Our Complete Buying Guide to Noise Cancelling Headsets
December 16, 2024
- 13 min read
With the rise in working from home, we are beginning to realise that noise is a serious distraction, both for ourselves, our partners, and for our colleagues and clients. You no doubt have experienced loud and distracting noises on your work calls, hence why you are looking for a solution to the problem. Luckily, it's an easy problem to solve, as all you need to do is invest in a pair of noise cancelling headsets. And trust us, it's an investment worth making! With a noise cancelling headset you can say goodbye to background noise, distractions and embarrassing meetings.
A good noise cancelling headset will quickly become your best friend and make your work from home experience infinitely more smooth and stress free. And you only need one pair and it will last you a lifetime and you can bring it to your noisy office too. Why stop there, though? A noise cancelling headset can also be useful for commutes on public transport, flights, or any time you just want to shut out the outside world and really concentrate.
But first, it's important to understand what noise cancelling is, how it works, and the different kinds of noise cancelling technology that are available for you to buy. And after that, we'll recommend you 8 of the best noise cancelling headsets you can buy today that are specifically designed to help you get more done at work.
Contrary to some opinions, noise-cancelling headsets are not just something you put over your ear and turn up the sound to deem them noise-cancelling. There’s a little more to them than that, and making the right choice about your work from home or office noise cancelling headsets is critical. Read on, and we’ll help you to understand why.
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What is Noise Cancelling in Headsets and How Does it Work?
We know what noise cancelling does because it's right there in the wording - it cancels noise. But how does it work? If you think putting an ear cup on each ear ‘cancels’ out noise, you’re half right. Let’s delve into it a bit more though.
Passive Noise Cancelling
Passive noise-cancelling comes from the physical aspects of the headset. A good design that fits comfortably over the wearers' ears will block noise without needing any electronics. This can work well, but it depends on the headset's fit, comfort and quality. You won’t have any other option other than to take them on and off if you want to hear what's going on in your background though.
Active Noise Cancelling
Active noise cancelling (ANC) will block out noise even without music. It works by using built-in microphones that listen to the sounds inside and outside of the headset and neutralises them by using sound waves, and you can turn the ANC on and off. Where passive noise-cancelling headsets will block out some of what you can hear, ANC headsets will also block out ambient noises such as rain, birds chirping, and the buzz of traffic - sounds that we often get used to but can be distracting nonetheless. Check out our blog post to learn more about the differences between Active and Passive Noise Cancelling headsets.
Microphone Noise Cancelling
I’m sure you’ve taken a call from someone that sounds like they’re speaking in a snowstorm while dozens of people are around them talking. It’s hugely distracting for you and difficult to concentrate on what they’re trying to say. It makes the caller's job harder too. Maybe they’re trying to sell you something, or they’re trying to help you resolve a problem, but if they can’t be heard because of the noise coming from their mic, it makes the call ineffective.
It’s all very well to have ANC in your headset for yourself so that you don’t receive any distractions, but what about your client or your colleagues you conference with? Making sure that they hear you is essential too. Simply put, if you don’t have microphone noise cancelling in your headset, it could lose you clients or affect your work quality.
Why Should You Choose a Noise Cancelling Headset?
If you work in a busy office or call centre, We don’t need to tell you why you should choose a noise-cancelling headset because you already know how hard it is to talk through the noise. How much less stressful would it be for you to take calls with no background noise? What about when you need a break? You can use the ANC and either listen to music or read a book in peace, and you don’t have to hear your colleagues chattering in the background.
Maybe you think you don’t need a noise-cancelling headset because you work from home and it’s quiet where you are, but what if your circumstances change? What if the neighbour uses their whipper snipper right in the middle of a critical meeting, or your dog barks non-stop when you’re talking to an important client? A noise-cancelling headset will eliminate these problems, and to quote the old phrase - it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What Are The Best Noise Cancelling Headsets in Australia?
There are a lot of noise-cancelling headsets to choose from. To help make your search quicker and easier and to help you choose the best option for you, we asked our headset gurus to put together a comprehensive list of the best noise-cancelling headsets in Australia.
Best Microphone Noise Cancelling Headset
Ideal for noisy environments, this headset ensures your voice comes through crystal clear by eliminating background noise, making it perfect for busy offices or remote workspaces.
EPOS Impact 1060 Bluetooth Headset
22%
Off
MSRP: $455
$356
inc GST
Save: $99
- WORKS WITH PC/Mac + Mobile
- UC Certified
- Connect to 3 devices concurrently
- Outstanding Sound Quality
- Ultra Noise Cancelling Microphone
The EPOS Impact 1060 has one of the best noise cancelling microphones we have ever come across in 20+ years of testing and reviewing headsets, and so it easily gets our top pick for best EPOS Sennheiser noise cancelling headset. In fact we'll go as far to say that if you are looking for a headset with a good noise cancelling microphone, you don't need to look past this one.
