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There are too many loud, irritating, and obnoxious noises to list, but we all have at least a few that drive us insane—car alarms, shrieking babies, needlessly barking dogs, and the rest. For me, the worst noise in the world is someone blasting their terrible music from their phone’s tinny speakers on the subway—seriously, if you do this, I pray you get slowly disemboweled with a pointy root vegetable. To block out all that racket, I’ve compiled a list of the best noise-canceling headphones available.
When looking for the best noise-canceling headphones, you'll want to take into account several features to get the most appropriate technology for your budget.
First and foremost among the features to look for in noise-canceling headphones is their ability to block out unwanted sounds. “The noise processing capability will determine the quality and strength of the noise reduction,” says Amy Sarow, AuD, lead audiologist for Soundly. “This determines the effectiveness of the headphones in blocking out ambient noise, essential for creating private soundscapes in noisy environments.”
Obviously, if you’re investing in high-end headphones, you also want to make sure they sound fantastic. “The headphones should deliver clear, balanced, and immersive sound for an optimal listening experience,” says Dr. Sarow. “Additionally, as many headphones today are wireless, Bluetooth strength or codec support is crucial for a stable and high-quality wireless connection.”
“Battery life is another factor that adds to convenience, as headphones with extended battery life are particularly beneficial for long commutes or travel,” says Dr. Sarow. Certainly, you won’t be happy if your headphones die with just three pages left in your audiobook.
Even amazing-sounding headphones aren’t going to work out in the long run if they’re overly heavy, tight, or feel uncomfortable against your ears.
Since noise-canceling headphones can get expensive, I’m starting my list with a pick for a more reasonably priced pair. Jeff Mendez of El Jefe Reviews recommends the Soundcore Space Q45, saying that, “Soundcore has become a force in the audio community over the past several years—their wireless headphones have seen multiple iterations and the Space Q45 are the culmination of these efforts.” He adds that with their strong active noise cancellation, HearID personalized sound (which creates an ideal sound profile based on your hearing), Hi-Res Audio certification, and exceptional battery life, they’re the best option for under $200.
An inexpensive but feature-stuffed pair of headphones with great battery life.
Best budget noise-canceling headphones
buy on Soundcore
amazon
$149.99
These earbuds, also from Soundcore, come recommended by Ruth Reisman, AuD MBA CCC-A, founder and co-owner of Urban Hearing and full-time doctoral lecturer at the City University of New York. “I used these myself and found them to be a great budget find,” she says. “They have reliable active noise cancellation in a compact earbud design.” With a 4.4 out of 5 rating on Amazon from over 29,000 reviews, it’s clear most people agree.
A compact, powerful, and affordable set of earbuds with great active noise cancellation.
These are exceptionally well-regarded headphones (they currently have an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon from nearly 12,000 reviews and also made our list of the best wireless headphones) and both Dr. Reisman and Mendez are fans. “The Sony WH-1000XM5 boasts some of the strongest active noise cancellation on the market, effectively blocking out ambient noise for an immersive listening experience,” says Mendez. “Their seamless connectivity and exceptional call quality make them a top contender for everyday use.”
A respected, well-reviewed pair of headphones with top of the line noise cancellation.
Best wireless noise-canceling headphones
amazon
$399.99
$328.00
While few people these days use wired noise-canceling headphones on the go, they’re still the best option for those seeking world-class sound at home or at work. Dr. Reisman’s pick is Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50X, which she praises for their studio-quality sound and passive noise isolation. They also feature 90-degree swiveling ear cups, professional-grade ear pads and headband, and detachable cables, making them super user-friendly.
Studio-quality wired headphones at an extremely reasonable price.
Best wired noise-canceling headphones
amazon
$169.99
“If you need the strongest active noise-canceling earbuds on the market in 2024 and price is no concern, then the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are your number one choice,” says Mendez. “They’re perfect for travelers, commuters, or anyone who needs to be completely isolated from distracting sounds.” With almost universally positive reviews from both the tech press and consumers, these are seriously worth trying out.
A pricey but well designed pair of earbuds with top of the line active noise cancellation.
