hi-Res Audio with Exceptional Wide Dynamic Range
- Built-in microphones for crystal-clear calls.
- Playtime is extended to 40 hours.
- Lighter and more comfortable to wear.
- Mode of Transparency
What We Like:
- Battery life is unrivalled in its class.
- It has a strong sound.
- The new design is more attractive and sturdy than the previous one.
- A companion app with a variety of functions.
- Consistent connectivity.
What we Don’t Like:
- On several tracks, the bass is overpowering.
- Bulky and substantial in appearance.
- Touch controls are very limited.
4. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds brings your continuous hunt for great noise cancellation headphones to an end.
The new $279 noise-cancelling QuietComfort Earbuds from Bose have finally arrived in stores after a long wait. They’re fantastic true wireless earbuds in many aspects, especially when it comes to sound and noise cancellation, which is likely the best available right now in a set of earphones.
Moreover, they outperform Apple’s best-selling AirPods Pro truly wireless noise-cancelling earphones in terms of effectiveness. Nevertheless, the smaller layout, slightly more comfortable fit, and greater voice-calling features of the AirPods Pro make it difficult to proclaim the Bose the clear winner.
Highlighted Features:
- Noise cancellation of the highest quality
- Awareness and quite a mode
- High definition audio
- Touch control that is easy to use.
- Clarifies when on calls.
- Weather and sweat resistance.
- Last up to 6hours.
What We Like:
- The best noise cancellation in the industry.
- Audio that is rich, sharp, and well-balanced.
- Despite its size, it is comfortable.
- It’s possible to charge wirelessly.
What we Don’t Like:
- Costly.
- Purists should avoid sound signatures.
- Because of his size, he has an awkward appearance.
- Personalization and touch controls are limited.
5. Apple AirPods Max
The first thing Apple AirPods Max brings to the market is its high fidelity audio that beats its other features hands down.
Yes, they’re pricey, but the AirPods Max produces richer, more detailed sound than Bose and Sony’s lower-cost competitors. They also have the finest noise cancellation on the market, superior build quality, and Apple’s virtual surround spatial audio function for watching videos.
No doubt, it comes out heavy, but they’re surprisingly comfortable. However, there is a need to adjust the mesh canopy headband to sit a bit more front on my head.
Highlighted Features:
- MagSafe Charging Case is a device that allows you to charge your device while it is
- Fit is adaptable.
- Transparency is enabled.
- Adaptive EQ produces incredible sound quality.
- The case can be charged wirelessly with a MagSafe or Qi-certified charger or utilizing the Lightning connector.
What We Like:
- It’s quite relaxing.
- The construction performance is superb.
- Excellent, well-balanced sound quality.
- Noise cancellation is excellent.
- It’s simple to set up.
What we Don’t Like:
- Battery life is only 20 hours.
- Extremely costly.
- There is no 3.5mm audio jack.
- Big and clumsy
- The design is divisive.
- This item is not collapsible.
- Many contestants are heavier than this.
- A $35 cable is required for wired listening.
- The case is a heinous crime.
- There is no rating for water resistance.
6. Apple AirPods Pro
The magic behind Apple AirPods Pro noise cancellation is beyond words.
The Apple AirPods Pro is a terrific pair of true-wireless headphones with noise cancellation. However, they do not sound almost as magical as you’d want for a $249 model. That’s because of their award-winning style and fitment, increased bass production, and effective noise cancellation — and now they’re being enhanced with multi-dimensional audio, a virtualized mode for streaming.
They’re a great option when you need to make a call or listen to music while working out. Yes, they’re pricey, but the good news is that they usually retail for between $190 and $210.
Highlighted Features:
- This is a whole new model.
- The sensor of force.
- Adaptive EQ is a term that refers to a type of EQ
- Absorption to sweat and water.
- Apple has released a new custom driver.
- Charging through MagSafe.
- It’s a magical configuration.
What We Like:
- For its size, the noise cancellation is remarkable.
- Excellent audio quality.
- Design that is both modern and functional.
- Battery life is adequate.
- The pressure-sensitive stem is a fantastic feature.
- Even the ultra-portable charging case is included.
What We Don’t Like:
- Silicone tips appear to be prone to wear and tear.
- I’m still really focused on iOS.
- Using a lightning cord to charge.
- There isn’t a related app.
- Pricey.
7. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Samsung users will enjoy these fantastic headphones, with their high quality and durability.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is accessible in various colours and is more similar to the newer Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live, which both have eye-catching glossy curved shapes. However, the Buds 2’s shape and fit (15% smaller and 20% lighter than the Buds Plus) make them a significantly more appealing option to the better-sounding Buds Pro.
Just like the Buds Pro, it offers active noise cancellation. This implies all of the new Galaxy Buds models now have active noise cancellation; however, the Buds Live, which are open and don’t have ear tips, have a slight advantage. While the Buds 2 appear to be tiny Buds Pros, I found them to be more like the Buds Live in that they slightly poke out of your ears and are relatively discrete. In addition, they’re sweat-resistant to IPX2 standards.
Highlighted Features:
- Design with a small footprint.
- An ear tip fit test is included in the app.
- The sound quality is excellent.
- SBC, AAC, and Samsung are all supported by Bluetooth 5.2.
- Codec with scalability.
- Charging is quick and wireless.
What We Like:
- Active noise cancellation is good.
- Background sound mode that can be adjusted.
- Excellent audio quality.
- Tiny yet oh-so-comfortable.
- Wireless charging case in a small package.
- The Galaxy Wearable app provides additional features.
What we Don’t Like:
- IPX2 waterproof at a low level.
- A few functionalities present on the Galaxy Buds Pro are lacking.
- There is no iOS integration.
- Volume controls necessitate trade-offs.
- When removing the earbuds, there is no automatic pause.
- The design isn’t as high-end as its predecessors.
- Microphones aren’t particularly good.
- Battery life is average.