Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Glasses Wearers
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Glasses wearers like myself can have a tough time finding a fitting headphone, particularly one that offers good noise cancellation. Often, what works for individuals with perfect eyesight couldn’t fit comfortably for those who are wearing glasses.
In order to block external noise, headphones rely on the earpads and the pressure of the headband to cover the wearer’s ear completely. However, some headphones may exert clamping force that can cause the wearer’s ears to press against the glasses.
The end result is having sore ears minutes after putting the headphone on. The same applies even if you’re using an active noise canceling headphone if the force is excessive or the construct of the earpads does not fit the glasses hook.
Headphones For Glasses Wearers Compared
How To Choose A Noise Cancelling Headphone That Goes Well With Glasses
There’s no middle ground for glass wearers when it comes to picking a headphone. Either it feels comfortable or you get sore after listening to music. Here are what you ought to look out for when getting a noise-canceling headphone that goes well with glasses.
1. Large Over Ear Padding
On-ear headphone seldom works for glass wearer. As the rim of the earpads pressed directly onto your ears, you can’t help but feel the presence of your glasses, which has since become conveniently ignored.
Instead, you’ll want to go for over-ear headphones with large padding. Preferably, the earpads have a certain degree of depth to minimize the force on your ears. Choose headphones with soft paddings for optimal comfort in long hours of use.
2. Clamping Force
There needs to be a delicate balance in the headphone’s clamping force. Too hard and you’ll have ear sores in no time. If the clamping force is too weak, the headphone will feel shaky as there’s little grip on your ears.
Preferably, you’ll want a headphone with an adjustable headband and swiveling earcups to allow some flexibility on the clamping force.
3. Noise Cancelling Technology
Headphones rely on either passive or active noise-canceling technology to block ambiance noise. Passive noise canceling is dependent on the ergonomics of the earcups and the materials used to build the headphone.
A good passive noise-canceling headphone will do a great job in reducing ambiance noise when you’re listening to music. However, you may want to go for active noise-canceling headphones if you wish for near-total silence even when the music is switched off.
Do note that both types of technologies couldn’t and aren’t meant to block off spontaneous sounds like people talking for safety reasons. If you opt for ANC headphones, you’ll want to consider the battery playtime as it involves electronics circuitry.
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Glasses Wearers
1. Cowin E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphone
Key Features
- Bluetooth V4.0 + NFC
- Active noise cancellation.
- 30 hours of playing time.
Cowin E7 offers great noise cancelling with its ANC without paying a hefty price. This budget-friendly headphone is powered by batteries that last up to 30 hours on a single charge. Its large protein earpads and swiveling earcups ensure that glass wearers wouldn’t be bothered by the physical structure.
Despite its economical price tags, the Cowin E7 offers great sound quality from its 40mm large-aperture drivers. It’s highly audible across the sound spectrum and the noise cancelling blocks off noises like chatters and traffic. You can’t compare it with high-end ANC headphones, but it’s worth every dollar you pay for.
The headphone is easily paired with a mobile phone with Bluetooth V4.0 and NFC technology. The absence of a cord means there are great flexibility and mobility. You can use the Cowin E7 at work or when you’re on a flight and remain comfortable for long hours.
Pros
- Very comfortable for glasses wearers.
- The ANC blocks noise efficiently.
- Clean bass and clear mids/highs notes.
Cons
- Some units have quality issues with the swivel.
2. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Key Features
- Active noise cancelling.
- Supports Bose AR
- 20 hours of playing time.
The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II is one that goes well for any glass wearers who wished for some quiet listening. Its active noise cancelling module features not one, but three levels of noise reduction which can be activated through the Bose Connect app. Featuring easy Bluetooth pairing, you’ll get up to 20 hours of playtime with it.
You’ll find that the extra-large ear pads fit comfortably and do not exert excessive pressure when worn. The clamping force is just right and the swiveling earcups give you the flexibility in adjusting to fit over your glasses hooks.
While the Bose QuietComfort 35 isn’t the cheapest headphone around, it is superior in sound quality and cleverly optimized your listening experience with the app. This headphone is also built with Alexa-ready, where you communicate with Amazon’s voice assistant by pressing a button.
Pros
- Very light and comfortable with glasses on.
- Three levels of noise cancellation.
- Great middle range, overall decent sonic performance.
Cons
- Bluetooth quality issues in some units.
3. Boltune Active Noise Cancelling Headphone
Key Features
- Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless
- Active noise cancellation.
- 30 hours of playing time.
Whether it’s work or leisure listening, the Boltune active noise cancelling headphone is a perfect choice without obstructing your glasses. The headphone features ergonomic earpads which are made of high imitation protein foam which spreads out the clamping force evenly.
The ANC circuitry can function independently, even without the music turned on. Using the headphone allows people like programmers, designers, and writers to work in solitude. Despite being an affordable headphone, Boltune offers deep bass and good overall sound performance.
Engineered with the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology, you’ll have a better range with the headphone at 66 ft, compared to those built with version 4.2. It also has a built-in noise cancelling mic that allows you to take calls on the go.
Pros
- Comfortable protein earpads.
- Up to 66 ft range with 30 hours of playtime.
- Deep bass and great overall sound clarity.
Cons
- The ANC doesn’t offer as much noise reduction as pricier headphones.
4. Sony Noise Cancelling Headphone WH1000XM3
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Key Features
- Active noise cancelling.
- 30 hours playtime.
- Touch buttons.
