Noise Reduction Earbuds Versus Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Noise reduction earbuds are designed in such a way as to have a very tight fit into your ear so that it blocks out the background noises. This is also known as passive noise reduction.

Noise cancellation earbuds produce sounds that actually cancel external sounds that are reaching your ears. It works by using a tiny microphone in the casing which samples the background noises. It then feeds this noise to some electronic circuits which processes the sound so that it reverses the sound (in a sense) and combines this reversed sound with the original background noise thus "cancelling" the noise. This is also known as active noise reduction.

Which type is better?

Noise canceling earbuds work best with steady, low frequency noises. For example, an airplane engine or the traffic sounds you hear inside a dwelling that is located next to a busy street. Voices, sounds that vary in pitches and many higher frequency sounds are best handled by noise reduction earbuds. Also be aware that some noise cancelling earbuds require batteries to operate.

Regardless of which method you choose, pick one as this will allow you to protect your ears from damages while listening to loud music.