Recommendations for noise cancelling headphones

[TheFaQQer]

Thanks. Partially explains the cost then I suppose!

Forgive my ignorance but do they have to be plugged into something or can you wear them to enable the active sound cancelling functionality on its own, just to get silence without having to play music?

You can switch them on to cancel the noise. My Bose ones have a removable cable from the headphones, so you don't need to have it flapping about if you aren't plugged in at the other end.

[GrumpyContractor]

Go for the Sony NC500D - 99% noise cancelling (apparently)

Ive found them to be very good, to the point of being eerily good.

even with no music playing through them, switch them on, instant deafness simulator.

[Sysman]

Go for the Sony NC500D - 99% noise cancelling (apparently)

Ive found them to be very good, to the point of being eerily good.

even with no music playing through them, switch them on, instant deafness simulator.

Apparently don't work at all without batteries though

Hot topic at the moment: Do I want anything from Sony when their tech support might be in disarray?

[GrumpyContractor]

Apparently don't work at all without batteries though

Hot topic at the moment: Do I want anything from Sony when their tech support might be in disarray?

This is true, but battery life is good, can handle a transatlantic flight and then some.

If listening in the office or at home like you mentioned, you can use them while charging...which means another cable to undoubtedly trip over.

Sony support is appauling on a good day so just mitigate the risk and buy from amazon / john lewis.