Noise cancelling headphones are becoming more and more popular, as they offer a way to reduce the amount of noise you hear in your environment. Some of the best noise cancelling headphones on the market right now are those that use active noise cancellation technology. Active noise cancellation technology is a type of sound reduction that uses microphones to cancel out background noise, so you can listen to your music or watch a movie without any distractions. Active noise cancellation headphones are perfect for people who want to watch a movie or listen to music without any distractions. They also work great for people who want to listen to their music or watch a movie without any background noise. Some of the best active noise cancelling headphones on the market right now are those from Sony, Beats by Dre, and Samsung. Each company has its own unique features and benefits that make their products stand out from the rest. Sony’s active noise cancelling headphones have been known for their quality and durability, while Beats by Dre’s ear cups are made from durable materials that will last long periods of time. Samsung’s active noise cancelling headphones offer an impressive range of features and options, including different types of ear cups and sound isolation technologies that will help you enjoy your music or movie even when there is no one around you. So if you’re looking for an amazing set of active noise cancelling headphones that will help reduce the amount of background noise in your environment, then look no further than these three companies’ products.
Are you listening to classical, jazz, or another type of music with plenty of nuances and dynamic range? If so, you’ll want a pair of headphones that can capture that range. Are you mainly listening to podcasts and audiobooks? If that’s the case, overall sound quality isn’t as big an issue for you, so you might prioritize other features.
Next comes the actual noise cancellation. While all of the headphones we’ll look at here feature noise cancellation, some are better at it than others. Depending on how much time you spend in noisy environments, it may be worth spending more for better noise cancellation. On the flip side, if you just need to filter out some noise at home or in the office, you can save a bit of money with a product with serviceable noise cancellation.
Another major consideration is the form factor. Over-ear and in-ear headphones (more commonly known as earbuds) have their own benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we’re mainly focusing on over-ear headphones, so don’t forget to check out our list of the best earbuds if you’re leaning more toward in-ears.
Battery life is another important element to keep in mind. If you’re mainly listening at home where a charger is always handy, you don’t necessarily need the same battery life as if you’re always on the go.
Similarly, a microphone is a must-have feature for some, while others will never use it. If you plan to use your headphones for calls, you’ll want to make sure that they do indeed have a built-in mic, as they won’t do you much good otherwise.
Once you’ve figured out what you need in your noise-cancelling headphones, check our recommendations for the best below.
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Overall: Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has been ahead of the game when it comes to noise-cancelling headphones, repeatedly topping its own previous best efforts with each new iteration of its flagship headphones. With the Sony WH-1000XM5, the company has extended its previous lead even further.
✓ Noise cancellation is some of the best you’ll find anywhere✓ Comfortable to wear all day✓ Excellent sound quality✓ 30 hour maximum battery life
✗ Touch controls aren’t for everyone
Noise cancellation seems to have reached a plateau in recent years, with offerings from Bose, Apple, and others offering relatively similar performance levels. The XM5s take noise cancellation even further, using an eight-mic array controlled by two processors to push those would-be distractions even further into the background.
Sony’s previous flagship noise-cancelling over-ear headphones offered an impressive claimed 30 hours of playback time. This model doesn’t extend that maximum playback time, but it does match it. That said, a three-minute charge will give you three hours’ worth of battery.
While the look of Sony’s beloved line has taken a step forward with the latest model, the controls have mostly stayed unchanged. If you’re a fan of capacitive touch controls, you’ll find them well-implemented. Still, if you’re the type that prefers physical buttons, you’ll like the XM5 about as well as the XM4.
Unique features of the XM4 have made their way to the XM5, like Speak to Chat. This feature automatically disables noise cancellation when you start talking, making it an alternative to more traditional Transparency modes, and it’s better than ever in the XM5.
You get two color options with the Sony WH-1000XM5—black and an off-white option named Silver.
Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones: Philips SHP9600
If you’re always listening to music, a good set of noise-isolating headphones can be just as useful as a set of noise-cancelling headphones. The Philips SHP9600 is a great example of this.
✓ Wide sound signature✓ Good noise isolation✓ Soft earpads are very comfortable
✗ Technically these are noise isolating, not noise canceling✗ Anyone nearby may hear what you’re listening to
Unlike active noise cancellation, noise isolation doesn’t require mics or processing. Instead, it just provides an amount of passive isolation between your ears and the world around you. These headphones don’t do much when they’re not plugged in but start listening to a song and everything else melts away.
Sure, this won’t drown out a crying baby on a plane, but if you’re looking to block out a distracting conversation nearby, these headphones are perfect. As a bonus, because you’re not paying for noise cancellation, the extra money you do pay is going more toward the overall audio quality of the headphones.
One issue to mention is that these are open-back headphones. For the listener, that means a wider soundstage and a better overall stereo image. However, that also means everyone nearby can hear what you’re listening to, albeit quietly. If you’re in a normally quiet environment, these headphones may not be the best.
If you’re looking for an affordable set of headphones with a focus on sound quality, go for the Philips SHP9600, but remember they’re noise isolating, not noise-cancelling.
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100: 1MORE SonoFlow
If you’re looking for noise-cancelling headphones for less than $100, you’ve got countless options, but they’re not all great. The 1MORE SonoFlow not only offer solid noise cancellation, but also some great features that help them stand out from the pack.
