Most Comfortable Noise Cancelling Headphones [2023]

These days it is not that difficult to pick up a pair of great headphones with noise cancelling capabilities.

However with so many available on the market, how do you know which ones are comfortable?

In this article we will focus on the most comfortable noise cancelling headphones.

Features To Look For With Comfortable Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you are looking to purchase headphones which have both outstanding noise cancelling capabilities, but are also comfortable, then there are some key areas to focus on when buying.

Noise Reduction Rating (Attenuation)

Attenuation is a measure of the ability of the headphones to reduce ambient noise levels. This is expressed as a number, and is measured in decibels (db).

Below, we have given the rating in db of each headphone mentioned here. This will enable you to know approximately how much each headphone can reduce ambient noise by.

Generally speaking, the higher the number, the better the headphone is at noise isolation.

This number is expressed as a minus number, as we are interested in the amount that the noise is reduced by.

Remember, this is the number which ambient noise levels are reduced by, not the value they are reduced to.

Be mindful also that the number stated is usually the average number of the reduction rating across the entire range of frequencies.

For example, you may find that some headphones will isolate lower frequency noises better than higher.

However, usually there is not a great difference across ranges.

What Decibel Rating Do You Need For Noise Cancelling Headphones?

This depends on how much noise you are looking to cancel out.

For reference, soft sounds such as normal breathing will fall into the 0 to 10 db range.

Things like home appliances (such as the refrigerator), and a normal conversation will fall into the 40 to 60 db range.

I have seen headphones cancel around up to the mid 40db range.

However many modern headphones generally cancel out 20 to 30db.

Passive Noise Isolation Versus Active Noise Cancellation

The type of noise cancellation is an important factor to check when buying.

The reason being is that they both allow for a quite different noise isolation experience.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) – ANC uses external mic technology to remove any ambient noise.

This method won’t cancel out every noise around you, so ANC is great if you wish to cancel out any environmental noise but still hear someone talking for example.

Passive Noise Isolation (PNI) – This type of headphone generally relies on the build of the ear section of the headphone. For example the ear pad size, being closed back, how deep it sits in the ear canal etc.) to cancel out any outside noise.

Essentially PNI type physically blocks out or lowers any outside noise, allowing you to focus on your music.

Headphones with PNI noise isolation have arguably better sound quality than those with active noise cancelling, however at the cost of inferior noise isolation/cancelling.

Closed Back Versus Open Back Headphones

This may be a consideration when buying over ear type headphones.

Closed back means the outer facing side of each ear section is closed off, meaning it is more difficult for sound to get in or out.

With open back the opposite is true, so sound can leak both in and out of the headphone ear sections.

Open back headphones may be more susceptible to moisture getting into the electronics. So for outdoor use you may wish to opt for closed back.

Speaking strictly in terms of noise isolation, ensure you are buying closed back headphones.

Wired or Wireless

Whether the headphone is wired or wireless really comes down to the preference of the user.

Wired headphones are just as good as wireless when it comes to noise isolation (whether the headphone is wired or not does not affect this).

Simply decide whether you wish to have the wireless benefits of more portability and no cable, versus the need to charge the headphones.

Headphone Comfort Features To Look For…

The following key features generally determine whether a headset is likely to be comfortable or not.

Earpads

Factors to consider with earpads include the amount of padding, the material, and size.

Ideally look for pads that feel soft and comfortable, but are also breathable at the same time.

For studio or extended use, consider that the longer you use the headphones for, the better the ventilation you may need.

In terms of material, velour is an excellent choice for earpads. It has a slight texture for comfort, but also more porous than say leather.

That’s not to say leather is intrinsically a bad choice. You might find that real leather is a better option in terms of comfort than PU leather or similar.

Leather is great for durability, but doesn’t quite match the comfort of velour.

Many traditional headphones have ‘over-ear’ earpads. This type of earpad generally offers superior comfort compared to ‘on-ear’ ear pads due to the larger surface area.

Headband

Factors to consider with the headband include the size, the amount of support, and also the amount of ‘give’ it has.

Ideally you want the headband to support the earpads to stay on your head during use.

But not in a way in which you feel the headphones are being clamped to your head.

Numbness on the outer ear after use may be an indication that the headphones are a poor fit, or perhaps have a particularly rigid headband.

Having said this, the majority of new headphones I’ve owned will inevitably have a ‘breaking in’ period, where the headband becomes more supple over time.

