10 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Classes

With the increase in popularity of e-Learning comes the need for having the right tools to adapt to the mode of learning.

Whether you’re a student or teacher talking or lecturing in an online class, there’s a good chance that there’s a lot of background noise disturbing the session. 

Not only does this noise make hearing what its participants have to say more challenging, but it also garbles up your voice when you speak, making it difficult for others to hear you.

Ideally, the class should be able to hear you and nothing else, and you should be able to hear the class and nothing else. Affording this modern-day comfort is as simple as getting the right pair of noise-canceling headphones.

There’s no shortage of quality options to buy, but sifting through the pile to find the best noise-canceling headphones for classes is challenging.

We’ve uncomplicated the task for you by reviewing and comparing the ten best noise-canceling headphones for classes. If you showcase books & lessons in your online classes, you should also be using Document cameras for better visibility and additional benefits.

Top 3 Noise-canceling Headphones for Online Classes 

Headphones	Weight	Fit	Wired/Wireless	Battery Life	Other Features
Bose QuietComfort 35 II	0.52 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 2.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 20 hours	Smart assistant support; ANC toggle button
Sony WH-1000XM4	0.56 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 3.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 30 hours	Smart assistant support, gesture controls, auto-pause, Bluetooth multipoint, Fast charging
Beats Studio3	0.57 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 3.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 22 hours	Smart assistant support, hardshell casing included, LED battery indicator

10 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for e-Learning

Below, you will find the ten best noise-canceling headphones at every price point. We’ve weighed out the pros and cons for you, so you know exactly what you’ll be getting.

1. Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Featuring a slim profile and a comfortable design, the QC35 II is one of the best noise-canceling headphones for classes if comfort is the top priority.

In addition to being comfortable, these headphones are durable. You can twist them in many ways without them breaking. 

The headphones feature a dedicated action button that you can assign your personal assistant of choice to. When connected to the Bose Connect+ app, you will hear instructions that will help you set the device up.

You can also use the action button to switch between the three active noise cancellation modes. You will still be able to access the voice assistant by holding the button down.

The multiple buttons make the headphones easy to control, and since the QC35 II headphones have a headphone jack, you can use them even after they run out of battery.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are some of the most popular headphones in the market – and for good reason. The Bluetooth multipoint support enables you to connect to two devices and switch between them seamlessly (given that both devices support the AAC codec).

The speak to chat feature pauses any media that’s playing when you start speaking. Media playback also stops when you take the headphones off.

There is a thick padding on the device’s ear cups, but the sleeker headband can make long sessions slightly painful on the crown of the head.

The touch-sensitive pads allow you to control media playback with swipes and taps. Features like ambient mode and personal assistant support make it that much more impressive.

But it’s the excellent sound quality and the reliable microphone that make it one of the best noise-canceling headphones for classes.

3. Beats Studio3

It’s hard to find fault with the look of the Beats Studio3 – which isn’t surprising since good design is one of the cornerstones of the Beats brand vision. 

The soft matte plastic feels premium to the touch and doesn’t smudge from fingerprints when you handle it. The ear cups are plush and comfortable, so the headphones don’t hurt even after hours of use. 

That said, the headband has grippy plastic that might tug on your hair. Connecting the headphones to any device is easy, so you won’t need to hassle much before joining the class.

While the design is symmetrical, all of the buttons on the device are on the left ear cup. The 3.5mm jack is also on the left ear cup.

The LEDs on the side conveniently indicate how much battery it has remaining. The convenience of use is what makes the Studio3 headphones one of the best noise-canceling headphones for classes.

4. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT

The ATH-ANC900BT has a touch-sensitive left ear cup, which isn’t as intuitive since most people are right-handed. But the device has a lot to offer if you’re willing to look past this detail.

These headphones boast some of the best sound quality that active noise cancellation headphones have to offer. The sound is extremely clear on all parts of the spectrum, so you will enjoy music on it beyond using it for classes. 

The Active Noise Cancellation is solid, too, making taking classes or working in a noisy environment comfortable. 