✓ Great sound quality for the price✓ Up to 70 hours of battery life✓ Fast charging capable of five hours playback from a five-minute charge✓ Wired mode for battery-free listening
✗ Noise cancellation isn’t on par with more expensive headphones✗ Call quality isn’t the best
While most noise-cancelling headphones in this price range stick to the basic Bluetooth codecs—SBC for most devices and AAC for Apple devices—the SonoFlows add another option. With support for Sony’s LDAC codec, certain Android phones and other devices can stream audio with higher fidelity.
Regarding sound quality, 1MORE enlisted Grammy-winning engineer Luca Bignardi to tune the headphones’ sound signature. They sound great alone, but you can also use the 1MORE Music app (for iPhone and iPad and Android) you can access 12 EQ presets to fine-tune the sound.
The SonoFlow have good noise cancellation for the price, particularly when it comes to higher frequencies, but lower frequencies like trucks can make it through at times. They also have a Transparency mode, letting you hear what’s happening around you when walking or in public.
Battery life is one of the most impressive aspects of the SonoFlow. With ANC engaged, you can get up to 50 hours of playback. Turn off the noise cancellation, and you can get up to 70 hours. On the rare occasion your battery runs out, you can plug them in and use them like standard wired headphones.
When it comes time to charge up, a simple five-minute charge can get you up to five hours of listening time.
Best Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
With its latest bid to reclaim the noise-cancelling crown, Bose might not have dethroned Sony, but they might be getting close. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 might well be the most feature-packed set of headphones from the brand to date.
✓ 11 different types of noise cancellation✓ Adaptive mic is great for frequent calls✓ Easy to use touch controls
✗ Bose QC45 have longer battery life
Instead of a “one size fits all” style of noise cancellation, Bose opted to use 11 different types of noise cancellation in the 700, meaning you can tailor it to what you’re listening to. Various modes favor music, podcasts, videos, or calls, letting you choose precisely what works best for you.
Bose advertises the 700s as a home office system in a box, letting you effortlessly switch between listening to music and taking calls. To that end, the company focused on the voice communication aspect. The adaptive mic system aims to make sure that your voice is heard, regardless of where you might be at a given time.
Bose claims a maximum playback time of up to 20 hours, which is more than enough if you’re regularly charging the headphones overnight. Keep in mind that listening at higher volumes will reduce that battery life, so you may not get that much out of these headphones.
While the Bose QC45s might be newer, the addition of Bluetooth 5.1 and four more hours of battery life isn’t a major upgrade, and you end up missing out on the touch controls. If you really need the additional battery life, though, the QC45s are also a good replacement.
Best Wired Noise Cancelling Headphones: Sony MDRZX110NC
Wired noise-cancelling headphones are getting difficult to find as more and more are cutting the cord to go fully wireless. That said, if you need a wired set of noise-cancelling headphones, the Sony MDRZX110NC are a great option that is also super affordable.
✓ Lightweight and easy to carry foldable design✓ Full sound considering the 30mm drivers✓ Good noise cancellation for the price✓ 80 hour battery life
✗ Sony admits the noise cancellation is more effective in lower frequencies✗ Short cable may need an extension
The drivers in the headphones are on the smaller side at 30mm. That said, Sony quotes a frequency response of 12-22,000 Hz, meaning that bass won’t suffer from the smaller driver size. The midrange and highs are just as well represented.
If you’re looking to drown out the background noise on a flight or subway ride, the Sony MDRZX110NC should do an admirable job. You’ll hear some noise around you, but it won’t be overpowering the way it would without the headphones on. Because the headphones fold, it’s easy to find space in your bag to keep them with you at all times.
These are clearly meant to plug into your phone or another nearby device, as the cable is just under four feet long. This will work fine for your phone or laptop, but you may need an extension cable if you want to plug these into your stereo and kick back.
Best In-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones: Sony WF-1000XM4/B
The model numbers can be a little confusing here, but we’re not talking about our best overall pick. The Sony WF-1000XM4/B have the same noise cancellation technology and similar features, but unlike their larger sibling, these are a set of earbuds, not over-ear cans.
✓ Noise cancellation is nearly as good as their larger sibling✓ Excellent overall sound quality✓ Comfortable despite somewhat larger size✓ Great call quality
✗ Fit is an important factor in how well noise cancellation works
These are true wireless in-ear earbuds, so you don’t need to worry about a cable dangling around your neck. They’re somewhat larger than Apple AirPods, for example, but still small enough that you’re not going to feel the weight of them while you’re wearing them.
If call quality is paramount to you, this could be the best entry on this list for you. Not only does Sony’s beam-forming microphone zero in on your voice, but it also uses bone conduction to get a clear signal of what you’re saying, even in noisier environments.
The noise cancellation is slightly less effective than the larger siblings, but that is only because of the smaller size of the drivers. If you compare the Sony WF-1000XM4/B to other similar models of in-ears in their price range, the noise cancellation is still tough to beat.
Considering the smaller overall size, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the battery life is lower than its over-ear counterpart. That said, it offers eight hours of playback on a single charge, and Sony says the charging case adds up to 16 hours to that time.
