Writers everywhere look to headphones to help drown out background noise or provide soothing (or not-soothing) music to write by. Whatever your writing preferences (we won’t call them quirks), chances are you have considered using headphones to help you hone your attention and capture those moments of creativity. With writers in mind, we’ve curated a list of the best headphones for writers.
How We Chose TBRH’s Best Headphones for Writers
TBRH looked for headphone options that address two broad categories: noise canceling and sound quality. We looked for headphones that are right for a variety of budgets and for writers who write in a variety of environments. No two writers or writing habits are the same, so we tried to find options that are appropriate for the wide range of tastes and habits.
Best Headphones for Writers
1. Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth wireless headphones are the top of the line in noise canceling. This technology uses microphones to measure, compare, and react to sounds. These headphones have multiple modes to provide the experience you want, including “quiet” (full noise canceling) and “aware” (provides sounds from your environment as well as your music). Bose QuietComfort have a long battery life—up to 24 hours per charge. In addition to noise canceling, these headphones provide personalized audio and allow you to create your own settings.
Key Features:
- Noise canceling and personalized audio
- Long battery life
- Built-in microphones react to the environment
- Long-lasting comfort
- Multiple modes to fit your needs and writing environment
- Comes with protective case
2. Anker Soundcore Life Q20
If you haven’t hit the best-seller list yet (and cashed the paycheck), the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 might be a little more in keeping with your artist’s budget. This model provides a good balance of technology and value, and is highly rated by its users. This model balances noise canceling with quality audio for music or podcasts, depending on your needs. They have one of the longest-lasting batters out there: a 40-hour playtime for noise canceling and an astounding 60-hour playtime in standard music mode. Need a quick charge as you head to the coffee shop? A five-minute charge can give you four hours of battery.
Key Features:
- Hi-Res audio for extraordinary clarity and detail
- Reduces ambient noise by 90%
- 100% stronger bass
- 40-60 hours of battery life
- Wireless and Bluetooth-enabled
3. Sony Noise Canceling Headphones
These Sony noise canceling headphones are another great value option. They charge quickly and have a 35-hour batter life. They are designed for comfort with adjustable sliders and have a built-in microphone to allow you to take calls. These headphones use a noise-canceling technology that senses your environment and adjusts to it. Like the other models, they allow for audio via Bluetooth.
Key Features
- Great value for the price
- Designed for comfort
- Long-lasting battery: up to 35 hours
- Wireless and Bluetooth enabled
- Adaptive noise canceling technology
- Smartphone compatibility
4. Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones are a high-performance option and are compatible with Android and iOS devices. With these headphones, the coffee shop clatter is not going to distract you. (Leave that to Twitter.) They use adaptive technology to cancel noise and feature audio calibration to provide a premium listening experience. They come with a carrying case and remote talk cable, and allow you to take calls, control your music, and activate Siri.
Key Features:
- Up to 22 hours of listening time
- Adaptive technology to cancel noise while providing premium audio
- Available in multiple colors
- On-device controls
- Comes with carrying case
5. Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Earbuds
If you are a writer on the go, portability can be key. So, if headphones aren’t for you, these noise canceling ear buds might just do the trick. In addition to the state-of-the-art adaptive canceling, these earbuds preserve quality audio. Each set comes with three StayHear Max ear-tips for comfort. Like many earbuds, these have simple touch controls for ease of use. Earbuds don’t quite have the battery life of the full noise canceling headphones, but these still allow for up to six hours of listening. The charging case can allow for an additional 12 hours of battery.
Key Features:
- High fidelity audio and adaptive noise canceling technology
- Simple tap controls
- Six hours of battery life
- Include noise-rejecting microphones
- Weather and sweat resistant
6. Soundcore by Anker Life P3 Noise Canceling Earbuds
Anker offers another balance of value and technology with these P3 Noise Canceling Earbuds. They come in five different colors if you prefer a more personalized look. The earbuds feature multi-mode noise canceling to optimize your experience and provide premium audio for your music, whether you are in the library, the coffee shop, or at home and trying to block out the kids. They use six microphones to both cancel noise and allow you to be clearly heard on phone calls.
Key Features:
- Good balance of value and technology
- Comes in multiple colors
- Noise canceling and audio balancing
- Six microphones allow for clear audio on calls
- Up to seven hours of battery life
7. Srhythm NC25 Active Noise Canceling Headphones
The Srhythm NC25 Active Noise Canceling Headphones are another good option for a lower price point with good performance. They use digital adaptive noise canceling technology to eliminate 90% of machine noise. These heaphones allow for up to 50 hours of use (an incredible battery life) but also come with a cable to charge while listening. They are very lightweight (only .4 pounds) and use an ergonomic design for comfort.
Key Features:
- Digital Active Noise canceling eliminated 90% of machine noise
- Long battery life: up to 50 hours
- Wireless and Bluetooth enabled
- Comes with carrying case
- Designed for comfort
- Available in multiple colors
8. Skullcandy Hesh Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
The Skullcandy Hesh Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones are a good value for the price point and feature active noise canceling, an ambient mode, up to 22 hours of battery life, and rapid recharge capability. In addition to active noise canceling, they preserve a premium sound for quality audio.
Key Features:
- Active noise-cancelling
- Ambient mode
- Long-lasting battery: up to 22 hours
- Rapid recharge