Our Complete Buying Guide to Noise Cancelling Headsets
July 20, 2023
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 in 2024 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 Noise Cancelling Office Headset
Plantronics B825 Voyager Focus ANC
43%
Off
RRP: $600
Now:
$340
inc GST
Save: $260
- WORKS WITH - PC + Mobile
- ACTIVE Noise Cancelling
- Charging stand included
These headsets come with on-demand active noise cancelling so you can choose when to activate them, giving you the freedom and control over your office environment. The sound quality is outstanding with these, whether you’re using them to make calls or to listen to music. Sick of uncomfortable headsets that make you sweat? That won’t happen with these noise-cancelling headsets. You’ll be able to wear them all day due to their large leatherette cushions and pressure-reducing headband. These are perfect for a noisy office or if you want to shut off the world and focus on your tasks.
Best Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headset
From:
$345
inc GST
- Works With - Mobile + PC
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Busy lights
- Wideband audio
The Jabra Evolve 75 is a professional Bluetooth headset with superior active noise cancelling allowing you to block out distractions in an open office. You don't have to take the headset off to turn off the ANC every time you need to chat because there's a handy 'listen in function' allowing you to hear what's happening around you. There are busy lights on both earcups that come on automatically when you’re on a call, and you can put them on manually when you don’t want to be disturbed. If you’re looking for a headset that will improve your concentration and reduce distractions, look no further.
Best Wired Noise Cancelling Headsets
USB-A Noise Cancelling Headset
33%
Off
RRP: $285
Now:
$190
inc GST
Save: $95
- WORKS WITH - PC/Mac (USB-A)
- Active Noise cancelling (ANC)
- Noise cancelling mic
- Large leatherette ear cushions
- Discrete fold-away mic boom
The ADAPT 100 series headsets have a unique look to them. The microphone boom hides discreetly behind the headband when not in use which is handy when you’re listening to music and don’t intend on taking any calls for a while.
As is expected from EPOS, the HD quality sound is impressive for voice and music. The microphone has noise cancelling to block out most of the noise around you for the person on the other end of the call, so your most valuable client won't have to say “Can you repeat that” a dozen times and the ANC will make sure that you don’t have to deal with the next-door-neighbour mowing their lawn right in the middle of an important meeting. These USB-A corded headsets are a top pick that won’t break your budget.
USB-C Noise Cancelling Headset
Plantronics Blackwire 8225 ANC
14%
Off
RRP: $320
Now:
$274
inc GST
Save: $46
- WORKS WITH - PC/ MAC (USB-C)
- ACTIVE Noise Cancelling
- Premium sound
- Plug and Play Solution
If you want to block out the noise around you if you work in a noisy environment, then this Plantronics USB-C headset is what you’re looking for. It has ANC that will help block distractions and help your focus, and you can choose a ‘talk through’ option if someone wants to ask you a quick question. Even if there’s chaos around you, your client will only hear your voice because of the background noise-cancelling microphone. They’re comfortable to wear and have awesome audio. Plus, they’re simple to use - plug them in and off you go. They’re comfortable to wear and have outstanding audio making these noise-cancelling USB-C headsets a brilliant choice.
Best Noise Cancelling Headsets by Brand
There are a few brands that people always come back to because they consistently provide quality, comfort and value for money, and we thought it was worth giving these brands their own category. If you want to treat yourself and buy the best of the best from the most respected brands in the business, then these headsets are for you.
Best EPOS Sennheiser Noise Cancelling Headset
12%
Off
RRP: $675
Now:
$594
inc GST
Save: $81
- WORKS WITH - PC + Mobile/li>
- MS Teams Certified
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Premium model
These headsets 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 because this active noise cancellation technology constantly monitors the background environment for ambient noises and adjusts the level of noise reduction in your headset. They’re MS Teams certified and come with a Teams button that gives you instant access to Teams functions. They have fantastic quality sound and comfort for all-day wear.
Best Plantronics Noise Cancelling Headset
Plantronics Voyager Focus 2 ANC
42%
Off
RRP: $576
Now:
$335
inc GST
Save: $241
- WORKS WITH - PC + Mobile
- USB-A Dongle
- ACTIVE Noise Cancelling
- Intuitive features
The Poly Voyager Focus 2 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.
Best Jabra Noise Cancelling Headset
27%
Off
RRP: $725
Now:
$530
inc GST
Save: $195
- 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. The built-in mic folds into the earcup when it’s not in use, and they 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.
Runner Up Best Noise Cancelling Headset
23%
Off
RRP: $608
Now:
$470
inc GST
Save: $138
- 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.
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! ?✨