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The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Our pick
These over-ear headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation in a comfortable, lightweight design thats traveler friendlybut they carry a high price.
The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is the best set of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones that Bose currently offers. This pair is worth the investment for the frequent traveler who puts a premium on performance and comfort, and we recommend the 700 over newer, pricier Bose offerings for as long as it is still available.
These headphones can provide the superior noise cancellation that Bose has been known for, but the level of the active noise cancellation (ANC) is adjustable on a scale from 0 to 10, enabling you to find the amount that works best for you.
This pair also has a lightweight design that is comfortable to wear for hours, and features an easy-to-use combination of touch controls and physical buttons that you can access without looking. Plus, you can use the headphones in wired mode with the ANC engaged if, for example, you want to access an in-flight entertainment system. They fold flat for easy storage in the supplied case, too.
The Bose 700 isnt entirely without flaws, however: The sound quality is good but not as crisp as that of our favorite everyday audiophile headphones, the app can be vexing, and the battery life isnt the longest weve seenthough at 20 hours, itll still get you through a very long flight.
Our pick
This pair of wireless earbuds sounds fantastic and cancels noise better than any others weve tested. However, people with very small ears might struggle to keep them securely in place.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are small but powerful. This pair combines excellent active noise cancellation and passive isolation to better suppress all the sounds around younot just the low-frequency ones. The sound quality is fantastic right out of the box, and you can customize it further in the Sony app. The eight hours of battery life (with ANC enabled) will get you through a long day of listening.
If you want to hear your surroundings, simply hold a finger to the left earbud, and the hear-through mode (sometimes called awareness or transparency mode) kicks in. Or, an optional feature automatically enables hear-through when you speakhandy for people who frequently have their hands occupied. The large, touch-based controls handle the full suite of music playback, call answering, and digital-assistant activation, and they arent as prone to misfires and missed taps as the controls on other earbuds weve tested.
The XM5 is loaded with helpful features, including Alexa and Google voice activation, dual-device connectivity, noise-reducing microphones, and even the ability to accept or reject calls with a nod or shake of your head.
The earbuds are quite small. Sony includes four sizes of tips, but this pair may still prove challenging to keep in place for folks with small ears or who are very active. And the unique foam and silicone tips can make your ears feel full, a sensation some people may find uncomfortable. Additionally, as with all true wireless earbuds, you cant use these in wired mode, so youll need a Bluetooth transmitter to use this pair with certain in-flight entertainment systems that require a cable connection.
Budget pick
This pair of over-ear headphones cancels noise impressively, sounds great, is comfortable to wear, and has a long battery lifeall for less than $100.
If you want a surprisingly great pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones for around $100, we recommend the Soundcore Space One. In our tests, the active noise cancellation was nearly as effective as that of the Bose 700, and the level is adjustable. The sound, while not as refined as that of the Bose 700, is nonetheless enjoyable to listen to and can be customized to your preference in the Soundcore app. The chassis is lightweight and comfortable to wear, with full controls.
Dual-device connectivity is supported, and a hear-through mode can be activated by the press of a button or automatically when you speak. The 40-hour battery life with ANC on (55 hours with it off) means you may only have to charge this pair once a week or less.
The Space One comes with a cable so you can use it in wired mode on a flight or when you run out of powerbut note that the ANC and microphone do not work if youre out of battery. Luckily, the quick-charge feature will give you four hours of listening after just five minutes plugged in.
While this set has three noise-reducing microphones, we found that voices can sound compressed and somewhat distant to callersespecially when compared with more expensive headphones.
Budget pick
This wireless pair of earbuds offers excellent noise cancellation, great sound, long battery life, and lots of extra features. But the touch controls are slightly limited.
Our top pick for the best wireless earbuds, the Soundcore Space A40 pair is also a great option if you want a more affordable pair of noise-cancelling earbuds. Though this sets active noise cancellation isnt as broad or effective as what you can get from the Sony WF-1000XM5, it still ranked near the top in our tests.
The sound quality is enjoyable right out of the box, but if its not your ideal, you have multiple ways to fine-tune the sound using the Soundcore app. The small, lightweight earbuds should fit most ears comfortably, and 10 hours of battery life per charge is impressive. The tiny charging case holds an additional 40 hours worth of power and supports wireless charging.