The Sony WH1000XM3 is arguably the best active noise cancelling headphone around. The great news is, people with glasses will have no problem fitting it on. Besides the soft earpads, the headphone features ergonomics that made the headphone ultralight with reduced clamping pressure.
Noise cancelling with the Sony WH1000XM3 is perfection. Turning on the ANC button will instantly drown out surrounding chatters, giving you a quiet environment to focus on. The headphone’s sound quality is also remarkable with a strong emphasis on the bass. You can make more adjustments to the audio with the Sony app’s equalizer.
The topping on the cake for the Sony WH1000XM3 is the sleek, touch buttons on the side of the earcup. You’ll get to adjust the music volume, pick up a call or connect Alexa with a single touch. With up to 30 hours of playtime, it’ll be a while before you need to recharge the headphone.
Pros
- Excellent active noise cancelling.
- Comfortable with glasses.
- Good sound quality with deep bass.
Cons
- Microphone’s quality not the best.
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5. Audio Technica ATH-M50x
Key Features
- 45 mm large aperture drivers.
- 90 degrees swiveling earcups.
- Detachable cable.
If you’re an audiophile and seeking for a monitoring headphone that goes well with glasses, the Audio Technica ATH-M50x is a good candidate. It features extra-large earcups with soft paddings where the 45 mm drivers are enclosed. The earpads wrapped around your ears comfortably to block off a good amount of ambient noise.
The ATH-50X scores highly on sonic performance in terms of monitoring requirements. No over-emphasized bass or enhancements on the sonic spectrum which allows you to listen to the audio in its original tones. The earcups’ 90 degrees swivel makes studio monitoring easier.
While the headphone may seem bulky, as with other monitoring headphones, it can be folded inwards and stored in a carry pouch. The cable is also detachable from the headphones’ jack on the earcup. It’s fairly easy to bring the ATH-M50X around for work or travel.
Pros
- Clear, uncolored bass, mids and highs.
- Extra large padding with non-excessive clamping force.
- Foldable design.
Cons
- Some units have quality issues.
6. Razer Kraken Gaming Headset
Key Features
- 7.1 surround sound.
- Cooling gel infused cushion.
- Indents for glasses.
It’s hard to find a gaming headset that delivers immersive experience and comfort when you’re wearing glasses. The Razer Kraken is an exception. Gamers are familiar with the quality 7.1 sound delivered from the large 50 mm drivers, but it’s also one that goes well with glasses.
The Razer Kraken features oval-cushioned earpads with indents that fit right over the hooks of glasses. You don’t feel sore or uncomfortable after a few rounds of shooting battle with the headset. Besides, the cooling-gel infused to the earpads prevents your ears from getting hot and stuffy.
It’s fair to say that Razer Kraken isn’t one with superior noise cancelling, but the gaming audio will drown out background chatters. Gamers will be impressed by the mic quality, which plays a crucial role in team battles.
Pros
- Very comfortable on glasses for a long period.
- Great surround sound quality.
- Sensitive mic.
Cons
- Some units are defective after a short duration.
7. Mpow H20 Bluetooth Headphone
Key Features
- Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless headphone..
- CVC 8.0 microphone.
- 30 hours of playing time.
The Mpow 20, with its sleek and modern design, is one that’s optimized for casual listening. With numerous upgrades from its predecessor, you’ll find putting on the Mpow 50 over glasses fairly comfortable with the soft protein ear pads.
You’ll also enjoy reasonably good passive noise cancellation as the soft cushions enveloped your ears. This allows you to tune in to the crips bass and well-rounded audio from its 40mm large-aperture drivers.
At the core of the Mpow 20 is the latest QCC 3024 Bluetooth 5.0 chipset which provides better stability and reduced power consumption. A fully charged Mpow 20 will last up to 30 hours of continuous use. The foldable earcups make it a fitting headphone for modern lifestyle and travel.
Pros
- Comfortable with glasses.
- Good sound response across the frequencies.
- Great battery lifespan.
Cons
- It can get stuffy.
FAQ
How to stop headphones hurting ears with glasses?
You can try using glasses that have thinner frames. Secondly, you can try loosening your headset. Alternatively, you can get a headset that has thicket padding. You can use some tissue and place it between the frame and your head. Over-ear headphones are ideal for people who wear glasses and do not want to use earphones.
Can you wear noise-canceling headphones with glasses?
Yes, you can certainly wear noise-canceling headphones with your glasses. Headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM4 are great for people that wear glasses. Other recommendations include the Sennheiser Urbanite XL and Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO.
Are over-ear headphones better than on-ear?
Over-ear headphones are generally better in terms of audio isolation and active noise cancellation. Over-ear headphones are larger and go around your ears providing a better seal.
On-ear headphones can get uncomfortable fairly quickly and are not ideal for extended use. If you have sensitive ears or need to use headphones for long periods of time then we recommend getting over-ear headphones.
Which of the two is “better” is going to differ depending on the users and their needs.
Summary
Glasses wearers deserve awesome headphones that allow them to work or relax in solitude. Having sore ears from wearing a headphone with excessive clamping force or poor built is a major mood breaker.
Personally, I’ve tried the Sony WH1000MX3 headphone and it is pure bliss in terms of noise cancelling, audio quality and comfort. But if you’re looking for one for gaming, I’ll suggest going to the Razer Kraken.
I hope you’ve found the right fit and put an end to the struggle between glasses and listening comfort.
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About Author
Kenny Lee
An electronics engineer of 10 years turned copywriter. Headphones have been my best companion whether it's coding or writing. It's as much about blocking off distractions and tuning in to great music. Also a passionate pianist.