It can be difficult to focus long enough to finish a given task in today’s fast-paced, distracted world. The background noise greatly distracts when working, studying, or just attempting to focus on a task. Life is becoming louder—or, at the very least, more annoying—especially for those who work remotely or in shared offices. But it’s been a little simpler to focus when you have the correct headphones.

Noise-cancelling headphones are being developed as technology advances to enhance attentiveness. Ideally used at lower volumes, these headphones remove background noise to produce clear, well-balanced audio. Consequently, the value of noise-canceling headphones increases every year. These headphones are well known for their outstanding comfort and sound quality. Both accurate sound reproduction and efficient noise cancellation are features of these headphones. They are ideal for focused listening because of their excellent noise isolation, which also reduces outside disturbances.

In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 headphones that improve focus.

Apple AirPods Max

Apple designed the AirPods Max, which debuted in 2020, to be wireless Bluetooth over-ear headphones. They are Apple’s high-end AirPods option. Spatial audio creates a “theatre-like” experience by detecting the user’s head movement using built-in gyroscopes and accelerometers. Each ear cup of the AirPods Max features an H1 chip, which is paired with Apple’s active noise cancellation technology to block outside noise and transparency mode to listen to sounds surrounding the user. The Pods come with proximity sensors, which detect when they are near a user’s head and play or pause audio accordingly, making them ideal for on-the-go focus sessions.

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

In 2019, Bose introduced the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, or NCH 700, a new high-end gadget. The NCH 700 can have two devices connected at once. The headphones can be controlled by touching the touch-sensitive surfaces on the cups and buttons. The headphones’ built-in rechargeable battery is the only component that can shorten their lifespan. Unlike conventional headphones, these can be kept in storage by rotating the earcups. Bose placed a strong emphasis on advancements in noise cancellation, sound quality, and voice call quality, producing equipment that is suitable for establishing a distraction-free atmosphere.

Microsoft Surface Headphones 2

Microsoft’s Surface Headphones 2 with Bluetooth were released in 2020. Four beam-forming microphones with Cortana integration surround an amazing omnisonic sound for calls, music, and entertainment with these noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones. Users can adjust the active noise cancelling (ANC) volume and level with the dials on both earcups. Additionally, the headphones have multi-point Bluetooth, which enables multiple connections. Turning off the ANC will enter transparency mode, which enables comfortable conversation without removing headphones. A headset is a flexible option for both work and play because of their customizable noise reduction, which also helps to stay focused.

Beats Studio3 Wireless

Beats Studio3 Wireless are premium headphones that launched in 2017. The headphones are known for their long-range Bluetooth connectivity and elegant design. They have Apple’s W1 chip, which allows them to connect quickly to Apple devices running iOS 10, macOS, and watchOS. They also feature pure adaptive noise-cancelling technology, which analyses and adjusts to environmental noise thousands of times per second via microphones within and outside the earcups. They connect via Bluetooth and have a battery life of 40 hours, 22 of which can be spent with adaptive noise cancellation enabled for continuous focus.

Sony WH-1000XM4

Launched in 2020, the flagship model in Sony’s well-liked line of wireless headset with noise cancellation, the WH-1000XM4, is Bluetooth compatible. It has an appealing design and a sleek, elegant appearance. The headbands’ unique hardware includes an optical sensor for wear detection and simple sliding adjustment. The headphones’ right ear cup uses a combination of touch gestures, while the left ear cup has physical buttons. The primary features of the 1000XM4 are multi-device pairing, a “speak to chat” function, Google’s Pair, enhanced voice pickup, and an algorithm for noise cancellation that reduces distractions and allows complete focus on work or study.

Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2

One of the best Bluetooth headphones, the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2, was released in 2017. Even without music playing, active noise cancellation offers an incredible battery life and a wide variety of settings that allow for quick changes in outside noise levels. Among its many multifunctional features are active noise reduction, dual device connection, pass-through microphone audio, and an intriguing feature called smart sensors that stop your music when you take it off. The Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 headphones are ideal for prolonged periods of focus due to their smart sensor feature and options for talk-through or open listening mode.

Jabra Elite 85h

The Jabra Elite 85h Wireless noise-canceling headset are quite adaptable and may be used for a variety of purposes in daily life. They were introduced in 2019. Jabra Elite 85h fit well and produce a higher-quality microphone sound than other Bluetooth headphones. They offers a passable active noise cancellation (ANC) feature that reduces background noise. They accurately reproduce the tones of various musical genres while providing exceptional wireless range and battery life. The Jabra Elite 85h headphones offer a sturdy build that can handle everyday wear and tear. They provide better noise isolation for concentrated attention.

JBL Quantum 600

The JBL Quantum 600, a wireless headset with a 3.5mm cable option designed with gamers in mind, was released in 2020. One of its wonderful features is the ability to turn off the microphone on this headset by just pointing it upwards. RGB lighting is also included in the earcups. The headphones’ noticeably bassier, enhanced lows and suppressed highs allow them to live up to 14 hours of battery life. The QuantumSURROUND option, with its advanced noise-canceling capabilities and immersive sound, virtually duplicates a 7.1 surround system surrounding the head, making it ideal for gaming sessions that demand strong focus.

Shure AONIC 50

Shure’s new wireless noise-cancelling headphones, the Aonic 50, were released in 2020. The earcups of the headphones are shaped like donuts. They are substantial and relatively large. The headphones include huge earpads with substantial cushions inside and a plush, leather-like material on the outside. The right earcup features hardware controls such as a power/pairing button, volume and playback control buttons, and a three-step slider for enabling and disabling noise cancellation in environment mode. The Shure AONIC 50’s excellent sound quality and adjustable noise suppression provide for an exceptionally engaging listening experience that improves focus.

AKG N700NC

The AKG N700NC, which provides greater noise cancellation and audio clarity, was released in 2018 by Samsung. Its intuitive haptic controls eliminate the need for users to learn a slew of swipes and pushes to control calls and playback. The headphones sound amazing, thanks to a small bass boost that ensures every kick rhythm is heard without drowning out midrange tones, guitar, or vocal harmonics. The velour headband wrap and synthetic leather ear pads give the plastic structure a stylish, sophisticated appearance. Superior noise cancellation effectively muffles deep, rumbling sounds, making it ideal for noise reduction in any environment.