Six microphones deliver clear phone calls, and the pairs dual-device connectivity allows you to effortlessly switch between listening to music on your laptop, for example, and taking a call on your phone.
The touch-based controls work reliably and are customizable in the app, but they dont offer everything: You have to choose one function, such as track reverse, to omit. As with all true wireless earbuds, you cant use these with a cable, so youll need a Bluetooth transmitter to for use with some in-flight entertainment systems.
The best noise cancelling headphones 2024, chosen by experts for all budgets
BEST NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: QUICK MENU
The best noise cancelling headphones will upgrade your listening experience, delivering immersive audio in a range of environments no matter if it's a noisy commute or a busy, fast-paced office. Who wouldn't like a lovely sonic buffer between their ears and the world?
We've tested hundreds of noise cancelling headphones, rating their sound quality, ANC, battery life, comfort and extra features against value for money. Our list below features only the best based on our testing, but take note that it's all proper headphones; we have a separate guide to the best noise cancelling earbuds if that's what you want.
If you want new headphones for a specific purpose, you'll also find noise cancelling devices in our best workout headphones or best travel headphones guides. Whatever your budget, preferred style or desired features may be, we've picked out the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy right now.
Written byWritten byBecky Scarrott
Senior Staff Writer, AudioI've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. I've test noise cancelling headphones of all stripes in all kinds of conditions, from trains to offices to planes.
March 28, 2024Added a new 'Also consider' section covering recently reviewed products that haven't made it into this list, explaining why.
The quick list
Want to cut to the chase and find out which noise cancelling headphones are the best? Below, youll find a roundup of our choices. You can also jump to a more detailed review of every pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.
The best noise cancelling headphones for most people
Unbeatable on sound quality, design and value, the WH-1000XM4s are the perfect all-rounder and have seamless ANC that keeps you locked in a sonic world.Read more below
The best cheap noise cancelling headphones
At this price point, it's hard to believe that 1More's Sonoflow deliver such convincing ANC but these over-ears really do the trick if you're not looking to spend a lot.
Read more below
3. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
The best premium noise cancelling headphones
Don't mind spending a bit extra to get the best? These offer the best noise-stopping power we've ever heard, with phenomenal sound quality and a high-quality build as a bonus.
Read more below
The best mid-range noise cancelling headphones
These are satisfying, high-quality headphones for the price. The sound balance is excellent, they've got good smart features, and solid noise cancellation.
Read more below
5. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
The best noise cancelling headphonesfor battery
There's nothing that will take you out of your sonic oasis quicker than a flat battery. These high-end cans are bliss, with smart control options, ANC and class leading sound that lasts.
Read more below
The best noise cancelling headphones for Sony fans
The WH-1000XM5 are Sony's flagship cans, and offer the company's best ANC and sound. They're great, but beaten by rivals in some key areas.
Read more below
Load the next 4 products...
The best Apple noise cancelling headphones
These offer extremely strong active noise cancellation, along with elite connectivity and features for iPhone owners, as well as wonderful spatial audio. Just at a high price.
Read more below
The best noise cancelling headphones for sound
For audiophiles who don't want to skimp on sound quality but also want convincing ANC from a pair of wireless headphones, the Focal Bathys are a top choice for sophisticated audio.
Read more below
The best-looking noise cancelling headphones
Every single part of these headphones has been designed and made with precision and care. They not only look great with aluminum detailing and Nappa leather, but sound incredible.
Read more below
10. Sennheiser Accentum Plus
The best pick for a tighter fit
Sennheiser's February 2024-issue affordable headphones boast some flagship features and excellent noise cancellation for the money especially if your head's on the small side
Read more below
The best noise-cancelling headphones 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure youre buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best noise cancelling headphones in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best noise cancelling headphones overall
Best noise cancelling headphones for most people
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 253g
Frequency response: 4Hz to 40kHz
Drivers: 1.57-inch dome type
Battery life: 30 hours
Reasons to buy
+Improved noise cancellation
+DSEE Extreme audio upscaling
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones deliver strong noise cancellation and rich sound quality in a lightweight, comfortable design.Although these are an older model now superseded by the Sony WH-1000XM5 a price cut means that they're still our top pick because they're regularly available for such a good price. They're still packed with great features including multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness ,and auto-play/pause they're all the noise-cancelling headphone we think most people will need.