That said, the lack of a tuneable EQ is disappointing. But the 3.5mm output allows you to use them with an AUX cable after they run out of battery.

5. Bose Noise-canceling Headphones 700

The QC35 II successor is technically not very different from its precursor but boasts several improvements that make it a better product. 

Featuring a distinctly sleek design, they’re objectively gorgeous-looking headphones. There are barely any labels on the headphones, completing the sleek and minimalistic look. The use of metal on the headband adds to the look and ensures durability.

But there’s a lot on offer beyond great looks. The touch-sensitive gesture pad on the right cup makes it easy to control playback.

The sound quality is a lot more impressive when compared to its predecessor, the QC35 II, and the microphone picks up your voice without any distortion. 

These are undeniably some of the best noise-canceling headphones for classes that money can buy. The only real downside with these is that they don’t fold, but you can put them away safely in the included hardshell case.

6. BlueParrott B450-XT Noise Canceling

If you don’t intend to consume media with the headphones you buy for classes at all, the BlueParrott B450-XT may be perfect for you.

Offering a surprisingly neutral sound and up to 96% noise cancellation, the B450-XT headphones are among the best noise-canceling headphones for classes.

Designed for office use, the headphones boast a battery life of up to 24 hours. You won’t have to worry about charging them for at least a couple of days.

The boom microphone also boasts noise cancellation, allowing you to interact with classes in noisy environments. Its one-touch access button gives you access to features like push-to-talk and voice control. 

Further, these are IP54 dust and water-resistant, making them durable and reliable. Since they have a USB C port, you should be able to charge them with your phone charger if you’re in a pinch and don’t have access to the provided brick.

7. Soundcore by Anker Life Q30

While the Soundcore headphones may be the most affordable option on this list, they are certainly just as impressive as any of the listed headphones.

Filtering out up to 95% of the noise with the noise cancellation feature, you will be able to pay attention to the class without being disturbed. The availability of different noise modes allows you to use it in a noisy indoor environment, on airliners, and in traffic.

The 40mm drivers offer an impressive audio experience, boasting a crisp treble and a thumping bass. 

The expected battery life is 40 hours, and the headphones last up to 60 hours if you turn off ANC. Charging the headphones five minutes before class will give you four hours of use.

The excellent audio, pressure-free leather ear cups, and long battery life make the Soundcore earphones among the top noise-canceling headphones for classes available.

8. SENNHEISER HD 450BT

Boasting excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation at an affordable price, the HD 450BT headphones are some of the best noise-canceling headphones for classes if you’re on a low budget.

It boasts excellent passive noise isolation performance, which, coupled with the impressive active noise cancellation, removes almost all of the noise from the environment. 

The headphones can be too snug for some initially, but they break in after about a week of use, becoming very comfortable.

But like every product, the HD 450BT headphones have some downsides. Besides the smaller (but replaceable) headphone cups, the microphones on the device amplify the bass notes of your voice. While your voice will get through to the class, it won’t be the clearest to hear.

9. Skullcandy Hesh

The memory foam ear cups make the Skullcandy Hesh headphones some of the most comfortable noise cancellation headphones to have on. The collapsible design makes them portable, and after you fold them inwards, you can store them in the provided travel case.

The buttons on the right ear cup give you playback control and allow you to use the ANC and Ambient Sound modes. It is also easy to use the voice assistant with these buttons. 

The well-placed buttons make the headphones pretty convenient to use. While the headphones cancel constant sounds convincingly, they struggle to cancel out mid to high-range sounds.

That said, considering that these earphones go for about the same price as the SENNHEISER HD 450BT, they’re pretty impressive. If you’re on a low budget, these are one of the best noise-canceling headphones for classes to consider buying.

10. Sony WHCH710N

While the Sony WHCH710N is the most lightweight headphone on this list, there is a trade-off. The build quality isn’t the best since it’s made from flimsy plastic.