Why We Love It
- Top-Notch Noise Cancelling Microphone
Perfect for noisy environments, this headset meets strict MS Teams Open Office requirements, ensuring your clients won’t hear background distractions. - Connect to 3 Bluetooth Devices
Stay seamlessly connected to multiple devices. As of December 2023, it's the only Bluetooth headset offering more than two simultaneous connections. - Cool Charging Stand (1061 Variants)
A stylish and practical stand hangs your headset from the headband - no more fiddling to align a USB connection. - Versatile Microphone Placement
Wear the mic on your left or right side, whatever feels most natural to you. - Intuitive Features for Productivity
Lift the mic to mute, drop it or pick up the headset to answer calls, and enjoy a 360-degree busy light to keep interruptions at bay.
Best Active Noise Cancelling Headset
With advanced ANC technology, this headset adapts to block out distractions, allowing you to focus on calls, work, or your favorite music in any environment.
34%
Off
MSRP: $809
$530
inc GST
Save: $279
- WORKS WITH - PC + MOBILE
- Certified for MS Teams
- Active Noise Cancelling
- 360* Busylight
- Premium headset
This Jabra noise cancelling headset with mic is at the top end of Jabra’s Evolve series and comes with active noise cancelling earcups. The 85 model has larger earcups with a super-acoustic design to further seal your ears from the world around you and give that digital hybrid active noise cancelling the opportunity to shine. Because of the larger ear cups these provide already good passive noise cancellation, but the ANC on these is also some of the best we've ever tested in the office headset space. The built-in mic is noise cancelling too and folds into the earcup when it’s not in use. These also have a busy light on the front and back so that others know you’re on a call. These will suit you if you work in a noisy office or if you want to block out the world and concentrate more.
Why We Love It
- Superior Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
Digital hybrid ANC in the earcups effectively blocks out noise from colleagues, family, or neighbors, so you can focus. - Circumaural Earcups for Exceptional Isolation
The large earcups fully enclose your ears for better ANC performance and superior comfort compared to on-ear designs. - Fold-Away Microphone Boom
Tuck the boom away for a sleek look—these double as stylish over-ear headphones. - Discreet and Intuitive Mic Features
Use the shorter microphone arm for a minimalist vibe or flip it down to answer calls and up to mute—effortless control. - Thoughtful Extras for Everyday Convenience
Busy lights on both sides keep interruptions at bay, the hard carry case ensures durability, and the USB cable lets you charge and use it at the same time.
Best Passive Noise Cancelling Headset
Designed with large, cushioned earcups that fully enclose your ears, this headset naturally blocks out external noise without the need for batteries or electronics.
18%
Off
MSRP: $704
$580
inc GST
Save: $124
- WORKS WITH - Mobile + PC/Mac
- Adaptive ANC and over the ear design - block out the world
- Up to 21 hours talk time/24 hours listen time
- USBC to A adapter in the box
- All day wearing comfort
These over ear headsets feature large oval style earcups that fully cover your ears and offer excellent passive noise cancellation. And if that's not enough, they also come with Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling in the earcups, meaning that you can focus on your work without being disrupted or distracted by your colleagues, neighbours, barking dog, or kids. The Active noise cancellation technology constantly monitors the background environment for ambient noises and adjusts the level of noise reduction in your headset. The Poly Voyager Surround 80's have fantastic quality sound and comfort for all-day wear.
Why We Love It
- Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Stay focused with distraction-free audio, whether you’re working, rocking out, or taking the occasional call. - Boomless Crystal Clear Audio
Equipped with 6 microphones, this headset ensures outstanding transmit quality without a bulky mic arm. - All-Day Battery Life
With up to 21 hours of talk time, you’ll stay connected and productive all day long. - Exceptional Comfort
Ultra-soft ear cups, an adjustable headband, and an ergonomic gap at the apex reduce pressure points, making it perfect for extended wear. - Thoughtful Extras
Includes a 3.5mm cable for mobiles or in-flight entertainment, USB-C and USB-A connections, a protective carry case, and an optional wireless charging stand.
Best Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headset
Stay connected to multiple devices and enjoy premium noise cancellation with the freedom of wireless Bluetooth, making multitasking easier than ever.
