The best noise cancelling headphones in 2020 | Tom'sPosted by Cecilia on November 27th, 2020 IStockphoto/Getty Images A fantastic set of cans ought to be on top of each traveler's fundamentals list -- and we're not just talking about the set that came along with your smartphone. Even when you're not the sort of person who wants to spend the entire duration of a 10-hour flight listening to audio or watching movies, you're going to want to tuck a pair of headphones into your carry-on bag. Why? Because falling asleep on a plane or train is not the easiest or most relaxing thing to do. And your best bet to block out the sound of that baby yelling behind you or the couple loudly discussing their holiday itinerary within another chair: a superior set of noise-cancelling headphones. RELATED:The Best Knee Headphones for Swimming, Water Sports, and MoreSo what sets noise-cancelling headphones apart from their regular counterparts? There are two parts and we'll find a modest scientific , so bear in mind. Each pair includes a tiny built-in mic that picks up sound waves from background sounds -- the buzzing of the airplane's engine or your neighbor's snoring, for instance. Then, an integrated audio system creates waves of the same amplitude but of the other stage, effectively cancelling out the annoying ambient sounds. The end result -- if you have gotten a high-quality set of cans -- should be silence. This way, you may enjoy your podcast without having to turn the volume very high to block out the background sound. Or you can use a white noise app like Noisli to drown out some sounds that are annoying. Yet another significant piece to notice: the difference between active and passive noise-cancelling is the latter uses physiological insulation such as much better soundproofing materials to decrease ambient sounds. Like it? Share it!More by this author |