The Top 6 Comfortable Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Autistic Adults
Author: Iveta Pudilova
Do you ever get overwhelmed by the noisy world we live in? Your neighbours unexpectedly drilling into the wall? Or even the high-pitched buzzing of your fridge? Then you’re in the right place!
If you’re neurodivergent or are a friend or a family relative of someone neurodivergent then you’ll know what a difference the right noise-cancelling headphones can make.
There are five types of devices that can help with sensory processing disorders:
Active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones
ANC earbuds
Ear plugs
Ear defenders
Sleep headphones headband
This blog will focus only on ANC headphones to give you the most thorough research including costs, a detailed battery review, pros versus cons list, and more.
Right now, you may be thinking: “how did you judge these headphones? Why should I trust you?”. Well, with a combination of reviewing first-hand experiences from autistic adults, asking our followers on Instagram, examining a variety of resources online, and even trying some of the headphones, here are the top 6 comfortable noise-cancelling headphones for autistic adults.
Sony Wh1000XM3
Specifications
Weight (g): 254
Battery life (hours): 30
Charging time (hours): 3
Number of microphones: 3
Description
It’s no surprise the Sony WH1000MX3 headphones were voted the best in the world for 2 years in a row with their amazing noise cancelling thanks to the powerful QN1 processor and lightweight and comfortable design. Their headband and ear cups with extra soft padding provide comfort for hours.
While they have now been upgraded to the new Sony WH1000XM4 and XM5, they’re not that different (find out more later). Plus, this makes the XM3s cheaper and more affordable.
Its battery lasts up to 30 hours, and if you forget to charge but are in a rush or need your noise-cancellers ASAP then no worries! These Sony headphones will give you 5 hours of playback with only 10 minutes of charging - an absolute lifesaver.
Pros
Amazing active noise-cancelling
Extremely comfortable
10 minutes of charging for 5 hours of playback
Cons
Expensive
2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Specifications
Weight (g): 293
Battery life (hours): 60
Charging time (hours): 2
Number of microphones: 4
Description
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless have a battery life that will last you for days and take only 2 hours to fully charge. The headphones come accompanied with easy on-ear controls, crisp sound, and noise cancellation that can adapt to your surroundings.
If you live in a rainy country and are one to take your headphones with you when going for a run or simply when walking to work then these headphones are perfect for you with their water-resistant features. These Sennheisers are one of the only headphones on this list that are water-resistant meaning they can withstand rain and powerful water.
The downfall of these active noise-cancellers, however, is that they are expensive and aren’t foldable. Do the benefits of 60 hours of active noise cancellation outweigh the costs? Are you more likely to wear them when going out than storing them in your bag? I guess that’s up to you to decide ;)
Pros
Amazing active noise-cancelling and transparency
60-hour battery life
5 minutes of charging for 2 hours of playback
4 microphones in the ear-cups
Water-resistant
Cons
Expensive
Not foldable
3. Sony WH-1000XM4
Specifications
Weight (g): 254
Battery life (hours): 30
Charging time (hours): 3
Number of microphones: 5
Description
The Sony WH1000XM4 headphones deliver 30 hours of active noise-cancelling in a comfortable and lightweight design with multipoint pairing and an adjustable auto-play/pause using a built-in sensor.
Their design isn’t much different from the XM3 though they do offer new features (as listed above) and have better active noise-cancelling, especially when it comes to noisier spaces and higher-pitched sounds. However, both the XM4 and XM3 headphones cancel low-frequency noise equally well.
Other than that, the XM4 switches to noise-cancelling mode faster and provide better microphone quality thanks to having 5 built-in microphones in the ear-cups in comparison to 3 as found in the XM3. If you enjoy sending voice memos or using voice typing, then this is a handy feature.
Pros
Amazing active noise-cancelling
Extremely comfortable
10 minutes for 5 hours of playback
5 microphones in the ear-cups
Cons
Expensive
Not that different from the XM3s
4. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Bose never fails to deliver great sound quality and so it’s no surprise that alongside the Sony WH1000XM3s these headphones were one of the most popular noise-cancelling headphones amongst our followers. The QuietComfort 35 II can be folded into a tiny size and is equipped with Google Assistant, making the headphones great for travelling.
The headphones last for 22 hours with active noise-cancelling and offer 2 hours of playback after 15 minutes of charging. However, with the highest price on this list at £299.95 and much lower battery life in comparison to the other active noise-cancelling headphones, unless these are the ones you find the most comfortable, it’s the brand name that you’re paying for than the features itself.
Pros
Amazing active noise-cancelling
Extremely comfortable
Quick and easy pairing
15 minutes for 2 hours of playback
Cons
Expensive / better options available for a cheaper price
Only 2 microphones in the ear-cups in comparison to the other options listed
5. SuperEQ S1 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Specifications
Weight (g): 293
Battery life (hours): 45
Charging time (hours): 2
Number of microphones: 4
Description
The most affordable active noise-cancelling headphones on this list are the SuperEQ S1 Hybrid headphones with a battery life of 45 hours and multipoint pairing. The high-quality memory foam padding creates a soft feel that is comfortable for hours on end.
The active noise-cancelling isn’t the best out there as it struggles to cancel out higher-pitched noises. However, it certainly still does the job and manages to reduce noises up to 33db and completely cancels out lower frequencies.
Similarly, as the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless set, these SuperEQ headphones are the only ones on the list that can resist a bit of rain, so you don’t need to be worried about wearing them outside.
Pros
Most affordable
Extremely comfortable
45-hour battery life
Cons
Active noise-cancelling could be stronger
6. JBL Tune 750BTNC
Specifications
Weight (g): 220
Battery life (hours): 15
Charging time (hours): 2
Number of microphones: 1
Description
The JBL 750BTNC do exactly as they describe. They look great with four colours to pick from, sound amazing, and fit well with their soft cushioning. They are also lightweight, reducing any unwanted pressure.
The battery doesn’t last as long as others but with 15 hours of active noise cancelling they’re enough to serve you during the day. There are a few other features that are lacking, including only one internal microphone. If you tend to audio call or send voice messages in loud spaces, then the sound quality might not be the best. However, at this price, plus with such great active noise-cancelling they are still a great option.
Pros
Amazing active noise-cancelling
Lightweight
Cons
Average battery life
Only 1 microphone
Summary
The winner of the most comfortable and best noise-cancelling headphones for autistic adults has to be the Sony WH1000XM3 headphones. Their battery life of 30 hours with only 10 minutes of charging for 5 hours of playback is a life saver paired with their amazing noise-cancelling, soft ear cushioning and sleek design.
However, as with anything, it depends on you and what you think fits you best.
Do you mainly use noise-cancellers when you are out and need water-resistant headphones? The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless or SuperEQ S1 Hybrid headphones are for you.
Do you predominantly use them indoors? Go for the Sony WH1000XM3 or Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
Looking for something affordable that does the job and doesn’t have to be charged every day? The SuperEQ S1 Hybrid headphones are a perfect fit!
Either way, comfort is key, so ideally, you could try them all out first. Now at least you have a list of great options to pick from, because you deserve the best noise-cancelling headphones tailored to you.
