3 reasons why you need noise-canceling earbuds ahead of the holidays (and which models to buy)

Every good tech product has given me an “I love you” moment. If you don’t know what I mean, think of that realization you’re ready to commit wholeheartedly to a product because of one feature or instance where the technology not only came in handy, but improved your life.

I’ve been a long-time user of noise-canceling earbuds, but last year, I found my “I love you” moment, and I haven’t looked back since.

Also: The best noise-canceling headphones you can buy

My family was driving back from a holiday dinner when an argument erupted in our Honda Pilot. As the least confrontational and most avoidant member of my family, I did what I normally do during family arguments: say my piece and put my earbuds in.

Thankfully, last year I was carrying around the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, which have the strongest noise cancellation I’ve ever tested. So when voices and tension began to rise, I put the QuietComfort Ultra in my ears, and something magical happened: I heard nothing. My music played loud and, while my family members bickered, I was isolated by sound and existed in a different world — in the same car.

Noise-canceling earbuds’ ability to drown out loud conversations is one of the many reasons why I take the earbuds everywhere — especially during the holiday travel season. Keep reading for the other reasons why I can’t live without my noise-canceling earbuds.

1. Music-listening 

This one is a no-brainer. Yes, the best noise-canceling earbuds and headphones cancel noise even when music isn’t playing. They also make your music sound even better when it is playing. A good noise-canceling earbud takes the sounds and symphonies of your favorite songs and brings them to the forefront of your attention by canceling ambient distractions.

My favorite noise-canceling earbuds keep my music exciting and keep me coming back to listen again and again. Noise-canceling earbuds like the Nothing Ear (a) or the Sony LinkBuds Fit are delights for audiophiles, thanks to the earbuds’ pristine ability to reproduce a song’s soundstage.  

2. Air travel

An airplane’s engine can exceed 140 decibels during takeoff. That’s as loud as a fireworks display on July 4 or a screaming ambulance driving down your street. To dim the orchestra of irritating sounds on a plane, like the airplane’s blaring engines and the crying babies, I bring my noise-canceling earbuds on flights. 

On a recent flight, I took my QuietComfort Ultra earbuds out midway through the flight and was surprised by the harsh noise around me — they were that good at masking the sounds. A good pair of noise-canceling earbuds or headphones are successful at quieting noise even when music isn’t playing. In fact, that’s one way I test the efficacy of noise-canceling headphones for reviews.

Altitude pressure discomfort is another reason why noise-canceling earbuds are a frequent flyer’s best friend. Thanks to the tight seal of noise-canceling earbuds, they can make the airplane’s ascent and descent more comfortable and make it harder for pressure to build up in your ears.

Whether you’re flying or taking the train this holiday travel season, I can’t recommend noise-canceling earbuds enough for quieting down the sounds of the clanking subways, roaring airplane engines, snoring passengers, and screaming babies.

3. Quieting conversations

Return-to-office initiatives have brought us back to the in-person grind. While you can control the noise level in your home office, it can be harder to do so in a bustling office filled with other coworkers. To reclaim some of that silence and stay focused during the workday, I rely on my noise-canceling earbuds and headphones. I love my JBL Tour One M2 for in-office productivity, long battery life, and all-day comfort. Other features, like the in-ear detection and voice detection, are helpful when I’m sparking up conversations with coworkers and taking my headphones on and off. 

Noise-canceling headphones aren’t just stellar desk side companions. Like I said, they’re great for anybody who lives with a loud family. Chilling in your room and want some time alone away from the constant conversation in the kitchen? Put in some earbuds. Or maybe your neighbor’s blasting music is preventing you from taking that midday catnap. Put those earbuds in and get some moments of quiet.