HACKER Q&A
📣 herodoturtle

Which ANC earbuds / headphones would you recommend?


For context, I rely on ANC earphones quite heavily, and my typical earphone usage is around 12 hours per day.

I'm not a fan of battery powered wireless earphones - in particular because the batteries are not replaceable. Right to repair and all that.

That being said, I currently use Bose QC35ii headphones because of their great ANC - but yeah, non-replaceable battery is a problem. I'm already on my second pair.

Another minor nitpick with my QC35ii headphones is that they flatten my hair in a weird way (I have puffy hear). So I look rather silly when I take them off.

I'm thinking of getting the Bose QC20 earbuds - which reportedly has great ANC and also solves the flattened hair problem - but again, non-replaceable battery.

My dream product is earbuds with good ANC, that are USB-C powered.

Is good ANC with USB-C power even possible?

In other words, does USB-C draw enough power to maintain good ANC?

I've tried the Razer Hammerhead USB-C ANC earbuds but their ANC is mediocre.

I'm on the verge of just biting the bullet - accepting my non-replaceable battery fate - and just getting Airpods Pro, because I hear their ANC is pretty good.

And given my daily 12+ hour usage, I'll probably get 2 pairs so that I can cycle them every 4 hours when the battery runs low.

Sounds excessive, but I put good ANC earphones in the same category as my Aeron, ultrawide monitor, and height-adjustable desk. I'm prepared to invest in my ergonomic productivity.

Thanks!


  👤 pestatije Accepted Answer ✓
I kind of was in the same pursuit some time ago, but apparently it is better to leave ANC alone:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26125605#26126488