In every department, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are a superb pair of wireless noise cancelling headphones. They can be beaten in any particular category, but not in every category at the same price. They deliver all-round satisfaction, and most importantly they offer there are no complaints about the sound. In our tests we listened to Janelle Monaes absolute banger Make Me Feel. It sounded supremely powerful on the WH-1000XM4 headphones, from the bop of the percussion to the wall of sound that accompanies the pre-chorus.
On top of all this, the Sony WH-1000XM4 support Sonys 360 Reality Audio format that enables spatial audio, plus the LDAC codec that can support CD-quality audio from compatible phones. It's a shame there's no aptX support, and you'll get far better audio quality and battery life from the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless at #5 in this list while the Sony WH-1000XM5 and newer Bose headphones (see #3 on this list) beat it for sound quality. But those are generally all notably more expensive than this model, especially during sales events, where these are always available for bargain prices.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM4 review
The best budget noise cancelling headphones
Best cheap noise cancelling headphones
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 250g
Frequency response: 2.400GHz - 2.4835GHz
Drivers: 40mm
Battery life: 50 hours (ANC on)
Reasons to buy
+Incredibly comfortable
+Good ANC and sound
Reasons to avoid
-Design is a bit boring
-Controls could be more intuitive
The 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones prove that you can get great ANC for well under $100/100, which is why they're our top pick if you're on a budget but still want to experience immersive sound and drown out the world while you're at it. The 1More app is easy-to-use but sparse when it comes to features. But you can turn ANC on and off and there's an EQ with presets. The 1More Sonoflow headphones boast a huge 70 hours of battery life with ANC off and a still amazing 50 hours with ANC on a five minute charge can also deliver more than 4.5 hours of extra listening.
These arent the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy, but for the price youre getting a great experience and we think most people would be impressed by how well they perform.Sound isn't high-end, but during our testing we were impressed with the powerful bass and detailed, crisp highs on offer here thanks to the Sonoflows dual 40mm drivers.Theres support forSonys LDAC higher-res audio format too, but you need a device that supports it as well as audio that offers a hi-res bit rate.
These headphones have a simple design, quality hinges and theres a matte-like finish to the plastic casing. The cups themselves are adjustable and are made from a super soft memory foam, which were comfortable to wear and lightweight at only 250g. You'll find buttons on the earcups. It's a shame you can't control them but if you like physical buttons over capacitive on-ear touch controls you're in luck.
The 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones are great value for money. We highly rated the battery life and comfort levels. They feel more high-end than they should, which is thanks to their matt finish, sturdy case and minimal design. You'll find better ANC and sound but, crucially, not for this price.
Read our full 1More Sonoflow review
The best premium noise cancelling headphones
Best noise cancelling headphones for ultimate noise-stopping at a premium price
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 250g
Frequency response: No listed
Drivers: 35mm
Battery life: 30 hours
Reasons to buy
+Best-in-class noise cancellation
+Astounding audio quality
Reasons to avoid
-Limited hi-res audio support
-Low battery life
If you're looking for simply the best active noise cancellation you can get, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones offer it. And not only that, it's combined with easily Bose's best sound quality to date, which we called "electrifying" in our full review. These are not cheap headphones (though they're much less expensive than the Focal and Bowers & Wilkins options in this list), but as our review also says "from the moment you start using them, they feel worth every penny."
We tested them in as many different noisy environments as we could manage, ranging from international flights, to local buses, to walking around a busy city, to in the TechRadar office and at home. In all cases, they stamp down on sound more effectively than anything else we've used to date if what you want is silence and focus, we cannot recommend these strongly enough. One thing we will say, though, is that the cheaper Bose QuietComfort Headphones are basically as good for this element.
However, as we've already said, the music quality is just fantastic in these headphones, even with noise cancellation turned on a clear cut above the sound from Bose's other headphones, or Sony's offerings. Our review said that they "deliver some of the most alive, exciting, textured, finely resolved, deeply engaging music I've ever heard from a pair of wireless headphones."