Best wireless noise-canceling earbuds
BOSE
$299.00
$249.00
amazon
$299.00
$249.00
Sadly, most cheap headphones are going to sound and feel exactly that—cheap. There are worthwhile buys under $100, though, and Mendez believes that 1MORE’s SonoFlow is the best of them. “1MORE has been known in the audio world to make some amazing products at affordable prices and these are no exception,” he says. He adds that, since they feature 1MORE's QuietMax™ technology (a proprietary active noise-cancellation improvement), LDAC support for Hi-Res audio over Bluetooth, and up to 70 hours of playback time, “These are a steal for their low price!”
An inexpensive pair of headphones with exceptional battery life.
For some weird reason, flying in a pressurized cabin full of people sitting on top of two 8,000-pound jet engines tends to be a somewhat noisy experience, so headphones that efficiently filter out those sounds are a huge plus when flying. “If you need the very best active noise cancellation for a flight, look no further,” says Mendez of Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones. “Bose designed this product from the ground up for this exact use case—I tested these on a recent flight to Texas and the active noise-canceling strength was outstanding.”
An admittedly expensive pair of headphones, but with truly world-class active noise cancellation, ideal for blocking out the unwanted sounds of a plane ride.
Best noise-canceling headphones for airplane use
BOSE
$429.00
$379.00
amazon
$429.00
$379.00
This will likely not come as a surprise, but both Dr. Reisman and Mendez opt for the AirPods Max when asked about their preferred Apple option. Dr. Reisman cites the premium design, seamless connectivity, and impressive noise cancellation, while Mendez says that, “Apple AirPods Max are still my top choice for Apple users—their seamless connectivity with iPhone, iPad, and Mac make them my top recommendation for people living in the Apple Ecosystem.” Shopping tip: Apple AirPods Max also made our list of the best headphones on the market.
Despite an arguably too-high price tag, those looking for the best noise-canceling Apple headphones should look no further.
Best noise-canceling headphones for Apple users
buy on Apple
amazon
$549.00
$479.99
As well as being comfortable and featuring an impressive 60-hour battery life, these over-ear headphones from Sennheiser offer well-balanced sound and, through its companion Smart Control app, the ability to further tweak the sound to your liking. The active noise cancellation works especially well at blocking out wind noises and the lower frequencies associated with traveling on planes or other vehicles.
A respected, well-reviewed set of headphones that will pair well with Android phones for crystal-clear sound
Best noise canceling headphones for Android users
buy on Sennheiser
amazon
$379.95
$299.93
In terms of headphones that are really taking advantage of all the new tech available, Dr. Reisman suggests checking out the Px7 S2 from Bowers & Wilkins. Upgraded from the already award-winning Px7, Dr. Reisman praises their high-end audio quality, premium build, and advanced noise-canceling technology.
A stylish, premium-looking set of headphones with excellent audio quality.
Most upgraded noise-canceling headphones
Bowers Wilkins
$399.00
amazon
$384.49
All of my picks came from a panel of audio experts and headphone enthusiasts, who considered performance, features, sound quality, design, and value when making their selections. I also checked that all of my entries had strongly positive customer reviews.
If you found this list helpful, be sure to also look at our guides for the best headphones and the best wireless earbuds.
“It's generally worth investing in noise-canceling headphones for enhanced focus and immersive audio experiences,” says Dr. Reisman.
Dr. Sarow agrees, adding that, “With standard headphones, the intrusion of background noise often necessitates increasing the volume, which can lead to potential hearing damage over time. Noise-canceling headphones eliminate this issue by neutralizing ambient noise, allowing you to enjoy your audio at a safer, lower volume.”
Dr. Sarow advises that it’s safe, so long as you take precautions regarding headphone volume and hygiene. Headphone volume, she says, should be kept at a safe level (ideally 80 dB or less) to prevent potential hearing damage.
“Additionally, regular cleaning of the headphones is essential for maintaining hygiene,” she says. “As they're likely to be worn for extended periods during sleep, headphones can accumulate sweat, oils, and bacteria, which could potentially lead to ear infections. Regular cleaning can prevent this and prolong the lifespan of your headphones. It's always important to prioritize health and hygiene when using any wearable technology, including noise-canceling headphones.”
