Whether you seek focused productivity at work or wish to immerse yourself in preferred playlists and audiobooks undisturbed, noise-canceling headphones have the power to transform your experience. The dynamic blocking of ambient noises permits total absorption in your chosen media. With so many great options available at various price points today, reviewing the top noise-canceling headphones and deciding which are best for your needs and budget is worthwhile.
How we picked and tested
To develop this list, we relied on our comprehensive reviews database. We consider design, sound quality, noise canceling, battery life, features, and value to determine the best contenders.
This guide focuses on Bluetooth models, which allow hands-free use untethered from your phone. We evaluated over-ear and in-ear styles but didn’t consider wired or bone-conduction options. We also concentrated on headphones priced between $50-$500 to balance quality with affordability.
We tested for sound quality by critically listening to high-resolution audio tracks across genres and evaluating balance and clarity. We measured noise cancellation using a GRAS simulator rig. We check fit, comfort, controls, and call quality by wearing each pair extensively. We also assess battery tests, app support, and extras. Our experts then debated the findings to reach a consensus.
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones
A quality set of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference for those navigating daily commutes or enduring long-haul flights. External sounds have an irritating tendency to permeate an otherwise captivating listening experience, so muting ambient disruption is paramount for a single-minded focus on music, podcasts, or audiobooks.
Sound quality, battery endurance, fit and comfort, connectivity options, and hardy design will also be weighed. Continue reading to discover the perfect sound-silencing headphones tailored to your needs and budget.
- Price: $328.00
- Available Colors: Black, Midnight Blue, Silver
- Item Weight: 8.82 ounces
- Dimensions: 8.85 x 3.03 x 10.36 inches
- Noise Canceling Feature: Industry-leading Digital Noise Cancellation with Auto Noise Canceling Optimizer
- Connectivity Feature: Bluetooth
- Battery Life: Up to 30 hours with quick charging (3 minutes for 3 hours of playback)
- User Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars, 12,678 ratings
- Price: $79.99
- Available Colors: Black, Blue, Pink
- Item Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 7.68 x 7.09 x 3.07 inches
- Noise Canceling Feature: Hybrid Active Noise Canceling with Multiple Modes (Transport, Outdoor, Indoor)
- Connectivity Feature: Wireless, Bluetooth, Multipoint Connection, NFC Pairing
- Battery Life: Up to 40 hours in noise-canceling mode, 60 hours in standard mode, 4 hours of playtime with just 5 minutes of charging
- User Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 65,054 ratings
The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 offers a top-notch noise-canceling experience without breaking the bank. Featuring advanced hybrid active noise cancellation technology, these headphones can filter out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound. They come equipped with three customizable noise cancellation modes—Transport, Outdoor, and Indoor—to cater to different listening environments. This ensures you can enjoy your music uninterrupted, regardless of your surroundings.
Besides their exceptional noise-canceling capabilities, the Life Q30 headphones boast Hi-Res sound quality, thanks to 40mm drivers and flexible silk diaphragms that reproduce deep bass and crisp treble extending up to 40kHz. They promise up to 40 hours of playtime in noise cancellation mode and even more in standard mode, with a quick charge option that provides 4 hours of listening from just a 5-minute charge. Designed with comfort in mind, these headphones feature ultra-soft protein leather earcups with memory foam padding and a lightweight build, ensuring they can be worn comfortably for extended periods. The inclusion of a multipoint connection allows you to seamlessly switch between two Bluetooth devices, making them perfect for multitasking.
- Price: $699.00
- Available Colors: Black/Gray
- Item Weight: 1.19 kilograms (2.61 pounds)
- Dimensions: 9.45 x 8.46 x 3.35 inches
- Noise Canceling Feature: Active Noise Canceling with Silent/Soft modes and Transparency mode
- Connectivity Feature: Wireless (Bluetooth 5.1 Multipoint), Wired (3.5mm jack, USB-C)
- Battery Life: Over 30 hours with fast charging (5 extra hours in just 15 minutes)
- User Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 stars, 225 ratings
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The Focal Bathys headphones represent the pinnacle of French audio engineering, seamlessly combining luxurious design with state-of-the-art technology to deliver an unmatched listening experience. Known for their exquisite craftsmanship, these headphones are constructed with aluminum-magnesium for sound purity, durability, and lightweight comfort. Including real leather and microfiber ensures the headband remains supremely comfortable and stylish.
