The 8 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones - Spring 2019
Reviews

Active noise cancelling headphones are geared towards listeners who wish to have a well-isolated listening experience and block the ambient noise of loud environments. These headphones actively cancel out the noise around you so that you can listen to your favorite albums or audiobooks at a lower volume, or just enjoy the silence.

So far, we've tested 285 headphones and below are our recommendations for the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy in 2019. See also our recommendations for the best noise cancelling earbuds, the best budget noise cancelling headphones, and the best noise cancelling headphones under $100.

1. Best Noise Cancelling Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018

   

   Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.4

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.9

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.7

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.1

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.8

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.0

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.6

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : Yes
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are the best wireless noise cancelling headphones we’ve reviewed so far. They are fairly similar to their predecessor, the Bose QuietComfort 35, but feature an upgraded control scheme, a slightly more neutral sound, and better isolation performance that you can set to high or low depending on your environment and use case.

   The QC 35 II are one of the most comfortable headphones we’ve tested so far, and they perform well in practically every category. They have a well-built and lightweight design, and a fairly neutral sound profile that still packs quite a bit of bass. This makes them a good wireless option for critical listeners with long listening sessions, and their amazing noise cancelling feature makes them an excellent choice for commuting and office work.

   Unfortunately, they are a bit leaky at higher volumes, so you might not want to blast your music since the people around you will hear what you're listening to. They also don’t have all the customization options of the Sony WH-1000XM3, so they won't be as versatile for different users. Nevertheless, the QC 35 II are one of the best active noise cancelling headphones on the market and the combination of good sound and a comfortable, easy-to-use design should satisfy most people.

   See our review

2. Alternative With More Customization Options: Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless

   

   Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you prefer a more feature-packed headset with better customization options than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, then get the Sony WH-1000XM3 instead. They're a more comfortable update to the Sony WH-1000XM2; however, they're still not quite as comfortable as the Bose. They're also not as easy-to-use out-of-the-box and have a more bass heavy default sound.

   On the upside, they look and feel more premium. They also have a longer battery life and come with an excellent EQ so you can tweak the sound profile to your liking. They also provide an auto-calibrating noise cancelling feature that outperforms that of the Bose in most conditions. Overall, the QC 35 II are the easier-to-use and more comfortable option, but if you want more control over your settings and like to tweak your headphones, then the WH-1000XM3 are the better choice. If you don’t like the bulkier over-ear design, we suggest looking at the more portable, but less isolating Marshall MID ANC on-ears.

   See our review

3. Best Mid-Range Noise Cancelling Headphones: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016

   

   Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.3

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.7

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.4

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.1

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.5

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.2

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.9

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : Yes
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want over-ear noise cancelling headphones like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II or the Sony WH-1000XM3 but find them a bit too expensive, then get the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2; they're the best wireless noise cancelling headphones in the mid-range category. They do not block noise as well as the first two recommendations, but they have a good, bass-rich audio reproduction that sounds exciting on most tracks without being muddy or boomy.

   They have an excellent wireless range, easy to use and tactile controls, and an amazing battery life that will last a really long time since they also have an auto-off feature to save power in case you forget to turn them off. They even support aptX-LL (low latency), so you can use them to watch TV or for gaming, provided you have the right Bluetooth transmitter.

   They won't be as customizable as the HD 4.50 or the JBL Everest Elite 700, but they provide good performance for their price range and are a great value for anyone looking to buy decent noise cancelling headphones.

   See our review

4. Alternative With Better Isolation: Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC

   

   Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you have a really noisy commute, then the noise cancelling performance of the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 may not cut it; in this case, get the Sennheiser HD 4.50 instead. Their build quality feels a bit flimsier than the Plantronics. They're not as easy-to-use, do not come with as many codec options, and have less range and shorter battery life. They're also less comfortable than other options, since they're tighter on the head.

   On the upside, this makes them a bit more stable than the other over-ears on this list for physical activities. They also have more customization options, including an EQ, so you can change their sound profile to match your taste and preferences. They also isolate better in noisy conditions, so they will be a bit more suitable for commute and travel.

   See our review

5. More Portable Alternative: Jabra Elite 65e Wireless

   

   Jabra Elite 65e Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Earbuds

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you find over-ears like the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 or the Sennheiser HD 4.50 a bit too bulky, then get the Jabra Elite 65e; they're one of the best noise cancelling earphones we've tested. They won't block noise as well as the Sennheisers and their sound quality, though decent on human ears, was a bit difficult to match on our testing equipment, which means they may sound a bit inconsistent if you do not get the right fit for your ears.

   On the upside, they have a comfortable around-the-neck earbud design. They have above-average noise cancellation for noisy environments, low leakage, and a surprisingly good microphone for making calls. This makes them a suitable option for the office and commuting, but they're also versatile enough for most uses thanks to their sturdy and flexible neckband build quality, great controls, and portable design.

   See our review

6. Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones: Mpow H5 Wireless

   

   Mpow H5 Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   6.7

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.3

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.5

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.8

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.7

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.0

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.8

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : Yes
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 are out of your budget, get the Mpow H5; they're the best Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones in the budget category. They don’t have the same great sound quality and feel more cheaply made than the Plantronics, but their performance is quite surprising for their budget price and they have a good 12-hour battery life that should last you a whole day without any problem.

   They're fairly well-padded and should be comfortable for most, but they are a bit tight on the head for some. They also come with a great hard case to protect the headphones from scratches and impacts when they're in your bag, which is surprising for a product in this price range.

   Unfortunately, they don’t isolate much noise even if they are noise cancelling headphones, which is a bit disappointing. Also, although they sound pretty good, they do have quite a bit of high-bass, which makes them slightly boomy and muddy overall. If you’re looking for more noise isolation in the budget range, get the Cowin E7 Pro (however, they are more expensive and can't be connected to 2 devices simultaneously like the H5). The H5 also have a decently premium look and feel, especially when compared to the Mpow 059 at around the same price range.

   See our review

7. Better Isolating Alternative: Anker SoundCore Space NC Wireless

   

   Anker SoundCore Space NC Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you need better isolation performance than what the Mpow H5 provide, get the Anker SoundCore Space NC. They’re a fair bit more expensive than the Mpow H5, but they’re also more comfortable and well-built. They have very good noise isolation for entry-level noise-cancelling headphones and cancel out ambient speech, fan noises, and bus and plane engine rumbling to a good degree.

   Unfortunately, they have a rather dark sound, characterized by strongly overemphasized bass and a weak treble range. They won’t be very good for vocal-centric music like pop or jazz or for brighter genres like classical music, especially since they don’t have an EQ for you to customize their sound. They’ll be great if you’re a fan of extreme bass, though, especially since their great leakage performance ensures you won’t bother those around you with your music.

   See our review

8. Portable Option With Passive Isolation: AUKEY Latitude Wireless

   

   AUKEY Latitude Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you prefer the portability of in-ear headphones and want great passive isolation at a low price, get the AUKEY Latitude. They have impressive isolation and do a very good job at blocking out ambient noise passively. They sound decent for budget in-ears and have magnetic earbuds, which is a nice feature at this price point.

   Unfortunately, the AUKEY Latitude have a mediocre-at-best battery, since they only achieve about 7 hours of continuous playback, don’t have any power-saving features, and don’t support audio while charging. They’re also not very comfortable since they enter the ear canal fairly deeply. The Jaybird Freedom are more comfortable, but they don’t isolate quite as well as the AUKEY Latitude and are a bit more expensive.

   See our review