Make Quiet Bliss a Reality With Our Favorite Noise-Canceling Headphones

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Whether you wear noise-canceling headphones to reduce distractions while working from home, enjoy peace of mind while traveling, or gather your thoughts, they must do their job well. Thankfully, today's market is full of excellent products, so there's never been a more exciting time to upgrade.

Headphones with onboard noise cancellation contain built-in microphones to pick up external rackets. Then, with the help of sophisticated tech and audio processing, they generate a practically inaudible sound with opposing wavelengths to tune out the noise in real-time. Because of that, these kinds of products carry a higher price tag than similar headphones that don't feature noise cancellation.

The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

What to Consider

There are a few specs to consider before zeroing in on the perfect pair of noise-canceling headphones for you:

Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation

The most important thing you need to know is that spending more will inevitably get you a better sound to go with more peace and quiet. While unquestionably pricey, a high-priced set of noise-canceling headphones or earbuds will deliver distraction-free entertainment for a long time after you purchase it.

Immersive spatial audio for lifelike sound and lossless high-fidelity formats are becoming increasingly common, and I suggest you keep an eye out for, especially if you are spending big to upgrade. Compatible content is available on most leading streaming services.

Companion App

We are well into the 2020s, so it's almost imperative that your headphones have a companion app. Available on top-tier models at various price points, these apps usually contain easy-to-access tools for adjusting the sound and noise cancellation, as well as for setting up access to your preferred virtual assistant.

Unless you are looking for a specific set of features (e.g., water-resistant construction), I suggest don't settle for a noise-canceling headset that doesn't have a companion app. And if you are an Apple user shopping for AirPods or Beats, you should know that tweaking the settings of your audio upgrade is baked into Apple iOS — you won't need to look for an app.

Connectivity

Up-to-date wireless connectivity of Bluetooth 5.0 (and higher) is also a significant feature to look for. The futureproof functionality will guarantee you a robust and latency-free connection with the latest smartphones, tablets, and laptops. With remote work being here to stay for many, headphones' call quality is crucial.

Multi-point connectivity — the ability to simultaneously pair to more than one device — is also essential for a new set of noise-canceling headphones. The must-have feature will enable you to take phone calls while streaming music on your laptop. It's a lifesaver, especially for hybrid work.

Battery Life

A good pair of headphones should last at least 20 hours between charges with noise cancellation on. That's the bare minimum, so the more, the better.

How We Tested

I've been testing headphones and earbuds for the past decade; it wasn't long ago when good noise-canceling cans were too expensive for many consumers, but not anymore! These days, you can find a great pair for less than $100. That's why I am constantly putting the latest noise-canceling headphones from today's leading makers through their paces to determine the best worth buying at every price point — from budget-friendly to decadently luxurious.

Before narrowing down my selection of products for testing, I spent quite a bit of time sifting through specs and consulting with industry experts. I test their audio quality and noise cancellation in real-life scenarios.

While testing the headphones — in addition to assessing their audio performance across the entire audible frequency range — I kept close attention to their ability to tune out ambient noise. I always evaluate headphones and earbuds by playing a broad selection of acoustically challenging tracks in various genres on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal to determine their ability to produce bass, treble, and midrange frequencies, with the last bit being a challenge for cheaper models. I also listen to podcasts to see the headphones' ability to deliver voice-dominated content.

I live and work right above two of the streets with the busiest traffic in Midtown Manhattan — a perfect setting for testing the noise-canceling capabilities of headphones and earbuds. Most of the latest cans also have dedicated ambient noise settings to help you become more aware of your surroundings. I test these kinds of features at the office while commuting and during outdoor walks.

Of course, with remote work being a reality for many, I also test the latest products during telephone, FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom calls. Having access to reliable microphones is a must!

Find the pair of noise-canceling headphones that fits your lifestyle best, and enjoy your favorite tunes with fewer distractions.

Note: This article focuses primarily on headphones with on- and over-ear design. We've included our favorite pair of noise-canceling earbuds here, but if you're looking for more earbud options, take a look at this thorough guide.

WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones

Sony’s range-topping WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones are deservedly the product category’s leader and a worthy follow-up to a fantastic product. The over-ear cans perfectly balance sleek design, a lightweight build with top-notch ergonomics, outstanding sound, superb noise cancellation, and dependable battery life. By performing admirably across the board, the WH-1000XM5 headphones were frequently my go-to, even though I wasn’t short on solid alternatives.

Compared to the excellent Sony WH-1000XM4 that precedes it, the sequel brings a more elegant design, slightly better sound (especially while listening to lossless content), stronger noise cancellation, and superior performance during calls.

