Headphone Types: Open Back, Closed Back and ANC
Headphones differ by fit (earbuds, on-ear, over-ear), by ear cup (open or closed back) and by whether active noise cancelling (ANC) cancels outside sound.
By Andrian ChengContributing writer.
On this page
The short answer
Three questions sort almost every pair of headphones:
- How does it sit? Earbuds go in the ear, on-ear pads rest on the ear, and over-ear cups surround it.
- Is the ear cup open or closed? Open-back cups let air and sound pass through; closed-back cups are sealed.
- Does it cancel noise? Active noise cancelling (ANC) uses microphones and electronics to cancel outside sound.
Of the 277 headphones listed on Wiki Shopping on October 26, 2026, 161 state a fit: 82 earbuds, 64 over-ear and 15 on-ear.
Open back vs closed back headphones
| Open back | Closed back | |
|---|---|---|
| Ear cup | Grille or mesh, open to the air | Solid and sealed |
| Outside noise | Comes in | Partly blocked, even without ANC |
| Sound leaking out | A lot | Much less |
| Sound | More natural, wider sense of space | More isolated |
| Good for | Quiet rooms, long listening | Commutes, offices, recording |
TechRadar notes that open-back models tend to sound more natural and feel more comfortable over long sessions, but they leak enough sound that people nearby can hear them, and they are a poor match for commuting. Closed-back models keep your music to yourself and keep the room out, which also matters when a microphone is nearby in a recording session.
On Wiki Shopping, 52 headphones are listed as closed back and 18 as open back.
What does ANC mean on headphones
ANC stands for active noise cancelling. Bose explains it this way: microphones on the headphones pick up the sound around you, and the electronics play an opposite signal, so the two sound waves cancel out before they reach your ear.
That differs from passive isolation, which simply blocks sound with the ear cup or ear tip seal. Passive isolation depends on fit and materials, and Bose says ANC should work together with it for the widest coverage.
ANC is strongest on steady, low sounds, such as an air conditioner hum or road noise. It does less against sudden, sharp sounds like a barking dog or a car horn. Bose headphones also have an Aware Mode that lets a set amount of outside sound in, for times you need to hear your surroundings.
On Wiki Shopping, 64 headphones list active noise cancelling.
Is noise cancelling worth it
ANC pays off where the noise is constant: planes, trains, buses, open offices and loud air conditioning. Bose points out a second benefit: with the background quieter, you do not need to turn the volume up as far to hear your music, which is kinder to your hearing.
It matters less in a quiet home, or if you use open-back headphones for focused listening, since an open cup lets sound in by design. ANC runs on the headphones' own electronics, so it needs power to work.
Wireless or wired
On Wiki Shopping, 88 headphones are wireless and 65 are wired.
How we count
Fit, ear cup type, ANC and connection are read from each pair's store listing. Headphones that do not state a value are left out of that count. The counts change as listings are added or removed.
Shop by spec
Headphones
Spec score 8.3
Over-ear, Wireless
+Active noise cancelling: only 64 of 277 here have one
+Wireless: only 91 of 277 here have one
−24 battery life (as listed): 37 of the 48 here have a higher battery life (as listed)
$169.00-53%List: $359.00
as of 11/03/2026 22:11 PST - DetailsProduct details
$169.00as of 11/03/2026 22:11 PST - Details
View on AmazonSpec score8.3
Pros
+Active noise cancelling: only 64 of 277 here have one
+Wireless: only 91 of 277 here have one
Cons−24 battery life (as listed): 37 of the 48 here have a higher battery life (as listed)
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)Other stores (1)
Best BuyVisit store
About this product
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush earcup cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your over ear headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
- WIRED HEADPHONES OPTION: Plug the included audio cable with in-line microphone into your Bose noise cancelling headphones to use them without a Bluetooth connection, or even when the battery is depleted
- MULTIPOINT BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES: Seamlessly stay connected to all your favorite devices using the multi-point toggle feature which allows you to switch devices without disconnecting and reconnecting each time
- BOSE APP: Download the Bose app to receive the latest software updates. Ensure optimal functionality and get access to all the latest features and cutting-edge tech.
Spec score 8.4
Earbuds, Wireless
+Active noise cancelling blocks background sound
+45-hour battery life for long listening sessions
+Wireless connection with no cable needed
$24.99-50%List: $49.99
as of 11/04/2026 04:38 PST - DetailsProduct details
$24.99as of 11/04/2026 04:38 PST - Details
View on AmazonSpec score8.4
Pros
+Active noise cancelling blocks background sound
+45-hour battery life for long listening sessions
+Wireless connection with no cable needed
Compared with this page+Active noise cancelling: only 64 of 277 here have one
+Wireless: only 91 of 277 here have one
+45 battery life (as listed): 29 of the 48 here have a lower battery life (as listed)
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)About this product
- 2-in-1 Charging Case and Phone Stand: Enjoy hands-free viewing without the hassle. Simply open the back panel of the case, place your phone on the stand, and catch up on your favorite shows-watching while traveling has never been easier!