Few I have owned have been that comfortable out of the box.

So most headphones are a little clampy initially.

On-Ear or Over-Ear

In terms of comfort, over-ear closed back headphones are arguably the most comfortable type of headphone.

This is because on-ear headphones generally have a larger surface area where the ear pad is concerned.

On-ear pads generally have smaller pads, so any pressure from the headband is focused on a smaller area.

Personal preference of course comes into play, and you may prefer the lighter weight of the on-ear variety.

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Most Comfortable Noise Cancelling Headphones

Next we will look at 7 great options for headphones which offer both superb comfort, and outstanding noise cancellation.

• 1/ Bose Quietcomfort 35 Series II Wireless Review – Best For Comfort

• 2/ Sony WH-1000XM3 Review – Best For Noise Cancelling

• 3/ Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Review – Best Budget Option

• 4/ Sennheiser PXC 550-II Review – Best Ergonomic Fit

• 5/ Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 Review – Premium Choice

• 6/ Sony WF-1000XM3 Review – Most Comfortable Wireless Earphones

• 7/ Bose QuietComfort 20 Review – Most Comfortable Wired Earphones

• Conclusion

1/ Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise-Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones (Best For Comfort)

Pros
Outstanding Comfort
Three Noise Cancellation Settings

Cons
Good Sound, But Could Be Improved

The Quietcomfort brand from Bose needs little introduction.

This range has long been known for combining comfort with outstanding noise cancellation technology.

And with the Bose QuietComfort 35 line Bose are really pushing for the crown of best wireless noise cancelling headphones.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) are the successors to the already well established QuietComfort 35 (Series I).

Bose absolutely nails it in so many ways with the QuietComfort series in terms of comfort, noise cancelling, and features.

Here we will look at these features in further detail.

Key Features

Many headphones on the market these days offer noise cancelling. However the Quietcomfort II headphones offer an incredible three levels of noise cancelling.

This is a useful feature that allows you to manually adjust the level of noise isolation depending on the environment you’re in.

In terms of comfort, it is not an exaggeration to say that these really are one of the most comfortable pair of headphones you will ever experience.

The Quietcomfort II can connect to a range of devices easily, including iPhone, iPad and Android devices. You can also control Alexa and Siri on your phone via the inbuilt mic.

What Is The Bose QuietComfort 35 Noise Reduction Rating?

In terms of noise reduction, the Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) have an overall attenuation in the region of -27 dB.

Pros

One of the main areas in which the Series II really excels is active noise cancelling (ANC).

These headphones are able to cancel out over 27 db of background noise. What does this mean in real terms? Well you will find you are unlikely to be able to hear your own breathing when the active noise cancelling is activated!

Many users with auditory sensory issues report how great the noise cancelling is on these headphones for cancelling out ambient noise.

The mounted buttons on the headset are easy to identify and operate from touch alone.

The portability, noise cancelling, and comfort of these headphones make them great for travel, especially on air planes and buses.

There are a number of nice touches with these headphones that I liked. For example, when you turn these on it will tell you the battery percentage which is left.

The Series II has a great battery life (20 hrs wireless and 40 hrs wired) and comes with a sturdy carry case also.

This portable case wasn’t just an afterthought either like you get with some headphones. This really is a great looking and sturdy case.

Transporting these without a case however is still a breeze, as you will be happy just to wear them on the go due to their lightweight and comfortable design.

Overall, these headphones just excel in terms of comfort and quality when placed alongside competitors in the same class.

Are The Bose QuietComfort 35 Headphones Comfortable?

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II are outstanding when it comes to comfort.

The alcantera and leather headband is in itself extremely comfortable and flexible. These headphones also come with soft PU leather ear cushions.

These headphones are ideal for long listening sessions.

Sound

In terms of sound, these headphones will sound great regardless of what genre music you throw at them.

You will likely notice small details in songs which you haven’t noticed previously.

The QC35’s pay a lot of attention to the midrange, but there is also some nice punch to the bass also.

Highs are managed well by the 35’s, and there is no noticeable distortion to be heard.

Cons

Sound quality is great but nothing spectacular. I would describe it as on par with many other headphones in it’s class.

The bass is solid, and all the other ranges are nice and warm, but you may find yourself expecting more for the price.

However, these headphones have come down in price recently from their original retail price, so be sure to check the latest price using the button below.

