What are the best noise canceling headphones for under $100?
I'm a landscaper and like to listen to my iPod while cutting lawns but can't find headphones that cancel out the sound of the mower.
Depends on what feels most comfortable: in-ear, on-ear, or over ear headphones. The over-ear style, like earmuffs, naturally blocks out the most sound before technology gets involved, but can be a bit bulky. Sony has a nice range of styles and prices, available at sonystyle.com. For $50, you can get a folding on-ear pair:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665520560
For $100, you can pick up earbuds or a lighter weight on-ear style:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=3728
Of course, your best bet is going to be trying them on for feel, comfort, and sound quality rather than simply buying online, but you can probably get better deals than Sony's advertised price by froogling.
6 Answers
Depends on what feels most comfortable: in-ear, on-ear, or over ear headphones. The over-ear style, like earmuffs, naturally blocks out the most sound before technology gets involved, but can be a bit bulky. Sony has a nice range of styles and prices, available at sonystyle.com. For $50, you can get a folding on-ear pair:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665520560
For $100, you can pick up earbuds or a lighter weight on-ear style:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=3728
Of course, your best bet is going to be trying them on for feel, comfort, and sound quality rather than simply buying online, but you can probably get better deals than Sony's advertised price by froogling.
Depends on what feels most comfortable: in-ear, on-ear, or over ear headphones. The over-ear style, like earmuffs, naturally blocks out the most sound before technology gets involved, but can be a bit bulky. Sony has a nice range of styles and prices, available at sonystyle.com. For $50, you can get a folding on-ear pair:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665520560
For $100, you can pick up earbuds or a lighter weight on-ear style:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=3728
Of course, your best bet is going to be trying them on for feel, comfort, and sound quality rather than simply buying online, but you can probably get better deals than Sony's advertised price by froogling.
I have had quite a few pair of in ear/sound isolating headphones.y favorite as far as sound and comfort go would have to be Bose "Quiet Comfort 2" the only thing is they are about $300. The next best pair would definitely have to be Shure "SE110": http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.105432000
I actually use those when I'm cutting my grass because they isolate better. With my iPod up about 2/3 of the way I could not even hear my mower at all. And beat of all they are only $79 a very good price for such a great product. They also have a 1 (or 2 I don't remember) year warranty even if you buy them from a third party they have a production date stamped on the ear buds.
Sounds like you need some active noise canceling. Deane's correct in that what you define as comfortable (on-ear, in-ear, over ear) will be a major factor in your decision.
If you are going for pure noise cancellation, you should get an over the ear, closed seal, active noise canceling headphone. Personally, I've found these to be too hot in the summer so I've gone with an on-ear Sennheiser PXC 250 headphones. It's a little over $70 from Amazon so I think that fits your budget.
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Active-Noise-Canceling-Headphones/dp/B000089GN2
I've generally found Bose headphones to be poor quality, good sound, but way overpriced and Sony headphones to be good quality, OK sound. If you're looking for detailed reviews, check out headphone.com
Hope this helps.
I would go with Shure E2's. Very good sound and they are by far the best noise cancelling headphones/earbuds I've used. $70 at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E2c-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0000CE1UO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1248108027&sr=8-6