There are two somewhat disappointing aspects to them, though: the 24-hour battery life is below average (you get 30 hours pretty typically, including from Sony's headphones, while you get 60 hours from the Sennheiser at #5 on this list); and they only support Snapdragon Sound for higher-quality audio. There's no regular aptX or LDAC support, and there's no USB-C audio input for fully Hi-Res Audio, which you get from the Sennheisers and Focal in this list.
If these don't sound like dealbreakers, then know that the Bose Ultra really live up to their name.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review
The best mid-range noise cancelling headphones
The best mid-range noise cancelling headphones
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 192g
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Drivers: 30mm
Battery life: 35 hours (ANC on)
Reasons to buy
+Solid noise cancellation
+Great music balance and detail
Reasons to avoid
-No higher-res support
-Not the most expansive sound
The Sony WH-CH720N strike a great balance between price and performance, bringing active noise cancellation that absolutely reduces outside noise significantly so you can hear your music (or podcast, or whatever) more distinctly, while also giving you Sony's usual excellently balanced sound.
Okay, for around half the price of the Sony WH-1000XM4 at #1 in our list, you're obviously losing some quality they're not miracle workers. The active noise cancellation leaks in notably more sound in the low end (which is generally where it's most effective) as well as higher-end noises, so it's more that it reduces the volume of outside sounds than really creates that bubble of silence. On a plane, we found that we had to turn the volume up to 60% to hear soft conversation in a movie but at least we could hear it at all. And in a less harsh circumstance than trying to watch a movie on a plane, we found that it definitely means you don't have to turn the volume up as loud when walking in the traffic of a city, for example.
Similarly, the sound quality has less rich bass and layered mids and treble than the WH-1000XM4, but as mentioned before, it's extremely well tuned for the dynamic range it has, so your music really sounds as it should. It has absolutely no problems with detail, serving up plenty of sharpness and clarity when needed. It just feels a little boxed in compared to the broader soundstage of more expensive headphones.
There's no support for LDAC here, which some mid-range competitors do have (or they offer aptX instead), but there's multipoint Bluetooth for easy switching between two devices, and a 3.5mm jack for wired audio when needed. These are also very light, and so are generally very comfortable to wear for long periods.
Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review
The best noise cancelling headphones for battery life
The best noise cancelling headphones for a looooong battery life
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 293g
Frequency response: 6Hz to 22kHz
Drivers: 42mm
Battery life: 60 hours
Reasons to buy
+Great ANC power
+Incredible battery life even with ANC
Reasons to avoid
-A little plain aesthetically
-Non-folding design
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are quite the package. They have an incredible battery life, a likeable app, an extensive feature set, easy on-ear controls, beautifully full and enjoyable sound, and talented noise cancellation that adapts to your surroundings.
We found the design to be a bit boring. Sennheiser has ditched its slightly quirky anchored aluminum headband for a more business-like black plastic and fabric aesthetic. Some may enjoy the simplicity, but we like a little flash. Still, as soon as we put them on and heard them, design choices didn't matter any more.
In our review, we said "whatever genre we throw at the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, we find ourselves remarking at the open, detailed, expansive, neutral and crisp performance." Truly great headphones make you hear music anew, and we found that the Sennheisers do this regularly compared to other premium headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5. As our review said, "we notice inflections other headphones simply cannot unearth" within tracks.
We also praised the active noise cancellation it's a little better than the Sony WH-1000XM4 at the top of this list, though not quite as good as the Sony WH-1000XM5, and definitely not at the level of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones at #3 on the list.
And the battery life is also a huge boon to these headphones, doubling what you get from Sony's cans a whopping 60 hours with noise cancellation on. When you also throw in the customizable noise cancellation and EQ that can change based on location, multipoint pairing, aptX high-quality wireless streaming, and USB-C audio for truly Hi-Res Audio support, they are, as we said, quite the package. They're usually a chunk more expensive than the Sony WH-1000XM4, though, which is why we think most people will still prefer the value of that model.
Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review
The best noise cancelling headphones for Sony fans
The best noise cancelling headphones for serious Sony fans
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 249g
Frequency response: 20Hz to 40kHz
Drivers: 30mm
Battery life: 30 hours
Reasons to buy
+Excellent noise cancellation
+Great sound and features
Reasons to avoid
-Sound less impressive than Sennheiser
-Not that big a jump over WH-1000XM4
These are Sony's best noise-cancelling headphones without question, if price is no object. Their noise cancellation is better than the Sony WF-1000XM4 at the top of this list, as is their sound quality. But they're also significantly more expensive, and their upgrades over the older model aren't huge, which is why we still think that the XM4 are the better-value buy for most people.