- Strong and Smart Noise Cancelling: Reduce noise by up to 42dB with an advanced active noise cancelling system. With adaptive technology, soundcore P30i detects external sound and automatically selects a level of noise cancelling optimized for your ears.
- Transparency Mode: Let in the world or focus on your audio, the choice is yours. Simply switch to transparency mode to hear the world around you when needed.
- Powerful Bass: Unleash deep, punchy bass with soundcore P30i noise cancelling earbuds' 10mm drivers, amplified by the soundcore exclusive BassUp technology for an immersive, robust audio experience.
- Long-Lasting Convenience: Enjoy up to 10 hours of playtime (6 hours with ANC) on a single charge, and up to 45 hours with the case (25 hours with ANC). A quick 10-minute charge provides 2 hours of use, perfect for your on-the-go lifestyle.
- 4-Mic AI Enhanced Calls: Experience clear calls anywhere you go with 4 microphones built into the wireless earbuds, alongside an AI algorithm that picks up your voice with precision.
- One-Step Pairing: soundcore P30i uses the latest Bluetooth 5.4 for easy pairing, automatically connecting with the last paired device when taking the earbuds from the case.
- soundcore App Support: Download the soundcore app for software updates and access to available features. Personalize your listening with EQ modes and adjustable ANC settings. OTA firmware updates help keep your earbuds updated.
Spec score 8.4
Earbuds
+Active noise cancelling blocks background sound
+Hi-Res audio support for detailed sound
+50-hour battery life for long listening sessions
$32.99-45%List: $59.99
as of 11/04/2026 04:38 PST - DetailsProduct details
$32.99as of 11/04/2026 04:38 PST - Details
View on AmazonSpec score8.4
Pros
+Active noise cancelling blocks background sound
+Hi-Res audio support for detailed sound
+50-hour battery life for long listening sessions
Compared with this page+Hi-Res audio: only 16 of 277 here have one
+Active noise cancelling: only 64 of 277 here have one
+50 battery life (as listed): 31 of the 48 here have a lower battery life (as listed)
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)About this product
- Real-Time Adaptive Noise Cancelling: Advanced ANC reduces noise by up to 52 dB. Adaptive technology detects your surroundings and automatically chooses the best noise-cancelling level for you
- Hi-Res Certified Sound with LDAC: Experience stunning, lossless Hi-Fi audio. Powered by LDAC, and Hi-Res Audio, these noise-cancelling earbuds reproduce musical nuances, delivering rich, well-balanced treble and bass.
- Real-Time 100+ AI Translation: Communicate effortlessly in over 100 languages. AI instantly translates speech with high accuracy, keeping conversations smooth and natural.
- 6 AI-Enhanced Mics for Clear Calls: Six microphones work with an AI noise reduction algorithm to separate your voice from background noise. The wind-noise reduction algorithm keeps calls clear even outdoors.
- Ultra-Long Playtime & Fast Charging: Enjoy up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge (50 hours with the case). Even with ANC on, get 8 hours per charge and 40 hours total. A quick 10-minute charge gives 3.5 hours of listening.
- soundcore App Support: Download the soundcore app for software updates and access to available features. Personalize your listening with HearID, EQ modes, Spatial Audio, and adjustable ANC settings. OTA firmware updates help keep your earbuds updated.
Wired
+Circumaural over-ear design for full ear coverage
+Studio-focused design for monitoring
+Wired connection for consistent audio
−Wired only, with no wireless option
$232.45-33%List: $349.00
as of 11/04/2026 12:38 PST - DetailsProduct details
$232.45as of 11/04/2026 12:38 PST - Details
View on AmazonPros
+Circumaural over-ear design for full ear coverage
+Studio-focused design for monitoring
+Wired connection for consistent audio
Cons−Wired only, with no wireless option
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)Other stores (1)
ReverbVisit store
About this product
- On the go or in the studio: The professional Hi-X55 closed on-ear headphones deliver flawless sound quality and are suitable for everyday use as well as for use in a professional recording studio.
- Greatly improved reproduction: The newly developed "High Excursion" technology ensures optimized airflow and the strongest magnetic field in its class. This means that you are well equipped when working on digital mixing systems.
- The wearing comfort is not too short: the circumaural, double-walled ear shell of the studio headphones not only ensures that the headphone signal is overspoken to the recording, but is also characterised by a high wearing comfort.
- Robust and durable: The hinges and headband of the foldable Studio Headphones are made of all-metal and make the Hi-X55 particularly durable. So the robust headphones can withstand all the rigors of everyday life.
- Box contents: Austrian Audio Hi-X55 headphones - Incl.: removable 3.5 mm jack cable (3 m) with 6.3 mm adapter - Slow retention ear pads - Frequency range: 5 Hz - 28 kHz - Colour: black