Noise suppression vs noise cancellation
People use "noise suppression" and "noise cancellation" to mean almost the same thing, but there is a useful distinction. Getting it right helps you pick the correct fix for noisy calls.
The quick definitions
- Noise cancellation classically refers to hardware that cancels sound using opposing sound waves, like the active noise cancellation in headphones. It reduces the noise you hear.
- Noise suppression usually refers to software that removes unwanted sound from a microphone signal. It reduces the noise you send on a call.
In everyday use the terms overlap, and software tools often call their microphone cleaning "noise cancellation" too. What matters is which direction is being cleaned.
Which one do you need for calls?
For meetings, the problem is almost always what your microphone sends, so you want software noise suppression on your mic. If you also want quieter listening, add noise-cancelling headphones. The two are complementary.
The strongest tools do both directions: they suppress the noise from your microphone and clean the incoming audio, so a noisy person on the other end stops derailing the call. That bidirectional approach is what Krisp is built around. See our guide to removing background noise and the Krisp review.
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FAQ
In casual use, mostly yes. Strictly, noise cancellation often refers to hardware that reduces what you hear, while noise suppression refers to software that cleans what your microphone sends. Many software tools use the two terms interchangeably.
Software noise suppression on your microphone removes the noise you send. For the noise you hear, noise-cancelling headphones help. Bidirectional tools clean both sides.
Related guides
- All how-to guides: the full library.
- Remove background noise: how to do it in practice.
- What is Krisp?: the full feature overview.
- Is Krisp worth it?: our full verdict.