It is always recommended to get headphones which do not block out the surrounding noise completely. It is important to be alert and aware of what is happening around you.
Listening to very loud music can distract you and disrupt your focus. Headphones with passive noise cancellation features block out the background noise only partially. Given below are the 6 best headphones that let you hear your surroundings.
Table of Contents
- Our Top Picks
- 1. TUINYO Bluetooth Headphones
- 2. Sony MDRZX110/BLK ZX Series Stereo Headphones
- 3. JLab Audio Studio Pro Over – Ear Headphones
- 4. Zihnic Wireless Over – Ear Headphones
- 5. Riwbox XBT – 880 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
- 6. LETSCOM Bluetooth Headphones
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall : LETSCOM Bluetooth Headphones
Nothing can beat these headphones when it comes to battery life and sound quality. - Best Affordable: Sony MDRZX110/BLM ZX Series Stereo Headphones
They are very affordable headphones but they behave like expensive ones. - Most Comfortable: Riwbox XBT – 880 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
You can use these headphones comfortably for hours due to its well padded parts.
1. TUINYO Bluetooth Headphones
The TUINIO Bluetooth Headphones are an affordable pair of headphones with wired and wireless options. They have an aesthetic design which is visually appealing and comes in 2 colours – rose gold and baby blue. They are adjustable, foldable and can be conveniently stored after use. They also come with a matching travel friendly case for storage purposes.
These headphones have a good Bluetooth reception and the connection takes place effortlessly. It is compatible with almost every Bluetooth enabled device. There are control buttons for volume, next/previous track along with additional features like a built in microphone. They also have a dedicated microSD card slot in which you can store your Mp3 music files.
Pros
- Visually appealing
- Appropriate volume levels
- Many features
- Wired and wireless options
- Affordable
Cons
- Controls can be confusing
These headphones offer multiple options when it comes to connections and audio sources.
2. Sony MDRZX110/BLK ZX Series Stereo Headphones
The Sony MDRZX110/BLK ZX Series Stereo Headphones are one of the most affordable headphones available in the market. They have good construction quality along with adjusting and folding features. They come with two buying options – one with microphone and one without microphone. These headphones use a standard stereo mini plug. They are reliable and practical for everyday use.
These headphones don’t have a noise cancelling feature and permits entry of background noise. They are not extremely loud and thus safe for your ears. They are lightweight and travel friendly. They are suitable for both adults and kids since they are easily adjustable.
Pros
- Travel friendly
- Good sound quality
- Comfortable
- Adjustable
- Very affordable
Cons
- Wire is a little short
- May not last a very long time
These headphones are comfortable and safe for your ears. They allow you to hear your surroundings.
3. JLab Audio Studio Pro Over – Ear Headphones
The JLab Audio Studio Pro Over – Ear Headphones are a comfortable pair of headphones with a unique ear cup design. The cloud foam cushions are well padded and comfortable. They don’t slide and stay fit and secure over your head. They are lightweight and very portable. They come with a wire and can be plugged into any standard 3.5 mm audio jack.
The sound quality is great with decent bass levels and clear highs. They have noise reduction but do not completely block out the surrounding noise. They also have smartphone integrated voice control in which you can answer and hang calls. They are very suitable for outdoor activities and you can also use them in the gym.
Pros
- Affordable
- Decent bass levels
- Voice control
- Inbuilt control buttons
- Portable
Cons
- The ear cups are a little small
The headphones are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They are well built and have a compact design.
4. Zihnic Wireless Over – Ear Headphones
The Zihnic Wireless Over – Ear Headphones are very visually appealing and come in 7 different colour combinations. They are suitable for all head shapes and sizes due to flexible adjustment features. The ear pads are soft with plenty of cushioning. These are wireless headphones but they also come with a wire in case you want to make use of a wired connection.
They come with a handy case in which you can store the headphones and the wires. There are inbuilt buttons for volume, next/previous track and a USB charging port. You also have a button to switch between FM and Mp3 modes. The Bluetooth pairing takes place very easily. These headphones can be used for online zoom meetings and conferences with the help of the inbuilt microphone.
