Collection: Personal Audio

Figure out your needs first. For long commutes, things like active noise cancellation and battery life become crucial. If you're at a desk or in quieter spaces, sound quality should take priority. Some headphones also support features like multipoint pairing—great if you’re switching between a laptop and a phone.

Most of our personal audio gear carries at least a one-year warranty from the manufacturer. Higher-end equipment—especially DACs, headphone amps, or premium IEMs—may offer longer coverage. Warranty terms are listed clearly on each product page.

Yes, we carry both types. If you’re after wireless, look out for models that offer high-quality Bluetooth codecs like LDAC or aptX, depending on what your device supports. A number of them also handle two devices at once—handy if you're switching between a phone and a laptop throughout the day.

The "best" noise cancellation headphones are a function of your needs and budget, but several models consistently top the charts for their excellent noise cancellation, sound quality and features.

1) Devialet Gemini: These are high-end true wireless earbuds known for their exceptional sound quality and sleek design. They feature active noise cancellation, a customisable fit with multiple ear tip options and touch controls for easy operation.

2) B&W Px8: The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 are premium over-ear wireless headphones that offer luxurious build quality and outstanding audio performance. They boast advanced noise cancellation technology, high-resolution audio support and are crafted with premium materials like Nappa leather and die-cast aluminum.

3) B&O Beoplay HX ANC: The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX ANC are premium wireless over-ear headphones that combine sophisticated Danish design with superior sound quality. They feature advanced adaptive active noise cancellation, exceptional battery life of up to 35 hours and are crafted with luxurious materials like leather and aluminum for both comfort and durability.

When choosing the best noise cancellation headphones for yourself, you want to consider how much noise you need to block out. If you're in particularly loud environments, prioritise models known for their exceptional noise cancellation. Look for headphones that provide a balanced sound profile with clear vocals, detailed highs and punchy bass. It's also important to choose headphones with a comfortable fit, especially if you plan to wear them for extended periods. Look for additional features like multipoint pairing, touch controls and voice assistant integration. If you're frequently travelling, battery life is a very important consideration. Finally, it's always a good idea to read reviews and compare different models before making a decision. Often, the best way to find the perfect pair is to try them on and see how they feel and sound to you.

"Good performance" can mean different things to different people. Do you enjoy thumping bass, crystal-clear highs, or balanced sound? Do you need noise cancellation for your daily commute, or are you more of a stay-at-home listener? Once you've zeroed in on the answers to these questions, you can begin your hunt for your ideal pair.

Here are a few solid choices that tend to impress and have been reviewed favourably across the board:

1) Devialet Gemini II True Wireless Earbuds: High-end earbuds from French audio innovator Devialet. Features proprietary Adaptive Noise Cancellation, powerful 10mm drivers and up to 8 hours of battery life.

2) B&W Px7 S2 Over-ear Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones: Premium wireless headphones from Bowers & Wilkins with custom 40mm drivers. Offers advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation and up to 30 hours of battery life.

3) B&W Px8 Over-ear Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones: B&W's flagship wireless headphones with carbon cone 40mm drivers. Features luxury materials, six high-performance microphones and supports aptX Adaptive codec.

4) B&W PI5 In-ear True Wireless Headphones: B&W's true wireless earbuds with dual hybrid drive units. Includes adaptive noise cancellation and wireless charging case.

5) B&O Beoplay HX - ANC Headphones: Premium headphones from Bang & Olufsen with up to 35 hours of battery life. Features custom 40mm drivers, advanced Digital Adaptive ANC and luxurious materials.

The "best" headphones depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider if you're looking for wired or wireless headphones, open-back or closed-back ones, how portable they are, how comfortable they will be for long listening sessions and of course, your budget. It's advisable to try before you buy when possible. Audio signatures can be very subjective and what sounds great to one person might not work for another. However, if you know what you're looking for, narrowing down on a product becomes much easier.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) in headphones is a technology that reduces unwanted background sounds by using phase cancellation. Unlike standard headphones, which rely on passive noise isolation from ear cups or ear tips, ANC headphones employ specialised mic configurations and signal-processing components.

ANC headphones have built-in mics that pick up external sounds. These mics capture ambient noise, such as engine rumble or office chatter. The captured external noise is then processed to create an “anti-phase” signal. This signal has the same amplitude as the original noise but is 180 degrees out of phase. When combined with the original noise, the anti-phase signal cancels out the unwanted sound waves. ANC headphones have speaker drivers that produce sound waves. These drivers emit the anti-phase signal, effectively canceling out the external noise before it reaches your ears.

The mics continuously monitor the ambient noise and adjust the anti-phase signal in real time. This feedback loop ensures that the cancellation remains effective even as the noise environment changes. As you can imagine, they require power to operate. The signal processing circuitry, powered by an internal battery, calculates the anti-phase signal and adjusts it based on the incoming noise. In addition to active cancellation, ANC headphones also provide passive noise isolation due to their physical design. This combination of active and passive noise reduction enhances overall sound isolation.