To learn more, read our guide on the best headphones for sleeping.
Both earbuds and headphones can be effective for noise canceling, according to Dr. Sarow, but she notes that headphones often have an advantage in terms of passive noise cancellation due to their over-the-ear design. “This doesn't mean earbuds are ineffective, however,” she says. “They can also provide excellent noise cancellation, provided they have a snug fit that successfully blocks out surrounding noise. The best choice ultimately depends on personal comfort, usage scenario, and preference.” Learn more in our explainer on earbuds vs headphones.
“Noise cancellation technology does not block all noise entirely,” says Dr. Sarow. “It primarily consists of two components: Active noise cancellation (ANC) and passive noise cancellation. ANC is particularly effective at reducing low-frequency sounds such as the rumbling of an airplane or road noise. However, it tends to be less effective against high-frequency sounds like whistling or wind noise. Additionally, loud, sudden noises will not be completely muffled. This is due to the fact that ANC works by sampling the environment and producing a 'counter-sound' to the external noise, a process that is less effective for sudden, impulsive noises.”
“On the other hand, passive noise cancellation relies on the physical properties of the headphones (such as the ear cup design and materials used) to block out noise,” she continues. “The combination of both technologies provides a strong noise reduction solution, but it's important to note that no headphones can entirely block out all external noise.”
Shopping for a new set of headphones can be a daunting task, given the wide array of styles, types, and prices. But it doesn't have to be—and we're here to help. If you can answer these five questions, you'll be well on your way to finding a set of headphones, earphones, or earbuds that should provide years of sonic enjoyment.
Before hitting the list below, here are a few things to consider. One is that there are great headphones for nearly every budget, so don't give up on good sound because you think you can't afford it. But also remember that you might not need a pricier set of 'phones that can reveal every ounce of detail if you're mainly listening to compressed mp3s or less-than-pristine YouTube videos.
Also, the model you choose has to be comfortable, especially if you tend to wear your headphones for extended periods of time. That may lead you to choose one type instead of another. For example, I personally can't wear in-ear earphones for more than 15 or 20 minutes without them becoming excruciatingly painful, so even my portables are on-ear models. You may decide to own several sets of headphones, depending on whether you're listening at home or on the go. My go-to cans at home are large, over-the-ear models that are really too large to lug around.
Finally, for many of us headphones have become as much a fashion item as a piece of audio gear. That's fine, but you don't have to sacrifice decent sound for an eye-catching design, though you're likely to pay a bit more cash for the extra flash.
Enough said. Here's our list of questions that should help narrow down your choices.
1. Will you be using the headphones primarily with a phone or tablet? If so, then pay attention to the headphone's sensitivity and the controls built into the inline remote control. Sensitivity is a measure of how much power it takes to drive the headphones to satisfying volume levels. Since most portable devices have much less power than a home A/V receiver, you should look for a model with at least medium sensitivity, although a model with medium-high or high sensitivity will alleviate most concerns. If you want to use the headphones to receive and disconnect phone calls, make sure the headphone's inline remote control has a built-in microphone and buttons that let you answer and disconnect calls without having to dig your phone out of a pocket, bag, or knapsack. You may also want to consider a wireless model that can connect to your phone via Bluetooth rather than a wire.
2. Will you be using them in a noisy environment? Then you'll probably want a model that can either block out some external noise, or one with active noise cancellation. Most in-ear earphones, which are jammed into the ear canal, and closed, over-ear headphones (sometimes called circumaural headphones) do a decent job of blocking out external sounds. Models with active noise cancellation use tiny microphones that capture the frequencies of incoming noise, and use battery-powered electronic circuitry to create out-of-phase frequencies to "cancel" the noise. Our headphone Ratings for noise-canceling models include a rating for sound quality and noise reduction.
3. Will you be using them while working out or engaging in active sports? If you will, you'll need earphones or earbuds that will stay in place during vigorous motion. Some models have special eartips or bands that provide a secure, snug fit, and more models now have water- and sweat-resistant materials or coatings that repel moisture and allow them to be washed after strenuous workouts.