Featuring patented “M”-dome speaker drivers made in France, the Bathys bring your music to life by revealing intricate details and nuances with unparalleled clarity. With active noise cancellation technology, users can choose between full immersion without external disturbances or the transparency mode to remain aware of their surroundings. The headphones offer limitless connectivity, including Bluetooth 5.1 with Multipoint, a 3.5mm jack, and USB-C, supporting various codecs such as SBC, AAC, Apt-X, and Apt-X Adaptive. With over 30 hours of battery life and a fast-charging feature that provides 5 additional hours of playback in just 15 minutes, the Focal Bathys are designed for audiophiles seeking both luxury and performance in their wireless listening experience.
- Price: $479.99
- Available Colors: Green, Pink, Silver, Sky Blue, Space Gray
- Item Weight: 13.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 6.64 x 3.28 x 7.37 inches
- Noise Canceling Feature: Active Noise Canceling with Transparency Mode
- Connectivity Feature: Wireless and Wired
- Battery Life: Up to 20 hours with Active Noise Cancellation, Personalized Spatial Audio, or Transparency mode enabled
- User Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars, 14,638 ratings
The AirPods Max from Apple is a testament to the fusion of elegant design and technological innovation, offering an unparalleled audio experience tailored for the Apple ecosystem enthusiast. Featuring an Apple-designed dynamic driver and computational audio powered by the Apple H1 chip, these headphones deliver high-fidelity audio with breathtaking quality. The active noise cancellation feature ensures an immersive listening environment by blocking external noise, while the transparency mode lets you stay connected with your surroundings.
Personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking tailors the sound to your unique ear shape, placing audio all around you for an immersive Dolby Atmos experience. The acoustic-first design, featuring a knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions, ensures a comfortable and snug fit for extended listening sessions. The intuitive pairing with Apple devices and automatic switching between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac offers a seamless listening experience. The AirPods Max redefines wireless listening with up to 20 hours of battery life and precision controls via the Digital Crown. It includes a smart case that puts the headphones in an ultra-low-power state and ensures that they are always ready when you are.
- Price: $107.98 (Bundle Price)
- Item Weight: Not specified
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Noise Canceling Feature: Multi-Mode Active Noise Canceling for Life P3 Earbuds; Up to 90% Ambient Noise Reduction for Life Q20 Headphones
- Connectivity Feature: Wireless
- Battery Life: Up to 35 hours of playtime for Life P3 Earbuds; Up to 60 hours of playtime (40 hours with ANC) for Life Q20 Headphones
- User Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars, 4 ratings
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The Soundcore Life P3 Earbuds, part of an exceptional bundle with the Life Q20 Noise Canceling Headphones, offer a high-quality noise-canceling experience tailored for any environment. The Life P3 Earbuds feature multi-mode active noise canceling to adapt to your surroundings, ensuring an immersive audio experience free from distractions. With thumping bass produced by custom 11mm composite drivers and the option to activate BassUp mode via the app, these earbuds deliver a powerful, bass-intensified sound.
The Life Q20 Headphones complement the earbuds by reducing low and mid-frequency ambient noises by up to 90%, thanks to their active noise-canceling technology. They promise Hi-Res Audio and a bass that’s 100% stronger with BassUp technology, offering up to 40 hours of playtime on a single charge. The bundle provides 35 hours of playtime for the Life P3 Earbuds, ensuring a long-lasting listening experience.
- Price: $248.00
- Available Colors: Black, Blue, Silver
- Item Weight: 9 ounces
- Dimensions: 7.27 x 3.03 x 9.94 inches
- Noise Canceling Feature: Industry-leading Digital Noise Cancellation with Dual Noise Sensor technology
- Connectivity Feature: Bluetooth 5.0
- Battery Life: Up to 30 hours with quick charging (10 min charge for 5 hours of playback)
- User Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars, 55,033 ratings
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The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones remain a top choice in wireless noise-canceling headphones despite the emergence of newer models. With a remarkable reduction in price, these headphones offer an unbeatable combination of Sony’s acclaimed noise-cancellation technology and exceptional sound quality. The Dual Noise Sensor technology and the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1 ensure you can enjoy your music in any environment without disturbances.
