These $20 noise-canceling headphones make office life bearable

Finding good noise canceling headphones for little money is often a game of chance because you almost always pay for it somewhere–be it in terms of sound, wearing comfort, or durability. But after many disappointments, I finally discovered two models (one wireless, one wired) that really convinced me.

My perfect companion for travel and workouts: TOZO T10 Bluetooth headphones

I’ve already tried a few cheap Bluetooth headphones–many of them were ruined after a few months. Not so with the TOZO T10. I’ve been using them almost every day for over a year now, mostly in the gym, on walks, or when I’m travelling. And they still hold up.

The headphones connect quickly, sit comfortably and deliver a pleasantly balanced sound. The bass is solid (up to 16 Hertz) for the price. They usually cost about $25, but they’re on sale right now for $20. The noise cancelation is excellent for this price range. I can train in the gym with them without any problems, even with loud music playing in the background. They only reach their limits when there’s a good amount of ambient noise. Speaking of the environment, the TOZO T10 are waterproof (IPX8), so they’re suitable for all kinds of outdoor activities.

I find the long battery life especially practical. With the charging case, I can easily manage 40 to 45 hours. Charging usually takes around 60 to 90 minutes, although I never let them run completely empty. The touch control works reliably (most of the time at least), even if I found it took a bit of getting used to at first, as it could be a bit more sensitive for my taste.

In short, the TOZO T10 are the ideal low-budget all-rounders for me when I’m travelling and don’t want to spend too much.

My go-to for recording and calls: OneOdio Pro-10 with cable

When I’m sitting at my computer, recording audio or making video calls, I almost always reach for the OneOdio Pro-10. For just $39.09, these wired over-ear headphones deliver a really rich sound, especially in the bass. Podcasts, Zoom meetings, or music productions sound clear and powerful.

Thanks to the closed design, ambient noise is reliably muffled without me having to turn up the volume at all. This allows me to concentrate fully on my work or music, even with background noise.

The wearing comfort is good, even if I have to take them off after two to three hours because the contact pressure becomes a little uncomfortable. The supplied detachable cables with two different connections are a real plus point:

• A 3.5 mm jack cable with microphone for a laptop, smartphone or PS4/PS5, for example. It also works with older iPads or MP3 players without any problems.
• A 3 meter cable with a 6.35 mm jack (standard for hi-fi and music equipment), which can be used to connect the headphones to an audio interface, keyboard, or amplifier.

The integrated share port even makes it easy to connect a second pair of headphones to listen to music with someone.