There are two primary types of noise-cancelling headphones to look out for. One is passive; the Passive is what you call a set of headphones where if you press it against your head, certain sounds are blocked. It’s like shutting your ears to the noise of the outside world. This type isrelatively conventional since this is just achieved by layering several foams on the ear pads to Active headphones involve interesting operations to block out the ambient noise.

Combined with the layered foams which passively cancel out sound, microphones are placed in theheadphone’s ear as well so that the background noise level can be actively assessed. The microphones then mirror sound waves back to your ear that will block the outside sound.

There are tons of noise-cancelling headphones available today, but according to vendors who sell electronics, here are the best six:

1. Philips Fidelio NC1

In a nutshell: magnificently balanced sound, superb battery life, but with minor sound leakage. Philips offers a sophisticated noise-cancelling remedy with the NC1. These aren’t wireless headphones but are a smaller sized set that’s superior on comfort and battery lifespan. The box comes with a minimalist hard case for storage as well as rechargeable batteries that deliver noise cancellation for about 30 hours. NC1’s top feature is its sound performance.

2. Bose QuietComfort 25

In a nutshell: top-notch full sound quality with remarkable noise-cancelling feature, but color customization is steep. Once again, Bose delivers high-quality noise-cancellation headphones with the Bose QuietComfort 25. The new QC 25 has received top marks on various gadget websites and is consistently included in many Editor’s Choice features. It highlights a fresh design and delivers impressive sound that can run for days via a single AAA-battery.

3. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless

In a nutshell: best in class sound, long battery life, but with a fussy multi-function button and a For those with means to shell out $499 for a set of headphones, this is the best in its class. It features killer audio performance with superior comfort thanks to its leather-coated padded foam ear pads. This set’s battery life can run for over 20 hours.

4. Parrot Zik 2.0

In a nutshell: substantial soundstage, easy customization via app, but has limited battery and a The Zik 2.0 is known for its bold design and its app-centric technique to deliver its features. This set packs amazing sound and armloads of app-powered functionality. Its noise cancellation capability is also customizable via the app.

5. Plantronics BackBeat Pro

In a nutshell: impressive sound with a 24-hour battery, but a bit pricey. The Plantronics BackBeat Pro is a sophisticated, sharp, and professional-looking set of noise cancellation headphones. Based on looks alone, it is highly recommended by the experts, but more so for its full-days worth of battery life and great overall sound.

6. Bose QuietComfort 20i

In a nutshell: superbly comfortable and available for all major OSs, but quite expensive. Yes, another one from the boss of noise-cancelling headphones, Bose. The QC 20i is practically similar to the QC 25. However, the former offers a more subtle approach to enjoying the inner sound. It’s also a favorite of many users for its in-line controls that are supported by todays popular mobile operating systems.

A set of noise-cancelling headphones is a gadget you should invest on. Pick any of these six models and youd surely enjoy sound without the irritating ambient noise.