These headphones are engineered to deliver a next-level music experience, thanks to Edge-AI, co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo, enhancing the quality of compressed digital music files. The WH-1000XM4 also boasts up to 30 hours of battery life, ensuring long-lasting performance alongside the convenience of quick charging. With intuitive touch sensor controls, Speak-to-Chat technology that automatically reduces volume during conversations and seamless multiple-device pairing, these headphones are designed for superior comfort, call quality, and ease of use. Whether for travel, work, or leisure, the Sony WH-1000XM4 offers an unmatched listening experience, making them a fantastic purchase at their reduced rate.
- Price: $499.00
- Available Colors: Gunmetal/ Black Leather, Black Metal/ Black Leather/ Red, Black/Gray Alcantara/Black Metal, Light Gray/Yellow Alcantara/Silver Metal
- Item Weight: 245 grams (8.6 ounces)
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.6 x 3.54 inches
- Noise Canceling Feature: Dual Mode Active Noise-Canceling technology for clear, expansive sound in any environment
- Connectivity Feature: Bluetooth with 3X industry average range of 20+ meters/65+ feet
- Battery Life: Up to 24 hours, with fast charging (12 hours in 15 minutes)
- User Ratings: 4.0 out of 5 stars, 463 ratings
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Master & Dynamic’s MW65 wireless headphones merge luxury with cutting-edge technology, offering an exceptional auditory experience. Known for their meticulous attention to detail and premium materials, the MW65 features lightweight anodized aluminum and fine leather, ensuring both durability and superior comfort. These over-ear headphones come equipped with dual-mode active noise-canceling technology, allowing users to immerse themselves in rich, warm sound free from external distractions.
The MW65 boasts an impressive Bluetooth range, extending over 20 meters (65+ feet), significantly surpassing industry averages. This extended range, with up to 24 hours of battery life and rapid charging capabilities, ensures these headphones are always ready for your next adventure. Custom 40mm Beryllium drivers deliver Master & Dynamic’s signature sound quality, balancing bass, mids, and highs for a crisp, superior audio experience across all genres of music.
- Price: $299.00 (White Smoke), $329.00 (Black)
- Available Colors: White Smoke, Black
- Item Weight: 0.44 kilograms (15.5 ounces)
- Dimensions: Cable Length: 354.33 Inches
- Noise Canceling Feature: Active Noise Canceling with Quiet and Aware Modes
- Connectivity Feature: Bluetooth, with a range of up to 9 m (30 feet)\
- Battery Life: Up to 22 hours, with a quick 15-minute charge offering 3 hours of playback
- User Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars, 21,067 ratings
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones deliver an impeccable noise-canceling experience tailored for both avid travelers and music enthusiasts alike. These headphones stand out with their advanced noise cancellation technology, which uses precise microphones to neutralize external noise, effectively ensuring an undisturbed listening experience. The QuietComfort 45 offers two listening modes: Quiet Mode for complete noise cancellation and Aware Mode to blend your music with the environment, allowing for situational awareness without sacrificing audio quality.
With Bose’s TriPort acoustic architecture and volume-optimized Active EQ, the sound quality is rich and balanced across all volume levels, providing a high-fidelity audio experience that highlights deep bass and clear highs. The headphones boast up to 22 hours of battery life on a single charge, complemented by fast charging capabilities that provide 3 hours of playtime with just a 15-minute charge. Additionally, the Bose SimpleSync technology enhances user experience by connecting the QuietComfort 45 headphones with select Bose smart soundbars for a personalized TV listening experience without compromising the audio in the room.
- Price: $299.00
- Available Colors: Black, Glacier, Graphite, Gray
- Item Weight: 10.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 9.88 x 9.61 x 2.8 inches
- Noise Canceling
- Feature: 13 levels of adjustable noise cancellation
- Connectivity Feature: Wireless
- Battery Life: Up to 20 hours of music listening and 15 hours of voice calling on Microsoft Teams, with a quick charge offering almost an hour of music with just a 5-minute charge
- User Ratings: 4.2 out of 5 stars, 1,260 ratings
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The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2, available in an array of sophisticated colors including Black, Glacier, Graphite, and Gray, are engineered for the discerning professional who values both aesthetics and performance. These over-ear headphones provide an exquisite listening experience through spectacular Omnisonic sound, enveloping you in your preferred audio entertainment with clarity and depth. With up to 20 hours of battery life, these headphones are designed to keep pace with your demanding lifestyle, ensuring you’re always powered for work or relaxation.