But the Sony WH-1000XM5 are definitely superb headphones, make no mistake. They have a premium build (though they don't fold up any more, unlike the XM4, which is a bit of shame), with a "spacious and capable" soundstage (as described in our review), and noise cancellation that we called "very impressive" at stopping higher-end sounds compared to the XM4.
The difficult thing for the Sony WH-1000XM5 is that we think the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless offer a step up in sound quality at the same kind of price, while also delivering double the battery life, the same kind of smart features, and USB-C Hi-Res Audio support as a bonus, and have nearly as good noise cancellation (though Sony's is slightly better). But if active noise cancellation is your priority, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are even better (for a higher price, though), and again are a step up in music quality.
We've included them in this list because there are plenty of Sony headphones lovers who want to know where the company's best headphones are in the rankings and we do think they're excellent headphones by any measure. It's just that they're beaten on value by the XM4, on sound quality and features by the Sennheisers, and on noise-stopping power by the Bose Ultra.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review
The best noise cancelling headphones for Apple fans
Great noise cancelling headphones for those deep in the Apple system
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 350g
Frequency response: N/A
Drivers: 40mm dynamic
Battery life: 20 hours
Reasons to buy
+Brilliant extra features for iOS
+Great noise cancellation
Reasons to avoid
-No 3.5mm audio port
-Limited features for Android
The Apple AirPods Max come with active noise cancellation, superb audio quality, and a striking design that makes them instantly recognizable, and that feels immensely high-quality. During our testing, we were truly impressed by these headphones, but they were never ideal for everyone, and more recently have been undermined by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones but there are still good reasons to choose the AirPods Max.
Their sound is immensely expansive, natural and rich, and they offer easily the most impressive spatial audio 3D sound support of any headphones when used with an Apple device. Watching a Dolby Atmos movies with these headphones in feels stunningly close to sitting in speaker system rather than sandwiched between two headphones drivers, with the sound removed from your ears and convincingly placed in the room around you, all aligned to the screen you're watching on. And music, whether in Dolby Atmos or not, is layered, meticulously clear, crisply defined, and effortless. The active noise cancellation is high-end too.
However, their high-price hasn't aged well in 2014. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones sound at least as good, with even better noise cancellation, and are cheaper, lighter and more portable. The AirPods' lack of Hi-Res Audio option, or even a real 3.5mm jack, also grates in an era when Apple Music does such high-quality sound.
But their Apple-specific features mean they're still commendable for those with lots of the company's devices. Aside from the spatial audio sound, they auto-switch between any number of devices, they have Find My support, they can share audio with other AirPods, and you can personalize the sound. For Android users, they're not worth it.
Read our full Apple AirPods Max review
The best noise cancelling headphones for sound
The best noise cancelling headphones for audiophiles
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 350g
Frequency response: 15Hz to 22kHz
Drivers: 40mm
Battery life: 30 hours
Reasons to buy
+Very comfortable (and easy on the eye)
+Excellent hi-res whistles and bells
Reasons to avoid
-On-ear controls are hit-and-miss
-No LDAC support
The Focal Bathys over-ear headphones are a top pair of wireless over-ear headphones that sound fantastic when used wirelessly, but listen in wired USB-C DAC mode for 24bit/192kHz decoding and you'll get truly exceptional sound, which is why they're our top pick for audiophiles.
There's a five-band EQ, which includes presets or can be tweaked manually. We'd have expected a little more battery life, but 30 hours does beat some of the top rivals on this list, including the Bose NCH 700.
Listen to the Focal Bathys via USB-C wired DAC mode for glorious hi-res audio. But wireless is good too, bringing detail, refinement, expanse and clarity to your favorite tracks. They really are a delight for sound quality, although the active noise cancellation isn't the best of the bunch, which is why they're not higher on this list. Having said that, they do block out some sounds, they just don't wrap you in a cocoon of silence like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones do in particular.
If you want clear, extra detailed audio and the option for wired listening, they're definitely worth the high price tag. If you've come to this guide because noise cancellation is your focus, the Bose Ultra at #3 on the list are probably the better mix of ANC power and sound quality.
