Silence, Please: Four Must-Have Noise-Cancelling Headphones Whether you enjoy complete silence in the workplace, or go on several business trips a month, noise-canceling headphones have become a workplace essential.

By May Rostom

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock.com

Whether you enjoy complete silence in the workplace, or go on several business trips a month, noise-canceling headphones have become a workplace essential. With several different options on the market, choosing the right pair isn't easy.

So, what do you want to look for when looking for a pair of the best noise-canceling headphones? Start with keeping an eye out for the words "active noise-cancellation technology." In addition to the extra padding on the headphones, active noise cancellation involves microphones planted in the ear wells of the headphones to actively analyze the ambient noise level, and reflect sound waves back into your ear, which in turn mutes out any unwanted sounds.

That said, here are our picks on some of the best sets on the market:

1. BOSE NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES 700 This pair features a completely new microphone system that offers both internal and external sound isolation. That means that in addition to the normal noise-cancelation, the set also isolates your voice from external sounds, making it the perfect pair for making calls. The device has a sound system with six microphones, all of which are focused on optimizing your voice and muting out all the background clatter.

2. SONY WH-1000XM3 These have been declared the best noise-canceling headphones in the world, two years running. From the comfortable, padded design to its uber lightweight and extended battery life, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is the highest-rated wireless noise-canceling headphone on CNET.

3. SENNHEISER HD 4.50 BTNC The Sennheiser is the best of both worlds. They offer the noise-cancellation quality of Bose and the musical sound quality of Sony. Running at a cheaper price point than both the Bose and the Sony, the Sennheiser is a great value all-rounder, whether for flights, your daily commute or busy offices.

4. NURA NURAPHONE This over-ear/in-ear hybrid offers two physical barriers. With an over-ear cup and an in-ear tip, the Nuraphones have the architecture of a high-end home sound system. The earbud drivers belt out much of the high- and mid-tones, and the over-ear drivers thump with a deep bass that vibrates the bones around your ear.

Related: Raising The Bar: Samsung Galaxy S20 Series Debuts In The UAE

May Rostom

Curator, Entrepreneur Café

May Rostom is the curator of Entrepreneur Café, a new daily digest of stories from Entrepreneur Middle East to fuel your day at work. 

May has been in the fashion journalism field for more than five years, with over 500 articles published in online and offline mediums. Working closely with some of the biggest fashion brands in the region, from creating, curating, and developing content to aggregating and pitching for content from several fashion and beauty outlets in the Middle East, Rostom’s experience is multicultural and vast. She was formerly a senior lifestyle editor/writer at MSN Arabia, and she has also worked with TRESemme Egypt as a fashion expert.

Technology

Saudi Arabia's AI-Driven Future: HUMAIN and the Path to Global AI Leadership

Innovation with accountability will be critical in ensuring that businesses thrive while aligning with the Kingdom's vision for a tech-driven future.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

News and Trends

Emirates Development Bank Announces Launch of AED1 Billion Emirates Growth Fund

EGF is also expected to play a pivotal role in driving the UAE's industrial transformation.

News and Trends

UAE's Business-Centric HR Podcast -HR Sisters Podcast- Rebrands with a Fresh Local Voice

Unlike typical HR conversations that focus solely on employees, this podcast tackles HR through the lens of business growth, structure, and compliance.

Starting a Business

The Business He Started in Response to a Frustrating Grocery Store Experience Surpassed $1 Billion in Sales and Counts Ray Dalio Among Its Investors

Steve Magami, co-founder with Thomas Snyder of Fruitist, was tired of playing "berry roulette."

Side Hustle

Want to Start a Side Hustle Helping a Small Business? Here Are the Gigs That Pay the Most.

It's National Small Business Month — and a great time to start a side hustle.