Pros
- Aesthetic design
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Wired and wireless options
- Good compatibility with devices
Cons
- A little bulky
These well built and well constructed headphones have many useful features.
5. Riwbox XBT – 880 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
The Riwbox X BT – 880 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are versatile and functional. They have a very luxurious and modern look which makes it seem like they are very expensive. They are sturdy and well built with user friendly control buttons. The headband is padded with protein leather and the ear cups are big and comfortable. They come with an inbuilt microphone which can be used for hands free calling.
They have wired and wireless modes which you can choose according to your preference. The Bluetooth has a sufficient range of 33 feet. They take 2 hours to be fully charged. They also have a good battery life that lasts throughout the day. The sound has a good dynamic range and is clear and crisp.
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable
- Well padded
- Suitable for all ages
- Aesthetic design
Cons
- A little heavy
These budget friendly headphones are durable and portable. They are suitable for all ages.
6. LETSCOM Bluetooth Headphones
The LETSCOM Bluetooth Headphones are very serviceable headphones that do their job really well. They come with a storage bag and all the necessary cables. They have big, comfortable ear cups and you can wear them for a long time without any discomfort. These headphones have a passive noise isolating feature which means they do not completely obstruct the background noise.
They are easily collapsible for storage. One of the best features is its insane battery life. You can go on using these headphones for days without any charging. There is a dedicated bass button for boosting or lowering the bass according to your preference. Overall these headphones are sturdy, well built and perform very well.
Pros
- Ultra long battery life
- Comfortable
- Storage bag
- Easily collapsible
- Good sound quality
Cons
- Occasional connectivity issues
These headphones are perfect for people who hate constantly charging and want a long battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ambient sound in headphones?
Ambient sound refers to the background or surrounding noise. There are usually two modes in headphones – an ambient sound mode and a noise cancelling mode. The ambient sound mode allows you to hear the background sound while listening to music at the same time. It does not lower the quality of the sound but will make you more alert and aware of your surroundings.
What is HearThrough?
HearThrough is another feature similar to the ambient sound mode. Just like the ambient sound mode in headphones, HearThrough permits the entry of the surrounding sounds. It gives you an added sense of safety. Although it does filter out some of the noises, you will be able to hear announcements, vehicle sounds and people talking.
Do headphones block out background noise?
It depends on the kind of headphones you use. Many headphones have a noise cancelling feature which blocks out the majority of the background noise. Noise isolating headphones also work in a similar way. Some headphones have passive noise isolation in which they do not block out the background noise completely.
What are the benefits of noise cancelling headphones?
Here are some of the benefits of noise cancelling headphones,
1. It gives you a much larger attention span.
2. While travelling in trains or planes, it significantly blocks out unnecessary background noises.
3. They are comfortable as noise cancelling headphones have well padded ear cups.
4. They prevent damage to your ear by eliminating harsh and loud background noises.
What is the difference between noise cancelling and ambient mode?
Noise cancelling headphones are designed to block out 90% of the surrounding noise. They measure the amount of sound they have to cancel with the help of an external microphone and use soundproofing techniques to cancel it out.
Ambient sound refers to the background sounds. The ambient sound mode in headphones allows you to listen to music while permitting entry of the surrounding sounds at the same time.
Is it bad to sleep with noise cancelling headphones?
Here are a few reasons why sleeping with noise cancelling headphones is not a good idea,
They are large and bulky and if you are someone who moves around when you sleep, you can damage them.
The battery power will run out since they are active for a long time.
It can make your ears very hot which can be uncomfortable.
Overall it depends on individual preferences. If you don’t have any problem with wearing noise cancelling headphones while sleeping, then that is okay too.
Conclusion
Ambient headphones allow you to hear the background noise and can contribute to your safety. We have compiled a list of the 6 best headphones that let you hear your surroundings to make your search easier.
