Difference Between Active Vs Passive Noise Cancelling (With Example)

Today we will be discussing the Difference Between Active Vs Passive Noise Cancelling. Noise Cancelling is a Technology used in Microphones and Headphones that cancels out unwanted noise from the Surroundings. 

We have already written a detailed article on What is Noise Cancelling and How Does it Works on Microphones and Headphones.

When you search for a Headphone online, you might see a lot of them featuring Active Noise Cancellation or Passive Noise Cancellation.

So, what’s the difference between them?

Passive Noise Cancellation Headphones are way cheaper than Active Noise Cancellation Headphones. But, that’s not the only difference.

To make sure you choose the right technology between Active & Passive Noise Cancellation, we have written this article. 

Noise Cancelling Headphones can be very useful while working, traveling, sleeping, etc. Check out the Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Sleeping Without Music.

Although both Active and Passive Noise Cancelling Headphones prevents outside noise, there is a huge difference between them, which we are going to discuss now.

Active Vs Passive Noise Cancelling:

Active Noise Cancelling:

Active Noise Cancelling Headphones have external mics. These microphones record the outside noise frequency and create a negative audio frequency by themselves. When the outside Noise and the counter frequency are mixed, the Noise is canceled, and we hear plain silence. Hence, it is called Noise Cancellation.

Active Noise Cancelling Headphones are Expensive and work even when you are not listening to music.

Here is one of the Best Active Noise Cancelling Headphones (Over the Ear):

Here is one of the Best Active Noise Cancelling Earphones (In-Ear):

Passive Noise Cancelling:

On the other hand, Passive Noise Cancelling Headphones are built with strong padding and material that prevents any voice from entering your ears. They don’t have any Noise Cancelling mechanism. They just stop outside Noise. Therefore, they are cheaper compared to Active Noise Cancelling Headphones.

Here is one of the Best Passive Noise Cancelling Headphones (Over the Ear):

Here is one of the Best Passive Noise Cancelling Earphones (In-Ear):

Controllable Noise Cancellation Technology (Hybrid):

While people were debating between Active Vs Passive Noise Cancelling, Brands have come up with a hybrid Technology called Controllable Noise Cancellation. When you wear the Controllable Noise Cancellation Headphones, you can control whether to let the outside sound in or not.

For example, when you are in a plane, you can activate the Active Noise Cancellation feature to avoid outside noise. However, when you are sleeping with your baby, waiting at an airport, or traveling in a mode of public transport, you can turn off the Noise Cancellation so that you can be aware of the surroundings.

You can find Controllable Noise Cancellation in the following Headphones/Earphones.

Conclusion:

Active Noise Cancelling Headphones can drown the battery faster as it uses Active Noise Technology that records and eliminates outside noise.

However, Active Noise Cancelling Headphones do a better job at stopping outside noise. And You will find the Controllable Noise Cancellation Technology only in Active Noise Cancelling Headphones. They are expensive because they require technical expertise.

Passive Noise Cancelling is a cost-effective alternative to Active Noise Cancellation. Therefore, if you are on a budget, Passive Noise Cancelling Headphones should be your Pick as they do the job of stopping outside noise.

The main difference between Active Vs Passive Noise Cancelling Headphones is the External Microphones.