Headphone Buying Guide

1. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

ANC uses microphones to detect external noise and creates an inverse sound wave to cancel it. Top-tier ANC (Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QC Ultra) can reduce airplane cabin noise by 80%+. Budget ANC ($50-100) reduces noise by 40-50%.

2. Bluetooth Codecs

Codecs determine audio quality over Bluetooth:

• SBC: Universal, basic quality (~328 kbps)
• AAC: Better quality, Apple ecosystem (~250 kbps but higher efficiency)
• aptX / aptX Adaptive: Android ecosystem, CD-quality (~352 kbps)
• LDAC: Sony's hi-res codec (~990 kbps) — best for audiophiles

3. Battery Life

Look for 30+ hours with ANC on. Anything below 20 hours means you'll charge frequently. Quick-charge (5 min = 3 hours) is a must-have feature.

4. Comfort

Weight matters. Under 250g is comfortable for 6+ hours. Over 300g gets fatiguing. Ear cushion material (protein leather vs velour) affects breathability. If possible, try before you buy.

5. Open vs Closed-Back

Closed-back headphones isolate noise better and have stronger bass. Open-back headphones have wider soundstage but leak sound — not for commuting or office use.