2/ Sony WH-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones (Best For Noise Cancelling)

 

 

Pros
Outstanding Comfort
Industry Leading Noise Cancellation
Smart Features

Cons
Call Quality

 

Type – Over Ear Closed Back
Noise Cancelling – Active Noise Cancelling
Noise Reduction (db) – 40
Connection – Wireless (Bluetooth & NFC) & Wired (3.5mm)
Mic – Inbuilt
Item Weight – 255 grams
Materials – Synthetic Leather & Plastic

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

 

In recent years Sony have just kept going from strength to strength with their Sony WH-1000 series.

Audio enthusiasts will be aware of how the series has evolved in increments to give you better and better audio, and almost unrivalled noise isolation.

Here we will take a closer look at the Sony WH-1000XM3.

Key Features

The ‘Smart Listening‘ feature will detect and adjust the levels of ambient sound to automatically give you the best noise cancelling.

These headphones are comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions, or during travel, due to the ergonomic design and comfortable ear pads.

The WH-1000XM3 are packed with smart features, such as the ‘Quick Attention Mode‘, which enables you to cover the right ear cup to turn down your music for instant, easy conversation.

 

 

What is The Sony WH-1000XM3 Noise Reduction Rating?

In terms of noise reduction you can expect the Sony WH-1000XM3 to reduce sounds by around -30 to -40 db.

Pros

The noise cancelling on the XM3’s is simply superb.

The active noise cancelling on these headphones is so precise that you will be able hear sounds like your family or workmates speaking near you, but sounds like an air con systems, traffic noise, and other persistent notes will be cancelled out.

There is even the option to set the function to be permanently on, even when not playing any music.

This is a great option if you simply need noise cancelling to quieten the environment down, for a peaceful nap for example.

A nice feature are the touch sensitive controls on the right ear cup. This can be used to play/pause, change volume, skip tracks and even answer calls.

As well as the ‘Quick Attention Mode‘ which we mentioned, hand gestures can also be used to activate voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa.

Finally the ‘Atmospheric Pressure Optimiser‘ is great for use on flights for example. This improves the headphones performance at high altitudes.

Are The Sony WH-1000XM3 Headphones Comfortable?

These headphones come rated highly for comfort.

There are many factors which contribute to what makes the XM3’s so comfortable.

However, the switch from a metal to a plastic headband is somewhat of a criticism in terms of how these headphones look.

But this does mean the XM3’s are 20g lighter than the previous generation, meaning it hardly feels like these headphones are on your head at all!

The earpads themselves are also nicely cushioned and thick, and follow the natural shape of the ear nicely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mcrNTwT33M

 

Sound

In terms of sound, the XM3’s deliver a great atmospheric experience.

You will really feel like you are in the same room as the performance, with each instrument coming through clearly.

But at the same time you will be able to differentiate between the different sounds which are being delivered.

The bass adds a nice deep and earthy richness to the sound, with the bass on the XM3’s being arguably the best in the series.

Cons

The touch controls will take some getting used to, and may feel fiddly at first to some.

The price may be a little steep for many. However, when you consider you are getting probably the best noise cancelling headphones on the market currently, this would appear to justify the cost.

If I’m being totally honest I feel Sony could have been a bit more adventurous with the design of these. I feel they do look somewhat run of the mill in this department.

Finally, when using these for calls, you will find the call audio quality is just ok.

Final Opinion

Overall, a superb set of headphones for sound cancelling, which are also extremely comfortable.

Not that those are the only two features that the XM3’s do well, as these really are a superb all round pair of headphones.

Finally the app for these headphones is excellent, and many people will likely benefit from being able to tweak the noise cancellation settings which are included.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Key Features

The in-built dual noise-detecting microphones pick up and filter out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound, ensuring nothing distracts you from your music.

Select from three noise cancellation experiences, including Transport, Outdoor, and Indoor.

Depending on what setting you use, you can expect up to an impressive 60 hours battery life on a full charge. You can also charge for 5 mins for 4 hours listening time.

These headphones are ideal for extended use, thanks to the lightweight design and memory foam earpads.

What Is The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Noise Reduction Rating?

Anker don’t state an actual noise reduction rating like many other headphones.

They describe the Q30 as filtering out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound, such as engine noise.

This would likely put these headphones in the 30 to 40db noise reduction range.

