The 11 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones - Fall 2019
Reviews

The best noise cancelling headphones we’ve tested so far are the Sony WH-1000XM3. These headphones also have one of the best ANC features we’ve tested so far and can isolate an outstanding amount of noise across the board. When you pair them with the Sony | Headphones Connect app on your phone, you get access to a nice graphic EQ, various room and positioning effects, as well as different audio codec options. They have an excellent 27-hour battery life and support NFC for easier Bluetooth pairing.

Although their touch-sensitive control scheme is fairly easy to use once you get the hang of it, it doesn’t perform as intended in colder weather. The Jabra Elite 85h have a physical control scheme that provides better feedback and can be used without a problem in below zero temperatures, but their ANC isn’t as strong as that of the Sony. If cold-weather performance isn’t a concern for you, these are comfortable, well-built premium headphones that are suitable for most uses thanks to their customizability.

The best wired noise cancelling headphones we've tested so far are the Bose QuietComfort 25. They're very comfortable headphones with a lightweight design that you can wear for hours with little fatigue or discomfort. They have excellent ANC and cancel noise especially well in the mid-range, which means they're a good choice if you want something specifically for blocking out lively chatter. They sound very well-balanced too and are suitable for all kinds of music, from hip-hop to classical.

These headphones use AAA batteries, which can convenient during a road trip where you don't have access to a wall charger but isn't ideal if you don't have batteries on you. Although they can be used passively when the battery's dead, they lose a bit of audio quality. Thankfully, they give you nearly 33 hours of playback before the batteries run out. Unfortunately, they leak quite a bit of sound, which can be an issue if you work in a noise-sensitive office, but if you don't listen to your music very loud, you shouldn't have a problem.

The best noise cancelling earbuds we’ve tested so far are the Bose QuietControl 30. They have a comfortable neckband design that’s fairly easy to use and a stable earbud fit that stays put even during a light jog. They have great noise isolation and leak even less sound than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, which makes them a decent choice for use while commuting or at the office.

Although they look nice, the rubber sleeve that protects the neckband and in-line remote tends to split and peel off with time. The Sony WI-1000X feel better-built and are also more customizable thanks to the Sony | Headphones Connect app, but they’re less comfortable and their battery performance is inferior, so if you’re looking for the best ANC earbuds for an upcoming trip, the Bose are worth taking a look at.

The best noise cancelling in-ear headphones we’ve tested so far are the Sony WI-1000X. They’re well-built wireless in-ears with a neckband design that feels pretty durable. Like the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless, they’re compatible with the Sony | Headphones Connect app for access to a ton of customization options and they have good 10-hour battery life. They have a good audio reproduction and you can EQ the way they sound in the app.

While their neckband design ensures your music is always at arm’s reach, it’s not for everyone, especially since it’s very rigid. They also don’t have the most stable fit, so if you need to run to catch your bus you might want to hold onto the neckband so they don’t go flying. If you like a neckband design, though, they’re well-performing noise cancelling in-ears overall.

The best noise cancelling headphones under $200 we’ve reviewed so far are the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They’re well-built, comfortable over-ears with a simple physical control scheme that’s very easy-to-use. They have an exciting bass-rich sound that brings out the deep thump and rumble of more bass-heavy genres like EDM or hip-hop without being boomy or muddy, and they have an amazing 30-hour battery life. They even support aptX-LL (low latency), so you can use them to watch TV or while gaming, provided you have the right Bluetooth transmitter.

On the downside, their app doesn’t provide an EQ. They also don’t block noise as well as some of the more premium ANC models we’ve tested. but they provide fantastic value for their price. They are also rather bulky headphones and don’t have the sleekest look. If you prefer a more neutral sound and streamlined design, you may want to consider the Plantronics Backbeat Go 810, but they’re less comfortable and have even worse ANC performance. The Pro 2 perform well for their price overall and provide good value for anyone looking to buy decent noise cancelling headphones.

The best affordable noise cancelling headphones we’ve tested so far are the Mpow H10. Their ANC is decent and they isolate noise fairly well across the board. They sound alright overall; their mid-range is a bit recessed, which affects the intensity and projection of vocals and lead instruments, but this likely won’t be an issue for most people, especially those who prefer bass-heavier music genres like rap or EDM. They have a great 23-hour battery life, can be used while charging, and feature a standby mode to help save power when not in use.

Although they have much better noise cancellation than the Mpow H5, they leak a lot of sound. Though this shouldn’t be a problem on a loud flight, you may disturb your colleagues with the sound of your music. They also don’t feel as well-built as the Mpow H5, which are cheaper. However, they’re more comfortable and have a significantly better battery. They provide a satisfactory listening experience all around and provide excellent value for their price.

The best noise cancelling headphones in the budget category we’ve tested so far are the Mpow H5. They’re fairly well-built, especially for their price, and have a reasonably comfortable yet stable fit. They sound decent, with a reasonably balanced audio reproduction that works for most genres of music, and are easy-to-use. They have a good 12-hour battery life, can connect to two devices simultaneously, and even come with a great hard carrying case, which are all great features at this price point.

Unfortunately, their noise cancelling isn’t the best. They do isolate a bit of noise overall, but not as much as the TaoTronics TT-BH060. Our TaoTronics unit had heavily mismatched drivers, though, and a dark and muffled sound quality. If you don’t need very much noise isolation and care more about having lots of active features, then the Mpow are a decent choice.