What is ANC and which headphones to get!

What is ANC and which headphones to get!

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a type of noise cancellation that prevents external noises from reaching our ears, allowing us to hear our music, game, or conversation more clearly.

The ANC is based on microphones that record the noise around us and uses the headphones' chipset to generate the inverse sound wave of the recorded noise. It may sound silly, strange, or wrong, but think of it as having a series of "1s" where 1 represents the noise. The headphones produce the opposite sound, which is "-1", and thus we have 0 where 0 is the result of ANC. Of course, we almost never have 0 noise, but we come very close to not hearing anything. 

There are also different ways in which ANC works, each with its positives and negatives. 

  1. The microphone is located on the outside of the headphone, so it captures a wider range of frequencies. However, it requires proper placement of the headphones, otherwise it can even create noise.
  2. The microphone is located on the inside of the headphone, so it precisely captures the noise that reaches the ear and filters it better. However, this way, high frequencies are not filtered correctly. It can also affect the experience of what we hear at times.
  3. There are two microphones, inside and outside the headphone. This way, we have a hybrid ANC with better coverage, we don't need to wear our headphones perfectly, and it knows exactly the noise it should filter. 

The headphone itself also helps in noise cancellation. There is the so-called "Passive Noise Cancellation" where the Ear Tips for In-ears or the earpads for headphones prevent a percentage of noise from reaching your ear. 

Now that we have learned what Active Noise Cancellation is and how it works, it's time to find our next headphone! 

Starting with In-Ears: 

The best ANC can be found in the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II:

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Bluetooth Handsfree Headphone Sweat Resistant and Charging Case Triple Black
  • Operating Time 6 hours
  • Operating with Charging Case 24 hours
  • Charging Time 3 hours
  • Bluetooth 5.3

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are designed for individuals seeking high-quality wireless noise-canceling headphones with exceptional sound performance. These headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation performance and can be used to isolate the user from ambient noise and exclusively hear the sound reproduced by the headphones. Additionally, these headphones provide excellent sound quality thanks to the use of advanced audio technologies. Finally, the design of the headphones is lightweight, comfortable, and secure, making them ideal for use throughout the day.

They are designed with world-class noise cancellation. Bose's controlled noise cancellation and full transparency function allow you to eliminate distractions, either immerse yourself in your surroundings or a little bit of both.

The earbuds will provide you with exclusive acoustic architecture that brings your music, podcasts, and videos to life, while Active EQ with volume optimization maintains balanced sound clarity at any level.

Control noise cancellation, pause, play, and volume settings from the side of the headphone itself. Activate them all in the Bose Music app.


However, we may not want the best, but something that does the job to some extent, in this case the QCY T13 ANC are an excellent Budget choice!

QCY T13 ANC In-ear Bluetooth Handsfree Headphone Sweat Resistant and Charging Case Black
  • Operating Time 7 hrs
  • Operating with Charging Case 30 hrs
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Microphone Noise Reduction

The QCY T13 ANC are True Wireless earphones with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and are designed for everyday activities such as listening to music, watching movies, and making phone calls. The ANC technology helps to eliminate external noises for a better audio experience.

They are ideal for use in everyday activities where users want to enjoy good sound quality and isolate external noises.

Users of Skroutz, distinguish the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation:

Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation In-ear Bluetooth Handsfree Headphone Sweat Resistant and Charging Case White
  • Operating Time 6 hours
  • Operating with Charging Case 30 hours
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Fast Charging

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have been redesigned to provide up to 2x more active noise cancellation (ANC). Adaptive Transparency reduces external noise, while personalized Spatial Audio immerses you in sound. A single charge provides up to 6 hours of battery life. Touch controls allow you to easily adjust the volume with a swipe. The updated MagSafe charging case features a built-in speaker and a loop slot for secure transportation.

They are aimed at users looking for wireless headphones that offer high-quality sound, noise cancellation, and ease of use with Apple devices. The AirPods Pro are specifically designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users, and offer advanced features such as redesigned internal speakers for a better fit and the ability to switch between different modes, such as audio and phone calls, with a simple finger gesture. Additionally, they offer a waterproof design, making them suitable for sports activities and use in wet conditions.

And finally, for headphones:

The best ANC can be found in the Sony WH-1000XM4. Although there is a newer version of the headphones, these ones offer better results! 

Sony WH-1000XM4 WH1000XM4B.CE7 Wireless/Wired Over Ear Headphones with 30hours hours of operation Blaca
  • LDAC Technology
  • Bluetooth Connection
  • 40mm Driver Diameter
  • Volume/Call Buttons

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are designed for people seeking headphones with exceptional sound quality and advanced noise cancellation features, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The headphones feature Sony's noise cancellation technology, which can reduce noise by up to 99%, creating an extremely isolated and clear audio experience.

They are specifically designed for musicians, editors, podcasters, and even travelers, with a battery that can last up to 30 hours of music playback. The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are compatible with devices that support Bluetooth technology, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices.

With the WH-1000XM4 headphones, it's just you and your music. The smartest way to enjoy less noise and clearer sound, with intelligent listening technology that automatically personalizes your experience.

The best budget choice and the one that stands out for Skroutz users are the Edifier W820NB:

Edifier W820NB Wireless/Wired Over Ear Headphones with 49hours hours of operation Blaca
  • Operating Time 49 hours
  • Charging Time 1.5 hours
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Bluetooth 5.0

The Edifier W820NB headphones are designed for those looking for wireless headphones with noise cancellation at an affordable price. They are ideal for listening to music, watching movies, or even making phone calls. They have a long battery life (up to 49 hours) and can be connected via Bluetooth or wired connection.

They can be connected wirelessly or with a cable to your device. They are designed to fully cover the ear (over ear), providing comfort and sufficient isolation from the environment. They have a microphone for making calls and Active Noise Cancellation technology that detects and removes external noises, allowing you to hear your conversation partners or your music more clearly.

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