Need Wired ANC Headphone Recommendations for Noise, Not Music/Gaming

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for a solid pair of wired headphones with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). I feel a bit out of my depth with all the audiophile and gamer-focused reviews, so I'm hoping for some straightforward advice.

My use case is super simple:

· Device: Just my phone and laptop. · Usage: Mostly for work/study, Zoom calls, and watching lecture videos. I am NOT an audiophile, gamer, or music producer. · Main Goal: To cancel out constant environmental noise. My day includes buses, a loud school/common area, and noisy neighbors. I just need a quieter mental space to concentrate.

My key requirement (non-negotiable):

· Hearing Safety: I do not want to damage my ears. I'm worried that with ANC, I might crank the volume to overcome leftover noise. So, I need effective ANC that works well at lower, safer volume levels. Clear voice/microphone quality for calls is a plus but secondary.

What I'm looking for:

· Type: Over-ear (preferred for comfort). · Connection: Wired. I don't want to deal with Bluetooth latency, pairing, or battery anxiety for the headphones themselves. A removable cable is a huge bonus. · Budget: Flexible, but let's say under $250. Value is key.