That $200 'noise cancelling' headset was a total bust in coworking spaces

I finally caved and bought those fancy over-ear headphones everyone raves about for remote work. Spent like $200 on a pair that claimed to cancel all background noise. First day at a coworking spot in Chiang Mai, and I could still hear every single keyboard click and phone call. It blocked out the hum of the AC, but human voices? Nope. I ended up returning them and grabbed a $50 pair of foam earplugs and a white noise app instead. Has anyone else found a decent setup for quiet in busy cafés without breaking the bank?

2 comments

2 Comments

williams.amy4d ago

And the foam plug trick works EVEN better if you layer noise-cancelling earbuds underneath them. I do that with my cheap Anker buds, and it kills 95% of coffee shop chatter. Also pro tip: sit with your back to the wall so no one walks behind you talking. That alone cut my distractions by like half.

andrew_kelly5d ago

Lol $200 for headphones that can't handle Karen on her Zoom call is peak 2023. The white noise app + foam plugs combo is honestly the pro move, cafes are just noise chambers with better lighting.