Active noise-cancelling headphones contain a microphone that measures the ambient noise in your environment so that the headphones can generate an inverse sound wave. This wave softens or cancels the noise so that all you hear is the sweet sound of your music, your favorite podcast or the latest chapter in your audiobook.

Thanks to this technology, you can usually listen to your chosen audio at a lower volume than you would otherwise need to use. Your ears will thank you when you block out the roar of an airplane to work on your laptop or use your noise-cancelling headphones as a sleep solution.

Headphones and noise-cancelling earbuds can be crucial for listening to virtual meetings in shared work environments, studying in cafes or streaming shows and movies at home when you find it difficult to follow on-screen conversations. If you often have difficulty picking up everything said on the screen or in your environment, you may want to take an online assessment to check for hearing loss. Mild and moderate hearing loss can often go unnoticed while still impacting your life.

When choosing the best noise-cancelling headphones for you or the best headphones for your child, start by determining the headphone fit you prefer.

Top-end over-the-ear headphones have long set the standard for sound quality and comfort, but on-ear designs and noise-cancelling earbuds are catching up. On-ear headphones feature cushions that can make them comfortable while also allowing them to take up less space than over-the-ear models. Meanwhile, in-ear headphones are lightweight and very portable, making them great for travel or for taking to and from the office. All designs offer a range of quality options, generally increasing in price as sound quality and noise cancellation increase.

With all wireless noise-cancelling headphones, make note of the battery life before deciding on your purchase. You don’t want to need a charge in the middle of your virtual office meeting or other important task. Some in-ear designs extend their battery life by including a behind-the-neck headphone band.