Pros

Utilising Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling, the Q30’s claim to block out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound.

Simply choose from Outdoor, Transport or Indoor noise cancelling modes depending on where you plan to use these, and the level of noise cancelling you require.

A nice feature is being able to touch the right earcup for 1-2 seconds to enable ‘Transparency Mode’. This allows more external sound in to enable you to hear people talking if needed.

Install the Soundcore app on your phone to easily switch ANC modes. You can also choose from 22 EQ presets.

Pairing the Q30’s to your phone couldn’t be simpler, just tap your smartphone on the right ear cup to connect.

Are The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Headphones Comfortable?

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30’s are comfortable over long periods due to the lightweight design and memory foam ear cups.

The angle of the ear cups also adjusts around 15 degrees, ensuring an ergonomic fit.

Sound

The mid-range and treble come through smooth and clear.

High frequencies in particular sound lively and well managed.

The bass frequencies are noticeably pronounced. So if you are looking for a more neutral sounding headphone, you may need to make some adjustments via the Soundcore Smartphone App.

I would describe the soundstage as being fairly wide, and with noticeable channel separation.

The Q30 will sound great regardless of whatever music genre you throw at it.

Cons

There is sometimes some noticeable audio leak at high volume levels.

If you are using these for calls, you may notice that the call quality takes a dip when any kind of ambient noise is present.

A wider range of touch controls would have been nice, however the price point reflects what is on offer here.

4/ Sennheiser PXC 550-II (Best Ergonomic Fit)

Pros
Detailed Sound
Ergonomic Ear Pads

Cons
Bass Is Average

Sennheiser are often at the forefront of audio enthusiasts’ minds when it comes to choosing noise cancelling headphones.

And with 40+ years of experience in developing headphones, I find they are always worth checking when choosing new headphones.

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II certainly have a premium look. But how do they compare with their rivals in terms of comfort and performance?

Read on to take a more in-depth look.

Key Features

The ergonomically shaped memory foam ear pads ensure these headphones can be worn for long periods with no problems.

Includes gesture controls enabling you to swipe and tap the ear cups to control tacks, volume, and noise cancelling intensity.

Offers a good level of active noise cancelling, which will meet most peoples needs.

What is The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Noise Reduction Rating?

In terms of noise reduction, the Sennheiser PXC 550-II achieve a noise reduction attenuation of around -21 dB.

Pros

Thanks to the ergonomic ear pad shape combined with the excellent active noise cancelling on these headphones, you can expect to achieve around 21db of noise cancelling.

This is equivalent to low level background noise and quiet voices. So you can expect these low level sounds to be cancelled out completely, and a reduction in anything louder.

These are great for travel thanks to their compact nature when folded, and included carry case.

Want to customize your sounds? The Sennhesier Smart Control App lets you adjust EQ settings, and includes a handy Dynamic Loudness Control feature to level out any uneven volume increases/decreases in the sound. You also get smart pause and call enhancement as standard.

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II also support more Bluetooth codecs than ever before, making these great for video streaming and mobile gaming.

The battery allows for around 20 hours play time with ANC on whilst using Bluetooth, and around 30 hours playtime in wired mode (with ANC on). A fast charge feature is included, giving you 90 mins play time on just a 10 minute charge.

Are The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Headphones Comfortable?

In terms of the fit, you can enjoy lengthy listening sessions in comfort thanks to the generously padded memory foam ear pads.

There is also an ample amount of padding in the headband itself.

The headphones themselves are also relatively light weight, further adding to the comfort.

Sound

Although only utilising 32mm drivers, these headphones still pack quite a punch.

Lows and mids sound accurate, warm, and somewhat neutral. I was able to clearly hear different instruments coming through as detailed separate sounds, as well as the vocals.

The bass is definitely noticeable, and the PXC 550-II controls it well. The bass-hungry listener however may wish for more.

Treble sounds crisp and lively, and there is a well balanced sound overall making these ideal for a range of genres.

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II uses a triple microphone along with ANC to produce clear audio during calls.

Cons

You may find some slight sound leakage when playing high frequency sounds at high volume.

I would have like the touch controls to be a little more responsive, and feel this could be improved in the future.

If you are after a bass heavy sound then check out the Sennheiser Momentum range instead.

5/ Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 (Best Premium Comfortable Noise Cancelling Headphones)

Pros
Premium Build & Comfort
Outstanding Sound

Cons
Other Headphones Offer More ANC

Bang & Olufsen are long established as a leading premium headphone manufacturer.