Read our full Focal Bathys review
The best noise cancelling headphones for design
The best noise cancelling headphones for luxe and modern design
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 320g
Frequency response: TBC
Drivers: 40mm
Battery life: 30 hours
Reasons to buy
+Agile, detailed, class-leading sound
+Classy build and finish
Reasons to avoid
-Battery life has been beaten
-Expensive
Bowers & Wilkins knows how to achieve premium audio quality, and its flagship wireless headphones are proof of that. Yes, the ANC is OK rather than wonderful, which is why they're this far down this article but noise nixing does feature, and it helps you to actually hear the sound quality over the din around you. And what sound quality we said in our review that these cans boast "oodles of detail, agility and expanse" that you rarely get from wireless headphones. It's exceptional and well worth the extra money, especially combined with their especially cool design over their (also luxe, just slightly less sleek) Focal Bathys rival.
They marry subtlety and flair in a way that few over-ear headphones have managed, with shimmering diamond-cut metal details contrasting with a luxe Nappa leather headband. It's not just style over function either, as the drivers inside the chunky ear cups have been angled to sit parallel to your ears (rather than parallel to the outside of the earcups) for the seamless timing and precise sound that makes them so enjoyable to listen to. In both the audio and looks department, they're pushing the envelope, but don't go too far super-desirable.
But the price makes them niche, no question, especially when as mentioned above the noise cancellation is weaker than some headphones half their price, and is far behind what the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones offer. But oh, none of those headsets has such a satisfying look and feel.
Read our full Bowers & Wilkins PX8 review
Best for smaller heads
Best for smaller heads
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 277g
Frequency response: 10Hz - 22kHz
Drivers: 37mm
Battery life: 50 hours
Reasons to buy
+Big, assertive sound
+Great battery life
+Well-made and comfortable
Reasons to avoid
-A fractionally blunt listen
-The fit wont suit every head
Sennheiser's February 2024-issue over-ears sit nicely between the company's entry-level Accentum and flagship Momentum 4 Wireless listed above and if you're stuck trying to decide which to get, allow us to tell you that sonically and for active noise cancellation, these represent excellent value for money.
That said, while the build is classy and expertly finished, these are hardly 'look at me!' headphones and if you're spending step-up money, you may have wanted a step up in terms of aesthetics.
What you do get is aptX compatibility, a whopping 50 hours of battery life (which is masses of stamina for ANC cans) and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening. Considering we loved their more expensive siblings, this is very very good news.
Any issues? Well, that depends. Some of us often struggle to find over-ears that don't fall off or head down to the back of our crown at their earliest convenience. That won't happen here in fact, if your skull is on the smaller side you will love these. Larger headed? You may find the clamping force just a little heavy here.
Read our full Sennheiser Accentum Plus review
Other noise cancelling headphones to consider
We recently tested the Edifier W820NB Plus, which are affordable and very well-featured, but having managed to edge out the cheaper options on this list. They offer multiple noise-cancellation modes, which is rare at this kind of price, and we found them to be pretty effective at blocking noise but with sound quality we described as "lackluster" in our full Edifier W820NB Plus review, we just don't like them more than the options already in this list.
We also recently reviewed the Sennheiser Accentum Plus, which you'll now find in this list though the reason they're not higher in the list is that the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (#5 in this list) have had such good price cuts that even though they're a little more expensive, they're well worth the upgrade. However, the Accentum Plus did stand out to us for their comfort for people with smaller heads, which not all of these advanced and often chunky headphones manage.
We took a look at the Final Audio UX2000 this year, which are rather plain and functional headphones that impressed us overall with their function of "substance over style" as we said in the review. They're light, they're foldable for travelling, and the soundstage is nice and wide, while the noise cancellation is "surprisingly good" according to our full Final Audio UX2000 review. But with their lack of smarter features beyond sound and ANC, and their lack of style, we just about prefer the Sony WH-CH720N at #4 in this list. But we think you should absolutely consider the Final Audio UX2000 if you're looking at something to be a travel companion, thanks to that light, folding design.
How to choose the best noise cancelling headphones
Design is hugely important, as a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones need to be comfortable for long listening sessions look out for padded earcups and headbands in materials like memory foam for ultimate comfort.