Available in silver or black, the WH-1000XM5 also impressed me with a fast USB-C charging connector that could provide 3 hours’ worth of playback after only 3 minutes. You can order the premium can in silver, black, or blue with a matching storage case. Every color option and its case rock gold accents — a calling card for top-shelf Sony headphones and earbuds for years.

Reviewed: Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones

Px7 S2 Wireless Headphones

The Px7 S2 wireless headphones by Bowers & Wilkins are the most formidable Sony WH-1000XM5 rival worth your attention, offering a more distinguished design and build that’s a fusion between leather, fabric, and metal, as well as controls with superior tactility at a similar price point. The headphones’ audio quality is exceptional, too, and in the same league as their Sony rival. I spent weeks with both products and thoroughly enjoyed their sound.

That said, the Px7 S2 headphones’ noise cancellation doesn’t quite match the complete silence generated by the WH-1000XM5. Their ambient mode, while plenty reliable, wasn’t on par either. The elaborate app tools for customizing the sound and the ability to deliver a more immersive 360 Reality Audio-enhanced content on Amazon Music and Tidal, among other providers, are two more reasons why audio enthusiasts should consider the Sony product.

You can order the Bowers & Wilking Px7 S2 in black, grey, or blue. The legendary brand offers even more luxurious Px8 headphones with an exterior crafted from metal and genuine leather if you don't mind spending more on your next set. All headphones have a two-year warranty that’s lengthier than their rivals.

Reviewed: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Headphones

Life Q30 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones

Anker’s Soundcore Life Q30 wireless noise-canceling headphones are the best budget-friendly pick by a wide margin. Priced well below $100, the cans offer design, comfort, sound quality, battery life, and onboard features that defy their sticker, though you should note that they can't block ambient noise as proficiently as their pricier rivals.

The Life Q30 headphones also have a companion app packed with tools to customize their sound and noise cancellation and additional features to help you focus or unwind. The last-mentioned made me reach for the Life Q30 over pricier alternatives in my stash by allowing me to create personalized soundscapes by mixing various nature sounds. Combined with the reliable noise cancellation, the functionality was a lifesaver during intense work sessions and long flights.

Another bit I liked about the Q30 headphones is their ability to deliver lossless Hi-Res Audio content in wired mode. The product’s multi-device connectivity is also handy, as I could take phone calls while working on my laptop. You can order the headphones in black, blue, or pink, and their retail package includes a convenient travel case.

Reviewed: Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones

Space Q45 Noise-Canceling Headphones

The Soundcore Space Q45 wireless headphones by Anker are the best under $200 and a great buy for value-seeking upgraders. Starting a penny below $150 before additional deals and discounts, the over-ear cans impressed me with their sleek design, durable build, uncompromising comfort, price-defying sound quality, futureproof connectivity, and amazing battery life.

Unlike most similarly priced rivals, the Space Q45 can deliver audiophile-grade lossless audio over a wired and wireless connection. As always, the Soundcore mobile app has an amazing selection of customization tools, including HearID — a cutting-edge feature that will tailor the sound to your hearing. The headphones’ noise cancellation is also stellar, if not quite on the same level as the silence provided by costlier Bose and Sony rivals.

The Space Q45 are the noise-canceling headphones to get unless you are willing to drop well above $200 on new headphones. The value-packed cans are available in black, white, or blue with a matte finish. Every color option comes with a matching hardshell storage case.

Reviewed: Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless Headphones

QuietComfort 45 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones

A follow-up to a stone-cold classic with a deservedly massive following, the Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless noise-canceling headphones are the comfiest on this list. The cans’ lightweight build, soft and cushy ear pads, well-placed button controls, stellar call quality, and outstanding noise cancellation, as expected from a Bose product, make them a fantastic option for long flights or work sessions. I have frequently relied on the product for such tasks since its 2021 launch.

The QC 45 headphones deliver an incredibly enjoyable, signature Bose sound that, thanks to a welcome firmware update, is customizable via a mobile app. However, you should know that similarly priced rivals offer more comprehensive support for lossless and spatial audio to go with longer battery life.

Bose offers the QC 45 wireless headphones in triple black, white smoke, and midnight blue finishes, with the latter being a limited edition color. The product’s retail package includes a convenient storage case and bundled charging and audio cables.

WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are the best in their class, just like the tech giant’s excellent headphones. A follow-up to a fantastic product that was a favorite of ours, the new iteration delivers incredible sound and noise cancellation you can customize via an app. The high-tech earphones have Sony’s super convenient speak-to-chat functionality, allowing them to pause audio playback and noise cancellation upon detecting your voice.

