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Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
20
items The headphones that actually block out an open office or a loud flight — ranked on ANC quality, comfort for long wear, and whether the call mic sounds decent.
The best ANC I've tried, full stop. I've worn these through a 14-hour flight and they're still the most comfortable set on this list.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling
Bose's ANC has a smoother, more natural sound signature than Sony's, and the Immersive Audio mode is a genuinely fun party trick for music.
Shop Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The transparency mode is the most natural-sounding I've used, and they double as a great pair of regular headphones when I'm not gaming or on calls.
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
The soundstage on these is noticeably wider than most closed-back headphones, and the auto-pause-when-you-remove-them feature is a small touch I didn't know I needed.
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
B&W's audio tuning has a warmth and detail that punches above its price, and the build quality (aluminum arms, real leather) feels like it'll outlast most competitors.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Over-Ear Bluetooth
JBL packed in a ton of features here (spatial sound, wireless charging case for the headphones themselves) and the ANC holds up well against brands twice the price.
JBL Tour One M2 | Wireless over-ear Noise Cancelling headphones
The seamless switching between my iPhone and Mac is what sold me, and they're noticeably more comfortable for long sessions than the older Beats Studio models.
Beats Studio Pro - Premium Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
The TrueCinema mode for TV audio is a genuinely clever use case if you already have a Sonos soundbar, and build quality feels every bit as premium as the price suggests.
Sonos Ace: Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Noise Cancellation
The best value pick on this list by far — 98% of the ANC quality of headphones twice the price, plus an insane 40+ hour battery life.
Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 ANC Headphones
My pick for a budget-friendly backup pair — light on the head, surprisingly good ANC for the price, and the 35-hour battery means I almost never think about charging them.
Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless
The QC Ultra's noise cancellation is the best I've tested for blocking out open office chatter, and the Immersive Audio mode adds a surprising amount of depth for music. Battery life is solid too, easily getting me through a full flight plus a workda...
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
If you're all-in on the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Max seamless device switching between iPhone and Mac is genuinely a killer feature for a hybrid work day. They're heavier than most on this list, but the build quality and sound stage make up for i...
Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser's sound signature on the Momentum 4 is the warmest and most detailed of any pair I own, and the battery life is absurd, I get almost a full week of commuting on one charge. The touch controls take some getting used to but everything else i...
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
The Jabra Elite 85h are older now but I still keep them as a backup pair since they're rated for water resistance and the app lets you fine-tune the ANC intensity, which most competitors don't offer. Great value if you find them on sale.
Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Headphones
JBL's app lets you customize the EQ curve and adjust ANC levels on the fly, which I appreciate for switching between focus work and commuting. The call quality with the 4-mic beamforming setup is also noticeably better than most in this price range.
JBL Tour One M2 Headphones
The Soundcore Life Q30 is my recommendation whenever someone asks for a budget ANC pair that doesn't feel cheap. The hybrid noise cancellation with multiple presets is impressive at this price, and I've had mine for two years without any issues.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Headphones
The Marshall Monitor III looks and feels like a proper piece of audio gear, not just another black plastic slab, and the sound signature leans warm with punchy bass that suits rock and hip hop especially well. A nice option if you want your headphone...
Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Wireless Headphones
If you're a bass head, the Skullcandy Crusher's adjustable sensory bass slider is genuinely unique, you can dial in as much low-end rumble as you want. Not the most neutral sound signature, but if you listen to a lot of hip hop or electronic music th...
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Wireless Headphones
Edifier isn't a name most people associate with ANC headphones, but the WH950NB punches way above its price point, LDAC support, hi-res audio, and genuinely effective noise cancellation for a fraction of what Sony or Bose charges. Great sleeper pick.
Edifier WH950NB Wireless Headphones
Cleer is a smaller brand but the Alpha's spatial audio and customizable EQ through their app rival much bigger names. Comfortable enough for all-day wear and the battery easily lasts a full week of commuting for me.
Cleer Alpha Active Noise Cancelling Headphones