Noise two headphones

I've been a contributing editor for PCMag since 2011. Before that, I was PCMag's lead audio analyst from 2006 to 2011. Even though I'm a freelancer now, PCMag has been my home for well over a decade, and audio gear reviews are still my primary focus. Prior to my career in reviewing tech, I worked as an audio engineer—my love of recording audio eventually led me to writing about audio gear. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. (Opens in a new window) When people find out I've written more than 1,000 audio reviews for PCMag over the last 13 years, the first thing they usually want to know is which headphones are the best. But, to me, that's like asking what type of music is best. Sure, we all have favorites, but the category is too broad to break down so simply. The real question is, what are the right headphones for you? And to answer this, you have to consider your sound preferences, desire for extra features, and, of course, budget. With that in mind, we've gathered the absolute best headphones (and earphones) we've tested here, for a range of users and budgets. Read on for our top picks, followed by everything you need to know to find the perfect pair. The Best Headphone Deals This Week* • (Opens in a new window)— $449.99 (List Price $549) • (Opens in a new window)— $169.00 (List Price $349.95) • (Opens in a new window)— $279.00 (List Price $329) • (Opens in a new window)— $348.00 (List Price $399.99) • (O...

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. (Opens in a new window) Headphones are great for blocking out your surroundings and letting you enjoy your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook. Sometimes the outside world can bleed through, though, and the sound of planes, traffic, and crowds can cut into your listening experience. If you want to avoid all the noise, you should consider headphones with Now is as good a time as any to consider noise-cancelling headphones because the once-wide gap between Bose and other audio manufacturers has shrunk enough to allow for some serious competition in the space. Bose still offers some of the best ANC on the market, but several other brands are now highly competitive. Beyond that, many of these options offer sound signatures that you might prefer over what you get from Bose, along with better apps that allow for more customization of the audio and ANC experiences. We've gathered our favorite noise-cancelling headphones and earphones below. Read on for our top picks, followed by everything you need to know to assist your search. Why We Picked It The second-generation AirPods Pro deliver exceptionally strong noise cancellation, even though the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II edge them out slightly overall. Nonetheless, the AirPods Pro wipe out deep, low-frequency rumble and are effective against more complex, higher-frequency sounds. Beyond ANC, Apple's Adaptive Transparency mode ...