Compared to the excellent Sony WF-1000XM4, the new iteration brings superior sound and stronger noise cancellation. Best of all, the WF-1000XM5 is smaller and comfier without sacrificing battery life. Believe it or not, the buds’ audio playback can reach 12 hours between charges if you turn off noise cancellation. Having the essential feature on will get you 8 hours’ worth of tunes — more than big-name rivals from Apple and Bose, among others.

Like the previous version, Sony offers the WF-1000XM5 earbuds in black or silver with contrasting gold accents. The earbuds storage case has a matching finish and wireless charging compatibility.

Reviewed: Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds

Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones - Black

The Beats Studio Pro noise-canceling headphones — the long-awaited successor of a legendary product that spent more than half a decade on shelves — are the best for Apple users. Like the brand’s excellent wireless earbuds and all Apple AirPods, the Studio Pro headphones will instantly link to any iPhone, iPad, and Mac that use the same iCloud account. You can also keep tabs on the headphones via the Find My app on your Apple devices.

Once connected, the cans will treat you to an immersive, personalized spatial audio sonic experience with Dolby Atmos content. To create a unique sound profile, you need to scan your face and ears using the TrueDepth camera of your iPhone. Once complete, the process will make the next-level sound available on all your Apple gadgets.

The audio quality and noise cancellation of the Studio Pro headphones are amazing, and given their price tag, I expected nothing less. I applaud Beats by Dre for packing a digital-to-analog converter to make the product capable of delivering lossless audio over a USB-C wired connection. I frequently relied on the feature and enjoyed being able to control the playback and volume directly from the headphones.

You can order the Beats Studio Pro in black, deep brown, navy, and sandstone colors. Don't worry if you don’t have an iPhone. The Studio Pro can also integrate superbly with Android phones.

The luxurious AirPods Max are also a great option for Apple hardware if you don’t mind spending more to upgrade. You’ll get a more distinctive design, better controls, and superior spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. Still, I’d take the Beats for their longer battery life, more reliable storage case, and much lower price.

Fitness Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones

As their name suggests, the Fitness wireless noise-canceling headphones by Raycon are the best for exercising on this list. The cans’ IPX4 rating for water resistance sets them apart from all rivals, allowing them to survive exposure to splashes of water and sweat. The gym-ready headphones also feature swappable ear cushions you can wash after workouts.

The Raycon Fitness headphones’ sound has a trio of modes — pure, balanced, and bass — you can toggle between by long-pressing a button. While testing the cans, their bass mode reliably motivated me during at-home and gym workouts, while the balanced mode was most suitable for everyday listening. The pure mode was the most neutral of the trio.

The headphones’ noise cancellation is adequate but not the best for the money. That’s not a dealbreaker, as the durability and swappable ear cushions are the leading Raycon Fitness selling points. I tip my hat to the ambitious audio maker for including three sets of ear cups in the retail package of the headphones, a pair of which are easy to wash.

Crusher ANC 2 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones

If you love bass, you need the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones. The epically named over-ear cans deliver a sonic experience with a grin-inducing, incredibly entertaining bass that’s adjustable via a rotating knob with excellent tactility. Their low-range production made me chuckle every time I rotated the Crusher control knob upward, with a high setting resulting in a sensory experience that rivals aren’t capable of.

The unique bass experience described above brought a whole new, incredibly fun dimension to music tracks I’m deeply familiar with. It also made streaming action-packed video content and gaming vastly more enjoyable with the headphones on.

Thankfully, turning off the Crusher functionality brought me a “grown-up” sound that’s infinitely customizable, including to match my hearing. The headphones’ noise cancellation works well, too, though it isn’t on par with the serenity produced by pricier rivals.

I like the toned-down design of the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones and their storage case because it masterfully hides their playful nature and functionality. The cans’ compatibility with the immense Tile network of object trackers and onboard platform with support for voice commands are two more reasons to have them on your radar.

Bathys Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones

The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are undeniably expensive but capable of delivering a high-fidelity sonic experience over a wired or Bluetooth connection worth investing in. The cans’ French-made audio drivers presented my go-to testing tracks with even more detail when I put them through their paces. These are the noise-canceling cans to get if you prioritize audio quality over everything else and have a big upgrade budget.

You can customize the headphones’ sound to your liking via a companion app with an elaborate selection of tools. The noise cancellation of the Bathys is also top-notch, but frankly, the sound quality should be the main reason you spend big on these headphones.

In a manner befitting their hefty price tag, the Focal Bathys headphones also have a striking design with a built-in light into each earcup and a decidedly luxurious build. The materials used in their making include aluminum, magnesium, and leather, ensuring the interactions with your headphones are as memorable as their sound. Every pair of Focal Bathys headphones comes bundled with a stylish storage case.

Reviewed: Focal Bathys Wireless Headphones

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