Noise Cancelling Headphones Are Not Just A Travel Accessory...
They're A Travel Necessity

These constant sounds can cause fatigue and sap your energy.

If you've ever enjoyed the effects of a good noise canceling headphone, you know that it's possible to "slip on some quiet" and have a reprieve form all that unwanted noise.

Once you use a quality noise canceling headphone, you'll wonder how you've ever gotten by without any. The first time I ever tied noise canceling headphones, I was astonished by how well they worked.

Hi, I'm Pilot Paul, Captain at a major airline. I've been using noise canceling headphones for over a decade.

At my airline, we bring along an additional pilot on long flights. This allows us to take turns and have a rest break. That way we always have fresh, alert pilots at the controls. We have use of a first class seat for this extremely important rest.

My airline provides a noise canceling headphone for each first class passenger to use. They love them, and don't want to give them back at the end of the flight.

One of the main reasons that I'm able to rest and sleep during my important rest breaks is the noise canceling headphones.

In this article, I'll give you an overview of what makes a great noise cancelling headphone and how you can benefit from using them. I'll also provide specific information about each of the noise cancelling headphones best suited to your budget and needs.

"What's Special About Noise Cancelling Headphones?"

• Passively- They have comfortable, insulated ear cups that block a lot of outside noise.
• Actively- They electronically cancel out sound waves. They do this by picking up a sound, processing it, and then creating a new sound that effectively cancels the original sound. They work best on loud, monotonous sounds like the rushing air in airplane cabins or engine noise.

These two methods combined make the best noise canceling system around. If you haven't had the opportunity to try some you'll be amazed at how effective they can be, especially the better ones.

There is a noticeable quiet. This is very relaxing and once you've used these, you'll wonder how you ever survived without them.

What You Can Expect From A Good Noise Cancelling Headphone

If you wear these at home (as I often do), and your child screams, you'll still hear that. This can be either good or bad, depending on your perspective.

When you first put on noise canceling headphones, you'll initially notice the passive effect- all noises are reduced by the comfortable, padded, insulated ear cups.

Then switch on the active cancellation to eliminate the droning sounds. You might not immediately think it's a huge improvement- but wait about ten minutes.

You brain has the capability to disregard many background noises. They still are present and cause fatigue, but you become unaware of them. During the ten minutes, your brain will discontinue blocking these sounds from your consciousness.

If you take them off after the ten minutes, you'll be amazed by the amount of noise they had been canceling. These headphones can be used as regular headphones for listening to the plane's audio system, movies, or any other sound device. With these, everything will sound even better because much of the background noise is cut out. This will create new levels of listening enjoyment for you.

With a good noise canceling headphone, you'll also be able to listen to recordings or movies at a much lower volume. There's no competition with the background noise. That's good for your hearing.

I frequently use noise canceling headphones with a portable CD or cassette player. I'll leave the volume set and later use regular headphones. The volume setting I used with my noise canceling headphones was so low that when I switched to regular headphones, I couldn't hear anything.

You can also use noise canceling headphones by themselves without external audio to make your world much quieter.

Noise canceling headphones are helpful for resting and solitude. That's because wearing them signals the people around you that you want to be left alone. If you're worried about that over-talkative person in the seat next to you, putting these on can be a great way to discourage them from initiating conversation.

Many airlines provide these headphones for their first class passengers. They love them, but they have to give them back at the end of the flight.

If you bought yourself a pair, you'd get one of the best first class benefits at less cost than a first class upgraded ticket. They'd yours to keep and use whenever you're in a noisy place and want to "slip on some peace and quiet".

Noise canceling headphones are so effective at reducing noise fatigue that many pilots use them in-flight. Headphones with this technology are great for in-flight radio communications in noisy, propeller-driven airplanes.

Warning! Once you've tried these there's no turning back. You'll be hooked on them and will want to use them regularly.

"What Makes One Noise Cancelling Headphone Different From The Rest?"