Plantronics Voyager Focus 2 ANC
43%
Off
MSRP: $576
$330
inc GST
Save: $246
- Works With - PC + Mobile
- USB-A Dongle
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Intuitive features
The Poly Voyager Focus 2 is a Bluetooth headset that connects to PC computers and laptops via USB dongle and mobile phones and tablets. It has ACTIVE noise cancelling to help you build a wall around yourself and block out unwanted noise - making them one of the best noise cancelling headsets for call centres. You’ll also get Pro-grade microphones using Poly Acoustic Fence technology which ensures that your client will hear you and only you. They’re Zoom certified and MS Teams compatible, have incredible sound for voice and music, and like all Plantronics headsets, they’re built for comfort and style.
Why We Love It
- Advanced Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
Block out distractions with 3 adjustable ANC levels, letting you focus as much or as little as you need. - Acoustic Fence Microphone
Certified for Microsoft Open Office standards, this mic ensures your callers hear only your voice, not the chaos around you. - Bluetooth Freedom to Multi-Task
Stay productive by moving freely - no need to stay tethered to your computer while on or waiting for calls. - Ergonomic Comfort for All-Day Wear
A hammock-style headband reduces pressure on your head, paired with ultra-soft on-ear leatherette cushions for lasting comfort. - Intuitive Features and Versatile Connectivity
Answer calls by picking up the headset, mute with a mic lift, charge and use simultaneously, and connect to desk phones with the Voyager Office Base - perfect for hybrid workers.
Best Overall Noise Cancelling Headset
Combining top-tier microphone noise cancellation, adaptive ANC, and all-day comfort, this headset ticks every box for productivity, focus, and usability.
EPOS Impact 1060 ANC Bluetooth Headset
16%
Off
MSRP: $599
$504
inc GST
Save: $95
- WORKS WITH PC/Mac + Mobile
- UC Certified
- Adaptive ANC
- Ultra Noise Cancelling Microphone
- Connect to 3 devices concurrently
- Outstanding Sound Quality
The EPOS Impact 1060 already boasts one of the best noise-cancelling microphones we've encountered in over 20 years of testing headsets. While the standard version lacks Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), this upgraded model includes it! You’ll get the same exceptional microphone noise cancellation, now paired with ANC for an even better experience. This combination makes it our top pick and number one recommendation for the best overall noise-cancelling headset.
Runner Up Best Noise Cancelling Headset
A close contender, this headset offers impressive noise cancelling features and excellent performance, making it a great alternative.
33%
Off
MSRP: $699
$470
inc GST
Save: $229
- WORKS WITH - Mobile + PC/Mac
- Dongle and charge via - USB-A
- Advanced Active Noise Cancelling
- Hide-Away Mic Boom
Here we have another pair of Jabra headsets we just couldn’t leave out. They come with advanced active noise-cancelling that will give you a bit of peace and quiet in your life. You’ll no longer hear traffic noise, colleagues or kids with these, and you’ll be able to focus and be more productive. You’ll hear awesome stereo quality whether you’re on a call or listening to music, and clients will hear you loud and clear due to the noise-cancelling mic that filters out unwanted noise on their end. They’re built for comfort, and you’ll almost forget you have these on, and the ‘dual foam technology’ that gives you extra ventilation will ensure you don’t get hot and sweaty. Top-notch headsets if noise-cancelling is a priority for you.
Why We Love It
- Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
Blocks out a wider range of frequencies than older ANC headsets, helping you focus in noisy environments. - Fold-Away Microphone Boom
Tuck the boom up for a sleek, headphone-like look when not on calls. - All-Day Comfort
Designed with mid-size soft earcups and a padded headband for long-lasting wear. - Intuitive Mic and Busy Light Features
Lower the mic to answer calls, lift it to mute, and let the front and back busy lights signal when you’re unavailable. - Charge While You Work
Forgot to charge? No problem - use and charge at the same time via the included USB cable.
Shop Our Range of Noise Cancelling Headsets!
Simply Headsets is your go-to destination for an extensive range of noise-cancelling headsets in Australia! We understand the importance of finding the perfect fit, and that's why we offer FREE lifetime support when you discover the headset that matches your needs.
Our collection is brimming with top-notch options, designed to help you stay focused and productive in any environment. Whether you're studying, working, gaming, or simply seeking some peaceful relaxation, our noise-cancelling headsets have got you covered.
We believe in providing exceptional customer care every step of the way. So, if you have any questions or need guidance on choosing the ideal headset, don't hesitate to reach out to our headset gurus today. They're always here to assist you and ensure you find the perfect match.
At Simply Headsets, we're all about delivering top-quality products and unbeatable support. So, let's find your dream noise-cancelling headset and embark on a journey of uninterrupted focus and audio bliss. Get in touch with us now to explore our amazing selection! ?✨