12 Days of Christmas – Day 12 is Sony noise canceling headphones

This holiday season, we’re selecting the best gifts. As TV & Home Theatre editor, I can say with certainty that headphones are a great gift, particularly in this new work and school-from-home world. If you’re looking for a gift for I’ve chosen Sony’s noise cancelling headphones as one of our 12 best holiday gifts for this festive season as part of our 12 days of tech gifts.

Sony Headphones make a great gift

A quality pair of earphones makes a great present because it’s so versatile. Good headphones make the experience of listening to your favourite music, tuning in to interesting podcasts and watching videos on a tablet or laptop so much better, not to mention making calls and Zoom meetings easier.

What is noise cancelling?

Noise cancelling headphones reduce the sounds of the surrounding area so that you can concentrate on the audio you’re listening to. They use active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to pick up low-frequency sounds outside the ear cups and zap them before they reach your ears. The headphones’ ANC technology works by producing an inaudible to humans sound that’s opposite to the external sound, which effectively cancels it out.

Noise cancelling headphones are amazing because they allow you to choose what sounds to hear, meaning you can focus more deeply on your music or podcast and enjoy a more immersive experience. In this way, they allow you to reduce the volume levels for your listening  as the noise cancellation does the work of blocking out external sounds, so you can enjoy your music at a lower volume and still hear every note. In fact, the experience of listening to audio in your headphones is greatly improved because the noise cancellation allows the subtleties of the track to become clearer. It’s also beneficial for your hearing, which can be damaged over time by listening to very loud audio.

Why are noise cancelling headphones a great gift idea?

Noise cancelling headphones make a great gift this holiday season in particular because they are great for when you’re working or studying from home. By blocking out external noises that can be highly distracting, they allow you to focus deeply on the task at hand, making you more productive. As well as making you more efficient, the reduction of annoying outside sound also has a calming effect, making you feel less stressed, too!

My picks for best Sony headphones

I really love two of Sony’s noise cancelling headphones, the WH1000XM and the WF-SP800N, but many of Sony’s headphones are stellar and can be a great choice depending on your preferences and budget.

Sony WH1000XM4 wireless over-ear headphones

Sony WH1000XM4 over-ear headphones are some of the best in the business when it comes to noise cancellation. Sony’s innovative Adaptive Sound Control responds to the environment you’re in and automatically adjusts, so it always blocks out the right sounds. If you’re traveling, you’ll lose the noise of the plane or train engine but still hear important announcements. There’s a dedicated Sony app that lets you control the level of ambient noise filtering in and you have a touch sensor on the headset that lets you lower your volume so you can talk to others without having to take off your headphones. These are smart headphones that work with Google Assistant and Alexa, making them ideal for work or study. The headset has a sensational 30 hours of battery life and can give you 5 hours of listening after just 10 minutes of charging. Easy to store, the headset has a swivel foldable structure and a compact carry case.

Sony WF-SP800N

If you’d rather go for wireless earbuds, Sony has you covered with the WF-SP800N. Boasting Sony’s exceptional noise cancellation technology, Adaptive Sound Control and app-controlled Ambient Mode, their diminutive size lacks none of the superlative sound isolation. With 9 hours of battery life and an additional 9 from the charging case, you can have an impressive 18 hours of uninterrupted listening or 26 hours if you have noise cancellation switched off. These earbuds are comfortable to wear and don’t fall out, making them ideal for workouts too. They’re also rated IP554, meaning they’re super resistant to splashes, sweat and dust – you can even rinse them if you need to. These headphones also have the Touch Sensor and integrated Google Assistant and Alexa, so they fit perfectly into daily life.

Make someone very happy this holiday season with a gift of Sony’s noise cancelling headphones. Whatever they’re listening to, these headphones are guaranteed to elevate their sound experience and the advanced noise cancelling technology offers new levels of audio quality and reduced external noise. Whether you choose over-ear or earbuds, you’ll be giving someone a fantastic gift they’ll use all year round.

Shop all Sony headphones at Best Buy!