The 5 Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones - Spring 2024 Reviews

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are the best budget noise cancelling headphones we've tested. Anker dominates the low-to-budget price bracket thanks to their high-powered noise cancelling headphones. These over-ears deliver outstanding performance, whether you're blocking out rumbly bus engines during your commute or chatty coworkers at the office. With their ANC on, they last over 44 hours continuously. They also have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when you aren't using them. They have a comfortable fit and support multi-device pairing, meaning you can simultaneously stay connected to your PC and smartphone.

Out of the box, their excited sound profile adds thump, rumble, and boom to mixes while sibilants like cymbals are bright. If you don't like their default sound, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets, so you can fine-tune them. Unfortunately, some users have reported that their unit's headband cracked over time, so if you care about build quality, consider the Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless instead. Although they have a similar plastic design, they feel slightly sturdier. They also use the LDAC codec for higher-quality audio with similar app functionality. Their ANC has a good overall performance but doesn't suppress as much noise as the Q30. Still, if you're not too concerned about wear and tear, the Q30 are the better pick.

If you need ANC headphones for making and taking phone calls, look no further than the JBL Tune 760NC Wireless. It's rather hard to find both good ANC and a quality mic at an affordable price, which makes these stand out. These wireless over-ears have an integrated mic that makes your voice sound natural and well-balanced. As such, callers will have no problem understanding you on the other end of the line. They also do a decent job separating your voice from ambient noise, though you can still get drowned out by passing trains or loud traffic. They have an ANC system, and while they don't block out as much noise overall as the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, they still cut out a fair amount of noise, like background conversations and humming computer fans. Their ANC has more trouble with rumbly bassy noises, like a bus or plane engine.

These over-ears have a slightly bass-heavy sound, which will please metal and EDM fans. The rest of the range is relatively neutral, making them suitable for most audio content. Their battery lasts over 40 hours, so you can get through multiple workdays without recharging. However, they don't have a companion app, meaning you can't adjust the ANC level or change the sound profile in any way. They may also be uncomfortable for long calls if you wear glasses due to their high clamping force.

Check out the Razer Opus X Wireless if you like mobile gaming, scrolling through social media, or watching videos during your commute and don't want to experience audio lag. These are the best budget ANC headphones for keeping your videos and games in sync. Unlike other picks on this list, these over-ears have a 'Gaming Mode' providing a low latency connection over Bluetooth for better sync between audio and video. Their ANC also does a great job at cutting out ambient chatter but struggles to isolate you from bass-range noise like a bus engine or heavy traffic. It doesn't perform as well as the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless' ANC system. However, the Anker headphones have higher latency overall, making them less suitable for watching content or playing games.

Out of the box, these headphones have a relatively neutral sound profile, with a touch of extra bass, making game soundtracks and sound effects seem warm. The treble range also feels bright, and their companion app has EQ presets to help you find the right mix if you prefer a different sound. They're well-built and comfortable, but their integrated mic only performs okay, making your voice sound thin and muffled over team chat. Fortunately, their 68-hour continuous battery life will last you through nearly a whole workweek at the office and on the bus without worries.

If you're looking to spend the least money on a decent product with noise cancellation, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless are the best value noise cancelling headphones for a low price with very few competitors. These headphones are the previous generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and have a simpler design without app support. However, their ANC system performs well, given their price point. While it has some trouble blocking out the low rumble of bus and plane engines, it does a better job isolating you from ambient chatter and the high-pitched hum of computer fans, making them a solid choice for office use. With their ANC on, they deliver over 32 hours of continuous playback time, more than enough to last through long days on the go.

These comfortable over-ears have a very excited sound profile that delivers extra thump and boom to mixes. At the same time, vocals and lead instruments are bright and sparkly, making them a solid choice for genres like rock and pop. While they lack more robust sound customization features, they have a bass effect control in case you want more rumble. The headphones' build feels hollow and plasticky, so they may be less durable.

If you don't mind spending a little more, like in the $150 range, you can expect to see options that match the performance of some premium-priced headphones. The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are one such case. They feature an adaptive ANC system that adjusts itself automatically based on ambient noise levels, unlike the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless' manually controlled settings. The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 block out slightly more noise and can reduce rumbling engines and background conversations at the office. For the price, they also are slightly better built than our top pick.

They have a V-shaped sound profile with an overemphasized bass and treble, giving rock and pop plenty of punch and brightness. Their companion app's graphic EQ also allows you to adjust the mix to fit your preferences. They're comfortable enough for long commutes or shifts, but their yoke design leaves them prone to breaking during storage and folding. If you're looking for other options at this slightly higher price range, check out our article on the best noise cancelling headphones under $200.