That said, the headphones are very comfortable to wear, and the memory foam ear cups ensure comfort when used for long periods. Further, the padding on the headband keeps the crown of your head comfortable.

The buttons enable you to control playback, take and end calls, and access your phone’s default voice assistant. Further, you can also toggle the ANC and ambient sound features with the buttons.

Considering the product’s price, the sound, microphone audio quality, and ANC features are impressive. If you’re on a limited budget and love the reliability of Sony products, these are the best noise-canceling headphones for classes you can get your hands on.

Things to Consider Before Buying Noise-canceling Headphones

With the best noise-canceling headphones for classes laid out and compared for you, choosing between them will become a breeze after you consider the following:

1. Fit

Over-ear headphones create a more immersive experience and also block out some of the sounds from the environment. They also tend to have larger sound drivers, creating a marginally better audio experience than on-ear headphones. 

The larger size of over-ear headphones allows for a bigger battery, which is why over-ear headphones tend to have longer battery life in comparison.

But if you value portability more, on-ear headphones may be the better option for you.

2. Weight

Lighter headphones are more comfortable to wear for a longer period. Furthermore, the lighter the headphones, the more streamlined they tend to look. 

3. Connectivity

Headphones with noise cancellation features are wireless by convention since power is required for the feature to work. 

However, making sure that your headphones have a headphone jack will ensure that you can use them when it runs out of battery. Most headphones have 3.5mm jacks, but some come with 2.5mm jacks, which aren’t the standard.

Getting headphones with a 2.5mm jack will require you to keep the cable safe since they can be more difficult to find than standard AUX cables. 

4. Battery Life and Charging Time

Considering the device’s battery life and the charging time is critical, especially if you’re in classes all day.

5. Comfort

The better the quality of the ear cup padding, the more comfortable the headphones will be. A lot of headphones don’t have padding on the headband, which can make wearing the headphones for long periods painful.

If you’re going to be using the headphones all day, make sure you buy ones that have a padded headband.

Headphones	Weight	Fit	Wired/Wireless	Battery Life	Other Features
Bose QuietComfort 35 II	0.52 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 2.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 20 hours	Smart assistant support; ANC toggle button
Sony WH-1000XM4	0.56 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 3.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 30 hours	Smart assistant support, gesture controls, auto-pause, Bluetooth multipoint, Fast charging
Beats Studio3	0.57 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 3.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 22 hours	Smart assistant support, hardshell casing included, LED battery indicator
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT	0.58 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 3.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 35 hours	Smart assistant support, gesture controls, hardshell casing included
Bose Noise-canceling Headphones 700	0.55 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 2.5mm jack (cable included)	Up to 20 hours	Smart assistant support, excellent gesture controls, hardshell casing included, IPX4 water-resistant
BlueParrott B450-XT Noise Canceling	1 lb	Mono on-ear	Wireless only	Up to 24 hours	IP54 water/dust resistant, customizable button, voice control
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30	0.57 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 3.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 40 hours	Travel case, NFC pairing, transparency mode, multipoint connection, bundled app
SENNHEISER HD 450BT	0.52 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 2.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 30 hours	Voice assistant support
Skullcandy Hesh	0.5 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 3.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 22 hours	Travel case, virtual assistant support, 3.5mm audio jack, ambient sound mode
Sony WHCH710N	0.48 lbs	Over-ear	Wireless mode; 3.5mm jack available (cable included)	Up to 35 hours	NFC pairing, voice assistant support, ambient mode

Conclusion: Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Classes?

Naming any one pair of headphones as the “best” isn’t the right approach since different individuals have different needs, budgets, and design preferences. 

That said, Sony’s WH-1000XM4 boasts excellent sound quality, a good battery life, and solid noise cancellation features, making them the top option to buy.

The Bose QC35 II headphones are feature-rich and comfortable, making them the right option for most teachers as well as students.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are comfortable, lightweight, and have many features that make them convenient to use.

Taking a mental note of your needs and going through the comparison table will allow you to find the best noise-canceling headphones for classes in minutes.