Featuring 13 levels of adjustable noise cancellation, the Surface Headphones 2 allow you to tailor your listening environment, from fully immersive audio experiences to a balanced awareness of your surroundings. Intuitive touch controls offer seamless tracks, calls, and digital assistance management without reaching for your device. Including discreet beamforming microphones enhance call quality, making your voice sound clear and natural during calls or while using voice dictation in Microsoft Office applications.
Price: $99.99
Available Colors: Black
Item Weight: 0.24 kilograms (8.4 ounces)
Dimensions: 6.1 x 2.6 x 7.6 inches
Noise Canceling Feature: Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity Feature: Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and AptX Low Latency codec support, also offers a wired connection
Battery Life: 30-hour battery life with USB-C fast charging
User Ratings: 4.0 out of 5 stars, 5,859 ratings
Sennheiser’s HD 450BT headphones offer an exemplary balance of high-quality audio, innovative noise cancellation, and seamless connectivity. Engineered with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, these headphones ensure a stable and reliable connection, supporting AAC and AptX Low Latency codecs to deliver sound quality as flawless as wired headphones. The Active Noise Cancellation feature allows you to immerse yourself in your music without external interruptions, making it perfect for travel, work, or leisure.
Designed for extended listening sessions, the HD 450BT boasts a remarkable 30-hour battery life complemented by USB-C fast charging, ensuring your headphones are ready when you are. Intuitive onboard controls and a dedicated Virtual Assistant button for Siri and Google Assistant enhance usability, making it easier to switch tracks, adjust volume, and get assistance without reaching for your device.
Personalization is at your fingertips with the Sennheiser App, which offers an equalizer, Podcast Mode for enhanced speech intelligibility, and firmware updates to keep your headphones performing at their best. With a legacy of over 75 years, Sennheiser remains committed to superior sound quality.
Conclusion
While noise-canceling technology continues to improve in headphones, it’s clear that the top performers among our testing have had active noise cancellation mastered for years now. However, manufacturers are finding new ways to enhance sound quality, call performance, battery life, and earbud/headphone fit while maintaining world-class noise reduction.
If your priority is noise cancellation alone, you can choose options like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Apple AirPods Max. But if you value superior sound quality, the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Focal Bathys make compelling audiophile choices, too.
Those seeking the best value should pay attention to the Sony WF-C700N earbuds or Anker Soundcore Space Q45 headphones.
Whichever noise-canceling headphones you select based on your specific needs and budget, rest assured they will become your trusted audio companions.
By blocking distracting ambient noise, they let your focus remain undisturbed on your screen, book, or the scenery outside the window. Happy listening!
FAQ
Do noise-canceling headphones block all sound?
No, noise-canceling technology could be better. Active noise-canceling works best on low-frequency constant sounds like jet engines and traffic. It’s less effective against unpredictable high-frequency sounds like voices or car horns. No headphones can block 100% of all noise—the goal is to help you focus by reducing distraction as much as possible.
Should I get wireless or wired noise-canceling headphones?
Wireless is more convenient but can be more expensive and worry-inducing if battery life is below average. Wired models often have better sound and are cheaper, but you miss out on untethered use. For commuting or travel, wireless is usually preferable. Otherwise, go for what fits your budget and needs.
Is noise-canceling worth it or a gimmick?
Reducing noise around you can make listening to music, movies, or podcasts far more enjoyable and help you focus. When done well, noise canceling provides real benefits that outweigh any perceived downsides. For frequent travelers especially, it’s a game-changer. For most, canceling ambient sound elevates the overall experience rather than distracting it.
Does noise-canceling drain the battery quickly?
Yes, powering active noise canceling does reduce battery life to varying degrees depending on the model. Wireless headphones tend to see 1-3 hours less battery when ANC is enabled. Over-ear models usually last up to 30+ hours with noise canceling on. Runtimes can vary, too, based on other factors like volume levels. Charging the case or switching to wired mode are good options if the battery gets low with ANC on.
Should I get in-ear or over-ear noise-canceling headphones?
Both have pros and cons depending on your needs. Over-ear headphones usually provide the most effective ANC but are bulkier to carry. In-ear buds tend to fit more discreetly and passively block more sound entering your ear canal, but ANC performance can be slightly less effective. Comfort and fit are personal, so try both styles to see which suits you and your activities best.