"Why Do The Prices Vary So Much?"

I've used two different noise cancelling headphones extensively, and had the chance to try several others for extended periods.

With that experience, I've found three different noise cancelling headphones best suited for all-around use.

There are many on the market, but three stand out.

I've also found the best places to get each of these.

There are three different price ranges for noise canceling headphones:

• Low ($60-$80)
• Medium ($140-$200)
• High ($250-$300)

Because the noise canceling headphones that I have review and recommend one noise cancelling headphone from each price range.

The noise cancelling headphone best suited for all conditions with the best performance is a high-end one.

To shop at the best merchant selling these, click here on:

QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones

also the newest model:

Bose® QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® Headphones


Until recently, I had only recommended two noise cancelling headphones: The Bose Quiet Comfort® headphone (sold for $300 everywhere- no discounts), and the much less expensive, but impressive Plane Quiet® headphones.

But now there is a "new kid on the block". Priced at $200, the Solitude noise canceling headphone® is giving Bose a run for their money. They are made by the same company that makes the Plane Quiet® noise cancelling headphones.

The new Solitude noise cancelling headphones® boast equal or slightly better noise cancellation capability than the Bose.

While Bose® still has an edge by with being the industry leader in high quality sound capability, the basic noise cancellation that you can achieve with the Solitude makes the lower price very attractive.

You'll enjoy better audio listening quality with the Bose®, but you have to ask yourself if it is worth the extra $100.

If superior noise cancellation is your main objective, then I recommend the Solitude.

If you want that, plus the finest fidelity available, then you might want to spend the additional money for the Bose.

Bose® offers a 30 trail period, and the company that I recommend for buying the Bose also gives a lifetime satisfaction guarantee.

To take a closer look at the Solitude noise cancelling headphones, click on:

Solitude with Linx Audio

They are often on sale and/or have free shipping.

Also, they just came out with an ear bud version of the Solitude noise cancelling headphone. You can find out more if you click on...

Solitude® Passive Noise Reduction In-the-Ear Stereo Headphones

I have also found a very good noise cancelling headphone in the lower price range that is as good if not better than most medium priced ones. Made by the same company as the Solitude, the Plane Quiet does a good job for a low cost.

Plane Quiet NC7 Noise Cancelling Headphones

Specific Noise Cancelling Headphone Reviews and Recommendations

Bose Noise Canceling Headphone® . the Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Canceling Headphone® is the gold standard. No others perform as well as these.

They pioneered the technology and have been continually perfecting it for 26 years.

If you are the type of person who does not want to mess around with anything but the best, then these are for you.

While they are at the top of the price range, if you ever try some you will see why they command the highest price.

Bose® apparently has a tight rein on the price- it's the same everywhere. But I've found a place selling them that guarantees 100% customer satisfaction. They also have a lifetime "completely satisfied with your purchase" guarantee.

You're protected from problems if you buy them from this merchant.

To learn more about The Bose Noise Canceling Headphones,® and to see the best place to get them, Click here for review of Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones® .

For a high quality, medium-priced noise canceling headphone, it's hard to beat the Solitude.

For a review and the best place to buy them, click here for Solitude Headphone review.

Plane Quiet Noise Canceling Headphone® . In the low price range, the noise canceling headphone best performing is the Plane Quiet®. What is great about these is the price.

They are in the lower price range and out-perform all other low-priced ones. They're comparable with many of the mid-priced models.

If the top-of-the-line Bose noise canceling headphones ® are way out of your budget, then take a serious look at the Plane Quiets. They are a terrific value.

To find out more about these and the best place to purchase them, Click here for review of Plane Quiet Headphones.®

Want to stay up to date on useful travel accessories? Learn more insider secrets or travel tips? Get answers to the questions you've always wanted to ask your pilot? Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, "This Is Your Captain Speaking..."

Back To Jet Lag Page

Back to Top of Noise Canceling Headphones Page