Padded earcups also help with passive noise cancellation in other words, they physically block sound from entering your ears. This works in tandem with active noise cancellation, with the best noise-cancelling headphones using a combination of the two methods to get rid of outside noise.
Not a fan of over-ear headphones? Our guide above is dedicated to headphones only; cups that sit over or on your ears with a band connecting them that fits over your head. But you can find true wireless earbuds with effective noise cancellation built-in, take a look at our best noise-cancelling earbuds guide instead.
As with any pair of headphones, the sound quality needs to be good, even if your focus is blocking out the world around you. How you define good sound quality depends on your personal taste. Do you like a warm, well-rounded sound, or do you prefer ultra high-fidelity audio that allows you to hear every single detail of your music? Are you a dedicated bass head or a classical music junkie?
Think about what works best for you so you know what to look for. With so many different noise-cancelling headphones out there, the choice can feel overwhelming if you don't know what's most important to you.
What is noise cancellation?
Noise-cancelling headphones use analogue and electronic methods to block out the environmental sound around you, allowing you to listen to your music in peace without distraction. Most noise-cancelling headphones make use of the following two approaches:
Passive noise cancellation: this is when the headphones physically block outside sound from reaching your ears, and this can be achieved in a number of ways. Noise-cancelling over-ear headphones typically have heavily padded earcups to achieve this, while in-ear headphones need to fit snugly in your ear to create a tight seal, stopping environmental sounds from entering.
Active noise cancellation: this method uses inbuilt microphones to analyze environmental noise and create 'anti-noise' frequencies that are mixed in with your music playback. This effectively cancels out the sound of your surroundings using analogue or digital filters.
Is it worth buying noise cancelling headphones?
Much like with any purchase, it depends on how important noise-cancellation is for you. For most people, when wearing headphones, you want to be able to hear what you're listening to and not be distracted by environmental sounds.
While turning up the volume may help a little, a true pair of noise-cancelling headphones are able to filter out unwanted sounds more effectively without reducing the quality of the music or podcast you're listening to.
You'll be surprised how soon you become accustomed to noise-cancellation headphones and enjoying the relative silence away from the world.
How we test the best noise cancelling headphones
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We've tested every pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones on this list and to include them here, we were looking for each product to excel at a number of things.
The first, of course, is effective noise-cancellation. We tested for headphones that were able to block out sound effectively, no matter whether you're on a daily commute or simply taking a walk. We also looked at additional features like multiple noise cancellation modes or how well their transparency mode worked.
Audio performance was a key consideration too. Good noise cancellation should never have to mean poor sound quality and we made sure to check thoroughly until we were satisfied that each pair of headphones here offer clear and powerful sound, irrespective of the deployment of ANC.
From there, we looked at Bluetooth connectivity. We tested for stable and reliable connections. After all, there's nothing worse than losing a track just as it reaches the good bit.
Next up, we wanted to ensure the headphones were designed with comfort and style in mind. We tested how comfortable they were for long periods of time and assessed their looks, too, from minimal to suitably stylish, while appreciating that everyone has different taste.
We also considered additional features, such as voice assistant integration and app support. Not all of the headphones in this list have perks such as these, but it's nice to know which extras you can pick up, regardless of your budget.
Talking of budget, we also considered whether the noise-cancelling headphones in this list were good value for money. That doesn't mean we only looked at budget headphones far from it but we wanted to make sure that each pair offered something that made their price worthwhile.
Our ultimate goal is to make sure you buy a set of noise cancelling headphones you'll be over the moon with. We want them to furnish you with good quality music, free of extraneous noise, for years to come.
Latest updates to the best noise cancelling headphones
March 28, 2024Added a new 'Also consider' section covering recently reviewed products that haven't made it into this list, explaining why.
March 4, 2024Added the Sennheiser Accentum Plus as the best option for a tighter fit (or smaller heads).
January 30, 2024Added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones as the best premium option, and removed the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 given current prices and availability.
January 2, 2024Updated the information in the guide for 2024.
November 20, 2023Checked all entries against latest reviews, and added information about Black Friday deals.
October 13, 2023Added a new quick menu to make it easier to see the list at a glance and introduced other formatting elements such as a navigation bar and a new lead image.