Here we will look at their offering for a comfortable noise cancelling headphone, the Beoplay H95.

But what do these headphones offer that the others we have mentioned don’t? And are they worth the extra cost?

Read on as we take a look.

The H95 features adaptive noise cancelling, where the noise cancellation adapts to noise levels in different environments.

An impressive 38 hours playtime on a single charge, even with the Bluetooth and ANC switched on (and around 50 hours without).

The premium materials, and comfort-led design ensure you can wear these headphones comfortably for long listening sessions.

The titanium drivers offer a precision sound, and offer improved acoustic performance regardless of the source device being used.

What Is The Beoplay H95 Noise Reduction Rating?

Bang & Olufsen don’t specify a noise reduction/attenuation rating for the Beoplay H95 as such.

However it will likely be similar to other wireless noise cancelling headphones in their range, such as the Beoplay H9i which offers around -20db of active noise cancelling.

Pros

The H95 will automatically connect to any familiar source, giving an instant and stable connection.

I love the aluminium dials and the side of each ear cup. They feel so smooth and accurate, and I understand are inspired by the focus rings on high end cameras. Each one is used to adjust the type and amount of noise cancelling.

The other controls are a combination of physical buttons and touch panels.

The H95 comes with a total of eight microphones. Four for noise cancelling, and another four for voice calls, with the latter filtering any sound it picks up through an advanced noise reduction system that enhances voice clarity and reduces background noise.

The included hardcase also feels as premium as the headphones themselves, and doesn’t feel like an afterthought.

Equalizer and firmware updates are available through the Bang & Olufsen app.

Are The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 Headphones Comfortable?

The H95 is designed to be worn for long periods thanks to the oval earcups which are made from memory foam and have a soft lambskin covering.

The headband is also nice and flexible for added comfort.

The materials and aesthetics here really stand out from other headphones in this category.

As you can see, Bang & Olufsen have really focussed on the comfort aspect of these headphones.

Sound

The titanium drivers coupled with Bang & Olufsen’s proprietary digital signal processing (DSP) engine bring the Bang & Olufsen signature sound to the wireless ANC arena.

The H95 offers a very clear, balanced, neutral, and spacious sound.

The bass is deep but restrained.

The soundstage is really great, one of the best you will hear on a pair of ANC wireless headphones. This allows noticeable separation between the various instruments.

The midrange comes through full and very natural sounding. The treble sits just right and always comes through smooth and non-grainy, regardless of what genre is played.

A very balanced sound without any frequencies being overemphasized.

Cons

There really is little to complain about with the Beoplay H95. The only grumble that some may have is that although the noise cancelling is great, for the price you may expect them to be at least on par with the best headphones in this class (such as the Sony WH-1000XM3 or WH-1000XM4).

6/ Sony WF-1000XM3 (Most Comfortable Wireless Earphones With Noise Cancelling)

Pros
Comfortable Fit
Superb Sound Quality

Cons
Not Water Resistant

Looking for a quality pair of earphones which offer both noise cancelling and comfort, but with truly wireless freedom? Then look no further than the WF-1000XM3 from Sony.

With noise cancellation on par with other Sony over-ear headphones, but without the bulkiness, these earphones are a great choice for wireless earphones.

Key Features

Industry leading noise cancelling, with 24bit Audio signal processing which delivers greatly improved sound quality.

Enjoy a 24 hour battery life when the case is fully charged, with a 10 minute quick charge which provides 90 minutes of charge.

You can easily access functions and features of the earphones using the smartphone app.

What is The Sony WF-1000XM3 Noise Reduction Rating?

The Sony WF-1000XM3 earphones achieve an overall noise reduction of around -16.5 dB.

Pros

I personally think these are one of the best looking earphones on the market today.

Everything from the earphones themselves, down to the case simply exudes refinement and finesse.

The dual microphone setup of the WF-1000XM3’s effortlessly cancels out any external noise. And the active noise cancelling technology will automatically adjust to whatever environment you are in.

In real terms, these earphones are able to block out noises such as breathing, quiet voices, and rustling leaves.

You will find that the ear tips fit so well that you will benefit from a degree if passive noise cancellation when the active noise cancelling is turned off.

In terms of accessibility options, double tapping the left or right earphone enables you to access features such as track skipping and different listening modes.

Music is automatically paused when the earphones are removed from your ears.

You also have the option of letting in any ambient noise by simply holding a finger on the left earphone.

The built in mic is also pretty good and works well for calls. Expect the caller to hear some ambient noise from your end however, but nothing that will affect the call quality.

Finally you can expect a strong wireless connection to whatever device you are paired with.

Are The Sony WF-1000XM3 Headphones Comfortable?

A number of different size ear tips are included with the WF-1000XM3 earphones.

This means you can choose your own ear tip size for maximum comfort.

These also weigh only 8.5 grams per earphone, making them really lightweight.

Sound

In terms of the sound, the XM3 earphones sound great across a range of musical genres.

You will notice a positive difference in the bass and mid frequencies, as these tend to sound enhanced.

Any instruments sound separate and clear, as do the highs.

Also the handy app has an option to analyze your ear shape and optimize the sound based on this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTHg5rSYSDM

Cons

These earphones unfortunately aren’t ideal for moist conditions (such as exercise), as they don’t come with an IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

However many people report still using the WF-1000XM3’s for exercise without any problems.

Be mindful also that the reported 24 hours battery life does not apply to how much charge the earphones themselves hold in a single charge.

What this means is that the battery in the case (which is used to actually charge the earphones) holds the equivalent of three full charges.

So you will likely find you have as little as 5 hours or less from these with the noise cancelling on, and even less if you put the DSEE HX audio enhancement option on.

However these earphones do charge again quickly, so this may not be a consideration for you.

7/ Bose QuietComfort 20 (Most Comfortable Wired Earphones With Noise Cancelling)

Pros
Comfortable Ear Tips
High Noise Reduction

Cons
Good Sound, But Room For Improvement

Bose’s awesome noise cancelling technology isn’t just confined to their standard headphones. It can be seen in their earphones and earbuds also.

The Bose QuietComfort 20 acoustic noise cancelling earphones offer comfort, great noise cancellation, and some great accessibility features, all in this compact pair of earphones.

Key Features

Enjoy better sound everywhere you go without the distractions of the outside world.

At the touch of a button you can activate the ‘Aware Mode’ to hear what is happening around you.

These earphones are compatible with both Samsung, Apple, and Android devices.

What is The Bose QuietComfort 20 Noise Reduction Rating?

In terms of noise reduction, the Bose QuietComfort 20s offer an overall attenuation of around -24 dB.

This is an impressive level of noise cancellation for a pair of in-ear headphones.

This noise cancelling is achieved across the full range of sounds. So you can expect these to block out low frequencies such as engine noise, and also higher frequencies such as outdoor ambient noise.

Pros

These earphones are a great option of someone looking for a wired earphone solution with great noise cancelling.

With the QuietComfort 20 it has never been easier to switch between being isolated from outside noise, to being aware of what is going on around you, without having to take the earphones out!

You may be quick to assume that the newer Bose QuietControl 30 earphones would be better in terms of noise cancellation. However the QuietComfort 20 offers slightly more noise isolation.

The QuietComfort 20s offer a maximum noise reduction of an impressive -24 dB.

Vehicle noises, noisy aircon and other environmental noise becomes almost unnoticeable with these earphones.

This version also offers longer battery life than the newer model (16 hours versus 10). The QuietComfort 20s will also continue to work once the battery has died (albeit without the noise cancelling feature).

The included carry case is also a fraction of the size of many other earphones in the class, making these portable and travel friendly.

Are The Bose QuietComfort 20 Earphones Comfortable?

The included ‘StayHear+’ tips provide a comfortable but secure fit for hours of listening.

The earphones themselves are extremely lightweight and comfortable, weighing in at just 44 grams.

These earphones actually feel like they are resting in your ear, rather than being jammed in there.

Sound

The sound quality with the QuietComfort 20s is great overall.

There is more than a decent amount of bass going on here.

The mid range is set back slightly compared to the other levels, and the treble is good.

Cons

Although the sound quality here is good overall, it isn’t quite as good as some in-ear headphones in the same price range.

But on the flip side other in-ear headphones in the class generally won’t have the same level of noise cancellation that the QuietComfort 20s offer.

And this is likely where you will be torn on the price also.

Yes these earphones aren’t the cheapest on the market. But the almost unrivalled noise cancellation in this class justifies the cost for me.